is an ace a wild card in poker
NoneGreater Idaho movement asks Trump to help move Oregon borderThe Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI), in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hosted a panel discussion titled, “Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) and contemporary challenges” at the LKI Lighthouse Auditorium on 19 December 2024. It was attended by diplomats, representatives of international organisations, senior officials of relevant Ministries and agencies, military personnel, leading researchers and university students. Delivering the keynote address at the event, the Foreign Affairs Ministry Additional Secretary for East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa Yasoja Gunasekera underscored the urgent need for global action to regulate Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Weapons Systems. She emphasised that while AI has become integral to numerous sectors, its growing presence on the battlefield raises profound concerns regarding its application in weapon systems. The Additional Secretary recalled that it was under the Chairmanship of Sri Lanka in 2015, that the high contracting parties to the convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) agreed to elevate the discussion of LAWS from an informal expert led discussion to a State-led dialogue, leading to the establishment of the first meeting of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) at the 2016 CCW Review Conference. She noted that in addition to actively engaging in the GGE, in October 2021 Sri Lanka together with a wide cross regional group of 70 states co-sponsored the first Joint Statement on LAWS at the UNGA and supported the adoption of “the Pact for the Future” by the UNGA in September 2024. Sri Lanka strongly supports the negotiation of a legally binding instrument to prohibit and regulate LAWS and supports the UN Secretary General and the President of the ICRC’s joint appeal to establish new rules on AWS by 2026. Earlier welcoming the gathering, LKI Executive Director Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha said the event was intended to salute the role played by the ICRC which commemorated the 75th anniversary of the operation of the Geneva Conventions, without which the world might have been a different place. He recalled the ICRC’s contributions to Sri Lanka since establishing a presence in 1989, particularly during the armed conflict – escorting food and civilian convoys to the North and the East, facilitating immunisation drives, passing messages between the parties in conflict and enabling the return of the wounded and the dead on both sides, and post conflict assistance in mine clearance, disaster response, and in the search for missing persons. Across time, the ICRC had also played an important role in training the security forces on IHL compliance and engaged in prison visitations and supported the improvement of prison conditions. He observed that the theme of the discussion chosen on disarmament, besides being one where the ICRC and Sri Lanka closely collaborated globally, is the focus of several ongoing research endeavours of the LKI in recent times, along with ICT and its contemporary challenges. Delivering the opening remarks, ICRC Sri Lanka Head of Delegation Severine Chappaz focused on the continued relevance of IHL. Stressing that the main responsibility to apply IHL in good faith lies with States to mitigate human suffering, she underlined the importance of making IHL a national and international political priority. She also emphasised on aspects of IHL that are particularly relevant to Sri Lanka, including the post-conflict application of IHL, which applies specifically to the issue of missing persons, their right to be searched for, the right of their families to know the fate and whereabouts of their missing loved ones and the obligation to prevent people from going missing. She also referred to the significance of national integration of IHL where the National IHL committee of Sri Lanka plays a key role, training the armed forces in IHL, and the dissemination of IHL through academic and religious circles. In her remarks, Sri Lanka’s international engagement in the promotion and development of IHL, notably in the field of disarmament regulations, was also recognised. ICRC Regional Legal Advisor Prof. Andrei Kozik highlighted the novel humanitarian and legal challenges posed by technological developments including AI and AWS. Delving into the subject, he drew attention to the unique characteristics of AWS that heighten risks for civilians and raise challenges for IHL compliance. In his presentation, Prof. Kozik also clarified the ICRC’s position on AWS, stating that the ICRC calls for new rules that prohibit the use of “unpredictable” and “anti-personnel” autonomous weapons systems. It was noted that in this context, “unpredictability” refers to the discriminatory nature of AWS weapons while “anti-personnel” refers to autonomous weapons designed or used to target humans directly. The ICRC’s report titled “International Humanitarian Law and the challenges of contemporary armed conflicts” was referenced as a source to obtain an overview of some of the challenges for IHL posed by contemporary armed conflicts. The report broadly underscores the humanitarian consequences that could result from the potential loss of human control over the use of force in armed conflict. Sri Lankan Coordinator for the Global Campaign “Stop Killer Robots” Yanithra Kumaraguru underscored the critical role of ethics in shaping both the legal frameworks and the development of autonomous weapons, especially in areas where current laws may not provide clear guidance. She highlighted several key ethical concerns, including the challenge of ensuring that autonomous weapons comply with international humanitarian law principles and also questioned whether machines could reliably make life-and-death decisions without human biases, stressing the risks of errors that could lead to violations of human dignity. She further discussed the “moral accountability gap”, an ethical concern that extends beyond legal frameworks and asked whether responsibility for actions taken by autonomous weapons lies with designers, operators, or no one at all emphasising the dehumanising consequences of delegating such critical decisions to machines. Stressing the fact that some advocates for autonomous weapons argue that these technologies could lead to greater precision and fewer civilian casualties, Kumaraguru countered that those technological limitations, the unpredictable nature of conflict and the human realities of conflict make such claims overly idealistic. Defence Ministry Director of Media and Spokesman, and Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) Head Colonel Nalin Herath while acknowledging the ethical challenges posed highlighted the transformative impact of AI on modern warfare emphasising its potential for operational efficiency, noted how such weapons are reshaping combat strategies and in distinguishing civilians from military targets. He raised concern about the growing access of non-state actors to advanced technologies, which heightens unpredictability in conflicts and cautioned against the dangers posed by AI in terms of misinformation and disinformation. Stressing the absence of a global consensus on regulating AI in warfare, he called for caution and cooperation to ensure ethical use of AI and to prevent its misuse. National Innovation Agency (NIA) Chief Innovation Officer and Pugwash Sri Lanka Past President Prof. Ajith De Alwis addressed the dual-use nature of science, technology, and innovation, particularly in the context of autonomous weapons systems and AI. He noted that since the wright brothers’ revolutionary invention of flight in 1903 which within a decade was quickly adapted for bombing, historically technology had been weaponised. He pointed to the futility of questioning whether blame can be apportioned to autonomous weapons used in wars, what is more crucial is that states create the conditions to prevent wars from taking place in the first place. He emphasised the need for better prioritising of the use of AWS, rather than banning per se, and advocated for leveraging AI and autonomous systems for humanity’s benefit rather than their weaponisation. Pointing to the climate issue where time was running out and the emission trajectories being put into wrong trajectories by all the conflicts going on, he asked that researchers must be persuaded to become more socially responsible, as the scientists who walked out of the “Manhattan Project” which pursued the creation of the atomic bomb. He also advocated strengthening a UN led global mechanism supporting whistle blowing and asked that we push ourselves to value humanity more - touching on the Pugwash principles. Ambassador Aryasinha who moderated the panel discussion, reflecting on the challenges faced as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative in Geneva in presiding over the CCW during Sri Lanka’ Presidency of the CCW in 2015/2016 which secured a consensus to commence the discussion of LAWS at the level of States parties nearly a decade ago, regretted that movement had been slow and that many relevant States needed for effective regulation of AWS, opposed or remained ambivalent in supporting such regulation. While the ethical and legal arguments were not in doubt, greater moral persuasion and compromise would be needed to also carry those who already possess or are on the verge of possessing AWS from using them, as war fronts expand and armies seek to minimise casualties. During an almost hour-long discussion that followed, the audience pointed to the absence of a universal definition, highlighted gaps in International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the politicisation of AWS, the advances and limitations in distinguishing combatants from non-combatants, opaque decision-making, the ethical and legal issues concerned and the slow pace of regulation. They also impressed on the need for a Sri Lanka national policy on AI and AWS, suggested that smaller nations like Sri Lanka press for reforms to protect weaker states. Members of the panel explored the tension between technological innovation and ethical responsibility, emphasising alignment with IHL principles like distinction and proportionality. They underscored transparency in AI’s “black box” decision-making, gaps in IHL related to espionage and information warfare, and the relevance of Article 36 of the Geneva Conventions in reviewing new weapons. The session concluded by stressing collaboration, culturally informed ethical considerations, and practical, legally binding measures to balance technological advances with human oversight.
