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AP News in Brief at 6:04 p.m. EST

Hungary's Orbán vows to disregard international arrest warrant for Netanyahu

AN AMERICAN MOMENTOTTAWA — Two senior members of the federal cabinet were in Florida Friday pushing Canada's new $1.3 billion border plan with members of Donald Trump's transition team, a day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself appeared to finally push back at the president-elect over his social media posts about turning Canada into the 51st state. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Affair Minister Melanie Joly shared few details of their meetings in Palm Beach, simply saying in a statement the U.S. officials they met with took notes and agreed to relay messages to Trump. "Minister LeBlanc and Minister Joly had a positive, productive meeting at Mar-a-Lago with Howard Lutnick and Doug Burgum, as a followup to the dinner between the prime minister and President Trump last month," wrote Jean-Sébastien Comeau, a spokesman for LeBlanc. Lutnick is Trump's nominee for commerce secretary, and Burgum is the former governor of North Dakota and current nominee for secretary of the interior. When announcing Lutnick as his commerce pick Trump said the chief executive of the financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald would be in charge of the Trump "tariff and trade agenda." "Both Ministers outlined the measures in Canada’s Border Plan and reiterated the shared commitment to strengthen border security as well as combat the harm caused by fentanyl to save Canadian and American lives." He added the ministers agreed to continue the discussions in the coming weeks. Joly is also expected to meet in Florida with senator Lindsay Graham Friday evening. This trip comes less than four weeks before Trump is sworn in again as president. He has threatened to impose a new 25 per cent import tariff on Canada and Mexico the same day over concerns about a trade imbalance, as well as illegal drugs and migration issues at the borders. The broad strokes of Canada's new border plan were made public Dec. 17, including a new aerial intelligence task force to provide round-the-clock surveillance of the border, and improved efforts using technology and canine teams to seek out drugs in shipments leaving Canada. Comeau said earlier Friday morning the ministers would also emphasize the negative impacts of Trump's threatened tariffs on both Canada and the U.S. Comeau said the ministers were to build on the discussions that took place last month when Trudeau and LeBlanc met Trump at Mar-a-Lago just days after Trump first made his tariff threat. It was at that dinner on Nov. 29 when Trump first raised the notion of Canada becoming the 51st state, a comment LeBlanc has repeatedly since insisted was just a joke. But Trump has continued the quip repeatedly in various social media posts, including in his Christmas Day message when he said Canadians would pay lower taxes and have better military protection if they became Americans. He has taken to calling Trudeau "governor" instead of prime minister. It isn't clear if LeBlanc raised the issue with Trump's team in Palm Beach Friday. Trudeau had not directly responded to any of the jabs, but on Thursday posted a link to a six-minute long video on YouTube from 2010 in which American journalist Tom Brokaw "explains Canada to Americans." "Some information about Canada for Americans" was all he wrote in the post. The video, which originally aired during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, explains similarities between the two countries, including their founding based on immigration, their trading relationship and the actions of the Canadian Army in World War 2 and other modern conflicts. "In the long history of sovereign neighbours there has never been a relationship as close, productive and peaceful as the U.S. and Canada," Brokaw says in the video. Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who is at the centre of some of Trudeau's recent domestic political troubles, also called out Trump's antics on X Thursday, calling it "casual disrespect" and "carrying the 'joke' too far." "Time to call it out, stand up for Canada, and build a true North American partnership," said Carney, who Trudeau was courting to join his cabinet before Chrystia Freeland resigned as finance minister last week. Freeland's sudden departure, three days after Trudeau informed her he would be firing her as finance minister in favour of Carney, left Trudeau's leadership even more bruised than it already was. Despite the expectation Carney would assume the role, he did not and has not made any statements about it. LeBlanc was sworn in as finance minister instead the same day Freeland quit. More than two dozen Liberal MPs have publicly called on Trudeau to resign as leader, and Trudeau is said to be taking the holidays to think about his next steps. He is currently vacationing in British Columbia. He did not make a public statement about the meeting as of publication. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire , New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said, adding that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Thompson was shot at least once in the back and once in the calf, Tisch said. The shooter, who wore a jacket, face mask and large backpack, fled through Midtown on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, police said. The assailant remained at large Wednesday afternoon, sparking a search that included police drones, helicopters and dogs. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the insurer’s Minnetonka, Minnesota-based parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., said in a statement. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.” Police issued a poster showing a surveillance image of the man pointing what appeared to be a gun and another image that appeared to show the same person on a bicycle. Minutes before the shooting, he stopped at a nearby Starbucks, according to additional surveillance photos released by police on Wednesday afternoon. They offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Eric Werner, the police chief in the Minneapolis suburb where Thompson lived, said his department had not received any reports of threats against the executive. The killing shook a part of New York City that's normally quiet at that hour, happening about four blocks from where tens of thousands of people were set to gather for Wednesday night’s tree lighting. Police promised extra security for the event. The hotel is also a short walk from other tourist sites, including the Museum of Modern Art and Radio City Music Hall, and is often dense with office workers and visitors on weekday mornings. Many security cameras are nearby. “We’re encouraging New Yorkers to go about their daily lives and their daily business but to be alert,” NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the shooter fled. They were also searching Thompson's hotel room, interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues and reviewing his social media, Kenny said. Police said the e-bike that the shooter used to ride into Central Park came from the city’s bike-share program, CitiBike. A spokesperson for Lyft, which operates the program, said police had not yet contacted the company. Health care giant UnitedHealth Group was holding its annual meeting with investors to update Wall Street on the company's direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompson's death. “I’m afraid that we — some of you may know we’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members,” a company official told attendees, according to a transcript. “And as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today. ... I’m sure you’ll understand.” Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with the company since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years. UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on the social platform X that the state is “sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.” “This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” the Democrat wrote. ___ Associated Press writers Tom Murphy in Indianapolis, Steve Karnowski in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, contributed to this story. Jake Offenhartz, Karen Matthews And Michael R. Sisak, The Associated PressAmritsar: Giving a political angle to the assassination attempt on Sukhbir Singh Badal , Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majthia blamed Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa for allegedly patronising the perpetrator, Narain Singh Chaura, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for allowing the attack. Talking to media after the attack, Majithia showed videos claiming that police were nowhere near the scene of crime and the militant was allowed to approach Sukhbir despite Punjab Police claims that the attacker was under surveillance. “This is the failure of police and government,” he said. He said claimed that the accused was a close associate of Randhawa. Randhawa rejected the allegations, saying Akalis were trying to get political mileage out of the situation and accused them of allowing separatist elements to address gatherings from their political stages. “My family is of patriots. We have never been associated with gangsters of terrorists,” he said. He said he was ready for a judicial inquiry. He also asserted that two cases against Narayan Chaura were cancelled when the Congress was in power and he was freed in 2018, when Randhawa was a minister in the Congress govt. He also gave instances of Randhawa promoting associates of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) earlier. We also published the following articles recently Firing at Sukhbir Singh Badal: Who is shooter Narayan Singh Chaura Former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal survived an assassination attempt at the Golden Temple. Narayan Singh Chaura, a known Khalistani activist with alleged ties to Babbar Khalsa International, fired a shot during Badal's religious penance. The shot missed, landing in the sacred Charan Kund. Badal was unharmed thanks to swift intervention by a sewadar. Sukhbir Badal assassination attempt: Shooter Narayan Singh Chaura a 'hardcore Pakistan-returned terrorist' Narain Singh Chaura, a former terrorist with ties to Pakistan, fired at Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple. Intelligence agencies had been monitoring Chaura since his 2018 release from jail, aware of his history of militancy, including smuggling weapons and aiding a high-profile jailbreak. Sikh community the real force behind Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badals submission, Takhts assertion Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Shiromani Akali Dal president, publicly confessed his and his late father's wrongdoings during their reign in Punjab. Driven by years of public pressure and electoral losses, Badal submitted to the Akal Takht's authority. The Sikh community's persistent activism, amplified by social media, played a crucial role in holding leaders accountable and restoring the Akal Takht's influence. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .

Raw milk, hailed by some as a natural and nutritious alternative to pasteurized dairy, may come with hidden dangers, according to a new Stanford University study. The research, published December 12 in Environmental Science & Technology Letters reveals that influenza or flu virus can remain infectious in refrigerated raw milk for up to five days. The findings come at a time when outbreaks of bird flu in dairy cattle have raised concerns about the potential for a new pandemic. "This work highlights the potential risk of avian influenza transmission through consumption of raw milk and the importance of milk pasteurization," said study senior author Alexandria Boehm, the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Professor of Environmental Studies in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and the Stanford School of Engineering. More than 14 million Americans consume raw milk annually . Unlike pasteurized milk, raw milk is not heated to kill potentially harmful pathogens. Proponents of raw milk claim that it leaves more beneficial nutrients, enzymes, and probiotics than in pasteurized milk, and can boost immune and gastrointestinal health. The Food and Drug Administration has tied raw milk to over 200 outbreaks of illnesses, and—together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention —warns that germs, such E. coli and Salmonella, in raw milk present "serious" health risks, especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. The science behind the risk The researchers explored the persistence of a strain of human influenza virus in raw cow's milk at typical refrigeration temperatures. The flu virus , called H1N1 PR8, survived and remained infectious in the milk for up to five days. "The persistence of infectious influenza virus in raw milk for days raises concerns about potential transmission pathways," said study co-lead author Mengyang Zhang, a postdoctoral scholar in civil and environmental engineering. "The virus could contaminate surfaces and other environmental materials within dairy facilities, posing risks to animals and humans." Additionally, the researchers found that flu virus RNA—molecules that carry genetic information but are not considered a health risk—remained detectable in the raw milk for at least 57 days. By comparison, pasteurization completely destroyed infectious influenza in the milk and reduced the amount of viral RNA by almost 90%, but didn't eliminate the RNA entirely. Although exposure to influenza virus RNA does not pose a health risk, RNA-based testing methods are often used to conduct environmental surveillance of pathogens like influenza. "The prolonged persistence of viral RNA in both raw and pasteurized milk has implications for food safety assessments and environmental surveillance, particularly because many of the techniques used in environmental surveillance detect RNA," said study co-lead author Alessandro Zulli, a postdoctoral scholar in civil and environmental engineering . The research grew out of an earlier project focused on human norovirus and the subfamily of viruses responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Why it matters now In the U.S. alone, flu viruses infect more than 40 million people and kill more than 50,000 every year. These types of viruses can spread from animals to humans, as in the case of swine flu, which led to as many as 1.4 billion human infections globally in 2009-2010. Although bird flu has not proven as dangerous to people yet, it could mutate to become so. Recent detection of bird flu in cattle has raised questions about its potential transmission through milk and other dairy products. The study's findings underscore the importance of improving monitoring systems, particularly as bird flu continues to spread among livestock, according to the study's authors. The study complements earlier research involving several of the same researchers that pioneered the use of wastewater for detection of avian influenza. That analysis revealed commercial and industrial dairy waste as primary sources. By analyzing wastewater, public health officials could detect virus activity in nearby cattle populations. "We never thought that wastewater could be used to detect and respond to zoonotic pathogens circulating in the community," Boehm said. "It has been amazing to watch our work on detection in wastewater scaled across the United States and the world." More information: Alessandro Zulli et al, Infectivity and Persistence of Influenza A Virus in Raw Milk, Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00971

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The NFL issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union on Thursday following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted. Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets, including attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in the neighborhood. Burglars have entered through side doors, via balconies, or second-floor windows. They’ve targeted homes in secluded areas and focus on master bedrooms and closet areas. Players were warned to avoid updating any social media with check-ins or daily activities until the end of the day. Posting expensive items on social media is discouraged. The homes of Mahomes and Kelce were broken into within days of each other last month, law enforcement reports show. The break-ins happened just before and the day of Kansas City’s 26-13 home victory over the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 7, where Kelce’s superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift watched from the stands. No injuries were reported in either case.

Shares of Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc (OMEX) surged over 13% on Thursday after the company announced a joint venture (JV) with Capital Latinoamericano, S.A. de C.V. (CapLat) to develop a strategic fertilizer project and also disclosed that it has secured $4 million in funding. Odyssey said the JV is looking to establish a private-public partnership with the Mexican government. CapLat principal Juan Cortina noted that a secure, high-quality domestic fertilizer supply can be transformative for North America’s agricultural foundation. “This project has the potential to lower costs for farmers and bring meaningful benefits to communities—particularly small-scale farmers—by increasing access to affordable fertilizers and fostering rural development,” Cortina said. The partnership combines Odyssey’s subsea resource exploration expertise with Cortina’s leadership in Mexico’s agricultural sector. It will employ advanced technology and sustainable dredging techniques, which have been successfully used in over 200 similar projects in Mexican waters by a local operating partner for the project. Odyssey also announced it has secured $4 million in funding led by Cortina, holders of Odyssey’s debt, and Odyssey’s lead director, priced at a premium to market with no warrants. Meanwhile, holders of Odyssey’s debt have agreed to extend the maturity date of notes due December 2024 to December 2025 and notes due June 2025 to April 2026. Following the slew of announcements, retail sentiment on Stocktwits jumped into the ‘extremely bullish’ territory (94/100) from ‘neutral’ a day ago. The move was accompanied by ‘extremely high’ retail chatter. Stocktwits users expressed optimism on the stock’s near-term potential. However, despite Thursday’s rally, the stock has lost over 90% of its market capitalization since the beginning of the year. For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

How long do FBI directors normally serve? What to know as Wray announces resignation

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From the opening tip-off, it was clear that both teams were hungry for a victory. The game was fast-paced and physical, with neither side willing to back down. The Beijing Ducks, known for their powerful offense and strong defense, initially took the lead with their sharp shooting and solid defensive plays. However, the Shanxi Loongs, led by their star players, fought back tenaciously, gradually closing the gap and eventually overtaking Beijing in a dramatic turn of events.

