Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facility50jili 。

Kendrick Lamar surprises fans with release of 1st album since 2022 - CBC.ca

Romania's top court has annulled the result of the first round of the country's presidential election, adding that the entire election process will have to be re-run. The second round had been due to be held on Sunday and voting is already underway in polling stations abroad. It would have pitted nationalist independent Calin Georgescu against pro-European Union reformist conservative Elena Lasconi. Having polled in single digits before the first presidential election round on 24 November, Georgescu — who wants to end Romanian military support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion — surged to a first-place finish that raised questions over how such a surprise had been possible. A Georgescu win would have upended the EU and NATO member state's politics, pushing it closer to a belt of states in central and eastern Europe with powerful populist, Russia-friendly politicians including Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. Amid fresh war concerns, Finland says it 'needs Australia more than ever' However, Friday's ruling plunged the country into institutional chaos as current President Klaus Iohannis's term ends on 21 December and it was unclear who would be head of state after this date. Documents declassified by Romania's top security council on Wednesday said the country was a target of "aggressive hybrid Russian attacks" during the election period. "The electoral process to elect Romania's president will be fully re-run, and the government will set a new date and ... calendar for the necessary steps," the court said in a statement. It added the ruling was made "seeking to ensure the fairness and legality of the electoral process". A detailed explanation of its ruling will be released at a later date. The court had validated the first presidential round on Monday. Declassified documents suggest Russian interference Georgescu said on Friday that the court ruling was a "coup," according to a written statement given to broadcaster Realitatea TV. Lasconi also condemned the ruling and said the vote should have kept going, respecting the will of the Romanian people. "The constitutional court's decision is illegal, amoral and crushes the very essence of democracy, voting," she said. "We should have moved forward with the vote. We should have respected the will of the Romanian people. Whether we like it or not, from a legal and legitimate standpoint, nine million Romanian citizens, both in the country and the diaspora, expressed their preference for a particular candidate through their votes. We cannot ignore their will!" she said. "I know I would have won. And I will win because the Romanian people know I will fight for them, that I will unite them for a better Romania. I will defend our democracy. I will not give up." The US has accused Russian state media of working to influence this year's election Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu supported the move, calling it "the only correct solution" after declassified documents pointed to Russian interference. In one of the declassified documents, Romania's intelligence agency said Georgescu was massively promoted on social media platform TikTok through coordinated accounts, recommendation algorithms and paid promotion. Georgescu has declared zero funds spent in the campaign. Russia has denied any interference in Romania's election campaigns. TikTok denies giving Georgescu special treatment, saying his account was labelled as a political account and treated like any other. It was not yet clear if Georgescu would be allowed to take part in the re-run election.

Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the U.S."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?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.As Assad Prepares Last Stand, His Ally Iraq Rules Out Military Intervention

~ Deepens Investor's Dedication to Horizon Aircraft Supporting Continued Operations and Development ~ TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. HOVR , doing business as Horizon Aircraft ("Horizon Aircraft" or the "Company"), a leading hybrid electric Vertical TakeOff and Landing ("eVTOL") aircraft developer, announced today it has received an investment from a strategic investor (the "Investor") and aerospace supporter, for aggregate proceeds of $8.4 million (the "Investment"). The strategic financing will fortify Horizon Aircraft's balance sheet, provide stability in the operations, governance and regulatory priorities, and fund further development and flight testing of its hybrid eVTOL, the Cavorite X7. Brandon Robinson, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Horizon Aircraft commented, "We are deeply appreciative for this second investment from our strategic partner. The principle's continued support through this second tranche of funding provides our business with a solid working capital position in support of our initiatives. With this commitment Horizon Aircraft is on solid footing, and our focus is on the development of our full-scale hybrid eVTOL." Under the terms of the Investment, the Investor will receive an aggregate $2.1 million in Horizon Class A ordinary shares totaling 4,166,667 shares offered at $0.50 CAD per share to be issued from treasury (the "Common Shares"). Additionally, the Investor will exchange $6.3 million for 4,500 preferred shares to be issued from treasury (the "Preferred Shares"), each will be convertible to Common Shares at a price of $0.63 CAD per share for a period of five (5) years. The Preferred Shares shall have a priority liquidation preference over the Common Shares. The Company shall register the Common Shares with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as practically possible, but no later than 90 calendar days from filing. About Horizon Aircraft Horizon Aircraft HOVR is an advanced aerospace engineering company that is developing one of the world's first hybrid eVTOL that is to be able to fly most of its mission exactly like a normal aircraft while offering industry-leading speed, range, and operational utility. Horizon's unique designs put the mission first and prioritize safety, performance, and utility. Horizon hopes to successfully complete testing and certification of its Cavorite X7 eVTOL quickly and then enter the market and service a broad spectrum of early use cases. Visit www.horizonaircraft.com for more information. Forward-Looking Statements The information in this press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "aim," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result" and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) changes in the markets in which Horizon competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution or regulatory changes; (ii) the risk that Horizon will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plans, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (iii) the ability of the parties to recognize the benefits of the business combination agreement and the business combination; (iv) the lack of useful financial information for an accurate estimate of future capital expenditures and future revenue; (v) statements regarding Horizon's industry and market size; (vi) financial condition and performance of Horizon, including the anticipated benefits, the implied enterprise value, the expected financial impacts of the business combination, the financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, the products, the expected future performance and market opportunities of Horizon; (vii) Horizon's ability to develop, certify, and manufacture an aircraft that meets its performance expectations; (viii) successful completion of testing and certification of Horizon's Cavorite X7 eVTOL; (ix) the targeted future production of Horizon's Cavorite X7 aircraft; and (x) those factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described and to be described in New Horizon's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Comission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward- looking statements, and while Horizon may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Horizon does not give any assurance that Horizon will achieve its expectations. Contacts Horizon Aircraft Inquiries (PR): Phil Anderson Phone: +44 (0)7767 491 519 Phil@perceptiona.com Investor Contacts: Shannon Devine and Rory Rumore MZ Group Phone: (203) 741-8841 HorizonAircraft@mzgroup.us © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Arsenal's set piece-inspired victory over Manchester United on Wednesday showed the Gunners' ability to score goals in different ways and their sheer will to win after a difficult spell, boss Mikel Arteta said. Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both scored from corners in a 2-0 win, which was Arsenal's fourth on the bounce in all competitions, following a draw and back-to-back defeats before the international break. Even with first-choice centre back Gabriel out injured, Arsenal still posed a constant threat from corners and could have scored more than the two goals they managed from a succession of dangerous set pieces. Arteta, who briefly chuckled after being asked yet another question about their proficiency from dead balls, said this element of Arsenal's game was about being a more complete team. "We want to be very dangerous and very effective from every angle and every phase of play and we work on all of that," he told reporters. "Today we could have scored from open play like we did against West Ham, against Sporting, so the team really has that belief that from every angle we have the mentality to (cause) threat to the opponent and to try to score." Arsenal's victory also came as leaders Liverpool dropped two points in a draw at Newcastle United, meaning Arsenal cut the gap to seven points to the top. Arteta insisted he did not allow the changing score in Liverpool's match to affect his approach to Arsenal's game, but said his team's response to setbacks earlier in the season showed a positive mentality. "The will to win is there," he said. "We tried our best to do that. It's true that we went through a lot in that period, (with) the schedule and the position that we played. A lot of things and you have to react. "It's about trying to do it next. Today, now we've won four in a row -- it doesn't matter, we have to go to Fulham and be better than them." Sign up here. Reporting by Sam TobinEditing by Toby Davis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

Senate Dems keeping powder dry on Trump nominees: ‘Good-faith consideration’New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) are under mounting pressure to suspend the city and state’s sanctuary policy that shields criminal illegal aliens from deportation. Since President-Elect Donald Trump’s victory last month, Adams and Hochul have both voiced support for aiding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents with deporting criminal illegal aliens from New York — one of the nation’s largest sanctuary states. “Someone breaks the law, I’ll be the first one to call up ICE and say, ‘Get them out of here,'” Hochul said during a press conference last month. Democrats and Republicans on the New York City Council are now urging Hochul to back up her words and suspend the state’s sanctuary law that bans local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE agents. “The recent surge in violent crime, including incidents involving migrant gangs in Central Park and Queens parks — where they have been reported to be raping, robbing, assaulting, and even shooting at police officers — demands immediate and decisive action,” the coalition of councilmembers write to Hochul: We urge you to consider issuing an executive order under the emergency powers granted to your office that would allow New York City to temporarily waive its sanctuary city laws. This would enable federal agencies, including ICE, to work more effectively with local law enforcement to address these grave threats. During the COVID-19 pandemic, your office and that of your predecessor utilized executive orders to respond swiftly to the crisis. We believe that the current situation, with its potential for terror-related activities and the escalating violence in the city, warrants a similar response. [Emphasis added] The letter was led by Robert Holden (D-Queens) and signed by Joseph Borelli (R-Staten Island), Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn), David Carr (R-Staten Island), Kalman Yeger (R-Brooklyn), Joann Ariola (R-Queens), Vickie Paladino (R-Queens), Kristy Marmorato (R-Bronx), and Susan Zhuang (D-Brooklyn). Similarly, Holden sent a letter to Adams pressing him to begin lobbying in opposition to New York City’s sanctuary policy. In particular, Holden said Adams should start by reopening the shuttered ICE office at Rikers Island. “Tough talk is good, but actions speak louder,” Holden said: The mayor had the chance to amend or repeal sanctuary city laws through his Charter Revision Commission but chose not to. Now, it’s time to right these wrongs. To truly show commitment to public safety, Mayor Adams should reopen the ICE office at Rikers Island and give the NYPD, Department of Corrections, and Department of Probation the ability to communicate with ICE and honor detainers for criminal migrants. [Emphasis added] Former Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) had the ICE office at Rikers Island closed in 2015. This week, Adams blasted President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their releasing millions of migrants into the United States — hundreds of thousands of whom have ended up in New York City. “We didn’t invest in seniors the way we should have and young people ... the crimes that we witnessed ... we all should be angry about what happened to this city under this administration,” Adams said. Adams said he wants to work with Trump and incoming border czar Thomas Homan to help deport criminal illegal aliens from New York City. “Those who are here committing crimes, robberies, shooting at police officers, raping innocent people, have been a harm to our country. I want to sit down and hear the plan on how we’re going to address them,” Adams said. “Those are the people I am talking about. I would love to sit down with the border czar and hear his thoughts on how we’re going to address those who are harming our citizens.” John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jbinder@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter here .

