top646 online casino
Connected, brainy, athletic: the suspect in US insurance CEO's slaying
What diversity does — and doesn't — look like in Trump's CabinetWHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. (AP) — Jordan Sears scored 25 points, Jalen Reed had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and LSU defeated UCF 109-102 in triple overtime on Sunday to take third place at the Greenbrier Tip-Off. LSU trailed by 18 points early in the second half, then failed to hold a lead at the end of regulation and each of the first two overtime periods. The Tigers went up by five with a minute to go in the third overtime. UCF cut it to three, then Vyctorius Miller made a driving layup, Jordan Sears followed with a dunk and the Tigers were able to hold on when leading by seven. Cam Carter scored 20 points, Miller had 16 and Dji Bailey 14 for LSU (5-1). Darius Johnson had 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds for UCF (4-2). Keyshawn Hall had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 20. South Florida led by 15 points at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for all but a few possessions in the first 11 1/2 minutes of the second half. UCF led 62-48 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining but Sears hit three 3-pointers and LSU drew to within 64-59 with 6 minutes to go. The Tigers scored the last six points of regulation to force overtime. In the first half, LSU led 15-13 about eight minutes into the game but the Tigers missed 15 of 16 shots while being outscored 25-3 over the next 10 minutes. South Florida led 40-25 at halftime after shooting 46% to 25% for LSU. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
No. 5 UCLA snaps No. 1 South Carolina's 43-game win streak
NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail on Wednesday as he awaits a May sex trafficking trial by a judge who cited evidence showing him to be a “serious risk” of witness tampering and proof he has tried to hide prohibited communications with third parties while incarcerated. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian ruled in a five-page order following a bail hearing last week. At the hearing, lawyers for the hip-hop mogul argued that a $50 million bail package they proposed would be sufficient to ensure Combs doesn’t flee and doesn’t try to intimidate prospective trial witnesses. Two other judges previously had agreed with prosecutors that the Bad Boy Records founder was a danger to the community if he is not behind bars. Subramanian concurred. “There is compelling evidence of Combs's propensity for violence,” Subramanian wrote. Lawyers for Combs did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the decision. Nicholas Biase, a spokesperson for prosecutors, declined comment. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years, aided by associates and employees. An indictment alleges that he silenced victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. A federal appeals court judge last month denied Combs’ immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan considers his bail request. That appeal was put on hold while Subramanian, newly appointed to the case after an earlier judge stepped aside, considered the bail request for the first time. Subramanian said he took a fresh look at all the bail arguments and the evidence supporting them to make his decision. Prosecutors have insisted that no bail conditions would be sufficient to protect the public and prevent the “I'll Be Missing You” singer from fleeing. They say that even in a federal lockup in Brooklyn, Combs has orchestrated social media campaigns designed to influence prospective jurors and tried to publicly leak materials he thinks can help his case. They say he also has contacted potential witnesses through third parties. Lawyers for Combs say any alleged sexual abuse described in the indictment occurred during consensual relations between adults and that new evidence refutes allegations that Combs used his “power and prestige” to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers known as “Freak Offs.” Subramanian said evidence shows Combs to be a “serious risk of witness tampering,” particularly after he communicated over the summer with a grand jury witness and deleted some of his texts with the witness. The judge also cited evidence showing that Combs violated Bureau of Prisons regulations during pretrial detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn when he paid other inmates to use their phone code numbers so he could make calls to individuals who were not on his approved contact list. He said there was also evidence that he told family members and defense counsel to add other people to three-way calls so their communications would be more difficult to trace and that he made efforts to influence his trial's jury pool or to reach potential witnesses. Subramanian said his “willingness to skirt” jailhouse rules to conceal communications was “strong evidence” that any conditions of release would not prevent similar behavior. The judge said defense claims that Combs stopped using one particular phone technique criticized by prosecutors was belied by the fact that Combs apparently used it again on Sunday, two days after his bail hearing last week. Even a bail proposal that would include the strictest form of home confinement seemed insufficient, the judge said. “Given the nature of the allegations in this case and the information provided by the government, the Court doubts the sufficiency of any conditions that place trust in Combs and individuals in his employ — like a private security detail — to follow those conditions,” Subramanian wrote. Larry Neumeister, The Associated PressGuest Opinion: Did greed or misplaced generosity lead to working-class fury?
Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in Eagle Materials Inc. ( NYSE:EXP – Free Report ) by 11.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,275 shares of the construction company’s stock after purchasing an additional 233 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Eagle Materials were worth $654,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in EXP. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in Eagle Materials by 132.7% during the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 114 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Eagle Materials during the 1st quarter valued at $42,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Eagle Materials by 1,760.0% in the first quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 186 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Eagle Materials by 10,750.0% during the second quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 217 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Eagle Materials during the third quarter worth $64,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.07% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Eagle Materials from $320.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Eagle Materials from $252.00 to $311.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Eagle Materials from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Stephens boosted their target price on shares of Eagle Materials from $280.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Eagle Materials from $277.00 to $317.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eagle Materials currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $303.78. Eagle Materials Price Performance Shares of Eagle Materials stock opened at $314.35 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.34, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $293.76 and a 200-day simple moving average of $258.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.20 and a beta of 1.32. Eagle Materials Inc. has a 1-year low of $177.65 and a 1-year high of $317.00. Eagle Materials ( NYSE:EXP – Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $4.31 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.75 by ($0.44). Eagle Materials had a return on equity of 35.79% and a net margin of 21.32%. The firm had revenue of $623.62 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $651.46 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $4.28 EPS. The business’s revenue was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Eagle Materials Inc. will post 15.24 earnings per share for the current year. Eagle Materials Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 13th. Investors of record on Monday, December 16th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 16th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.32%. Eagle Materials’s dividend payout ratio is presently 7.06%. Insider Activity at Eagle Materials In other news, Director George John Damiris sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.62, for a total transaction of $277,620.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 7,943 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,205,135.66. This represents a 11.18 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, Director Richard Ross Stewart sold 3,577 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.30, for a total transaction of $1,074,173.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,100 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $330,330. The trade was a 76.48 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 5,978 shares of company stock worth $1,791,707 in the last 90 days. 1.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Eagle Materials Company Profile ( Free Report ) Eagle Materials Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells heavy construction materials and light building materials in the United States. It operates in four segments: Cement, Concrete and Aggregates, Gypsum Wallboard, and Recycled Paperboard. The company engages in the mining of limestone for the manufacture, production, distribution, and sale of Portland cement, including Portland limestone cement; grinding and sale of slag; and mining of gypsum for the manufacture and sale of gypsum wallboards used to finish the interior walls and ceilings in residential, commercial, and industrial structures, as well as well as containerboard and lightweight packaging grades; manufacture and sale of recycled paperboard to the gypsum wallboard industry and other paperboard converters; the sale of readymix concrete; and mining and sale of aggregates, such as crushed stone, sand, and gravel. See Also Five stocks we like better than Eagle Materials 3 Small Caps With Big Return Potential Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot What Are Dividend Challengers? MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 What is the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EXP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eagle Materials Inc. ( NYSE:EXP – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Eagle Materials Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eagle Materials and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .A onetime aide to former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has voluntarily dismissed a federal lawsuit she had filed against him and several of his aides two years ago alleging he sexually harassed her and then smeared her reputation after she became the second woman to publicly accuse him of misconduct. According to statements from Charlotte Bennett and her attorney Debra Katz posted on X on Monday, Bennett will drop the case against Cuomo and top aides Melissa DeRosa, Jill DesRosiers and