gba 777 online casino philippines register BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — 2024 was a brutal year for the Amazon rainforest, with rampant wildfires and extreme drought ravaging large parts of a biome that’s a critical counterweight to climate change. A warming climate fed drought that in turn fed the worst year for fires since 2005. And those fires contributed to deforestation, with authorities suspecting some fires were set to more easily clear land to run cattle. The Amazon is twice the size of India and sprawls across eight countries and one territory, storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise warm the planet. It has about 20% of the world’s fresh water and astounding biodiversity, including 16,000 known tree species. But governments have historically viewed it as an area to be exploited, with little regard for sustainability or the rights of its Indigenous peoples, and experts say exploitation by individuals and organized crime is rising at alarming rates. “The fires and drought experienced in 2024 across the Amazon rainforest could be ominous indicators that we are reaching the long-feared ecological tipping point,” said Andrew Miller, advocacy director at Amazon Watch, an organization that works to protect the rainforest. “Humanity’s window of opportunity to reverse this trend is shrinking, but still open.” There were some bright spots. The level of Amazonian forest loss fell in both Brazil and Colombia. And nations gathered for the annual United Nations conference on biodiversity agreed to give Indigenous peoples more say in nature conservation decisions. “If the Amazon rainforest is to avoid the tipping point, Indigenous people will have been a determinant factor," Miller said. Forest loss in Brazil’s Amazon — home to the largest swath of this rainforest — dropped 30.6% compared to the previous year, the lowest level of destruction in nine years. The improvement under leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva contrasted with deforestation that hit a 15-year high under Lula's predecessor, far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, who prioritized agribusiness expansion over forest protection and weakened environmental agencies. In July, Colombia reported historic lows in deforestation in 2023, driven by a drop in environmental destruction. The country's environment minister Susana Muhamad warned that 2024's figures may not be as promising as a significant rise in deforestation had already been recorded by July due to dry weather caused by El Nino, a weather phenomenon that warms the central Pacific. Illegal economies continue to drive deforestation in the Andean nation. “It’s impossible to overlook the threat posed by organized crime and the economies they control to Amazon conservation,” said Bram Ebus, a consultant for Crisis Group in Latin America. “Illegal gold mining is expanding rapidly, driven by soaring global prices, and the revenues of illicit economies often surpass state budgets allocated to combat them.” In Brazil, large swaths of the rainforest were draped in smoke in August from fires raging across the Amazon, Cerrado savannah, Pantanal wetland and the state of Sao Paulo. Fires are traditionally used for deforestation and for managing pastures, and those man-made blazes were largely responsible for igniting the wildfires. For a second year, the Amazon River fell to desperate lows , leading some countries to declare a state of emergency and distribute food and water to struggling residents. The situation was most critical in Brazil, where one of the Amazon River's main tributaries dropped to its lowest level ever recorded. Cesar Ipenza, an environmental lawyer who lives in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, said he believes people are becoming increasingly aware of the Amazon's fundamental role “for the survival of society as a whole." But, like Miller, he worries about a “point of no return of Amazon destruction.” It was the worst year for Amazon fires since 2005, according to nonprofit Rainforest Foundation US. Between January and October, an area larger than the state of Iowa — 37.42 million acres, or about 15.1 million hectares of Brazil’s Amazon — burned. Bolivia had a record number of fires in the first ten months of the year. “Forest fires have become a constant, especially in the summer months and require particular attention from the authorities who don't how to deal with or respond to them,” Ipenza said. Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Guyana also saw a surge in fires this year. The United Nations conference on biodiversity — this year known as COP16 — was hosted by Colombia. The meetings put the Amazon in the spotlight and a historic agreement was made to give Indigenous groups more of a voice on nature conservation decisions , a development that builds on a growing movement to recognize Indigenous people's role in protecting land and combating climate change. Both Ebus and Miller saw promise in the appointment of Martin von Hildebrand as the new secretary general for the Amazon Treaty Cooperation Organization, announced during COP16. “As an expert on Amazon communities, he will need to align governments for joint conservation efforts. If the political will is there, international backers will step forward to finance new strategies to protect the world’s largest tropical rainforest,” Ebus said. Ebus said Amazon countries need to cooperate more, whether in law enforcement, deploying joint emergency teams to combat forest fires, or providing health care in remote Amazon borderlands. But they need help from the wider world, he said. “The well-being of the Amazon is a shared global responsibility, as consumer demand worldwide fuels the trade in commodities that finance violence and environmental destruction,” he said. Next year marks a critical moment for the Amazon, as Belém do Pará in northern Brazil hosts the first United Nations COP in the region that will focus on climate. “Leaders from Amazon countries have a chance to showcase strategies and demand tangible support," Ebus said. The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org .What Jaylin Noel said about his last game at Iowa State

Travis Hunter named AP player of the yearTop confidante Kellyanne Conway confronted fellow conservative Meghan McCain backstage at a women’s summit, witnesses tell the Daily Beast. The tête-à-tête was over a grudge Conway has held for many years against McCain, for describing her and her then-husband George Conway as “gross” during TV appearances on and Conway confronted McCain after the two appeared together on a panel at post-election Global Women’s Summit. The event was organized by , the founder of the Daily Beast. After the on-stage panel discussion about the effect of the election on women ended, Conway confronted McCain in the green room just off stage in a scene “like something from the ,” an eyewitness told the Beast. “Kellyanne walked up to Meghan and said, ‘I wasn’t going to say this while I was miked but do you remember what you said about me and my marriage on ?‘“ the witness said. ”You called my marriage ‘gross.’“ Conway and McCain had not directly debated each other on the panel, adding to the surprise for witnesses that there was a confrontation, though Conway had appeared at times combative towards the moderator and audience, some witnesses said. Conway was heard saying to McCain, “Do you realize what you said and what you did? Do you realize all the people you hurt?” McCain, who quit in 2021 and is now a podcaster, appeared shaken over the confrontation, which lasted a matter of minutes, and keen to leave. Friends said she was later “shaking” with emotion. “I heard Meghan say to her, ‘I don’t remember what I said that hurt you,‘“ the witness said. McCain apologized to Conway, the witness said. “Meghan said it was making her uncomfortable but that seemed to make it worse.” McCain, 40, walked away from Conway, 57, who appeared unfazed. The witness said, “Meghan looked shaken and was just trying to get out of there.” The political divisions and tension within Conway’s family played out publicly, especially on social media, during Trump’s first presidency. While Conway was in the Oval Office advising Trump as counselor to the president, her husband George and eldest daughter Claudia were nearly incessantly tweeting and TikToking their dissent. At one point, Claudia said she wanted to from her mother, while her father did just that: he of 22 years with whom he shares four children in 2023. Claudia, now 20, and her mother have reconciled personally although they remain politically at odds. Conway told the Daily Beast, “I waited until the cameras and microphones were off to privately and calmly address the very public insults she has directed at my family.” Conway added, “She may wish to outrun her recent past as a years-long resident Mean Girl on The View and Bravo, where her mouth was a spigot of vile and bile hurled toward people and topics she does not know, including my marriage and children, and casually lying about silly things like me calling her (I don’t have her number).” McCain said, “It was a bizarre experience and certainly not what I expected when I accepted an invitation to speak at an event hosted by the Washington Post and Tina Brown. The only reason why their marriage was ever a hot topic was because they were constantly airing their dirty laundry to America.” The Beast established that Conway’s feelings were rooted in comments on multiple episodes of in 2018 and in April 2020 on NBC’s , when she called both of the Conways “gross” and claimed that Conway would call her every time she mentioned her on air. In the 2020 segment, host Andy Cohen asked McCain, who has appeared on the show dozens of times, and fellow guest Erika Jayne, a cast member of the to identify whether quotes were from “a president or a [Real] Housewife,” then had his guest, Rep. (D-CA) read the clue: “She is married to a total whack job. She must have done a number on him. I don’t know what he did to that guy.” McCain correctly identified it as having been said by . Cohen then asked what she thought about the couple, who had become a fixture of political coverage for their directly opposed views on Trump almost at the start of his administration. That prompted McCain to say, “I think it’s awful and I think that they have four kids that are gonna read this c--p and I think it’s awful. I think it’s weird and I don’t care if it’s their kink or whatever I think it’s horrible... I think they’re both gross.” She added, “Wait can I say one more thing. Don’t call me or email me Kellyanne. She does that every time I say something.” Conway called that claim a “lie” in her 2022 memoir, , writing that she had never called McCain and did not even have her number. She wrote that they had only once exchanged emails, which was a “friendly” invitation from McCain to join and have dinner with both their husbands. In the book Conway called McCain a “know it all”; accused her of “ad nauseam, ad hominem attacks on me”; suggested she had “cashed in” on her father’s two failed presidential runs; and relayed a conversation with McCain’s husband Ben Domenech in which he said of his wife’s then-role, “ is the worst show on television.” Conway has not been a formal part of the Trump campaign or transition for his second term but has been a fierce public advocate for him in this election cycle, including as a columnist with DailyMail.com. Sources said that the confrontation by Conway at the women’s summit was the first proper meeting between the two. “It doesn’t look like there will be a second,” one friend said.

Wake Forest keeps Detroit Mercy at arm's length for winDoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints

FJWU hosts inspiring summitBANGKOK — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world's third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida, left, and Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe, center, and Takao Kato CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, right, arrive to attend a joint news conference Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) The ascent of Chinese automakers is rattling the industry at a time when manufacturers are struggling to shift from fossil fuel-driven vehicles to electrics. Relatively inexpensive EVs from China's BYD, Great Wall and Nio are eating into the market shares of U.S. and Japanese car companies in China and elsewhere. Japanese automakers have lagged behind big rivals in EVs and are now trying to cut costs and make up for lost time. Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi announced in August that they will share components for electric vehicles like batteries and jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to dramatic changes in the auto industry centered around electrification. A preliminary agreement between Honda, Japan's second-largest automaker, and Nissan, third largest, was announced in March. A merger could result in a behemoth worth about $55 billion based on the market capitalization of all three automakers. Joining forces would help the smaller Japanese automakers add scale to compete with Japan's market leader Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germany's Volkswagen AG. Toyota itself has technology partnerships with Japan's Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp. Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida, left, Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe, center, and Takao Kato, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, right, pose for photographers during a joint news conference in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Nissan has truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn't have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, said Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions. Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybird powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said. "Nissan does have some product segments where Honda doesn't currently play," that a merger or partnership could help, said Sam Abuelsamid, a Detroit-area automotive industry analsyt. While Nissan's electric Leaf and Ariya haven't sold well in the U.S., they're solid vehicles, Fiorani said. "They haven't been resting on their laurels, and they have been developing this technology," he said. "They have new products coming that could provide a good platform for Honda for its next generation." Nissan said last month that it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global work force, and reducing global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million). Earlier this month it reshuffled its management and its chief executive, Makoto Uchida, took a 50% pay cut to take responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes. Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan's credit outlook to "negative," citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion). Nissan's share price has fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. A report in the Japanese financial magazine Diamond said talks with Honda gained urgency after the Taiwan maker of iPhones Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, began exploring a possible acquisition of Nissan as part of its push into the EV sector. The company has struggled for years following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon. Honda reported its profits slipped nearly 20% in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as sales suffered in China. Toyota made 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, while Honda rolled out 4 million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over 1 million. Even after a merger Toyota would remain the leading Japanese automaker. All the global automakers are facing potential shocks if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on threats to raise or impose tariffs on imports of foreign products, even from allies like Japan and neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico. Nissan is among the major car companies that have adjusted their supply chains to include vehicles assembled in Mexico. Meanwhile, analysts say there is an "affordability shift" taking place across the industry, led by people who feel they cannot afford to pay nearly $50,000 for a new vehicle. In American, a vital market for companies like Nissan, Honda and Toyota, that's forcing automakers to consider lower pricing, which will eat further into industry profits. ____ AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report from Detroit. Airbags, advanced driver assistance features, and high-strength materials mean that the safest cars today are far better at protecting people from injuries than ever before. Although most new cars compare well to their predecessors, some stand above the rest. The safest cars for 2025 offer excellent occupant protection and also do a good job of preventing accidents from happening in the first place. Based on testing data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety , or IIHS, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , or NHTSA, these are some of the safest cars available today. Ranging from inexpensive compact cars and mainstream midsize sedans to stylish station wagons, posh luxury cars, and sporty coupes and convertibles, Edmunds shares a list that has something for just about everyone. For those who prefer a higher seating position and maybe some added practicality, Edmunds' list of safest SUVs is for you. The stylish Mazda 3 has a lot to offer compact-car shoppers, including great looks, a composed driving experience, and reasonable fuel economy from its base 2.0-liter engine. It's also one of the safest cars in its class, earning a perfect five stars in NHTSA crash testing and sterling crashworthiness and collision avoidance scores from the IIHS. Its standard features are forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure prevention. With mature styling, a premium interior, and an efficient hybrid powertrain option, the 2025 Honda Civic is a great option if safety is a concern since it aces almost all of the IIHS' crash tests and earns a five-star safety rating from the federal government. It also comes standard with adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The Civic falls short slightly in the IIHS' updated moderate overlap front test, which now accounts for rear passenger safety, but even so, it's one of the safest cars in its class. Reflective of parent company BMW, today's Mini Cooper is well constructed and features premium safety features that belie its small size, including automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning. Although the Mini hasn't been tested by NHTSA, the IIHS gives the Cooper its highest score of Good in the original driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side-impact tests. That said, the IIHS doesn't place the Cooper on its Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ lists since it hasn't been evaluated on the updated battery of passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, or side-impact tests. Expect the new-for-2025 Mini Cooper to earn decent crash ratings in those scenarios, especially since it shares its strong platform with the outgoing model. With its recent redesign, the Toyota Prius transformed from a frumpy little caterpillar to a stylish and efficient butterfly. It also became a very safe hybrid hatchback. Perfect scores in all of its government and IIHS crash tests, as well as a sophisticated system of collision avoidance technology, earn it top marks. It's also one of our favorite cars on the market, period, as evidenced by its status as a 2024 Edmunds Top Rated vehicle. The Honda Accord is among the safest midsize sedans on the market today thanks to excellent crashworthiness scores and a competent standard collision prevention system. It's a Top Safety Pick+, beating out rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Subaru Legacy, and the Accord also earns a perfect five-star rating from NHTSA. Honda's hybrid-intensive product planning is on full display here—all but the two lowest Accord trims have a hybrid powertrain—and it's also among the most spacious cars in its class. Like its Honda Accord rival, the Toyota Camry is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with a five-star NHTSA rating. It also has a very impressive suite of driver assistance and safety technology, including lane departure prevention with active centering, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The Camry edges out the Accord in IIHS testing thanks to a more effective collision avoidance system, but both cars are remarkably well matched otherwise. The fully electric Hyundai Ioniq 6 offers excellent safety and collision prevention, with excellent scores across the entire line of IIHS tests. The Ioniq 6 hasn't been tested for rollover resistance by NHTSA, but it earned a four-star front safety rating and a five-star side-impact rating in government tests. Like most EVs, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure prevention. It also offers up to 342 miles of all-electric driving in its longest-range trim level. The Acura Integra is a close mechanical cousin to the Honda Civic, so it's no surprise it does well in both the IIHS' and NHTSA's crash tests. The luxury hatchback is a Top Safety Pick+ and earns a perfect five stars in government testing. The AcuraWatch safety suite is standard on the Integra, bringing automatic emergency braking, lane centering, lane departure prevention, and adaptive cruise control. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a safe option in the popular small luxury sedan segment thanks to its good scores in IIHS crash testing. Mercedes' best-selling sedan also comes standard with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, which helps it earn a Top Safety Pick award. However, it hasn't been tested by the NHTSA. Both the Genesis G80 and the fully electric Genesis Electrified G80 earn a Top Safety Pick+ score from the IIHS thanks to their good scores on the agency's crash tests, as well as a comprehensive suite of active safety features that avoided collisions with simulated pedestrians. The internal-combustion-engine G80 earned a perfect five-star safety rating from NHTSA, and although the Electrified G80 hasn't been tested by the feds just yet, it should likely excel in those tests too. The flagship Genesis G90 sedan competes with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series, and the South Korean automaker clearly hasn't skimped on safety in its fight against the establishment. Although it hasn't been subjected to the NHTSA array of tests, it aced almost all of its IIHS tests, and a long list of standard active safety and driver assistance features sets it apart from the stingy German makes that charge extra for them. With handsome styling and a well-finished interior, the Volvo V60 is a very appealing station wagon for those looking for such a thing. It's also quite safe, with good crashworthiness scores in the IIHS' original moderate overlap front and side-impact scores. Unfortunately, since it hasn't been tested with the updated versions of those tests, it didn't earn this year's Top Safety Pick award, but it was called a Top Safety Pick+ in 2022. NHTSA also gives the V60 a five-star safety rating. Although the Mercedes-Benz E 450 All-Terrain isn't a traditional wagon — it follows the lifted almost-crossover formula shared with the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo V90 Cross Country — we'll take what we can get in this dwindling category. The All-Terrain hasn't been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but a previous-generation E-Class earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award, and Mercedes isn't the kind of company that goes backward when it comes to safety. The E 450 All-Terrain comes standard with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, though, at this price, Benz should just make other active safety features standard. With a five-star NHTSA safety rating, standard forward collision warning and emergency braking, and excellent IIHS crashworthiness scores on its original tests, the Audi A6 Allroad does a good job protecting people (both passengers and pedestrians) from crashes. However, since the IIHS hasn't subjected the Allroad to its updated side and moderate front crash criteria, it lost its Top Safety Pick+ status in 2022. Still, it should be a fine option for luxury longroof shoppers. Both the Ford Mustang coupe and convertible perform well in crash testing. The coupe received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA, and both variants scored decently on all the IIHS tests they've undergone. They also come standard with forward collision warning, lane departure prevention, and automatic emergency braking. However, the IIHS needs to test both models on its updated criteria before it will rate them. Although the government hasn't tested it, the Toyota GR86 aced all of its IIHS crashworthiness tests when it was new for the 2022 model year. Unfortunately, since it hasn't been subjected to the IIHS' updated testing since then, it lost its Top Safety Pick+ status. Still, this is a fun-to-drive, sporty coupe that comes standard with a long list of active safety features, and it's reasonably priced to boot. Mechanically identical to the Toyota GR86, the 2025 Subaru BRZ achieves the same safety ratings—who would have thought? It likewise received a Top Safety Pick+ score in 2022 that lapsed when the IIHS updated its criteria for 2023, but like the Toyota, it has a long list of active safety features to go along with its lightweight, rip-roaring sports car attitude. The Audi A5 lost its traditional two-door coupe body style after 2024, but the five-door Sportback body style remains before it's replaced later in 2025. Although it hasn't seen the IIHS' more stringent test regimen, its original crashworthiness scores were good enough to earn it a Top Safety Pick award as recently as 2022. The Sportback is the only variant to be tested by the government, where it earned a five-star safety rating. This story was produced by Edmunds and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Power Nickel Inc. (TSXV: PNPN) New 52-Week High's Amid Breakthrough Discoveries and Strategic Growth see more stocks inside.... 12-12-2024 10:12 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire Shares of Power Nickel Inc. (TSXV: PNPN) (OTCQB: PNPNF) surged to new 52-week highs this week, reaching $0.97 in Canada and $0.69 in the US, reflecting gains of 24.32% and 23.31%, respectively, over the last five trading days. With trading volume continuing to rise, investor confidence is strengthening around the company's strategic advancements and promising exploration results. Advancing Canada's Top Polymetallic Discovery Power Nickel is spearheading the development of the NISK Project, a polymetallic discovery near Nemaska, Quebec, targeting high-value deposits of nickel, copper, gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Polymetallic mines are among the most valuable in the world due to their mix of critical and precious metals. According to the 2023 NI43-101 report, the Nisk Main and Lion Zones showcase significant mineral potential, with the Lion Zone's strike now extended to 550 meters through continued drilling success. Strategic Growth and Industry Leadership In addition to exploration advancements, Power Nickel has completed the spin-out of its Golden Ivan property and Chilean exploration assets into Chilean Metals Inc., a move approved by shareholders and courts. As part of this initiative, Power Nickel shareholders will receive dividend shares in Chilean Metals Inc., allowing them to benefit directly from the growth of this new entity. The company has also added Jon Christian Evensen as a Strategic Advisor, a move aimed at further value creation for shareholders. His expertise is expected to enhance the company's focus on unlocking the full potential of its NISK Project and other assets. Reshaping the Mining Sector Power Nickel's recent success highlights the untapped potential of undervalued mining stocks, signaling a shift in the industry as these companies bring attention to critical resources essential for the global transition to clean energy. The exploration efforts at NISK and the Lion Zone underscore the company's ability to capitalize on rising demand for critical metals such as nickel and copper, alongside the enduring appeal of precious metals. A Bright Future for Power Nickel Investors As Power Nickel continues to break new ground with its polymetallic discoveries, its stock performance and strategic moves have positioned the company as a key player in reshaping the mining sector. Investors are encouraged to stay tuned as the company builds momentum, with its shares setting new benchmarks and exploration efforts uncovering valuable opportunities in Canada and beyond. With its focus on delivering shareholder value and advancing high-grade projects, Power Nickel Inc. is quickly becoming one of the most exciting stocks in the precious metals and critical minerals market. Bonus: Other Companies to Watch: Innovation and Growth in Focus Several innovative companies, alongside Power Nickel Inc. (TSXV: PNPN) (OTCQB: PNPNF), are turning heads this week with transformative initiatives that highlight their potential for growth and industry disruption across technology, energy, healthcare, and biotech sectors. * Palisade Bio Inc. (NASDAQ: PALI): Focused on advancing groundbreaking treatments in gastrointestinal health, Palisade Bio is pushing the boundaries of innovation in healthcare with its pipeline of life-changing therapeutics. * Nuburu Inc. (NYSE: BURU): A leader in industrial blue laser technology, Nuburu is revolutionizing manufacturing and energy applications with cutting-edge solutions that enhance efficiency and sustainability. * Kaival Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: KAVL): Driving growth through strategic partnerships, Kaival Brands continues to redefine the e-vapor industry with its innovative marketing strategies and a focus on emerging markets. * SEALSQ Corp. (NASDAQ: LAES): Specializing in digital security and advanced cryptography solutions, SEALSQ is at the forefront of safeguarding data in a rapidly evolving technology landscape. From breakthrough technologies to strategic collaborations and financial milestones, these companies are reshaping their industries and offering investors compelling opportunities. Be sure to keep them on your watchlist for dynamic growth prospects. Disclaimers: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides investors with a safe harbor with regard to forward-looking statements. 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Media Contact Company Name: The Street Reports Contact Person: Editor Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=power-nickel-inc-tsxv-pnpn-new-52week-highs-amid-breakthrough-discoveries-and-strategic-growth-see-more-stocks-inside ] Country: United States Website: http://www.thestreetreports.com This release was published on openPR.BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — 2024 was a brutal year for the Amazon rainforest, with rampant wildfires and extreme drought ravaging large parts of a biome that’s a critical counterweight to climate change. A warming climate fed drought that in turn fed the worst year for fires since 2005. And those fires contributed to deforestation, with authorities suspecting some fires were set to more easily clear land to run cattle. The Amazon is twice the size of India and sprawls across eight countries and one territory, storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise warm the planet. It has about 20% of the world’s fresh water and astounding biodiversity, including 16,000 known tree species. But governments have historically viewed it as an area to be exploited, with little regard for sustainability or the rights of its Indigenous peoples, and experts say exploitation by individuals and organized crime is rising at alarming rates. “The fires and drought experienced in 2024 across the Amazon rainforest could be ominous indicators that we are reaching the long-feared ecological tipping point,” said Andrew Miller, advocacy director at Amazon Watch, an organization that works to protect the rainforest. “Humanity’s window of opportunity to reverse this trend is shrinking, but still open.” There were some bright spots. The level of Amazonian forest loss fell in both Brazil and Colombia. And nations gathered for the annual United Nations conference on biodiversity agreed to give Indigenous peoples more say in nature conservation decisions. “If the Amazon rainforest is to avoid the tipping point, Indigenous people will have been a determinant factor,” Miller said. Wildfires and extreme drought Forest loss in Brazil’s Amazon — home to the largest swath of this rainforest — compared to the previous year, the lowest level of destruction in nine years. The improvement under leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva contrasted with deforestation that hit a 15-year high under Lula’s predecessor, far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, who prioritized agribusiness expansion over forest protection and weakened environmental agencies. In July, Colombia in deforestation in 2023, driven by a drop in environmental destruction. The country’s environment minister Susana Muhamad warned that 2024’s figures may not be as promising as a significant rise in deforestation had already been recorded by July due to dry weather caused by El Nino, a weather phenomenon that warms the central Pacific. Illegal economies continue to drive deforestation in the Andean nation. “It’s impossible to overlook the threat posed by organized crime and the economies they control to Amazon conservation,” said Bram Ebus, a consultant for Crisis Group in Latin America. “Illegal gold mining is expanding rapidly, driven by soaring global prices, and the revenues of illicit economies often surpass state budgets allocated to combat them.” In Brazil, large swaths of the rainforest were from fires raging across the Amazon, Cerrado savannah, Pantanal wetland and the state of Sao Paulo. Fires are traditionally used for deforestation and for managing pastures, and those man-made blazes were largely responsible for igniting the wildfires. For a second year, the , leading some countries to declare a state of emergency and distribute food and water to struggling residents. The situation was most critical in Brazil, where one of the Amazon River’s main tributaries Cesar Ipenza, an environmental lawyer who lives in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, said he believes people are becoming increasingly aware of the Amazon’s fundamental role “for the survival of society as a whole.” But, like Miller, he worries about a “point of no return of Amazon destruction.” It was the worst year for Amazon fires since 2005, according to nonprofit Rainforest Foundation US. Between January and October, an area larger than the state of Iowa — 37.42 million acres, or about 15.1 million hectares of Brazil’s Amazon — burned. Bolivia had a record number of fires in the first ten months of the year. “Forest fires have become a constant, especially in the summer months and require particular attention from the authorities who don’t how to deal with or respond to them,” Ipenza said. Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Guyana also saw a surge in fires this year. Indigenous voices and rights made headway in 2024 The United Nations conference on biodiversity — this year known as COP16 — was hosted by Colombia. The meetings put the Amazon in the spotlight and a historic agreement was made to give Indigenous groups more of , a development that builds on a growing movement to recognize Indigenous people’s role in protecting land and combating climate change. Both Ebus and Miller saw promise in the appointment of Martin von Hildebrand as the new secretary general for the Amazon Treaty Cooperation Organization, announced during COP16. “As an expert on Amazon communities, he will need to align governments for joint conservation efforts. If the political will is there, international backers will step forward to finance new strategies to protect the world’s largest tropical rainforest,” Ebus said. Ebus said Amazon countries need to cooperate more, whether in law enforcement, deploying joint emergency teams to combat forest fires, or providing health care in remote Amazon borderlands. But they need help from the wider world, he said. “The well-being of the Amazon is a shared global responsibility, as consumer demand worldwide fuels the trade in commodities that finance violence and environmental destruction,” he said. Next year marks a critical moment for the Amazon, as Belém do Pará in northern Brazil hosts the first United Nations COP in the region that will focus on climate. “Leaders from Amazon countries have a chance to showcase strategies and demand tangible support,” Ebus said. ___ The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .Valery Zaluzhny , the former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine, has stated that the Third World War has already begun, citing the direct involvement of two superpowers, Russia and the U.S., in the Ukraine conflict. According to Zaluzhny, this war has transcended Ukraine’s borders, drawing in nations like North Korea, Iran, and potentially China, indicating a broader international confrontation. "I believe that in 2024 we can absolutely believe that the Third World War has begun," Zaluzhny said during a public event, as reported by Politico. He highlighted the increasing role of foreign powers, such as North Korean soldiers and Iranian drones targeting Ukrainian civilians. "Because in 2024, Ukraine is no longer facing Russia. Soldiers from North Korea are standing in front of Ukraine. Let's be honest," Zaluzhny remarked. He further criticized the use of Iranian Shahed drones, which he claimed are killing Ukrainian civilians without any shame. Zaluzhny, who was dismissed from his military post in February following disagreements with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over strategy, argued that the war could be ended on Ukrainian soil, but expressed frustration that "our partners refuse to understand this." He further emphasized that while Ukraine could endure with advanced technology, victory remains uncertain without greater international support. WWIII Underway? Putin’s Threats and the Escalating Conflict As tensions rise, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ramped up his threats, claiming that the U.S. and its allies are pushing the world closer to war. On Thursday, the Kremlin launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine in retaliation for Ukraine’s use of U.S. and British missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin declared that this missile, which he called the Oreshnik (hazelnut tree), could fly at ten times the speed of sound and could target any nation involved in attacking Russian military sites. In a televised address, Putin justified the missile strike, saying, “We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities.” These remarks followed the Biden administration’s authorization for Ukraine to use U.S.-made ATACMS missiles for strikes inside Russia, a decision that has sparked fears of escalating the conflict. 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Former President Donald Trump , known for his blunt language, warned in a recent fundraising email, “It truly breaks my heart to see Crooked Joe—the weakest and most incompetent president in history—ruin our country as he pushes America to the brink of World War III.” Trump has signaled that peace could be reached quickly if Russia and Ukraine engaged in direct talks, though no such negotiations have taken place. President Biden has also mentioned the looming threat of World War III, acknowledging the fragile state of international relations. “We’re trying to avoid World War III,” Biden said last year, referencing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The growing rhetoric around World War III has been fueled by significant shifts in U.S. policy. Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russia has raised concerns about further escalation. Trump Jr. criticized the decision, claiming that the military-industrial complex is pushing the world toward a global conflict. Rep. Michael Waltz, a member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, echoed these concerns, warning that the situation risks spiraling out of control. What is India’s role in mitigating the next world war? The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with its increasing involvement of global powers, has raised fears of a potential World War III. Amid these tensions, India's role has been crucial, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerging as a potential mediator in the crisis. Modi’s diplomatic efforts have focused on advocating for peace and working towards a ceasefire, highlighting India's strategic position as a voice of reason and moderation on the global stage. Since the conflict began in 2022, India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution and has emphasized dialogue between the warring parties. Prime Minister Modi's diplomatic approach has been one of caution, urging both Russia and Ukraine to engage in talks and avoid escalating the conflict further. Unlike Western powers, which have supported Ukraine with military aid, including long-range missiles, India has maintained a balanced stance, abstaining from actions that would further fuel the war. Modi’s call for a ceasefire and peace negotiations is seen as essential in preventing the conflict from spilling over into a larger global war. What has PM Modi stance been on Russia-Ukraine conflict? India’s stance on the Ukraine crisis has been characterized by its neutral position, which is rooted in its long-standing foreign policy principles of non-alignment and respect for sovereignty. India has not joined Western sanctions against Russia and continues to engage with Moscow diplomatically and economically. This approach has allowed India to maintain strong ties with Russia, which is a significant defense partner, while also fostering its relationships with Western powers, particularly the United States. This balanced strategy gives India a unique position to act as a mediator in the conflict, with the potential to influence both sides. The Geopolitical Significance of India’s Role In the broader geopolitical context, India’s importance as a stabilizing force in the Russia-Ukraine war cannot be overstated. With its growing influence in global affairs, India is increasingly seen as a key player in shaping international responses to conflicts. Modi’s ability to maintain constructive relations with both Russia and the West places India in a prime position to facilitate dialogue and potentially broker a ceasefire. This unique diplomatic leverage is seen by many as India’s potential contribution to avoiding the catastrophic consequences of an expanded global war. The Potential for Modi to Mediate a Ceasefire Given the complexities of the Ukraine conflict and the high stakes involved, the role of India in bringing about peace is critical. With President Biden’s administration facing increasing pressure over its handling of the war and potential escalation risks, Modi could serve as a bridge between the warring parties. If the situation deteriorates further, and if the U.S. recognizes the urgency of India’s position, Prime Minister Modi could be asked to lead the diplomatic efforts to mediate an end to the conflict. His influence and standing on the world stage make him uniquely positioned to offer a path toward de-escalation, preventing a further slide into World War III. Russia’s Nuclear Doctrine and Global Reactions In the wake of these developments, Russia has adjusted its nuclear doctrine to include potential nuclear responses to conventional attacks involving non-nuclear states, such as Ukraine, but backed by nuclear powers like the U.S. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in such cases. These developments have led to increased security measures across Europe. In Germany, the government has issued new guidelines advising citizens to prepare for potential threats, including the installation of diesel generators and wind turbines. Swedish and Norwegian officials have also issued preparedness literature to their citizens, underscoring the global concern about the war’s potential spread. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock voiced alarm over the growing risks, stating, "Putin is playing with our fear" and urging Europe to invest in its security. These fears have been amplified by Russia's increasingly provocative actions, including seeking military support from North Korea, and the potential for further nuclear escalation. The current trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine war, with its increasing involvement of global powers and the growing nuclear risks, has many worried that World War III may be closer than ever. The situation is compounded by the complex political dynamics in the U.S., where both Biden and Trump have invoked the specter of a global conflict. As the U.S. and its allies continue to support Ukraine with advanced weaponry, Russia’s responses become increasingly aggressive, including missile strikes and adjustments to its nuclear strategy. The situation is a precarious balancing act, with global powers at odds and the risk of a broader conflict growing daily. Whether the Third World War is already underway, or merely on the horizon, remains uncertain, but the stakes have never been higher. World leaders, particularly those from nuclear powers, will need to tread carefully to avoid the catastrophic consequences of a full-scale global war. As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the international community remains on high alert, watching for signs of further escalation. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