Syrian government forces withdraw from central city of Homs as insurgent offensive acceleratesJesse Grant/Variety via Getty 's son Dimitri Hamlin has followed in his parents' footsteps with some acting of his own. The Emmy-nominated actor and Dimitri's mom, former Bond girl Ursula Andress, met on the set of and welcomed their son on May 19, 1980. Just two weeks earlier, Hamlin told PEOPLE that entering fatherhood felt like "taking off my training wheels and getting into the mainstream of life." Andress also touched on how her life was about to change, adding that she "had an incredible life up until today" and thought it was "time for a change." Over the years, Dimitri has occasionally walked the red carpet alongside his dad and stepmom, alum , whom . Related: Although Dimitri remains fairly private and off social media, Hamlin shared on in February 2019 that his son is his "pride and joy." Here's everything to know about Ursula Andress and Harry Hamlin's son, Dimitri Hamlin. GORDON JACK/AFP via Getty Andress and Hamlin welcomed Dimitri on May 19, 1980. According to his contributor page on , he was born in Los Angeles but grew up in Rome. Though his parents never married, they were together until 1983, at which point they called it quits. "Dimitri is my love now," Andress told PEOPLE that year of her then-toddler son. Amanda Edwards/Getty Dimitri graduated from Princeton University with a degree in philosophy, according to Bravo's . From 2011 to 2012, he contributed to HuffPost as an "ontological anarchist," writing about " " and . Jesse Grant/WireImage Dimitri has followed in his parents' footsteps as an actor, making his debut in in 2005 before starring in a 2022 short film, . He has also appeared in Hamlin's TV series, . Beyond acting, Dimitri has explored other creative ventures, including DJing and appearing in music videos. In September 2008, he joined the set of Brian Anthony’s "Worked Up!" music video shoot. Gregg DeGuire/WireImage Dimitri has been walking the red carpet since as early as 1996, when he joined his father at the Los Angeles premiere of . However, his public appearances grew less frequent over the years. After nearly two decades out of the spotlight, he made a in December 2024 for the season 2 premiere of , in which his dad plays Cortland Mayfair. The outing marked Dimitri's first time joining Hamlin and Rinna since 2006 when the trio attended the launch of Roberto Cavalli Vodka. Robin L Marshall/Getty Dimitri became a brother in June 1998 when Hamlin and Rinna welcomed a daughter, , followed by in June 2001. The Hamlin sisters both grew up in Beverly Hills, Calif. After appearing alongside their mom on , Delilah and Amelia now work as models. Related: Delilah made her runway debut at New York Fashion Week in 2016 when she walked for Tommy Hilfiger. Since then, she has walked in shows for Alice + Olivia and Dolce & Gabbana, and been featured in and . Amelia followed in her sister's footsteps, making her New York Fashion Week debut in September 2017, walking in the Dennis Basso show. In 2024, she won model of the year at the . Delilah and Amelia have also joined Dimitri in promoting their father's culinary ventures, Harry's Famous Sauce — which the actor wrote on has made the family's Sunday spaghetti dinners "extraordinary" for years. Amanda Edwards/Getty During an August 2020 episode of , Rinna opened up about Hamlin's previous relationship and him becoming a father for the first time. While admiring the architecture in Rome, Rinna pointed out that her and Hamlin's Los Angeles home had a similar aesthetic, saying that it "looks a little bit like this because Harry lived here for three years and he loves this." "He was with Ursula Andress at the time and they had a child, she lived here," she explained to her costars. In a confessional, Rinna described Andress as "the movie star that you would imagine," and revealed more details to her costars about how things unfolded. "He said she called him and said, 'Harry, come to my room.' And so he did, at 28 years old, he went in and ," Rinna said. "And that was that, at 44. First time." Read the original article on

( MENAFN - AFP) A federal jury in the United States on Friday delivered a key win to mobile commputing titan Qualcomm in a licensing dispute with Arm, although proceedings between the chipmakers ended in mistrial. The jury ruled that Arm central processor designs that Qualcomm had acquired when it bought technology company Nuvia had been properly licensed. Arm had contested that claim, demanding Qualcomm pay a higher licensing fee under a bilateral agreement between the two chipmakers, rather than the lower fee in Arm's agreement with Nuvia. The difference in royalties purportedly saved Qualcomm tens of millions of dollars. British chipmaker Arm said it would seek a retrial. Qualcomm bought Nuvia, a CPU design company, in a $1.4 billion deal that closed in 2021, according to the California-based chip maker. The acquisition was seen as a key move in Qualcomm's expansion into the laptop market. The federal jury did not, however, reach an agreement on whether Qualcomm breached a licensing agreement with Arm. "We are pleased with today's decision," Qualcomm said in a statement posted online. "The jury has vindicated Qualcomm's right to innovate and affirmed that all the Qualcomm products at issue in the case are protected by Qualcomm's contract with Arm." In response to an AFP inquiry, an Arm spokesperson said they would seek a retrial "due to the jury's deadlock." "From the outset, our top priority has been to protect Arm's (intellectual property) and the unparalleled ecosystem we have built with our valued partners over more than 30 years," they said. Qualcomm shares were up about 2 percent in after-market trades to $155.99 while Arm shares shed more than one percent to $130.50. MENAFN20122024000143011026ID1109018589 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Colombia shares lower at close of trade; COLCAP down 1.26%

Researchers address material challenges to make commercial fusion power a reality

Japanese automakers Nissan Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co confirmed Wednesday that they are discussing closer collaboration but denied reports they have decided on a merger. Nissan’s share price soared nearly 24% in Tokyo after reports citing unnamed sources said it might merge with Honda to form the world’s third-largest automaking group. Honda’s share price fell as much as 3%. Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is also part of the talks. Trading in Nissan’s shares was suspended but then resumed after the companies jointly issued a statement saying they were “considering various possibilities for future collaboration, but no decisions have been made.” The ascent of Chinese automakers is rattling the industry at a time when manufacturers are struggling to shift from fossil fuel-driven vehicles to electrics. Relatively inexpensive EVs from China's BYD, Great Wall and Nio are eating into the market shares of U.S. and Japanese car companies in China and elsewhere. Japanese automakers have lagged behind big rivals in EVs and are now trying to cut costs and make up for lost time. Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi announced in August that they will share components for electric vehicles like batteries and jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to dramatic changes in the auto industry centered around electrification. A preliminary agreement between Honda, Japan's second-largest automaker, and Nissan, third largest, was announced in March. A merger could result in a behemoth worth about $55 billion based on the market capitalization of all three automakers. Joining forces would help the smaller Japanese automakers add scale to compete with Japan's market leader Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germany’s Volkswagen AG. Toyota itself has technology partnerships with Japan's Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp. Nissan has truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn't have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, said Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions. Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybird powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said. “Nissan does have some product segments where Honda doesn’t currently play,” that a merger or partnership could help, said Sam Abuelsamid, a Detroit-area automotive industry analsyt. While Nissan's electric Leaf and Ariya haven't sold well in the U.S., they're solid vehicles, Fiorani said. “They haven't been resting on their laurels, and they have been developing this technology,” he said. “They have new products coming that could provide a good platform for Honda for its next generation.” Nissan said last month that it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global work force, and reducing global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million). Earlier this month it reshuffled its management and its chief executive, Makoto Uchida, took a 50% pay cut to take responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes. Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan's credit outlook to “negative,” citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion). Nissan's share price has fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. A report in the Japanese financial magazine Diamond said talks with Honda gained urgency after the Taiwan maker of iPhones Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, began exploring a possible acquisition of Nissan as part of its push into the EV sector. The company has struggled for years following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon. Honda reported its profits slipped nearly 20% in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as sales suffered in China. Toyota made 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, while Honda rolled out 4 million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over 1 million. Even after a merger Toyota would remain the leading Japanese automaker. All the global automakers are facing potential shocks if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on threats to raise or impose tariffs on imports of foreign products, even from allies like Japan and neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico. Nissan is among the major car companies that have adjusted their supply chains to include vehicles assembled in Mexico. Meanwhile, analysts say there is an “affordability shift” taking place across the industry, led by people who feel they cannot afford to pay nearly $50,000 for a new vehicle. In American, a vital market for companies like Nissan, Honda and Toyota, that's forcing automakers to consider lower pricing, which will eat further into industry profits. AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report from Detroit.