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Ultimately, the case of the mother and daughter carrying knives on board serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and following the rules and regulations set forth by transportation authorities. While the incident may have sparked controversy, it also highlights the need for clear communication and education regarding the rules surrounding knife carrying on trains. By adhering to these guidelines and working together to ensure the safety of all passengers, we can create a secure and welcoming environment for everyone traveling on China's railway network.Taxes: Two cheers and a few suggestions

As discussions continue regarding Rashford's future at Manchester United, it remains to be seen whether the club will ultimately proceed with his sale and how they will utilize the funds generated from such a move. However, one thing is clear: the decision to potentially offload Rashford is not only driven by financial considerations but also aims to optimize the team's competitiveness and long-term sustainability in the ever-evolving world of football.

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Recent developments in the region, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system, have tested the resilience of China-South Korea relations. Throughout these challenges, China has maintained a firm and principled stance, upholding the importance of mutual respect, equality, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rising toward records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% and was on track to top its all-time high set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 81 points, or 0.2%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.5% higher, with less than an hour remaining in trading. Stock markets abroad were down, but mostly only modestly, after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada's main index edged down by just 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. General Motors sank 8.2%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.9%. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support to the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the overall economy and prices for investments, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed's last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. Unlike tariffs in Trump's first term, his proposal from Monday night would affect products across the board. Trump’s tariff talk came almost immediately after U.S. stocks rose Monday amid excitement about his pick for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent. The hope was the hedge-fund manager could steer Trump away from policies that balloon the U.S. government deficit, which is how much more it spends than it takes in through taxes and other revenue. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another set of mixed profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates instituted by the Fed to get inflation under control. Kohl’s tumbled 17.6% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.7% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. J.M. Smucker jumped 5.4% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500 after topping analysts' expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 2.8% for Amazon and 2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. In the bond market, Treasury yields rose following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.30% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It's since dipped back toward $91,600, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.With no concrete plan in mind, Liu arrived in Wuhan with only a small amount of savings and a big dream. Inspired by his girlfriend's love for ice cream, Liu decided to take a leap of faith and start his own ice cream business in the bustling city. Armed with a mobile ice cream cart, Liu set out to explore the streets of Wuhan, selling his homemade frozen treats to passersby.NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — In the last month, violent deaths at a WeGo bus stop and the main terminal in downtown Nashville have prompted questions to the mayor's office about safety measures given the passage of the new transit plan. A Metro Nashville Public Schools student was shot and killed by another teen a week ago at the bus station at around 4 p.m. In mid-November, a suspect was arrested after attacking and stabbing a woman in the face at 5:15 a.m. She later died from injuries. The two were sitting on a bus bench on Harding Place at Antioch Pike. Police said surveillance video showed they both rose as the bus began to approach and that the suspect attacked the woman unprovoked. On Tuesday, Mayor Freddie O'Connell addressed the safety of bus stop services given the Choose How You Move plan passed on election day. "These were very troubling incidents from a public safety perspective," O'Connell said. "And I think where we are is we have a comprehensive report looking at the entire system that was underway as we were working on Choose How You Move. But one of the four key pillars of Choose How You Move is safety for this very reason." A few days after the shooting, an extra police presence was noticeably visible, but that was tapered back after a couple of days. The Choose How You Move plan would improve bus service, add more sidewalks and create smarter traffic lights among other elements. But it comes at a cost. The mayor's plan called for a half-cent hike in the sales tax. The sales tax increase is expected to cost families an extra $70 a year. As detailed, the plan calls for $3.1 billion and promises 86 miles of new sidewalks in the first 15 years, along with a dozen new transit centers, new crosstown bus routes, 24-hour bus service, and nearly 600 traffic lights upgraded to a connected smart network. "We have talked to both Steve Bland, the CEO of WeGo, and Chief Drake at MNPD about how we would dedicate some of the funding to personnel and technology," O'Connell said. "Our hope is having this report — ideally before the end of the year — is gonna help us make rapid progress on the safety of not just facilities like WeGo Central, but the network as a whole. We are expecting a significant step forward in safety system-wide." At the time of the shooting, a Metro Nashville Police Department spokesperson said the WeGo bus terminal has bus security and police regularly patrolling the area. Bus riders told NewsChannel 5 that they have seen violence surrounding WeGo and some MNPS parents shared they had been hesitant after this month to allow their students to use the public transit system. Around 4,000 with MNPS use the public bus system. The Choose How You Move plan is just getting started. The city is looking to hire a transit czar, and O'Connell said Tuesday they will look to the original technical and community advisory committee before making a new one. "I think we want this to be something that's got a balanced focus on implementation details, including everything from design and safety elements, but also making sure we are doing community engagement along all the corridors where we expect the most significant changes to take place. But we don't have a complete list of who we expect to be participating in that yet," O'Connell said. Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at emily.west@newschannel5.com. 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Nasdaq Announces Mid-Month Open Short Interest Positions in Nasdaq Stocks as of Settlement Date November 15, 2024Another round of stimulus policies on the horizon following another leak from the closed-door meeting at the Great Wall Investment Bank? Speculations are mounting in the financial sector as rumors swirl of a potential second wave of economic stimulus measures in the wake of the recent Economic Summit. It is important for individuals to be mindful of the following points when considering massage therapy:

But the surprises were far from over. As the team celebrated their historic win, a sudden downpour of money rained down from the sky. It was a miracle - bundles of cash literally falling from above, as if a gift from the heavens.

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In the world of education, sometimes a simple gesture can have a profound impact on students' learning experience. Such is the case of Mr. Smith, a dedicated teacher with a passion for teaching science, who sketched a cross-section of an engine during a lesson on mechanics. Little did he know that this spontaneous act of creativity would evolve into a collection of over a thousand iconic teaching posters that would inspire generations of students.JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes meanwhile carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt . Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, and Aamer Madhani in Washington, contributed. Find more of AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

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Zelenskiy Accuses Slovak PM Of Wanting To 'Help Putin' Through Gas PaymentsFresh off its biggest win of the season, Penn State plays its first true road game Tuesday when it visits Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. Aces will be wild for the Nittany Lions (8-1, 1-0 Big Ten) and the Scarlet Knights (5-4, 0-1) as Penn State's Ace Baldwin Jr. will square off against Ace Bailey of Rutgers. Baldwin is the Nittany Lions' leading scorer at 15.1 points per game and dishes out 8.1 assists -- fourth in the nation entering Monday's action. He registered 17 points and six assists Thursday in an 81-70 victory over then-No. 8 Purdue in a game where Penn State led by as many as 27. Freddie Dilione V chipped in 14 points for the Nittany Lions, who had not defeated a Top 10 team since 2019. "A win like that's a statement win," Dilione said. "I just think it's going to put everybody on notice. We're just a walkover team. We're always going be the underdogs, and that's our mentality. We've just got to come in every game and just punch everybody in the mouth." Penn State must be careful not to suffer a letdown against a talented Rutgers squad led by freshmen Dylan Harper (23.1 points per game) and Bailey (17.9). The duo combined for 30 points in the Scarlet Knights' last game -- an 80-66 setback at Ohio State. The defeat was the fourth in the last five games for Rutgers, which plays seven of its next eight in New Jersey. "We've got to get better," Scarlet Knights coach Steve Pikiell said. "We got to get some more consistency out of a lot of things, especially our defense. Can't give up 80 points on the road and expect to win in this league." In last season's meeting with Penn State, it was offense that was Rutgers' biggest issue. The Scarlet Knights shot just 1-of-17 from 3-point range and 34 percent overall in a 61-46 home defeat. "(It's about) finding ways of how to bounce back as a team and staying together," Harper said. "Even though we lose, we're still going to find a way." --Field Level Media

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The Cyber Crime Police of Greater Chennai City Police booked a case on a complaint from Gana Singer Isaivani who was trolled on social media for her song titled ‘I am sorry Ayyappa’ It was sung by Ms. Isaivani, of Neelam Culture Centre in 2018. Although the song was reportedly performed in 2018, it gained widespread attention recently, sparking outrage among the Lord Ayyappa devotees and Hindu outfits. The singer faced strong criticism and trolls. Based on her complaint, police booked the case under four sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Information Technology Act. Published - December 15, 2024 01:20 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp RedditMLB Lottery Results 2025: Nationals Get No. 1 Pick; Full Selection Order, Analysis, /PRNewswire/ -- Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSII) ("Heidrick & Struggles", "Heidrick" or the "Company"), a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, today announced the appointment of as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), effective . Sinha currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of LLC, a globally regulated payments company. He was previously Global Head of Product at T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and also led the Wealth & Asset Management and Corporate Business Functions Practices at McKinsey & Company. " is a proven financial leader with a passion for strategy, transformation, and people leadership across professional services, financial services, and technology. Throughout his career, Nirupam has helped lead transformative financial management and value creation, all while advancing organizational growth, making him the ideal leader to create value for clients, colleagues and shareholders," said Heidrick & Struggles' Chief Executive Officer . "Nirupam has the strategic insight, leadership skills and deep experience to support Heidrick & Struggles as the world's most trusted partner in leadership and critical talent decisions, focused on building differentiated, deep and durable relationships with the world's most leadership-obsessed companies." "We are in a pivotal time when people and leadership can make or break a business, making the work at Heidrick & Struggles ever more important," said . "Heidrick & Struggles has long served at the heart of talent strategy and continues to innovate and expand its offerings in an increasingly transformative market. I believe we have an exciting road ahead as a firm and I'm honored to be a part of it. As Heidrick & Struggles continues to grow, I look forward to helping the Company continue to scale and deliver strong performance for our clients and shareholders around the world." is a tested leader with extensive experience across professional services, financial services, and technology. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of , a global payments company, where he oversees a team of more than 200 across Accounting, Treasury, Tax, FP&A, Investor Relations, and Strategy as well as other groups. Nirupam also served as the Global Head of Product at asset management firm T. , where his tenure also included senior Finance and Strategy roles. With nearly 20 years of experience, Nirupam has a proven track record of transforming finance functions, scaling organizational growth, and engaging across stakeholder groups. He began his career at McKinsey & Company in the Financial Services Practice and also worked at Serent Capital as a private equity investor. Nirupam holds a B.A. in Political Science from and an MBA from the Wharton School at the . Sinha is based in . Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) is a premier provider of global leadership advisory services and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior talent and consulting needs of the world's top organizations. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 70 years ago. Today, we partner with clients to develop future-ready leaders and organizations, combining our expertise in executive search, leadership consulting, and on-demand talent solutions to maximize client profitability and performance. Helping our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time.® Global Director, Public Relations Heidrick & Struggles View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Heidrick & StrugglesKolkata Knight Riders Squad for IPL 2025: Mayank Markande Sold to KKR for INR 30 Lakh at Indian Premier League Auction

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Indian government -owned renewable energy company NTPC Green Energy will finalize its share allotment tomorrow. The shares will be credited to the demat accounts of the successful bidders, before the company makes its debut on Dalal Street on Wednesday. Investors who do not receive a share allotment will be refunded on the same day. Checking allotment status and subscription details Investors can check their stock allotment status for the NTPC Green Energy IPO online on KFin Technologies's website, as well as on the official websites of BSE and NSE. The public offer was subscribed 2.42 times on its final day of bidding, with retail investors subscribing 3.44 times and Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) subscribing over 3.3 times. IPO details and gray market premium The gray market premium (GMP) for the public issue stands at ₹3.5 per share at the moment, showing investors' willingness to pay more for a public issue. The stocks are expected to be listed on the domestic stock indices at ₹111.5 per share, a gain of 3.24%. The public issue raised ₹3,960 crore through anchor investors on November 19. Future plans and IPO subscription NTPC Green Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC Ltd, intends to utilize the proceeds raised from this public issue for investment in its subsidiary, NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NREL). The company also plans to repay/prepay certain outstanding borrowings in full/part and use the balance for general corporate purposes. The IPO was open for public bidding from November 19-22 and was 92% subscribed on its second day. A closer look at the details The NTPC Green Energy IPO is a ₹10,000 crore book-built issue. It is entirely a fresh issue of 92.59 crore stocks with the price band fixed at ₹102-108 per share. Retail investors can apply for a minimum of 138 shares, which would require an investment of ₹14,904. IDBI Capital Market Services, HDFC Bank , IIFL Securities and Nuvama Wealth Management are the managers of this IPO.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government on Monday survived a third vote of no confidence in as many months, brought by his main Tory rival. The minority Liberal government got the support of the New Democratic Party (NDP), a small leftist faction once aligned with the ruling Liberals, to defeat the motion 180-152. The text of the proposition echoed NDP leader Jagmeet Singh's own past criticisms of Trudeau since breaking off their partnership in late August, calling him "too weak, too selfish." Neither Singh nor Trudeau were present for the vote. The House of Commons has been deadlocked most of this fall session by an unprecedented two-month filibuster by the Conservatives. But Speaker Greg Fergus, in a rare move, ordered a short break in the deadlock to allow for this and other possible confidence votes, and for lawmakers to vote on a key spending measure. MPs are scheduled to vote Tuesday on the spending package, which includes funds for social services, disaster relief and support for Ukraine. With a 20-point lead in polls, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has been itching for an election call since the NDP tore up its coalition agreement with the Liberals. But the NDP and other opposition parties, whose support is needed to bring down the Liberals, have so far refused to side with the Conservatives. Two no-confidence votes brought by the Tories in September and October failed when the NDP and the separatist Bloc Quebecois backed the Liberals. In Canada's Westminster parliamentary system, a ruling party must hold the confidence of the House of Commons, which means maintaining support from a majority of members. The Liberals currently have 153 seats, versus 119 for the Conservatives, 33 for the Bloc Quebecois, and the NDP's 25. Trudeau swept to power in 2015 and has managed to hold on through two elections in 2019 and 2021. amc/bs/bjt

