super ace casino com
Don Jr.’s New Love Is the One Who Wanted Kimberly Guilfoyle to Hit the RoadHighlights from Trump's interview with Time magazineAn Affiliate of Balmoral Funds LLC Acquires R.H. Sheppard Co., Inc.
Organized crime is no longer a problem restricted to specific countries or regions—it is a transnational threat weakening economies, communities and governments across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). A new study by economists at the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) estimates that the region loses an estimated 3.4% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to crime every day. The GDP is a key indicator of a country’s economic health. That loss is the equivalent of nearly four-fifths of public education spending or 12 times R & D investment. Almost half of the region’s homicides are tied to organized criminal networks, which exploit weaknesses in institutions, local economies, and illicit markets. Vulnerable populations bear the brunt of its impact, trapped in cycles of violence with fewer chances for a better life. The impact is widespread: 54% of households in LAC report the presence of local criminal groups, and between 20% and 50% of residents identify organized crime as the greatest threat to their safety. The private sector also faces significant costs, including reduced productivity, increased spending on security—estimated at 1.6% of the region’s GDP—lower investment, and business closures. But as we have seen time and again, organized criminal activity doesn’t stay on just one side of the border; it exploits economic and social links, capitalizes on institutional gaps and vulnerable population to reach over borders. That is why what happens in one country matters to the rest of hemisphere and why a transnational response is required. A shared challenge, a joint solution That is where the Regional Alliance for Security, Justice and Development, spearheaded by the IDB comes in. Set to be launched this week at the Regional Security and Justice Summit in Bridgetown, Barbados, it provides a unified response, fostering dialogue and joint action among governments, multilateral organizations, the private sector and civil society. The participation of more than 40 authorities from 18 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean in the launch highlights the strong need for and commitment to this initiative and its goals. The Alliance pioneers a holistic approach to crime, aiming to integrate the efforts of intelligence agencies, police forces, social ministries, and financial regulators. This comprehensive framework is essential for addressing the root causes of organized crime and dismantling its structures across economic, social, and security dimensions. Its strategic priorities, shaped by the collaborative insights and experiences of participating countries, focus on the most urgent needs to address organized crime and its effects: 1. Protecting vulnerable populations: By targeting at-risk communities, the Alliance seeks to prevent the recruitment of youth and marginalized individuals by criminal networks. Initiatives include programs like community violence interrupters and exit strategies from organized crime. 2. Strengthening security and justice institutions: The Alliance supports evidence-based policing strategies, modern investigative tools, and collaborative efforts to bolster accountability and effectiveness. 3. Curbing illicit financial flows: Through financial intelligence, cross-border collaboration, and tighter regulations, the Alliance works to limit the resources that sustain criminal networks. These pillars represent a roadmap for measurable progress, built on shared efforts and action. A regional leadership steering group—comprising Barbados, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Brazil, and Paraguay —ensures efforts are well-coordinated, effective, and relevant for the region. Ecuador will hold the first presidency, signaling a strong commitment to regional leadership. The Alliance draws on the experience, knowledge, lending programs and technical expertise of multiple organizations and multilateral development banks (MDBs), including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). As the technical secretariat of the Alliance, the IDB plays a key role in planning, coordinating, and mobilizing resources to strengthen institutional capacities, foster regional knowledge-sharing, and ensure the effectiveness of long-term policies through reviews and improvements. Turning commitment into action We know that declarations of intent are insufficient; progress demands tangible results. Close to 20 participating countries are already exchanging best practices and piloting programs to address organized crime. The Alliance represents a unified response to one of the region’s greatest challenges. Every step to curb violence and strengthen institutions brings LAC closer to a safer, more just, and prosperous future of the Americas. — Ilan Goldfajn is president of the Inter-American Development Bank. This was originally published in the Miami Herald.Diego González, traveling surgeon: ‘I operate all over the world’ The doctor has assisted more than 10,000 people in 136 countries after revolutionizing operating theaters with minimally invasive single-cut video surgery on the chest Diego González Rivas has just arrived in his hometown, A Coruña , after stopping in Madrid and Lisbon, where he landed last week on his return from Kuwait. Suitcases and planes are part of his daily routine. During December he has also been to Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Bucharest. He will spend Christmas in India and New Year in Indonesia, from where he will travel