Generative AI tools snuck into the pockets of millions more Australians this week as Apple launched its big push into the technology. or signup to continue reading The software updates delivered to smartphones, computers and tablets promise to help users compose stories and messages, edit images or create them and identify objects from the real world. But Apple's AI tools come almost a full year after its biggest rival launched artificial intelligence in smartphones and four months after one of the world's biggest tech companies made its AI play. Industry experts say Apple may still have one big drawcard for consumers, however, and it relies on keeping its promise to keep their personal information private. Apple Intelligence features arrived inside software updates delivered to the company's devices on Thursday. Rather than appear in a single app, the US tech giant has scattered AI tools throughout its menus, offering writing assistance in its own apps like Notes, for example, as well as those from third parties, and notification summaries from all apps as they arrive. Apple's AI additions also offer a photo-editing tool that removes objects in images and Visual Intelligence that uses photos to search for real-world objects. The company's AI tools have taken longer to arrive than many expected, University of the Sunshine Coast computer science lecturer Dr Erica Mealy says, but Apple could not avoid making an investment in the popular technology. "Apple had to put AI in their devices or they were definitely going to be left behind but I don't think that's necessarily a disadvantage because Apple often does that and does it better," she says. "They are more of an everyman's technology company, whereas some of the others tend to bring out the technology really soon." Apple's biggest rival, Samsung, launched Galaxy AI in its devices in January and Google followed in August, bringing more Gemini-powered tools to the latest generation of Pixel smartphones for rewriting text, producing images and even swapping faces in photographs. The iPhone's AI delay might not be the drawback it seems on paper, Dr Mealy says, if the company can convince customers their take on the technology is more practical and private. "Their approach is refreshing because a lot of the others are saying, 'AI is here, let's give all the data to AI,' and they're forgetting the fact that for the AI to be aware it needs to watch us constantly," she says. "If (Apple) can tell users a story about keeping more privacy or about how they are doing AI better that will be interesting to see." Apple's AI approach is different in that features are not only spread across apps but use two models: the company's own Apple Intelligence system and OpenAI's ChatGPT. In the first instance, AI requests on Apple devices are handled by the company's own platform, with processing on the device itself or on a Private Cloud Compute server that does not retain the data. More complex AI tasks such as composing stories or answering challenging queries posed to Siri can be handed over to ChatGPT but only if the user grants permission. Tasks handed over to ChatGPT remain anonymous, unless the user decides to sign into the service. The partnership of Apple and OpenAI is an unexpected one, Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi says, but could prove beneficial for both parties if it's handled well. "It's pulling Apple out of its comfort zone," he says. "Going out to ChatGPT was probably a very difficult decision for Apple to have made and it's to indicate to users Apple features are not going to be behind the times or antiquated." Apple will face significant challenges to ensure its own AI system keeps pace with that of standalone apps, such as Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot and Meta AI, Mr Fadaghi says but consumers will demand it. One in five Australian consumers say they will consider AI when upgrading their smartphone, according to Telyste research, and that figure rises to one in four for consumers who regularly use AI tools. "Consumers are thinking about what they might need in four or five years' time when buying handsets now," Mr Fadaghi says. "Devices that don't have AI-ready hardware are going to be less attractive." The additional of AI features is a key consideration for some phone buyers, Kantar Worldpanel global consumer insights director Jack Hamlin says. Twelve per cent of Google Pixel buyers say AI features are key to their choice, he says, even though sales of the smartphones did not rise this year. AI IN YOUR POCKET: 5 APPLE INTELLIGENCE FEATURES Smarter Siri: The AI-boosted voice assistant can respond to queries posed in natural language, features a new glowing light, more voice choices and can summon assistance from ChatGPT if users permit it. AI images: A dedicated app called Image Playground can generate cartoons or illustrations based on themes or inspired by photographs, while a feature called Image Wand can turn a sketch in the Notes app into a polished image. Photo editing: Apple takes a light touch to photographic AI. Its Clean Up feature lets users select visual distractions to remove them, recording its use in metadata and it supports more detailed photo voice searches. Word-wrangling: An AI-powered feature called Writing Tools appears across apps including Notes, Pages, Mail and Messages. It can proofread, summarise or rewrite text in different styles. Additional text-generation is available using ChatGPT. Summaries: Useful if a group chat gets too chatty, Apple Intelligence can summarise notifications from apps including Mail and Messages and provide a summary of what is yet to be read. Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . AdvertisementWINNIPEG - Mike O’Shea stood in front of reporters Friday and kept his cool while answering questions about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ 41-24 Grey Cup loss to the Toronto Argonauts last weekend. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! WINNIPEG - Mike O’Shea stood in front of reporters Friday and kept his cool while answering questions about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ 41-24 Grey Cup loss to the Toronto Argonauts last weekend. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? WINNIPEG – Mike O’Shea stood in front of reporters Friday and kept his cool while answering questions about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ 41-24 Grey Cup loss to the Toronto Argonauts last weekend. The head coach was asked if he made a mistake keeping injured quarterback Zach Collaros in the game, why star running back Brady Oliveira didn’t get the ball more and whether a flawed game plan led to Winnipeg’s third consecutive championship loss. “As an entire team, we didn’t have our best game,” O’Shea said in his end-of-the-season press conference. “We didn’t lack effort. We didn’t lack desire. “We didn’t have our best game as an entire team. Three phases. Coaches — everybody. Me especially.” O’Shea admitted he missed calling a timeout in the fourth quarter when there were only 11 Blue Bombers on the field instead of 12. “I don’t get the count over the headset as quickly as I probably need to, we can’t count. As I’m seeing a guy come off, that’s the right time for that timeout that I should have used,” O’Shea said. He also said he should have used a challenge flag earlier on a play he didn’t identify, and checked on his players more during the game. But hindsight wouldn’t change his decision to put Collaros back in the game after the index finger on his throwing hand was cut deep when it hit a defender’s helmet. “He absolutely deserves every opportunity to lead this team,” O’Shea said. “From what I saw and from chatting with him very briefly, I felt really comfortable with that. I didn’t think it was going to be easy, but I thought it’s Zach, so...” The injury to Collaros’s finger happened late in the third quarter when the Blue Bombers were trailing the Argonauts 17-10. The veteran left the game and returned with a bandaged finger that needed five stitches and a numbing agent. He wore a glove on the hand and told reporters earlier this week it was difficult to grip the ball. Collaros said he warned receivers in the huddle his throws might not have the usual zip and they should be prepared to come back for the ball. “(I) saw him delivering the ball on the sidelines. Then you see him deliver a couple balls out there and some of them are pretty damn good, right?” O’Shea said. “The awareness of Zach to say to the receivers, ‘hey, work a little harder for me,’ I think it’s natural and what should be said. I think they already know that.” When Collaros re-entered