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The deputy spokesman, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), Archbishop Emmanuel Ekuri, Tuesday, attributed the current global crises to the failure of people to worship and focus on the teachings of the spiritual head of the universe, Olumba Olumba Obu. Archbishop Ekuri made this statement in Lokoja, Kogi state capital while addressing a world press conference to announce the commencement of the 2024 celebration of the divine manifestation of the sole spiritual head of the universe, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu. He said the current challenges faced by human race today, such as numerous conflicts, natural disasters, and diseases, can be solved through the teachings of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu. He pointed out that unless world leaders embrace all the divine precepts of the Brotherhood of Man-where all forms of discrimination cease to exist, and all people worship the Living God as taught by Leader Obu-humanity will continue to wallow in spiritual darkness. “Look at the world today, events happening now has clearly shown that the sure path to prosperity and salvation lies in the core values and basic principles taught by Leader Olumba Olumba Obu. “Across the world, ethnic, religious, and politically motivated wars have led to the unimaginable loss of lives. People now take lives with ease, without the fear of God who created it. “Today’s society is full of crime and brutality. There is no peace in the world, even nature is not at peace with man. Natural disasters that claim lives and destroy property on an unimaginable scale have become a daily occurrence, yet man refuses to ask why all these things are happening. Immorality has reached its peak, as man continues to hold on to sinful and godless ways. “Satanism is rampant. Many people worship God Almighty in vain because they teach false doctrines, the traditions of men, and some have even introduced idol worship into the house of God,” he said. The deputy spokesman who stated that the only way for humanity to attain peace is to embrace the Brotherhood of Man, as taught by Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, added that the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is the ideal instrument for mankind to regain its spiritual, moral, and social freedom as beings created to serve God’s purpose.Ormat Announces Public Offering of Common Stock on Behalf of Stockholder ORIX CorporationIn light of Sri Lanka’s pressing economic challenges, the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) have jointly called for immediate regulatory reforms to stabilise and revitalise the construction industry. In a comprehensive statement, CIOB Vice President and FCCISL Public Relations Committee Director and Chairman P.H. Ruwan De Silva outlined the critical steps necessary to safeguard the industry and support economic recovery across the nation. The construction sector, traditionally contributing between 7% and 9% to the national GDP, has seen a drastic decline, shrinking to below 2% post-pandemic. This alarming contraction highlights the sector’s struggle to overcome unprecedented challenges posed by pandemic-induced economic disruptions, inflation, soaring interest rates, and contract disputes. “The resilience of Sri Lanka’s construction industry entrepreneurs and business community is facing unprecedented challenges,” said Ruwan De Silva. “Contractors, particularly large and medium-scale, are navigating significant financial pressures due to rising material costs, outdated pricing structures, and a slowdown in new project opportunities.” He emphasised the need for timely, Government-led interventions to stabilise cash flow, mitigate financial risks, and provide support for ongoing projects, already resumed suspended projects and to restart many of them which were paused or delayed due to the pandemic and economic crisis. For over more than four decades, previous regimes have failed to address outdated, obsolete, and outmoded rules, regulations, and policies within the construction industry as well as other sectors. This lack of action has hindered the industry’s ability to transition into modern, innovative, and constructive technologies that would increase productivity and competitiveness. Despite continuous advocacy and calls for reform by the Ceylon Institute of Builders, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, National Construction Association of Sri Lanka, other industry associations, and institutions meaningful changes have yet to be implemented. The key fiscal policy response during the pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis has not adequately addressed the pressing issues in the construction industry due to economic crisis. Additionally, there has been a lack of proper attention from both the Sri Lankan Government and global funding agencies. This has left the construction sector in a state of uncertainty and desperation, further amplifying the struggles faced by contractors, consultants, other related industries and sectors. In navigating the financial and operational challenges caused by these unprecedented crises. Outdated and old-fashioned rules, regulations, and lengthy recommendation and approval processes have left public sector employees trapped, entrenched, and bound within inefficient systems. This severely impacts effective public service delivery, leading to widespread disappointment, distrust, and distress among the public and discouraging the private sector business community specially succession planning for next generation taking up leadership as directors, CEOs and other senior and middle level managers. As public service efficiency falters, the private sector also suffers, heightening the overall economic distress and eroding trust in governance. The integration of entrepreneurial culture and innovative business models into public service is crucial. Digitalisation, automation, AI and Machine Learning should be prioritised to streamline processes, making them faster, more transparent, and less prone to bureaucratic delays. In comparison to other regional and international markets, Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and startups remain marginal. Public sector employees have a significant role in supporting and empowering emerging entrepreneurs, fostering an environment that increases scale, volumes and capacities within the entrepreneurial sector. A strategic focus on supporting business community startups and entrepreneurial initiatives can help drive growth and resilience within the economy. To foster resilience and recovery in the current economic landscape, it is crucial that the working attitudes and mindset within Sri Lanka’s private sector evolve toward greater alignment with the needs of companies and entrepreneurs affected by multiple crises and financial strain. Employees across the business community must recognise the importance of their roles in supporting affected businesses. By demonstrating dedication, loyalty, and efficiency, employees can actively contribute to the revitalisation of their organisations. This transformative approach involves adopting innovative ideas, focusing on problem-solving skills, authority of power for making quick decisions striving for enhanced productivity, efficiency through improved work flows and processes. A commitment to a “zero waste” and “zero idling” culture should become an ingrained mindset, helping companies minimise unnecessary costs and maximise output. In addition, there is an urgent need for private sector employees to engage in continuous self-learning through free online resources, digital platforms, and social media channels. By embracing advancements in constructive technology, innovation, and digital transformation, employees can improve their skills, increase productivity, and drive meaningful progress within their organisations. This proactive approach to reskilling and up skilling ensures that both employees and companies are well-positioned