to Vietnam. He is a traveling thoracic surgeon, who at 50 years old has operated on more than 10,000 people in 136 countries after revolutionizing operating theatres. What used to involve opening up the patient and separating the ribs is now reduced to an incision of a few centimeters with thoracoscopic or robotic surgery . Sometimes, these interventions are carried out without tracheal intubation or general anesthesia. Thanks to these two techniques, which González developed in 2010 and 2021 respectively, patients can be discharged from hospital within 48 hours after being operated on for lung cancer . He heads the thoracic video surgery program at the Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, the largest clinic in the world, and in 2025 he will present a book, Healing the World: Diary of a Nomadic Surgeon . Question: Did you always know that you wanted to be a doctor? Answer. Yes, I always wanted to help others. My mother was a nurse and I loved going with her to the hospital because I saw that people were going in sick and coming out okay, usually. When I was little, my family recorded a Christmas video message in which I wished people a happy holiday and that no loved ones would die. This was what I cared about. Q. Why did you specialize in thoracic surgery? A. I wanted to be a surgeon and I had three options: plastic, cardiac, or thoracic. The latter was not very well-known, but just when I graduated a lung transplant program started in A Coruña of which I could be the first resident. I had an intuition and I went with it, I knew I would be fascinated. Q. Has postoperative care evolved much since then? A. Of course, one of the things I hated most about my profession was seeing patients in bad shape after surgery. Thoracic surgery is the most painful of all because the intercostal nerves are in the thorax, a rigid organ that requires separating the ribs to be able to access it openly, which causes pain that can last a lifetime. I saw dramatic cases in the postoperative period with many complications and the risk of infections, pneumonia, and thromboembolisms. Q. Did you know that medicine offered other alternatives? A. I believed that the way things were being done had to change. I discovered video surgery, which was only performed in Spain in Seville, on a small scale, but was more common in the United States. I went there in 2006 and learned the technique in hospitals in Los Angeles, New York, and North Carolina, where I found out that surgeon Thomas D’Amico was the only person capable of operating with only two incisions, and I trained with him. Q. Did you improve this technique? A. Yes, in June 2010 I performed major lung cancer surgery for the first time in the world with a single four-centimeter incision. Now I can do it in a smaller size. It was a revolution and a new era began with a technique called Uniportal VATS (minimally invasive video surgery with a single cut in the chest). It allows direct vision with very ergonomic instrumentation. The patient is at home within 48 hours. Q. Did your professional career take off at that time? A. I started to generate international interest, although there was also criticism because I was creating something new that broke with the established order. My own boss at the hospital in A Coruña did not accept it. I lived through some tense years, but my team always believed in this project and we continued forward. Life is full of obstacles and these make you grow. Q. Did you want to show your discovery to the world? A. I wanted all surgeons to learn this technique because it is very appreciated by the patient, and I started my crusade around the world to teach it. Medical students already study it in faculties. It is not only used to operate on lung cancer, it’s useful for all chest pathologies. In 2021, I also developed robotic surgery (Uniportal RATS) and, in addition, I cure hyperhidrosis in the palms of the hands with a 15-minute operation, like the one I performed on the [Spanish television] presenter David Broncano. That’s why this operation went viral. Q. In which country did you first become interested in spreading your single-cut technique in the chest? A. In 2012, I was invited to give the first conference in Singapore, where a hospital was performing 30 lung surgeries a day and specialists from all over Asia came. I started performing live surgeries in Hong Kong and offered classes in more than 60 Chinese cities. I was amazed by the Asian technology and founded the thoracic video surgery program at the Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, the largest in the world, to attract professionals from all over. They train for two weeks and return to their countries of origin to develop the technique; it is the fastest way to expand worldwide. I was named an honorary citizen in northern China. Q. What fulfills you the most? A. Operating in developing countries is what makes me happiest, it gives me a lot of peace and satisfaction because it is where I have the most impact. Saving a life there is wonderful. At first it was an odyssey to perform this type of surgery in some territories, where we lost power in the middle of operations. They have very limited resources and we need high-definition equipment and specialized anesthesiologists. In recent years I have visited more than 30 African countries. That is why the Diego González Rivas Foundation was born in 2022, which raises funds to work in these countries with peace of mind. Q. Has the foundation allowed you to fulfill dreams that seemed impossible? A. I have operated in Tanzania, Kazakhstan, Sierra Leone, Peru, and many other territories. This year I achieved my main goal: a mobile hospital equipped with all the technology to