the game, he threw interceptions in back-to-back series. “On one of them he got rid of the ball and I thought it was a good ball and the defensive player made a good play,” O’Shea said of the picks. “One slipped right out of his hand or I don’t know if it got tipped or not. You’ve got to give him that opportunity.” Oliveira was questioning his lack of opportunities in the game when he spoke to reporters earlier in the week. The CFL’s newly minted most outstanding player and top Canadian only had 11 carries for 84 yards and one late touchdown. About 17 or 18 run plays were called, O’Shea said. “One starts off with a procedure penalty in the first and then six of those get pulled because there’s X number of guys in the box or the read says this is not a run play anymore, this is now a pass play,” he said. “You call that many runs and then a pile of them get pulled because of the structure of the defence. That’s OK with me at that point.” O’Shea said Bombers offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce has been granted permission to talk to CFL teams with head-coaching job openings. The B.C. Lions are reportedly interested in Pierce. The Edmonton Elks also have a vacant head coach spot. If Pierce doesn’t become a head coach, O’Shea said he wants him to stay in Winnipeg. He believes Pierce had the offence “extremely well-prepared” for the Grey Cup. “I’m never going to question the play-calling, and I think what’s going on here is we’re questioning,” O’Shea said. “We’re trying to find blame and fault when that’s nowhere in our DNA of how we built this eight, nine, 10 years ago. We’re starting to try and find all these answers and question all these people that were 0-4 and 2-6 and then 10-1, and we just didn’t play our best game.” The Bombers finished 11-7 and claimed the West Division title that earned them a fifth consecutive trip to the Grey Cup. They won the championship in 2019 and ’21, but lost 28-24 to the Montreal Alouettes last year and 24-23 to Toronto in 2023. “We’re the same group that got there, that went on a phenomenal run after a bad start, and a bad start for a lot of reasons that we overcame,” O’Shea said. “I just, I don’t question any of it. I look for answers, too. I watch the film over and over and over again. And look to already make notes on how we’re going to be better, how we’re going to get back there again.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement
Apartment building where viral video fueled Trump's claims about city likely will close next year
O’Shea stands by decision to keep playing Collaros after QB was hurt in Grey Cup
The accidental activist lobbying Harrisburg to protect older adults from abuseBurt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies at 90In the 1979 disaster movie “The China Syndrome”, a design flaw at a nuclear power plant threatens a catastrophic meltdown in which the reactor core will burn all the way through to the other side of the earth. Investors in Chinese equities have lately been enduring a China Syndrome of their own. Over the last three-and-a-half years, the benchmark CSI 300 Index has lost nearly a third of its value, even as the S&P 500 Index .SPX basket of leading U.S. stocks has soared to new all-time highs. With Donald Trump set to return to the White House backed by a Republican-controlled Congress, should investors brace for Chinese stocks to shrivel further – or is now the moment to take a contrarian view? It is not hard to find reasons to steer clear. Having averaged 9% a year in the two decades leading up to 2019, China’s economic growth rate has roughly halved since 2020. Even in the boom times, the link between equity returns and growth was weak. But the cracks run much deeper than that. China’s investment-led growth model, funded by successive waves of credit expansion, appears to have run out of steam while leaving the economy loaded with sky-high debts. The country’s once-booming real estate sector has succumbed to an epic bust, shrinking the value of most households’ main asset and stranding local government finances. Meanwhile, broad measures of domestic Chinese prices have been sliding for more than two years, completing a toxic circle and raising the spectre of debt-deflation. No wonder the bears say its economy is structurally impaired. Yet alongside these well-known handicaps, investors in the People’s Republic benefit from some equally notable tailwinds. It is the world’s second-largest economy, it is the undisputed leader in global manufacturing and trade, and – according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute – the global champion in research and innovation in no fewer than 57 of 64 critical technologies. Indeed, the European Union is now considering asking Chinese companies to transfer technology in return for subsidies, the Financial Times reported this week. Financially, meanwhile, China is the world’s largest external creditor economy, with an excess of foreign assets over liabilities of some $4.3 trillion. Its annual current account surplus has dipped below $100 billion only once in the last two decades and added a cool $250 billion last year. Such economic and financial fundamentals give the Chinese authorities a degree of flexibility over economic policy that few other governments can match. China bulls can take further heart from valuation and sentiment. Even after a 25% jump since authorities in Beijing announced monetary stimulus measures in mid-September, the CSI 300 Index still trades at just over 15 times earnings. India’s BSE Sensex Index .BSESN trades at 22 times, while the S&P 500 Index is valued at a multiple of 27. It’s only four years since the planned $37 billion initial public offering of Jack Ma’s Ant Financial attracted orders of $3 trillion from prospective investors – equivalent to nearly 3% cent of global GDP at the time – shortly before regulators cancelled the offering. Investors evidently weren’t too bothered by the Middle Kingdom’s structural challenges back then. If ever there were a case of prices making opinions, China’s boosters argue, this is it. Yet even if technical considerations make a short-term punt look tempting, the case for the People’s Republic as a longer-term investment is a trickier matter. The GOP clean sweep in Washington ironically makes it more likely that the world’s two superpowers will be able to strike an economic deal. That’s because on its central contentious issue – China’s management of its exchange rate – the incentives of both sides are increasingly aligned. An agreement under which Beijing agrees to revalue the yuan against the dollar in return for averting an all-out trade war would meet the key demand of Trump and his advisers for an end to what they see as an artificial currency advantage which has brought American manufacturing to its knees. Such a deal – call it a “Mar-a-Lago Accord”, after the Plaza Accord which saw U.S. trade partners agreed to devalue the dollar in the mid-1980s – would also align with China’s reluctance to reflate its economy through demand-side stimulus, in favour of attempting a more controlled recovery via a supply-side transition to new drivers of growth built on more advanced industry and technology. It would support China’s long-held ambitions for the yuan’s emergence as a genuine international reserve currency as well. For Chinese equities, such a détente might sound like unequivocal good news. It would be anything but. While it would free China’s stock markets from their current burden of geopolitical risk, it would imprison them in Beijing’s deflationary restructuring strategy instead. Absent the looser monetary conditions and higher inflation that a weaker currency would permit, corporate and local government balance sheets would have to sweat off their excessive debts over time. Growth in corporate revenue and earnings would suffer a prolonged slowdown until the economy had worked out its imbalances. Such a scenario would not disappoint all investors. A strong-yuan, sound-money strategy would be music to the ears of holders of Chinese bonds. Well-targeted venture capital investments in China’s industrial upgrading, meanwhile, could pay off handsomely. But for asset allocators exposed to most constituents of the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, the period after a “Mar-a-Lago Accord” would be a long, hard slog. There is of course an alternative possibility. China might opt to ditch its controlled approach and plump for radical reflation instead. That would require a devaluation of the yuan, killing any currency accord. Such a volte-face would supercharge Chinese stock markets – at least in local currency terms. But the resulting disruption to global trade and capital flows would almost certainly be extreme. In that scenario, equity investors well beyond China will need to don their radiation suits as well. “Today, only a handful of people know what it means...” warned the original movie poster for “The China Syndrome” of the meltdown at the heart of its plot, “Soon you will know”. Source: Reuters (Editing by Peter Thal Larsen and Streisand Neto)