Judith Mogul, but the suit against the state, her employer at the time, will proceed. “Former Governor Andrew Cuomo can no longer use this lawsuit to harass me and my family. His abusive filings and invasive subpoenas are meant to humiliate and retaliate against me and those who have supported me over the last five years of this living nightmare. Mr. Cuomo’s letter to the Court last week is yet another example of this and I have had enough,” Bennett said in a statement. Debra Katz and Charlotte Bennett issued statements on news that Bennett voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of the SDNY against Andrew Cuomo, who sexually harassed her. The case in state court against the State of NY, her employer, will proceed. pic.twitter.com/dU63bc4vBP Katz alleged that Cuomo made a number of “invasive discovery requests” in an effort to humiliate her. “Mr. Cuomo has used these legal proceedings to punish Ms. Bennett and others who reported his sexual harassment, and to cause more harm to her, all at the expense of New York taxpayers,” Katz said. “On behalf of Ms. Bennett, and in support of all who have faced sexual harassment by powerful men like former Governor Cuomo, we will continue to seek justice in our action against the State of New York.” Bennett filed the suit against the former governor in federal court in New York City in September 2022, alleging Cuomo subjected her to unwanted advances, including telling her he was “lonely” and on the hunt for a girlfriend and asking her if she would be open to sex with an older man. Cuomo resigned as governor in August 2021 after state Attorney General Letitia James released the results of an investigation that concluded Cuomo had sexually harassed at least 11 women, including Bennett. Bennett played a critical role in Cuomo's eventual downfall. At the time she came forward with her accusations, only one other woman, Lindsey Boylan, had spoken publicly about being harassed by the governor. When Bennett initially told her story to The New York Times , Cuomo appeared to acknowledge that he had hurt her with comments inappropriate for a workplace, but denied that he was making sexual advances. He claimed Bennett had misinterpreted his comments. "Ms. Bennett's decision to drop her baseless lawsuit should be viewed as a complete capitulation and a desperate attempt to avoid being confronted with the mountains of exculpatory discovery-- including contemporaneous texts and videos that the AG’s office never obtained-- that completely refute her claims against Governor Cuomo," Cuomo lawyers Rita Glavin and Theresa Trzaskoma said in a statement Monday. "After falsely smearing Governor Cuomo for years, Ms. Bennett suddenly withdrew her federal lawsuit on the eve of her deposition to avoid having to admit under oath that her allegations were false and her claims had no merit. If New York State does give in to her public pressure campaign and settles, it will not be on the merits and should require the public release of all the evidence so that New Yorkers finally know the truth: Governor Cuomo never sexually harassed anyone." document.write(__reporter_name); - document.write(__reporter_title); document.write(__reporter_bio);None
Family of Lyle and Erik Menendez told a judge Monday they want the men freed from the life sentences they are serving for the shotgun murders of their parents, as their court case suffered a delay. The pair have been in prison since a blockbuster trial in the 1990s that became almost compulsory viewing for millions of Americans. Television audiences were riveted by the gruesome details of the slayings of Jose and Kitty Menendez at the family's luxury Beverly Hills mansion. The two men, who have spent more than three decades behind bars, had been due to appear by videolink at a hearing in Los Angeles, their first court appearance in 28 years as a campaign to set them free gathers pace. But technical difficulties scuppered the appearance and the hearing was pushed back to the end of January. Nevertheless, Judge Michael Jesic called the two men's elderly aunts to the stand to hear them plead for the brothers to be freed. "I would like to be able to hug them and see them," Jose Menendez's older sister Terry Baralt, 85, said. "I would like them to come home." Kitty's sister, Joan Vander Molen, echoed that. "No child should go through what Erik and Lyle went through," she said. "They never knew if tonight will be the night when they would be raped." Prosecutors painted the crime as a cold-hearted bid by the then-young men -- Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 -- to get their hands on their parents' $14 million fortune. But their attorneys described the 1989 killings as an act of desperate self-defense by young men subjected to years of sexual abuse and psychological violence at the hands of an abusive father and a complicit mother. The case saw a huge surge of renewed interest this year with the release of the Netflix hit "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story." The hearing comes after a campaign to secure their release, supported by Kim Kardashian and other celebrities. "Set them free before the Holidays!" wrote Tammi Menendez, Erik's wife, on social media last week. Public interest was such that the court held a lottery for the 16 seats in the public gallery. Nick Bonanno, a former high school classmate of Erik's, was the first to arrive at the court, taking his place at the head of the line at 4:30 am (1230 GMT). "I wanted to show support to... Eric and Lyle," he told AFP ahead of the hearing. "It's all about supporting and healing, not just for the families, but for us as a culture." Elena Gordon, 43, said she wanted "to witness a part of our local history." The hearing was intended as a starting point for lawyers working on three routes to free