move easily to different parts of Africa. We inaugurated it in Ghana. For the first time in the world, minimally invasive surgery was performed in a mobile unit with high-definition cameras, solar panels, satellite connection, bronchoscopes, sterilization systems, surgical scrubbing, and a resuscitation area. We saved people and offered them the same health conditions as in Europe and the United States. Q. Are you a traveling surgeon? A. Yes, I am a nomad. I work in dozens of hospitals, I operate all over the world, even on weekends. I travel alone, but in each country I have a different team. I never lose contact with the patients I care for, even if I have to leave the next day for another city. Q. What adverse situations have you faced? A. There have been many, but I remember a girl in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who had swallowed a key and it had been stuck in her lung for two years. She was dying and we operated on her. Three days later, we discharged her and she was happy. In China I assisted a prisoner who had tried to take his life by stabbing himself in the chest with an awl, and in Tanzania I operated on a girl whose lung had been completely punctured by a rib years earlier, probably after being abused. Q. Do you operate where others don’t dare? A. I have more experience in complex cases because I deal with them every day. I perform 1,000 lung cancer surgeries a year, whereas my colleagues in Spain normally do 100. I receive numerous cases every day of patients with tumors that have been rejected [for surgery] because they are technically complex, so I deal with them, but many I cannot cope with either. I always have to stick to oncological principles. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAÍS USA Edition Tu suscripción se está usando en otro dispositivo ¿Quieres añadir otro usuario a tu suscripción? Si continúas leyendo en este dispositivo, no se podrá leer en el otro. ¿Por qué estás viendo esto? Tu suscripción se está usando en otro dispositivo y solo puedes acceder a EL PAÍS desde un dispositivo a la vez. Si quieres compartir tu cuenta, cambia tu suscripción a la modalidad Premium, así podrás añadir otro usuario. Cada uno accederá con su propia cuenta de email, lo que os permitirá personalizar vuestra experiencia en EL PAÍS. En el caso de no saber quién está usando tu cuenta, te recomendamos cambiar tu contraseña aquí. Si decides continuar compartiendo tu cuenta, este mensaje se mostrará en tu dispositivo y en el de la otra persona que está usando tu cuenta de forma indefinida, afectando a tu experiencia de lectura. Puedes consultar aquí los términos y condiciones de la suscripción digital. A Coruña Tanzania India Indonesia Vietnam Cáncer Shanghái China David Broncano Diego González, traveling surgeon: ‘I operate all over the world’ A Gazan journalist’s story: ‘By day, I covered the horrors of war. At night, I worked on my thesis by candlelight’ Daniel Craig: “I wouldn’t have been able to star in ‘Queer’ during the years I was playing James Bond” Lea Ypi, political scientist: ‘The new European militarism threatens what made the EU great’ The Canal is off the table: Latin America closes ranks with Panama in face of Trump’s threats Amid uncertainty and fear, thousands of migrants prepare for the closure of shelters in New York From Venezuela to Trump: Sheinbaum returns Mexico to the front line of international politics Pornhub to block Florida users on January 1 to protest war on porn A breathalyzer test leads to a diplomatic clash between Argentina and Russia
US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated WASHINGTON (AP) — Wholesale costs in the United States picked up sharply last month, signaling that price pressures are still evident in the economy even though inflation has tumbled from the peak levels it hit more than two years ago. The producer price index — which tracks inflation before it reaches consumers — rose 0.4% last month from October, up from 0.3% the month before. Measured from 12 months earlier, wholesale prices climbed 3% in November, the sharpest year-over-year rise since February 2023. Higher food prices helped fuel the November wholesale inflation reading, which was higher than economists had expected. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. From a 10-year-old to a Muppet to a president-elect, NYSE bell-ringers range from famous to obscure The first guest invited to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange in 1956 wasn’t a company executive, a politician or a well-known celebrity. It was a 10-year-old boy, Leonard Ross, who received the honor by winning a television quiz show.Since then, business titans, political giants and global film stars have all been among those ringing the opening bell at the NYSE. Ronald Reagan rang the bell as president in 1985. Billionaire businessman and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. - have also rung the bell. The list includes famous Muppets: Miss Piggy was once a bell ringer. Trump is named Time's Person of the Year and rings the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange after being recognized by Time magazine as its person of the year. The honors Thursday for the businessman-turned-politician are a measure of Trump’s remarkable comeback from an ostracized former president who refused to accept his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House decisively in November. At the stock exchange, Trump was accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Trump grinned as people chanted “USA” before he opened the trading day and raised his fist. Ontario to restrict electricity exports to US and bar American-made alcohol if Trump tariffs applied TORONTO (AP) — A senior