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Unai Emery knows Champions League top-eight spot is possible for Aston VillaBy REBECCA SANTANA WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end birthright citizenship as soon as he gets into office to make good on campaign promises aiming to restrict immigration and redefining what it means to be American. But any efforts to halt the policy would face steep legal hurdles. Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the United States automatically becomes an American citizen. It’s been in place for decades and applies to children born to someone in the country illegally or in the U.S. on a tourist or student visa who plans to return to their home country. It’s not the practice of every country, and Trump and his supporters have argued that the system is being abused and that there should be tougher standards for becoming an American citizen. But others say this is a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, it would be extremely difficult to overturn and even if it’s possible, it’s a bad idea. Here’s a look at birthright citizenship, what Trump has said about it and the prospects for ending it: What Trump has said about birthright citizenship During an interview Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Trump said he “absolutely” planned to halt birthright citizenship once in office. “We’re going to end that because it’s ridiculous,” he said. Trump and other opponents of birthright citizenship have argued that it creates an incentive for people to come to the U.S. illegally or take part in “birth tourism,” in which pregnant women enter the U.S. specifically to give birth so their children can have citizenship before returning to their home countries. “Simply crossing the border and having a child should not entitle anyone to citizenship,” said Eric Ruark, director of research for NumbersUSA, which argues for reducing immigration. The organization supports changes that would require at least one parent to be a permanent legal resident or a U.S. citizen for their children to automatically get citizenship. Others have argued that ending birthright citizenship would profoundly damage the country. “One of our big benefits is that people born here are citizens, are not an illegal underclass. There’s better assimilation and integration of immigrants and their children because of birthright citizenship,” said Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the pro-immigration Cato Institute. In 2019, the Migration Policy Institute estimated that 5.5 million children under age 18 lived with at least one parent in the country illegally in 2019, representing 7% of the U.S. child population. The vast majority of those children were U.S. citizens. The nonpartisan think tank said during Trump’s campaign for president in 2015 that the number of people in the country illegally would “balloon” if birthright citizenship were repealed, creating “a self-perpetuating class that would be excluded from social membership for generations.” What does the law say? In the aftermath of the Civil War, Congress ratified the 14th Amendment in July 1868. That amendment assured citizenship for all, including Black people. “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,” the 14th Amendment says. “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.” But the 14th Amendment didn’t always translate to everyone being afforded birthright citizenship. For example, it wasn’t until 1924 that Congress finally granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. A key case in the history of birthright citizenship came in 1898, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a U.S. citizen because he was born in the states. The federal government had tried to deny him reentry into the county after a trip abroad on grounds he wasn’t a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act. But some have argued that the 1898 case clearly applied to children born of parents who are both legal immigrants to America but that it’s less clear whether it applies to children born to parents without legal status or, for example, who come for a short-term like a tourist visa. “That is the leading case on this. In fact, it’s the only case on this,” said Andrew Arthur, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, which supports immigration restrictions. “It’s a lot more of an open legal question than most people think.” Some proponents of immigration restrictions have argued the words “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” in the 14th Amendment allows the U.S. to deny citizenship to babies born to those in the country illegally. Trump himself used that language in his 2023 announcement that he would aim to end birthright citizenship if reelected. So what could Trump do and would it be successful? Trump wasn’t clear in his Sunday interview how he aims to end birthright citizenship. Asked how he could get around the 14th Amendment with an executive action, Trump said: “Well, we’re going to have to get it changed. We’ll maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.” Pressed further on whether he’d use an executive order, Trump said “if we can, through executive action.” He gave a lot more details in a 2023 post on his campaign website . In it, he said he would issue an executive order the first day of his presidency, making it clear that federal agencies “require that at least one parent be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident for their future children to become automatic U.S. citizens.” Related Articles National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president National Politics | With Trump on the way, advocates look to states to pick up medical debt fight Trump wrote that the executive order would make clear that children of people in the U.S. illegally “should not be issued passports, Social Security numbers, or be eligible for certain taxpayer funded welfare benefits.” This would almost certainly end up in litigation. Nowrasteh from the Cato Institute said the law is clear that birthright citizenship can’t be ended by executive order but that Trump may be inclined to take a shot anyway through the courts. “I don’t take his statements very seriously. He has been saying things like this for almost a decade,” Nowrasteh said. “He didn’t do anything to further this agenda when he was president before. The law and judges are near uniformly opposed to his legal theory that the children of illegal immigrants born in the United States are not citizens.” Trump could steer Congress to pass a law to end birthright citizenship but would still face a legal challenge that it violates the Constitution. Associated Press reporter Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.

Total Monthly Digital Colocation Revenue grew 111% Y/Y in November 2024 Total Current Operating Hash Rate (EH) of about 4.98 EH/s, with current total operating capacity of 129 MW and expected to grow to 153 MW upon Ohio facility completion MIDLAND, Pa., Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mawson Infrastructure Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MIGI) (“Mawson” or “the Company”), a publicly-traded technology company focused on digital infrastructure platforms for artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC), and digital assets markets, today announced its unaudited business and operational update for November 2024. Rahul Mewawalla, CEO and President said, “We are pleased to deliver another month of growth across our businesses with our total monthly revenue increasing year-over-year and month-over-month, highlighted by significant growth in our digital colocation revenue of 111% year-over-year. Following our recent honor of ringing the NASDAQ Closing Bell in celebration of the Company’s transformation, we continue to advance our innovative approach to providing digital infrastructure platforms and solutions. Our synergistic business portfolio and our enhanced strategic, operational, and technological capabilities are expected to continue to be a competitive advantage for us moving forward.” Unaudited financial and operational highlights for November 2024: Conferences and Events Update Mawson has planned for its CEO and President, Rahul Mewawalla to participate in the following upcoming conferences and events. Please contact IR@Mawsoninc.com for further information. About Mawson Infrastructure Mawson Infrastructure Group (NASDAQ: MIGI) is a technology company that offers digital infrastructure platforms for AI, HPC, and digital assets. The Company’s digital infrastructure platforms can be used to operate computing resources for a number of applications, and are offered across digital assets, artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC) and other computing applications. Our innovation, technology, and operational expertise enables us to operate and optimize digital infrastructure to accelerate the digital economy. The Company has a strategy to prioritize the usage of carbon-free energy sources, including nuclear energy, to power its digital infrastructure platforms and computational machines. For more information, please visit: https://www.mawsoninc.com . CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The Company cautions that statements in this press release that are not a description of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words referencing future events or circumstances such as “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” and “will,” among others. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company is contained under the heading “Risk Factors” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024, August 19, 2024, November 14, 2024, the Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 4, 2024, and in other filings that the Company has made and may make with the SEC in the future. One should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as may be required by law. For more information, visit us at https://www.mawsoninc.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mawsoninc/ Twitter: Mawson (@Mawsoninc) / X (twitter.com) Facebook: Mawson Inc | Pittsburgh PA | Facebook YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MawsonInc Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/mawsoninc Investor Contact: Investor Relations Team IR@mawsoninc.com Partnerships Contact: Partnerships Team Partnerships@mawsoninc.com Media and Press Contact: Media Relations Team mediarelations@mawsoninc.com Share this press release Twitter LinkedIn 1 Current Operating Hash Rate is based on the nameplate hash rate of the miners currently deployed.

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NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor appears open to switching parties to become a Republican, as he declined to rule out a future change in political allegiances during a pair of interviews Friday that came as he has increasing warmed to President-elect Donald Trump. The comments from Adams, the top Democrat in one of the country's most liberal cities, riled critics who have grown concerned over the mayor's increasing willingness to throw his support behind Trump and his hardline immigration policies. Adams, , was a registered Republican in the 1990s and early 2000s but has spent his political career as a Democrat. In a Friday morning interview with the local cable news station NY1, Adams was asked if he would consider a return to the GOP. The Democrat appeared to leave open the possibility of a switch. “The party that’s the most important for me is the American party,” he said. “I’m a part of the American party. I love this country. This is the home of the free, the land of the brave.” In another interview about a half-hour later on PIX11, Adams said he would run for reelection as a Democrat but still appeared to leave some wiggle room for his future. “So no matter what party I’m on or vote on, I’m going to push for the American values," he said. "And I think America has told us, stop the squabbling, leaders, and start leading us out of the crisis that we’re facing.” Adams won office on a centrist platform and has spent significant time as mayor quarreling with the progressive wing of his party. But his rhetoric in the weeks since Trump's election victory, particularly on immigration, with Adams boosting the president-elect's platform and appearing enthusiastic about the incoming administration. Rather than restricting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as he once promised, Adams recently expressed a willingness to roll back the city’s so-called sanctuary policies, and he plans to meet with Trump’s top border official over concerns about what the mayor said was the “rising illegal alien crime rate in New York City.” He has also praised those in Trump’s orbit, including Elon Musk, who has claimed falsely that Democrats are illegally “importing” migrants to garner votes. “This is a racehorse that wanted to run its right pace and we’ve been holding back that racehorse out of fear of being canceled,” Adams said of the country Tuesday. “And now you have a bunch of people who are not afraid of being canceled.” The shift comes as Adams is trying to fight off an indictment on federal corruption charges while governing the city and gearing up to run for a second term. Adams has pleaded not guilty in his criminal case, in which he has been accused of accepting free or discounted overseas trips and illegal campaign contributions from people looking to gain his influence, including people connected to Turkey or the Turkish government. Adams’ critics have seized on his recent comments about the Trump administration as a move toward self-preservation, accusing the mayor of cozying up to the next president in an effort to secure a pardon in his corruption case. “Eric Adams continues to sound more like he is auditioning for a job in right-wing media than running for reelection in a Democratic primary,” said Zohran Mamdani, a state assembly member who is challenging against Adams in the mayoral primary. “Eric Adams is in City Hall because Democratic voters sent him there. To serve his own narrow self-interests, he is clearly prepared to betray them.” Zellnor Myrie, a state senator who is also challenging Adams in the primary, said “at a time when the Republican Party has never been more out of line with New York values, we need a mayor who isn’t scared to call himself a Democrat.” “Instead of playing footsie with the next president, we need a mayor with the courage to stand up for our city,” Myrie wrote on X. Adams on Friday did distance himself from the Trump administration's potential plans to carry out mass deportations, saying, “You know, I’m not for mass deportation, but I’m not for mass saturation.” Still, the mayor's recent remarks are a major departure from his stance before he took office. In June of 2021, a few weeks before winning the Democratic mayoral primary, Adams spoke to a room full of immigrant New Yorkers about the challenges facing city residents who are in the country illegally. “Too many of our neighbors live in the shadows,” he said at the time, “scarred by the abusive rhetoric and tactics of the Trump era and fearing a denial of their rights.” Izaguirre reported from Albany.George Washington 72, Illinois St. 64