COCC presidential search narrowed to three finalistsKENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Police arrested a 16-year-old student after he allegedly brought a gun to his high school in Kenosha, the second time in less than a month that someone has apparently tried to bring a firearm into one of the southeastern Wisconsin city's schools. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Police arrested a 16-year-old student after he allegedly brought a gun to his high school in Kenosha, the second time in less than a month that someone has apparently tried to bring a firearm into one of the southeastern Wisconsin city's schools. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Police arrested a 16-year-old student after he allegedly brought a gun to his high school in Kenosha, the second time in less than a month that someone has apparently tried to bring a firearm into one of the southeastern Wisconsin city’s schools. Indian Trail High School and Academy’s resource officer learned Monday that a photo of the student with a gun had been posted on social media, police said in a statement Wednesday. The student was located, escorted to an office, arrested and taken to the police department. Investigators later determined that the student had hidden a gun in a “sensitive area,” making it difficult for officers to locate the weapon initially. The statement did not elaborate, and a police spokesperson did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking more details late Wednesday afternoon. The student was in custody at a juvenile detention facility on Wednesday awaiting a court hearing, the statement said. Criminal proceedings involving minors and their outcomes are secret in Wisconsin. Kenosha police arrested a 13-year-old boy on Nov. 7 after he tried to bring what police said were “suspicious bags” into Roosevelt Elementary School. Investigators believe the boy was armed, judging by videos of him brandishing what detectives believe was a rifle and comments he made to other students. The teen fled after school staff members moved to question him. Police arrested him at his home later that afternoon. Advertisement

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Tua Tagovailoa wouldn't want to repeat everything that was said in the Miami Dolphins' huddle Sunday when they trailed the New York Jets in the fourth quarter. “Just know we were getting after everyone inside the huddle," Tagovailoa said, "to make sure you're blocking the way you need to block, you're running the routes the way you need to be — you need to be in the right spots." Whatever was said helped keep Miami's slim playoff hopes alive as the Dolphins (6-7) overcame 8- and 3-point fourth-quarter deficits, as well as one of Aaron Rodgers' best games in years, to beat the Jets 32-26. Tagovailoa sealed it with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime to help the Dolphins spoil Rodgers' first 300-yard passing game in nearly three years and beat the Jets for the ninth straight time in Miami. After Jason Sanders tied it with 7 seconds left in regulation with a 42-yard field goal, Tagovailoa quickly moved the Dolphins down the field. That came after Anders Carlson gave the struggling Jets (3-10) — who were eliminated from postseason contention for the 14th straight year — the lead with a 42-yarder with 52 seconds remaining. But Malik Washington put the Dolphins in great position to help set up Sanders' field goal with a 45-yard kickoff return to Miami's 46-yard line. “It was one of those moments where you make a split [second]- decision and just take it and see what happens next," the rookie Washington said, "and be a football player.” Tagovailoa was 33 of 47 for 331 yards and two TDs. He had just one incompletion on Miami's eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive that was capped by Smith's fourth touchdown of the season. Smith didn’t have a reception before catching three passes for 44 yards on the winning drive. “A win means a lot,” said Tagovailoa, who has 300 yards passing in three straight games. “It means a lot because we have no room for error to lose another game." Rodgers was 27 of 39 for 339 yards, ending a drought of 34 regular-season games without a 300-yard passing game — dating to Dec. 12, 2021, while with Green Bay — and had a TD pass to Davante Adams. But Rodgers could only watch from the sideline in overtime as the Jets never got the ball after blowing a second straight second-half lead. “A lot of different ways we’ve lost these games,” Rodgers said. “Everybody has some skin on that, but we had opportunities on offense. Whatever happens on defense doesn’t matter. We got to get to 30 [points]. We didn’t do it.” Rodgers and Adams connected for a 3-yard score in the third quarter, the pair's 79th touchdown in the regular and postseason. They passed Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown for the fourth-most by a quarterback-receiver duo in NFL history. Adams finished with nine catches and 109 yards. Down 8 at the start of the fourth, Tagovailoa found Tyreek Hill for a 4-yard touchdown, and Jaylen Waddle caught the two-point conversion to tie it at 23. Hill caught 10 passes for 115 yards, and Waddle added 99 yards on nine catches. The Jets had taken a 20-15 lead in the third on Adams' touchdown that was set up by a 42-yard pickup by Garrett Wilson, who beat cornerback Jalen Ramsey on a double move to get open. A 40-yard field goal by Carlson later stretched New York's lead to 8 after the Dolphins went scoreless in the quarter. “Actually, when we were down 23-15, when we were trotting back on the field, everybody knew what was at stake at that moment,” Hill said. “We know if we lose, it’s over. Our season is over.” The matchup pitted the Jets' No. 2-ranked pass defense against Tagovailoa, the NFL's most accurate passer, and Miami's No. 9-ranked pass defense against the four-time MVP Rodgers who has had a subpar season. Both quarterbacks were strong and the teams played rather evenly at first, with each scoring on their first three possessions. The first punt of the game was on Miami's first drive of the second half, and the Jets scored on their first five possessions. Tagovailoa had just three incompletions in the first half and was 3 for 3 on Miami's final drive of the second quarter, moving the Dolphins into field goal range in 45 seconds to set up a 57-yarder by Sanders, which tied the kicker's career best. Sanders also made kicks of 39 and 24 yards, and De'Von Achane had a 2-yard touchdown run on Miami's opening possession. Rodgers moved the Jets inside Miami's 20 three times in the first half. Isaiah Davis ran for a 17-yard score, and Carlson made field goals of 28 and 30 yards. Wilson caught seven passes for 114 yards. Jets: RT Morgan Moses injured his wrist during pregame warmups. He started, but was replaced during the game by Max Mitchell. ... WR Irvin Charles left with a knee injury. Dolphins: LT Terron Armstead left early after apparently tweaking the knee that sidelined him this week in practice. ... WR Dee Eskridge (knee) and LB Anthony Walker Jr (hamstring) were also injured. Jets: At Jacksonville on Sunday. Dolphins: At Houston on Sunday.Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week

Nissan faces the risk of bankruptcy in the coming months, as it must secure its future within 12 to 14 months. The company is experiencing declining sales in its key markets such as China and the United States, complicating its financial situation further. As restructuring efforts continue, Nissan is seeking long-term investments to help it navigate this critical phase. Improving cash flow has become urgent, requiring Nissan to take swift and effective steps to avoid bankruptcy. The pursuit of new investors reflects a strategic shift for Nissan, as reliance on previous partnerships no longer seems sufficient to ensure stability. Nissan hopes to attract investors capable of providing the necessary financial support to help rebuild its brand. At the same time, the company is considering selling part of its stake through Renault, which could facilitate potential collaboration with other companies like Honda. A potential partnership with Honda represents a strategic move for Nissan, as it could provide the technological support needed to compete with other electric vehicle manufacturers. This partnership may enhance innovation and efficiency within Nissan, helping it survive in an increasingly competitive market. Collaborating with a leading company like Honda could give Nissan a new opportunity to regain its market strength. Nissan recognizes the need to launch new products to renew consumer interest in its brand. With declining sales, it is essential for Nissan to adapt to changing market preferences and consumer trends. Focusing on developing vehicles that meet evolving market needs is a crucial part of its future strategy. Additionally, increasing pressure from Chinese manufacturers requires Nissan to respond strongly and effectively to maintain its market position.a

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WASHINGTON — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning re-election despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country's constitutional foundations. People are also reading... FILE - Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to the media about an indictment of former President Donald Trump, Aug. 1, 2023, at an office of the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) J. Scott Applewhite “I persevered, against all odds, and WON," Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors' dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on Monday afternoon. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters' own verdict. In court filings, Smith's team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters' violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. President-elect Donald Trump arrives before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Boca Chica, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP) Brandon Bell But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors' request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump's lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict." Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Michael Sisak and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this story. ___ Special Counsel Jack Smith plans to step down before Trump’s inauguration, according to The New York Times. Straight Arrow News 12 political cartoons size up Donald Trump's Cabinet picks Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far President-elect Donald Trump Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat.Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.“He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement.The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination.Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show.Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea.Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. George Walker IV, Associated Press Pam Bondi, Attorney General Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration.She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020.Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute.Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Derik Hamilton Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda.Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics.South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic.She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Matt Rourke, Associated Press Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race.Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs.Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day.In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation.“There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. AP Photo/Alex Brandon Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump. He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign.The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines. For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction.He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary.He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending.“This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Matt Kelley, Associated Press Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor Secretary Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district.As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities.Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Andrew Harnik, Associated Press Scott Turner, Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Andrew Harnik, Associated Press Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business.Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market.Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States.Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. Andy Cross, The Denver Post via AP Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle.McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut.She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency.The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Evan Vucci Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs.Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social.Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration.The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate.Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command."We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. John Bazemore, Associated Press Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history.The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps.Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas.Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press Tulsi Gabbard, National Intelligence Director Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields.Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall.“I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement.Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Evan Vucci, Associated Press John Ratcliffe, Central Intelligence Agency Director Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next.Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic.“I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X, “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added.During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration.In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Matt Rourke, Associated Press Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband.Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission.Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Jonathan Newton - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment.Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership.Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile.If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press Matt Whitaker, Ambassador to NATO President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Andrew Harnik, Associated Press Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel.Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah.“He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.”Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland.Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Oded Balilty, Associated Press Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East.The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination.Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud."Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday.The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah.“Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!”Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs.He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner, was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration.Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families.Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Tom Homan, ‘Border Czar’ Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history.Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign.Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.”Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. John Bazemore, Associated Press Dr. Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Matt Rourke, Associated Press Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to advise White House on government efficiency Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York.Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency.The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate.Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Evan Vucci, Associated Press photos Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency.After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.”Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign.Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Additional selections to the incoming White House Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staffScavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president.Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.James Blair, deputy chief of staffBlair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president.Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago.Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staffBudowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president.Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency.William McGinley, White House counselMcGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign.In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!