Syria's Islamist-led rebel alliance had been planning the surprise ouster of President Basher al-Assad for a year, an opposition military leader told the Guardian in an interview published Friday. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Islamist group, which says it has moved away from its roots in Al-Qaeda, has long controlled a part of northwest Syria. After being weakened in a 2019 government operation, the group realised the "fundamental problem was the absence of unified leadership and control over battle", Abu Hassan al-Hamwi, an HTS commander and former leader of the group's military wing, told the UK daily. Correcting those mistakes, HTS began last year preparing for a retaliatory operation dubbed "Deterring Aggression" to oust Assad. It strengthened its control over opposition groups in the northwest and trained up its own militia, developing a "comprehensive military doctrine". HTS then tried to bring together rebel and jihadist forces in southern Syria, under Assad's control for the past six years, to create a "unified war room", according to the Guardian article. The "war room" convened commanders of 25 opposition groups who could steer the offensive against Assad from the south, with HTS driving in from the north, and converging in the capital and Assad's stronghold Damascus. The moment to launch the operation came in late November, with Syria's staunch allies Iran and Russia distracted by other conflicts. Over the weekend, the rebels succeeded in entering Damascus after sweeping through the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs in the north, causing Assad to flee the country and ending five decades of brutal rule by his clan. "We had a conviction, supported by historical precedent: that 'Damascus cannot fall until Aleppo falls'", Hamwi said. "The strength of the Syrian revolution was concentrated in the north, and we believed that once Aleppo was liberated, we could move southward toward Damascus," he added. The plan also involved developing better weapons to counter the technology Tehran and Moscow provided to the government forces. "We needed reconnaissance drones, attack drones and suicide drones, with a focus on range and endurance," Hamwi said, with drone production beginning as early as 2019. Hamwi named a new exploding or "suicide drone" the "Shahin" drone, meaning falcon in Arabic, which "symbolised their precision and power", the military leader said. The "Shahin" drone was deployed for the first time against Assad's forces this month, according to the Guardian, disabling artillery vehicles. HTS is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by several Western powers but has sought to reassure religious minorities and other governments since coming to power that it will usher in an inclusive leadership. "We affirm that minorities in Syria are part of the nation and have the right to practice their rituals, education, and services like every other Syrian citizen," Hamwi said. "The regime planted division, and we are trying, as much as possible, to bridge these divides," he added. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.WASHINGTON − The Supreme Court will decide whether the work of the charitable arm of a Catholic diocese is sufficiently religious to be exempt from unemployment taxes, a case being closely watched by religious groups around the country. The case the court agreed to hear involves Catholic Charities Bureau and four independently incorporated organizations controlled by the diocese in Wisconsin that serve people with developmental and mental health disabilities. Similar to other states, Wisconsin exempts from its unemployment tax system organizations “operated primarily for religious purposes and operated, supervised, controlled, or principally supported by a church or convention or association of churches.” The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the organizations at issue should have to pay into the state’s unemployment system because they are not operated primarily for religious purposes, even if the services are religiously motivated. People who get the agency's social services don’t receive religious instruction and employees don’t have to be Catholic. The subsidiary organizations receive no funding from the diocese. Their services – including job training, placement and coaching – can be provided by groups with either religious or secular motivations, the state Supreme Court said, “and the services provided would not differ in any sense.” “If we looked to the church's purpose in operating the organization only, then any religiously affiliated organization would always be exempt,” Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley wrote for the majority. A 263-day wait for jobless benefits Alabama shrimp farmer takes case to Supreme Court But lawyers for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, who are representing the diocese, said that what Walsh was essentially – and incorrectly – saying is, “it doesn’t matter if Catholic Charities gives a cup of water in Jesus’ name, because non-religious charities offer cups of water too.” “It shouldn’t take a theologian to understand that serving the poor is a religious duty for Catholics,” Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, said when the group filed its appeal. “But the Wisconsin Supreme Court embraced the absurd conclusion that Catholic Charities has no religious purpose. We’re asking the Supreme Court to step in and fix that mistake.” Wisconsin Attorney General Joshua Kaul said there was no mistake. The Wisconsin Supreme Court, Kaul said in a filing, correctly applied a neutral state law that “imposes no constitutionally significant burden on their religious exercise.” “Courts routinely deny religious tax exemptions to entities that assert religious motivations without overly entangling themselves in religious matters,” he told the high court. The case, Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor and Industry Review Commission, is expected to be decided by summer.1. A mini inflatable tube guy because there is *no way* they can look at this little dude and not giggle. If they're feeling extra goofy, imitating him is ~encouraged.~ Promising review: "Got this as a toy for my 7-year-old. She loves it. It's compact and is fun to watch wave around. Very similar to its full-sized big bro. Great product!" — Christell Get it from Amazon for $8.58 . 2. A screaming goat so they can express all their feelings by pressing it and letting it do the screaming for them. Needless to say, there will be a loooottt of laughing caused by this little guy. Promising review: "Hilarious and irritating — my kid loves it. It's funny, loud and cute. Great for goat lovers. As described. Great gift for people who think screaming goats are funny." — E. Hurtt Get it from Amazon for $8.18 . 3. Some dehydrated water for the times when they are packing light but know they are bound to get thirsty. Instead of carrying a heavy jug of water, they can just carry this little can and fill it with water to rehydrate it whenever they need! Promising review: "Gave this for a Christmas gift to a relative...he is still speechless...from laughing! He shows it to everyone he knows. I would give this 10 stars if possible ...yeah, a bit pricey for an empty can but more fun than giving a pair of socks for sure!" — B burton Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . 4. An anti-stress desktop punching bag so they can take out all their rage against Kevin, the office pain-in-the-butt, in a safe and controlled manner that won't end with a trip to HR. Promising review: "I bought this as a white elephant gift for Christmas in the office. I anticipated it to be thin, flimsy, and cheap. However, it was just the opposite. My coworker has it suctionned to her glass wall and people use it all the time. The suction is strong, and the item itself feels very sturdy. I was pleasantly surprised, and it was one of the favorite gifts of the day." — Vicki McClain Get it from Amazon for $23.95+ (available in two colors). 