Aldeyra Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ALDX) Stock Crosses Below Fifty Day Moving Average – Time to Sell?MILWAUKEE 76, WOFFORD 74NEW YORK — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points. Ohtani was unanimously voted the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished second to Judge in 2022 voting. He didn't pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery and signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. People are also reading... Ohtani joined Frank Robinson for Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966 as the only players to win the MVP award in both leagues. He was the first player to twice become an unanimous MVP. He had combined with Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2023 for the first year both MVPs were unanimous. Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs exclusively as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. He helped the Dodgers to the World Series title, playing the final three games with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. "The ultimate goal from the beginning was to win a World Series, which we are able to accomplish," he said through a translator. "The next goal is for me to do it again and so right now I'm in the middle of rehab and working out and getting stronger." When Ohtani returns to the mound, could he win MVP and the Cy Young Award in the same year? "That would obviously be great, but right now my focus is just to get to get back healthy, come back stronger, get back on the mound and show everybody what I can do," Ohtani said. Ohtani became the first primary DH to win an MVP in a season that started with the revelation his longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, had stolen nearly $17 million from the star to fund gambling. Ohtani is the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three each). Balloting was conducted before the postseason. Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Witt topped the big leagues with a .332 average, hitting 32 homers with 31 stolen bases and 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs. When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. Judge had discussed the MVP award with Philadelphia's Bryce Harper, the NL winner in 2015 and '21. "I was telling him, `Man, I'm going to try to catch up to you with these MVPs here, man,'" Judge recalled. "He'd say, hopefully, he could stay a couple ahead of me, which I think he'll do." When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. He is the Yankees' 22nd MVP winner, four more than any other team. Judge was hitting .207 with six homers and 18 RBIs through April, then batted .352 with 52 homers and 126 RBIs in 127 games. "March and April were not my friend this year." Judge said. "Just keep putting in the work and things are going to change. You can't mope. You can't feel sorry for yourself. Especially in New York, nobody's going to feel sorry for you. So you just got to go out there and put up the numbers?" St. Pete rejects money to repair Tropicana Field roof ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg City Council reversed course Thursday on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark, initially voting narrowly for approval and hours later changing course. The reversal on fixing Tropicana Field came after the council voted to delay consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. Just two days before, the Pinellas County Commission postponed a vote on its share of the new stadium bonds, leaving that project in limbo. “This is a sad place. I'm really disappointed,” council chair Deborah Figg-Sanders said. “We won’t get there if we keep finding ways we can’t.” The Rays say the lack of progress puts the new stadium plan and the future of Tropicana Field in jeopardy. “I can't say I'm confident about anything,” Rays co-president Brian Auld told the council members. The Trop's translucent fiberglass roof was ripped to pieces on Oct. 9 when Hurricane Milton swept ashore just south of Tampa Bay. There was also significant water damage inside the ballpark, with a city estimate of the total repair costs pegged at $55.7 million. The extensive repairs cannot be finished before the 2026 season, city documents show. The Rays made a deal with the Yankees to play next season at 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field, New York's spring training home across the bay in Tampa. The initial vote Thursday was to get moving on the roof portion of the repair. Once that's done, crews could begin working on laying down a new baseball field, fixing damaged seating and office areas and a variety of electronic systems — which would require another vote to approve money for the remaining restoration. The subsequent vote reversing funding for the roof repair essentially means the city and Rays must work on an alternative in the coming weeks so that Tropicana Field can possibly be ready for the 2026 season. The city is legally obligated to fix the roof. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

The Unsung Hero of the AI Revolution In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, few companies have captured the limelight like Nvidia. However, lurking in the shadows is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the powerhouse behind the scenes that makes many of these technological advancements possible. Specializing in the complex fabrication processes required for cutting-edge GPUs, TSMC partners with leading tech giants like Amazon, Broadcom, Qualcomm, AMD, and Nvidia. A Promising Future Shaping AI The global GPU market is on a skyrocketing trajectory, anticipated to grow annually by 33% through 2029, reaching a staggering $274 billion. TSMC is poised to seize growing opportunities as AI technology advances, with Nvidia and AMD launching next-gen GPUs, and big names like Microsoft and Meta also entering the game. This positions TSMC as a crucial player in meeting the ballooning demand for top-tier semiconductors. Valuation and Investment Potential TSMC’s stock has soared, gaining nearly 90% in 2024 alone, yet its forward price-to-earnings ratio remains on par with the S&P 500. This indicates notable potential for investors looking for growth in the semiconductor industry. However, challenges exist, including geopolitical tensions in Taiwan and competitive pressures from Intel’s expanding foundry business. Despite these risks, the compelling growth prospects and crucial role that TSMC plays in the AI landscape make it an appealing option for savvy investors seeking long-term gains. With the semiconductor industry at the heart of AI innovation, TSMC emerges as a pivotal investment opportunity in this transformative era. TSMC: The Semiconductor Titan Fueling the AI Boom In the dynamic landscape of artificial intelligence, while companies like Nvidia often steal the spotlight, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) plays an indispensable yet understated role. TSMC’s advanced manufacturing capabilities in the realm of GPUs place it at the forefront of the AI revolution, supporting industry leaders like Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm, among others. Emerging Trends and Insights As AI technology continues to evolve, the global GPU market is projected to experience remarkable growth, with an annual increase of 33% anticipated through 2029. This surge presents TSMC with a lucrative opportunity to expand its influence. The launch of next-generation GPUs by Nvidia and AMD, coupled with the participation of tech giants such as Microsoft and Meta, underscores TSMC’s critical role in fulfilling the rising demand for high-performance semiconductors. Investment Viability and Market Prospects In 2024, TSMC’s stock experienced a notable increase of 90%, positioning it as an attractive option for investors seeking growth in the semiconductor sector. Despite maintaining a forward price-to-earnings ratio akin to the S&P 500, TSMC presents substantial growth potential. Nevertheless, investors must navigate challenges, including geopolitical tensions in Taiwan and intensified competition from Intel’s expanding foundry operations. Despite these hurdles, TSMC’s pivotal role in AI development solidifies its standing as a compelling investment avenue for strategic investors focused on long-term gains. Innovations and Specifications TSMC’s unwavering commitment to innovation is evident in its state-of-the-art fabrication processes and partnerships with leading tech companies. By offering cutting-edge semiconductor solutions, TSMC reinforces its reputation as a cornerstone of AI advancements. Its ability to deliver specialized chips tailored to diverse applications propels the continuous evolution of AI technologies. Sustainability and Ethical Considerations As a leader in semiconductor manufacturing, TSMC prioritizes sustainability. The company is focused on reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing energy efficiency in its production processes. These efforts not only bolster its ethical standing but also align with the global push toward more sustainable and environmentally conscious manufacturing practices. For further information about TSMC and its contributions to the semiconductor industry, visit the TSMC website .Broadcom Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results and Quarterly DividendEvery Black Friday, there’s a number of viral products that everyone has on their Christmas wish list, and we don’t expect this year to be any different. However, not all of these popular items are going to stay in stock, and we have some insight on the ones that won’t. Black Friday is big business, and last year shoppers spent $222.1 billion during the entire holiday shopping season, according to Queue-it. Sales on Black Friday reached $16.4 billion (online and in stores), and this was a 9% increase from the year before. While it comes as no surprise that electronics are the most sought-after products of the holiday season, Queue-it said this accounts for the majority of holiday sales, jumping to $50.8 billion in 2023. Apparel, furniture, groceries and toys are the other hot sellers of Black Friday. Together, these five categories accounted for 65% of sales during the holidays last year and is only expected to grow in 2024. While many items that sell out over Black Friday are driven by a good deal, we also know that a hot product is just that — a gift that most people want to open on Christmas Day. So, here are our picks for the top 10 hot-ticket items that could sell out over Black Friday. The holidays are ripe for TV deals, and we expect shoppers to buy a ton of them in 2024, especially at Walmart. Consumers are trending toward bigger TVs and the super low-price deals over Black Friday force many models to sell out. This is especially true of popular models from Samsung, Hisense, LG and more favorites. Apple's smartwatches are a top pick among Apple fans. We’ve seen prices on the Apple Watch continue to trend downward, which was only spurred by the release of the new Apple Watch 10 in September. This pushed down prices on earlier models, with the best deals coming on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 9. For Black Friday, we think the prices will drop even lower and sell out due to high demand. Wireless headphones are one of the most popular products of 2024, and Beats are one of the top brands. We’re already seeing big markdowns on Beats Wireless Headphones, and we expect these price drops to continue into Black Friday. The Beats Solo3 is likely to be on sale for even cheaper than we’ve already seen, and we think they will sell out for Black Friday, with the possibility of other popular Beats headphones joining them. If you haven’t picked up a pair of Apple AirPods yet, this could be your year to do it. With Apple launching a fourth generation of AirPods earlier this year, the price on prevvious models are creeping lower. We think over Black Friday they’ll be at their cheapest price ever, with the AirPods (3rd Gen) likely to sell out. Bluetooth speakers are a must-have for many this year, and with the big sound that comes from JBL’s speakers, it’s easy to see why they might sell out for Black Friday. These popular speakers come in a variety of portable sizes and waterproof designs. We expect big deals on JBL’s top-rated Clip 5 and Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker models. One of Apple’s most sought-after products of the year was the iPad, and we saw the 9th Gen and 10th Gen models drop to their lowest prices ever. We think this year will bring some iPad bliss with even better discounts, but these deals will disappear just as fast as they arrive. We think that mega discounts on the iPad (9th Gen) and iPad (10th Gen) could cause sell outs, especially on Amazon. The Dyson Airwrap just might be the top product of Black Friday, as this is one of the rare times there’s a discount on the beloved hair styling tool. At $600, the Airwrap carries a hefty price tag, so any discount presented is a welcome surprise. But as we’ve seen in the past, any Black Friday deal on the Dyson Airwrap causes a crush of interest that’s followed by a sell out. If you’ve tried to scoop up the UGG Tasman Slippers in previous years, you already know they never stay in stock for long. As the “it” slipper of the holiday season, UGG’s Tasman sells out multiple times over the holidays, even without a discount offered. We think that this year will be similar, with popular sizes and colors of the Tasman Slipper snatched up fast over Black Friday. The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is a popular home product that just can’t seem to stay in stock. With prices falling under $90, this mighty machine can be a blessing for pet owners and parents, as its compact size makes it easy to store and use when needed. We’ve seen the Little Green Machine sell out before, and we’d be surprised if it didn’t do it again over Black Friday. We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a top toy that we think will be hard to find and gift this year. Our pick is the Furby Galaxy Edition. This glow-in-the-dark Furby is based on the original Furby from the late ’90s with even more features, interactive modes and more fun. Making a comeback in 2023, we saw the revival of this popular toy sell out last year, and we expect the new Furby Galaxy Edition to do the same. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

Earth’s Old Trees Keep A Record of Powerful Solar StormsBy BILL BARROW, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” ___ Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.