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Amazon’s latest and greatest tablet, the Fire Max 11 , is currently available at its lowest price ever as part of the ongoing Holiday Deals on Amazon. Priced at just $139 for the 64GB model, down from its original $229 , this offer matches the record-low price seen during Black Friday. With a substantial 39% discount , this deal is your best chance to acquire a high-performance tablet at a fraction of its usual cost. See offer The Fire Max 11 stands out as a versatile all-in-one device and it is designed to cater to a wide range of digital needs. Its standout feature is the vivid 11-inch display which boasts a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels and a pixel density of 213 PPI. This screen delivers crisp and clear visuals whether you’re streaming your favorite shows, immersing yourself in e-books or engaging in graphically demanding games. The tablet’s display quality rivals that of more expensive competitors, including some iPad models. Great Screen, Powerful Device Under the hood, the Fire Max 11 packs a punch with its MediaTek octa-core processor clocked at 2.2GHz. This powerful chip is coupled with 4GB of RAM and ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance across various applications. The Amazon tablet comes with 64GB of internal storage (a version with 128GB is also on sale at Amazon) which can be expanded up to 1TB via a microSD card. In terms of connectivity, the Fire Max 11 supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more stable internet connections. One of the most impressive features of the Fire Max 11 is its battery life: the tablet can last up to 14 hours on a single charge and outperforms many competitors in its price range and even some premium tablets. This extended battery life makes the Fire Max 11 an ideal companion for long trips, work days or extended entertainment sessions. The tablet also supports fast charging. Additionally, the Fire Max 11 offers versatility with its optional stylus and keyboard accessories (sold separatly). These add-ons transform the tablet into a productivity powerhouse so that you can take handwritten notes, sketch, or type comfortably. The Fire Max 11 doesn’t skimp on other features either: It boasts dual 8-megapixel cameras (front and rear) capable of 1080p video recording which makes it suitable for video calls and basic photography. The tablet runs on Fire OS 8 which is Amazon’s custom Android-based operating system and which provides access to a wide range of apps through the Amazon Appstore. With the holiday season in full swing, this deal presents a great opportunity to gift yourself or a loved one a capable tactile tablet without straining your budget. This offer is part of Amazon’s Holiday Deals and at this record-low price, stock is likely to deplete quickly. See at AmazonSinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald first TD elected in Dublin Central but running mate Janice Boylan eliminated

Syrians poured into streets in celebration on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule . Russian state news agencies were reporting that President Bashar Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow and were given asylum. Russia said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag. Others ransacked the presidential palace and residence. Abu Mohammed al-Golani , a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago leads the biggest rebel faction in Syria and is poised to chart the country’s future. He made his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, at the capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque, and called himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. He said Assad’s fall was “a victory to the Islamic nation.” The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Israel has issued warnings to villages in southern Syria and its forces seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Here's the Latest: The Israeli military said on Sunday it was reinforcing a barrier along its border with Syria as part of its “enhanced preparedness” in the area following the fall of the Assad regime. Israel released images of the construction, which showed bulldozers digging what appeared to be a trench. The army said in a statement that the barrier was named “New East.” Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began building what could be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. Over the weekend, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border with Syria. Russian state news agencies reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum. The agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but had contacted the Kremlin for comment. CAIRO — The Arab League on Sunday condemned Israel for taking advantage of Syrian President Bashar Assad's downfall by moving into more Syrian territory. Hours after Assad’s overthrow, Israel announced it had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights that was established by a cease-fire agreement with Syria in 1974. In a statement, the Arab League said Israel illegally sought to occupy more territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement regarding Syrian territory had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating Israel taking over as a “temporary defensive position.” UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations secretary-general is marking the “fall of the dictatorial regime” in Syria and says the future of the country is “is a matter for the Syrians to determine.” A statement by Antonio Guterres also called for calm and the protection of the rights of all Syrians as well as of diplomatic and consular facilities in Syria. He said there is much work ahead to ensure an “orderly political transition to renewed institutions,” and he called on the international community to ensure that “any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity.” KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine’s top diplomat on Sunday responded to Assad’s ouster by describing him as a “dictator” who relied on Russia to prop up his rule - a reference to the military campaign Moscow has waged in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad’s government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. "Assad has fallen. This has always been and will be the case with all dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him,” foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. In a separate update on the social network, Sybiha said Kyiv was ready to take steps towards restoring relations with Syria, severed months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of the neighboring state. Kyiv broke off diplomatic ties after Damascus in June 2022 recognized Kremlin-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as independent territories, in a move welcomed by Moscow and decried by the West as a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents of five villages and towns in southern Syria to stay inside their homes for their safety. “The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act,” the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman said on X. The military didn’t respond to questions. Earlier, Israel said its troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned their positions. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X that the IDF has been instructed to “seize the buffer zone and control points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights – Jewish and Druze – so that they are not exposed to threats from the other side.” Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. BEIRUT - The leader of the largest insurgent group in Syria visited the Syrian capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque and declared that the victory against President Bashar Assad “is a victory to the Islamic nation.” Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, made his first public appearance and remarks since fighters entered Damascus. He told hundreds of people at the historic mosque that Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” He added that Assad made Syria a base for the illegal amphetamine Captagon that brought cash to Assad’s circles. Al-Sharaa, the leader of the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, said Sunday that the victory was achieved because of “God and the blood of martyrs.” He said that he left Syria 20 years ago and since then his heart has longed for this movement. AMMAN, Jordan — The vast majority of the Jordanian people are welcoming the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the success of the Syrian revolution. “There is no doubt that I felt overwhelming joy at the fall of the Assad regime," said Badi Al-Rafaia, Engineer, union activist and member of the Islamic Action Front. "There is no doubt that we are happy with what happened in Syria, happy with the success of the revolution, happy with the Syrian people getting rid of an oppressor and criminal who treated the Syrian people and made the Syrian state a failed state.” Al-Rafaia said that Jordan is benefiting from what happened in Syria, and "we hope that Jordan will help the revolution succeed and not work against it.” Amman resident Muhab al-Majali said the fall of the Assad regime is “The end of every unjust and tyrannical rule, and more than that, it mortgaged the country and its people to the Iranians, who abandoned it in minutes... I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians.” BERLIN — The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria after the fall of Bashir Assad’s government. “Our teams in Syria, including in Damascus, have been closely monitoring the fast-evolving security and humanitarian situation in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent,” the ICRC’s head of delegation in Syria, Stephan Sakalian, said in a written statement Sunday. The ICRC is “responding wherever possible, with further efforts underway, as hundreds of thousands of people need care and humanitarian assistance,” he said. Sakalian called “on all parties to urgently enable safe and unhindered access for medical and humanitarian workers to reach those in need, to protect civilians, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.” BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government said in a statement Sunday that it “supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue” for Syria “leading to the adoption of a pluralistic constitution that preserves the human and civil rights of Syrians, and supports cultural, ethnic and religious diversity.” The statement from government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi, said that Iraq understands “the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians, and stresses that the security of Syria, the unity of its territories, and the preservation of its independence are of utmost importance, not only for Iraq but also for its connection to the security and stability of the region.” It cautioned against “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, or supporting one party for the benefit of another.” Iraq, which has a close relationship with Iran - once a strong ally of former Syrian President Bashar Assad - has taken in some 2,000 Syrian army soldiers who fled the country amid the advance of armed opposition groups. CAIRO — The head of Yemen’s internationally recognized government welcomed the fall of the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. “It’s a historic moment,” Rashad al-Alimi, who chairs the ruling presidential council, wrote on X platform of Assad’s downfall. “It’s time for the Iranian regime to stop meddling in Yemen, respect its sovereignty and identity.” Al-Alimi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia, was referring to Iran’s support of Houthi rebels who are at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for a decade. DAMASCUS — Families wandered through the high-ceilinged halls of the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday, along with some armed men. Some paused to take family portraits or selfies on the few remaining couches against the backdrop of mosaiced walls, while others walked out with chairs and other items under their arms. On the massive parking lot out front, cars drove in circles honking ecstatically. In central Damascus’ Umayyad Square, drivers passing by also honked jubilantly, while young men piled onto a tank abandoned in the square. But for some the celebration was bittersweet. “I am very happy, but this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of the prison and know where is he is,” said Damascus resident Bassam Masr. “I have been searching for him for two hours - he has been detained for 13 years.” TEL AVIV, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels tore through the country and dramatically ended Assad’s rule on Sunday morning. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a “temporary defensive position.” Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began construction of what could possibly be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in the demilitarized zone called the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF, with around 1,100 peacekeepers from Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Uruguay. After the 1973 Mideast war, the U.N. Secretary Council voted to create UNDOF to patrol a roughly 400 square kilometer (155 square mile) demilitarized zone and maintain the peace there. DAMASCUS, Syria — An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched Sunday's strike. The Israeli military refused to comment on the airport strike. Israel often does not publicly claim responsibility for attacks in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that Israeli warplanes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Syrian army’s Fourth Division and another former military site outside of Damascus Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border between Israel and Syria. Agricultural areas along the border were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest.

50jili com login Furthermore, the new highway will contribute to the overall development and modernization of Jiangxi Province. As a vital link between urban centers, industrial zones, and tourist destinations, the highway will not only enhance regional connectivity but also help to boost the quality of life for residents. Improved transportation networks can lead to enhanced accessibility to healthcare, education, and other essential services.In conclusion, the incident involving the mother and daughter carrying knives on a train is a stark reminder of the need for enhanced security measures and constant vigilance to ensure the safety of passengers. 12306's response to the incident and their commitment to working with authorities to address the situation is commendable. It is hoped that lessons will be learned from this incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future and uphold the safety and security of all passengers.Shares at PSX climb 1,200 points in unabated rally

Home entertainment holiday gift ideas at a discountDespite the dangers they faced, the evacuees remained resolute and determined to reach their destination. With the support of the Chinese government and the tireless efforts of the evacuation team, the citizens were able to navigate through the green corridors and eventually reach the designated extraction point. The successful evacuation of the Chinese nationals from Syria was a testament to the strength and resilience of both the evacuees and the officials involved in the operation.