5. A giant waffle...blanket for anyone who eats waffles on the daily and has been known to scream "leggo my Eggo" if anyone tries to take a bite. Now they can finally live out their dreams of being fully surrounded by a delicious breakfast food. Promising review: "My grandson loves this waffle lightweight throw. He got up and made sure everyone could see it. Well made. Not too heavy, just right for watching TV on a cooler night. This is the third unique one I purchased. Now all three grandsons have one, each being different. Love it." — becky spinks Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in five sizes and five styles). 6. A toilet timer to help them remember there is a whole world outside of the bathroom and they shouldn't be sitting on the commode until their legs are numb. Promising review: "It was a great Father's Day gift! My 3-year-old loves playing with it. I'm not sure my husband actually uses it for its intended purpose because he still takes forever! :D" – katherine viens Get it from Amazon for $16.99 . 7. And some no-rip toilet paper that'll leave them flustered and confused when they do finally decide bathroom time is over only to realize they are stuck there a little bit longer. Be warned, once you mess with someone in their most vulnerable state, you'll certainly be in the middle of an ongoing prank war. Promising review: "I pulled this prank on my partner and it was hilarious. It really doesn't rip hahaha." — Austin C. Get it from Amazon for $13.99 . 8. And! A talking toilet paper holder so you can really scare the 💩 outta them (thankfully they're on the toilet so there won't be any mess). Record whatever message you'd like them to hear when they go to pull the paper. And they can reuse it on the prankee of their choice. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Promising review: "This thing is awesome. I don’t know how something so simple can bring so much joy in my life. Just a tip if you’re going to get this, don’t keep it on the toilet paper roll all the time. Just do it every once in a while. That way they don’t know it’s coming. The other great news is you can remind your children to wipe their butt all the way every single time they go to the bathroom." — Ecow Get it from Amazon for $15.95 . 9. A container of nothing , perfect for someone who already has everything. Or for those people who always say "nothing" when asked what they want. Now you can finally grant their wishes! Promising review: "Got a few of these for Christmas. A few people said they wanted nothing, so that's just what I got them, NOTHING. LOL. We did buy them real gifts, but they loved their nothing. Everyone who received one thought it was funny. I suggest getting this for anyone who asks for nothing. The reading part on the nothing is funny too, strongly suggest this!! Worth the laughs!!" — CatsMeow Get it from Amazon for $14.99 . 10. A dinosaur eating gnomes figurine to show them how you really feel about their extensive gnome collection in their front yard. Promising review: "I keep this on the sideboard in the dining room. I feel that’s the proper place for it considering. I get more compliments and chuckles and looks of pure merriment every time someone sees it. And it’s every time, regardless of whether they’ve seen it before. My favorite thing in the house." — Margaret W. Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two sizes). 11. A bottle of "headlight fluid" that'll confuse all the car novices who barely even know how to fill their car up with gas. They're sure to experience a rollercoaster of emotions when they open this up — from being concerned that they've never replaced the fluid before to utter disbelief when they find out this isn't real. Note: this is just an empty bottle, because no, headlights don't need fluid. Promising review: "This will definitely make for some laughs at Christmas. It looks just like something you might buy at an auto parts store...until you think about what it really is. Ha ha ha." — teri Get it from Amazon for $14.99 . 12. A ridiculous yodelling pickle if you wanna give them the perfect ammo to irritate anyone and everyone in their life. Promising review: "This pickle rocks!!! Well, actually, this pickle yodels, and I don't care how many times you listen, you can't help but laugh, or smile, or both. I really believe every single person on planet earth needs to own one of these precious pickles." — Ken C. Get it from Amazon for $14.99 . 13. A Bob Ross Chia Pet that kinda speaks for itself. Plant and art lovers will rejoice at this completely unique gift. Go get them a Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! Includes the themed pottery planter, plastic drip tray, and chia seed packets for three plantings. Promising review: "Ummm... this is a Bob Ross Chia... don't even think... just order. Bought this for our white elephant family Christmas exchange. Who wouldn't want this???" — SaraB Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 10 other variations). 14. A pair of Fish flip-flops so they can up their slides game to this sweet pair that looks like a fish is swallowing their whole foot. They do always say they're a trendsetter.... Promising review: "These are some of the ugliest awesome slides I have ever had the privilege of wearing...total headturners that everyone loves, and they are surprisingly squishy and comfortable too. Love them!" — Brian Get them from Amazon for $23.99 (available in sizes 5 women/3 men—16 women/15 men and 13 colors). 15. A tin with a pair of emergency underpants , which is perfect to have on hand while they open up all these hilarious gifts as a backup in case they do in fact pee themselves from laughing so hard. Promising review: "Hey! If you're on the fence about getting this gag gift...GET IT!!! Today is my husband's birthday and he couldn't stop laughing when he opened this! Our kids kept referring to it as the 'man diaper' while laughing...BUT keep in mind that this gag gift is NOT geared only toward a man! This was worth every penny and my husband sent me a photo to make me laugh now! Apparently he carried it on him as he headed out the door LOL. He hasn't opened it...so I am unaware of how they would actually fit him. However, the purpose it was purchased for, did not let me down." — CB Get it from Amazon for $7.95 . 16. A mini violin so they can join Mr. Krabs' tiny orchestra that plays the perfect pity party soundtrack. This comes with the mini violin, stand, bow, and case. Promising review: "It looked exactly like my real violin! But a mini version. Such specific details for such a small instrument!!! It uses ACTUAL wood, little metal strings, and real pegs!!!!!!!! It has a little case that is a pretty velvet red and black color. The bow is real wood also, but the actual bow hair is plastic. If you replace the plastic bow hair with horse hair, and apply rosin, THE LITTLE VIOLIN CAN REALLY WORK!" — Michelle Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in four sizes). 17. A prank box with a spider that'll jump out when they open it. You can either use on its own or filled with a gift card, candy, or other small treat. Let's just say it may take them a little while to ever trust a box you hand to them again. Promising review: "We witnessed a good jump! My 14-year-old is not afraid of anything, well maybe except for the spiders. He got this box today as a Christmas gift. He opened it, totally freaked out, instantly jumped back, put his hand to the heart and started hyperventilating. After he pulled himself together, he said, 'You got me!!!' And believe me it is hard to 'get' him nowadays! We videotaped it. It was worth every dime!!!" — Elena Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two sizes). 18. A fake power outlet sticker so they can stick up on a wall in an airport, restaurant, or other public place. Then, sit back and watch unassuming patrons who desperately want to charge their phones try to plug in just to realize they've been tricked! Reviewers say these are removable, but to be careful if you want to pull them off a wall as they are stickers and may cause damage. Promising review: "I was able to trick my stepson into using one for his dresser so he can plug his Alexa into it. I told him you gotta make sure it goes on straight and wait for it to grow a box. Over the course of four days he came to me and said it's not growing. So I told him hmm maybe you have to water it like a plant. So sure enough he waters it (only a little bit). He did that for a week. Then I started to put more around the house and tricked my wife and friends who came over :D Great gag item." — Shawns211 Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $6.98 . 