Erik Menendez, 53, and Lyle Menendez, 56. Attorney Mark Geragos has filed a writ of habeas corpus, an attempt to effectively vacate the brothers' first-degree murder conviction, which could free the brothers immediately. Another route is an effort to get the men re-sentenced on the same conviction, which would open the way for them to request parole. Finally, Geragos has submitted a clemency request to California Governor Gavin Newsom. Journalist Robert Rand, who wrote a book about the case, and who is in regular touch with the brothers, said the family was optimistic. But, he said, no one was expecting any quick fixes. "They're hopeful," he said. "They don't know what's going to happen. "I believe this could take much longer than was originally anticipated. It could be six months, could be eight months, could be a year, but eventually they will get out." With excitement over the case near fever pitch, tourists are regularly making pilgrimages to the Beverly Hills home where the killings took place. Australian Christian Hannah, who was born almost two decades after the double murders, made sure the home was a stop on his tour of celebrity hotspots, because of his fascination with the Netflix show. "It's really awesome seeing it in person," he told AFP last week. "It's just because you see it on TV and you see it in person, just feels really cool." pr-hg/amz/jgcWASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration is set to be less diverse than President Joe Biden’s administration, but several people of color and women appear likely to serve in top roles. While Trump vigorously campaigned against diversity and inclusion efforts in business and government, his Cabinet selections and other high-profile staffing choices include some barrier-breaking nominations. The Cabinet, if confirmed, is set to be one-third women and include some historic firsts. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick to lead the State Department, would be the first Latino secretary of state. Scott Bessent, an American hedge fund manager and Trump’s pick to lead the Treasury Department, would be the first openly gay man in that post. const iframes=document.querySelectorAll('iframe.ap-embed');const iframeMap=new Map();iframes.forEach(iframe=>iframeMap.set(iframe.contentWindow,iframe));window.addEventListener('message',msg=>{const iframe=iframeMap.get(msg.source);if(!iframe)return;if(msg.data.type==='embed-size'){iframe.setAttribute('height',msg.data.height);iframe.style.height=`${msg.data.height}px`;return;}});iframes.forEach(iframe=>{const data={type:'embed-size-query'};iframe.contentWindow.postMessage(data,'*');}); Susie Wiles, Trump’s choice for White House chief of staff, will also be the first woman to serve in the position. Scott Turner, a former NFL player who led the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in the first Trump term, will serve as secretary of housing and urban development. Turner, who is Black, will be the fourth confirmed HUD secretary of color since 2014. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who is also Black, served in that post under Trump. RELATED COVERAGE So you’re gathering with relatives whose politics are different. Here are some tips for the holidays Democrats plan to elect new party leader just days after Trump’s inauguration Special counsel moves to abandon election interference and classified documents cases against Trump Trump’s first administration also included some historic firsts, including Veteran spy Gina Haspel serving as the first female director of the CIA, but, overall, it still lagged behind his predecessors on diversity. The incoming administration is set to include some people of color in other high-profile roles. Vivek Ramaswamy, a former biotechnology executive and 2024 GOP presidential candidate, will co-lead an outside advisory committee on government efficiency with billionaire Elon Musk. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, is Trump’s pick to serve as director of national intelligence, the chief coordinator of the nation’s intelligence departments. Gabbard is of Samoan descent and Ramaswamy is Indian American. Mehmet Oz, a former TV doctor who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in Pennsylvania, has been tapped by Trump to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. And Janette Nesheiwat, a physician and Fox News personality, is Trump’s pick to serve as surgeon general. Nesheiwat is the daughter of Christian Jordanian immigrants; Oz is Turkish American and would be the first Muslim to serve in the role. Trump’s Cabinet also includes a wide breadth of ideological diversity with some nominees holding views broadly considered eccentric in Washington. Others have clashing opinions on priorities for the incoming administration like trade and foreign policy. ____ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here . The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Atria Investments Inc bought a new position in Davis Select International ETF ( BATS:DINT – Free Report ) during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 8,798 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $211,000. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in DINT. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in Davis Select International ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $523,000. Bellevue Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Davis Select International ETF by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Bellevue Asset Management LLC now owns 27,686 shares of the company’s stock valued at $665,000 after buying an additional 565 shares during the period. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated boosted its stake in shares of Davis Select International ETF by 249.9% in the 3rd quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated now owns 45,852 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,111,000 after buying an additional 32,746 shares during the last quarter. Sebold Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Davis Select International ETF by 4.6% in the third quarter. Sebold Capital Management Inc. now owns 118,289 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,841,000 after acquiring an additional 5,156 shares during the period. Finally, Lunt Capital Management Inc. increased its position in Davis Select International ETF by 8.8% during the third quarter. Lunt Capital Management Inc. now owns 119,019 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,858,000 after acquiring an additional 9,598 shares during the last quarter. Davis Select International ETF Stock Performance DINT opened at $23.13 on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $23.65 and a 200 day simple moving average of $21.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $198.96 million, a P/E ratio of 12.48 and a beta of 1.12. Davis Select International ETF Company Profile The Davis Select International ETF (DINT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI ACWI ex-US index. The fund holds an actively-managed portfolio of international companies outside the US, selected based on prospects for long-term growth of capital. DINT was launched on Mar 1, 2018 and is managed by Davis. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DINT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Davis Select International ETF ( BATS:DINT – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Davis Select International ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Davis Select International ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .MELBOURNE, Australia -- The Australian Senate on Thursday began considering a ban on children younger than 16 years old from social media after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported the age restriction. The world-first bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts is likely to be passed by the Senate on Thursday, the Parliament’s final session for the year and potentially the last before elections, which are due within months. The major parties’ support for the ban all but guarantees the legislation will become law. But many child welfare and mental health advocates are concerned about unintended consequences. Unaligned Sen. Jacqui Lambie complained about the limited amount of time the government gave the Senate to debate the age restriction, which she described as “undercooked.” “I thought this was a good idea. A lot of people out there thought it was a good idea until we looked at the detail and, let's be honest, there's no detail,” Lambie told the Senate. The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly carried the bill 102 votes to 13. Once the legislation becomes law, the platforms would have one year to work out how they could implement the ban before penalties are enforced. The platforms complained that the law would be unworkable, and urged the Senate to delay the vote until at least June next year when a government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies made its report on how young children could be excluded. Critics argue the government is attempting to convince parents it is protecting their children ahead of general elections due by May. The government hopes that voters will reward it for responding to parents' concerns about their children's addiction to social media. Some argue the legislation could cause more harm than it prevents. Criticisms include that the legislation was rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, is ineffective, poses privacy risks for all users, and undermines parental authority to make decisions for their children. Opponents of the bill also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of the positive aspects of social media, drive them to the dark web, discourage children too young for social media to report harm and reduce incentives for platforms to improve online safety.
Colorado Avalanche (12-9, in the Central Division) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (10-7-2, in the Atlantic Division) Tampa, Florida; Monday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche are looking to extend a three-game win streak with a victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay has a 10-7-2 record overall and a 6-2-1 record in home games. The Lightning have scored 68 total goals (3.6 per game) to rank 10th in NHL play. Colorado is 12-9 overall and 6-3-0 on the road. The Avalanche have an 8-5-0 record in games they have fewer penalties than their opponent. The teams play Monday for the second time this season. The Lightning won 5-2 in the previous matchup. Anthony Cirelli led the Lightning with two goals. TOP PERFORMERS: Nikita Kucherov has 11 goals and 17 assists for the Lightning. Emil Martinsen Lilleberg has scored goals over the past 10 games. Nathan MacKinnon has scored seven goals with 28 assists for the Avalanche. Sam Malinski has over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Lightning: 4-4-2, averaging 3.4 goals, six assists, 3.4 penalties and 9.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game. Avalanche: 7-3-0, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.2 assists, 2.9 penalties and 5.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game. INJURIES: Lightning: None listed. Avalanche: None listed. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Who can the president pardon? Here’s what to know as Biden wraps up his term
NoneConnected, brainy, athletic: the suspect in US insurance CEO's slaying
Guest Opinion: Did greed or misplaced generosity lead to working-class fury?