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49.jili CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs acquired All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros on Friday, paying a big price for one of baseball's best hitters. The Cubs sent third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith, one of their top infield prospects, to the Astros for Tucker, who is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. Tucker was limited to 78 games this year because of a fractured right shin, but he hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs for the AL West champions. He batted .284 with 29 homers, an AL-best 112 RBIs and 30 steals for Houston in 2023. Tucker, who turns 28 on Jan. 17, joins a crowded situation in Chicago's outfield, but the Cubs are reportedly looking to trade Cody Bellinger, who also can play first base. They also have talked to Seiya Suzuki's agent about the outfielder's no-trade clause. The Cubs have finished second in the NL Central with an 83-79 record in each of the past two years, and there is increased pressure on president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer to get the team back into the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The New York Yankees also were in the mix for Tucker before the trade was completed. “We certainly had many conversations with the Astros.” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “At the end of the day I’m glad that Mr. Tucker is not in the American League East or the American League at all. But it’s a big get for the Chicago Cubs.” Paredes is an option for Houston at third base if Alex Bregman departs in free agency. The 25-year-old Paredes hit .238 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs in 153 games this year. He made the AL All-Star team with Tampa Bay and then was traded to Chicago in July. Wesneski, a Houston native who played college ball for Sam Houston State, likely will compete for a spot in the Astros’ rotation. The right-hander, who turned 27 on Dec. 5, went 3-6 with a 3.86 ERA over 21 relief appearances and seven starts this year. He was on the injured list from July 20 to Sept. 20 with a right forearm strain. Houston is hoping the addition of Paredes and Wesneski will help the team continue its impressive run as one of baseball's best teams. It has made the playoffs for eight straight years, winning the World Series in 2017 and 2022. It was swept by Detroit in the wild-card round this year. While Paredes and Wesneski could have an immediate impact, Smith also was a key component of the deal. Smith, 21, was selected by Chicago with the No. 14 pick in this year's draft out of Florida State University. He hit .313 with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 32 games over three minor league stops, finishing the year with Double-A Knoxville. Tucker was Houston's first-round pick in 2015, taken No. 5 overall. He made his big league debut with the Astros in 2018. Tucker had a breakout performance three years after his debut, hitting a career-best .294 with 30 homers and 92 RBIs in 140 games in 2021. He won a Gold Glove the following year. The Tampa, Florida, native is a .274 hitter with 125 homers, 417 RBIs and an .869 OPS in 633 career games — all with Houston. He also has appeared in 64 postseason games, batting .229 with eight homers and 28 RBIs. AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbFrey lowers proposed tax hike as council digs into budget

San Diego, California–(Newsfile Corp. – December 24, 2024) – Swerv Dating, the innovative platform disrupting traditional dating apps by prioritizing in-person connections, today announced the launch of its Ambassador Program, empowering users and influencers to help transform the dating app landscape while earning commissions. Swerv Dating Logo Unlike conventional dating apps that emphasize digital conversations, Swerv shows users where potential matches are in real time, helping them make better decisions about where to spend their evening. The platform plots matching users anonymously on a map, allowing people to see which venues have the highest concentration of compatible matches. To facilitate real-world meetings, users can only message their matches when they’re at the same venue. “We’re humans. We evolved to have that in-person connection,” explains Scott Demyon, founder and CEO of Swerv. “There are so many cues that happen in person with body language, personality, and emotion that you just don’t get through electronic interaction. That’s why we limit digital conversations to helping matches connect in person.” The Ambassador Program marks a significant shift in dating app promotion, moving away from traditional digital advertising to focus on authentic, community-driven growth. Swerv Ambassadors will receive unique promotional codes and earn commissions for premium membership upgrades, creating a direct link between successful real-world connections and ambassador rewards. “Say you’re heading out on a Friday night,” Demyon illustrates. “That bar has four potential matches for you, but the bar across the street has 23 potential matches that align with what you’re looking for. So now you change your plans-or ‘swerv’ your plans-to that bar across the street, dramatically increasing your chances of a meaningful connection.” Key features of the Swerv Ambassador Program include: The announcement comes as dating app users increasingly report frustration with traditional platforms’ focus on digital interaction and rising concerns about AI-powered fake profiles. Swerv’s approach is inherently “AI-proof” as it focuses on real-world meetings where authenticity is immediately apparent. “Traditional dating apps have destroyed our dating culture the same way social media has made us less social,” Demyon notes. “People shouldn’t be finding a partner from the solitude of their couch. They should be out meeting people in the real world, the tried and true way of meeting.” The platform’s sophisticated privacy features include anonymous profiles by default, geofencing capabilities, and movement detection to ensure user safety while encouraging real-world connections. Users appear as anonymous pins on a map until they choose to reveal themselves, maintaining privacy while facilitating organic meetings. The Ambassador Program launches today and is open to participants across the United States. Interested individuals can apply at swervdating.com/ambassador . About Swerv Founded by mobile dating pioneer Scott Demyon, who created one of the first mobile dating platforms in 2005, Swerv is reinventing dating apps by prioritizing real-world connections. The platform uses innovative location-based technology to help users find potential matches at local venues, bringing authenticity back to dating. For more information, visit swervdating.com . To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/235081 #distro

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To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.Virtual Reality in Tourism Market to Witness Stunning Growth with Airbnb, Google, Sony PlayStation VR 12-12-2024 12:06 AM CET | Tourism, Cars, Traffic Press release from: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Virtual Reality in Tourism Market HTF MI recently introduced Global Virtual Reality in Tourism Market study with 143+ pages in-depth overview, describing about the Product / Industry Scope and elaborates market outlook and status (2024-2032). The market Study is segmented by key regions which is accelerating the marketization. At present, the market is developing its presence. Some key players from the complete study are Oculus (Meta), HTC Vive, Sony PlayStation VR, Google, Samsung Gear VR, Expedia, Amadeus, VRBO, Airbnb, YouVisit, Immersion VR, Zeality, Matterport, Virtually Visiting, Holoride, Peek, TraveloVR, Inception VR, Realities.io, Ascape. Download Sample Report PDF (Including Full TOC, Table & Figures) 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/4285747-2023-2031-report-on-global-virtual-reality-in-tourism-market?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash According to HTF Market Intelligence, the Global Virtual Reality in Tourism market is expected to grow from $3.5 Billion USD in 2024 to $15 Billion USD by 2032, with a CAGR of 15% from 2024 to 2032. The Virtual Reality in Tourism market is segmented by Types (VR Content Creation, Head-Mounted Displays, 360° Video, VR Booking Systems), Application (Travel Agencies, Hotels, Museums, Tourist Destinations) and by Geography (North America, LATAM, West Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Oceania, MEA). Definition: The use of virtual reality (VR) technology to offer immersive experiences of travel destinations. It enables users to explore landmarks, hotels, and attractions virtually, helping them make informed travel decisions and enjoy novel experiences. Dominating Region: • Europe Fastest-Growing Region: • Asia-Pacific Market Trends: •Gamified Travel Experiences, Digital Twin Destinations, AR/VR Convergence Market Drivers: •Rise in Immersive Tech, Post-COVID Recovery, Experience Demand Market Challenges: •High Equipment Costs, Content Limitations, Lack of VR Awareness Have a query? Market an enquiry before purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/4285747-2023-2031-report-on-global-virtual-reality-in-tourism-market?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below: In-depth analysis of Virtual Reality in Tourism market segments by Types: VR Content Creation, Head-Mounted Displays, 360° Video, VR Booking Systems Detailed analysis of Tank Container Shipping market segments by Applications: Travel Agencies, Hotels, Museums, Tourist Destinations Geographically, the detailed analysis of consumption, revenue, market share, and growth rate of the following regions: • The Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, Egypt, etc.) • North America (United States, Mexico & Canada) • South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, etc.) • Europe (Turkey, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) • Asia-Pacific (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia). Buy Now Latest Edition of Virtual Reality in Tourism Market Report 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=4285747?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash Virtual Reality in Tourism Market Research Objectives: - Focuses on the key manufacturers, to define, pronounce and examine the value, sales volume, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis, and development plans in the next few years. - To share comprehensive information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (opportunities, drivers, growth potential, industry-specific challenges and risks). - To analyze the with respect to individual future prospects, growth trends and their involvement to the total market. - To analyze reasonable developments such as agreements, expansions new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. - To deliberately profile the key players and systematically examine their growth strategies. FIVE FORCES & PESTLE ANALYSIS: In order to better understand market conditions five forces analysis is conducted that includes the Bargaining power of buyers, Bargaining power of suppliers, Threat of new entrants, Threat of substitutes, and Threat of rivalry. • Political (Political policy and stability as well as trade, fiscal, and taxation policies) • Economical (Interest rates, employment or unemployment rates, raw material costs, and foreign exchange rates) • Social (Changing family demographics, education levels, cultural trends, attitude changes, and changes in lifestyles) • Technological (Changes in digital or mobile technology, automation, research, and development) • Legal (Employment legislation, consumer law, health, and safety, international as well as trade regulation and restrictions) • Environmental (Climate, recycling procedures, carbon footprint, waste disposal, and sustainability) Get 10-25% Discount on Immediate purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/request-discount/4285747-2023-2031-report-on-global-virtual-reality-in-tourism-market?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Virtual Reality in Tourism Market: Chapter 01 - Virtual Reality in Tourism Executive Summary Chapter 02 - Market Overview Chapter 03 - Key Success Factors Chapter 04 - Global Virtual Reality in Tourism Market - Pricing Analysis Chapter 05 - Global Virtual Reality in Tourism Market Background or History Chapter 06 - Global Virtual Reality in Tourism Market Segmentation (e.g. Type, Application) Chapter 07 - Key and Emerging Countries Analysis Worldwide Virtual Reality in Tourism Market Chapter 08 - Global Virtual Reality in Tourism Market Structure & worth Analysis Chapter 09 - Global Virtual Reality in Tourism Market Competitive Analysis & Challenges Chapter 10 - Assumptions and Acronyms Chapter 11 - Virtual Reality in Tourism Market Research Methodology Key questions answered • How Global Virtual Reality in Tourism Market growth & size is changing in next few years? • Who are the Leading players and what are their futuristic plans in the Global Virtual Reality in Tourism market? • What are the key concerns of the 5-forces analysis of the Global Virtual Reality in Tourism market? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors? • What are the different prospects and threats faced by the dealers in the Global Virtual Reality in Tourism market? Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter-wise sections or region-wise report versions like North America, LATAM, Europe, Japan, Australia or Southeast Asia. Nidhi Bhawsar (PR & Marketing Manager) HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Phone: +15075562445 sales@htfmarketintelligence.com About Author: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting is uniquely positioned to empower and inspire with research and consulting services to empower businesses with growth strategies. We offer services with extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events, and experience that assist in decision-making. This release was published on openPR.