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AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Nate Johnson scored 25 points to help Akron defeat Alabama State 97-78 on Sunday. Johnson added five rebounds for the Zips (4-2). Bowen Hardman scored 19 points, shooting 6 for 7 from beyond the arc. Isaiah Gray went 4 of 7 from the field to finish with 11 points. The Hornets (3-3) were led by CJ Hines with 19 points. Tyler Mack added 18 points and Antonio Madlock scored 17. Akron took the lead with 6:46 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. Johnson led their team in scoring with 13 points in the first half to help put them up 50-41 at the break. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

SigmaTron International, Inc. Reports Financial Results For the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2025AP News Summary at 6:21 p.m. EST

CONWAY, Ark. (AP) — Elias Cato scored 23 points as Central Arkansas beat UNC Asheville 92-83 in double overtime on Sunday. Jordan Morris made two free throws with one second left for UNC Asheville (2-3) to force overtime tied at 71. Fletcher Abee's 3-pointer with 33 seconds left in the first overtime tied the game at 79 and led to the second extra period. Michael Evbagharu's layup gave Central Arkansas (2-4) the lead in the second OT and Cato followed with a 3-pointer as the Bears outscored the Bulldogs 21-12 to pull out the victory. Cato added nine rebounds for the Bears. Layne Taylor totaled 19 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals. Brayden Fagbemi pitched in with 19 points, seven assists and five steals. The Bulldogs (2-3) were led by Fletcher Abee, who recorded 27 points. UNC Asheville also got 17 points from Josh Banks. Toyaz Solomon finished with 15 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

CES 2025 Preview: TESSAN to Showcase Charging Solutions for Enhanced Connectivity and ConvenienceUttarakhand Shines at IFFI: New Film Policy Garners Praise- Raising the mid-points of billings, revenue, margins, earnings per share, and free cash flow guidance ranges. - Janesh Moorjani appointed as chief financial officer. SAN FRANCISCO , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today reported financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025. All growth rates are compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2024, unless otherwise noted. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results is provided in the accompanying tables. For definitions, please view the Glossary of Terms later in this document. Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Highlights "Autodesk is leading the industry in modernizing its go-to-market motion. These initiatives enable us to build larger and more durable direct relationships with our customers and to serve them more efficiently. We have already seen significant benefits from these optimization initiatives and there's more to come in the next phase," said Andrew Anagnost , Autodesk president and CEO. "We will continue to deploy capital to offset and buy forward dilution, a practice which has reduced our share count over the last three years, and have significantly extended the duration of our repurchase program by increasing our stock repurchase authorization. Our goal is to deliver sustainable shareholder value over many years." "We generated broad-based underlying growth across products and regions. Overall, macroeconomic, policy, and geopolitical challenges, and the underlying momentum of the business, were consistent with the last few quarters with continued strong renewal rates and headwinds to new business growth," said Betsy Rafael , Autodesk interim CFO. "Given Autodesk's sustained momentum in the third quarter, and smooth launch of the new transaction model in Western Europe , we are raising the midpoints of our billings, revenue, margins, earnings per share, and free cash flow guidance ranges." Additional Financial Details Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Business Highlights Net Revenue by Geographic Area Three Months Ended October 31, 2024 Three Months Ended October 31, 2023 Change compared to prior fiscal year Constant currency change compared to prior fiscal year (In millions, except percentages) $ % % Net Revenue: Americas U.S. $ 579 $ 520 $ 59 11 % * Other Americas 126 120 6 5 % * Total Americas 705 640 65 10 % 11 % EMEA 580 516 64 12 % 13 % APAC 285 258 27 10 % 14 % Total Net Revenue $ 1,570 $ 1,414 $ 156 11 % 12 % ____________________ * Constant currency data not provided at this level. Net Revenue by Product Family Our product offerings are focused in four primary product families: Architecture, Engineering and Construction ("AEC"), AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, Manufacturing ("MFG"), and Media and Entertainment ("M&E"). Three Months Ended October 31, 2024 Three Months Ended October 31, 2023 Change compared to prior fiscal year (In millions, except percentages) $ % AEC $ 751 $ 675 $ 76 11 % AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT 398 372 26 7 % MFG 307 269 38 14 % M&E 83 73 10 14 % Other 31 25 6 24 % Total Net Revenue $ 1,570 $ 1,414 $ 156 11 % Business Outlook The following are forward-looking statements based on current expectations and assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties, some of which are set forth below under "Safe Harbor Statement." Autodesk's business outlook for the fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2025 considers the current economic environment and foreign exchange currency rate environment. A reconciliation between the fiscal 2025 GAAP and non-GAAP estimates is provided below or in the tables following this press release. Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2025 Q4 FY25 Guidance Metrics Q4 FY25 (ending January 31, 2025) Revenue (in millions) $1,623 - $1,638 EPS GAAP $1.21 - $1.27 EPS non-GAAP (1) $2.10 - $2.16 ____________________ (1) Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes $0.85 related to stock-based compensation expense, $0.17 for the amortization of both purchased intangibles and developed technologies, and $0.05 for acquisition-related costs, partially offset by ($0.18) related to GAAP-only tax charges. Full Year Fiscal 2025 FY25 Guidance Metrics FY25 (ending January 31, 2025) Billings (in millions) $5,900 - $5,980 Up 14% - 15% Revenue (in millions) (1) $6,115 - $6,130 Up approx. 11% GAAP operating margin 21.5% - 22% Non-GAAP operating margin (2) 35.5% - 36% EPS GAAP $4.95 - $5.01 EPS non-GAAP (3) $8.29 - $8.35 Free cash flow (in millions) (4) $1,470 - $1,500 ____________________ (1) Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates and hedge gains/losses, revenue guidance range would be approximately 1 percentage point higher. (2) Non-GAAP operating margin excludes approximately 11% related to stock-based compensation expense, approximately 2% for the amortization of both purchased intangibles and developed technologies, and approximately 1% related to acquisition-related costs. (3) Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes $3.15 related to stock-based compensation expense, $0.61 for the amortization of both purchased intangibles and developed technologies, $0.23 related to acquisition-related costs, and $0.04 related to losses on strategic investments, partially offset by ($0.69) related to GAAP-only tax charges. (4) Free cash flow is cash flow from operating activities less approximately $30 million of capital expenditures. The fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2025 outlook assume a projected annual effective tax rate of 20 percent and 19 percent for GAAP and non-GAAP results, respectively. Shifts in geographic profitability continue to impact the annual effective tax rate due to significant differences in tax rates in various jurisdictions. Therefore, assumptions for the annual effective tax rate are evaluated regularly and may change based on the projected geographic mix of earnings. Earnings Conference Call and Webcast Autodesk will host its third quarter conference call today at 5 p.m. ET . The live broadcast can be accessed at autodesk.com/investor . A transcript of the opening commentary will also be available following the conference call. A replay of the broadcast will be available at 7 p.m. ET at autodesk.com/investor . This replay will be maintained on Autodesk's website for at least 12 months. Investor Presentation Details An investor presentation, Excel financials and other supplemental materials providing additional information can be found at autodesk.com/investor . Key Performance Metrics To help better understand our financial performance, we use several key performance metrics including billings, recurring revenue and net revenue retention rate. These metrics are key performance metrics and should be viewed independently of revenue and deferred revenue. These metrics are not intended to be combined with those items. We use these metrics to monitor the strength of our recurring business. We believe these metrics are useful to investors because they can help in monitoring the long-term health of our business. Our determination and presentation of these metrics may differ from that of other companies. The presentation of these metrics is meant to be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or in isolation from, our financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Glossary of Terms Billings: Total revenue plus the net change in deferred revenue from the beginning to the end of the period. Cloud Service Offerings : Represents individual term-based offerings deployed through web browser technologies or in a hybrid software and cloud configuration. Cloud service offerings that are bundled with other product offerings are not captured as a separate cloud service offering. Constant Currency (CC) Growth Rates: We attempt to represent the changes in the underlying business operations by eliminating fluctuations caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates as well as eliminating hedge gains or losses recorded within the current and comparative periods. We calculate constant currency growth rates by (i) applying the applicable prior period exchange rates to current period results and (ii) excluding any gains or losses from foreign currency hedge contracts that are reported in the current and comparative periods. Design Business: Represents the combination of maintenance, product subscriptions, and all EBAs. Main products include, but are not limited to, AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Industry Collections, Revit, Inventor, Maya and 3ds Max. Certain products, such as our computer aided manufacturing solutions, incorporate both Design and Make functionality and are classified as Design. Enterprise Business Agreements (EBAs): Represents programs providing enterprise customers with token-based access to a broad pool of Autodesk products over a defined contract term. Flex: A pay-as-you-go consumption option to pre-purchase tokens to access any product available with Flex for a daily rate. Free Cash Flow: Cash flow from operating activities minus capital expenditures. Industry Collections: Autodesk Industry Collections are a combination of products and services that target a specific user objective and support a set of workflows for that objective. Our Industry Collections consist of: Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection, Autodesk Product Design and Manufacturing Collection, and Autodesk Media and Entertainment Collection. Maintenance Plan: Our maintenance plans provide our customers with a cost effective and predictable budgetary option to obtain the productivity benefits of our new releases and enhancements when and if released during the term of their contracts. Under our maintenance plans, customers are eligible to receive unspecified upgrades when and if available, and technical support. We recognize maintenance revenue over the term of the agreements, generally one year. Make Business: Represents certain cloud-based product subscriptions. Main products include, but are not limited to, Assemble, Autodesk Build, BIM Collaborate Pro, BuildingConnected, Fusion, and Flow Production Tracking. Certain products, such as Fusion, incorporate both Design and Make functionality and are classified as Make. Net Revenue Retention Rate (NR3): Measures the year-over-year change in Recurring Revenue for the population of customers that existed one year ago ("base customers"). Net revenue retention rate is calculated by dividing the current quarter Recurring Revenue related to base customers by the total corresponding quarter Recurring Revenue from one year ago. Recurring Revenue is based on USD reported revenue, and fluctuations caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and hedge gains or losses have not been eliminated. Recurring Revenue related to acquired companies, one year after acquisition, has been captured as existing customers until such data conforms to the calculation methodology. This may cause variability in the comparison. Other Revenue: Consists of revenue from consulting, and other products and services, and is recognized as the products are delivered and services are performed. Product Subscription: Provides customers a flexible, cost-effective way to access and manage 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software tools. Our product subscriptions currently represent a hybrid of desktop and cloud functionality, which provides a device-independent, collaborative design workflow for designers and their stakeholders. Recurring Revenue: Consists of the revenue for the period from our traditional maintenance plans, our subscription plan offerings, and certain Other revenue. It excludes subscription revenue related to third-party products. Recurring revenue acquired with the acquisition of a business is captured when total subscriptions are captured in our systems and may cause variability in the comparison of this calculation. Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO): The sum of total short-term, long-term, and unbilled deferred revenue. Current remaining performance obligations is the amount of revenue we expect to recognize in the next twelve months. Solution Provider : Solution Provider is the name of our channel partners who primarily serve our new transaction model customers worldwide. Solution Providers may also be resellers in relation to Autodesk solutions. Spend : The sum of cost of revenue and operating expenses. Subscription Plan: Comprises our term-based product subscriptions, cloud service offerings, and EBAs. Subscriptions represent a combined hybrid offering of desktop software and cloud functionality which provides a device-independent, collaborative design workflow for designers and their stakeholders. With subscription, customers can use our software anytime, anywhere, and get access to the latest updates to previous versions. Subscription Revenue: Includes our cloud-enabled term-based product subscriptions, cloud service offerings, and flexible EBAs. Unbilled Deferred Revenue: Unbilled deferred revenue represents contractually stated or committed orders under early renewal and multi-year billing plans for subscription, services, and maintenance for which the associated deferred revenue has not been recognized. Under FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606, unbilled deferred revenue is not included as a receivable or deferred revenue on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including quotations from management, statements in the paragraphs under "Business Outlook" above statements about our short-term and long-term goals, statements regarding our strategies, market and product positions, performance and results, and all statements that are not historical facts. There are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release, including: our strategy to develop and introduce new products and services and to move to platforms and capabilities, exposing us to risks such as limited customer acceptance (both new and existing customers), costs related to product defects, and large expenditures; global economic and political conditions, including changes in monetary and fiscal policy, foreign exchange headwinds, recessionary fears, supply chain disruptions, resulting inflationary pressures and hiring conditions; geopolitical tension and armed conflicts, and extreme weather events; costs and challenges associated with strategic acquisitions and investments; our ability to successfully implement and expand our transaction model; dependency on international revenue and operations, exposing us to significant international regulatory, economic, intellectual property, collections, currency exchange rate, taxation, political, and other risks, including risks related to the war against Ukraine launched by Russia and our exit from Russia and the current conflict between Israel and Hamas; inability to predict subscription renewal rates and their impact on our future revenue and operating results; existing and increased competition and rapidly evolving technological changes; fluctuation of our financial results, key metrics and other operating metrics; our transition from up front to annual billings for multi-year contracts; deriving a substantial portion of our net revenue from a small number of solutions, including our AutoCAD-based software products and collections; any failure to successfully execute and manage initiatives to realign or introduce new business and sales initiatives, including our new transaction model for Flex; net revenue, billings, earnings, cash flow, or new or existing subscriptions shortfalls; social and ethical issues relating to the use of artificial intelligence in our offerings; our ability to maintain security levels and service performance meeting the expectations of our customers, and the resources and costs required to avoid unanticipated downtime and prevent, detect and remediate performance degradation and security breaches; security incidents or other incidents compromising the integrity of our or our customers' offerings, services, data, or intellectual property; reliance on third parties to provide us with a number of operational and technical services as well as software; our highly complex software, which may contain undetected errors, defects, or vulnerabilities; increasing regulatory focus on privacy issues and expanding laws; governmental export and import controls that could impair our ability to compete in international markets or subject us to liability if we violate the controls; protection of our intellectual property rights and intellectual property infringement claims from others; the government procurement process; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; our debt service obligations; and our investment portfolio consisting of a variety of investment vehicles that are subject to interest rate trends, market volatility, and other economic factors. Our estimates as to tax rate are based on current interpretations of existing tax law and could be affected by changing interpretations, further guidance, and additional tax legislation. Further information on potential factors that could affect the financial results of Autodesk are included in Autodesk's Form 10-K and subsequent Forms 10-Q, which are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Autodesk disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. About Autodesk The world's designers, engineers, builders, and creators trust Autodesk to help them design and make anything. From the buildings we live and work in, to the cars we drive and the bridges we drive over. From the products we use and rely on, to the movies and games that inspire us. Autodesk's Design and Make Platform unlocks the power of data to accelerate insights and automate processes, empowering our customers with the technology to create the world around us and deliver better outcomes for their business and the planet. For more information, visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk. #MakeAnything Autodesk uses its investors.autodesk.com website as a means of disclosing material non-public information, announcing upcoming investor conferences and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, you should monitor our investor relations website in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. Autodesk, AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, BIM 360 and Fusion 360 are trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and service offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2024 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. Autodesk, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (In millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended October 31, Nine Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Net revenue: Subscription $ 1,457 $ 1,314 $ 4,195 $ 3,777 Maintenance 9 12 31 40 Total subscription and maintenance revenue 1,466 1,326 4,226 3,817 Other 104 88 266 211 Total net revenue 1,570 1,414 4,492 4,028 Cost of revenue: Cost of subscription and maintenance revenue 105 94 305 285 Cost of other revenue 19 21 57 62 Amortization of developed technologies 23 12 62 34 Total cost of revenue 147 127 424 381 Gross profit 1,423 1,287 4,068 3,647 Operating expenses: Marketing and sales 525 439 1,474 1,344 Research and development 378 339 1,092 1,021 General and administrative 161 165 477 438 Amortization of purchased intangibles 13 10 37 31 Total operating expenses 1,077 953 3,080 2,834

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.

Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling

There has been an update to the health of Black Bart, a classic star of the WWF (later WWE), WCW, and countless other promotions, and it is very, very unfortunate. I just spoke to Black Bart's wife in detail about his health. She gave me permission to report an update. She stated, "he's ready to meet his maker, so it's a win-win situation. When it's time to go to heaven, he knows where he's going." He is currently resting at home with... pic.twitter.com/78XVmiXD3c More News: WWE Reportedly Cancels Long-Running 'Tribute to the Troops' According to professional wrestling journalist Chris Featherstone, Black Bart is refusing chemotherapy for his reported stage 4 liver cancer and his wife Linda is making end-of-life preparations. "I just spoke to Black Bart's wife in detail about his health. She gave me permission to report an update," Featherstone's social media post stated. "She stated, 'he's ready to meet his maker, so it's a win-win situation. When it's time to go to heaven, he knows where he's going.'" Black Bart, born Richard Harris in Arkansas, began his wrestling career in the mid-1970s, initially using several ring names, including "Man Mountain Harris," "Hangman Harris," and "Hangman Ricky Harris," as he developed his wrestling persona. He gained significant attention in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he earned a reputation as a tough and intimidating competitor, wrestling for various regional promotions throughout his early years. In 1990, Black Bart made his debut for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), appearing in a dark match. His time in the WWF helped establish him as a recognizable name in the industry. Later, in 1991, he signed with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he became part of a stable known as "The Desperados", alongside Dutch Mantell and Deadeye Dick. In his later career, Black Bart transitioned into a coaching role, where he mentored future WWE star John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL). JBL would go on to become a key figure in WWE and is credited with originating the popular Tribute to the Troops event, an annual WWE tradition honoring the U.S. military . Featherstone's update regarding Black Bart's health says that although he is no longer going through therapy, he appears to be in good spirits. "He is currently resting at home with his wife Linda. He is refusing chemotherapy and his bladder has stopped working. Linda stated that he said that he felt so bad after the chemo, "each time he's done it, he's felt worse." He is no longer able to walk and is barely eating." "His weight dropped from 320 to 210, and his wife stated, "he's nothing but skin and bones now." She said that "he's prayed up and ready to go," and he is in good spirits. She expressed that instead of a memorial, Bart "wants a party" to celebrate his life and be remembered for how he was before getting terminally ill." "And ain't a DAGGUM thing you can do about it. 🙏🏾" For more on WWE and professional wrestling, head to Newsweek Sports .Gaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the Senate

Urinary Catheters Market Size: Strong Growth Ahead (2024-2032) 12-24-2024 06:40 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Cognate Insights Urinary Catheters Market Latest Market Overview The global urinary catheters market is poised to reach USD 3.7 billion by 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032. The increasing prevalence of urinary incontinence, rising geriatric population, and the growing number of surgical procedures worldwide are key factors driving the demand for urinary catheters. Furthermore, advancements in catheter materials and the development of catheterization techniques are expected to contribute significantly to market growth. With a rising focus on minimizing healthcare-associated infections and improving patient comfort, the urinary catheters market continues to evolve. The Urinary Catheters Market has experienced steady growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding at a strong pace from 2024 to 2032. This analysis offers a comprehensive overview, providing valuable insights into key trends and developments within the Urinary Catheters industry. These findings equip business leaders with the necessary knowledge to devise more effective strategies and enhance profitability. Furthermore, the report serves as a useful resource for new and emerging businesses, helping them make informed decisions as they navigate the market and seek growth opportunities. Major Players of Urinary Catheters Market are: Coloplast A/S (Denmark) - Revenue: USD 3.6 billion (2023) B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany) - Revenue: USD 8.4 billion (2023) Boston Scientific Corporation (USA) - Revenue: USD 12.7 billion (2023) Teleflex Incorporated (USA) - Revenue: USD 2.8 billion (2023) Hollister Incorporated (USA) - Revenue: USD 1.1 billion (2023) Medtronic plc (Ireland) - Revenue: USD 32.5 billion (2023) Get Latest PDF Sample Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/request-sample/urinary-catheters-market-research Our Report covers global as well as regional markets and provides an in-depth analysis of the overall growth prospects of the market. Global market trend analysis including historical data, estimates to 2024, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast to 2032 is given based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market segments involving economic and non-economic factors. Furthermore, it reveals the comprehensive competitive landscape of the global market, the current and future market prospects of the industry, and the growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and constraints in emerging and emerging markets. Global Urinary Catheters Market Landscape and Future Pathways: North America: United States Canada Europe: Germany France U.K. Italy Russia Asia-Pacific: China Japan South Korea India Australia China Taiwan Indonesia Thailand Malaysia Latin America: Mexico Brazil Argentina Korea Colombia Middle East & Africa: Turkey Saudi Arabia UAE Korea Speak to Our Analyst for A Discussion on The Above Findings, And Ask for A Discount on The Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/check-discount/urinary-catheters-market-research Key drivers and challenges influencing the Urinary Catheters market: Regional Analysis: The report involves examining the Urinary Catheters market at a regional or national level. Report analyses regional factors such as government incentives, infrastructure development, economic conditions, and consumer behaviour to identify variations and opportunities within different markets. Market Projections: Report covers the gathered data and analysis to make future projections and forecasts for the Urinary Catheters market. This may include estimating market growth rates, predicting market demand, and identifying emerging trends. Company Analysis: Report covers individual Urinary Catheters manufacturers, suppliers, and other relevant industry players. This analysis includes studying their financial performance, market positioning, product portfolios, partnerships, and strategies. Consumer Analysis: Report covers data on consumer behaviour, preferences, and attitudes towards Urinary Catheters This may involve surveys, interviews, and analysis of consumer reviews and feedback from different by Application. Technology Analysis: Report covers specific technologies relevant to Urinary Catheters. It assesses the current state, advancements, and potential future developments in Urinary Catheters areas. Reason to Buy this Report: -Analysis of the impact of technological advancements on the market and the emerging trends shaping the industry in the coming years. -Examination of the regulatory and policy changes affecting the market and the implications of these changes for market participants. -Overview of the competitive landscape in the Urinary Catheters market, including profiles of the key players, their market share, and strategies for growth. -Identification of the major challenges facing the market, such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing consumer preferences, and analysis of how these challenges will affect market growth. -Evaluation of the potential of new products and applications in the market, and analysis of the investment opportunities for market participants. For In-Depth Competitive Analysis - Purchase this Report now at @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/purchase-report/urinary-catheters-market-research Contact Us: Cognate Insights Web: www.cognateinsights.com Email: info@cognateinsights.com Phone: +91 8424946476 About Us: We are leaders in market analytics, business research, and consulting services for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, financial & government institutions. Since we understand the criticality of data and insights, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. To be at our client's disposal whenever they need help on market research and consulting services. We also aim to be their business partners when it comes to making critical business decisions around new market entry, M&A, competitive Intelligence and strategy. This release was published on openPR.

gba 777 vip login no deposit bonus This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. ___ Author: Anmol Dutta, PhD Candidate and Lecturer, Western University Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s new film, All We Imagine as Light, won the prestigious Grand Prix award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May. The film exhibits an Indianness that is distinctive from the one most frequently represented globally. Within mainstream Hindi cinema, India is often presented as a homogenous Hindu, upper-caste, middle-class Hindi-speaking nation. In western popular imaginations, on the other hand, India is often seen as exotic and over-the-top, or poor and backward. All We Imagine as Light tells a story of two migrant women from the southern Indian state of Kerala, Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and Anu (Divya Prabha) as they struggle to build a life in Mumbai. The kind of Mumbai shown in the film is one that has almost never been explored in Indian cinema. In the film, we see its characters contend with cultural and social isolation, gender inequalities and the challenges of Hindu-Muslim love in India. In this sense, the film does not try to appeal to the non-Indian, western gaze. Instead, All We Imagine as Light depicts a nuanced, complex migrant reality that touches on issues of gender, religion, caste, class, language and access. The refreshing portrayal of Mumbai, and largely of India, reveals an aspect of the nation’s cultural identity that has not been explored within the global space. Disrupting the ‘city of dreams’ All We Imagine as Light premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. It then played at the South Asian Day celebrations at the Forest City Film Festival in London, Ont., where I was a guest speaker for a live Q&A following the screening. The lyrical, almost lulling pace of the film offers the unfamiliar viewer the time needed to adjust to the foreignness of this world. While it remains foreign to the viewer, it is the politics of the every day — the human yearning for light — that affords the film a humanistic vision, making it cross-culturally accessible. One of the primary themes in All We Imagine as Light is disrupting the trite romanticism of Mumbai as a city of dreams. Migrants from across India who come to Mumbai to live a better life experience a kind of disillusionment that is rarely, if ever, addressed in Indian popular culture. Instead, it shows Mumbai as what one of the migrant voice-overs in the film calls a “city of illusions.” All We Imagine as Light starts with disembodied migrant voices in different regional languages such as Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati and Bengali, among others. A montage of the city plays on-screen as viewers hear a voiceover of migrant workers expressing their disenchantment and the “otherness” experienced in Mumbai. A man says how, after living in Mumbai for 23 years, he still can’t call it his home. This feeling of un-homed in Mumbai is experienced through Prabha and Anu, who work as nurses in a hospital and are also roommates. The idea of being un-homed is most sharply portrayed when Prabha’s colleague and friend, Parvaty, is evicted from her house. As a widow, Parvaty has no paperwork to prove ownership of the shack she has lived in for years. In another scene, we see a billboard that promises a “new Mumbai” featuring a light-skinned, hence presumably upper-caste, upper-class, heterosexual couple photographed next to a luxury tower. Parvaty and Prabha helplessly stare at this billboard, eventually hurling stones at it, thus physically resisting everything that the billboard is representative of. As two women navigating life without husbands or any other male counterpart, this scene is significant. It becomes an active distortion of societal expectations and heteronormative ideals. Kapadia also uses Mumbai as a site to engage with the challenges of interfaith relationships in India. The panned shots of Mumbai’s busy streets show Muslim Shiaz following Hindu Anu through crowded streets until the couple find a space where they are not at risk of being seen together. The expectations and limitations the couple must navigate showcase the societal surveillance over Hindu-Muslim relationships in India. The politics of language in Indian cinema Cinema in India is considered to be one of the most significant political and socio-cultural spaces. While multiple regional cinemas exist within the nation, the most popular domain continues to be mainstream Hindi cinema, or Bollywood, which problematically assumes the universality of Hindi within the nation. Whenever most Indian films gain international attention, the implicit assumption is that they are a part of Bollywood, the mainstream cinema in Hindi. A recent example of such assumptions that every Indian film is a Bollywood film or in Hindi was seen when Rajamouli’s Telegu-language blockbuster, RRR, won an Oscar in 2023. The implicit language expectation when watching an Indian film is that it is in Hindi. It is important to note that while Hindi is one of the most widely spoken languages in India, there is no national language. Mumbai is home to Bollywood cinema, and therefore oftentimes presents Hindi as the chosen language. Kapadia does not conform to these mainstream expectations of language. She instead showcases the politics of speaking different regional languages in Mumbai. Malayalam, which is widely spoken in Kerela, is the film’s foremost language. Prabha, Anu and her boyfriend, Shiaz, speak Malayalam. Kapadia uses language as an effective tool to further convey the feeling of un-homed in Mumbai. In a conversation with Prabha, a doctor at the hospital, who is also from Kerala, addresses the discomfort that speaking in Hindi causes him; Malayalam, he says, offers him refuge. Viewers see how most characters are compelled to speak Hindi within the public space, furthering their alienation to the city. Speaking in Malayalam thus becomes a safe harbour for Prabha and Anu in All We Imagine as Light. Kapadia skillfully employs Hindi to denote the characters’ alienation. Malayalam, on the other hand, becomes emblematic of home. All We Imagine as Light is an example of a different kind of Indian cinema: one that goes beyond mainstream narratives, and offers viewers an insight into an India they often don’t get to see. The film’s success indicates that there is potential for an alternate cinema that tells a variety of stories, in a way that is attentive to cultural nuances, and still able to serve as a cultural ambassador around the world. ___ Anmol Dutta does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. ___ This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Read the original article: https://theconversation.com/payal-kapadias-all-we-imagine-as-light-disrupts-popular-narratives-of-mumbai-242579 Advertisement Advertisement