19. And some voice-activated prank stickers they can place on their coffee maker, TV, and so much more to trick their guests into wondering why "make me some coffee" isn't magically dispensing a much-needed hot beverage!!! The pack also includes some that say "motion activated." Promising review: "We have put these things on flower pots, weed eaters, a shovel, etc....Yes, they are juvenile, but always get a smile when seen. I do not condone vandalism, but I have seen a few of these stickers on 'non-automatic' paper towel dispensers, in a few gas station bathrooms. The thought of someone talking to a paper towel dispenser, in public, makes me giggle." — Amazon Customer Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $8.99 . 20. A classic snake-in-a-can to scare the bejesus out of them when they think you're just giving them a savory snack to go with all the candy in their stocking. Promising review: "My 6-year-old loved it and then my wife took it to the high school she teaches at and all the teens thought it was funny and played with it. Broad age gap for fun ." — Welsey Fraser Get it from Amazon for $7.99 . 21. A pack of 10 tiny hands so they can shock friends and family by reaching out to grab stuff with these little ~unsettling~ hands. The set comes with five right-handed and five left-handed finger hands. Promising review: "We’re a silly family, so when my mom mentioned wanting these, I got them for her birthday. She had a bad day yesterday, so I gave them to her a few days early to cheer her up. Her face lit up as she threw her head back in genuine laughter. She immediately went to the garage to find a wooden stick to attach the hands to each end. She uses it as a scepter and orders the household about like peasants. When we complain, she holds the tiny hand up for silence. She uses it to pet our faces while we sleep. The cat has declared the Hand her arch nemesis. It's been 24 hours now, and I regret everything." — Nesha Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $7.99 . 22. A coffee mug they'll get countless laughs out of when they hand their guests a beverage and watch as the words are slowly revealed with every sip. When the cup is empty, they may even burst out with a "mwahaha" to really seal in the dramatics. This mug is dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Promising review: "I love this mug. Served coffee to my BF in it and got a laugh out of his reaction when he got to the bottom. He had a good laugh, too. It’s also a fun mug to drink out of on those rough work days where you just kind of wish you had been poisoned, rather than sitting on another useless, never-ending conference call. Good quality. Fun gag gift. Great mug for your own personal arsenal." — R Redick Get it from Amazon for $13.98 . 23. A pair of glowing lightsaber chopsticks because no matter how much everyone tells them to, they ~still~ haven't grown out of playing with your food, and now they actually have an excuse. They have eight different color modes! BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says, "As you can see from the above GIF, I bought these for myself, and I love them to pieces. TBH, I use them as decor every bit as much as I use them to eat. Sometimes I just keep them in my work area to light them up during the day to feel fancy. They toggle back and forth between a bunch of different colors, like red, blue, yellow, purple, and multicolor, so you can either make them match *or* have a red and blue one together and bring ~balance~ to the Force." Promising review: "The chopsticks are very durable, and the glow is bright. They're a bit bigger that I expected — but very pleased nonetheless with the product because it serves the purpose and is entertaining for kids, right up to adult Star Wars nerds. It also made the perfect gift for my fellow Star Wars nerds. I've been too busy playing with them rather than using them to eat food — but hopefully that will eventually happen before the batteries need changing." — Anthony Get it from Amazon for $12.97 . 24. A set of Porta Potty shot glasses that are straight up disgusting but also so fun. Let's just hope they don't think too much about it while they're using them. Promising review : "They are a pair of shot glasses in the shape of Porta Potties so it got the expected laugh and enjoyment when picked at the White Elephant office party. They were 'stolen' a couple of times, so they turned out to be quite popular. Pick a pair for your next gag gift party...they will be a hit!" — Thor Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99 . 25. A hard-boiled egg holder worthy of royalty because why would they wanna eat their eggs like a peasant when they could dress 'em up as knights and have an army waiting to serve? And it comes equipped with a spoon, so they truly will have everything they need basically handed to them on a silver platter. Promising review : "I bought this for my wife's birthday and she absolutely loved it! She loves whimsy and this really struck a chord with her. I put a soft-boiled egg in it and she was grinning the entire time she was eating it. As far as being 'practical'; well, what can I say, but it beats chasing a soft-boiled egg around a slick dinner plate." — UrbanDad Get it from Amazon for $13.90 . 26. A silicone crab utensil holder perfect for when they're ~in a pinch~ and need somewhere to put their spoon that doesn't end with their delicious soup all over the counter. Promising review : "Probably the coolest holder I have ever seen. Bought it for my wife and she loves it and thinks it's cute. I laugh when I look at it, just cool as all! Hangs on all of our pots and pans, and stays cool. Easy to clean and looks awesome. A great addition to any kitchen. Works great, does exactly what it is intended to do!" — Logan E. Get it from Amazon for $13.95 . 27. A stress-relieving Dammit doll so they can relieve their anger without actually causing any harm or destruction. Everyone is gonna want to get their hands on this guy so they can take out all their frustrations in an ~appropriate~ manner. The Dammit Doll comes with a little poem: "Whenever things don't go so well, and you want to hit the wall and yell, here's a little dammit doll that you can't do without. Just grasp it firmly by the legs and find a place to slam it. And as you whack the stuffing out, yell 'dammit!' 'dammit!' 'dammit!'" Promising review : "This doll is amazing! Not only did it help me through holiday shopping, it helped me survive election commercials! It's small enough to take anywhere you might experience stress: your job, grocery store, dentist, Department of Motor Vehicles, parent/teacher conferences, and waiting in line to vote! It fits right into my purse, so I can quickly grab it when someone drives too slow in front of me or when I get pulled over for my right tail-light out. I love that it fits nicely on the nightstand to conveniently grab when hubby snores! I can't think of a better gift for friends, teachers, or people you purposely annoy. And it's VERY VERY durable! I use it at least 25 times a day, and the seams are just fine! " — William Imand Get a random patterned version from Amazon for $13.59+ (available in multi-packs). 28. Socks with magnetic hands to make sure their socks always have a ~pair.~ Tell me why this inanimate object holding hands is one of the cutest freakin' things ever?! Promising review: "I bought these socks for a couple that stand next to each other all the time. It was a very cute gift and they loved it the hands actually clasp by the magnet to each other if they stand close enough." — Michelle F. Get two pairs from Amazon for $14.98 (available in three color combos). The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.Harrisburg, Pa. — Crow droppings are such a nuisance that the state detonates explosives to mitigate the problem. Beginning on Monday, Dec. 9, the Department of General Services will begin the annual State Capitol Complex crow dispersal program. The program will continue daily between 5 and 7 p.m. throughout the next few months until the crows have been effectively dispersed. The public is being made aware to prevent any unnecessary alarm when the program begins. The crow dispersal program helps reduce slipping hazards for pedestrians due to the increased amount of crow waste that can accumulate on sidewalks — especially in wet weather. The program also helps reduce the damage from crow waste to buildings in the Capitol Complex. Pennsylvania Capitol Police will use the U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved method of discharging exploding shells and whistling devices to deter crows from roosting. The use of these methods is non-lethal and not harmful to people, crows, other animals, or the environment. For more information, visit the DGS Capitol Complex Crow Dispersal Program webpage .