official in Canada’s most populous province says that Ontario could bar American-made alcohol and restrict electricity to three U.S. states if President-elect Donald Trump imposes sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products. The states are Michigan, New York and Minnesota. An official in Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government said Thursday that it's contemplating restricting Ontario's liquor control board from buying American-made alcohol. Ontario is also considering restricting exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric vehicle batteries. ECB cuts rates a quarter point amid concerns of tepid growth, impact of Trump trade policies FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank is cutting interest rates by a quarter percentage point amid signs of weakening growth and concern about the impact of political chaos in France and the possibility of new U.S. import tariffs. The bank’s rate-setting committee made the decision Thursday at its skyscraper headquarters in Frankfurt to lower the benchmark rate from 3.25% to 3%. Lower rates should support growth amid signs that the post-pandemic recovery is slowing in the 20 countries that use the euro currency and concerns that U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump might impose new tariffs, or import taxes, on goods imported to the US after he is inaugurated Jan. 20. YouTube TV is hiking its monthly price, again. Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Are you a YouTube TV subscriber? Your monthly bills are about to get more expensive again. YouTube has announced that it’s upping the price of its streaming service’s base plan by $10 — citing rising content costs and other investments. The new $82.99 per month price tag will go into effect starting Jan. 13 for existing subscribers, and immediately for new customers who sign up going forward. YouTube TV has rolled out a series of price hikes over the years. When launched back in 2017, the going price of its streaming package was $35 a month. By 2019, that fee rose to $50 — and has climbed higher and higher since. Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor The head of the Federal Aviation Administration says he will step down next month to let President-elect Donald Trump name his choice to lead the agency. Mike Whitaker announced his pending resignation in a message to FAA employees on Thursday. Since taking the helm at the FAA in October 2023, Whitaker has dealt with challenges that include a surge in close calls between planes, a shortage of air traffic controllers and antiquated equipment. He has led a tougher enforcement policy against Boeing since a panel blew off a jetliner in January. The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees NEW YORK (AP) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Thursday it's capping overdraft fees at $5 with a rule set to take effect in October 2025, if it isn't overturned by Congress or altered under a Trump administration. President Joe Biden had called the fees, which can be as high as $35, “exploitative,” while the banking industry has lobbied extensively to keep the existing fee structures in place.Victors Home Solutions has been recognized as 2024 Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year DETROIT , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 5th, 2024 , Victors Home Solutions was awarded the title of Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year at the Best of Success conference in Bonita Springs, FL. At this conference, Victors Home Solutions, which has been in business since 2008, received the award for Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year. Victor Smolyanov , Founder and CEO, attributes much of his success to the opportunity to give back to the communities in which he operates: "Last year we were blessed to give away 23 roofs, and this year it's going to be 40, and that has a huge impact," he said. "For us, it's one out of 4,000 roofs, but for them, it's potentially a life-changing event, allowing them to live more comfortably without having to worry about moving their bed when it rains or having a tarp on." This marks the 20th year of the conference, and it is said to be a must-attend event for roofing professionals. In addition to the amenities available on-site, there are many opportunities for education, exploration of new roofing technologies, and networking with top organizations in the roofing industry, such as Victors Home Solutions. Victors Home Solutions is recognized for their impact on local communities through their Give Back program. A program that has provided many with a roof over their heads. For every 100 roof replacements installed, Victors will provide one local family in need with a roof replacement at no cost. To nominate someone you know, click here . About Victors Home Solutions Victors Home Solutions has provided premier residential roofing and home improvement services to Michigan , Ohio , Kentucky , New Jersey , Illinois , and Pennsylvania communities for over 15 years. Victors' commitment to quality workmanship and integrity, along with his passion for roofing, has made Victors Home Solutions the highest ranked roofing company in Michigan . With over 200 employees and eight locations, Victors is at the forefront and stands poised to revolutionize the roofing and home improvement industries. For more information, visit Victors.com . Media Contact: Jake Tilk j.tilk@victors.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/victors-home-solutions-recognized-as-2024-roofing-contractor-of-the-year-302337604.html SOURCE Victors Home Solutions
Esports: Kucheza Gaming, French Embassy Partner To Empower Students In Lagos