Appalachian State hired South Carolina offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggains to be its next head coach, the school announced Saturday. Loggains received a five-year contract. The 44-year-old longtime NFL assistant has previous with stints as offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach for the Tennessee Titans , Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. Advertisement He joined his alma mater, Arkansas, in 2021 as tight ends coach, and has been at South Carolina the past two seasons. The 14th-ranked Gamecocks are 9-3 this season and rank third in the SEC in rushing at 188 yards per game behind freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers. App State is coming off a 5-6 season that led to the firing of coach Shawn Clark after five seasons. We got our guy! Welcome to App State, @Dowell_Loggains ! 📰 https://t.co/qd6g6L7g9I #GoApp pic.twitter.com/RjiTbvXz4L — App State Football (@AppState_FB) December 7, 2024 (Photo: John Adams / Icon Sportswire)

Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and current co-host of the MSNBC show The Weekend , said that Republicans "don't give a damn" about members of the U.S. military in a recent conversation with CNN 's Michael Smerconish. On the latest episode of The Michael Steele Podcast , the former RNC chair and Smerconish, who hosts the Saturday show Smerconish on CNN, discussed President-elect Donald Trump 's pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth. Hegseth, a U.S. Army veteran and former Fox News weekend host, has been at the center of controversy after Trump announced his plans in early November to nominate him to lead the Pentagon . One of the latest scandals about Hegseth involved his mother, Penelope Hegseth, who wrote her son an email in 2018 accusing him of mistreating women for years , telling him, "It pains me and embarrasses me to say that, but it is the sad, sad truth," according to a report from The New York Times on November 29. "On behalf of all the women (and I know it's many) you have abused in some way, I say...get some help and take an honest look at yourself," Penelope Hegseth wrote to her son. Penelope Hegseth later went on Fox News to say that her son "is a new person. He's redeemed, forgiven, changed. I think we all are after seven years. I believe he's the man for the job." Steele, a Trump critic, mentioned the Times ' reporting during his conversation with Smerconish, saying, "Who knows you better than the woman who cleaned your nasty behind when you were born, who raised you, who tried to teach you to be the right kind of man, and you turned out to be that thing that she's now calling out." "This is the problem I have with a lot of Republicans because they, at this point in time, are pushing guys like Hegseth because of the political opportunism it creates for them to grab and hold power," Steele said. "They don't give a damn about the men in the military, the men and women serving. This guy has already said that women shouldn't be serving in a combat position, despite the fact that that's what they're doing today in significantly important ways. And yet he wants to come in and say that women don't have a role here." During an appearance on the Shawn Ryan Show on November 7, Hegseth said, "I'm straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn't made us more effective, hasn't made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated." But on December 3 when a reporter asked Hegseth, "How do you feel about the women in combat?" he responded, "We have amazing women who serve in our military." Women made up 17.5 percent of active-duty service members in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Department of Defense's (DOD) 2022 demographics report. Newsweek reached out to the DOD via email on Saturday afternoon asking for any updated demographics data. When reached for comment by Newsweek on Saturday afternoon, Hegseth's lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, said via email Saturday afternoon, "I really can't spend the time responding to every single ignorant comment that people make." Newsweek also reached out to Trump's transition team via email and the RNC via online form for comment Saturday afternoon. Hegseth has also repeatedly said that standards are being lowered for women to qualify to serve in combat roles, military veteran Charlotte Clymer, a writer and activist, wrote in an opinion piece for MSNBC published Tuesday. There is no evidence to support Hegseth's claims, and, according to Clymer, the claims have been debunked by defense officials. "I don't think Hegseth truly believes that women are incapable of performing combat roles to a high standard of excellence, because it has been obvious to all service members for quite some time that there are women who meet and exceed that standard," Clymer wrote in her op-ed titled, "There are many reasons to disqualify Pete Hegseth. His opinions on women are enough." She added: "The reason Hegseth is stridently opposed to women in combat is specifically that he feels threatened by women who do meet the standard of excellence. He is deeply uncomfortable with women successfully doing the same exact jobs that he has always believed go a long way in promoting the asinine ideology that men are naturally born to be leaders over women." Meanwhile, the reported email from Hegseth's mom came after a woman alleged that he sexually assaulted her in 2017. Hegseth told law enforcement at the time that his encounter with the woman was consensual and denied any wrongdoing, according to a police report of the incident, which was made public shortly after Trump tapped Hegseth for defense secretary. Parlatore said last month that Hegseth, who still denies the sexual assault allegation, paid the woman in a settlement agreement that included a confidentiality clause because he feared he'd lose his job at Fox News if word of the accusation got out. Hegseth has not been criminally charged or sued over the incident.

NASA's stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to go

Olympic dressage champion suspended after horse-whipping investigation

Better late than never, the Browns’ offensive line is showing it no longer is the discombobulated bunch it appeared to be in the first seven games. It is no coincidence that the improved blocking from the line began when right tackle Jack Conklin returned from a serious knee injury suffered in the season opener last year followed by a hamstring injury suffered in practice this season just as he was ready to return from the knee injury. Jameis Winston was sacked only once Nov. 21 when the Browns beat the Steelers, 24-19. Coach Kevin Stefanski did not call out the [...]

The Washington Commanders put kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve Tuesday, just over 48 hours since he missed an extra point that would have tied the score with 21 seconds left against Dallas. Seibert also missed a field-goal attempt and another extra point in the loss to the Cowboys. He missed the previous two games with a right hip injury but said afterward he was fine and made the decision to play. The Commanders filled that roster spot by signing running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. off their practice squad. Austin Ekeler had a concussion and Brian Robinson Jr. sprained an ankle Sunday. Story continues below video AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflClinical and regulatory success in 2024 expected to drive value in 2025 CRANFORD, N.J. , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius Pharma" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTXR), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products today reported business and financial results for the fiscal full year ended September 30, 2024 . Fiscal Full Year 2024 Business Highlights and Subsequent Developments Financial Highlights "In fiscal year 2024 we drove tremendous progress in our pipeline. It was a transformative year, marked by our first FDA approval and significant clinical milestones. The approval of LYMPHIRTM and the positive Phase 3 results for Mino-Lok® underscore our commitment to developing innovative therapies. Our team successfully responded to FDA comments related to the biologics license application for LYMPHIR and ultimately gained FDA approval. Productive engagement with the FDA regarding the positive results of our Phase 3 Mino-Lok® trial and Phase 2 Halo-Lido trial clarified our next steps for both programs. We anticipate continued engagement with the agency in the coming year and look forward to their guidance. Additionally, we are exploring strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities to maximize the potential of our portfolio and bring these important therapies to market efficiently," stated Leonard Mazur , Chairman and CEO of Citius Pharma. "Looking ahead, our priorities for fiscal year 2025 include launching LYMPHIRTM through our majority-owned subsidiary, Citius Oncology, driving the clinical and regulatory strategies for Mino-Lok® and Halo-Lido, fortifying our financial position, and applying a disciplined approach to resource allocation. We expect to launch LYMPHIR in the first half of 2025 and distribute CTOR shares to Citius Pharma shareholders by the end of the year, pending favorable market conditions. Our goal remains to deliver value for patients, healthcare providers, and shareholders. With a clear vision and a strong team, we are well-positioned to execute on our mission of bringing innovative therapies to market," added Mazur. FULL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS: Liquidity As of September 30, 2024 , the Company had $3.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2024 , the Company had 7,247,243 common shares outstanding, as adjusted for the 1-for-25 reverse stock split of the Company's common stock, effected on November 25, 2024 . During the year ended September 30, 2024 , the Company received net proceeds of $13.8 million from the issuance of equity. The Company expects to raise additional capital to support operations. Research and Development (R&D) Expenses R&D expenses were $11.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $14.8 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The decrease in R&D expenses primarily reflects the completion of the Halo-Lido trial and completion of activities related to the regulatory resubmission for LYMPHIR, offset by shutdown costs associated with the end of the Phase 3 trial for Mino-Lok. We expect research and development expenses to decrease in fiscal year 2025 as we continue to focus on the commercialization of LYMPHIR through our majority-owned subsidiary, Citius Oncology and because we have completed the Phase 3 trial for Mino-Lok. General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses G&A expenses were $18.2 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $15.3 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase was primarily due to costs associated with pre-launch and market research activities associated with LYMPHIR. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs, professional fees for legal, regulatory, accounting and corporate development services, and investor relations expenses. Stock-based Compensation Expense For the full year ended September 30, 2024 , stock-based compensation expense was $11.8 million as compared to $6.6 million for the prior year. The increase of $5.2 million is largely due to the grant of options under the Citius Oncology stock plan. Stock-based compensation expense under the Citius Oncology stock plan was $7.5 million during the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $2.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 , as the plan was initiated in July 2023 . For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, stock-based compensation expense also includes $47,547 and $130,382 , respectively, for the NoveCite stock option plan. In fiscal years 2023 and 2024, we granted options to our new employees and additional options to other employees, our directors, and consultants. Net loss Net loss was $39.4 million , or ($5.97) per share for the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to a net loss of $32.5 million , or ($5.57) per share for the year ended September 30, 2023 , as adjusted for the reverse stock split. The increase in net loss reflects an increase in operating expense of $5.3 million offset by a decrease of $1.6 million in other income. Operating expense increased due to increases in stock-based compensation and general and administrative expenses, which were offset by decreased research and development expense. About Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Citius Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products. In August 2024 , the FDA approved LYMPHIRTM, a targeted immunotherapy for an initial indication in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Citius Pharma's late-stage pipeline also includes Mino-Lok®, an antibiotic lock solution to salvage catheters in patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections, and CITI-002 (Halo-Lido), a topical formulation for the relief of hemorrhoids. A Pivotal Phase 3 Trial for Mino-Lok and a Phase 2b trial for Halo-Lido were completed in 2023. Mino-Lok met primary and secondary endpoints of its Phase 3 Trial. Citius Pharma is actively engaged with the FDA to outline next steps for both programs. For more information, please visit www.citiuspharma.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Citius Pharma. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "plan," "should," and "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, and, unless noted otherwise, that apply to Citius Pharma are: our ability to raise additional money to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months as a going concern; our ability to commercialize LYMPHIR through our majority-owned subisity and any of our other product candidates that may be approved by the FDA; the estimated markets for our product candidates and the acceptance thereof by any market; the ability of our product candidates to impact the quality of life of our target patient populations; risks related to research using our assets but conducted by third parties; risks relating to the results of research and development activities, including those from our existing and any new pipeline assets; our ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing standards; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to procure cGMP commercial-scale supply; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; the early stage of products under development; market and other conditions; risks related to our growth strategy; patent and intellectual property matters; our ability to identify, acquire, close and integrate product candidates and companies successfully and on a timely basis; government regulation; competition; as well as other risks described in our Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. These risks have been and may be further impacted by any future public health risks. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks regarding our business are described in detail in our SEC filings which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov , including in Citius Pharma's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024 , filed with the SEC on December 27, 2024 , as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Investor Contact: Ilanit Allen ir@citiuspharma.com 908-967-6677 x113 Media Contact: STiR-communications Greg Salsburg Greg@STiR-communications.com -- Financial Tables Follow – CITIUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,251,880 $ 26,480,928 Inventory 8,268,766 — Prepaid expenses 2,700,000 7,889,506 Total Current Assets 14,220,646 34,370,434 Property and equipment, net — 1,432 Operating lease right-of-use asset, net 246,247 454,426 Other Assets: Deposits 38,062 38,062 In-process research and development 92,800,000 59,400,000 Goodwill 9,346,796 9,346,796 Total Other Assets 102,184,858 68,784,858 Total Assets $ 116,651,751 $ 103,611,150 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 4,927,211 $ 2,927,334 License payable 28,400,000 — Accrued expenses 17,027 476,300 Accrued compensation 2,229,018 2,156,983 Operating lease liability 241,547 218,380 Total Current Liabilities 35,814,803 5,778,997 Deferred tax liability 6,713,800 6,137,800 Operating lease liability – non current 21,318 262,865 Total Liabilities 42,549,921 12,179,662 Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock - $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding — — Common stock - $0.001 par value; 16,000,000 shares authorized; 7,247,243 and 6,354,371 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively 7,247 6,354 Additional paid-in capital 271,440,421 253,056,133 Accumulated deficit (201,370,218) (162,231,379) Total Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Stockholders' Equity 70,077,450 90,831,108 Non-controlling interest 4,024,380 600,380 Total Equity 74,101,830 91,431,488 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 116,651,751 $ 103,611,150 Reflects a 1-for-25 reverse stock split effective November 25, 2024. CITIUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Revenues $ — $ — Operating Expenses: Research and development 11,906,601 14,819,729 General and administrative 18,249,402 15,295,584 Stock-based compensation – general and administrative 11,839,678 6,616,705 Total Operating Expenses 41,995,681 36,732,018 Operating Loss (41,995,681) (36,732,018) Other Income: Interest income, net 758,000 1,179,417 Gain on sale of New Jersey net operating losses 2,387,842 3,585,689 Total Other Income Net 3,145,842 4,765,106 Loss before Income Taxes (38,849,839) (31,966,912) Income tax expense 576,000 576,000 Net Loss (39,425,839) (32,542,912) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest 287,000 - Deemed dividend on warrant extension (1,047,312) (1,151,208) Net Loss Applicable to Common Stockholders $ (40,186,151) (33,694,120) Net Loss Per Share Applicable to Common Stockholders - Basic and Diluted $ (5.97) (5.57) Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

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gba 777 vip login password Two state-run, financially-challenged snow resorts are not for sale, a state government says as it prepares to tender their operating rights. or signup to continue reading Alpine Resorts Victoria, which has overseen Lake Mountain and Mount Baw Baw since 2022, has called for expressions of interest from commercial operators after failing to turn profits at the snowfields. Victorian premier Jacinta Allan flatly denied reports it amounted to a sale. "The reporting that these beautiful locations are being sold is just wrong," she told reporters on Thursday. State agencies with landowner responsibility often partnered with commercial organisations to deliver services, she said. The move was about asking market leaders what they wanted to see and contribute to the resorts, tourism minister Steve Dimopoulos said. "It might be part of the resort," he said. "It might be a business within the resort. It might be a partnership with the state government." According to Alpine Victoria, the will run until the end of January for qualified operators to propose management solutions for one or both resorts, "in their entirety". Lake Mountain, about 120 kilometres from central Melbourne, includes 37 kilometres of cross country trails, tubing and tobogganing. Mount Baw Baw, with its shorter tree-lined runs and snowplay areas, is known as the "nursery" of Victoria's alpine industry, where about half the state's snow lovers got their first taste for the white stuff. Both locations also host summer events, but with less annual snowfall in winter than the major resorts, they fill an important role supplying the snow-play, beginner and day-tripper markets. "One of the critical things that must be remembered is that Mount Baw Baw isn't always about downhill skiing or getting vertical," said Leona Turra, a Baw Baw Stakeholders Association member. "It's also about families being able to throw some snowballs, being able to get on a toboggan - a resort where it's not so prohibitively costly that family groups can't go." Lake Mountain had almost 100,000 visitors in winter 2023, while more than 63,000 visited Baw Baw over more than 94,000 "visitor days", Alpine Resorts' shows. Only Baw Baw offers accommodation, but both resorts lack basic mains power. "The lack of investment by successive governments has meant that Mount Baw Baw has never been able to achieve its potential," Ms Turra said. Snow-making, a critical part of resorts worldwide, has also been lacking despite improving affordability, she told AAP. Any clouds of uncertainty hanging over Mount Baw Baw's future could be devastating for the resort's licensees, their more than $25 million in assets and the roughly $30 million the resort contributes to Gippsland's economy each year. Gippsland, a coal and logging powerhouse for decades, has been hit hard by the rapid transition to renewable energy and a ban on the state's native timber industry, which took effect in January. "For a region to take the hits that we have in terms of our mining industry, our logging industry - now they're talking about a major tourist attraction," Ms Turra said. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementThings to watch this week in the Big 12 Conference: No. 14 BYU (9-1, 6-1 Big 12, No. 14 CFP) at No. 21 Arizona State (8-2, 5-2, No. 21), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) League newcomer Arizona State has a three-game winning streak and BYU is coming off its first loss. The Cougars, after losing at home to Kansas, still control their own destiny in making the Big 12 championship game. They can clinch a spot in that Dec. 7 game as early as Saturday, if they win and instate rival Utah wins at home against No. 22 Iowa State. Arizona State was picked at the bottom of the 16-team league in the preseason media poll, but already has a five-win improvement in coach Kenny Dillingham's second season. No. 16 Colorado (8-2, 6-1, No. 16 CFP) at Kansas (4-6, 3-4), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Fox) Coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes are in prime position to make the Big 12 title game in their return to the league after 13 seasons in the Pac-12. If BYU and Utah win, Colorado would be able to claim the other title game spot with a win over Kansas. The Buffs have a four-game winning streak. The Jayhawks need another November win over a ranked Big 12 contender while trying to get bowl eligible for the third season in a row. Kansas has won consecutive games over Top 25 teams for the first time in school history, knocking off Iowa State before BYU. Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht has thrown a touchdown in a school-record 14 consecutive games, while receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel both have more than 800 yards receiving. San Jose State is the only other FBS team with a pair of 800-yard receivers. Becht has 2,628 yards and 17 touchdowns passing for the Cyclones (8-2, 5-2), who are still in Big 12 contention. Oklahoma State goes into its home finale against Texas Tech with a seven-game losing streak, its longest since a nine-game skid from 1977-78. The only longer winless streak since was an 0-10-1 season in 1991. This is Mike Gundy's 20th season as head coach, and his longest losing streak before now was five in a row in 2005, his first season and the last time the Cowboys didn't make a bowl game. ... Baylor plays at Houston for the first time since 1995, the final Southwest Conference season. The Cougars won last year in the only meeting since to even the series 14-14-1. ... Eight Big 12 teams are bowl eligible. As many as six more teams could reach six wins. The Big 12 already has four 1,000-yard rushers, including three who did it last season. UCF's RJ Harvey is the league's top rusher (1,328 yards) and top scorer with 21 touchdowns (19 rushing/two receiving). The others with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons are Texas Tech career rushing leader Tahj Brooks (1,184 yards) and Kansas State's DJ Giddens (1,128 yards). Cam Skattebo with league newcomer Arizona State has 1,074 yards. Devin Neal, the career rushing leader at his hometown university, is 74 yards shy of being the first Kansas player with three 1,000-yard seasons. Cincinnati's Corey Kiner needs 97 yards to reach 1,000 again.

MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler will not play in the final two games of Miami's ongoing road trip while recovering from illness, the team said Friday. That means Butler will not play Saturday at Atlanta or Sunday at Houston. The earliest he could play again is Wednesday at home against New Orleans. Butler hasn't played since the first quarter of Miami's Dec. 20 game against Oklahoma City, when he twisted an ankle, left the game and then was ruled out because of illness. Miami has played three games since without Butler, two because of the illness and then Thursday's win in Orlando with him back in Miami conditioning for a return. He is not with the team on the road trip. The Heat said Thursday that they are not going to trade Butler, that announcement coming after ESPN, citing sources, said the six-time All-Star would prefer to be moved before the trade deadline on Feb. 6. Butler has not publicly expressed any desire to be traded. He is averaging 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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For the first time, the Falmouth football team has reached the summit. Indi Backman and Gio Guerrette ran for touchdowns, Tres Walker threw for a score, and Falmouth’s defense dominated in a 26-13 victory over Kennebunk in the Class B final Saturday at Fitzpatrick Stadium. The Navigators finished 11-0 and captured their first state title. Kennebunk, the defending champion, finished 10-1. Falmouth struck quickly. The Navigators marched 61 yards on their first possession, converting a pair of third-and-7s before Walker found a wide-open Abram Wintersteen sprinting down the seam for a 38-yard touchdown reception and 7-0 lead. The Navigators held Kennebunk on the ensuing drive, then extended their lead. Joey Guerrette darted for 33 yards on a sweep around the right side and went 29 yards around the left to take the ball down to the Kennebunk 3. Backman got the call to finish the march, plunging in for the touchdown and a 14-0 advantage with 1:58 to go in the first quarter. The Rams continued to sputter on offense, but after a Luke Roy interception ended Kennebunk’s third drive, a Falmouth error swung momentum back. Walker tried to throw the ball away to avoid a sack, but his pass went right to Kennebunk lineman Calvin Johnson, who took it 15 yards for a touchdown that cut the deficit to 14-6. Falmouth bounced back from that misfortune, marching from its 28 to the Kennebunk 5. A penalty, a bobbled snap and and incompletion brought up fourth down from the 18, but Peter Kearns connected on a low kick for a 35-yard field goal, boosting the lead to 17-6. Kennebunk’s attempt to answer resulted in more frustration, as Sam Haley threw his second interception, this time to Logan McVeigh. Falmouth began the second half with another 35-yard field goal from Kearns, but Jaiden Homa fielded the ensuing kickoff, found a seam and outran the Navigators down the right sideline for an 88-yard touchdown return. The momentum was short-lived, however, as Gio Guerrette took a handoff on the next play from scrimmage, slipped two tackles and broke free for an 80-yard run that gave Falmouth a 26-13 lead. Needing points, Kennebunk’s offense got two quick first downs on the next series but was again forced to punt. Two more Rams possessions ended without points before Falmouth finished off the victory. Kennebunk entered the game looking for its second straight title after ending a 32-year drought last year. The Rams entered with a 14-game winning streak – the longest in the state. This story will be updated. Football: Falmouth’s secret for success? It’s in the details We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve. Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe . Questions? Please see our FAQs . Your commenting screen name has been updated. Send questions/comments to the editors. « PreviousBy Nia Williams Nov 27 - Canada's environment minister warned on Wednesday that oil and gas companies would be breaking federal laws if they withheld emissions data, after Alberta's premier said the province was considering measures to block a proposed emissions cap. Alberta premier Danielle Smith on Tuesday said her government intends to put forward a motion in the provincial legislature that would allow it to launch a legal challenge to Ottawa's proposed oil and gas emissions cap. Canada's main oil and gas province is also considering looking at other steps to undermine the cap if it becomes law, such as restricting entry into oil and gas facilities in Alberta and access to emissions data. "If companies stop reporting to the federal government they would be in violation of federal laws, something I certainly wouldn't advise to any large companies," federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault told reporters in Ottawa. The latest spat between Smith's conservative government in Alberta and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals highlights the province's staunch opposition to a policy aimed at cutting emissions from Canada's highest-polluting industry. It also shows how even if Trudeau's government manages to win a federal election next year, the oil and gas emissions cap will face further opposition. Polls currently show the Liberals are on track to lose badly and the opposition Conservative Party has said it would scrap the policy if elected. The proposed cap would force producers to cut oil and gas emissions 35% below 2019 levels by 2030, and Ottawa says the target can be met using existing technology. But Alberta argues the cap would force companies to cut production by at least 1 million barrels per day, nearly a quarter of the province's total oil output. While Alberta is entitled to challenge federal legislation through the courts, the other measures proposed by the province would be unconstitutional if the oil and gas emissions cap becomes law, said Emmett Macfarlane, a professor of political science at the University of Waterloo. "Banning federal officials from entering facilities or trying to block disclosure of information regarding emissions ... that is unconstitutional nonsense if the federal government is acting within its authority," Macfarlane said. "In any conflict between federal and provincial law, federal law wins out." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Joe Burrow was a limited participant in his most recent practice. The Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 17 matchup against the Denver Broncos begins at 4:30 PM ET on Saturday. All of Burrow’s stats can be found below. Entering Week 17, Burrow is averaging 281.9 passing yards per game (4,229 total). Other season stats include 39 TD passes, eight interceptions and a 68.9% completion percentage (384-for-557), plus 37 carries for 177 yards one touchdown. Don’t miss a touchdown this NFL season. Catch every score with NFL RedZone on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Sign up today and watch seven hours of commercial-free football from every NFL game every Sunday. BetMGM is one of the most trusted Sportsbooks in the nation. Start with as little as $1 and place your bets today . Catch NFL action all season long on Fubo. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .

Rohit Sharma's struggles with the bat continued in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as the Indian captain failed to make an impact in the fourth Test at Melbourne. After a brief stint in the middle order during the second and third Tests, he moved back to his customary opening position but was dismissed cheaply for 3 and 9 in the two innings. With just 31 runs from five innings on this tour, Rohit's average stands at a dismal 6.20, the lowest for any visiting captain in a Test series in Australia. Currently, Rohit holds the unenviable record for the worst batting average for a visiting captain, surpassing the previous low of West Indies' Courtney Walsh (7.75). Despite missing the first Test due to paternity leave, Rohit returned to captaincy for the second Test at Adelaide, which India lost by 10 wickets. He had batted at No. 6 in the third Test but opted to open in Melbourne, where his bat failed again. In the battle of captains, Australia skipper Pat Cummins established his dominance over his counterpart Rohit Sharma on the final day of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Melbourne. Rohit came out to open alongside young Yashasvi Jaiswal to make a case for India to chase down a herculean 340-run total set by the hosts. Instead of going berserk in front of MCG stands filled with hopeful Indian fans, the opening duo decided to deal with caution and negate the threat of the new red ball. Rohit looked comfortable till the drinks break, and even after the resumption of the game, he grew more in confidence. After facing 39 deliveries and understanding the nature of the surface, Rohit felt it was time to take a chance against Cummins. The Indian skipper tried to flick Captain Fantastic but gave away a leading edge in the process to Mitchell Marsh, stationed at gully. The Indian skipper had to return to the dressing room with 9(40). This was the sixth instance of Rohit losing his wicket to Cummins in Test cricket, the most a captain has been dismissed by an opposition captain in the format. Former England captain Ted Dexter lost his wicket to former Australia captain Richie Benaud five times. Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar is tied for the feat after losing his wicket five times to former Pakistan captain Imran Khan. After Rohit's dismissal, everything fell apart for the Indian team. KL Rahul joined the Indian skipper in the same over for a five-ball duck. Virat Kohli lost his discipline and got lured into playing a drive by left-armer Mitchell Starc on the final ball before lunch. Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant offered stability and assurance by leading the charge against the Australian bowling attack. Boundaries became more frequent, with Australian bowlers feeling tiredness creep up to them with each passing over. (With inputs from Agencies)A Chinese film set during the Covid-19 pandemic won the top prizes in Taiwan's prestigious Golden Horse Awards, which saw the highest number of entries from China in recent years despite political tensions. Beijing banned its entertainers from joining Golden Horse -- dubbed the Chinese-language "Oscars" -- in 2019 after a Taiwanese director voiced support for the island's independence in an acceptance speech in 2018. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, which the Taipei government rejects, and Chinese A-listers and big commercial productions have largely avoided the event ever since. Despite the sensitivity of the awards, more than 200 Chinese films entered this year's competition, which Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said was the highest number in "recent years". Acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Lou Ye was awarded best director late Saturday night for his docu-drama "An Unfinished Film", which was also named best picture. Lou was absent from the ceremony but his wife Ma Yingli read his acceptance speech, describing the film set during China's lockdown of Wuhan in the earliest stages of the pandemic as "the most special directing job I have ever done". Chinese actor Zhang Zhiyong, who also did not attend the awards, won best actor for his performance in Chinese director Geng Jun's same-sex drama "Bel Ami". Hong Kong's Chung Suet-ying was named best actress for her role in "The Way We Talk", which is about the deaf community. Neither "Bel Ami" nor "An Unfinished Film" has been released in China. Ahead of the awards, MAC spokesman Liang Wen-chieh told reporters that these films "may not be able to be screened in mainland China, but they still hope to have a free platform to participate and express themselves". "We welcome (them) very much," he said. After several years absence, Chinese stars began trickling back to the awards in Taipei last year, with actress Hu Ling the first to grace the red carpet since the ban. On Saturday, Geng Jun and some of his cast were among the few Chinese entertainers to join stars and filmmakers from around the region, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, on the red carpet. While Geng missed out on best director and best picture, his film "Bel Ami" won the awards for best cinematography and best film editing. Despite political tensions, Golden Horse remained a stage for independent Chinese films that have no distribution space on the mainland, Taiwanese film critic Wonder Weng told AFP. "This spirit remains unchanged. I think the Golden Horse Awards have always insisted on being the benchmark" that is open to all subjects, said Weng, who is a board member of Taiwan Film Critics Society. Weng said "An Unfinished Film" by Lou, who has previously taken on forbidden subjects such as gay sex and the 1989 Tiananmen protests, was "a work of conscience". Lou's latest offering is about a film crew trying to resume shooting a movie during the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan, as the city was placed in an unprecedented lockdown. "Lou put images that are banned or blocked into his work and reminds us that there is a director who is willing to preserve historical images for us to see... and let us know there is a different voice," Weng said. aw/amj/dhc

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gba777 app download apk Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning reelection despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country’s constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON,” Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors’ dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on Monday evening. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters’ own verdict. In court filings, Smith’s team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities ... and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump’s incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters’ violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence it planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors’ request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One of them, a New York case involving hush money payments, on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump’s lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict.” Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty.

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The 39th president of the United States has died at 100. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirmed the news with a post on X, stating the son of the former president said his father had died around 3:40 p.m. ET in his Plains home. People across the country and the world are reflecting on former President Jimmy Carter and his life, which was full of achievements. He died at the age of 100 at his longtime home in Plains, Georgia . While the 39th president will be remembered for setting a national energy policy and working on peace accords, it was his establishment of an agency aimed at responding to disasters that continues to impact many communities today. Since the country’s formation in the 1700s, local governments have faced disasters in which the needed response has been considered too great to handle. The federal government started providing aid and assistance in the early 1800s, but it wasn’t until Carter’s signing of Executive Order 12127 that an agency was solely tasked with responding to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and other disasters. Before Carter was sworn in on Jan. 20, 1977, the country was reeling from natural disasters, with poor governmental responses that only made the catastrophes worse. In 1962, an extratropical cyclone slammed into the mid-Atlantic and became one of the most destructive storms ever to impact the states. The year 1964 brought the most powerful earthquake to ever strike North America, with a 9.2-magnitude quake shaking the ground underneath Alaska. Over the next five years, communities along the Gulf Coast would face double disasters from major hurricanes Betsy and Camille. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter speaks as he tours homes being built by Habitat for Humanity in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in May 2008 during rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina. (Photo by James Edward Bates/Biloxi Sun Herald/Tribune News Ser All these disasters caused extensive devastation and were responsible for killing hundreds of people, but a common theme emerged – poorly coordinated responses . According to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum , the president had universal support from governors and interest groups to form an agency to combat the problem. With the political will in hand, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was born on April 1, 1979. The agency was tasked with emergency management response and merged the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency, Federal Preparedness Agency, Federal Disaster Assistance Administration, Federal Insurance Administration, U.S. Fire Administration and half-a-dozen other programs. Gordon Vickery , a highly respected firefighter, who rose through the ranks to become the fire chief in Seattle, was selected as interim head of the then-2,400-person-strong agency. In the hours before the agency’s ramp-up, an accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania overshadowed the initial days of the agency and drew attention to inadequate preparedness surrounding highly volatile energy plants. Dangerous and now deadly severe weather is sweeping through the South Saturday evening, just hours after multiple tornadoes left damage in the southeastern part of Texas. Bill Bunting, Deputy Director of the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center join LiveNOW's Austin Westfall to give the latest weather update. The event would trigger one of many expansions of powers for the newly-formed agency. Carter signed Executive Order 12148 , which directed FEMA to develop a plan to respond to nuclear emergencies. Now, the agency, once solely tasked with emergency management responses, also gained civil defense responsibilities. These changes were far from the last for the agency with a then-$600 million budget. The position of leading FEMA appeared to become a preverbal carousel with three leaders in just two months. Stability among government ranks took a further hit when Carter lost his reelection campaign to former California Gov. Ronald Reagan. The changing of the guard at the White House did little to stop the trend of temporary appointments, as 1981 brought three additional heads to the agency. In addition to the change at the top, a political landslide gave the Regan administration the political power to change course on many aspects of government operations and that included FEMA. According to an agency history , developments in Cold War diplomacy contributed to more wartime hazard planning. The leader at the time, retired Army officer Louis Giuffrida, made it to be the longest-serving head of FEMA, but questionable actions and congressional investigation ultimately led to his resignation in 1985. The agency once again fell into the pattern where it was anyone’s gig, but a disaster known as Hurricane Hugo in 1989 served as a reminder of the importance of a functioning FEMA. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper called the ongoing disaster "catastrophic," as the state manages its worst flooding in a century. Search and rescue teams from 19 states, as well as the federal government, are on the ground trying to help residents. Cell phone service is down, and the governor's office reports more than 200 people have been rescued from flood waters so far. FEMA's Acting Director of Response and Recovery, Keith Turi, joins LiveNOW from FOX with the latest operation details. Hugo was the strongest storm to strike the U.S. coastline in two decades and came ashore in the Carolinas as a Category 4 hurricane with estimated winds of at least 135 mph. The storm produced $11 billion in damage, and FEMA was in charge of the response. A government history of the time period stated: "FEMA, the agency in charge of the response process, received most of the blame; FEMA, not Hurricane Hugo, was referred to as the real disaster." Again, the agency was the subject of congressional ridicule, with U.S. Sen. Ernest Hollings calling FEMA "the sorriest bunch of bureaucratic jackasses I’ve ever known." The administration of President George H.W. Bush pledged to set the course right on FEMA and searched high and low for its next head. The administration put their faith in Wallace Stickney from New England. No one could foresee that the agency would be tasked with its largest disaster in more than two years – Hurricane Andrew . The major hurricane made landfall on Aug. 24, 1992, as a Category 4 hurricane in South Florida. A NOAA reanalysis in 2004 upgraded the costliest hurricane ever to a Category 5. Similar to Hurricane Hugo, the response to the catastrophe was considered inadequate and had local, state and even some federal officials asking if the agency’s response made the disaster even worse. A federal investigation into the agency’s response found that plans for disasters were not adequate, local governments were overwhelmed and the movement of materials and personnel into the impact zone was too slow. The administration of President Bill Clinton brought a slew of new faces into the federal government, including James Lee Witt. The Arkansan knew a thing or two about emergency services and was appointed as the sixth permanent administrator of FEMA. Similar to other leaders of the agency, Mother Nature did not provide a grace period for Witt, as hurricanes, massive floods and West Coast earthquakes left few areas of the country unaffected. One of the largest disasters was the Great Flood of 1993, which impacted nearly a dozen states and caused damages of more than $15 billion across the Midwest. During the recovery, officials lauded FEMA’s response and confidence grew in Witt being the right person to lead the agency. Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter remains in home hospice after a series of hospital stays. Thomas Whalen, an associate professor of Social Sciences at Boston University joined LiveNOW from FOX's Josh Breslow to discuss Carter's legacy. A series of disasters, including the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, proved the agency was at the beckoning of any municipality. Not long after the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, Clinton raised the FEMA position to cabinet-level status, underscoring the growing importance and reliability of the agency. During a 1998 interview , Witt was asked what adjustments were made that enabled outsiders to view FEMA in a more positive light versus the ridicule and scorn that had plagued it. "We worked hard at creating a more customer-focused agency," Witt said. "A major initiative was to provide customer service training to all FEMA employees, including senior management. This was a huge undertaking." After Witt’s reign, the agency would go on to have many ups and downs, including what news organizations reported was a botched response to Hurricane Katrina , which struck the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005. The major storm resulted in more than 1,300 fatalities and a damage figure that topped a 2023-cost-adjusted price tag of $191 billion. REPORT: 90% OF COUNTIES IN US EXPERIENCED AT LEAST 1 DISASTER IN PAST DECADE On significant anniversaries, FEMA leaders usually take to social media to reflect on the agency’s beginning, but on a daily basis, trainees are exposed to a message that reflects upon Carter’s role in its establishment. Located within FEMA training documents is a pledge that the commitment bestowed on the agency by Carter will never change. The passage reads: "On April 1, 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed the Executive Order that created the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). From day one, FEMA has remained committed to protecting and serving the American people. That commitment to the people we serve and the belief in our survivor-centric mission will never change." In many ways, the agency continues to follow one of the first lines ever uttered by the 39th president. During his inaugural address on that cold, 28-degree day in January, Carter boldly told the crowd of thousands: "To be true to ourselves, we must be true to others." The line was part of a 1,228-word speech that the White House Historical Association said was focused on rejecting mediocrity and restoring trust in the federal government. Read more of this story from FOX Weather.

Darnold gives Vikings another gem with career-high 377 yards in 27-25 win over PackersHumans, we are hardwired for connection. The research is clear: we need social support for our emotional and physical health, and when we don’t have it, we suffer. Social isolation clearly has significant negative effects on our bodies. It can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, as well as heart disease, cancer, weight gain, and stroke. Data indicates that the risk of a premature death due to loneliness is comparable to the risk associated with being a daily smoker. But it’s not just our own bodies that suffer from disconnection; the body politic of our nation suffers, too. Our U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has declared loneliness a public health crisis and has spent years researching the problem and possible remedies. In his book, Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, Murthy makes the compelling argument that loneliness and disconnection don’t just have harmful effects on individuals; they are also a root cause of the epidemics of drug and alcohol use disorder and a driver of violence. Our feelings of loneliness and isolation fuel anger and distrust in politics. They contribute to the disconnection many Americans feel from others who don’t hold the same political views. And our loneliness is being manipulated to drive extremist ideologies. This needs our attention. But what do we do about it? We must be intentional about seeking connection with our neighbors, colleagues, and friends. We have to make an effort because the opportunities don’t come easily when we’re caught up in the hecticness of our daily lives. Getting our kids off to school, working our jobs (sometimes multiple), and putting food on the table often leaves little time or energy for forming new connections. But we have to make the time and effort–for our own health and wellbeing, but also for our communities and for the health of our nation. Last month, I had the great honor of engaging in a community conversation with the renowned social scientist Robert Putnam at an event in Burlington. You may know his name for his seminal book Bowling Alone in which he documents how our community bonds have frayed over the past 50 years. Putnam also sees a relationship between strong social connections and a strong democracy. That’s why I see the work to combat disconnection as fundamental to the work I’m doing in Congress. I was a history and social studies teacher before I ran for office, and I can assure you we have always had intense policy disagreements in this country. But we didn’t so easily and casually attack the inherent dignity and self worth of Americans on the other side of the political aisle. We’re at a very unhealthy place right now, individually, and collectively. And we need to focus energy and resources on reconnecting. The science is compelling. People who feel more connected to others tend to show greater empathy and demonstrate more humility. This humility can then lead to greater capacity for putting aside ego and the ability to listen to others who may hold differing views. We desperately need this right now for our public health outcomes, civic engagement, and our quality of life. I’m introducing a bill, the Combating Loneliness Act, that specifically tackles this issue of loneliness and addresses the role that the federal government can play in reducing social isolation. My bill focuses on three critical areas: social infrastructure, community health care, and supporting mental health in schools. It highlights the important role of our social infrastructure. Places like parks and playgrounds are important gathering spaces for building stronger community bonds. This bill also supports organizations like libraries and teen centers so that they can expand their services to connect more community members with each other. Congress must invest in the community organizations that are the duct tape and twine holding our towns together. By supporting our need for social connection, we will be taking steps to strengthen our democracy.

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The game had suddenly gone sideways for the Minnesota Vikings, their 11-point lead on the Chicago Bears having evaporated in the closing seconds. They straightened it out in overtime, no sweat, because Sam Darnold simply hasn’t been fazed. Save for his occasional rash of turnovers, in games the Vikings still managed to win, Darnold proved again in defeating the Bears that he’s directing a passing attack with the potential to be one of the ‘s most potent. “I think he’s a mentally tough guy. I think he’s a physically tough guy. I think he’s confident in the guys around him, and I think he’s confident in our system,” coach Kevin O’Connell said after the 30-27 victory. “I think when he just continues to play quarterback at a high level, I think we’re a tough team.” After the defense forced the Bears to punt on the opening possession of overtime, Darnold led the Vikings on a 68-yard drive to set up the game-ending field goal while overcoming a 7-yard sack on the first play and two subsequent setbacks with a false start and a holding penalty. On third-and-10 from the 21, he hit Jordan Addison near the sideline for 13 yards. On first-and-15 from the 29, Darnold threaded a throw to Justin Jefferson for 20 yards after he’d muscled his way through Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a post route for the clutch catch after he’d been all but silenced all afternoon by a defense determined to constantly bracket him with double coverage. On second-and-11 from the 48, Darnold connected with a wide-open T.J. Hockenson underneath for 12 yards. Then two plays later off a second-and-8 play-action fake, he found Hockenson again on a deep corner route for 29 yards to put Parker Romo in prime position for the walk-off winner. “Just execute. It’s as simple as that. Just one play at a time,” said Darnold, who went 22 for 34 for 330 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. “I think I tell the guys that every single time in the huddle, but that’s my mindset every single time I’m out there on the field, especially in that situation.” Even when Jefferson continues to draw an , the Vikings with Addison, Hockenson, Aaron Jones and the rest of their crew running O’Connell’s system have proven they have an offense that can go win a game when it’s required. That wouldn’t be possible without Darnold, whose career rebirth has helped spark the Vikings (9-2) become one of the league’s biggest surprises in what’s now its most difficult division. “He’s cool, calm, collected,” Hockenson said. “That’s what you want as the leader of the huddle.” What’s working The Vikings’ defense ranks ninth in the league on third downs, allowing a conversion rate of 34.5% after limiting the Bears to a 6-for-17 performance. The Vikings are tied for first on fourth downs with an allowance of 36.4% after the Bears went 2 for 3. Both conversions came in the fourth quarter during touchdown drives. The Vikings also rank fourth in the NFL in opponent points per drive (1.52). What needs help The Vikings had seven possessions that crossed the 20-yard line in Chicago, but only three of them yielded touchdowns. Their lone turnover was the type of game-altering giveaways they’ve struggled to eliminate this month, a fumble by Aaron Jones at the 1-yard line that ruined a promising first drive. The Vikings are tied for 20th in the league in red zone touchdown rate (53.9%) and are 17th in goal-to-go touchdowns (72%). Stock up Addison had eight catches for 162 yards, both career highs, and a touchdown on nine throws from Darnold. The second-year wide receiver has had a quieter season than his rookie year, but he stepped up in a significant way on an afternoon when Jefferson was as smothered by the opposing secondary as ever. Stock down TE Johnny Mundt had the onside kick glance off his shin as he charged toward the coverage, and the first kicking team recovery in the NFL this season helped the Bears extend the game. Mundt also had the false start on the overtime drive. His lone catch was a 7-yard gain when he was stopped short of the goal line, one play before the lost fumble. Mundt played 33 of 71 snaps and Hockenson took 48 snaps with Oliver out. Injuries The Vikings lost LT Cam Robinson (foot) and LB Ivan Pace (hamstring) to injuries in the first quarter against the Bears, and O’Connell said on Monday those players were still in “evaluation mode.” Oliver (ankle) will have an opportunity to return after being sidelined last week. Key number 101.7 — Darnold’s passer rating, which ranks ninth in the NFL. Darnold has posted a 100-plus passer rating in nine of 11 games this season. He had only 12 such performances in 56 career starts before joining the Vikings. Up next The Vikings have four of their next five games at home, starting with Arizona (6-5) this week, Atlanta (6-5) on Dec. 8 and a rematch with Chicago (4-7) in a Monday night game on Dec. 16. ___ AP NFL:3 Dividend Stocks That Pay Monthly Passive Income