Rodgers & Associates LTD increased its stake in Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN ) by 8.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,352 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the period. Rodgers & Associates LTD’s holdings in Amazon.com were worth $252,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Amazon.com by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 785,811,114 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $141,744,609,000 after buying an additional 14,724,687 shares during the period. Swedbank AB purchased a new position in shares of Amazon.com in the first quarter valued at about $2,239,757,000. Capital World Investors raised its stake in shares of Amazon.com by 64.6% during the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 29,359,677 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $5,295,899,000 after acquiring an additional 11,524,463 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its holdings in shares of Amazon.com by 8.5% during the first quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 86,982,857 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock worth $15,689,968,000 after purchasing an additional 6,810,145 shares during the period. Finally, Strategic Financial Concepts LLC grew its stake in shares of Amazon.com by 13,606.7% in the second quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 3,932,580 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock worth $759,971,000 after purchasing an additional 3,903,889 shares during the last quarter. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets AMZN has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $230.00 price target on shares of Amazon.com in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Benchmark upped their target price on Amazon.com from $200.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of Amazon.com from $225.00 to $232.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Maxim Group upped their price objective on shares of Amazon.com from $251.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted their target price on shares of Amazon.com from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, forty have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $235.77. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Jonathan Rubinstein sold 4,766 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.85, for a total value of $1,000,145.10. Following the transaction, the director now owns 94,630 shares in the company, valued at $19,858,105.50. This represents a 4.79 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Also, CEO Douglas J. Herrington sold 5,502 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $205.81, for a total transaction of $1,132,366.62. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 518,911 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $106,797,072.91. This trade represents a 1.05 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders sold 6,011,423 shares of company stock valued at $1,249,093,896. Company insiders own 10.80% of the company’s stock. Amazon.com Trading Down 0.6 % Amazon.com stock opened at $197.12 on Friday. Amazon.com, Inc. has a one year low of $142.81 and a one year high of $215.90. The business’s fifty day moving average is $193.00 and its 200 day moving average is $186.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.07 trillion, a PE ratio of 42.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.14. Amazon.com ( NASDAQ:AMZN – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The e-commerce giant reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.29. The firm had revenue of $158.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $157.28 billion. Amazon.com had a net margin of 8.04% and a return on equity of 22.41%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.85 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Amazon.com, Inc. will post 5.27 EPS for the current year. About Amazon.com ( Free Report ) Amazon.com, Inc engages in the retail sale of consumer products, advertising, and subscriptions service through online and physical stores in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It also manufactures and sells electronic devices, including Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Echo, Ring, Blink, and eero; and develops and produces media content. Read More Five stocks we like better than Amazon.com How to Buy Cheap Stocks Step by Step Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot Stock Market Upgrades: What Are They? MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 Why Are These Companies Considered Blue Chips? 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMZN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Amazon.com Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amazon.com and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he wants real estate developer Charles Kushner, father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, calling Charles Kushner “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker." Kushner is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former White House senior adviser to Trump who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka. The elder Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. People are also reading... Charles Kushner arrives July 20, 2022, for the funeral of Ivana Trump in New York. John Minchillo, Associated Press Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Prosecutors alleged that after Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to Kushner's own sister, the man’s wife, prosecutors said. Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison — the most he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, sought. Christie blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump’s transition team in 2016, and called Charles Kushner’s offenses “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney.” Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009. Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far President-elect Donald Trump Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat.Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.“He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement.The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination.Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show.Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea.Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. George Walker IV, Associated Press Pam Bondi, Attorney General Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration.She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020.Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute.Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Derik Hamilton Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda.Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics.South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic.She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Matt Rourke, Associated Press Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race.Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs.Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day.In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation.“There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. AP Photo/Alex Brandon Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump. He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign.The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines. For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction.He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary.He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending.“This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Matt Kelley, Associated Press Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor Secretary Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district.As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities.Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Andrew Harnik, Associated Press Scott Turner, Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Andrew Harnik, Associated Press Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business.Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market.Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States.Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. Andy Cross, The Denver Post via AP Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle.McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut.She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency.The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Evan Vucci Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs.Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social.Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration.The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate.Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command."We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. John Bazemore, Associated Press Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history.The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps.Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press Tulsi Gabbard, National Intelligence Director Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields.Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall.“I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement.Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Evan Vucci, Associated Press John Ratcliffe, Central Intelligence Agency Director Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next.Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic.“I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X, “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added.During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration.In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Matt Rourke, Associated Press Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband.Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission.Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Jonathan Newton - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment.Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership.Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile.If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press Matt Whitaker, Ambassador to NATO President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Andrew Harnik, Associated Press Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel.Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah.“He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.”Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland.Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Oded Balilty, Associated Press Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East.The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination.Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud."Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Keith Kellogg, Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence.For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.”(AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday.The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah.“Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!”Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs.He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner, was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration.Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families.Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Tom Homan, ‘Border Czar’ Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history.Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign.Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.”Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. John Bazemore, Associated Press Dr. Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Matt Rourke, Associated Press Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to advise White House on government efficiency Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York.Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency.The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate.Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Evan Vucci, Associated Press photos Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency.After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.”Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign.Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Additional selections to the incoming White House Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staffScavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president.Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.James Blair, deputy chief of staffBlair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president.Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago.Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staffBudowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president.Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency.William McGinley, White House counselMcGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign.In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.”Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of HealthTrump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland.Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representativeKevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic CouncilTrump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy.Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.”Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!Troy Baker will star in Naughty Dog’s next Druckmann-led game

Botafogo won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history with a 3-1 victory over fellow Brazilians Atletico Mineiro on Saturday. Botafogo played almost the entire match with ten men after Gregore was sent off in the first minute but they showed impressive spirit and resilience to secure victory at River Plate's Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. It is the sixth straight season that a Brazilian club has won the Libertadores, the top competition for South American clubs. The 120-year-old Botafogo, the Rio club who have twice won the Brazilian championship, have a rich history, including producing greats such as World Cup winners Garrincha, Didi, Nilton Santos and Mario Zagallo. But they have long suffered taunts from their rivals about their failure to win the continental title -- a jibe that can be made no more. Midfielder Gregore was shown a red card after a wild, high challenge on Fauto Vera, forcing Botafogo to adjust their game plan, but Atletico failed to press home their numerical advantage. Veteran forward Hulk had an effort from outside the box saved by John but the team from Belo Horizonte created little pressure. Sensing the game might not be the rearguard action they might have expected, Botafogo began to show more attacking intent and they were rewarded in the 35th minute. Marlon Freitas's shot from the edge of the box ricocheted around a crowded box before the ball fell to Luiz Henrique, who fired home from close range. To their credit, Botafogo didn't retreat to defend their slim advantage and they were able to double their lead in the 44th minute. Atletico defender Guilherme Arana attempted to shepherd the ball back to goalkeeper Everson, but Luiz Henrique snuck between the pair and went down under challenge from the keeper. More from this section After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded and Alex Telles confidently smashed home the spot kick to give Botafogo an unlikely 2-0 lead at the break. Atletico, who won the Libertadores in 2013, made a triple substitution at the interval and it paid off swiftly with Eduardo Vargas heading in from a corner. Inevitably, there was late pressure from Atletico, but Botafogo made sure of the victory when Junior Santos finished off a counter-attack deep in stoppage time. With the win, Botafogo earns the final of 32 places in next year's FIFA Club World Cup to be held in the United States. The club, owned by American businessman John Textor, also has a chance to complete a double by winning what would be their third Brazilian league title -- they currently lead Serie A by three points with two games remaining. Luis Henrique, whose fine form this season has seen him break into the Brazil squad, said the win was an emotional one for him and the team. "Many people tried to stop me, but I know that God is with me, my family is with me, and I have to keep my feet on the ground because there is still more to come," the 23-year-old striker said. "I want to thank Botafogo a lot, Botafogo needs to be at the top, because it's a club that has been working hard, that has been doing a lot on a daily basis." sev/jsThe ‘Gas Cylinder’ (New Democratic Front-NDF) has exploded and the ‘Telephone’ (SJB) is in a tangle over the National List (NL) appointments, and it is likely to take longer than expected for them to name their NL MPs. They are full of ambitious members vying for the NL slots. The SJB had been able to appoint only its General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara as an NL MP at the time of writing. The UNP-led NDF secured two NL slots in the 14 November general election, and Ravi Karunanayake is drawing heavy flak from the UNP for having had himself appointed to Parliament arbitrarily. The UNP is flaying NDF General Secretary Sharmila Perera for having acted high-handedly in appointing her friend, Karunanayake, to Parliament, but there is hardly anything it can do about the appointment at issue; Karunanayake was sworn in as an MP on Thursday; he and Perera have denied any wrongdoing. How the UNP is going to tackle the issue remains to be seen. The ongoing fierce scramble for NL positions in the Opposition vindicates the JVP-led NPP’s criticism of its political rivals as a bunch of power-hungry politicians driven by self-interest; it may also explain why the SJB and the UNP/NDF have lost popular support over the years. Neither the JVP nor its alter ego, the NPP, has experienced intraparty disputes over NL appointments. The JVP has total control over its candidates, and this is something to be admired. The NPP too has incurred public opprobrium for the shameful act of appointing defeated candidates to Parliament as NL MPs. However, to give credit where it’s due, overall, the conduct of the JVP/NPP in elections has been commendable and worthy of emulation. Never do the JVP/NPP candidates fight over preferential votes; they put their party before self. The JVP once did something that no other party would have been able to do. One may recall that the JVP, after the election of 41 out of about its 55 candidates fielded on the SLFP-led UPFA’s ticket in the 2004 parliamentary polls, ‘donated’ two its NL slots to the SLFP to help the then President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga settle a dispute in the SLFP over the allocation of NL seats. Those who are fighting over NL positions in other parties will have to learn to make sacrifices for the sake of their parties and coalitions if they are to win back public sympathy and recover lost ground. Meanwhile, the controversy over the NDF’s NL appointment offers a lesson that should not go unlearnt. It shows that under the existing election laws, the general secretaries/leaders of political parties are vested with enormous powers which they must not be allowed to exercise according to their whims and fancies. Therefore, the preferential vote or manape must never be abolished. Otherwise, the general secretaries/leaders of political parties will be able to appoint their favourites whose names appear on nomination lists to Parliament at the expense of the deserving ones, depending on the number of seats they are entitled to on the basis of the Proportional Representation. There has been a sustained campaign for doing away with the preferential vote mechanism, which is made out to be a wellspring of evil. True, candidates clash over preferential votes and their fights lead to transgressions including incidents of violence, but the fault is not with manape but the failure of weak political party leaders to rein in their unruly candidates and supporters. If only decent candidates are fielded and the law is strictly enforced, clashes over preferential votes can be dealt with effectively. The recently concluded general election was free from serious incidents of violence, wasn’t it? The NPP administration gave the police a free hand to enforce the law, and the Election Commission warned that transgressors would lose their seats while taking action against the candidates who violated election laws. If the law can be enforced in this manner, future elections will also be peaceful, free and fair.

Exelixis stock hits 52-week high at $36.6 amid robust growth

Ousted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media saySaskatchewan premier says he won't allow Speaker intimidation as legislature resumes

An elderly man with dementia who went missing in Malibu , California, was found thanks to thermal imaging technology attached to a drone . The 78-year-old left his residence at approximately 4:30 p.m. on December 23 to retrieve the mail but failed to return, prompting a missing persons call. Deputies from the Lost Hills Station responded to the call as temperatures dropped below 50F. Officers swiftly initiated a search and rescue operation, broadcasting a description of the missing man over the radio and entering his information into the National Crime Information Centermissing persons database. According to the department, deputies also deployed several FAA certified Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) drones equipped with infrared capabilities to scour the area. At approximately 8:50 p.m., a UAS located the missing person lying in a field of thick brush about a quarter mile away from his residence. “Upon arriving on scene, the rescuers observed the missing man suffering from a cold related illness, confused and unable to walk,” the department said in an online post. “He was evaluated, wrapped in a blanket, and placed in a rescue basket.” The man had only sustained minor injuries from a fall and was transported to a local hospital for treatment and further evaluation. Malibu Search and Rescue shared photos of the operation on X, including the grainy gray screen with a red image of the man lying in the brush. “A miracle just in time for the holidays,” the department captioned the photo.Many people recognize Lowe's ( LOW 1.24% ) as a major home improvement retailer, but it's also built an impressive track record as a dividend payer. In fact, the company has raised dividends annually for more than half a century, making it a Dividend King . That makes the stock a good company to analyze if you're looking for dividends. Calculating how much you can earn from the payments can prove useful in making investment decisions. You can also figure out how many shares you'd need to own to earn a targeted income. How many shares of Lowe's do you need to own to bring in $500 in annual dividends? Calculating dividends Earlier this year, Lowe's raised its quarterly dividend by 4.5% to $1.15 a share. That works out to $4.60 a year. Dividing $500 by $4.60 equals 109 shares. With the stock trading at $272.05 a share as of Dec. 2, you'll have to invest about $29,650 to receive the $500 in yearly dividends. This is a fairly conservative calculation and assumes dividends remain constant, but Lowe's has a long history of increasing them. That means you'll likely receive more than $500 annually as time goes on. This would become an academic exercise if the company didn't have the means to continue increasing dividends. Fortunately, Lowe's generates more-than-enough free cash flow (FCF) to support the payments. During the first nine months of the year, the company had FCF of $7.3 billion and paid dividends of $1.9 billion. The stock has a 1.7% dividend yield , higher than the S&P 500 's 1.2%. Lowe's seems like a good choice for dividend investors. It has built a long track record of regularly increasing payments and has the FCF to continue that practice.If a matrimony ad were to be written for Mustafa Zaidi at his peak it would read: Poet, Bureaucrat, Recipient of Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Romantic, Suicidal. Shahnaz’s ad would read: Fair, Beautiful, Claim to Fame is Afghan Royalty. It is through this pairing of unlikely personalities that we have Society Girl by Saba Imtiaz and Tooba Masood-Khan, a multilayered, multidimensional story of two starkly different people as an insight into how lives despite socio-economic differences can intertwine to create webs of deceit and disloyalty in the name of romance that ultimately lead to double lives, the cost for which can be too much. What should have been a mere love affair became a sordid scandal, yet Another Pakistani Tragedy that love as an ideal can only ever remain an ideal and rarely, if ever, experienced. Best to stick to the long and narrow. Skilfully swimming through the narrowness of Lahore’s bloodlines to finding liberation in Karachi’s cosmopolitanism and glittering nightlife, this is a jigsaw galaxy made up of thousands of scattered pieces from different planets. Truly, Imtiaz and Masood-Khan have set the bar with their stellar investigative skills and proven to be master storytellers. A masterclass in objectively telling the story without the temptation to judge, there is a kindness with which they reveal the two main characters - Mustafa and Shahnaz - a desperately needed form of reporting that is non-existent in today’s Pakistani media. Solving a mystery in a country that thrives on ‘chaska’ is no easy feat and where politics, conspiracy theories, love affairs, bloodlines, power games, sex, slander and revenge come in with a heavy penchant for moralising, Imtiaz and Masood-Khan limit Sherlock Holmes’ techniques to Baker Street. The trial scene alone is worth using to teach writing on how to navigate a potent but sensitive situation where two people’s lives are not just at stake but also national security, international economic trade and the revelation of the carefully crafted world of high society with all its debauchery and nobility. Ali Amin Gandapur: Proving Critics Wrong Imtiaz and Masood-Khan grant Mustafa, a complex character, the space to be as he is and they view him with a kind lens that perhaps there was a mental health issue that kept cropping up especially during times of distress. Shahnaz is mostly explored through the lens of other women, perhaps in the hope they may empathise with a woman who for all her flaws was essentially mimicking high society in its behaviour but never realising how high the stakes are and not everyone can afford them. A masterclass in objectively telling the story without the temptation to judge, there is a kindness with which they reveal the two main characters - Mustafa and Shahnaz Mustafa for all his brilliance as a poet and intelligence toyed with life to see how far he could push it, till it finally retaliated. It could never tame his need to shatter every limit and so he kept getting away with it. Surviving suicide, lamenting a lost love to the extreme, mocking a Civil Service Academy as an asylum, referring to Jhelum as Jahannum, bringing home a mistress and seducing her in a bedroom with his wife standing outside, nothing was off limits for Mustafa when it came to tempting fate - he kept winning. Masterfully toying with words as poetry and using couplets to manipulate friend’s minds when confronted about his infidelity and behaviour, Mustafa knew he could charm his way to everyone’s heart and anyone’s bed. Yet, for all his identity as a poet, there was a pragmatic side and after a stint at teaching he joined the bureaucracy. From there on did he reach his professional high and low. It was at his lowest, Shahnaz entered, a sort of a lifeboat as he tread a sea of bad luck. Often creatives transcend the mundaneness of life to explore the vastness of their minds. Was she a distraction from his career disgrace? Or just another piece that fed his hunger for sex? The fire in his loins for yet another conquest to counter the disrupted domestic life he enjoyed with his beloved wife Vera? Shahnaz is beautiful, giggly and dazzled by the fancy Karachiites who accept that this ordinary couple, Saleem and Shahnaz, are harmless folk merely adding to the crowd of their appreciators. Uncultured, she is dismissed as being anything but a housewife who makes the most of her life after getting out of purdah in Gujranwala. Let’s Try Love What could possibly have caused Shahnaz, married to stable, secure but old (30 years her senior) husband to fall for Mustafa? Could it also have been she was looking to counter domestic life with a dull husband? Or was she too simple minded to recognise Mustafa for who he was as he swept her off her feet with his silver tongue? Or was she never given the chance to bloom, viewed as a second tier socialite only and keen to move higher up? As Imitiaz and Masood-Khan write: “ Mustafa’s young friends were fairly dismissive of Shahnaz. They thought she was just a pretty woman; charming, sure, but not Mustafa’s intellectual equal. This seemed like a relationship borne out of lust, not literature.” Imtiaz and Masood-Khan critically analyse society’s initial understanding of the situation as “a homemaker who had fallen in love with a romantic, charming poet.” But sadly they were never really free from judgement which played out in the media. As Imtiaz and Masood-Khan note the media circus surrounding the couple: “she had had an affair despite being a mother of two was seen as shocking. It didn’t matter that Mustafa was also a father of two.” As the investigation into Zaidi’s death picks up, a new dimension of crime, a desi favourite - smuggling - opens up. Here again, Zaidi’s manipulation and manoeuvring comes in leaving one horrified, not at the beings that lurk in shadows or the ones that operate in broad daylight but are strong enough to play with people’s lives even in death. As Imitiaz and Tooba write, “ In fact, no one would have connected a trip to London with smuggling in the first place, had it not been for the person who had spread the rumour – Mustafa Zaidi – who was now seemingly directing this investigation from beyond the grave.” But the question is: did Mustafa ever know he had gone too far? As thoughts of Shahnaz moving on swirl in his head, he is reduced to a mere ex. How could she do this to him? Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing Career gone, family gone, no love interest - Mustafa decides to go for revenge. With the printing of Shahnaz’s nude as a flyer, had he finally broken every rule? And did she decide to take matters into her own hands? Did either one of them deserve the tragedies of fate they were dealt? Having sunk to the lowest form of desperation, ultimately Mustafa couldn’t fight his own mind as dark as it became. Shahnaz chasing reflections in the water ventured out too far into the sea, never found the shore that was promised. Sand is never as solid as earth and actions speak louder than words. Tremendously expensive lessons for Shahnaz and Mustafa.