Montana Tech women's basketball hosts Butte-Silver Bow area kids against St. Mary's (Alberta)Black Friday Streaming Deals: Read the Fine Print FirstA Wollongong developer has been hit with $225,000 in fines after the hook from a tower crane smashed into the side of the building. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading SafeWork NSW took developer Modco Homes to court over an incident that happened at 38-42 Atchison Street on July 12, 2021, when the building was under construction. On that day the worker operating the tower crane left for a toilet break, though he did not leave the hook block high enough to clear the building. "The tower crane slewed in an anti-clockwise direction from the roadside causing the hook block, lifting chain and hoist rope to strike and cause damage to the northeastern facade of the site on levels 16,17 and 18," the court ruling stated. Later that day, the crane operator was asked to lift two skip bins from the ground to level eight. During the lift, the hoist rope failed and the bins fell five storeys to level two - no-one was injured in this second incident. The crane driver went to retrieve the hook block, standing at the unprotected edge of the balcony without any fall protection devices. SafeWork NSW only discovered what had happened when it received two anonymous notifications about the second incident a day later. After an on-site investigation, Modco director George Seghabi informed SafeWork of the first and second incident. In court Modco pleaded guilty three incidents of failing to ensure the safety of workers, as a result of the two crane incidents and the incident where the worker was on the balcony. There was also one charge of not notifying SafeWork, and two charges of not leaving the site undisturbed until an inspector arrived. "While I accept that no harm occurred, and thankfully the outcome was not as bad as it could have been, had the regulator been notified after the first incident, then the tower crane would have been stood down and the second incident would not have occurred," Judge Wendy Strathdee's ruling said. In her ruling she also accepted Modco was unlikely to reoffend as "it had undertaken significant changes and is even more focused than before on the health and safety of its workers". "This is not a defendant that had no regard to safety at all - it had systems in place to protect its workers but there was no enforcement of such policies at the relevant times. "I further note that the defendant does not currently have any employees and that it does not intend to continue in the business." The defendant was fined $15,000 each for failing to notify SafeWork and the two counts of not leaving the site undisturbed. They were also fined $60,000 for each of the three incidents of failing to ensure the safety of workers. All up the fines totalled $225,000. I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading. I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading. More from Latest News Newsletters & Alerts DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Find out what's happening in local business. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!

Apple plans to overtake Qualcomm with its in-house 5G modemsTikTok is inching closer to a potential ban in the US. So what's next?Sickened by the politics of the NFL, Belichick aims for a college restart

Why Oracle Stock Topped the Market Today

Higher Education CRM Software Market to Witness Stunning Growth with Salesforce, Oracle, PeopleSoft 12-12-2024 12:01 AM CET | IT, New Media & Software Press release from: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Higher Education CRM Software Market HTF MI recently introduced Global Higher Education CRM Software Market study with 143+ pages in-depth overview, describing about the Product / Industry Scope and elaborates market outlook and status (2024-2032). The market Study is segmented by key regions which is accelerating the marketization. At present, the market is developing its presence. Some key players from the complete study are Salesforce, Ellucian, Slate by Technolutions, Oracle, Blackbaud, Campus Management, HubSpot, Zoho, TargetX, Microsoft Dynamics, Creatrix, Anthology, Full Fabric, Unit4, Ocelot, EesySoft, Jenzabar, Funnel CRM, AdmissionsPlus, PeopleSoft. Download Sample Report PDF (Including Full TOC, Table & Figures) 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/2933203-global-higher-education-crm-software-market-report-2020-by-key-players-types-applications-countries-market-size-forecast-to-2026?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash According to HTF Market Intelligence, the Global Higher Education CRM Software market is expected to grow from $5 Billion USD in 2024 to $12 Billion USD by 2032, with a CAGR of 10% from 2024 to 2032. The Higher Education CRM Software market is segmented by Types (Student Engagement, Admissions, Marketing Automation, Alumni Management), Application (Universities, Colleges, Vocational Schools, Online Programs) and by Geography (North America, LATAM, West Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Oceania, MEA). Definition: Customer Relationship Management software specifically designed for higher education institutions. It helps manage student recruitment, admissions, retention, and alumni relations, improving engagement and operational efficiency. Dominating Region: • North America Fastest-Growing Region: • Asia-Pacific Market Trends: •Mobile Apps, AI for Predictive Analytics, Integration with SIS Market Drivers: •Demand for Personalized Learning, Increasing Student Enrollment Market Challenges: •Data Privacy Issues, Complexity of Implementation, High Costs Have a query? Market an enquiry before purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/2933203-global-higher-education-crm-software-market-report-2020-by-key-players-types-applications-countries-market-size-forecast-to-2026?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below: In-depth analysis of Higher Education CRM Software market segments by Types: Student Engagement, Admissions, Marketing Automation, Alumni Management Detailed analysis of Tank Container Shipping market segments by Applications: Universities, Colleges, Vocational Schools, Online Programs Geographically, the detailed analysis of consumption, revenue, market share, and growth rate of the following regions: • The Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, Egypt, etc.) • North America (United States, Mexico & Canada) • South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, etc.) • Europe (Turkey, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) • Asia-Pacific (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia). Buy Now Latest Edition of Higher Education CRM Software Market Report 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=2933203?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash Higher Education CRM Software Market Research Objectives: - Focuses on the key manufacturers, to define, pronounce and examine the value, sales volume, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis, and development plans in the next few years. - To share comprehensive information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (opportunities, drivers, growth potential, industry-specific challenges and risks). - To analyze the with respect to individual future prospects, growth trends and their involvement to the total market. - To analyze reasonable developments such as agreements, expansions new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. - To deliberately profile the key players and systematically examine their growth strategies. FIVE FORCES & PESTLE ANALYSIS: In order to better understand market conditions five forces analysis is conducted that includes the Bargaining power of buyers, Bargaining power of suppliers, Threat of new entrants, Threat of substitutes, and Threat of rivalry. • Political (Political policy and stability as well as trade, fiscal, and taxation policies) • Economical (Interest rates, employment or unemployment rates, raw material costs, and foreign exchange rates) • Social (Changing family demographics, education levels, cultural trends, attitude changes, and changes in lifestyles) • Technological (Changes in digital or mobile technology, automation, research, and development) • Legal (Employment legislation, consumer law, health, and safety, international as well as trade regulation and restrictions) • Environmental (Climate, recycling procedures, carbon footprint, waste disposal, and sustainability) Get 10-25% Discount on Immediate purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/request-discount/2933203-global-higher-education-crm-software-market-report-2020-by-key-players-types-applications-countries-market-size-forecast-to-2026?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Higher Education CRM Software Market: Chapter 01 - Higher Education CRM Software Executive Summary Chapter 02 - Market Overview Chapter 03 - Key Success Factors Chapter 04 - Global Higher Education CRM Software Market - Pricing Analysis Chapter 05 - Global Higher Education CRM Software Market Background or History Chapter 06 - Global Higher Education CRM Software Market Segmentation (e.g. Type, Application) Chapter 07 - Key and Emerging Countries Analysis Worldwide Higher Education CRM Software Market Chapter 08 - Global Higher Education CRM Software Market Structure & worth Analysis Chapter 09 - Global Higher Education CRM Software Market Competitive Analysis & Challenges Chapter 10 - Assumptions and Acronyms Chapter 11 - Higher Education CRM Software Market Research Methodology Key questions answered • How Global Higher Education CRM Software Market growth & size is changing in next few years? • Who are the Leading players and what are their futuristic plans in the Global Higher Education CRM Software market? • What are the key concerns of the 5-forces analysis of the Global Higher Education CRM Software market? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors? • What are the different prospects and threats faced by the dealers in the Global Higher Education CRM Software market? Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter-wise sections or region-wise report versions like North America, LATAM, Europe, Japan, Australia or Southeast Asia. Nidhi Bhawsar (PR & Marketing Manager) HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Phone: +15075562445 sales@htfmarketintelligence.com About Author: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting is uniquely positioned to empower and inspire with research and consulting services to empower businesses with growth strategies. We offer services with extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events, and experience that assist in decision-making. This release was published on openPR.CHECK OUT: Learn at Your Own Pace! Our Flexible Online Course allows you to fit copywriting skills development around your busy schedule. Enroll Now! Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events Kano state - Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf-led Kano state government has pointed an accusing finger at the federal government for being responsible for the blockade of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II’s palace by armed security operatives Legit.ng recalls that armed security operatives laid siege at Emir Sanusi II’s palace on Friday, December 6. It was learnt that the development was due to Emir Muhammadu Sanusi's II plan to install his son as the district head of Bichi. PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng Needs Your Help! Take our Survey Now and See Improvements at LEGIT.NG Tomorrow The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, said the blockade at the 16th Emir of Kano’s palace was an attempt to disrupt peace in Kano. According to Leadership, Bichi stated this while speaking on a local radio programme about Emir Sanusi’s palace’s blockade. Bichi alleged that security personnel at the scene claimed they were acting on “orders from above,” which he linked to the federal government. Read also Gunmen reportedly target Taraba governor’s mother, daughter hospitalized after shooting “We were really surprised waking up to this development, with police sealing off the entrance to the palace of Kano Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II. “What surprises us the most is that Kano is peaceful, but it’s just a few people with backing from Abuja that don’t want Kano to remain peaceful.” He explained that the blockade disrupted the royal schedule as Emir Sanusi II had planned to accompany the district head of Bichi (Wamban Kano), to his domain. He warned that the people of Kano will not continue to tolerate interference in their affairs. “The Emir has appointed the district head, and it stands. Whenever the Emir is ready to go there, we will accompany him—no going back,” Kano Emir Sanusi ignores police presence Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Emir Sanusi II, on Friday, December 6, presided over a court session at his palace . Read also Kano Emir Sanusi ignores police presence, holds court session in palace This was after policemen barricaded the palace and restricted him from attending a royal ceremony in Bichi local government area. Sanusi and his rival, Ado Bayero, are laying hold on the Kano throne, and this has fuelled political tension in the ancient city. PAY ATTENTION : Legit.ng Needs Your Opinion! That's your chance to change your favourite news media. Fill in a short questionnaire Source: Legit.ng