gba777 app no deposit bonus Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Kim Cotton was a 28-year-old mother-of-two when she made a decision that thrust her into the national spotlight and sparked a debate that would change surrogacy in Britain forever in the 1980s. It was 1985, and Kim became the UK's first commercial surrogate, agreeing to carry a baby for an anonymous Scandinavian couple for £6,500. But what should have been a private act of compassion turned into a storm of controversy, with Kim becoming a household name overnight, reports the Mirror . In the 80s, surrogacy was uncharted territory. When Kim gave birth to a baby girl, dubbed "Baby Cotton", on January 4, 1985, at London’s Victoria Maternity Hospital , her name was splashed across headlines, and her actions were debated in parliament. Even as she laboured, reporters swarmed outside the hospital to cover the historic event. “I had no idea I’d be the first , or what the reaction would be,” Kim, now 68, says from her Cambridgeshire home. “I was doing what I wanted to do in my heart, to give this incredible gift to a couple who couldn’t have a child of their own. But I’ve always said that yes, I also did it for the money – something I was absolutely vilified for.” The money, Kim admits, was a factor. At the time, she and her husband Geoffrey had just moved into a dilapidated house. “I thought maybe this could help me fix it,” she recalls. But what followed eclipsed the financial gain. Kim’s labour was far from ordinary. Social services arrived at the hospital , interrogating her as she gave birth. “I had to lock myself in the toilet to calm down,” she says. The baby was immediately made a ward of court, meaning the intended parents had to obtain legal permission to take her home. Kim barely had time to hold Baby Cotton before she was taken away. “She looked like one of mine,” Kim recalls. “ To have to abandon her in hospital for the seven days it took for the court process to to be resolved, was dreadful. It was the worst week of my life, a shocking ending to what should have been such a lovely thing .” Kim’s surrogacy journey began two years earlier when she saw a programme about the concept on TV. Inspired, she wrote to an American surrogacy agency offering her services. “ Like me, my husband thought we had a complete family by then, with a little boy, Jamie, and girl Anouska, of our own ,” she explains. “When I sent the letter off, we both thought it was probably pie in the sky as it was so unreal, but it worked out that it wasn’t.” A year later, Kim was contacted by a UK-based coordinator, and the process began. She was inseminated with sperm from an anonymous man. The arrangement was clear: she would not meet the intended parents or the baby again. “I’ve never actively sought her out,” Kim says of the baby . “ She turns 40 in January so she could be a young mum herself, and I’d never want to upset her by pursuing a relationship with her. But I’m absolutely open to meeting her if she wanted to find me. I’m certainly out there publicly, and I’ve put my DNA on an ancestry website .” In the weeks following Baby Cotton’s birth , Kim’s life became a media circus. Reporters camped outside her house, and she was inundated with interview requests. News at 10 and Anne Diamond visited her home. “In the early days, it felt surreal, like I was in a dream world,” she says. “I felt very empty at the time. It wasn’t until about five years later when I did a counselling course that the cost of what happened felt real, when all the old wounds were opened.” The backlash was swift. By July 1985, the Surrogacy Arrangements Act was rushed through Parliament , banning commercial surrogacy and any form of advertising. Subsequent laws, like the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, made surrogacy agreements unenforceable and restricted payments to “reasonable expenses.” Kim supports the ban on commercial surrogacy . “The £6,500 I received felt irrelevant after everything that happened,” she admits. But she insists her experience inspired others. “The letters meant a lot, people saying they’d love to be a surrogate, or couples wishing they could find someone to do this wonderful thing for them.” Despite the turmoil of her first surrogacy , Kim wasn’t deterred. In 1991, she carried twins for a friend and her husband through an embryo transfer. “This experience couldn’t have been more different,” she says. "I knew the couple, they were with me every step of the way during the pregnancy, and when I watched them take a baby each in their arms after they were born, it was the best experience of my life. It was magical.” The public response was also kinder. “Now I was a saint, whereas before I was a sinner. Yet I’d done the same thing both times.” Kim stayed in touch with the twins, who affectionately call her their “tummy mummy .” Now in their 30s, they live abroad but remain close to Kim. In 1988, Kim co-founded Childlessness Overcome Through Surrogacy (COTS), a not-for-profit organisation supporting surrogates and childless couples. Over its lifetime, COTS has helped facilitate 1,136 births. Kim has remained a passionate advocate for surrogacy, campaigning for clearer laws and better protections for all involved. “Progress has been made, but we’re not there yet,” she says. Current laws still prohibit surrogacy advertising and requires intended parents to apply for legal parenthood post-birth, a process Kim describes as outdated. In 2023, the Law Commission proposed reforms, including recognising intended parents as legal parents from birth and creating a Surrogacy Register to help children trace their origins. While supportive, Kim believes more clarity is needed around allowable expenses. “Most surrogates receive around £15,000 for expenses, which isn’t unreasonable. We don’t want to attract vulnerable women doing it for the wrong reasons.” After nearly 40 years in the field, Kim plans to step down from COTS in 2025 and become an independent surrogacy consultant. Reflecting on her journey, she has no regrets. “At the end of the day, I brought joy to that couple,” she says. “It was traumatic , but I gave them the gift of life. I think of her (Baby Cotton) every year on her birthday. It’s imprinted in my mind.” Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile , select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter .As you scroll through your social media feed or let your favorite music app curate the perfect playlist, it may feel like artificial intelligence is improving your life – learning your preferences and serving your needs. But lurking behind this convenient facade is a growing concern: algorithmic harms. These harms aren’t obvious or immediate. They’re insidious, building over time as AI systems quietly make decisions about your life without you even knowing it. The hidden power of these systems is becoming a significant threat to privacy, equality, autonomy and safety. AI systems are embedded in nearly every facet of modern life. They suggest what shows and movies you should watch, help employers decide whom they want to hire, and even influence judges to decide who qualifies for a sentence. But what happens when these systems, often seen as neutral, begin making decisions that put certain groups at a disadvantage or, worse, cause real-world harm? The often-overlooked consequences of AI applications call for regulatory frameworks that can keep pace with this rapidly evolving technology. I study the intersection of law and technology, and I’ve outlined a legal framework to do just that. Slow burns One of the most striking aspects of algorithmic harms is that their cumulative impact often flies under the radar. These systems typically don’t directly assault your privacy or autonomy in ways you can easily perceive. They gather vast amounts of data about people — often without their knowledge — and use this data to shape decisions affecting people’s lives. Sometimes, this results in minor inconveniences, like an advertisement that follows you across websites. But as AI operates without addressing these repetitive harms, they can scale up, leading to significant cumulative damage across diverse groups of people. Consider the example of social media algorithms. They are ostensibly designed to promote beneficial social interactions. However, behind their seemingly beneficial facade, they silently track users’ clicks and compile profiles of their political beliefs, professional affiliations and personal lives. The data collected is used in systems that make consequential decisions — whether you are identified as a jaywalking pedestrian, considered for a job or flagged as a risk to commit suicide. Worse, their addictive design traps teenagers in cycles of overuse, leading to escalating mental health crises, including anxiety, depression and self-harm. By the time you grasp the full scope, it’s too late — your privacy has been breached, your opportunities shaped by biased algorithms, and the safety of the most vulnerable undermined, all without your knowledge. This is what I call “intangible, cumulative harm”: AI systems operate in the background, but their impacts can be devastating and invisible. Why regulation lags behind Despite these mounting dangers, legal frameworks worldwide have struggled to keep up. In the United States, a regulatory approach emphasizing innovation has made it difficult to impose strict standards on how these systems are used across multiple contexts. Courts and regulatory bodies are accustomed to dealing with concrete harms, like physical injury or economic loss, but algorithmic harms are often more subtle, cumulative and hard to detect. The regulations often fail to address the broader effects that AI systems can have over time. Social media algorithms, for example, can gradually erode users’ mental health, but because these harms build slowly, they are difficult to address within the confines of current legal standards. Four types of algorithmic harm Drawing on existing AI and data governance scholarship, I have categorized algorithmic harms into four legal areas: privacy, autonomy, equality and safety. Each of these domains is vulnerable to the subtle yet often unchecked power of AI systems. The first type of harm is eroding privacy. AI systems collect, process and transfer vast amounts of data, eroding people’s privacy in ways that may not be immediately obvious but have long-term implications. For example, facial recognition systems can track people in public and private spaces, effectively turning mass surveillance into the norm. The second type of harm is undermining autonomy. AI systems often subtly undermine your ability to make autonomous decisions by manipulating the information you see. Social media platforms use algorithms to show users content that maximizes a third party’s interests, subtly shaping opinions, decisions and behaviors across millions of users. The third type of harm is diminishing equality. AI systems, while designed to be neutral, often inherit the biases present in their data and algorithms. This reinforces societal inequalities over time. In one infamous case, a facial recognition system used by retail stores to detect shoplifters disproportionately misidentified women and people of color. The fourth type of harm is impairing safety. AI systems make decisions that affect people’s safety and well-being. When these systems fail, the consequences can be catastrophic. But even when they function as designed, they can still cause harm, such as social media algorithms’ cumulative effects on teenagers’ mental health. Because these cumulative harms often arise from AI applications protected by trade secret laws, victims have no way to detect or trace the harm. This creates a gap in accountability. When a biased hiring decision or a wrongful arrest is made due to an algorithm, how does the victim know? Without transparency, it’s nearly impossible to hold companies accountable. Closing the accountability gap Categorizing the types of algorithmic harms delineates the legal boundaries of AI regulation and presents possible legal reforms to bridge this accountability gap. Changes I believe would help include mandatory algorithmic impact assessments that require companies to document and address the immediate and cumulative harms of an AI application to privacy, autonomy, equality and safety – before and after it’s deployed. For instance, firms using facial recognition systems would need to evaluate these systems’ impacts throughout their life cycle. Another helpful change would be stronger individual rights around the use of AI systems, allowing people to opt out of harmful practices and making certain AI applications opt in. For example, requiring an opt-in regime for data processing by firms’ use of facial recognition systems and allowing users to opt out at any time. Lastly, I suggest requiring companies to disclose the use of AI technology and its anticipated harms. To illustrate, this may include notifying customers about the use of facial recognition systems and the anticipated harms across the domains outlined in the typology. As AI systems become more widely used in critical societal functions – from health care to education and employment – the need to regulate harms they can cause becomes more pressing. Without intervention, these invisible harms are likely to continue to accumulate, affecting nearly everyone and disproportionately hitting the most vulnerable. With generative AI multiplying and exacerbating AI harms, I believe it’s important for policymakers, courts, technology developers and civil society to recognize the legal harms of AI. This requires not just better laws, but a more thoughtful approach to cutting-edge AI technology – one that prioritizes civil rights and justice in the face of rapid technological advancement. The future of AI holds incredible promise, but without the right legal frameworks, it could also entrench inequality and erode the very civil rights it is, in many cases, designed to enhance. Sylvia Lu is a Faculty Fellow and Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, University of Michigan. The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.Robbery, fraud suspects set to face trial in Jigawa — Police

Mavericks vs. Grizzlies Injury Report Today – December 3 Published 4:33 pm Monday, December 2, 2024 By Data Skrive As they gear up to play the Memphis Grizzlies (14-7) on Tuesday, December 3 at American Airlines Center, with tip-off at 8:30 PM ET, the Dallas Mavericks (13-8) have four players currently listed on the injury report. The Grizzlies’ injury report has three players on it. Watch the NBA, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Their last time out, the Mavericks won on Sunday 137-131 against the Trail Blazers. Luka Doncic scored a team-high 36 points for the Mavericks in the victory. In their last game on Sunday, the Grizzlies earned a 136-121 win over the Pacers. Jaren Jackson Jr. totaled 25 points, eight rebounds and zero assists for the Grizzlies. Dallas Mavericks Injury Report Today Sign up for NBA League Pass to get live and on-demand access to NBA games. Memphis Grizzlies Injury Report Today Get tickets for any NBA game this season at StubHub. Mavericks vs. Grizzlies Game Info Catch NBA action all season long on Fubo. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Ontario supports Ottawa's GST holiday, will not ask for lost revenue back

Biden's broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy (copy)

Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers?It's the most wonderful time of the year! Getting your holiday shopping done early should be on your to-do list. Keep reading if you're wondering what some of the coolest or hottest toys of the year are. We asked toy experts for their best recommendations for your little one. Sticki Rolls Sticker Bracelets from Sky Castle : Christopher Byrne, aka The Toy Guy, said these bracelets are hot on TikTok. Sticki Rolls are the first-ever wearable, shareable sticker bracelets for ages 5 and up. "It's a truly innovative concept, and at the same time, they're very reasonable and social," said Byrne. "We keep hearing from parents and educators how important social play is for kids right now, and this is an inexpensive way kids can collect and interact." The retail price is $9.99 and up. Disney Bitzee from Spin Master : If your youngsters couldn't get enough of the hit toy, Bitzee, last year, just wait. This year, there's a new Disney version where they can raise and play with 30 virtual Disney pets. The toy is for children ages 5 - 7 or, let's admit it, a Disney fan of any age. "Again, it's great for social or solo play, and the experience of using the Bitzee is kind of magical," said Byrne. Starting price is $34.99. The Cat Mitt Game from McMiller Fun : A take off on the once popular online oven mitt challenge, this fast-paced game challenges kids to collect kitty treats while wearing cat paws. "It's a lot of hilarity, and one of the most important reasons we like it is that we've played with people of widely diverse ages, and they've all had a good time—and lots of laughs," said Byrne. It currently retails for $24.99. PlayTab Modular Board from Fat Brain : Those little fingers need to be kept busy, too, and this PlayTab Modular Board is a perfect gift for one-year-olds. "We love this because it can be used in multiple ways," said Erica J Card, Store Director/Buyer, Soksaby Company Child's Play Toys & Books. "Toddlers can mix and match the manipulative pieces. Each one works on a different fine motor skill, introduces cause and effect in a more tactile way, and the satisfaction of feeling the magnet pull. They can also be used individually, or together on the fridge, or any magnetized surface." The Playtab Board is $9.99, and the Playtab Tile Sets are $17.99/ea. Magna-Tiles : Card believes that every home should have Magna-Tiles. "It is an open-ended tile-building toy for ages three years and up," she said. "They encourage early STEM use of the brain trying to figure out how to put things together, and as they get older, they build things for their other toys. I.e., building a garage for their cars or a house for their dolls/action figures." The MicroMags are a new version that allows kids to build on a smaller scale. "They are great for travel or restaurants," said Card. We love a versatile toy." The MicroMags 70pc set is $49.99, the MicroMags 26pc set is $19.99, and the Space MicroMags is $54.99. Snap Circuits Beginner : Card said that Snap Circuits are a great introduction to how circuits work and have beginner lessons on electricity. The toy is picture-based, so instructions are easy to use. "Many science kits are geared towards older kids, but Snap Circuits Beginner and the Snap Circuits Night Light are accessible for a five-year-old," said Card. "These kits show that science can be fun. They can make an object light up and a fan spin or have a speaker make a sound." Snap Circuits Beginner starts at $26.99, and the Snap Circuits Night Light is $19.99. Galactic Fireball Boomerang Drone : "This was made popular on TikTok, but it's fantastic," said Card. "Throw the drone, and it comes back to you, no matter what direction you throw it in. It's just pure fun while practicing coordination unbeknownst to them. The current price is $29.99. Finally, Byrne said Squishmallows is still one of the hottest brands out there, with more than 400 million sold, so make sure to check out their top plush, the Squishmallows Palmer The Goat . With the new Transformers movie and the upcoming Wicked movie, Byrne said the hot action figures will be the Transformers One Power Flip Optimus Prime, and the best collectible dolls will be Universal Wicked Glinda and Elphaba from Mattel.Walker & Dunlop Finances $245 Million for Jersey City Development

Rivalries can often bring the toughest of matchups and pettiest of posts after the game. On Monday, the New Jersey Devils proved the latter part true. Editor's Picks World Junior Championship preview: Top contenders, key players to watch 10h Rachel Doerrie Rangers send Kakko to Kraken for Borgen, picks 5d Kristen Shilton NHL Power Rankings: Capitals take No. 1 spot, plus betting trends for every team 2d Sean Allen, Victoria Matiash The Devils handled the New York Rangers 5-0 at home behind two goals and an assist from center Jack Hughes . It marked New Jersey's second win over their rivals this season, the first coming earlier this month in a 5-1 game. After this victory, the Devils went on the offensive on social media. First, New Jersey edited a video of New York's draft party at Madison Square Garden in 2019 when the crowd celebrated the Devils selecting Hughes at No. 1 -- fans wanted winger Kaapo Kakko , whom the Rangers picked at No. 2. The Devils added an "L" on the jumbotron and emphasized the letter in the caption. They even played the video on their jumbotron while up 4-0 during the game and included Hughes' in-game reaction to the clip. ceLebrate good times. pic.twitter.com/OAJ8upgmEV Deemed the "Battle of the Hudson," New Jersey offered its opponents safe travels across the Hudson -- but with a twist. The Devils edited the Rangers' logo on a floating burning dumpster, a final jab at the team with a 16-17-1 record. Safe travels across the Hudson. pic.twitter.com/0zgZbQ47E1 New York will face its rivals two more times this season: Jan. 9 and April 5. For now, however, New Jersey has the last laugh.

Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020MAA Announces Regular Quarterly Preferred DividendLuke Williams feels Swansea ‘lost grip’ on game despite sealing victory at Derby

The distraught family of a father-of-two has issued a desperate plea for information almost a week after he missed a flight to spend the Christmas period with his children. John Hardy, 37, was reported missing on December 18 when he missed his flight home from Benidorm, Spain , to spend the festive season with his sons, aged 13 and six, in Belfast. He reportedly been holidaying at a friend's home in Alicante and left to meet friends in the nearby holiday hotspot. He hasn't been seen or heard from since and his "worried sick" sister Courtney George is desperate for information. She said the unemployed Belfast man wouldn't usually go 48 hours without speaking to her, but it has now been nine days without a word from him. The pharmacy assistant, who had planned to welcome John for Christmas dinner, said: "All his kids want for Christmas is for him to come home". She has set up a GoFundMe account that has amassed more than £8,900 of donations, with the situation leaving her feeling like "setting her tree on fire and running away from this nightmare". Courtney, from Belfast, said: "I have to have Christmas for my own kids but I would happily set my tree on fire and run away from this nightmare. We've lost a family member recently and he was really upset and thought he needed a holiday. His youngest is very confused and the 13-year-old has seen everything on social media and is very distressed. They love their daddy." "All they want for Christmas is their dad to come home. I haven't eaten in five days and have been physically sick because it's been nine days without contact. My brother would never go two days without speaking to me. He was meant to be coming to my house for Christmas dinner and we had our plans made." "John is missing from Alicante to Benidorm so we need a search party out there to look for him. It's family time so nobody will be looking for our family when they want to spend it with their own. It's very urgent because places close and people go on holiday. We already know that we won't have John for Christmas." Mum-of-two Courtney says she can't believe the amazing support through the GoFundMe, to which people can donate here, from both Belfast and further afield. A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland received a report on Wednesday, 18th December that a 37-year-old man from Belfast, holidaying in Spain, was believed to be missing. Enquiries are ongoing in conjunction with our international policing partners." Join our Belfast Live breaking news service on WhatsApp Click this link or scan the QR code to receive breaking news and top stories from Belfast Live. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.Fans of The Batman franchise will have to wait even longer for the most expected sequel. ET Year-end Special Reads Two sectors that rose on India's business horizon in 2024 2025 outlook: Is it time for cautious optimism or rekindling animal spirits? 2024: Govt moves ahead with simultaneous polls plan; India holds largest democratic exercise The latest update from Deadline confirms that The Batman Part II has been delayed once again, now set to premiere on October 1, 2027. This marks a delay of an entire year from its originally expected release, extending the wait for eager audiences who were hoping for an earlier return to Gotham City. Director Matt Reeves Returns Matt Reeves, who directed the first film, will once again helm the sequel, continuing the dark and gritty tale of Bruce Wayne's transformation into the iconic vigilante. Robert Pattinson will reprise his role as the troubled young billionaire who adopts the Batman persona after the traumatic loss of his parents, as per a report by Collider. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program As Gotham City continues to grapple with corruption and chaos, The Batman Part II promises to delve deeper into the city's dark underbelly, although specific plot details remain tightly under wraps. The Expanding Gotham Universe While the delay of The Batman Part II may be disappointing to fans, Warner Bros. remains committed to expanding the Gotham universe. The Penguin, a spin-off television series focusing on Colin Farrell's character Oz Cobblepot, has recently concluded its first season, garnering strong viewership numbers for HBO and Max. Additionally, the studio is working on another version of Batman within the newly established DC Universe. The Brave and the Bold, a film featuring a different iteration of the Dark Knight, is in development under the direction of Andy Muschietti. However, the release date for this project has yet to be announced, and Muschietti has confirmed that the film has also been delayed. The Future of Gotham Despite the delay, excitement for The Batman Part II remains high. The extended wait gives fans time to reflect on the first film and speculate about what new challenges Bruce Wayne will face in the sequel. The Batman (2022) is currently streaming on Max, while The Batman Part II is now scheduled to hit theaters on October 1, 2027. FAQs Who will be Joker in Batman 2? Barry Keoghan remains tight-lipped about reprising his role as the Joker in The Batman - Part II . Keoghan made his debut as the Clown Prince of Crime with a brief but memorable appearance in The Batman . Who killed Batman's parents? In Batman's origin story, Joe Chill is the criminal responsible for the tragic murder of Bruce Wayne's parents, Dr. Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Economists Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Executives Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan have announced plans to work toward a merger that would form the world’s third-largest automaker by sales, as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors has also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Automakers in Japan have lagged their big rivals in electric vehicles and are trying to cut costs and make up for lost time as newcomers like China’s BYD and EV market leader Tesla devour market share. Nissan has been fighting to survive. Credit: Bloomberg Honda’s president, Toshihiro Mibe, said Honda and Nissan will attempt to unify their operations under a joint holding company. Honda will lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. They aim to have a formal merger agreement by June and to complete the deal and list the holding company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by August 2026, he said. No dollar value was given, and the formal talks are just starting, Mibe said. There are “points that need to be studied and discussed,” he said. “Frankly speaking, the possibility of this not being implemented is not zero.” A merger could result in a behemoth worth more than $US50 billion ($80 billion) based on the market capitalisation of all three automakers. Together, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi would gain scale to compete with Toyota Motor and with Germany’s Volkswagen AG. Toyota has technology partnerships with Japan’s Mazda Motor and Subaru. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month, with unconfirmed reports saying Taiwan iPhone maker Foxconn was seeking to tie up with Nissan by buying shares from the Japan’s company’s other alliance partner, Renault SA of France. Nissan’s CEO Makoto Uchida said Foxconn had not directly approached his company. He also acknowledged that Nissan’s situation was “severe.” We anticipate that if this integration comes to fruition, we will be able to deliver even greater value to a wider customer base Even after a merger Toyota, which rolled out 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, would remain the leading Japanese automaker. If they join, the three smaller companies would make about 8 million vehicles. In 2023, Honda made 4 million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over 1 million. “We have come to the realisation that in order for both parties to be leaders in this mobility transformation, it is necessary to make a more bold change than a collaboration in specific areas,” Mibe said. Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi earlier agreed to share components for electric vehicles like batteries and to jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to electrification. Nissan has struggled following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon. Speaking Monday to reporters in Tokyo via a video link, Ghosn derided the planned merger as a “desperate move.” From Nissan, Honda could get truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn’t have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions, told The Associated Press . Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybrid powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said. Honda chief Makoto Uchida (left) and Nissan chief Toshihiro Mibe at a joint press conference. Credit: Bloomberg But the company said in November that it was slashing 9000 jobs, or about 6 per cent of its global workforce, and reducing its global production capacity by 20 per cent after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million). It recently reshuffled its management and Uchida, its chief executive, took a 50 per cent pay cut while acknowledging responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes. “We anticipate that if this integration comes to fruition, we will be able to deliver even greater value to a wider customer base,” Uchida said. Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan’s credit outlook to “negative,” citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen ($15 billion). Nissan’s share price also had fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. On Monday, its Tokyo-traded shares gained 1.6 per cent. They jumped more than 20 per cent after news of the possible merger broke last week. Honda’s shares surged 3.8 per cent. Honda’s net profit slipped nearly 20 per cent in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as its sales suffered in China. The merger reflects an industry-wide trend toward consolidation. At a routine briefing Monday, cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said he would not comment on details of the automakers’ plans, but said Japanese companies need to stay competitive in the fast changing market. “As the business environment surrounding the automobile industry largely changes, with competitiveness in storage batteries and software is increasingly important, we expect measures needed to survive international competition will be taken,” Hayashi said. Kurtenbach reported from Bangkok. AP