to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving economic environment. Sri Lanka’s labour market is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by emerging trends across multiple generations, particularly Generation Z, whose preferences and work styles are reshaping the employment landscape. Younger generations tend to prioritise flexibility, digital proficiency, and opportunities for continuous learning. Their adaptability to technological change and digital tools is critical to achieving productivity gains and fostering innovation across sectors. Gen Z and other younger workers have demonstrated a strong interest in entrepreneurial ventures, often preferring roles that offer autonomy, purpose, and growth potential. To fully leverage these qualities, it is essential for the public and private sectors to create work environments that attract and retain young talent, aligning with their values and aspirations. These generational trends contribute significantly to economic growth, as younger workers often bring fresh perspectives, digital expertise, and innovative approaches that can drive efficiency and modernisation across industries. By supporting employment policies that foster inclusivity, up skilling and reskilling across all generations, Sri Lanka can enhance workforce productivity and position itself to compete effectively on a global scale. Public sector reforms and targeted investments in technology, training, and mentorship will be crucial to harnessing this generational potential and building a resilient, future-ready workforce. The economic and financial stability of the entire construction ecosystem has been severely eroded over the past five years, leading to an acute working capital across all industry entities, including architects, engineers, consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, subcontractors, traders, logistics providers, and importers, exporters, service and utility providers. This deterioration presents a formidable challenge for the current and future outlook of the industry, as these businesses face the loss of critical financial, machine/equipment and human capital. Recovering and rebuilding business capacities will be an ongoing battle, with many companies grappling with financial distress and operational setbacks daily as they strive to sustain their business activities while maintaining business relationships, credit, loans, operations and statutory obligations. In a bankrupt economy, both the private and public sectors are facing unprecedented challenges and distress. Now, more than ever, it is essential to set aside party politics, political rivalries and work collaboratively to emerge as a united nation. A leading productive, proactive, and positive working culture is needed across all sectors, where individuals step up to make decisions without passing on responsibilities or delaying actions. Only by extending a helping hand to one another, irrespective of position or status, Sri Lanka can overcome these challenges and pave the way towards recovery. The present Government faces a monumental challenge—not only in recovering the collapsed economy but also in restoring public trust, social security, safety, while building political stability, confidence among entrepreneurs, and investor assurance. These challenges are further compounded by the rising complexities of global trade wars, geopolitical tensions, emerging cold and hot conflicts, and increasing threats in cyber security. As global uncertainties mount, so do the challenges to national security, economic stability, and public trust in governance. The National People’s Power (NPP) policy declaration and manifesto has been proactively and systematically developed to address and outline the necessary reforms required for navigating Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. This roadmap provides a significant milestone for achieving the proposed strategic interventions, emphasising regulatory reform and targeted investment as cornerstones of a robust revival for both the construction industry and other key sectors. Entrepreneurs and the business community can be assured of the manifesto’s commitment more than ever before. By aligning with the NPP’s outlined vision, stakeholders across the construction industry, other industries, and the broader economy can advance toward a sustainable future with structured guidance on actionable and impactful changes. The CIOB and FCCISL stand ready to collaborate with policymakers, economists, Government officials, and legislators to advance these reforms. Together with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Government and leadership CIOB and FCCISL aim to foster sustainable growth aligned with the NPP’s “Rich Country, Beautiful Life” vision. De Silva called upon the Government to engage with experienced entrepreneurs to lead these reforms and develop actionable, ground-level solutions to support the industries. “The time for action is now,” urged Ruwan De Silva. “We need regulatory reform that reflects the real conditions on the ground, offering immediate relief to contractors and business community creating a supportive environment for future growth.” Sri Lanka’s recovery depends on a paradigm shift in public service delivery, which includes transforming entrenched attitudes, traditional working cultures, outdated management styles, and cumbersome processes. These legacy systems have not only hindered swift responses to crises but have also eroded confidence among businesses, investors, and general public leading to widespread disappointment frustration and uncertainty in governance and public administration. For Sri Lanka to achieve a V-shaped recovery, the government must overcome years of economic erosion, business insolvencies, rising public mistrust, and wavering confidence in the nation’s governance and regulatory systems. “If past administrations had acted collaboratively for suggestions and proposals, the current dire situation within the construction industry could have been mitigated Ruwan De Silva asserted. “Our industry would have been better equipped to withstand these economic shocks and ready to embrace transformative technologies that drive efficiency and growth.” The PwC-FCCISL Business Resurgence Survey, conducted from July to September 2020, emphasises the need for a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach to support the recovery and growth of local entrepreneurs in the post-pandemic landscape. The survey highlights that a broad spectrum of collaborative actions across various sectors is essential to drive meaningful resurgence, calling for coordinated efforts by key stakeholders, including the Government of Sri Lanka, public sector organisations, industry representative bodies, and private sector entities. Building upon the survey’s recommendations, FCCISL, CIOB, industry chambers, trade associations, and institutions are positioned to take proactive steps by developing action plans that align with multi-stakeholder working groups. These groups aim to foster an ecosystem that addresses critical areas for entrepreneurship and business growth in Sri Lanka, which includes: 1. Market development: Expanding access to both local and international markets, facilitating new opportunities for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to thrive. 2. Capacity development: Enhancing the skills and competencies of local businesses to increase competitiveness, resilience, and adaptability in a rapidly changing environment. 3. Financial support: Implementing robust financial aid programs, incentives, concessions, relief and access to credit for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other emerging businesses to sustain operations and scale effectively. 4. Business environment improvement: Reforming the regulatory landscape to create a more favourable and enabling business environment, reduce bureaucratic burdens, red tape and promote ease of doing business. The survey’s findings also underscore the sector-specific impacts of the pandemic, highlighting areas that require targeted support and interventions, including, 1. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) 2. Manufacturing 3. Trading 4. Transport and Storage 5. Accommodation and Food Services 6. Construction 7. Agriculture 8. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 9. Professional Services 10. Education 11. Other Service Sectors By fostering collaboration across these areas, FCCISL and CIOB, together with industry chambers, entrepreneurs and other entities, aim to unlock tangible benefits for local entrepreneurs, thereby strengthening Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and contributing to sustainable economic growth. Ruwan De Silva presented a series of well-researched, actionable proposals that outline short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures to support the construction industry. These proposals include: 1. Immediate financial relief: Establishing emergency funds to assist cash-strapped contractors with ongoing projects and enabling the resumption of suspended works. 2. Debt restructuring and interest relief: Implementing interest concessions for pandemic-induced debts to ease financial pressures on contractors and encourage continued operations. 3. Policy revisions: Updating outdated contractual pricing models and incorporating regulatory clauses that reflect current economic realities, ensuring fair compensation for contractors. 4. Investment promotion: Attracting private and public investment through tax incentives, improved project financing options, and incentives for sustainable building practices. 5. Restarting donor-funded projects: Encouraging the resumption of foreign-funded initiatives to bring in capital and spur development. 6. FCCISL-PwC Business Resurgence Survey Report 7. CIOB Budget Proposals 2023 8. FCCISL Labour Reforms Report 9. Analytical insights and study series Sri Lanka’s construction sector is pivotal to national development, and its revival will benefit every layer of the economy. CIOB and FCCISL’s proposals serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders, emphasising the importance of coordinated policy action to ensure a sustainable, growth-oriented future for the construction industry and Sri Lanka’s broader economy.A MUM-of-three who died days after undergoing a "Brazilian butt lift" surgery did not consent to the procedure, an inquest heard. Demi Agoglia, 26, died in Turkey after a "barbaric" operation contributed to by neglect with "no proper pre-operative care and advice", a coroner warned. 5 Demi Agoglia, 26, died days after undergoing a Brazilian bum-lift operation in Turkey Credit: PA 5 Demi pictured with her partner Bradley Jones Credit: Facebook 5 The mother-of-three, from Salford, Manchester, died in a hospital in Istanbul on January 8 Credit: PA 5 The procedure was described as 'barbaric' Credit: PA Demi travelled to Turkey for the operation after seeing celebrity endorsements for Istanbul-based Comfort Zone Surgery on social media. The mother of three was said to be “conscious about the way she looked” and was insistent on undergoing the procedure, which sees fat taken from elsewhere on the body and injected into the hips and buttocks. Her partner, Bradley Jones, said he had not wanted Agoglia to have the surgery but she had booked the trip months earlier after seeing “some celebrity” endorse it online. Immediately after the operation she was “shaking” and appeared “very, very cold”, he told Bolton coroner’s court. Staff from Comfort Zone were called to the villa where she was staying after Agoglia complained of a tight chest, and they checked her blood pressure, but did not inspect the area of the operation or check her heart rate and pulse, the inquest heard. Agoglia then collapsed at the villa and was taken back to a hospital in Istanbul where she died on 8 January, three days after the operation. The Bolton coroner, John Pollard, ruled that the medical cause of death was a microscopic fat embolism in which tissue leaks into the bloodstream. Mr Pollard told Ms Agoglia’s family he would write to Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, adding: “I do feel something further needs to be done to stop this frankly barbaric medical practice being conducted to such low standards that would certainly not be tolerated in the UK.” Most read in Health DEADLY ERROR Woman dies after getting trapped in toilet after carers make fatal mistake MISTLETOE AND WHINE Christmas could trigger surge in condition with ‘worst pain imaginable’ 'SCANDAL' 8 women 'got cancer after smear test misread' as thousands told to get rechecked PILL ALERT Warning as medication taken by thousands of Brits linked to raised dementia risk Concluding that Agoglia had died as a result of misadventure contributed to by neglect, he said: “I find there was no proper informed consent in this matter, there was no proper pre-operative care and advice, and no proper post-operative care. “All of this meant the care in total fell well below the standard expected of this type of treatment and the lack of care contributed significantly to Demi’s death.” It later emerged that the Comfort Zone staff who were called out to the villa were not qualified nurses. Botched BBL left me covered in rotting flesh like something out of a horror film - I can never look in the mirror again The inquest also heard that their “completely bizarre” actions included trying to feed pieces of cucumber to Agoglia after she collapsed. The court heard that Ms Agoglia had struggled with her mental health and was on medication for ADHD and bipolar disorder. Her mother, Christine Tydd, told the hearing she told Ms Agoglia she was a “good looking girl” and did not need the operation, shortly before her daughter travelled to Turkey on Jan 4 with her partner, Bradley Jones. Mr Jones, a landscaper, said he also did not want Ms Agoglia to have the surgery, but she had already booked the trip through a company named Comfort Zone Surgery after “she had seen some celebrity” advertising the procedure. Giving expert evidence, Dr Omar Tillo, a Harley Street consultant plastic surgeon, noted the “completely bizarre” actions of the Comfort Zone staff. He added that the BBL procedure is performed in the UK “within very strict rules to do it safely”. Dr Tillo agreed with Mr Pollard that it would seem “almost incredible” that the death of a young, physically fit woman was not linked to the BBL operation she underwent. Dr Usha Chandran, the pathologist who carried out the post-mortem, told the hearing: “I feel all these cosmetic procedures are given a lot of importance by celebrities... and are being done in shoddy clinics.” He told the hearing: "I'm really disturbed by Demi's death and I feel all these cosmetic procedures are given a lot of importance by celebrities... and are being done in shoddy clinics." The inquest heard the coroner's office had sent multiple emails to the Turkish hospital and the surgeons involved to obtain statements but had received no response. What are Brazilian Bum Lifts and why are they so popular? Buttock enlargement surgery - known as a Brazilian bum-lift (BBL) - is used to make the bum look bigger, rounded and lifted. Surgeons transfer fat, inject filler or insert silicone-filled implants. It is the fastest growing cosmetic procedure but also one of the most dangerous, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). Many patients are travelling to the likes of Turkey or seeking out unregistered surgeons in the UK and are not given full information on the risks. BBLs carry the highest risk of all cosmetic surgeries - with more than one death occurring per 4,000 procedures. Due to celebrities undergoing such ops, many women are hoping to emulate their looks. Consultant clinical psychologist Dr Anu Sayal-Bennett, a chartered member of the British Psychological Society, told the BBC : "Despite there being so much about body positivity, there are pressures for women - and men too - to look a certain way." Many people travel abroad for the procedure because it is cheaper and advertising is "terribly seductive", combined with the idea of a beach