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Israel intensifies Gaza bombing as Hamas delegation pursues ceasefire talks in CairoCalifornia Water Service Group exec Michael Luu sells $50,727 in stockNASA Ames Stars of the Month: November 2024Facebook X Email Print Save Story For fifty-four years, generations of Syrians lived and died in a country that was colloquially known as Assad’s Syria. It was a place where children were taught that the walls had ears and that a misplaced word could lead to being disappeared. The regime had multiple branches of secret police, collectively called the Mukhabarat, which helped underpin its one-party, one-family, one-man rule. President Bashar al-Assad, and his late father and predecessor, Hafez, were omnipresent forces, glaring down from the many billboards, posters, and statues that were felled this week with all the exuberance, rage, and grief of the long-oppressed. The Lede Reporting and commentary on what you need to know today. The end of Assad’s Syria was as stunning as it was swift. It took eleven days for some of Assad’s armed opponents to bring down the regime. The fall of the capital, Damascus, on Sunday morning marked the climax of an almost fourteen-year campaign that began in March, 2011, when peaceful protests morphed into a messy war that pitted myriad armed rebel groups (and others, including foreign jihadi fighters) against the Syrian military and each other. Since about 2018, the conflict had been largely stalemated, and Syria has been a unified state in name only. Its northwestern province of Idlib was controlled by the Sunni Islamists of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (H.T.S.), a coalition led by the group formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda. Its oil-rich northeast was dominated first by ISIS and then by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which are supported by the U.S. The northwest, around the town of Azaz, was home to the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. Jordanian-influenced rebel groups held sway in pockets of the south. The rest was what remained of Assad’s Syria. This year, on November 27th, the same day that a ceasefire took hold between Israel and Hezbollah, in neighboring Lebanon, H.T.S. and its allies abruptly pushed south from their stronghold in Idlib. Cities fell rapidly, one after another, with little resistance from the forces of a crumbling state that had been hollowed out by years of U.S.-imposed sanctions, endemic regime corruption, and Israeli air strikes on military infrastructure. By Sunday morning, Assad had fled on a private plane shortly before Damascus International Airport closed down. It was a remarkable abdication of power from the head of state, who just weeks earlier had attended a meeting of the Arab League in Saudi Arabia, where he had been welcomed back into the fold following years of bitter estrangement. Assad did not address the nation or issue a statement regarding his departure. His Prime Minister, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, extended his hand to the opposition. He said, in a short, prerecorded message, that he remained in Damascus and was ready to facilitate an orderly transition to whatever comes next. He called on citizens to protect public property, adding that he would be at work in his office the following morning. “We believe in a Syria for all Syrians,” he said. “This country deserves to be a normal state, with good relations with its neighbors.” (Earlier this week, as the opposition gained momentum , some of Syria’s neighbors—Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq—closed their borders with the country.) The peaceful handover of power in Damascus was marked by scenes of jubilation, of people cheering and tearing down posters of the Assads, and by scenes of fear: of tearful citizens hurrying through a deserted airport, of soldiers abandoning their posts, leaving military fatigues, equipment, and even tanks strewn in the streets. In the end, Assad’s exhausted army of conscripts wasn’t prepared to continue to fight and die for a dictatorship. A friend who lives in Damascus told me that he was hearing rampant gunfire—he wasn’t sure if it was all celebratory or not—and the sounds of explosions. Social media was flooded with videos of people emerging dazed and dishevelled from Assad’s state prisons, in many ways the most potent symbol of his rule, which had been flung open by opposition forces. In one clip, said to be from Sednaya, a facility near Damascus that was particularly notorious for executions and torture, a man dressed in plainclothes and carrying a Kalashnikov unbolted the door of a cell full of women. Another man, off camera, said, “Get out, get out! Don’t be afraid!” A woman asked who the men were. “Revolutionaries,” one of them responded. “Syria is ours.” Some of the women shrieked. “Why are you afraid?” a man told one. “Bashar al-Assad has fallen! He’s gone! He’s left Syria! . . . The brother of a whore has gone!” The offensive came at a time when Assad’s key backers were tied down or weakened by other conflicts: the Russians in Ukraine, and Iran and Hezbollah with Israel. The push was spearheaded by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the founder and leader of Jabhat al-Nusra, which he rebranded as part of H.T.S. a few years ago, claiming to disavow ties to Al Qaeda and casting himself as a fatigues-clad statesman. Other groups, most notably the Syrian National Army, were also involved in the blitz, as were foreign fighters from factions including the Turkistan Islamic Party, which has long been present in rebel-held territories. On Syria’s exceedingly complicated battlefield, H.T.S. and its earlier Al Qaeda incarnation opposed both Assad and various rebel groups, defeating many during years of intra-opposition infighting. If anything, H.T.S. and its hard-line conservatism represented a counter-revolution that was rejected by the more secular, pro-democratic opposition. They weren’t so much “the rebels” but rather the factions that defeated the rebels. Since late November, Julani has issued statements aimed at reassuring Syria’s many religious minorities, including the Alawites, of which the Assads are members, that his group has embraced pluralism and religious tolerance. (The overtures have been made to Christians, and others, too.) The coming hours, days, and weeks will be a test of those stated intentions. Julani has said that he’s a changed man, but at least one of his fellow-fighters, a man I’ve known for years who held leadership positions in Jabhat al-Nusra, told me that the changes were cosmetic. Before dawn on Sunday, I reached a former emir of Jabhat al-Nusra, who knows Julani well, by phone. He told me, “The man hasn’t changed at all, but there’s a difference between being in battle, at war, killing, and running a country.” Julani had seen the sectarian bloodlust of other Salafi-jihadi groups—before coming to Syria, in 2011, to form Jabhat al-Nusra, he was a member of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s Islamic State of Iraq—and he’d noted those mistakes. Julani, the former emir went on, “now considers himself a statesman.” He remains, however, a U.S.-designated terrorist with a ten-million-dollar bounty on his head, which will surely complicate any state-building plans. The challenges facing a new Syria are many, not least the anti-Assad opposition’s history of bloody infighting. But the former emir was hopeful. He anticipated that Julani would dissolve H.T.S. and incorporate it and other factions into a new defense ministry. “He can’t punish every Syrian,” he said. “Julani has subdued the northern factions, which won’t dare to take him on, especially now that he has about forty thousand fighters.” He went on, “The fear, to be honest, is from the southern factions, one of which is supported under the table by the Israelis. But it has about two thousand or two thousand five hundred fighters. There is no local military power to stand or compete with Julani.” If he fails, the alternative scenario is Libya, a state torn apart by rival armed militias. What happens to Syria’s Alawite communities, in particular, will indicate the direction the new state may take. On Sunday, videos circulated of Assad statues being knocked down to much fanfare by unarmed people in predominantly Alawite areas, a reminder that belonging to the group was never a ticket to greater status or even a guarantee of safety—the Assads detained Alawite opponents, too. It remains to be seen whether Julani’s troops have the discipline to avoid committing violence against members of a community that was collectively branded a bedrock of the regime. Any confidence, or lack thereof, that the Alawites have regarding their place in a new Syria will likely also be made clear whenever borders reopen, potentially precipitating a mass exodus across the nearest frontier, into Lebanon, a state already reeling from its own economic woes and that hosts some two million Syrian refugees. Until recently, hundreds of thousands of them, along with many Lebanese, were moving back into Syria to escape the war between Hezbollah and Israel. Now, for some communities, the directions may reverse, even as many Syrians in the diaspora were giddily planning their return to what they termed “Free Syria.” Uncertainties remain about the territorial integrity of this Free Syria. Turkey has long backed various rebel groups and has de-facto control of swaths of the north. The U.S. has some nine hundred troops in the country, supporting Kurdish-led groups in the northeast. And then there is Israel, which, within hours of Assad’s departure, invaded the Syrian city of Quneitra near the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The geopolitical fallout of Assad’s—and Syria’s—exit from Iran’s hobbled Axis of Resistance will also be seismic. The alliance, comprising Syria, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, some Iraqi armed factions, Yemen’s Houthis, and the Palestinian Hamas, has taken a clobbering since Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel in October of 2023. Syria was a crucial strategic supply route for Hezbollah, which now finds itself landlocked by enemies: Israel, and a Syrian opposition that it fought to shore up Assad’s regime. For now, though, among many Syrians, euphoria, and a great sense of potential, reigns. On Sunday, thousands poured into cities across the country, celebrating along with the millions scattered throughout the vast diaspora. “Our joy is huge, huge, huge!” a Syrian refugee in Germany, who is a former political prisoner, told me in the early hours of Sunday morning. It was a day of joy for a fervently nationalistic people, for the detainees finally freed, but also of pain and sadness for the hundreds of thousands killed and disappeared not only in the recent brutal war but in the many decades that preceded it. An exiled Syrian named Maysaara, who has been living in Belgium and featured prominently in my first book , was already packing his bags after a sleepless night glued to his screen. He’d spent the morning coördinating with others from his home town of Saraqib, in Idlib, trying to locate and determine the fate of its many detainees. “I can’t describe my happiness and God’s great justice that lifted this oppression off us,” he told me through tears. “Raise your head high. You are a free Syrian!” he sang, repeating a chant from the earliest days of the 2011 revolution. “I feel like I’ve been born again. We, the Syrians, have all been born again today. I prayed to live long enough to see this day.” ♦ New Yorker Favorites A man was murdered in cold blood and you’re laughing ? The best albums of 2024. Little treats galore: a holiday gift guide . How Maria Callas lost her voice . An objectively objectionable grammatical pet peeve . What happened when the Hallmark Channel “ leaned into Christmas .” Sign up for our daily newsletter to receive the best stories from The New Yorker .