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Spl drive commences for nomadic tribesMeta Plans Display-Equipped Ray-Ban Glasses By 2025: FTThis move by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security builds on previous measures aimed at curbing China's ability to develop cutting-edge technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and military applications. The new export controls place 140 manufacturers and investment companies on the Entity List, a U.S. compilation of "foreign individuals, companies, and organizations deemed a national security concern." "The United States has taken significant steps to protect our technology from being used by our adversaries in ways that threaten our national security," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement . The new controls will also block the sale of high-bandwidth memory, which is necessary for artificial intelligence. Semiconductors can be a strategic asset for AI systems, supercomputing, and other technologies for both civilian and military use. Sullivan continued, "As technology evolves, and our adversaries seek new ways to evade restrictions, we will continue to work with our allies and partners to proactively and aggressively safeguard our world-leading technologies and know-how so they aren't used to undermine our national security." According to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report, semiconductors, also known as computer chips, are typically smaller than a postage stamp and are composed of billions of components that can store, move and process data. Advanced semiconductors can be used for artificial intelligence, including in medical diagnosis and for military purposes, such as modeling nuclear explosions. The U.S. has been tightening down on the export controls on semiconductors to China since concerns over U.S. capacity to produce advanced semiconductors domestically when shortages began during the pandemic. This concern resulted in Congress enacting the CHIPS Act of 2022. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded. "This type of behavior seriously violates the laws of market economy and the principle of fair competition, disrupts international economic and trade order, destabilizes global industrial and supply chains, and will eventually harm the interests of all countries," Jian said. Beijing intends to take firm, resolute measures to defend the interests of Chinese companies, he added. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration Thea D. Rozman Kendler said, "The PRC's Military-Civil Fusion strategy presents a significant risk that advanced node semiconductors will be used in military applications that threaten the security of the United States, as well as the security of our allies and partners."Gov. Chris Sununu got a holiday wish in the corner office last week after the Executive Council agreed to allow Dartmouth Health to take over operations at Hampstead Hospital. Dartmouth Health will now lease Hampstead Hospital — New Hampshire’s only children’s psychiatric hospital and residential treatment facility — from the state with a seven-year contract. Cinde Warmington, the lone Democrat on the council, voted no. Earlier this month, Sununu acknowledged the model was a first for the state. At Glencliff Home and New Hampshire Hospital, the state-owned nursing home and psychiatric facility, a public-private partnership is in place with Dartmouth. There, the private health provider staffs all the clinical positions while the Department of Health and Human Services retains control over executive positions. At Hampstead, Dartmouth will staff the entire facility from top leaders to clinicians. Morissa Henn, the deputy commissioner for Health and Human Services, said the full takeover will provide stability at the facility after two fraught years since the state purchased it in 2022. “What I believe is powerful about this model is that we have the powerhouse of clinical expertise of Dartmouth Health, as well as their mission alignment,” she said. “So it really is a win-win.” To Warmington, the contract lacked strong enforcement mechanisms. “It’s a half-baked contract in my opinion,” she said. “It just doesn’t have the teeth in it, the reporting requirements, the mechanisms and we’ve seen how bad the outcomes can be.” Dartmouth Health will be required to renew its license each year to operate the facility, as well as report on conditions inside the facility, including the use of restraints and seclusion. The contract also establishes a joint oversight commission, which will include hospital and state staff, to address everything from readmission to staffing levels, said Henn. Two existing oversight commissions — one on children’s services and another on health and human services — will also play a role. In addition, a citizens advisory board will be created to allow for people with lived experience, behavioral health advocates and others to provide advice on hospital operations. “I want to respectfully disagree on the premise that this has inadequate teeth,” said Henn. “There are numerous, layer-upon-layer accountability mechanisms to ensure that Dartmouth Health is providing the highest quality care.” Councilors were up against the clock to make a decision on the contract, as it was the last meeting for Sununu, as well as Warmington and Ted Gastas, a Manchester Republican who is retiring. When Hampstead opened under state ownership, the facility was designed to have 71 hospital beds and 12 more spots for a residential psychiatric treatment facility. Due to staffing shortages and space restrictions, the hospital has never admitted more than 40 patients and only half of the residential beds were filled at a time. The new contract intentionally does not indicate how many beds patients should occupy, said Henn. That is, in part, the first step in recognizing that more beds aren’t necessarily good for children in the state. “If we are going to move to a future landscape where we are serving kids around families and not removing them from their homes to be treated in placements, we need to begin to understand that resources may need to be shifted at any given moment toward the outpatient offerings that Dartmouth health is offering, or toward the system of care with community-based partnerships that exist,” she said. Without an arbitrary number, Dartmouth will have greater flexibility in the services it provides and not be held to mandated occupancy requirements. A provision of the lease will also state that New Hampshire children must be served before out-of-state youth are accepted to the facility. As of Wednesday, Henn reported seven children remained in the emergency room waiting to be admitted. With the new partnership, current staff at the hospital will be offered positions as full-time Dartmouth employees. The hospital is offering 2 percent raises for those who stay on and Henn said state and hospital leaders would be onsite as soon as possible to talk through the transition. “My concern is our staff. We have an incredibly dedicated staff at Hampstead hospital who have been through a lot,” said Henn. “I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to work as hard as they do, and go home at the end of the day not knowing what the model holds. ... I believe we don’t have the time to wait.” Becoming a Dartmouth employee isn’t the desired outcome of over 100 hospital staff, though, who signed a petition presented to the Executive Council at their last meeting, asking to remain as state employees. In the last two years, some employees have seen a carousel of changes to their insurance and pensions under the shifts in leadership. The conversation could continue in the legislative chambers, though, with Erica Layon, a Derry Republican, introducing a bill to establish permanent classified state employee positions for the staff of Hampstead. Joeseph Kenney, a Wakefield Republican, urged the council to avoid letting staffing disputes be the final stumbling block. The state can, and should, go to Hampstead and give clear information to employees about the transition and their benefits. Henn estimates the state will finalize a lease agreement with Dartmouth at the beginning of February. “They’re the best game in town and they’re mission-driven,” said Kenney. “Ultimately, it’s the end user, the child, that we’re trying to provide services for. That’s paramount.”

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Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. The New York Yankees ' pivot is on. The Bronx Bombers lost Juan Soto to their crosstown rivals earlier this week, but the show must go on, and the Yankees made a big splash. The Yanks and Max Fried are reportedly in agreement on an eight-year deal worth $218 million, the most lucrative deal ever given to a left-handed pitcher. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried throws during the first inning of Game 2 of the wild-card round of the 2024 MLB Playoffs against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. (Denis Poroy/Imagn Images) Fried has been an ace for the Atlanta Braves in recent years alongside Spencer Strider. Fried pitched to a 3.23 ERA in 29 starts in 2024, and his career ERA is 3.07. His 2.81 ERA since 2020 is the lowest in the sport among pitchers with at least 90 starts in that span. The deal is a risk for the Yanks. Fried turns 31 next month. However, their rotation is without a doubt one of the best in baseball, and it also keeps Fried away from the Boston Red Sox , who were also interested in Fried. Fried will now be the co-ace alongside Gerrit Cole. The Yankees also boast Rookie of the Year Luis Gil. Carlos Rodon also had a bounce-back year, while Clarke Schmidt's 2.85 ERA, albeit in only 15 starts, was the best of his career. Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried throws during the first inning of Game 2 in the wild-card round of the 2024 MLB Playoffs against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. (Denis Poroy/Imagn Images) The Yankees figure to move on from either Marcus Stroman or Nestor Cortes. Fried will make a tick over $27 million a year. Fried ranks near the top of the league in average exit velocity allowed as well as ground ball rate. While he's not much of a swing-and-miss guy, weak contact on the ground is a good combination. The Yanks reportedly offered Soto $760 million over 16 years, but Soto took the Mets' deal of 15 years and $765 million, which could reach over $800 million when it's all said and done. Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried works against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning Sept. 29, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Yankees still have other holes to fill, most notably at the infield corners and in left, but they have been linked to Nolan Arenado, Christian Walker and Teoscar Hernandez. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter .Share Tweet Share Share Email Data reconciliation is now a crucial aspect of the contemporary data-driven enterprise landscape. As businesses heavily depend on precise, uniform, and dependable data, reconciliation serves as a vital tool in facilitating informed decision-making, ensuring adherence to regulations, and sustaining a competitive edge. As enterprise data ecosystems grow in complexity, innovative and advanced approaches are necessary for reconciling extensive and diverse datasets. The latest developments in data modelling, onboarding procedures, tools, data catalogues, lineage tracking, and anchor frameworks have revolutionized how enterprises approach data reconciliation. In this article, we will explore the principles of advanced data reconciliation techniques, with insights from industry experts and future trends, as emphasized by PraveenTripathi . Praveen is a renowned technology leader in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud services who stresses the significance of integrating cutting-edge technologies for seamless data governance. Praveen Tripathi The Foundation: A Guide to Efficient Reconciliation through Data Modeling. The process of data modelling creates the basis for arranging and aligning data, as well as establishing connections, interdependencies, and arrangements within datasets. Dimensional modelling utilizes either star or snowflake schemas to help organizations construct efficient data structures for quick querying and analysis. These structures categorize data into facts, such as sales information, and dimensions like time, product, and geography, streamlining the reconciliation process. Additionally, ERD is useful for enhancing reconciliation by illustrating connections between data entities through the use of primary keys, foreign keys, and constraints. To handle intricate interconnected datasets like supply chains, social networks, and customer journeys, many have turned to graph models as they provide a versatile means of depicting relationships. Similarly, hierarchical models are beneficial for datasets with multi-level relationships such as organizational structures or product categories, allowing for comprehensive insights during the reconciliation process. By implementing these models, organizations create a strong framework that ensures reconciliation algorithms operate with defined parameters and logical pathways, ultimately laying the foundation for precise data processing. Cutting-edge Solutions for Reconciliation on Various Platforms In today’s business world, companies utilize various sophisticated tools and platforms to enhance their data reconciliation methods. Examples include ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) and ELT (Extract, Load, Transform) tools like Talend, Informatica, and Apache Nifi, which offer real-time capabilities for seamless and ongoing reconciliation. Additionally, cloud-based services such as AWS Glue, Azure Data Factory, and Google Cloud Dataflow offer scalable options for handling large datasets. AI-powered validation tools, including H2O.ai and DataRobot, improve the process of reconciliation by detecting patterns, irregularities, and discrepancies on a large scale. Platforms for data quality, such as Talend Data Quality, Trifacta, and Ataccama, are essential in assessing, removing duplicates from, and purifying datasets to ensure they are suitable for reconciliation. For those looking for more budget-friendly options with the ability for personalized modifications, open-source solutions like Apache Spark, Airbyte, and dbt can be viable alternatives. By utilizing these tools and platforms, organizations attain flexibility, scalability, and robustness in handling intricate reconciliation workflows. Data onboarding is the crucial step that leads to dependable reconciliation. Efficient data onboarding serves as the key to achieving successful reconciliation, covering various steps such as preprocessing and mapping. Standardization and cleansing procedures, such as deduplication, normalization, and enrichment, guarantee consistent data. The use of AI-based tools further aids in expediting these tasks while reducing the need for manual intervention. Schema mapping tools streamline the onboarding process by aligning source and target schemas with minimal errors. This, combined with incremental loading processes, enables organizations to capture only data changes, facilitating real-time or near-real-time reconciliation. Furthermore, dynamic data enrichment boosts accuracy by incorporating contextual metadata such as geographic, demographic, or behavioral information. Companies that place emphasis on implementing effective onboarding strategies have a lower occurrence of reconciliation failures and improved data credibility, leading to streamlined downstream operations. Data catalogs play a crucial role in reconciliation frameworks by facilitating the organization and management of data. Data catalogues have become essential elements of contemporary reconciliation structures, providing enhanced management, visibility, and context for metadata. These centralized platforms, like Alation, Collibra, and Informatica EDC, serve as repositories for convenient access to data definitions, lineage, and relationships. The inclusion of schema versioning in catalogues allows for tracking of changes over time, aiding in meeting regulatory standards. Additionally, automated schema-matching capabilities speed up onboarding procedures while still maintaining precision. Moreover, the integration of data catalogues with lineage tracking tools provides comprehensive visibility into data flows from beginning to end. The utilization of data catalogues allows enterprises to streamline reconciliation processes, comply with regulations more efficiently, and maintain audit readiness through improved traceability and metadata management. Maintaining Transparency and Compliance with Lineage Tracking and Audit Trails Monitoring lineage is crucial for comprehending the journey of data from start to finish, promoting openness and responsibility. Visual diagrams representing lineage, accessible via resources such as Apache Atlas and Informatica, offer a clear understanding of data changes and interconnections. Utilizing proactive impact analysis through lineage tracking tools highlights the consequences of alterations, expediting resolutions for potential problems. Extensive audit logs document reconciliation efforts, discrepancies, and authorizations to uphold adherence to regulatory frameworks like GDPR and CCPA. Implementing lineage tracking enhances enterprise reconciliation tactics by promoting transparency and ensuring compliance with constantly changing regulatory mandates. The Anchor Frameworks serve as a blueprint for conducting rule-based validation. Anchor frameworks utilize predefined keys, rules, and thresholds to facilitate data validation. These anchor keys, such as transaction IDs or account numbers, function as distinctive identifiers for deterministic matching. The implementation of rule-based comparisons streamlines reconciliation by utilizing conditional logic to minimize false positives. Sophisticated approaches, such as fuzzy matching, effectively manage inconsistencies in data formats or values, such as differences in customer names. By implementing threshold-based validations, a level of leniency is incorporated through the establishment of allowances for slight discrepancies, guaranteeing precision and versatility. These systems allow businesses to handle a variety of reconciliation situations with both accuracy and efficiency. The combination of automation and continuous monitoring. Automation has a significant impact in decreasing the need for manual work, preventing mistakes, and maintaining constant monitoring of data accuracy. Workflow automation tools, like Apache Airflow and Control-M, streamline reconciliation processes by effectively managing task scheduling and execution. Additionally, real-time alert systems integrated with platforms such as Splunk and Datadog offer proactive notifications of discrepancies or issues. Thanks to AI-driven self-healing scripts, enterprises are able to effortlessly address common inconsistencies without the need for manual intervention. With continuous monitoring in place, data consistency remains intact even in constantly evolving environments. Ensuring scalability and optimal performance for the future. As enterprises handle larger amounts of data, they must prioritize scalability and performance optimization to protect their reconciliation frameworks for the future. To expedite execution, parallel processing methods divide data into smaller segments. Additionally, implementing indexing and partitioning techniques can enhance query performance, while utilizing caching mechanisms can decrease repetitive computations in tasks. Utilizing data sampling allows organizations to validate smaller portions of data, serving as an initial measure to streamline the process of reconciling large amounts of data. This approach enables them to be prepared for a potential surge in data volume without compromising effectiveness and precision. Insights into the industry and projections for the future. In 2023, the global market for data integration and reconciliation was valued at $10 billion and is estimated to experience a 12% CAGR until 2030. The use of AI in this field is anticipated to have a significant impact, as Gartner predicts that AI and machine learning will be incorporated into 75% of reconciliation processes by 2025. In addition, the rise of cloud-first strategies will likely result in platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform dominating reconciliation workflows. As regulatory frameworks continue to develop, reconciliation processes will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance, particularly in heavily regulated industries like finance and healthcare. Conclusion It can be stated that the main findings of this study suggest that a stronger emphasis on mental health education and support in schools is essential for promoting overall well-being among students. This not only benefits their academic performance but also prepares them to cope with challenges and stressors in life. In today’s complex data ecosystems, enterprises rely on advanced techniques for data reconciliation. By incorporating strong data modeling, onboarding procedures, tool utilization, lineage tracking, and anchor frameworks, these organizations can establish scalable and efficient workflows for accurate reconciliation. Praveen Tripathi’s perspective highlights the essential role of utilizing cutting-edge technologies and governance strategies. With the ever-changing data environment, it is imperative for companies to adopt these approaches in order to uphold effective data management, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency, ultimately securing their competitive edge in a data-driven landscape. Related Items: AI , cloud services , cybersecurity , data , Data Reconciliation , Data Reconciliation Techniques , Praveen Tripathi Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you AI vs. Human Writing: Who Shapes the Future of Content Creation? Harnessing AI for Smarter Transportation Management AI Transforms Financial Customer Service with Dramatic Efficiency Gains Comments

GRAPEVINE, Texas, Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) ("GameStop” or the "Company”) today released financial results for the third quarter ended November 2, 2024. The Company's condensed and consolidated financial statements, including GAAP and non-GAAP results, are below. The Company's Form 10-Q and supplemental information can be found at https://investor.gamestop.com. THIRD QUARTER OVERVIEW NON-GAAP MEASURES AND OTHER METRICS As a supplement to the Company's financial results presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP”), GameStop may use certain non-GAAP measures, such as adjusted SG&A expenses, adjusted operating loss, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted earnings (loss) per share, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors in evaluating the Company's core operating performance. Adjusted SG&A expenses, adjusted operating loss, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted earnings (loss) per share and adjusted EBITDA exclude the effect of items such as certain transformation costs, asset impairments, severance, as well as divestiture costs. Free cash flow excludes capital expenditures otherwise included in net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities. The Company's definition and calculation of non-GAAP financial measures may differ from that of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed as supplementing, and not as an alternative or substitute for, the Company's financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Certain of the items that may be excluded or included in non-GAAP financial measures may be significant items that could impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows and should therefore be considered in assessing the Company's actual and future financial condition and performance. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS - SAFE HARBOR This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based upon management's current beliefs, views, estimates and expectations, including as to the Company's industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning its market position, strategic and transformation initiatives, future operations, margins, profitability, sales growth, capital expenditures, liquidity, capital resources, expansion of technology expertise, and other financial and operating information, including expectations as to future operating profit improvement. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and actual developments, business decisions, outcomes and results may differ materially from those reflected or described in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual developments, business decisions, outcomes and results to differ materially from those reflected or described in the forward-looking statements: economic, social, and political conditions in the markets in which we operate; the competitive nature of the Company's industry; the cyclicality of the video game industry; the Company's dependence on the timely delivery of new and innovative products from its vendors; the impact of technological advances in the video game industry and related changes in consumer behavior on the Company's sales; interruptions to the Company's supply chain or the supply chain of our suppliers; the Company's dependence on sales during the holiday selling season; the Company's ability to obtain favorable terms from its current and future suppliers and service providers; the Company's ability to anticipate, identify and react to trends in pop culture with regard to its sales of collectibles; the Company's ability to maintain strong retail and ecommerce experiences for its customers; the Company's ability to keep pace with changing industry technology and consumer preferences; the Company's ability to manage its profitability and cost reduction initiatives; turnover in senior management or the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; potential damage to the Company's reputation or customers' perception of the Company; the Company's ability to maintain the security or privacy of its customer, associate or Company information; occurrence of weather events, natural disasters, public health crises and other unexpected events; risks associated with inventory shrinkage; potential failure or inadequacy of the Company's computerized systems; the ability of the Company's third party delivery services to deliver products to the Company's retail locations, fulfillment centers and consumers and changes in the terms the Company has with such service providers; the ability and willingness of the Company's vendors to provide marketing and merchandising support at historical or anticipated levels; restrictions on the Company's ability to purchase and sell pre-owned products; the Company's ability to renew or enter into new leases on favorable terms; unfavorable changes in the Company's global tax rate; legislative actions; the Company's ability to comply with federal, state, local and international laws and regulations and statutes; potential future litigation and other legal proceedings; the value of the Company's securities holdings; concentration of the Company's investment portfolio into one or few holdings; the recognition of losses in a particular security even if the Company has not sold the security; volatility in the Company's stock price, including volatility due to potential short squeezes; continued high degrees of media coverage by third parties; the availability and future sales of substantial amounts of the Company's Class A common stock; fluctuations in the Company's results of operations from quarter to quarter; the Company's ability to incur additional debt; risks associated with the Company's investment in marketable, nonmarketable and interest-bearing securities, including the impact of such investments on the Company's financial results; and the Company's ability to maintain effective control over financial reporting. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those reflected or described in the forward-looking statements can be found in GameStop's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings made from time to time with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov or on the Company's investor relations website (https://investor.gamestop.com). Forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws. Condensed Statements of Operations (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited) November 2, 2024 October 28, 2023 Consolidated Statements of Operations (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited) November 2, 2024 October 28, 2023Scanlan: Time for legislators to protect women

gba777 login download Actor Ryan Guzman has been playing the role of Eddie Diaz in the hit procedural drama TV series “9-1-1” on ABC for the past six seasons. Guzman has been killing it on this show and this role, and he has easily become the heart and soul of “9-1-1.” At the end of the seventh season, Eddie was secretly dating a woman who looked like his late wife. Eddie’s son, Christopher (played by a superb Gavin McHugh ), who has cerebral palsy got so upset when he saw Eddie with her that he chose to live with his grandparents in El Paso, Texas, for the indefinite future. Christopher then subsequently cut off any contact with Eddie. In the beginning of the current season (Season 8), Guzman has grown a thick mustache, which is symbolic as a coping mechanism for his complex character Eddie dealing with the damaged relationship between him and his son. Compliments to the show’s screenwriters for writing these characters material that they can really sink their teeth into. The family dynamics between father and son (Eddie and Christopher) are so raw, authentic, and they hit the audience like a shot in the heart. Two episodes ago, Eddie attended confession and professed his guilt concerning Christopher but initially rejected the priest’s suggestions of penance, and rightfully so. Eddie subsequently runs into the priest in public, who discerns that Eddie’s new mustache is a disguise for his woes. Eddie shaves his mustache and does the risky business dance at home as a show of self-liberation. When Buck ( Oliver Stark ) arrives home, they both drink in silence. In the mid-season finale , Eddie and Brad (Callum Blue) talk about fatherhood and their sons in a moving episode. In the scene when Buck goes over to Eddie’s house, Stark is a revelation as he is caught off guard when he learns that Eddie is considering moving to El Paso to be closer to his son Christopher. While Buck is clearly surprised to hear this, he tries to put on a brave face for his dear friend. Overall, it is neat to watch the evolution of Ryan Guzman’s character grow in “9-1-1.” Ryan Guzman proves that he is one of the most versatile and underrated actors of our generation, where his acting runs the gamut in this series, and he makes us feel every emotion imaginable. Bravo. Markos Papadatos is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for Music News.Papadatos is a Greek-American journalist and educator that has authored over 21,000 original articles over the past 18 years. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, lifestyle, magic, and sports. He is a 16-time "Best of Long Island" winner, where for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022), he was honored as the "Best Long Island Personality" in Arts & Entertainment, an honor that has gone to Billy Joel six times.

Manchester United, one of the most iconic and successful football clubs in England, is currently going through a tumultuous period that has left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads in disbelief. Despite the high-profile appointment of a new manager, the team's performance on the field has failed to live up to expectations, leading to a significant decline in their standings in the Premier League compared to the previous season.