holiday, added Dr Sayal-Bennett. Mr Pollard said: "Most inquests are sad by their very nature. This inquest is especially so as it involved the death of a young woman with considerable mental health issues who, despite the fact she was pretty and her partner did not think she needed any improvement, insisted on having a BBL surgery. "I found that she went to Turkey presumably because the process was quicker and cheaper than the UK. We know little or nothing of the perioperative situation because the Turkish authorities refused to cooperate with the coronial process. "I do find the post-operative care varied from woeful to completely non-existent. When she showed obvious symptoms of serious illness it was not immediately recognised by her partner, understandably, or the unqualified members of staff. "By the time she got to the hospital, it was frankly too late, and she was in an irrecoverable state. I think it was indicative of the poor level of care that at all times she was transported not in an ambulance but in a taxi, it was always the same taxi. Read more on the Scottish Sun SNOW JOKE Snow maps reveal the Scotland areas forecast to have a white Christmas OFF THE AIR 'Gutted to hear this', fans cry as BBC Scotland series axed after 19 years "I heard extremely helpful evidence from Dr Tillo who clearly spelt out all the failures and failings he was able to assess from the evidence and the sparse documentation available to him." No record of any intensive care unit admission or any tests and scans carried out had been produced, the inquest was told. 5 Demi pictured with Shelby Flannagan Credit: Facebook
A thrill ride manufacturer that has designed a 1,000-foot-tall roller coaster that would shatter all height and speed records is looking for a theme park willing and able to build the towering behemoth. The once-impossible dream of a 1,000-foot-tall coaster is now feasible and in top secret development by an unnamed ridemaker, according to Dennis Speigel, an industry expert with International Theme Park Services . “The project is still under heavy wraps with the final international location yet to be announced,” Speigel wrote on the ITPS website. “But the progress is quite well along and so far is nothing short of breathtaking in every sense of the meaning.” ALSO SEE: Six Flags to spend $1 billion on 11 coasters over next 2 years The 1,000-footer would be twice as tall as any coaster ever built and smash a new record for world’s tallest coaster about to be set in 2025. Six Flags announced in November that its 456-foot-tall Kingda Ka coaster in New Jersey would be removed and replaced by a new record-breaking launch coaster in 2026. The 2005 Kingda Ka held the title of world’s tallest coaster for two decades. ALSO SEE: 5 of the world’s fastest coasters are closed, but a new king will soon rise The 415-foot-tall Superman: Escape from Krypton at Six Flags Magic Mountain now reigns as the tallest operating coaster in the world while the 420-foot-tall Top Thrill 2 coaster at Ohio’s Cedar Point remains closed for repairs. Falcon’s Flight will become the world’s tallest coaster at a skyscraping 640 feet when the new ride debuts in 2025 at Six Flags Quiddiya in Saudi Arabia. ALSO SEE: Coaster war brewing between Six Flags Magic Mountain and relatively unknown European rival Speigel got a sneak preview of the 1,000-foot-tall coaster by the as-yet-unidentified ride manufacturer that swore him to secrecy. Technological advancements in computer- and AI-assisted design have made the pipe dream of a 1,000-foot-tall coaster a very real possiblity, according to Speigel. ALSO SEE: 4 reasons why Universal won’t launch Fast & Furious coaster until 2026 “It’s only a matter of time and financial investment before this aspiration becomes a reality,” Speigel wrote on the ITPS website. The record-setting coaster will need to be built on a swath of land large enough to accommodate the amount of track needed for the launch and run out on either side of the 1,000-foot precipice. ALSO SEE: Six Flags Magic Mountain plans 21st roller coaster for 2026 The structural engineering team behind the project has designed a coaster that can withstand immense vertical and lateral forces, according to Speigel. An “ingenious” braking system will help control the incredible speeds of the coaster that will likely require riders to wear safety goggles, according to Speigel. Related Articles
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Altus Group Limited (TSE:AIF) Director William Brennan Buys 300 SharesA SELF-PROCLAIMED hot gran has revealed that she has been able to spend more time with her family this Christmas, after being paid to dress up as sexy Santa. Jessika Rains, 41, spent 20 years as a nurse before ditching her career to earn five times more stripping off. 2 Jessika has been paid to dress up as a sexy Santa over Christmas Credit: Instagram.com/nursejessxx 2 She has been able to spend more time with her grandkids thanks to her career change Credit: Instagram.com/nursejessxx The mum of four loves dressing up in racy outfits for her job, and said the best part is that she gets to spend more time with her grandkids. And during the festive period, Jessika has loved making cash by dressing up as a sexy Santa and a naughty elf. Jessika first entered the industry back in 2020, during the pandemic, and balanced both of her careers before quitting nursing for good in 2022. She now has over a million followers across her social media platforms, all desperate to see her content. Read more real life stories HOT STUFF I’m a hot gran - young men always try to date me and shower me with compliments GLAM GRAN I'm a hot gran that loves working out with my 19-year-old granddaughter Jessika said that she loves satisfying her customers but only makes content she is comfortable with. "I'm trying to please you but at the same time I'm trying to respect my feelings on situations and create genuine content that's going to come off that I'm enjoying it too", she told the Daily Star. "I need some type of self-reward. "So if it's something I haven't done, and I'm curious to see if it's going to pleasure me, then I will perform it. Most read in Fabulous CRIMBO CRAZY I keep Christmas tree up 365 days a year, people think I'm crazy but I love it SORT YOU OUT I’m a decluttering pro - the 9 items to get rid from your home before 2025 SHORT WORK I splashed out on the viral H&M sparkly shorts but it was an epic fail MAKE SCENTS Perfume trend set to take 2025 by storm - you'll never spray on your neck again "But if I know that it's just not in my wheelhouse, or not something that I'm going to connect with, I just decline the requests." Discussing her favourite parts of the job, she said: "I like to dirty talk, I'm a dirty talker." I'm a hot gran, trolls say it's 'inappropriate' to wear a bikini but I won't stop Jessika also loves dressing up, stating: "When it comes to dressing up, it's great because in October costumes were my content. "In November someone actually asked for bride content, and I didn't have bride content." Jumping at the chance to film more content, Jessika made some solo bride content, and also got her husband involved, as he got frisky with the "maid of honour." "I did a strip tease for my girlfriend," she added. Tips to age well There are a number of habits you can take up to care for your health and wellbeing as you age. Age UK shared the following tips: Do things that you enjoy everyday - whether that's cooking, seeing friends or enjoying a good book Stay hydrated - drink six to eight cups of water a day Eat plenty of fruit and veggies to lower your risk of heart disease and certain cancers, have beans, pulses, fish, eggs and meat to repair your body after injury, starchy carbs for energy dairy to help keep bones strong Manage long-term health conditions to prevent them progressing or having a greater impact on your health Quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake to no more than 14 units a week Make mental health a priority and get treatment for it, as it can also impact physical health Make sure you're getting quality sleep Keep socialising - and call a friend or loved one if you can't make it out the house Be physically active to lower the risk of depression and dementia, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s and some cancers In this scenario, her friend put on a veil and things escalated after the strip tease. "So just cute little role-play things. It's just a scenario really", she said. Read more on the Scottish Sun 'DISGUSTING' Festive fly-tippers slammed for dumping mountains of rubbish at Scots Asda GHOST TOWN Former Scots shopping hotspot 'decaying' as multimillion pound revamp ‘failing’ Another theme that has cropped up in her content is sleeping with her husband's best friend. "It's just all that taboo stuff", she said.