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) and Borno State government have fine-tuned measures that would ensure more access to student loan programme by students in the state. The measures were endorsed by both parties when the Managing Director of NELFund, Akintunde Sawyerr, visited Borno State to engage with students, educators, and government officials, on the benefits of the NELFund initiative. Mr. Sawyerr emphasized on President Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing education in the country, stating that the loan programme was designed to also reduce unproductivity and unhappiness amongst Nigerians students, which often lead to broader societal issues. He added that the loan’s modalities include creating an online profile as a prerequisite for application, clarifying that the loan is interest-free and does not require a fixed repayment period, thus making it accessible and flexible for students. Borno State Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, in his remarks, reiterated the state government’s commitment to facilitating student access to the loan, hence announced the establishment of a dedicated desk officer for NELFund in the state-own institutions. Wakilbe added that the initiative will guide students throughout the application process and ensure they fully understand the benefits of the loan which, he described, as a low-risk grant, and encouraged all eligible students to take advantage of the programme. Meanwhile, during the interactive session, students asked several questions seeking further clarification, and the Managing Director provided detailed responses, thus shedding more light on the programme and its benefits.Deficit soars as Biden heads out the door
NoneHighlights from Trump's interview with Time magazine
Syria's Islamist-led rebel alliance had been planning the surprise ouster of President Basher al-Assad for a year, an opposition military leader told the Guardian in an interview published Friday. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Islamist group, which says it has moved away from its roots in Al-Qaeda, has long controlled a part of northwest Syria. After being weakened in a 2019 government operation, the group realised the "fundamental problem was the absence of unified leadership and control over battle", Abu Hassan al-Hamwi, an HTS commander and former leader of the group's military wing, told the UK daily. Correcting those mistakes, HTS began last year preparing for a retaliatory operation dubbed "Deterring Aggression" to oust Assad. It strengthened its control over opposition groups in the northwest and trained up its own militia, developing a "comprehensive military doctrine". HTS then tried to bring together rebel and jihadist forces in southern Syria, under Assad's control for the past six years, to create a "unified war room", according to the Guardian article. The "war room" convened commanders of 25 opposition groups who could steer the offensive against Assad from the south, with HTS driving in from the north, and converging in the capital and Assad's stronghold Damascus. The moment to launch the operation came in late November, with Syria's staunch allies Iran and Russia distracted by other conflicts. Over the weekend, the rebels succeeded in entering Damascus after sweeping through the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs in the north, causing Assad to flee the country and ending five decades of brutal rule by his clan. "We had a conviction, supported by historical precedent: that 'Damascus cannot fall until Aleppo falls'", Hamwi said. "The strength of the Syrian revolution was concentrated in the north, and we believed that once Aleppo was liberated, we could move southward toward Damascus," he added. The plan also involved developing better weapons to counter the technology Tehran and Moscow provided to the government forces. "We needed reconnaissance drones, attack drones and suicide drones, with a focus on range and endurance," Hamwi said, with drone production beginning as early as 2019. Hamwi named a new exploding or "suicide drone" the "Shahin" drone, meaning falcon in Arabic, which "symbolised their precision and power", the military leader said. The "Shahin" drone was deployed for the first time against Assad's forces this month, according to the Guardian, disabling artillery vehicles. HTS is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by several Western powers but has sought to reassure religious minorities and other governments since coming to power that it will usher in an inclusive leadership. "We affirm that minorities in Syria are part of the nation and have the right to practice their rituals, education, and services like every other Syrian citizen," Hamwi said. "The regime planted division, and we are trying, as much as possible, to bridge these divides," he added. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.