Ange Postecoglou has said he is happy Pep Guardiola signed a contract extension at so he has a chance to "knock him off" the summit. City confirmed on Thursday that after agreeing a new two-year deal. Guardiola is seeking an unprecedented fifth consecutive league title but despite 's last silverware coming in 2008, Postecoglou has never hidden his ambition of returning Spurs to serious challengers for the game's biggest prizes. When asked in a news conference whether there was any part of him that wanted Guardiola to leave City after a period of sustained success, Postecoglou said: "I look at it the other way -- 'imagine you knock him off?' That would be something, eh? And I'm at the stage of my life where I'd rather have a chance of knocking him off than missing that opportunity. In the right way, obviously. "I think when greatness is around, you want to be around it. Hopefully it challenges you to be like that as well. "I love the fact that there is a massive target out there that can seem insurmountable. It does for me anyway, raises my level, gets me going. "I keep saying, I lived the experience of equalisation of sport in Australia and it is great from a competitive point of view because everybody believes they can win but after a while I used to get frustrated with it because excellence tends to be capped at a certain point. It is up to everyone else to bridge that gap. "I love the challenge of that and I never see that as a bad thing." Postecoglou also insisted he had no concerns about the integrity of Premier League officiating despite . The 42-year-old was suspended last week by referees' body Professional Game Match Officials Limited pending an investigation after footage emerged in which he appeared to make derogatory remarks about and their former manager Jürgen Klopp. "I'm not across the detail of it but firstly, he's obviously made some poor decisions, made a big mistake," Postecoglou said. "He's a human being so you worry about his welfare. I'm sure he's getting good support around him. With our officials, rightly so, we hold them to the highest possible standard because of those things but I don't think just because one person makes a mistake that necessary means ... I'm not silly to think every official is perfect, like no manager is perfect or anyone else. We all make mistakes. "I never lose faith in the officialdom because if you do then it is a very slippery slope. I've worked in a couple of leagues where that was always kind of the undertone and I hated it because you kind of questioned everything. "I don't want to do that. I believe the officials. I believe in the integrity of the officials. I'll always abide by their decision-making and accept it."Furthermore, the government has taken steps to establish a coordinated mechanism for financing that will streamline the process of providing support to small and micro-enterprises. This mechanism aims to improve communication and coordination between financial institutions, government agencies, and businesses to ensure that funding reaches those who need it most in a timely and efficient manner.Colorado vs. Kansas: This college football prediction is based on thousands of data-driven simulations of the game. ASSOCIATED PRESS Pat Sharyon | Special Correspondent No. 16 Colorado will face off against Kansas at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium today at 3:30 p.m. EST. Despite the Buff’s star power on both sides of the ball, our data model likes the Jayhawks’ chances to pull off the upset — our best for today is Kansas +2.5 (+102). Ahead of this Big 12 matchup, the data analysts at Dimers.com have simulated the game 10,000 times, and then compared these results to current NCAAF betting odds to inform the data-driven betting preview provided to you below. This preview includes Dimers’ best bets and predicted scoreline for Colorado vs. Kansas. To unlock Dimers’ full suite of data-driven betting insights, which includes daily props, trends, and parlays, sign up for Dimers Pro with promo code SYRACUSE10 , which will save you 10% off your first subscription payment. Bet365 is fully legal in Colorado, making this the perfect time for Buffs fans to claim huge betting bonuses with our brand new exclusive bet365 bonus code “SYRACUSE”, while sports fans in New York State can take full advantage of our NBA League Pass FanDuel promo code. Additionally, bettors are encouraged to check out this exclusive promo offer from DraftKings and the latest deal from BetMGM. Colorado vs. Kansas betting preview Utilize the interactive widget below to discover the current spread, total, and moneyline odds and probabilities for the Colorado-Kansas matchup at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. This prediction and best bet for Saturday’s college football matchup between Colorado and Kansas is from Dimers.com , a trusted source for sports betting predictions. Check out all the important details on today’s game, as well as the best odds sourced from the top sportsbooks in the country. Game details Key information on the Colorado vs. Kansas matchup, including where the game is and what time it kicks off. Teams: Colorado vs. Kansas Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024 Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. EST Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium NCAAF rankings: Updated AP Top 25 College football news: Check the latest updates from the official NCAA football news site Odds The latest and best odds for the college football showdown between the Colorado and Kansas. Spread: Colorado -2.5 (-105), Kansas +2.5 (+102) Moneyline: Colorado -135, Kansas +126 Total: Over/Under 59.5 (-108/-110) The odds and lines presented in this article are the best available from selected sports betting site at the time of publication and are subject to change. Expert prediction: Colorado vs. Kansas Using state-of-the-art data analysis and machine learning, the experts at Dimers have executed 10,000 simulations of Saturday’s Colorado vs. Kansas game. According to Dimers’ independent predictive analytics model, Colorado is more likely to defeat Kansas at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. This prediction is based on the model giving Colorado a 56% chance of winning the game. Elsewhere on the betting board, Dimers predicts that the bookmakers have got it right and Colorado and Kansas each have a 50% chance of covering the spread, while the 59.5-point over/under is also considered an equal 50-50 chance of hitting. These predictions and probabilities are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Colorado vs. Kansas best bet Our top pick for the Colorado vs. Kansas game on Saturday is to bet on Kansas +2.5 (+102) . This expert betting advice is based on cutting-edge modeling and valuable wagering intelligence, designed to assist you in making more informed investments. Score prediction for Colorado vs. Kansas Dimers’ projected final score for the Colorado vs. Kansas game on Saturday has Colorado winning 30-28. This expert prediction is based on each team’s average score following 10,000 game simulations, offering a glimpse into the potential outcome. College football Week 13: Colorado vs. Kansas Get ready for Saturday’s college football action between Colorado and Kansas at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, which is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EST. We emphasize that all of the college football predictions and college football best bets on this page are derived from 10,000 data-driven simulations of the Colorado vs. Kansas matchup, and they are correct at the time of publication to help you make better decisions when placing bets at online sportsbooks . Please note that when engaging in online betting, it is important to exercise responsible gambling practices and seek reliable sources for the latest and most accurate information. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mac Douglass | Special Correspondent Mac Douglass is the Senior Sports Betting Editor at Cipher Sports Technology Group . In addition to covering the sports betting industry for several news sites across the US, Mac provides Formula 1 analysis and betting tips for Dimers , and tennis commentary for Stats Insider . Ryan Leaver | Special Correspondent Ryan Leaver is a highly experienced sports betting digital content producer for Cipher Sports Technology Group . He boasts an impressive writing portfolio, contributing to prominent platforms like Dimers , Fox Sports , Stats Insider , and Triple M . More sports betting Ohio State vs. Indiana: Bet365′s latest bonus code unlocks $150 for college football today Indiana vs. Ohio State prediction, odds, best bets for NCAAF Week 13 NBA Cup Today: Updated Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE secures $150 in bonus bets for the weekend FanDuel promo code extended: NBA League Pass free trial and $150 betting bonus will now remain available through Black Friday Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers prediction, NBA Cup odds, and best bets for Friday night If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.

The appeal for Pony to step into the spotlight and serve as an arbiter of justice speaks to a deeper yearning for accountability and integrity. In a world where truth is often obscured by misinformation and deceit, Pony symbolizes the unwavering pursuit of fairness and transparency.LONDON — Pooches in pullovers paraded past Buckingham Palace on Saturday for a gathering of dogs in Christmas sweaters to raise funds for rescue charities. People and dogs take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday outside Buckingham Palace in central London. About 130 pets, and their owners, walked Saturday from St. James's Park and along the Mall, the wide boulevard that leads to the royal palace as part of the Christmas Jumper Parade. Flossie the dog barks Saturday during the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade in central London. Prizes were awarded for best-dressed pets, with contenders including canine Santas, puppy elves and a French bulldog dressed in a red beret and pink jacket adorned with red bows. People and dogs take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday in central London. The event was organized by Rescue Dogs of London and Friends to raise money for charities that rehome dogs from overseas. People take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday in central London. Christmas sweater animal parades have become something of an annual tradition in London. People and dogs take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday outside Buckingham Palace in central London. There are more to come this year, including an event for corgis — the late Queen Elizabeth II's favorite breed — on Dec. 7 and the dachshund-friendly Hyde Park Sausage Walk on Dec 15. From bags of kibble in the grocery store to modern home sizes, things are getting smaller—and evidently, Americans are starting to look for furry friends that match. Small breeds like terriers and toys have largely dethroned the retrievers that once dominated the most popular breed rankings. This is a continuation of a trend that began in 2022 when the Labrador retriever lost its 31-year-long streak as #1 to the French bulldog, according to the American Kennel Club. This shift may be partially attributable to the rising costs of pet products and veterinary care since smaller dogs are more economical for tighter budgets. Moreover, as remote work and nomadic living become increasingly more common, smaller dogs may appeal to those looking for pets that require less space and are easier to transport. In fact, only two sporting dog breeds are the most popular in any American state—and neither is a Labrador retriever. The most popular dog overall represents 4% of all dogs in the country—constituting over 2.3 million out of 58 million households with dogs. Ollie used data from U.S. News & World Report to further explore which dog breeds are the most popular in which states and what factors may drive residents' preferences. The French bulldog is a compact companion known for being friendly yet quiet, making it suitable for a range of lifestyles and homes. The breed has roots in the English bulldog, which was bred to a smaller size to accompany its working English owners, many of whom were artisans. As such trades closed amid the Industrial Revolution, these workers and their little bulldogs moved to France, where the breed's popularity began. The French developed a more standardized appearance which was iterated upon in the U.S. to develop the iconic bat ears. The breed has recently seen a massive increase in popularity, with AKC registrations surging by 1,000% between 2012 and 2022. Now, the French bulldog is the most popular dog in Florida, California, and Hawaii and is in the top five most common dogs in nearly half the remaining states. With webbed paws and an affinity for water, golden retrievers are lucky pups to be the favored breed of the Midwest. They are the most popular dogs in states bordering the Great Lakes—Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio; the entirety of the New England region minus Rhode Island; plus North Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Virginia. The iconic golden breed was developed in 19th-century Scotland to retrieve both from land and water during hunts, hence its swimming-related adaptations. Golden retrievers are known for their affectionate nature and eagerness to please, making them well-suited for service and other working dog roles. As loyal as they are intelligent, German shepherds are among the favored breeds for guide, military, police, and search and rescue roles. The breed, which first arrived in America in the early 20th century, also enjoys peak popularity in Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Athletic in nature, the breed requires lots of exercise, making them well-suited for homes with or near lots of open land. They are also well-adapted to cold temperatures and harsher climates due to their thick double coats of fur. The shih tzu, whose name means "lion" in Chinese, is king of the Empire State (New York) as well as Iowa, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. Roughly a quarter of New York state residents live in apartments, making the dog that averages 9 to 16 pounds perfect for compact households. Despite being known for its playfulness, the breed does not require much physical activity or space. The breed dates back over 1,000 years but was first brought to America surprisingly recently, following World War II. According to the American Kennel Club, every shih tzu alive today has direct lineage to just 14 shih tzus that were saved when the breed nearly went extinct during the Communist revolution. Representing the best of both worlds, the golden retriever and poodle hybrid is known for its friendly, sociable demeanor and trainability. Bred to be guide dogs in the 1960s, the hybrid is not recognized as an official breed by the AKC, so there is no breed standard. Goldendoodles can thus range from mini-sized to about 90 pounds and may have fur that is curly, straight, or somewhere in between. While not official, the family-friendly dog has left paw prints all over the country, ranking in the top five most popular dogs in 37 states. In Idaho and Utah, the goldendoodle is the most popular overall. Maxing out at just 7 pounds, the Yorkshire terrier is the most popular breed among Maryland and Washington D.C. residents. This is not necessarily surprising considering the housing stock of the nation's capital is comprised mostly of apartment units, making the pint-sized pup perfect for metropolitans. The toy breed was bred to chase rats out of mines and mills in 19th-century England, arriving in North America in the 1870s and gaining official recognition by the AKC in 1885. Now, the breed is among the top five most common dogs in 26 states. The breed is a true terrier at heart, known for its feisty yet affectionate nature.' Additional research by Eliza Siegel. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. This story originally appeared on Ollie and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Named after the northern Mexican state from which it originates, the Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed and one of the oldest, with a lineage that dates as far back as the ninth century. Today, the breed makes up a remarkable 4% of all dogs in the United States and is the most popular overall in 21 states. It ranks within the top five most common breeds in 42 states in total. Requiring just 200 to 250 calories per day but boasting a lifespan of 14 to 16 years, the Chihuahua offers owners low-cost longevity and is known for its adaptability and amusing personality. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

Title: Sora Arrives, and Dreams Breathe a Sigh of ReliefIt’s that time of the year when select members of Congress leave their spacious plenary halls to retreat into a swanky hotel ballroom, where they meet for a bicameral conference to reconcile differences between the two versions of the proposed national budget law. After months of panel and floor debates held in full public view, first at the House of Representatives, and then, the Senate, lawmakers are dropping the pretense of transparency to commence negotiations behind closed doors, relegating media to staid briefings and photo-ops at the start and close of the proceedings. It is in this exclusive club, during the penultimate stage of the budget cycle, where handshakes are made and backs patted, where taxpayer money transforms into pet projects in the name of political compromise and vested interests, and where elite politicians decide where to pour billions of pesos in government funds, with no record and practically zero accountability. Worse, the conferees do not actually buckle down to work, for all meaningful discussions are passed on to a “small committee,” a “committee of two,” or the “third chamber,” consisting of a pair of arguably the most powerful members of the legislature: the chairs of the Senate finance committee and the House appropriations committee. Over the years, there has been persistent and mounting clamor to open the inter-chamber budget conference to public scrutiny—to no avail. Last Wednesday, budget watchdogs congregated in Quezon City in a bid to sway the two Houses to heed the call to make the proceedings transparent. “The process needs to be open to the public in order for us to stop any attempt to bloat unprogrammed funds which congressmen and senators will use as a pork barrel,” former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said. He was referring to the midnight bicameral approval of a provision in the current budget allowing government-owned and -controlled corporations like the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to be tapped as funding sources for unprogrammed appropriations, or those yet-to-be-funded budgetary items. Such ill-advised move would prove disastrous, and last month, the Supreme Court halted the transfer of the remainder of excess PhilHealth funds to the treasury in response to multiple petitions assailing its legality. Last month, former senator Panfilo Lacson, long an advocate of an open bicameral conference, described the panel as “the most powerful chamber, because there are no transcripts or minutes of the meeting.” The problem, according to Lacson, is that after the conference opens, a committee of two is created to pore over the clashing provisions in the spending measure, “so only the two of them talk, and ... when the bicameral conference resumes, the document is already prepared for signing.” This year, Sen. Grace Poe, the Senate finance chair, called it a “technical working group.” “If you wouldn’t sign, you would be an antagonist,” Lacson said, noting that the consequence of Congress failing to pass the spending law before the end of the year would be the reenactment of the current budget. What happens next is most conferees would opt to sign the voluminous document without having the time to study and read it. Now it appears the same thing will happen to the proposed 2025 appropriations law as the Senate and the House have stubbornly ignored the push for transparency. Which means certain decisions on hot-button issues, such as on the P1.3-billion budget cut for the Office of the Vice President and the P39-billion allotment for the social welfare department’s Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program, will be made away from the public eye. “The lack of transparency in bicameral conference committee proceedings has enabled the insertion in the budget law of provisions that were not in the versions approved by either House, and oftentimes not even discussed in the deliberations of either House, effectively circumventing proper legislative scrutiny,” Makabayan lawmakers said in a resolution proposing to open the bicameral conference. Alas, the call has fallen on deaf ears. Let us note that nothing in the rules of the Senate and the House prevents either chamber from opening the bicameral conference to the public. Therefore, Congress has no excuse. But what the lawmakers fail to realize is how shadowy budgeting contributes to the erosion of public trust. Every pork insertion, every unexplained and unexamined appropriation, chips away at citizens’ faith in their government. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . At the heart of the matter is integrity and moral ascendancy. For the House of Marcos to have the credibility to cast judgment on alleged cases of fund misuse, such as of Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential allocations, it must lead by example. By pulling back the curtain on the entire budget process, lawmakers can prove they are putting the public’s interest above their own.However, the truth behind the incident was far from what the villagers had initially feared. Upon further investigation and interviews with both the graduate and the villagers who had offered her shelter, it became apparent that there was no foul play involved. The young woman had simply lost her way while exploring the nearby forest and had unintentionally strayed far from her intended path.Romanian constitutional court validates first round of presidential race after vote recount

In addition to the luxurious treatments, these bathhouses offer a range of amenities to enhance the overall experience. Plush robes and slippers, aromatic teas and snacks, and serene relaxation areas allow patrons to unwind and escape the stresses of daily life. The attention to detail and personalized service create a sense of exclusivity and comfort that keeps guests coming back for more.Title: Man's Death Cautionary Tale: Blindly Self-Medicating to Stay Warm Can Be Deadly

The manifesto, filled with hate-filled rhetoric and calls for revolution, painted a chilling picture of a group of privileged individuals who felt entitled to take matters into their own hands. The group's connections to powerful figures in politics and business only added to the gravity of the situation.

LONDON — Pooches in pullovers paraded past Buckingham Palace on Saturday for a gathering of dogs in Christmas sweaters to raise funds for rescue charities. People and dogs take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday outside Buckingham Palace in central London. James Manning, PA About 130 pets, and their owners, walked Saturday from St. James's Park and along the Mall, the wide boulevard that leads to the royal palace as part of the Christmas Jumper Parade. Flossie the dog barks Saturday during the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade in central London. James Manning, PA Prizes were awarded for best-dressed pets, with contenders including canine Santas, puppy elves and a French bulldog dressed in a red beret and pink jacket adorned with red bows. People and dogs take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday in central London. James Manning, PA The event was organized by Rescue Dogs of London and Friends to raise money for charities that rehome dogs from overseas. People take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday in central London. James Manning, PA Christmas sweater animal parades have become something of an annual tradition in London. People and dogs take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday outside Buckingham Palace in central London. James Manning, PA There are more to come this year, including an event for corgis — the late Queen Elizabeth II's favorite breed — on Dec. 7 and the dachshund-friendly Hyde Park Sausage Walk on Dec 15. People are also reading... Most popular dog breeds in the US and the states where they're #1 Chihuahua Named after the northern Mexican state from which it originates, the Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed and one of the oldest, with a lineage that dates as far back as the ninth century. Today, the breed makes up a remarkable 4% of all dogs in the United States and is the most popular overall in 21 states. It ranks within the top five most common breeds in 42 states in total. Requiring just 200 to 250 calories per day but boasting a lifespan of 14 to 16 years, the Chihuahua offers owners low-cost longevity and is known for its adaptability and amusing personality. Canva French bulldog The French bulldog is a compact companion known for being friendly yet quiet, making it suitable for a range of lifestyles and homes. The breed has roots in the English bulldog, which was bred to a smaller size to accompany its working English owners, many of whom were artisans. As such trades closed amid the Industrial Revolution, these workers and their little bulldogs moved to France, where the breed's popularity began. The French developed a more standardized appearance which was iterated upon in the U.S. to develop the iconic bat ears. The breed has recently seen a massive increase in popularity, with AKC registrations surging by 1,000% between 2012 and 2022. Now, the French bulldog is the most popular dog in Florida, California, and Hawaii and is in the top five most common dogs in nearly half the remaining states. Branislav Nenin // Shutterstock Golden retriever With webbed paws and an affinity for water, golden retrievers are lucky pups to be the favored breed of the Midwest. They are the most popular dogs in states bordering the Great Lakes—Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio; the entirety of the New England region minus Rhode Island; plus North Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Virginia. The iconic golden breed was developed in 19th-century Scotland to retrieve both from land and water during hunts, hence its swimming-related adaptations. Golden retrievers are known for their affectionate nature and eagerness to please, making them well-suited for service and other working dog roles. PeopleImages.com - Yuri A German shepherd As loyal as they are intelligent, German shepherds are among the favored breeds for guide, military, police, and search and rescue roles. The breed, which first arrived in America in the early 20th century, also enjoys peak popularity in Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Athletic in nature, the breed requires lots of exercise, making them well-suited for homes with or near lots of open land. They are also well-adapted to cold temperatures and harsher climates due to their thick double coats of fur. ANNA TITOVA // Shutterstock Yorkshire terrier Maxing out at just 7 pounds, the Yorkshire terrier is the most popular breed among Maryland and Washington D.C. residents. This is not necessarily surprising considering the housing stock of the nation's capital is comprised mostly of apartment units, making the pint-sized pup perfect for metropolitans. The toy breed was bred to chase rats out of mines and mills in 19th-century England, arriving in North America in the 1870s and gaining official recognition by the AKC in 1885. Now, the breed is among the top five most common dogs in 26 states. The breed is a true terrier at heart, known for its feisty yet affectionate nature.' Additional research by Eliza Siegel. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. This story originally appeared on Ollie and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Anna Averianova // Shutterstock Most popular dog breeds in the US and the states where they're #1 From bags of kibble in the grocery store to modern home sizes, things are getting smaller—and evidently, Americans are starting to look for furry friends that match. Small breeds like terriers and toys have largely dethroned the retrievers that once dominated the most popular breed rankings. This is a continuation of a trend that began in 2022 when the Labrador retriever lost its 31-year-long streak as #1 to the French bulldog, according to the American Kennel Club. This shift may be partially attributable to the rising costs of pet products and veterinary care since smaller dogs are more economical for tighter budgets. Moreover, as remote work and nomadic living become increasingly more common, smaller dogs may appeal to those looking for pets that require less space and are easier to transport. In fact, only two sporting dog breeds are the most popular in any American state—and neither is a Labrador retriever. The most popular dog overall represents 4% of all dogs in the country—constituting over 2.3 million out of 58 million households with dogs. Ollie used data from U.S. News & World Report to further explore which dog breeds are the most popular in which states and what factors may drive residents' preferences. otsphoto // Shutterstock Shih tzu The shih tzu, whose name means "lion" in Chinese, is king of the Empire State (New York) as well as Iowa, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. Roughly a quarter of New York state residents live in apartments, making the dog that averages 9 to 16 pounds perfect for compact households. Despite being known for its playfulness, the breed does not require much physical activity or space. The breed dates back over 1,000 years but was first brought to America surprisingly recently, following World War II. According to the American Kennel Club, every shih tzu alive today has direct lineage to just 14 shih tzus that were saved when the breed nearly went extinct during the Communist revolution. Canva Goldendoodle Representing the best of both worlds, the golden retriever and poodle hybrid is known for its friendly, sociable demeanor and trainability. Bred to be guide dogs in the 1960s, the hybrid is not recognized as an official breed by the AKC, so there is no breed standard. Goldendoodles can thus range from mini-sized to about 90 pounds and may have fur that is curly, straight, or somewhere in between. While not official, the family-friendly dog has left paw prints all over the country, ranking in the top five most popular dogs in 37 states. In Idaho and Utah, the goldendoodle is the most popular overall. Cavan-Images // Shutterstock Stay up-to-date on what's happening

In November, China's economy displayed four major characteristics in its operation, reflecting the current trends and challenges faced by the country. These four key features highlight the complex dynamics at play and provide valuable insights into the state of the Chinese economy.COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Rodney Johnson Jr.'s 33 points led Tennessee Tech over NAIA-member Milligan 95-75 on Sunday. Johnson added five rebounds for the Golden Eagles (6-7). Kyle Layton scored 11 points and added five assists. Ray Glasgow had 10 points and went 4 of 7 from the field (2 for 4 from 3-point range). Handje Tamba finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Buffs. Sam Gold added nine points and six rebounds for Milligan. Jayme Peay also put up nine points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

HIGH POINT, N.C. (AP) — D'Maurian Williams scored 18 points as High Point beat Pfeiffer 81-50 on Saturday. Williams went 8 of 13 from the field (2 for 3 from 3-point range) for the Panthers (8-1). Kezza Giffa scored 14 points, going 3 of 8 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and 7 for 8 from the line. Kimani Hamilton shot 4 for 8, including 1 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points. The Falcons were led by Doug Smith and Justin Gaten with nine points apiece. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .U.S. stocks close mixed