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is a “fundamental act of justice” after decades of repression, but it was “a moment of risk and uncertainty” for the Mideast. Biden spoke at the White House hours after after rebel groups completed a takeover of the country after more than a dozen years of violent civil war and decades of leadership by Assad and his family. The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump were working to make sense of new threats and opportunities across the Middle East. Biden credited action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said “for the first time” that they could no longer defend Assad’s grip on power. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” Biden said, after a meeting with his national security team at the White House. Trump said Sunday that Assad had fled his country, which his family had ruled for decades, because close ally Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, “was not interested in protecting him any longer.” Those comments on Trump’s social media platform came a day after he used another post to decry the possibility of the U.S. intervening militarily in Syria to aid the rebels, declaring, “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT.” The Biden administration had no intention of intervening, according to Biden’s national security adviser. The U.S has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. Biden said he intended those for troops to remain, adding that U.S. forces on Sunday conducted “dozens” of what he called “precision air strikes” on IS camps and operations in Syria. The Syrian opposition that brought down Assad is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The Biden administration has designated the group as a terrorist organization and says it has links to al-Qaida, although Hayat Tahrir al-Sham says it has since broken ties with al-Qaida. “We will remain vigilant,” Biden said. “Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.” He added that the groups are “saying the right things now.” “But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions,” Biden said. Assad’s fall adds to an already tense situation throughout much of region on many fronts, including Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza and its fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump, who takes office Jan. 20, 2025, made a connection between the upheaval in Syria and Russia’s war in Ukraine, noting that Assad’s allies in Moscow, as well as in Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas and Hezbollah, “are in a weakened state right now.” Vice President-elect JD Vance, a veteran of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, wrote on own social media Sunday to express skepticism about the insurgents. “Many of ‘the rebels’ are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope they’ve moderated. Time will tell,” he said, using another acronym for IS. Trump has suggested that Assad’s ouster can advance the prospects for an end to fighting in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022. Trump wrote that Putin’s government “lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine” and the Republican called for an immediate ceasefire, a day after meeting in Paris with the French and Ukrainian leaders. Daniel B. Shapiro, a deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, said the American military presence will continue in eastern Syria but was “solely to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and has nothing to do with other aspects of this conflict.” “We call on all parties in Syria to protect civilians, particularly those from Syria’s minority communities to respect international military norms and to work to achieve a resolution to include the political settlement,” Shapiro said. “Multiple actors in this conflict have a terrible track record to include Assad’s horrific crimes, Russia’s indiscriminate aerial bomb bombardment, Iranian-back militia involvement and the atrocities of ISIS,” he added. Shapiro, however, was careful not to directly say Assad had been deposed by the insurgents. “If confirmed, no one should shed any tears over the Assad regime,” he said. As they pushed toward the Syrian capital of Damascus, the opposition freed political detainees from government prisons. The family of missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice renewed calls to find him. “To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that we’re waiting for Austin,” Tice’s mother, Debra, said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media. “We know that when he comes out, he’s going to be fairly dazed & he’s going to need lots of care & direction. Direct him to his family please!” Tice disappeared in 2012 outside Damascus, amid intensification of what became a civil war stretching more than a decade. We’ve remained committed to returning him to his family,” Biden said at the White House. “We believe he’s alive, we think we can get him back but we have no direct evidence to that yet. And Assad should be held accountable.” The president added: “We have to identify where he is.”

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The latest development came hours after thousands of his supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire. Tension has been high in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former PM began a “long march” from the restive north-west to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for more than a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, led the protest, but she fled as police pushed back against demonstrators. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters are being arrested in the ongoing night-time operation. Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the Red Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, and the surrounding areas have been cleared. Leaders from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, have also fled the protest site. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is staying. Since Monday, Mr Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorised the police to respond as necessary,” Mr Naqvi said Tuesday while visiting the square. Before the operation began, protester Shahzor Ali said people had taken to the streets because Khan had called for them. “We will stay here until Khan joins us. He will decide what to do next,” Mr Ali said. Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Khan’s wife, said people have suffered greatly for the last two years. “We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially. We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life,” she said. Authorities have struggled to contain the protest-related violence. Six people, including four members of the security services, were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight into Tuesday. A police officer died in a separate incident. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for the Associated Press and took his camera. He sustained head injuries and was treated in hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Mr Naqvi said Khan’s party had rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. Information minister Atta Tarar warned there would be a severe government reaction to the violence. The government says only the courts can order Khan’s release. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. In a bid to foil the unrest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. Messaging platforms were also experiencing severe disruption in the capital. Khan’s party relies heavily on social media and uses messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The X platform, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer accessible, even with a VPN. Last Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Mr Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All education institutions remain closed.Synergy CHC (OTCMKTS:SNYR) Shares Up 0.2% – Still a Buy?

Electrolyzers Market Share Expected to Reach $78.01 billion by 2030TORONTO, ONTARIO / ACCESSWIRE / December 18, 2024 / Electrovaya Inc. ("Electrovaya" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:ELVA)(TSX:ELVA), a leading lithium-ion battery technology and manufacturing company, is pleased to announce in connection with its previously completed public offering of 5,175,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at the price of US$2.15 per Common Share (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of approximately US$11.1 million (the "Offering") that Roth Capital Partners, acting as sole book-running manager, and Raymond James Ltd. and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC acting as the co-lead book-running managers in the Offering, have purchased an additional 776,250 Common Shares at the Offering Price, for additional gross proceeds to the Company of US$1,668,937.50, before deducting the underwriting commissions, pursuant to their exercise in full of the over-allotment option (the "Over-Allotment Option"). After giving effect to the full exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the Company sold 5,951,250 Common Shares under the Offering, for aggregate gross proceeds of US$12,795,188.00.

Pioneer Bancorp stock hits 52-week high at $11.9 amid growthBoxing 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. Before the pandemic the number of Boxing Day shoppers on the streets had been declining year on year. The last uplift recorded by MRI was in 2015. 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. She said: “It’s the shift to online shopping, it’s the convenience, you’ve got the family days that take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.” 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. She added: “I feel like it’s becoming more and more common that people are grabbing the bargains pre-Christmas.” 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. Amid the financial pressures, many people are planning to buy practical, perishable and essential items such as food and kitchenware. 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.31 phlove casino 。

Argentine Formula One rookie Franco Colapinto has received the green light to compete in this Saturday's Las Vegas Grand Prix, following a severe crash in Friday's qualifying session, as confirmed by his Williams team. The 21-year-old driver collided with the barrier in the second phase of the session, resulting in a force exceeding 50Gs, which left debris on the track. Fortunately, Colapinto is deemed fit to race after successfully completing medical evaluations, prioritizing his health above all else. The crash marked Colapinto as having three incidents over the past two weekends and continues a costly streak for Williams. The financial toll of these crashes, along with others from teammate Alex Albon, amounts to millions and underscores the high stakes of recent performances for the team in the competitive Formula One circuit. (With inputs from agencies.)

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The Vermont State University Castleton wrestling team took home first place at the Penn College Invitational Saturday evening, with 16 Spartans placing in the top six of their weight classes. The Spartans' first-place finish was highlighted by three first-place finishers in their weight classes. At 141 pounds, Tylik Epps finished the day with a 4-0 record, pinning his first opponent in 1:33, before winning via tech fall, decision, and major decision to clinch first place. Caleb Rojas finished the day 3-0 at 165 pounds winning via fall in 54 seconds in his first match of the day, before winning his last two matches via decision. At 285 pounds, Alaq Dowd-Grant finished the day 4-0, pinning all three opponents faced and winning one match via forfeit. Four Spartans earned second-place finishes in their weight classes, with Stone Farnsworth finishing the day 3-0 at 133 pounds, and Elijah Farias ending the day 3-1 at 141 pounds. Jacob Caricato and Blake Chapman found themselves 3-1 on the day at 157 and 174 pounds respectively, with Josh Negron adding to Castleton's second-place finishers at 197 pounds, going 3-1. Dom Lapier and Corbin Maraia finished second at 157 and 184 pounds respectively, going 3-1 and 2-1. Rookie Trey Lee, a Fair Haven alum, took home a fourth-place finish at 141 pounds going 2-2, with fellow classmate Dylan Vanegas finishing fourth at 149 pounds at 2-2. Darius Mangiafico and Stephen Jennings finished 2-2 at 174 pounds and 197 pounds respectively for fourth place. At 125 pounds, Ryan VanGuilder went 2-2 on the day for a sixth-place finish with Justyce Mercado rounding out the Spartans place-winners going 3-2 at 149 pounds finishing sixth. The Spartans are back in action on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Ted Reece Invitational at Southern Maine at 10 a.m. COLLEGE WRESTLING Castleton sweeps HOBOKEN, N.J. — The Vermont State University Castleton wrestling team swept the Stevens Institute of Technology Quad Saturday evening, taking down No. 7 Roanoke University 20-16, No. 15 Stevens Institute of Technology 23-16, and Ursinus College 48-0. In the win against Roanoke, Gavin Bradley, Elijah Cyr, Nathaniel Camiscioli, Desmond McLaughlin, Sampson Wilkins and Evan Day were winners for the Spartans. In the win against Ursinus, Bradley, Kaya Bogle, James Rodriguez, Nicolas Balella, Camiscioli, Connor Gregory, Syrus Colon, Wilkins, Haven Tatarek and Abbas Abdulrahman were winners for Castleton. In the win against Stevens, Bradley, Drew Marchese, Camiscioli, Wilkins and Day were winners for the Spartans. MEN'S BASKETBALL Williams 85, Castleton 36 WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Vermont State University Castleton men's basketball team dropped a tough contest to Williams College in the opening round of the Williams Purple and Gold Classic on Saturday, 85-36. VTSU Castleton worked hard to keep it close in the first half, with a trio of layups by Will Radcliff helping to keep them within five. Eventually, Castleton cut it to three off a trey by Crisrael Lithgow at 14:02 (12-9). Williams took control in the final 10 minutes, growing its advantage to 49 (85-36) in the closing seconds. It was Radcliff that leading the way for the Spartans, as he put up 15 points, four rebounds and two assists. Norwich 85, Johnson 70 BARRE — The Norwich University men's basketball team stretched its record to 4-0 on Saturday with an 85-70 victory over Vermont State University Johnson in a game played at Barre Auditorium. The Cadets' win was fueled by a superb game from Fair Haven graduate Kohlby Murray. He had a team-high 23 points to go with six rebounds and a team-high four steals. WOMEN'S HOCKEY UMB 2, Castleton 1 BOSTON — The VTSU Castleton women's hockey team couldn't climb out of a 2-0 hole, falling 2-1 Saturday afternoon against UMass Boston. Caris Erickson had Castleton's only goal, coming midway through the third on an assist from Rachel McNeil and Madeleine Corrigan. Victoria Bakopanos made 21 saves for the Spartans in the loss. Castleton (3-3-1) has a huge test on Tuesday, playing at Middlebury College at 4 p.m. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL C-S 78, Fitchburg 62 NEW LONDON, N.H. — Fair Haven's Courtney Brewster led the Colby-Sawyer women's basketball team in scoring in Saturday's 78-62 win over Fitchburg State as the Chargers extended their record to 6-0.None

LONDON — A woman who claimed mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in a Dublin hotel penthouse was awarded nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) on Friday by a civil court jury in Ireland. The woman said the Dec. 9, 2018, assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor shook his head as the jury of eight women and four men returned the verdict after deliberating for about six hours in the High Court in Dublin. He was mobbed by cameras as he left court but did not comment. The former UFC champion later posted on his X social media account that he planned to appeal the decision . McGregor testified that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. The woman’s voice and hands trembled as she read a statement outside the courthouse, saying she would never forget what happened to her but would now be able to move on with her life. She thanked her family, partner, friends and all the supporters that had reached out to her online, but particularly her daughter. “She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice,” the woman said. “I want to show (her) and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served.” Her lawyer told jurors that McGregor was angry about a fight he had lost in Las Vegas two months earlier and took it out on his client. “He’s not a man, he’s a coward,” attorney John Gordon said in his closing speech. “A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is.” The woman had to take several breaks in her emotional testimony as she said McGregor threatened to kill her during the encounter. A paramedic who examined the woman the next day, testified that she hadn’t seen someone with that intensity of bruising. The woman said McGregor put her in a chokehold several times and later told her, “Now you know how I felt in the Octagon where I tapped out three times,” referring to an Oct. 6 fight at UFC 229 in Las Vegas when he lost via submission to lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov , followed by a wild post-fight brawl . She feared she would die and never see her daughter again. “He let me go and I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn’t tell anyone so he wouldn’t hurt me again,” she said. She said she then let him do what he wanted and he had sex with her. Police investigated the woman’s complaint, but prosecutors declined to bring charges, saying there was insufficient evidence and a conviction was unlikely. McGregor said the two had sex that was athletic and vigorous, but not rough. He said “she never said ‘no’ or stopped” and testified that everything she said was a lie. “It is a full-blown lie among many lies,” he said when asked about the chokehold allegation. “How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings.” McGregor’s lawyer told jurors they had to set aside their animus toward the fighter. “You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him – there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise,” attorney Remy Farrell said. “I’m not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch.” The defense said the woman never told investigators McGregor threatened her life. They also showed surveillance video in court that they said appeared to show the woman kiss McGregor’s arm and hug him after they left the hotel room. Farrell said she looked “happy, happy, happy.” McGregor said that when he was first questioned by police, he read them a prepared statement. On the advice of his lawyer, he refused to answer more than 100 follow-up questions.