Federal judge rules Alabama city must allow gay pride float at Christmas parade

Will India soon open the door for Elon Musk’s Starlink?80jili.ph 。

Rodgers says he's undecided about playing next season, but Jets are his 'first option' if he returns Aaron Rodgers is still contemplating whether he wants to play football next season. And if he does return, he said during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday that he prefers it to be with the New York Jets. The star quarterback, who turns 41 next Monday, denied a recent report that he wants to keep playing next year but not with the Jets. He said he needs to see how he feels physically and where the Jets stand with a new general manager and coach. He added that the Jets will also have to want him playing for them. That will all factor into his decision. Court rejects request to sideline San Jose State volleyball player on grounds she’s transgender A federal appeals court has upheld a ruling that allows a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member to play in the Mountain West Conference tournament after complaints said she should be ineligible on grounds that she’s transgender. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that a U.S. Magistrate in Denver was correct in allowing her to play. The magistrate and the appeals court said the players and others who sued should have filed their complaint earlier, rather than waiting until less than two weeks before the tournament was to begin to seek an emergency injunction. Lewandowski joins Ronaldo and Messi in the Champions League century club with goal No. 100 ROME (AP) — Robert Lewandowski joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the only players in Champions League history with 100 or more goals. But Erling Haaland is on a faster pace than anyone after boosting his total to 46 goals at age 24. Lewandowski’s early penalty kick started Barcelona off to a 3-0 win over previously unbeaten Brest to move into second place in the new single-league format. Ronaldo leads the all-time scoring list with 140 goals and Messi is next with 129. Haaland scored a brace as City was held 3-3 by Feyenoord. Inter Milan beat Leipzig 1-0 to move atop the standings. Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0. Atalanta, Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen also won. Traffic citations against Dolphins' Tyreek Hill dismissed after officers no-show at hearing MIAMI (AP) — Traffic citations issued to Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill after a September altercation with police have been dismissed after the charging officers didn’t attend a court hearing. Hill’s tickets for careless driving and failing to wear a seat belt were dismissed after the Miami-Dade Police officers failed to show up for a Monday hearing. The tickets were issued after Hill was stopped outside Hard Rock Stadium for allegedly speeding before the Dolphins' season opener on Sept. 8. The stop escalated and an officer pulled Hill from the car, forced him to the ground and handcuffed him. North Carolina football coach Mack Brown won't return for 2025 season North Carolina coach Mack Brown won’t return for the 2025 season. The school announced the move Tuesday with a statement from athletic director Bubba Cunningham. The school said Cunningham informed the 73-year-old College Football Hall of Fame member that there would be a coaching change. Brown is set to coach the regular-season finale on Saturday against rival N.C. State, though a decision hasn’t been made about whether Brown will coach a bowl game. Brown is in his second stint with the program and won a national championship at Texas. Lionel Messi has his new coach: Javier Mascherano's hiring by Inter Miami is now complete FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano are together again, this time with Inter Miami. The former Barcelona and Argentina teammates have reunited, with Inter Miami announcing Tuesday that Mascherano’s hiring as the club’s new coach is complete. The sides struck a deal late last week for Mascherano to replace Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who stepped aside for personal reasons. Mascherano most recently was Argentina’s under-20 team coach. Mascherano says he was “drawn to the organization’s undeniable ambition." Will Utah State or Boise State forfeit vs. San Jose State in the Mountain West semifinals? LAS VEGAS (AP) — A team that previously boycotted at least one match against the San Jose State women’s volleyball team will be faced with another decision whether to play the school, this time in the Mountain West Conference semifinals with a shot at the NCAA Tournament on the line. Five schools forfeited matches in the regular season against San Jose State, which carried a No. 2 seed into the conference tournament in Las Vegas. Among those schools: No. 3 Utah State and No. 6 Boise State, who will face off Wednesday with the winner scheduled to play the Spartans in the semifinals on Friday. NBA says Hawks violated player participation policy by sitting Trae Young for Cup game The NBA fined the Atlanta Hawks $100,000 after an investigation determined that guard Trae Young could have played in an NBA Cup game against the Boston Celtics on Nov. 12. The Hawks listed Young on their injury report that night as out because of tendinitis in his right Achilles. Atlanta wound up winning the game anyway, 117-116. The issue, the NBA said, was that the Hawks were in violation of the league’s player participation policy — which focuses primarily on what the league defines as star players, a group that Young would qualify for since he was an All-Star selection last season. Texas and Texas A&M reunite Saturday in SEC after bitter breakup tore apart a football tradition COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas and Texas A&M first met Texas on the football field in 1894 in a rivalry that would cut across the state and through families for generations. It would not last. In 2011, Texas A&M announced it was leaving Texas and the Big 12 behind to join the Southeastern Conference, determined to focus only on a bright future, not dwell on a sentimental past. Bitter finger pointing and hard feelings eventually gave way to shrugs of indifference and mutters of “good riddance." Then Texas joined the SEC this season. The No. 3 Longhorns and No. 20 Aggies finally meet again Saturday night in College Station with a berth in the SEC championship game on the line. Oklahoma's throwback offensive approach against Alabama gets LSU's attention NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma appears to have borrowed from the past to cure its recent offensive ills. The Sooners, best known this century for a passing prowess that has produced four Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, took it back to the 20th century against Alabama. They ran 50 times for 257 yards while only throwing 12 times in a 24-3 win over the Crimson Tide. Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold ran for 131 yards against Alabama. LSU coach Brian Kelly has taken notice ahead of their upcoming game. The Tigers rank 14th out of 16 SEC teams against the run.

Israeli troops forcibly remove staff and patients from northern Gaza hospital, officials say

NoneWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday he intends to nominate real estate developer Charles Kushner , father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, calling Charles Kushner “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker.” Kushner is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former White House senior adviser to Trump who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka. The elder Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Prosecutors alleged that after Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. Kushner hired a prostitute to lure Kushner is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former White House senior adviser to Trump who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka. his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to his own sister, the man’s wife, prosecutors said. Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison — the most he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, had sought. Christie has blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump’s transition team in 2016, and has called Charles Kushner’s offenses “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney.” Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009.