‘Let’s not panic’: Canada picks up the pieces after Latvia loss at world juniors
Dolphins waiving LB Shaq Barrett from reserve/retired list
Maple Syrup Diplomacy: Canada’s Sweet Revenge for Trump’s Tariff TantrumVictors Home Solutions has been recognized as 2024 Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year DETROIT , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 5th, 2024 , Victors Home Solutions was awarded the title of Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year at the Best of Success conference in Bonita Springs, FL. At this conference, Victors Home Solutions, which has been in business since 2008, received the award for Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year. Victor Smolyanov , Founder and CEO, attributes much of his success to the opportunity to give back to the communities in which he operates: "Last year we were blessed to give away 23 roofs, and this year it's going to be 40, and that has a huge impact," he said. "For us, it's one out of 4,000 roofs, but for them, it's potentially a life-changing event, allowing them to live more comfortably without having to worry about moving their bed when it rains or having a tarp on." This marks the 20th year of the conference, and it is said to be a must-attend event for roofing professionals. In addition to the amenities available on-site, there are many opportunities for education, exploration of new roofing technologies, and networking with top organizations in the roofing industry, such as Victors Home Solutions. Victors Home Solutions is recognized for their impact on local communities through their Give Back program. A program that has provided many with a roof over their heads. For every 100 roof replacements installed, Victors will provide one local family in need with a roof replacement at no cost. To nominate someone you know, click here . About Victors Home Solutions Victors Home Solutions has provided premier residential roofing and home improvement services to Michigan , Ohio , Kentucky , New Jersey , Illinois , and Pennsylvania communities for over 15 years. Victors' commitment to quality workmanship and integrity, along with his passion for roofing, has made Victors Home Solutions the highest ranked roofing company in Michigan . With over 200 employees and eight locations, Victors is at the forefront and stands poised to revolutionize the roofing and home improvement industries. For more information, visit Victors.com . Media Contact: Jake Tilk [email protected] SOURCE Victors Home Solutions
An explosion in the Afghan capital kills the Taliban refugee ministerMiddle East latest: UN General Assembly demands a ceasefire in Gaza
Savers will have the chance to join a new 2025 challenge which automatically saves money for them each day. It could build a cash pot of more than £600 by the end of the year. That's because a UK digital bank called Monzo, which has more than 11 million customers, says it is the first UK bank to create a fully automated 1p saving challenge, reports the Manchester Evening News. The year-long challenge, backed by financial journalist Martin Lewis, works by saving 1p on the first day, then 2p on the second day, 3p on the third day, and so on. So by day 30, savers will have £4.64, halfway through the challenge they will have £168.36, and by day 365, they will have saved £667.95. This saving scheme has been advocated by Monzo and money-saving experts for several years but the digital bank said that 2025 will be the first year that its customers can participate in a fully automated challenge through their banking app. Both new and existing Monzo customers can opt into the challenge by January 31, and see small change automatically moved from their personal account to a “challenge pot” each day. Users will be able to track the progress of their savings, have the option to take a break at any time, and catch up on missed days. The bank, which is the seventh largest in the UK, has previously let its customers participate in the challenge but only by downloading a separate app which allows people to set up rules to move money around automatically. AJ Coyne, vice president of marketing at Monzo, said the new “automated solution” for 2025 will help people turn small change into bigger savings. He said: “Many of them will also be looking to make habitual changes in January, and we know that putting away smaller amounts over time works well for them. "This challenge is a great entry point for those at the start of their journey, and a fun competition for those who are already in the habit.” Monzo also revealed that it would be offering one customer who completes the full 365 days a chance to win a £10,000 prize - while other prizes will be on offer for customers who pay for its monthly plans. Many UK banks have introduced automated savings options which use technology to help people save small amounts each time they spend. This includes round-ups, a popular feature which automatically rounds people’s spending to the nearest pound and transfers the change to a separate savings account. Monzo said this feature helped its customers put away a total of £229 million in 2024. The digital bank prides itself on being a modern way to bank and appealing to younger customers. It features digital cards and quick and easy transfers through the app. Monzo originally appeared to people as a way to spend money while abroad without having to pay hefty withdrawal fees. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
Staying Young at Heart, Striving for Excellence:An Interview with Professor Zhang Wujun at KinghelmJamaicaEye cameras nearest to Santa Cruz stabbing incident fully operationalPeople & Profit - One year of Milei's Argentina: Is 'shock therapy' working?