JEOPARDY! champion Laura Faddah has blown fans away with an ‘improbable’ winning streak after ‘getting lucky’ with various advantages. The game show contestant was praised for being “relatable” to at-home viewers despite her impressive knowledge giving her one of the longest winning streaks of season 41 . On Thursday’s game, the Memphis Tennessee native was looking to extend her five-day winnings of $58,400. Laura, who is a manager at the Berkeley Research Group went up against Brad Grusnick, a voice actor from Aurora, Illinois and Carole Portas Keane, an education researcher from New Jersey. The game started off on a bad note for Brad - who lost his entire $2,400 fortune on a true Daily Double despite securing an early lead. Heading into the Double Jeopardy! round, Laura already secured $4,000 while Carole was closely behind with $3,400 and Brad followed with $2,400. READ MORE ON JEOPARDY! Laura found the game’s second Daily Double as host Ken Jennings read the $1,200 clue under the category “Differing by a Letter.” “Treat with pharmaceuticals & engage in a practice to achieve calmness & enlightenment,” Ken read. Laura correctly responded with “what are mediate and meditate?” - adding $1,600 to her large lead after an impressive run at the beginning of the Double Jeopardy! round. Carole, who was now in a distant third place, found the last Daily Double and bet her entire fortune in an attempt to get her score closer to her opponents. Most read in Game shows “James Gadsden negotiated with this Mexican pres. whom Texans had met in battle; the purchase helped get him ousted from office,” Ken read under the “The Gadsden Purchase” category. She correctly answered with “Who Was Santa Anna?” - doubling her score to $6,400. Heading into Final Jeopardy!, Laura had the most amount she’s had during her run with $20,400. Brad was in a distant second with $9,200 while Carole added $6,400 to her prize pot. Ken introduced the last category “Movies & Their Soundtracks” while the players placed their wagers. “‘Catch it’ was a tagline for this film whose iconic soundtrack became one of the bestselling albums of all time,” the host read. All three players were correct with their guess of the iconic 1977 John Travolta classic, What is Saturday Night Fever? Laura, like she has done in past games, wagered very conservatively - placing her final total at $21,000. Carole ended with $9,400 while Brad bet $0, ending with $9,200. ALL BETS ARE OFF Laura is one of the few contestants of season 41 who has broken through winning five games - securing her spot at the Tournament of Champions. Fans were impressed by the manager’s winning streak - even if they partially credited “luck” being a factor as to why she’s been able to make it this far. One viewer wrote: “Laura’s run as champion is a great example of what has made the show popular over all these decades. “A regular person who, through a combination of smarts and some luck, has gone on an improbably long run where we can't wait to see what happens next. “The home viewer can easily relate to Laura and imagine themselves up there in the same position. This is Jeopardy!, and many of us will miss it when the show returns to its overblown ‘post-season.’” Jeopardy!'s next Tournament of Champions will take place this winter, midway through Season 41 (exact airdate TBA) and it's shaping up to be another showstopper. Here's who is officially eligible so far: Adriana Harmeyer (15 wins and $349,600 total) Isaac Hirsch (nine wins and $215,390) Greg Jolin (five wins and $135,002) Survivor alum Drew Basile (seven wins and $129,601) Alison Betts (5 wins and $121,500) Mark Fitzpatrick (five wins and $107,201) Dr. Amy Hummel (5 wins and $100,994) Ryan Manton (four wins and $83,179) Grant DeYoung (four wins and $81,203) Will Wallace (four wins and $79,998) Amar Kakirde (four wins and $55,899) Lisa Ann Walter (winner of Celebrity Jeopardy! 2024) The prize for winning the ToC is $250,000 and a coveted slot in Jeopardy! Masters. Jeopardy.com notes: "All 4-time and over winning players starting from 04/10/24 will be eligible for a future Tournament of Champions." "Presence on this list does NOT guarantee an invitation to compete. Other eligibility rules apply and final selection is up to the producers' sole discretion." Another agreed, insisting: “Laura continues to impress. She's caught some lucky breaks along the way, but you can't put together a 6-game win streak solely on luck. “According to the box scores, she's had more buzzer attempts than either of her opponents since her 3rd game, so she clearly knows her stuff. “And she looked relaxed and dominant in today's game (the 4th of the taping day), which takes serious stamina.” Someone else replied, adding: “100% this. Yes she’s caught some lucky breaks but you have to be good to be in a position to take advantage of those breaks!” Read More on The US Sun While one more shared a similar sentiment: “Laura is getting better. She's had some luck along the way to the ToC, for sure, but today's win was her largest prize yet. “Now that she's made it past her qualification, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see her continue improving and end up with 10+ wins.”Byfield scores in 200th career game as Kings hold off Kraken for 2-1 winMax George shares major health update after his heart surgery as his ex fiancee Michelle Keegan reveals she is expecting her first child Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By RUTH FRANCIS FOR MAILONLINE Published: 21:15 EST, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 21:15 EST, 29 December 2024 e-mail View comments Max George has given fans an update on his recovery following major surgery for an undiagnosed heart condition. The singer, 36, was admitted to hospital earlier this month after experiencing heart issues, leading to a lengthy stay before his release on Christmas Day. Now back home, Max shared that he has taken his first steps outside since the ordeal, posting a photo of himself on a night time dog walk with his beloved pitbull Albert. He also uploaded an image of his Apple Watch, showing his heart rate at 85 bpm. Captioning the photos, he wrote: 'Back on the streets... Felt great to have my first few steps outside for a while.. especially with my beautiful boy'. Fans flooded his post with supportive messages and wishing him a speedy recovery writing: 'Pacemakers are game changers ❤️ I’m so glad you’re doing better. You’ll just keep getting stronger now. Happy New Year ❤️' Max George has given fans an update on his recovery following major surgery for an undiagnosed heart condition Now back home, Max shared that he has taken his first steps outside since the ordeal, posting a photo of himself on a walk wrapped up in a camouflage coat, hoodie and black jeans 'So glad to see your getting back on track and back to your usual self . Remember to take it easy and we are all here behind you ❤️' 'That’s amazing !!!soo glad ❤️❤️❤️ you got this max !! Can’t wait to see you back on stage again' 'What a joy to see this❤️' Max, who has been sober for over four years after previous liver issues, had a pacemaker fitted to stabilise his heart. Reflecting on his health journey, The Wanted singer explained that alcohol wasn’t a factor in his condition, saying he gave up drinking after doctors flagged concerns about his liver following years of heavy partying on tour. It comes after he revealed he had finally made it home to celebrate Christmas after going through emergency heart surgery. Earlier this month, Max revealed he was spending Christmas in hospital after being forced to seek medical help after having an undiagnosed heart condition. But on Wednesday he shared that he had finally reunited with his girlfriend Maisie Smith , 23, to spend Christmas with family and friends. Max, who has been sober for over four years after previous liver issues, had a pacemaker fitted to stabilise his heart so also uploaded an image of his Apple Watch, showing his heart rate Max was on a night time dog walk with his beloved pitbull Albert when he posted the update to his followers Upon seeing that he was up and about, fans flooded his post with supportive messages and wished him a speedy recovery The loved-up duo have been inseparable since going official in August 2022 and also living together. In an Instagram post, Max shared some adorable snaps of him and his partner cuddled up on the sofa. Max captioned the trio of photos simply with: 'It’s so good to be home'. Max previously revealed he had to stay in hospital due to ongoing cardiac issues and underwent a serious operation after his condition didn't improve. Sharing a video from his hospital bed on Tuesday, Max said: 'It's time to go home. The numbers are way better. I feel knackered, slept a lot today.' Earlier in the week Max revealed revealed he had finally made it home after going through emergency heart surgery earlier this month The Wanted singer previously admitted he was 'bruised and battered' after his operation and has now revealed he is glad to be home and was seen cuddled up with Maisie on the sofa But Max revealed he isn't completely out of the woods yet as doctors want to do more tests in the coming weeks after finding a problem with his lungs. 'Few more tests to do over the next couple of weeks, something to do with my lungs but that's the least of my worries right now. Read More Inside Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright's romance as they reveal they're expecting their first child 'All good, bit battered and bruised and knackered but,' he added and gave a thumbs up to the camera. Pointing to his chest, he said: 'So latest is that 100 per cent I'm going to have a little friend put in here at some point. 'Erm, I've got an issue with the bottom part of my heart, it's called a block. The tricky bit is what I have put in because until I have further tests we don't know what caused it.' The Glad You Came hitmaker noted it is all a 'mystery' what has happened to him, although doctors have been able to eliminate some possible causes. Max, who has battled alcoholism previously, said: 'We've cancelled out a few things, like alcohol for example I've not had a drink for four-and-a-half years so it's not that. 'It's a bit of a mystery really, but that's the hard bit. It's the waiting. My heart rate is really, really low. They're monitoring it 24/7, everyone has been amazing. Max's health update comes as his ex fiancee Michelle Keegan revealed big news on Sunday night, revealing she is expecting her first child with her husband of nine years Mark Wright 'But the waiting bit is tough. It's just one of them things unfortunately. Whatever I get, I've got to get on with it. We're hoping pacemaker, a pacemaker is good.' Max's health update comes as his ex fiancee Michelle Keegan revealed big news on Sunday night, revealing she is expecting her first child with her husband of nine years Mark Wright . Michelle and Max split in 2012 after a high profile romance, and just eight months later the actress embarked on a whirlwind romance with TOWIE star Mark. The actress and the TV presenter, both 37, confirmed their baby news on Instagram , sharing a sweet photograph alongside the caption: '2025 is going to be a special one for us...✨'. WHAT IS A PACEMAKER? A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device that prevents the heart from beating too slowly. Surgery is needed to install it and the operation is generally carried out under local anaesthetic Around 50,000 people are fitted with a pacemaker every year in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation Michelle Keegan Apple Instagram Max George Share or comment on this article: Max George shares major health update after his heart surgery as his ex fiancee Michelle Keegan reveals she is expecting her first child e-mail Add comment