Ron Roberts Founder & CEO of Roberts Retirement Group, Interviewed on the Influential Entrepreneur Podcast Discussing Longevity Planning for Retirement 11-22-2024 09:56 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Authority Press Wire Image: https://authoritypresswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ron_old_picture_for_20181__1_-removebg-preview.png Ron Roberts discusses highlights of longevity planning for retirement Listen to the interview on the Business Innovators Radio Network: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-ron-roberts-founder-and-ceo-of-roberts-retirement-group-discussing-longevity-planning-for-retirement/ Ron Roberts, founder and CEO of Roberts Retirement Group, about the essential topic of longevity planning in retirement. With over 35 years of experience in financial services, Ron shares his journey into the industry, sparked by a friend's success in financial planning. The conversation delves into the importance of adapting retirement strategies to account for increasing life expectancies, emphasizing how better health and lifestyle choices contribute to longer lives. Longevity planning has emerged as a crucial aspect of retirement strategy, particularly in response to two significant trends: the decline of traditional pensions and the increasing life expectancy of individuals. As people live longer, the need for guaranteed lifetime income strategies has never been more essential. Historically, a substantial portion of the U.S. workforce relied on employer-provided pensions. When Ron Roberts began his career in financial services in 1990, approximately 76% of workers had access to these guaranteed income sources. Pensions offered retirees a reliable paycheck for life, regardless of how long they lived. However, this landscape has changed dramatically over the years. Many companies have phased out traditional pension plans in favor of 401(k) plans, which do not guarantee lifetime income. Instead, 401(k) plans place the responsibility on individuals to manage their retirement savings, often leading to uncertainty about whether their funds will last throughout their retirement years. This shift has left many retirees concerned about the possibility of outliving their savings. Advancements in healthcare and improvements in lifestyle continue to enhance the quality of life, resulting in longer lifespans. This increase in life expectancy raises important questions about retirement planning. Individuals must now consider not only how to accumulate wealth for retirement but also how to ensure that their savings will sustain them for potentially two to three decades after they stop working. With the reality that many retirees may spend 20 to 30 years in retirement, the risk of running out of money becomes a pressing concern. This is where longevity planning comes into play, focusing on creating strategies that provide guaranteed income for life, regardless of how long an individual may live. To address the challenges posed by the decline of pensions and increased longevity, financial advisors like Ron Roberts emphasize the importance of guaranteed lifetime income strategies. These strategies often involve utilizing products from legal reserve companies, primarily insurance companies that specialize in protecting pensions. By transferring funds from traditional investment accounts into legal reserve accounts, retirees can secure their principal and ensure that their growth is protected. One effective approach is to use indexed products tied to various market indexes, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. These indexed products can provide growth potential while also offering protection against market downturns. The key is that they allow retirees to benefit from market gains without the risk of losing their principal, thus ensuring a more stable income stream throughout retirement. Ron shared: "T he objective is growth every year, without worrying about the stock market." Video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/5_3FxzEWeIA?rel=0&modestbranding=0&rel=0&showinfo=1&controls=1&autohide=2&showinfo=0?ecver=2 Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/5_3FxzEWeIA About Ron Roberts Ron was born in Burbank California and grew up in the Mojave Desert. Being the first of six children born to deaf parents, he learned responsibility at an early age. His commitment to family and faith is unwavering. It's the essence of who he is and the foundation of his business success. Living for a higher purpose and caring for others has always been Ron's focus. After high school, he joined the United States Coast Guard where he learned about hard work, discipline, and duty. He enjoyed serving his country and helping to keep people safe. He grew in experience through training, education, and travel. He developed a love for the sea and enjoys boating and sailing with friends and family. After completing his time with the Coast Guard, Ron served on a mission for the deaf in Chicago for his church. While there, he formed the first deaf scout troop in Chicago for the Boy Scouts of America. Returning from Chicago, Ron attended college in Stockton, California where he met his wife, Julie. They were married in the spring of 1984. In 1991, Ron and Julie moved to Amador County where they enjoyed raising their four daughters in a close knit community. Ron's hobbies include reading, boating, sports, and traveling with his family. Ron also volunteered at a private school where he taught history and American Sign Language. Family, faith, and community are the most important things that define Ron. Ron's chosen vocation as a Retirement Planning Professional allows him to use his experience, his gifts, and his love for family to help people in a very special way. Ron has been in the retirement planning industry since 1990. Founded in 2002, Roberts Retirement has grown over the years to serve families in northern California and around the country. Ron has served as President of the California Estate Planning Counsel and continues to mentor other retirement planning professionals all across the United States. He is constantly educating himself on the most up-to-date investment strategies and changes in the financial industry. Ron is recognized as a leader in the industry, is a sought-after speaker, and has been featured in Senior Market Advisor Magazine Learn more: https://www.robertsretirement.com/ Media Contact Company Name: Marketing Huddle, LLC Contact Person: Mike Saunders, MBA Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=ron-roberts-founder-ceo-of-roberts-retirement-group-interviewed-on-the-influential-entrepreneur-podcast-discussing-longevity-planning-for-retirement ] Phone: 7202323112 Country: United States Website: https://www.AuthorityPositioningCoach.com This release was published on openPR.Racing Optics® Introduces Game-Changing Twilight Tearoff to Enhance Visibility in Low-Light Racing Conditions