By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON, The Associated Press FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Republican senators pushed back on Sunday against criticism from Democrats that Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s pick to lead U.S. intelligence services, is “compromised” by her comments supportive of Russia and secret meetings, as a congresswoman, with Syria’s president, a close ally of the Kremlin and Iran. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, a veteran of combat missions in Iraq, said she had concerns about Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s choice to be director of national intelligence. “I think she’s compromised,” Duckworth said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” citing Gabbard’s 2017 trip to Syria, where she held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Gabbard was a Democratic House member from Hawaii at the time. “The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with America’s foes. And so my worry is that she couldn’t pass a background check,” Duckworth said. Gabbard, who said last month she is joining the Republican party, has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades. She was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait and, according to the Hawaii National Guard, received a Combat Medical Badge in 2005 for “participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.” Duckworth’s comments drew immediate backlash from Republicans. “For her to say ridiculous and outright dangerous words like that is wrong,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, said on CNN, challenging Duckworth to retract her words. “That’s the most dangerous thing she could say — is that a United States lieutenant colonel in the United States Army is compromised and is an asset of Russia.” In recent days, other Democrats have accused Gabbard without evidence of being a “Russian asset.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, has claimed, without offering details, that Gabbard is in Russian President Vladimir “Putin’s pocket.” Mullin and others say the criticism from Democrats is rooted in the fact that Gabbard left their party and has become a Trump ally. Democrats say they worry that Gabbard’s selection as national intelligence chief endangers ties with allies and gives Russia a win. Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat just elected to the Senate, said he would not describe Gabbard as a Russian asset, but said she had “very questionable judgment.” “The problem is if our foreign allies don’t trust the head of our intelligence agencies, they’ll stop sharing information with us,” Schiff said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Gabbard in 2022 endorsed one of Russia’s justifications for invading Ukraine: the existence of dozens of U.S.-funded biolabs working on some of the world’s nastiest pathogens. The labs are part of an international effort to control outbreaks and stop bioweapons, but Moscow claimed Ukraine was using them to create deadly bioweapons. Gabbard said she just voiced concerns about protecting the labs. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, said he thought it was “totally ridiculous” that Gabbard was being cast as a Russian asset for having different political views. “It’s insulting. It’s a slur, quite frankly. There’s no evidence that she’s a asset of another country,” he said on NBC. Sen. James Lankford, another Oklahoma Republican, acknowledged having “lots of questions” for Gabbard as the Senate considers her nomination to lead the intelligence services. Lankford said on NBC that he wants to ask Gabbard about her meeting with Assad and some of her past comments about Russia. “We want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was. As a member of Congress, we want to get a chance to talk about past comments that she’s made and get them into full context,” Lankford said.SHAREHOLDER INVESTIGATION: Halper Sadeh LLC Investigates ALTR, MPB, CDMO, AVAV on Behalf of ShareholdersALTOONA — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds was honored Thursday by the Iowa Taxpayers Association, an advocacy group for conservative tax policy. Reynolds was honored with the organization’s Linda S. Weindruch Award, which the group says “recognizes outstanding accomplishments and contributions in promoting and protecting the principles and policies of fair business taxation.” The Iowa Taxpayers Association honored Reynolds “for her leadership, which resulted in historic tax cuts for the citizens and employers of Iowa, improving the overall tax climate in Iowa.” Since Reynolds became governor in 2017, with all-Republican control of the Iowa Legislature, the state’s income tax structure has been reduced from nine brackets with a top rate of 8.9 percent to a single 3.8 percent rate for most state taxpayers. Iowa’s corporate income tax rate also has been simplified and lowered, and Reynolds and legislators have attempted to also address property taxes — rates set at the local level. “Fundamentally, the story of Iowa’s transformation was less about implementing clever policies and was more about unleashing the energy and creativity in Iowans and in our communities,” Reynolds said Thursday while accepting the honor at the Iowa Taxpayer Association’s annual symposium. “It was truly the triumph of simplicity over complexity, growth over spending, and bottom-up energy over top-down management.” Federal grant to help close ‘digital divide’ Iowa will receive an $8.4 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, via the 2021 federal infrastructure bill, to implement the state’s Digital Equity Plan. The plans are designed to help “empower individuals and communities with the tools and skills necessary to benefit from meaningful access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service,” according to a news release from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. With the $8.4 million grant, Iowa will work with public libraries to expand a Wi-Fi hot spot checkout program, develop a virtual cybersecurity training program, and fund a program that helps incarcerated individuals access educational opportunities, including digital skills and cybersecurity training. “Quality, affordable high-speed internet allows families and businesses to thrive in our modern economy. Thanks to President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law, the Department of Commerce is connecting everyone across the country to quality, affordable high-speed internet and providing the resources they need to make the most of that internet connection,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in the news release. “We look forward to working with the awardees to ensure all residents have the tools and skills to take advantage of quality, affordable high-speed internet — whether it’s for work, education, health care or any other essential service.” Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Luke Humphries defeats Luke Littler to retain Players Championship Finals title
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children's hospitalConnor Gaydos, a man connected to an apparent parody project to relaunch the energy company Enron and become its new CEO , was hit in the face with a pie this week as he was entering a building in New York City. The incident was caught on video and went viral on social media Thursday. The clip shows Gaydos exiting an SUV shortly before an older man slams the pie into his face as two bodyguards intervene. The bizarre incident mirrored one from more than two decades earlier, when a California woman tossed a pie into the face of Enron’s then-CEO Jeffrey Schilling . Earlier this month, a group announced the scandal-plagued Texas company was returning exactly 23 years after filing for bankruptcy amid massive fraud. “With a bold new vision, Enron will leverage cutting-edge technology, human ingenuity, and the spirit of adaptation to address the critical challenges of energy, sustainability, accessibility and affordability,” the company said in a press release that raised questions about its legitimacy. The announcement was reportedly joined by billboards in the Houston area, a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle and a video promoting the company’s comeback. An investigation conducted by Houston station KHOU turned up a disclaimer on the company’s website that read, “The information on the website is First Amendment-protected parody , represents performance art and is for entertainment purposes only.” Many have speculated the company’s reemergence is merely a publicity stunt promoting cryptocurrency .
PHILADELPHIA — One month ago, few would have expected the Nets and 76ers to be in their current states. The Nets playing above preseason expectations and the 76ers drowning among the league’s worst teams. Few would’ve also expected Cam Johnson to morph into a lethal scorer despite his hot shooting touch. Johnson kept up his torrid pace Friday night but the 76ers’ dual closers of Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain were too much, sending the Nets to a 113-98 loss at Wells Fargo Center in Emirates NBA Cup play. After scoring 34 last game, Johnson scored 37 points, one shy of his career-high. He tied his career-high with nine made three-pointers and extended a stretch where he came into the game shooting 52.1% on field goals and 41.8% on three-pointers over his last nine games. For the first time in his career, Johnson scored at least 20 points in three consecutive games. It went for naught because the Nets (6-10) couldn’t control the ball. Nineteen turnovers gave the 76ers 28 points. Fittingly, the Nets turned the ball over on their second-to-last possession, giving the 76ers their final basket. It was a lackluster finish to a 76ers (3-12) that entered with the NBA’s worst record and was down Joel Embiid (injury management) and Paul George (left knee bone bruise). Maxey’s steal and dunk with 2:27 left gave the 76ers a 11-point lead and all coach Jordi Fernandez could do was call timeout and stare up at the crowd with his hands on his hips. He couldn’t do much because he couldn’t play defense on the court. Maxey and McCain combined for 23 fourth-quarter points to outdoes Johnson’s 18-point quarter. McCain, the 76ers’ first-round pick, finished with 30 points. Maxey added 26 points. The Nets trailed 51-38 in the second quarter before ended the half on a 12-2 run to trail by three at halftime. It foreshadowed an even stronger start after the break. The Nets stormed to the lead with a 14-0 run as part of a larger 26-4 run since their 13-point deficit. Cam Thomas found his rhythm after a quiet first half with 10 points in the third. Yet the Nets couldn’t maintain it. They led 70-62 before giving up a 15-2 run of their own. Maxey gave the 76ers a 74-73 lead with a three-point play then McCain found Reggie Jackson for a three to cap the run. McCain got hot in the fourth to keep up with Johnson. He made a layup to give the 76ers a 91-90 lead then drained a three-pointer to push the advantage to four. It was part of a 9-0 76ers run that left the Nets behind for good. The poor start to this four-game road trip was also their sixth loss in eight games. Thomas had 18 points for the Nets, who shot 49.4% from the field Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
aces wild dance
Lawmakers edge closer to deal on government funding"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.
aces wild horse
aces wild manic brawling action
how to win wild ace
jili wild ace online login
jordi wild sueños de acero y neon