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As the quest for decentralised police system gathers momentum in the country, Deji Elumoye revisits a Bill for the Creation of State Police sponsored in the Eight and Ninth National Assembly by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, highlighting the major provisions, including safety valves against possible abuse The quest for state police got a boost recently when the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, announced its endorsement by most of the 36 states, while the National Economic Council (NEC) is set to deliberate on the matter in January 2025. This is also coming in the face of existential threats to Nigeria by all manner of criminal gangs – terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, etc. It has become obvious, even the blind, that Nigeria’s current policing system will never work. Thanks also to President Bola Tinubu’s federalist dispositions. Before him, successive presidents played the ostrich mostly because they wanted to be “in total control.” Ex-president Muhammadu Buhari took the “total control syndrome” a notch higher by not only retaining the unsuitable centralised police system, but by equally appointing most of the heads of security and paramilitary agencies from a particular part of the country. The Director-General of the Depart of State Services (DSS), Lawal Duara, was Buhari’s kinsman. Even in his second tenure, only two – General Leo Irabor, who was the Chief of Defence Staff and Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, who was the Chief of the Air Staff) – out of 16 heads of security and related agencies were from the South. Interestingly, the North was the hardest hit by insecurity under Buhari’s watch. Predatory bandits made games of the people and chased them away from farming, which is the mainstay of the northern economy. In May 2019, the District Head of Duara, Alhaji Musa Umar, also said to be the father-in-law of Buhari’s Aide-de-camp (ADC), Col. Mohammed Abubakar, was abducted and held in captivity for over two months. So, obviously, something is fundamentally wrong with our security architecture. Yet, the warnings by well-meaning Nigerians, among them the former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, fell on deaf ears. I had the opportunity of reading Ekweremadu’s lecture entitled “Nigerian Federalism: A Case for a Review”, being the Sixth Annual Oputa Lecture on Governance in Africa, which he delivered on April 11, 2012 at the Osgoode Hall, Law School, York University in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Here, he identified unitary policing and what he christened “feeding bottle federalism” as the greatest threats to Nigeria, which, if not addressed, would destroy the nation socially and economically. How prophetic! In that lecture, he reminded that Nigeria did not actually start off with a centralised police system, which was introduced by the General Yakubu Gowon Regime, ironically in line with General Johnson Aguyi-Ironsi’s Unitary Decree and Policy. The Native Authority Ordinance (No. 4 of 1916) vested the responsibility of the maintenance of law and order in the Native Authorities. The Protectorate Laws (Enforcement) Ordinance No. 15 of 1924 accentuated their powers. A Nigeria Police Force with national jurisdiction was only created in 1930 and coexisted with the Native Authority and the Local Administration police until the fall of the First Republic. However, Ekweremadu’s advocacy did not stop at just talking. He sponsored in the Eighth and Ninth Senate a Bill, which addresses the issues of structure, standardisation, control, armament, disciplinary action, co-existence with federal police, and importantly, the usual fear about possible abuse by state governors. In doing so, he drew inspirations from best practices across the globe, including the USA, Canada, and Brazil. The Bill proposes the establishment of the Federal Police, State Police, National Police Service Commission, National Police Council, and State Police Service Commissions. The Federal Police shall be responsible for the maintenance of public security, preservation of public order and security of persons and property throughout the federation to the extent provided for under the constitution or by an Act of the National Assembly, while the State Police, shall be organised and administered in accordance with such provisions as may be prescribed by a Law of the House of Assembly of a State subject to the framework and guidelines established by an Act of the National Assembly. Ekweremadu’s Bill proposes a Commissioner of State Police, who shall be appointed by the governor of the state on the advice of the National Police Service Commission, subject to confirmation of such appointment by the House of Assembly of the State. The Commissioner shall be in office for a period of five years only or until he/she attains a retirement age prescribed by law, whichever is earlier. So, the governor is not the sole appointer. Again, the governor may give lawful directives to the CP with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order as he may consider necessary, but the commissioner of police shall only comply to the extent that those directives or order are neither unlawful nor contrary to general policing standards or practice. If he finds them so, he may request that the matter be referred to the State Police Service Commission for review and the decision of the state Commission shall be final and shall not be inquired into by any court. The Bill equally provides enough autonomy for Commissioners of State Police. For instance, a commissioner shall only be removed by the governor upon the recommendation of the National Police Service Commission on the grounds of misconduct in the performance of his official duties; serious breach of policing standards; conviction of any offence by a court of law or tribunal (including administrative tribunals set up by the police authorities for internal disciplining of police officers); indictment by a judicial body or tribunal for corruption, fraud, embezzlement or other unacceptable conducts in office; bankruptcy; mental incapacity; and participation in political activities of any kind either within or outside the state and including sponsoring or giving aid to any political group of movement. But importantly, such removal shall be subject to approval by two-thirds majority of the State Assembly. Furthermore, an Act of the National Assembly may prescribe a periodic review of the activities of each State Police Service by the National Police Service Commission after which it may be recertified so long as its operations adhere to set standards and regulations and do not undermine national integrity, promote ethnic, tribal or sectional agenda or marginalise any segment of the society. The composition of each State Police Service Commission, as membership, is drawn from critical segments of the society, making it extremely difficult to pocket or manipulate the Commission. Chairman is to be appointed by the governor subject to the confirmation of the State House of Assembly; a representative of the Federal Government to be appointed by the National Police Service Commission, two members, who must be indigenes of the respective state and to be appointed by the National Human Rights Commission; a representative of the Public Complaints Commission; a representative of the Labour to be appointed by the Chairman of the state branch; three retired police officers from three senatorial districts to be appointed by the governor subject to confirmation of the State House of Assembly; a lawyer-representative of the Nigerian Bar Association and a representative of the Nigerian Union of Journalists to be appointed by their respective branch chairmen. The mandates of the Commission include recommending the appointment of a Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Assistant Commissioner of Police to the National Police Service Commission; appointment, disciplining and removal of members of the state police below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police; and other functions and powers of the commission as may be specified either in the Constitution or a Law of the House of Assembly of a State. It is noteworthy that in recommending the appointment of a Commissioner of State Police, the Commission shall propose three qualified candidates to the National Police Service Commission. The National Police Service Commission, on the other hand, shall comprise a Chairman to be appointed by the President subject to the confirmation of the Senate; two members representing the National Human Rights Commission; one representative of the Labour; six retired police officers not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police representing each of the Geo-Political zones of the country to be appointed by the President subject to confirmation of the Senate; a representative of the NBA to be appointed by the NBA President; a representative of the NUJ to be appointed by the NUJ President; and the Attorney-General of each state. The National Police Service Commission shall be responsible for the appointment of persons to offices (other than office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Federal Police; exercising disciplinary control over members of the Federal Police; recommending to the Governor of a State the appointment of the Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioners of Police and Assistant Commissioners of Police of the State Police based on a list submitted to it by the State Police Service Commission of the relevant state and subject to confirmation by the House of Assembly of the State; recommending to the Governor, the discipline and removal of the Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioners of Police and Assistant Commissioners of Police of the State Police; supervising the activities of the Federal Police and State Police to the extent provided for in this constitution or by an Act of the National Assembly; and prescribing standards for all police forces in the country in training, criminal intelligence databases, forensic laboratories and render assistance to State Police in areas as may be requested by such State Police. Ekweremadu’s Bill was shot down by parliament twice. But today, not only has the idea rebounded with buy-in by its worst critics, it remains the nation’s biggest guide to state police, resurrecting substantially in various Bills on the subject currently before the National Assembly. In a television interview a few months back, a former federal lawmaker, Senator Ita Enang, confessed, “Senator Ike Ekweremadu was very vehement that we should have state police. He sponsored a bill. I was one of those who vehemently opposed him and campaigned against it. I went out of my way to say that the way the governors exercise power over the electoral process, if you give them the control over security, they would kill everybody. But now, it is no longer the question of the governors. State police is an idea, which time has come.”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones' 21 points helped UC San Diego defeat James Madison 73-67 on Friday night. Tait-Jones also contributed six rebounds for the Tritons (4-2). Hayden Gray scored 16 points and added four steals. Nordin Kapic went 5 of 8 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 12 points. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

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Dazostinag sodium is under clinical development by and currently in Phase II for Oropharyngeal Cancer. According to GlobalData, Phase II drugs for Oropharyngeal Cancer have a 50% phase transition success rate (PTSR) indication benchmark for progressing into Phase III. GlobalData tracks drug-specific phase transition and likelihood of approval scores, in addition to indication benchmarks based off 18 years of historical drug development data. Attributes of the drug, company and its clinical trials play a fundamental role in drug-specific PTSR and likelihood of approval. Dazostinag sodium overview Dazostinag sodium (TAK-676) is under development for the treatment of advanced or metastatic solid tumors including non-small cell lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), oropharyngeal cancer, colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma. The drug candidate is cyclic purine dinucleotide and acts by targeting stimulator of interferon genes (STING/TMEM173). It is a new molecular entity. It is administered via intravenous route. Takeda Pharmaceutical overview (Takeda) is a global pharmaceutical company primarily engaged in the research, development, production, and commercialization of biopharmaceutical products. It provides treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, acid-related diseases, motility disorders and liver diseases; hemophilia and hereditary bleeding disorders; primary immunodeficiency and multifocal motor neuropathy; major depressive disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; and its cancer treatment encompasses multiple myeloma, mantle cell lymphoma, non-small cell lung cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia. While the company markets its pharmaceutical products directly, it also collaborates with marketing alliance partners in worldwide. Takeda operates in various countries worldwide, including Japan, the US, Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific region. Takeda is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. For a complete picture of Dazostinag sodium’s drug-specific PTSR and LoA scores, This content was updated on 12 April 2024 From Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors. , the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article. GlobalData’s Likelihood of Approval analytics tool dynamically assesses and predicts how likely a drug will move to the next stage in clinical development (PTSR), as well as how likely the drug will be approved (LoA). This is based on a combination of machine learning and a proprietary algorithm to process data points from various databases found on GlobalData’s .

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Published 23:29 IST, December 29th 2024 Let’s reflect on ten pivotal moments that shaped 2024 and promise to influence the future. As the clock ticks down to 2025, it’s hard not to feel the weight of the year gone by. If you’re exhausted by the upheavals of 2024, you’re not alone. But before the new year begins, let’s reflect on ten pivotal moments that shaped 2024 and promise to influence the future. The Space Race Heats Up In 2024, humanity’s aspirations reached new heights, even as geopolitical rivalries extended to the stars. Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon (SLIM) touched down in a lunar crater in January, relaying data for three months. Meanwhile, China returned soil samples from the far side of the moon, and NASA’s Perseverance rover reported possible evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars. The European Union and Japan’s joint mission captured stunning images of Mercury’s south pole, while SpaceX showcased its innovative “chopstick arms” technology for rocket recovery. Yet, space exploration wasn’t all scientific achievement. The United States accused Russia of deploying a nuclear anti-satellite weapon, while China significantly increased its military satellite network. With agreements like the Artemis Accords gaining traction but still excluding China and Russia, the militarization of space remains an ominous trend. The Shadow of China Shock 2.0 China’s economic turbulence has reignited global trade tensions. Following years of internal economic challenges, Beijing leaned heavily on its old strategy of subsidized exports, flooding international markets with low-cost goods. While inexpensive solar panels and electric vehicles have environmental benefits, countries like the United States, Brazil, and members of the European Union scrambled to impose tariffs to protect their domestic industries. Economists warn this “China Shock 2.0” could lead to heightened trade disputes in 2025, though it may also prompt a new wave of international negotiations to address economic imbalances. The Sudanese Civil War’s Devastation Sudan’s brutal civil war continued unabated, pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict, rooted in a power struggle between former allies Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has caused immense human suffering. With Khartoum and much of Darfur in ruins, estimates of war-related deaths surpass 60,000. A famine in Darfur and the displacement of 11 million people have compounded the tragedy. International mediation efforts, including a UN Security Council meeting, yielded little progress. As external powers back both sides, the outlook for peace remains bleak. AI Advances and Ethical Challenges Artificial intelligence made groundbreaking strides in 2024, with far-reaching applications in medicine, manufacturing, and beyond. Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry recognized AI-driven innovations, including advances in protein structure prediction. Yet, the rapid evolution of AI has raised questions about regulation and ethical use. With the United States leading in most measures and China dominating research publications, the global AI race highlights disparities in technological access. As we navigate this brave new world, the debate over AI’s role in society will only intensify. Russia Regains Momentum in Ukraine The war in Ukraine entered its third year with Russia taking the upper hand. Employing a “meat-grinder” strategy, Russia made gains in eastern Ukraine at a staggering human cost. Ukrainian forces attempted counterattacks, including a bold incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. However, Moscow’s acquisition of North Korean troops and continued Western hesitance to provide advanced weaponry complicated Kyiv’s efforts. With casualties mounting and Western support wavering, the prospect of a negotiated ceasefire looms. Yet, Russian demands for Ukrainian capitulation remain a formidable obstacle. Global Political Shake-Ups Elections in 80 countries underscored a global anti-incumbency trend. Voters punished ruling parties in India, Japan, South Africa, and beyond, often forcing them into precarious coalitions. The United States and United Kingdom saw their incumbent parties ousted, while French President Emmanuel Macron’s snap parliamentary elections backfired spectacularly. Economic discontent and a yearning for strong leadership seem to have fueled this wave of change, but the future of democracy may hinge on addressing systemic challenges rather than simply replacing leaders. Climate Crisis Intensifies The climate crisis reached alarming new heights in 2024. Average global temperatures surpassed the critical 1.5°C threshold for the first time, while natural disasters caused unprecedented damage. In the United States alone, 24 weather-related events each inflicted over $1 billion in damages. Northern South America endured record drought, with parts of the Amazon drying up. While COP 29 made limited progress on funding climate adaptation, the global response still falls short of what scientists say is necessary. Technologies to mitigate climate change are advancing, but their impact may not come soon enough. Middle East Upheaval The aftermath of Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel reverberated across 2024, as Israel waged war in Gaza and retaliated against Iran and Hezbollah. With 45,000 dead in Gaza and northern regions nearing famine, the conflict shows no sign of resolution. Israel’s targeted operations weakened Hezbollah and Hamas but escalated tensions with Iran. In December, the Syrian government fell to Turkish-backed forces, further isolating Tehran. Whether these developments pave the way for peace or greater turmoil remains to be seen. A New Challenge for America? A growing alignment among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea has raised alarms about a new geopolitical bloc. This quartet has deepened military and economic ties, challenging Western dominance. Iran supplied Russia with drones, North Korea provided artillery shells, and China bolstered Russia’s defense industry. Joint military exercises and technology exchanges signal closer cooperation, but the lack of shared vision among these nations may limit their cohesion. How the West, or America to be more precise, responds to this challenge will shape global politics for years to come. Trump’s Historic Comeback Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election marked a historic political comeback. Following his controversial departure in 2020, Trump capitalized on economic discontent and immigration concerns to secure a narrow win. While claiming a sweeping mandate, his administration faces challenges, including a divided Congress. Trump’s return underscores the outsized influence of U.S. presidential elections on global affairs. How his leadership will reshape the international order remains a critical question as 2025 begins. As we reflect on these defining moments, it’s clear that 2024 was a year of profound transformation. From the heights of human achievement to the depths of political and environmental crises, these events will continue to shape our shared future. Updated 23:29 IST, December 29th 2024‘MITRA’ should be guiding force in boosting priority sectors: Fadnavis

Andy Cohen praised Kenya Moore for taking accountability after she released an explicit photo of her former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” co-star Brittany Eady and got suspended from the series as a result. “I thought it was great,” the “Watch What Happens Live” host, 56, exclusively told Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast at Bravo’s Fan Fest in Miami on Saturday. “I’ve talked to her a lot over the last few months and I was happy to see that.” In June, Page Six learned that Moore, 53, shocked partygoers when she featured a poster of Eady, 36, allegedly performing oral sex at her Kenya Moore Hair Spa grand opening with Bravo cameras rolling. The network launched an investigation and despite Moore initially denying that she engaged in any “revenge porn” against her former co-star, Bravo did not permit her to return for the rest of Season 16. Then, on Nov. 14, the former Miss USA winner finally admitted on “The Tamron Hall Show,” “I believe the photos were very distasteful, and I elevated the situation.” “I’ve elevated situations before, and I’ve taken full accountability for the things that I’ve done. I am sorry for what I’ve done. I didn’t have to take it that far.” Although Eady has not yet directly responded to Moore’s remarks, the “RHOA” newcomer appeared to react to her former co-star’s interview with a cryptic post on social media. “Best part of being authentic, there is no image to maintain,” she captioned photos of herself from a glamorous shoot on Nov. 15. “We are all the villain in someone’s story. ✨💫” Despite Moore’s exit from “RHOA,” Cohen also teased that the upcoming season is “really good.” He said production on the show “took so long” because they “wanted to get it exactly right.” “We were really serious about casting ,” Cohen added, “And this season is a very pivotal season for that show. It’s a major crossroads for the show.” Season 16 of “RHOA” does not yet have an exact premiere date. However, it is set to air in early 2025. Bravo brought back former “Housewives” who had previously left the series to revamp the show. Earlier this year, Porsha Williams announced she is part of Season 16 . Phaedra Parks is also returning . The attorney-turned-reality star, 51, told Page Six in September, “They shook up the cast, but it’s definitely ... it’s a good thing, it’s a good thing! I think people are really going to enjoy it.”