Mumbai: The State Cyber Police have registered a case against 12 social media users for posting an offensive video on social media, alleging that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis does not believe in the Indian Constitution, democracy, or any constitutional institution and suggesting his goal is to establish a parallel state. The action was taken based on a complaint filed by a representative of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to the State Cyber Police, the accused users—India Bhavla Shinde (@Bs131B), Shuddhodhan Sahjrao (@Suddhodhan74629), Nagpur Congress Sevadal (@SevadalNGP), Saurabh Singh Chauhan (@Sbchauhan0103), Mukesh Lavhale (@Lavhale), Prasad Salvi, Varad Kanki, Amol Kamble, Syed Salim, THE SMART 230K, and Vishnu Bhotkar are accused of sharing an edited and incomplete video. The complaint alleged that these social media users posted defamatory content on platforms like Twitter (X Handle), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube with the intent to incite public harm and disturb Maharashtra’s law and order situation. The FIR have registered under Sections 353(1)(B), 356(2), 192, 3(5) of the BNS Act with Section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 against the social media users responsible for posting the objectionable video. Notices have been issued to all social media intermediaries to provide information on these accused handles. The initial investigation by the State Cyber Police revealed that the video was deliberately taken out of context to falsely portray the Chief Minister as opposing constitutional values and intending to establish a parallel governance system. The video appears to be designed to provoke social unrest, hurt the sentiments of specific groups, and potentially disrupt Maharashtra's law and order.
In the winter, our outdoor spaces can feel quiet, empty, and gray, and incorporating plants for wildlife is a great way to combat this. Not only will you be helping your local ecosystem survive the tougher months, but birds and other creatures are a joy to spot. Many suitable planting options will add aesthetic appeal to your yard, too. There are lots of choices perfect for a winter wildlife garden , from berrying shrubs that birds adore to an evergreen fern that provides a home for moth larvae. Even herbaceous perennials can be beneficial if you leave some of their stalks as shelter. For advice, I turned to the experts, who share their plant recommendations below. You'll also find handy growing tips for each. Snowberries are pretty shrubs that provide food for birds Rather than picking just one variety, aim for a few. Mary Phillips of the National Wildlife Federation says layering a combination of native shrubs, grasses, and trees provides essential cover and food for wildlife. 'Use the National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder to find species appropriate for your region,' she adds. Mary Phillips is an ambassador for native plants. Her work ensures all habitat programs and resources are rooted in sustainable practices and the latest science. 1. Golden Ragwort Ragworts lose their flowers before winter, but their semi-evergreen foliage will provide valuable shelter Leah Brooks , an expert from the Mt. Cuba Center, recommends golden ragwort, which is a low-growing semi-evergreen. It is a wonderful replacement for non-native ground covers like English ivy, Japanese pachysandra, and lesser periwinkle, she says. 'Golden ragwort provides winter cover for wildlife and beautiful yellow flowers for early spring pollinators.' She suggests planting specimens four to six inches apart and allowing them to fill in the space. 'Seeds are fluffy and easily spread by the wind,' she says; ' Deadhead flowers to limit spread, or collect seeds and disperse elsewhere in your landscape.' Golden ragwort plants are available from Amazon . Leah Brooks's passion is sharing the joy of nature and native gardening with others. She has dual bachelor's degrees from the University of Delaware in Environmental Science and Wildlife Ecology. Leah is a Delaware Master Naturalist and Vice Chair of the Delaware Invasive Species Council. 2. Snowberry Snowberries can hold onto their berries well into winter Mary notes how the white berries on these shrubs provide nutrition for songbirds and small mammals during harsh winter conditions. Not only this, but she highlights how the dense, thicket-forming branches offer shelter and protection from both inclement weather and predators. These shrubs continue to benefit wildlife as the weather warms, too – Mary points out how the late-spring flowers provide nectar for native bees and other pollinators. In terms of care, she recommends planting them in full sun to part shade. 'Established plantings are drought-tolerant ,' she adds. Snowberries are available to shop from Nature Hills . 3. Little Bluestem This grass has a coppery tone in the fall and winter months Mary also recommends little bluestem, which is an ornamental grass that grows to around 3ft. The seedheads provide nutrition in winter for songbirds, she says, plus the 'dense clumps of foliage provide habitat for many beneficial insects in winter, such as skipper butterflies.' What's more, it's a larval host plant for several species of butterflies and moths, she adds. Mary recommends planting it in full sun. It 'will tolerate most soil types if they are well-drained. 'Prune down to eight inches in early spring,' she advises – 'pruning to the crown may interrupt the life cycle of overwintering beneficial insects.' Little bluestems are available from Nature Hills . 4. Hollow-stem Joe-Pye Weed Also known as Eutrochium fistulosum, this plant benefits wildlife throughout the year 'This tall perennial flower is a buffet for butterflies in the summer and a refuge for insects in the winter,' says Leah. 'The hollow stems are very sturdy and thick, making them an attractive nesting habitat for native solitary bees. 'Stem-nesting bees create nest chambers in plant stems, depositing an egg on a provision of pollen,' she explains. 'Once the egg hatches, the larval bee will spend months developing and overwintering in the stem before emerging the following year as an adult.' To create a habitat for stem nesting bees in your landscape, Leah recommends cutting back any sturdy, herbaceous stems to 8-24 inches at the end of the growing season. 'Next season’s new growth will hide the stem stubble, which should be left undisturbed and allowed to break down naturally over time.' These plants do best in moist soil and full sun. Position them at the back of borders due to their height. 5. Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides hosts the larvae of a type of moth 'This evergreen fern is a wonderful addition to shady areas, and is tolerant of dry, rocky soils,' says Leah. 'It provides winter cover for wildlife and is the host plant of the fern leaftier Herpetogramma spingealis . 'The larval form of this moth species constructs globe-shaped shelters by rolling the tips of the fronds inward and securing them with silk,' she explains. 'Inside the shelter, the larva feeds on the fern leaves. As it grows, the larva abandons existing shelters and creates larger ones, usually on the same plant. These structures don’t cause lasting damage to the plants, and other insects take shelter in the empty globes.' Leah recommends trimming back brown or dried fronds throughout the season for a more formal look. Evergreens offer shelter for birds and other wildlife – and can block winter winds for us humans, too, as Jeff Rugg , a gardening expert and National Garden Bureau member, points out. 'Yews and boxwoods are often pruned into hedges, creating a thick layer of branches and leaves around the top and edges while having an open branching framework on the interior,' he says. 'Snow will catch on the leaves forming a blanket that adds to the sheltering effect.' There are also shrub varieties of spruces that act the same as the yews and boxwoods, he continues. 