Co-founder and CEO, Dezigntees, Gbenga Aleshinloye, speaks about how the firm is leveraging technology to revolutionise Nigeria’s fashion industry, the challenges in achieving the initiative and the way forward. Emma Okonji presents the excerpts: Can you tell us the inspiration behind Dezigntees.ng and how it addresses a gap in the fashion industry? Dezigntees.ng was born from a deep-rooted passion to bridge the gap in accessible, high-quality merchandise customization across Africa. The inspiration stemmed from seeing how limited options were for creatives and brands to express their vision on merchandise without high costs or logistical burdens. We saw an opportunity to revolutionise this space by creating a platform that combines ease of design with robust production capabilities, allowing anyone, from individuals to established brands, to bring their creative ideas to life seamlessly. Great ideas deserve more than just conceptualisation; they deserve to be shared with the world. How is Dezigntees.ng revolutionising fashion in Nigeria and Africa, particularly through the use of technology? At Dezigntees.ng, we’ve built an e-commerce platform that goes beyond simple retail. With our free design templates and marketplace, users can customize merchandise or upload their designs, allowing creatives to monetize their art. For many artists in Africa, breaking into the market comes with obstacles like production costs and supply chain challenges. Our platform removes these barriers, handling everything from printing to delivery. In an industry where Statista estimates the global custom printing market to reach $10 billion by 2025, we are positioning Africa as a contributor and innovator, leveraging technology to make a mark on the global stage. Could you walk us through how your online platform works, especially for customers new to digital fashion design? Our platform was designed with simplicity and user experience in mind. Customers follow four straightforward steps: they choose their merchandise, customize it with text, images, or pre-made designs, select their preferences (size, color, quantity), and check out. Within 72 hours, their items are delivered. Our goal was to create a streamlined, inclusive process that anyone—whether tech-savvy or not—could navigate. This ease of use is core to our mission of democratising design for everyone. What role does customization play in your business model, and how does technology facilitate this? Customisation is at the heart of our business model. We value self-expression, and our technology empowers users to create unique, personal designs across various merchandise. From a technological perspective, we’ve built a robust design canvas on our site where users can upload images, add text, and change colors in real time, creating anything from T-shirts to mugs. As we look to the future, AI will play a transformative role. We are developing AI integration that will allow users to generate art based on keywords, an advancement that will open new creative possibilities and set us apart in a rapidly evolving digital market. How has the response been from Nigerian and African consumers, especially regarding the idea of self-designed clothing? The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Our customers, whether in Nigeria, across Africa, or in the diaspora, appreciate the authenticity and connection that comes with creating something uniquely theirs. Self-designed merchandise is more than just a fashion statement; it’s a representation of individuality and culture. A recent McKinsey report highlights that personalization is not only a trend but a key growth driver in e-commerce, and our platform is directly aligned with this. We are not just creating products; we are fostering a movement of self-expression across the continent and beyond. What challenges have you faced in combining technology with fashion, and how have you overcome them? Starting out, our main challenges were technological—finding a developer who understood our vision and building an infrastructure capable of handling both front-end and back-end requirements. Transitioning customers from social media to our website was also challenging, as many were accustomed to informal channels. We tackled these issues by investing in top talent and relentlessly optimizing our site for speed, usability, and engagement. Today, thanks to these efforts, we enjoy strong repeat customer rates, which is a testament to the experience we’ve created. In your opinion, what sets Dezigntees.ng apart from other clothing or design platforms currently available? Our distinction lies in the depth of our design expertise, our commitment to quality, and our end-to-end solution for artists. We aren’t just a marketplace; we’re a platform where creativity meets commerce, backed by a fully operational production facility that ensures quality control and swift delivery. This operational advantage allows us to fulfill orders quickly and maintain high standards—an essential factor for consumer trust. Additionally, our commitment to innovation in AI and customization means we’re not just keeping up with trends; we’re setting them. What future trends do you see emerging in