'Spruce trees are better than pine trees for winter shelter as they have a denser layer of branches and needles. During sunny days in the winter, you will see birds like mourning doves sitting on the sunny side of spruce trees where they can sit out of the wind while warming up.' Jeff is an educator at heart. He has written the Greener View newspaper column that has been syndicated nationwide for over 33 years. He taught the University of Illinois Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs. He now teaches via the Greener View YouTube channel which has almost 400 videos. Many of the videos match the playlists of the chapters in his Greener View Gardening book, available on Amazon . Be sure to feed birds throughout winter and prevent bird baths from freezing to give visiting wildlife an extra helping hand. To welcome plenty of wildlife throughout the warmer months, too, don't forget to incorporate plants for pollinators and other plants for birds into your backyard.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos' usually stout defense has been rocked ever since losing second-year cornerback Riley Moss to an MCL injury against Las Vegas in Week 12. Without Moss there to capitalize on opponents shying away from star cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos (9-6) have had to largely abandon their preferred man coverage in favor of zone strategies and the results haven't been pretty. They allowed 32 points to the Cleveland Browns when former teammate Jerry Jeudy caught nine passes for a career-best 235 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown. Only Jonathan Taylor's fumble at the goal line as he was about to score a 41-yard touchdown and give Indianapolis a 20-3 lead saved the Broncos in Week 15 and allowed Denver to seize momentum and get the victory. They couldn't stop Justin Herbert , who led the Los Angeles Chargers back from a double-digit third-quarter deficit for a 34-27 win last week that prevented the Broncos from ending their eight-year playoff drought. It also put more pressure on the Broncos to win Saturday at Cincinnati, where the Bengals (7-8) cling to hopes of catching the Broncos and denying Denver a wild-card berth. Moss returned to practice last week and the Broncos will determine this week whether he’s ready to return to the field or if it’s better to keep him out until their season finale against Kansas City. But all signs point to Moss being on the field to help thwart Cincy's offense led by Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. “It's great to have him back,” Surtain said after practice Tuesday. “I mean, you talk about a guy who was playing lights-out before the injury, but to see him back out there with confidence, out there practicing, getting his mojo back, it brings a lot of confidence to the team, as well. So, it's good to see him back out there in action, for sure.” Moss has enjoyed a breakout season in Denver with 71 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception in 12 starts. He played in 14 games as a rotation player his rookie season after recovering from core muscle surgery that relegated him to special teams and spot duty in 2023. “We were and have been super excited" about the third-round pick out of Iowa, coach Sean Payton said. "Obviously, the guy that plays opposite of Patrick is going to get a lot of business. All throughout training camp, he really rose to the occasion, battled, competed and throughout really a good portion of the season. Story continues below video “He’s a big reason why we were playing so well defensively,” Payton added. "The sooner the better when we can get him back in the lineup. Hopefully it can happen this weekend.” In Moss' dozen starts, the Broncos allowed 16.8 points per game. Without him, they've been allowing 26.3 points a game. Burrow and Chase pose a bigger challenge to the Broncos than Jeudy and Jameis Wiston did for Cleveland or Herbert and Ladd McConkey did for the Chargers. The medial collateral ligament is on the inside of the knee that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. It’s one of four major ligaments that stabilize the knee and allow it to rotate. It typically takes a month to recover from an MCL sprain and the Broncos had their bye week earlier this month, meaning Moss might only have to miss three games. If the Broncos reach the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50 in Hall of Famer Peyton Manning's last start, they'll likely need to have a healthy Moss opposite Surtain to have any realistic hopes of avoiding a one-and-done appearance. The Broncos got a scare when Surtain injured an ankle against Indianapolis two weeks ago and limped off the field in the closing minutes. However, he was a full-go at practice last week and had no issues against the Chargers. NOTES: The Broncos waived veteran CB Levi Wallace, who had been inactive the past two weeks after giving up several big plays to Jeudy on Dec. 2. Denver also designated RB Tyler Badie to return from a back injury he sustained against the Jets in Week 4. Payton said he hopes to sign Wallace to the practice squad if he clears waivers. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
American Battery Technology Company, listed under the ticker symbol ABAT, recently entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with two institutional investors for its common stock and warrants as part of a registered direct offering. The transaction took place on December 26, 2024, with the Offering set to close on December 27, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to sell 3,773,586 shares of its Common Stock at $2.65 per share, along with corresponding warrants exercisable for up to an additional 3,773,586 shares. The warrants, with an exercise price of $2.80 per share, have a five-year term and allow for cashless exercise under certain circumstances. Upon completion, the anticipated gross proceeds from the Offering will amount to approximately $10 million before expenses. A Placement Agency Agreement was also established with A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, under which the Placement Agent will receive a percentage fee based on the capital raised, along with reimbursement for incurred legal expenses. The securities were issued pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3, and the legalities of the transaction were reviewed and confirmed by Holland & Hart LLP. The Company’s press release regarding the Offering was furnished on December 26, 2024, noting the details of the securities transaction. American Battery Technology Company is based in Reno, Nevada, specializing in critical battery minerals for primary manufacturing and lithium-ion battery recycling to support various industries’ demands. This press release does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities, and the transaction’s details have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for public record. Potential risks associated with forward-looking statements tied to the Offering and future operational outcomes should be considered based on available information from the Company’s SEC filings, which include the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. For media inquiries, contact Tiffiany Moehring at [email protected] or 720-254-1556. This article was generated by an automated content engine and was reviewed by a human editor prior to publication. For additional information, read American Battery Technology’s 8K filing here . About American Battery Technology ( Get Free Report ) American Battery Technology Company, a battery materials company, engages in supplying battery metals. The company explores for resources of battery metals; and develops and commercializes technologies for the extraction of battery metals, as well as commercializes integrated process for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. Read MoreWrap Technologies Reports Approval of Incentive Plan Amendment and Director Elections at Annual MeetingBetter Artificial Intelligence Stock: Palantir vs. NvidiaFox News national correspondent CB Cotton breaks down the latest news on the Daniel Penny trial after the judge dropped manslaughter charges Friday afternoon on ‘Special Report.’ It is a travesty that Marine veteran Daniel Penny was charged with two homicide counts by Manhattan’s elected progressive-Democratic district attorney, Alvin Bragg, over the death of Jordan Neely – who was menacing frightened subway passengers when Penny subdued him . How fitting, then, that the conclusion of the jury trial, which began eight weeks ago, is proving to be as much a mockery of justice as the rest of the proceedings have been. DANIEL PENNY ‘OVERCHARGED’ BY PROSECUTION IN ‘PATENTLY UNFAIR’ MOVE, ATTORNEY ARGUES As I’ve explained a number of times, Bragg executed a couple of cynical stratagems to increase his chances of convicting Penny. The first involves the crude racialist politics of the progressive-Democratic base that got Bragg elected in 2021. This faction looks at life as if it were a Howard Zinn revisionist history textbook, in which the world is divided into oppressor and oppressed classes, with race as the full-field theory for interpreting all phenomena. In the real world, there wasn’t anything racist in Penny’s intervention as Neely threatened passengers. Yes, the happenstance is that Penny is white and Neely was black; but Neely was intimidating all the train passengers regardless of race. Penny was assisted in subduing him by non-white passengers. Some of the best witnesses in the case for Penny have been black passengers, who have described how scared they were and how heroic Penny was. Daniel Penny arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on Friday, December 6, 2024. The jury is entering a fourth day of deliberations in Daniel Penny’s trial for the 2023 death of Neely on the Manhattan subway. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital) But that’s not how the progressive prosecutors see it. Shamefully, Judge Maxwell Wiley has allowed Bragg’s prosecutors to refer to Penny as "the white man" and "the white defendant," notwithstanding that Penny’s whiteness is irrelevant, there being not a scintilla of proof that he was bigoted. Bragg’s approach is transparently jaded: appeal to any Manhattan progressives on the jury with a race-based ideological pitch that social justice demands finding Penny guilty. The second stratagem involves how the case was charged. While I don’t think Penny should have been indicted at all, this is not even arguably anything more than a negligence case. Penny was legally justified in using force to protect himself and other passengers. By law, such justification allows a person to subdue the aggressor until the police arrive. The question, then, is whether Penny was negligent in the duration and force of the chokehold he used. (Aside: there is a significant causation issue in the case; i.e., there could be reasonable doubt about whether the chokehold caused death because Neely had significant amounts of narcotics in his system, which could have exacerbated his preexisting physical maladies due to the anxiety he caused by threatening subway passengers.) Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg arrives at Daniel Penny’s trial following a lunch break at the Manhattan Supreme Criminal Court building in New York City on Monday, December 2, 2024. Closing arguments are set to begin today in Penny’s trial for the 2023 subway death of Jordan Neely. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital) (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital) Yet, Bragg charged two counts, not one. Rather than leading with criminally negligent homicide, the indictment’s top count is second-degree manslaughter – i.e., reckless homicide. To prove recklessness, prosecutors must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knew he created a risk of death and took aggressive action in wanton disregard of that risk. Clearly, that’s not what Penny did. It was not he, but Neely, who caused the risk; and far from acting wantonly, Penny did not try to harm Neely. He rolled Neely into a position to make breathing easier. He waited until the police arrived and fully cooperated with them. And during the interview he voluntarily gave police, they did not tell him that Neely had died, and Penny plainly believed he was alive. When a trained Marine wants to kill a restrained person with a choke hold, he knows how to do it, and it doesn’t take long. That’s not what happened here. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 24: NYPD Supporters of Jordan Neely protest a rally in support of Daniel Penny at Collect Pond Park on May 24, 2023 in New York City. Nassau County Executive Bruce A Blakeman was joined by military veterans as he organized a rally in support of Daniel Penny that was protested by supporters of Jordan Neely, leading to three arrest. Neely, whose funeral was held on May 19, was killed on May 1st after being placed in a chokehold by Penny at the Broadway-Lafayette subway station. Penny has been charged with 2nd Degree Manslaughter in Neely's death. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Despite the lack of recklessness evidence, Bragg indicted a recklessness charge. He calculated that this could give the jury something to compromise on, improving the prosecution’s odds. Especially if the racializing strategy attracted some progressive jurors to the view that Penny had to be found guilty, jurors sympathetic to Penny might conclude that they could be reasonable by agreeing to find him guilty of negligent homicide as long as they acquitted him of the baseless manslaughter charge. Sadly, it appears that this strategy could be playing out as Bragg hoped. Last Friday, we learned that the jury was deadlocked on the manslaughter charge – meaning one or more jurors want Penny convicted, while others have concluded (appropriately in my view) that this charge lacks supporting evidence. The jury was not permitted to consider negligence until the recklessness charge was resolved. Bragg has thus succeeded in exhausting the jury for four days of deliberations, including a so-called Allen charge – given over the defense’s vigorous objection – to try to strongarm jurors into putting aside their divisions and agreeing on a result (a conviction, the DA hopes). They’ve been at it for nearly 30 hours over this very straightforward, single-transaction, two-count case – but still they would not find Penny guilty. Judge Wiley should have declared a mistrial. To continue at this point is to seek to browbeat the jury into a conviction. I further believe it would violate New York criminal-procedure law. Under Sections 310.60 and 310.70 , which control, respectively, declaration of a mistrial and partial verdicts, a judge may (a) declare a mistrial if the jury is deadlocked and the judge determines that no verdict is likely; or (b) accept a partial verdict if the jury announces that it has reached a verdict on one count but is deadlocked on the other count or counts. Other than those two situations, a judge may not declare a mistrial during jury deliberations unless both parties – the prosecution and the defendant – agree. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Here, neither (a) nor (b) happened. Yet, Wiley allowed Bragg to dismiss the reckless homicide charge for the purpose of continuing the trial and forcing the jury to deliberate on the lesser negligent-homicide offense. In essence, Bragg manufactured a partial verdict even though the jury did not reach one, and now wants the jury to continue deliberations as if this were only a negligence case – i.e., a case starkly different from the one prosecutors presented to the jury the last eight weeks. And this was done without the consent of the defendant. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Judge Wiley had full authority to grant Penny’s mistrial motion under Section 310.60 on the ground that the jury had deliberated for an extensive period of time without reaching any verdict. Instead, the judge bowed to Bragg’s Rube Goldberg plan: bring an exhausted, divided, already Allen- charged jury back to court Monday, to start all over again. The jurors have to be thinking that the court will keep them at it for as long as it takes to get Penny convicted of something . It's wrong ... but it’s so Manhattan. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ANDREW McCARTHY Andrew C. McCarthy serves as a FOX News contributor and is a senior fellow at the National Review Institute and a contributing editor of National Review. Follow him on Twitter @andrewcmccarthy