tech-driven fashion, and how does Dezigntees.ng plan to stay ahead? The future of fashion is undoubtedly tech-driven, and the integration of AI is a major frontier. From predictive design to on-demand customization, AI will reshape consumer experiences. At Dezigntees.ng, we are proactively investing in these technologies to remain ahead. Our AI-driven design tool is just the beginning. We envision a platform where users can input keywords or themes, and our AI will generate unique artwork that can be instantly applied to merchandise. As customization becomes more mainstream, we aim to set the standard by leading with innovation, creativity, and efficiency. How is Dezigntees.ng impacting local artists and creatives, and what opportunities does it create for them? Dezigntees.ng provides a platform where African artists can reach audiences globally, something that has historically been a significant challenge. Artists can upload their designs to our marketplace, monetize them, and build their brand—all without any upfront costs. This model empowers creatives by offering them a zero-capital way to earn. We see this as a way to not only support the creative industry in Africa but to elevate it. With plans to expand into North America and Europe, we’re opening doors for African artists to make a global impact. What’s next for Dezigntees.ng in terms of growth and innovation? Any expansion plans beyond Nigeria? Our vision extends far beyond Nigeria. We recently launched Dezigntees in Canada ( dezigntees.co/ca ), and we’re preparing to open a flagship store there in early 2025. The North American and UK markets are next, as we see substantial demand from diaspora communities seeking personalized African-inspired merchandise. Globally, the customized merchandise market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.7% through 2030. The global creative economy is valued at over $4 trillion, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s 2020 report on the Creative Economy and COVID-19. By entering these markets, we’re positioning Dezigntees.ng not only as a leader in Africa but as a global brand that champions African creativity and innovation.HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans made mistakes in every facet of the game Sunday against the Tennessee Titans to lose for the third time in four games. C.J. Stroud threw two interceptions, the defense gave up multiple big passing plays and Ka′imi Fairbairn missed a 28-yard field goal that would have tied it late in a 32-27 loss . “Just a disappointing loss for us,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We didn’t do anything well enough to win this game. Out of all the positives that we did have, there were way too many negatives, too many negative plays.” Jimmie Ward had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks. Danielle Hunter led the group with a season-high three sacks and Will Anderson Jr. added two in his return after missing two games with an ankle injury. But the offense sputtered for most of the game as Joe Mixon was held to 22 yards on 14 carries. But Ryans refused to blame the offense for the loss. “Our offense did plenty," Ryans said. "They gave us enough points. On defense, we have to be able to stop them.” Chig Okonkwo grabbed a short pass and rumbled 70 yards for a touchdown to put the Titans (3-8) up 30-27 with 91⁄2 minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield. It was the last of three big passing plays the Titans had Sunday. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine got in front of the defense and was wide open for a 38-yard TD catch that made it 10-7 late in the first quarter. Calvin Ridley had a 63-yard reception that set up their next touchdown in the second. “It was just way too many negative plays,” Ryans said. “Defensively, unexplainable explosives for touchdowns. We didn’t play good across the board and that starts with me.” Despite this, the Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Fairbairn’s short field-goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting up and slamming his helmet on the field. “The most frustrating part about it is out of all the bad things that happened, we still had a chance to finish the game,” Ryans said. “Everything that could go wrong, it went wrong. We still had a chance there to tie it up and finish the game, and we didn’t.” The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball after that and Harold Landry sacked Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to snap a two-game skid. Stroud threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions Sunday give him five combined in the past three games. He now has more interceptions in 12 games this season (nine) than he had in 15 games as a rookie last season (five). “It’s no secret that I haven’t been playing well ... I’ve got to be harder on myself,” he said. “I’m not going to hold my head down. I know I can be a great player, but I’ve got to make better plays.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl‘Games’: Concerning claim against Dutton
Tesla CEO Elon Musk claims Amazon founder Jeff Bezos predicted Donald Trump's loss in US elections, Bezos replies in a rare post ...