Trump wants pardoned real estate developer Charles Kushner to become US ambassador to FranceCRANFORD, N.J. , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Citius Oncology, Inc. ("Citius Oncology" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTOR ), a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel targeted oncology therapies, today reported business and financial results for the fiscal full year ended September 30, 2024 . Fiscal Full Year 2024 Business Highlights and Subsequent Developments Achieved U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of LYMPHIRTM (denileukin diftitox-cxdl), an immunotherapy for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL); Began trading on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker symbol CTOR on August 13, 2024 , following completion of the merger of Citius Pharma's oncology subsidiary with TenX Keane to form Citius Oncology, Inc., a standalone publicly traded company; Advanced manufacturing, marketing and sales activities in preparation for commercial launch of LYMPHIR in the first half of 2025; key activities included: Manufactured initial inventory for launch and finalized supply chain agreements, Initiated recruitment of targeted field force with contract sales organization, Launched a marketing awareness campaign and engaged with all leading CTCL prescribers, Applied for a unique J-code within the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) to facilitate accurate reimbursement, Secured inclusion of LYMPHIR in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, critical to clinical decision-making in oncology and hematology, influencing treatment practices and payor reimbursement in the U.S., and Initiated development of the patient support center to help patients access LYMPHIR expeditiously; Supported two investigator-initiated trials to explore LYMPHIR's potential as an immuno-oncology combination therapy being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the University of Minnesota ; and, Shared interim trial results with the clinical community at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Conference (SITC) of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Phase I trial of LYMPHIR with checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab. The combination of these two immunomodulatory agents showed clinical benefit in relapsed or refractory gynecological neoplasms, resulting in: 27% objective response rate and 33% clinical benefit rate with median progression free survival of 57 weeks (range: 30-96 weeks), and A manageable safety profile whereby the regimen was well-tolerated with reversible treatment emergent adverse events and no definitive immune-related adverse events greater than or equal to grade 3 documented. Financial Highlights R&D expenses were $4.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $4.2 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 ; G&A expenses were $8.1 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $5.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 ; Stock-based compensation expense was $7.5 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $2.0 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 ; and, Net loss was $21.1 million , or ($0.31) per share for the full year ended September 30, 2024 compared to a net loss of $12.7 million , or ($0.19) per share for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . "Reflecting on 2024, Citius Oncology has achieved pivotal milestones that underscore our commitment to advancing cancer therapeutics," stated Leonard Mazur , Chairman and CEO of Citius Oncology. "The FDA's approval of LYMPHIR for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma marks a significant advancement in providing new options for patients battling this challenging disease. It is the only targeted systemic therapy approved for CTCL patients since 2018 and the only therapy with a mechanism of action that targets the IL-2 receptor. Additionally, the successful merger forming Citius Oncology, now trading on Nasdaq under the ticker CTOR, strengthens our position in the oncology sector. We expect it to facilitate greater access to capital to fund LYMPHIR's launch and the Company's future growth. With a Phase I investigator-initiated clinical trial combining LYMPHIR with pembrolizumab demonstrating promising preliminary results, indicating potential for enhanced treatment efficacy in recurrent solid tumors, and preliminary results expected from a second investigator trial with CAR-T therapies in 2025, we remain excited about the potential of LYMPHIR as a combination immunotherapy." "These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our team and the trust of our investors. As we look ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to develop innovative therapies that improve the lives of cancer patients worldwide," added Mazur. FULL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS: Research and Development (R&D) Expenses R&D expenses were $4.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $4.2 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase reflects development activities completed for the resubmission of the Biologics License Application of LYMPHIR in January 2024 , which were associated with the complete response letter remediation. General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses G&A expenses were $8.1 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $5.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase was primarily due to costs associated with pre-commercial and commercial launch activities of LYMPHIR including market research, marketing, distribution and drug product reimbursement from health plans and payers. Stock-based Compensation Expense For the full year ended September 30, 2024 , stock-based compensation expense was $7.5 million as compared to $2.0 million for the prior year. The primary reason for the $5.5 million increase was due to the amounts being realized over 12 months in the year ended September 30, 2024 , as compared to three months post-plan adoption in the year ended September 30, 2023 . Net loss Net loss was $21.1 million , or ($0.31) per share for the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to a net loss of $12.7 million , or ($0.19) per share for the year ended September 30, 2023 . The $8.5 million increase in net loss was primarily due to the increase in our operating expenses. About Citius Oncology, Inc. Citius Oncology specialty is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel targeted oncology therapies. In August 2024 , its primary asset, LYMPHIR, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory CTCL who had had at least one prior systemic therapy. Management estimates the initial market for LYMPHIR currently exceeds $400 million , is growing, and is underserved by existing therapies. Robust intellectual property protections that span orphan drug designation, complex technology, trade secrets and pending patents for immuno-oncology use as a combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors would further support Citius Oncology's competitive positioning. Citius Oncology is a publicly traded subsidiary of Citius Pharmaceuticals. For more information, please visit www.citiusonc.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Citius Oncology. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "plan," "should," and "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, and, unless noted otherwise, that apply to Citius Oncology are: our ability to raise additional money to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months as a going concern; our ability to commercialize LYMPHIR and any of our other product candidates that may be approved by the FDA; the estimated markets for our product candidates and the acceptance thereof by any market; the ability of our product candidates to impact the quality of life of our target patient populations; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to procure cGMP commercial-scale supply; risks related to research using our assets but conducted by third parties; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; market and other conditions; risks related to our growth strategy; patent and intellectual property matters; our ability to identify, acquire, close and integrate product candidates and companies successfully and on a timely basis; government regulation; competition; as well as other risks described in our Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. These risks have been and may be further impacted by any future public health risks. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks regarding our business are described in detail in our SEC filings which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov , including in Citius Oncology's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024 , filed with the SEC on December 27, 2024 , as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Investor Contact: Ilanit Allen [email protected] 908-967-6677 x113 Media Contact: STiR-communications Greg Salsburg [email protected] -- Financial Tables Follow – SOURCE Citius Oncology, Inc.Hugh Grant ‘s career has entered what the actor himself coined the “freak show stage” of his career. From the oh-so-tiny Oompa Loompa in Wonka to the short-lived Edward Keplinger in The Regime , the seasoned British actor has departed from his romantic lead typecast. For his most recent leading role as Mr. Reed in Heretic , Grant traps two young Mormon missionaries in his basement game of faith and horror. Green-haired, dancing orange man aside, Mr. Reed is his most extreme role to date. Playing a man who traps women in cages is as large a departure as he can take, especially when his origins are largely rooted as charming leads in romantic comedies. And not just any romantic leads. Grant has starred in some of the most iconic romantic comedies: Edward Farris in Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility , William Thacker in Richard Curtis ‘ Notting Hill , Charles in Four Weddings and a Funeral (the first of his three films with the famed romance director), David the Prime Minister in Curtis’ Love Actually . Essential to each of these roles, Grant’s charming smile and self-effacing mumble made him a heartthrob of the ’90s and ’00s. But a heartthrob is not exempt from their red flags. Like a wolf in a beloved Englishman’s clothing, Grant’s characters have always been more villainous than they appear. The actor’s breakthrough role as Charles in Four Weddings and a Funeral marked him as good-looking and disarmingly likable. Charles flipped a leading man’s role on his head, appearing as non-threatening and passive, his true motives often taking a backseat to politeness. However, for the friend who forgets rings, arrives late, pursues a woman in a relationship, and abandons his fiancée at the altar, suave and shy are not necessarily the first words that come to mind. Perhaps his most cardinal sin of all was committed in Notting Hill . How did he allow Julia Roberts walk out the door to be ambushed by the paparazzi?! Without her pants?! On multiple occasions, when given the opportunity to profess his feelings to his own heartthrob Anna (played by the real-life movie star Roberts), William chose silence and inaction. He even rejected Anna’s own proposal to pursue the relationship legitimately after he had spent an entire year forlorn about what could have been. Never establishing a backbone to communicate properly with the women he truly loves has perhaps been a throughline of Grant’s romantic career. Even his casting as Edward Farris in the 1995 Sense and Sensibility fits the bill, the price of his inactions and omissions being paid by the woman who loved him most. His most meaningful encounter in the film, in my opinion, came far too late. In the final act, Elinor Dashwood ( Emma Thompson ) realized that Farris had been engaged to and then married a woman of higher society. This was the engagement that Farris had failed to mention during the entirety of their courtship. The man was shelling out his monogrammed kerchiefs left and right. Unforgivable! Lastly, Curtis’ 2003 holiday rom-com Love Actually follows the love stories of 10 different individuals and those in their lives. “Love” is used liberally as Grant is one of the many male characters engaging in inappropriate romantic relationships with his own employees. Grant plays David, the Prime Minister, who initially resists the urge to act on his attraction to a junior member of staff, Natalie ( Martine McCutcheon ). While he presents himself as a moral politician, looking down on the U.S. President ( Billy Bob Thornton ) for making his own advances on Natalie, David acts on his attraction in the end nonetheless. While the pair ends up in a public, seemingly unproblematic relationship (for now) by the end of the film, we can’t overlook their checkered origins. Looking back, Grant has actually always played the villain. We just weren’t looking hard enough. More Headlines:None

Former EastEnders actress Maisie Smith has shared a touching message with partner Max George after he revealed his health worries . The Wanted star took to Instagram on Thursday to explain he will be in hospital over Christmas after doctors discovered he had heart issues. He had gone to hospital feeling unwell and was thoroughly checked over when the shocking discovery was made. Now, Maisie has took to social media to comment on his update. In a sweet three-word message, she penned: "Love you Max," followed by a love heart emoji. The comment followed a number of other messages from friends and followers, including his The Wanted 2.0 bandmate Siva Kaneswaran. Max had earlier revealed his health scare on the platform. Posting alongside a photo of him giving a thumbs up while lying in a hospital bed, he explained how he is now waiting for further tests to determine the extent of the issues and what surgery he may need. He did, however, say he expects it to be a “difficult few weeks/months”. He wrote: “Hey everyone, yesterday I felt really unwell and was taken in to hospital. Unfortunately after some tests they’ve found that I have some issues with my heart. I have a lot more tests to determine the extent of the problems and what surgery I will need to get me back on my feet. It’s gonna be a difficult few weeks/months... and Christmas in a hospital bed wasn’t exactly what I had planned.” The singer praised those around him, saying he is “surrounded with love and support”. He included his “wonderful” partner, Maisie in his comment, The pair met while they were competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020. They currently live together in Manchester and are expected to play a married couple in Jeff Wayne's musical version of The War Of The Worlds, which will tour in 2025. However, it remains to be seen whether this will still happen. In Max's health update, he added: “Although this is a huge shock and no doubt a set back, it’s something I’ll take on with all I’ve got. I count myself very lucky that this was caught when it was.” The shock comes just two years after his bandmate Tom Parker died in 2022 at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. George, who helped carry Parker’s coffin at his funeral alongside fellow bandmates Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes, previously said on This Morning that he continued to message his late bandmate following his death as it brought him “a bit of comfort”. Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

recently hosted her annual Friendsgiving dinner, and fans got a peek behind the scenes via her Instagram Stories. The 55-year-old actress shared a few Polaroid snapshots of the star-studded gathering, which included her Friends co-star and longtime friend . Social media users were thrilled to see the two iconic actresses together, with one fan commenting that knowing and spent the evening together made them "a whole lot happier." Aniston's Friendsgiving dinners have become a cherished tradition among her famous circle of pals. This year's celebration follows a history of memorable gatherings, including a 2019 dinner that also featured other celebrities like 's ex-husband, . In fact, shared a playful selfie from that event, calling it "#fakesgiving" and expressing gratitude for the night with friends. Food is the highlight One of the most memorable aspects of Aniston's Friendsgiving is her food, especially when it comes to Kimmel's ongoing joke about the meal's similarities to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. During a 2018 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the talk show host humorously complained that Aniston's menu closely resembled what he had just eaten the night before. In response to his suggestion for a change, added a fun twist to her 2019 menu by preparing "Jimmy's F***ing Enchiladas," a dish she had promised him the year before. Kimmel's playful request for Mexican food became reality, and the enchiladas quickly became a highlight of the event. Aniston posted a photo of the dish. "Ok, @jimmykimmel... here are your f*%king Friendsgiving enchiladas," she posted. "Finally, someone listened to me!" replied. Aniston's Friendsgiving dinners remain a heartwarming celebration of friendship, food, and fun with her closest friends and loved ones.Simons scores 25, Sharpe adds 24 as Trail Blazers bounce back with 104-98 win over Rockets

Trump's tariff threat a grim reminder of turbulent trade in first administrationCaprock Group LLC lifted its holdings in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF ( NASDAQ:CIBR – Free Report ) by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 12,044 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Caprock Group LLC’s holdings in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF were worth $713,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Fairfield Financial Advisors LTD acquired a new position in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Signaturefd LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF during the second quarter worth $37,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. acquired a new position in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Eastern Bank purchased a new position in First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $39,000. First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Trading Up 0.6 % CIBR stock opened at $63.61 on Friday. First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF has a one year low of $48.36 and a one year high of $65.29. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $60.94 and a two-hundred day moving average of $57.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.17 billion, a PE ratio of 34.35 and a beta of 1.00. First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Cuts Dividend About First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF ( Free Report ) The First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF (CIBR) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Nasdaq CTA Cybersecurity index. The fund tracks a liquidity-weighted index that targets companies engaged in the cybersecurity industry. CIBR was launched on Jul 7, 2015 and is managed by First Trust. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Circuit Breaker Growth: USD 6.05B in 2022, projected to reach USD 9.4B by 2031. 11-26-2024 08:59 PM CET | IT, New Media & Software Press release from: SkyQuest Technology Group Circuit Breaker Market Scope: Key Insights : Circuit Breaker Market size was valued at around 6.05 Billion in 2022 and is expected to rise from USD 6.36 Billion in 2023 to reach a value of USD 9.4 Billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 5.0 % during the forecast period (2024-2031). Discover Your Competitive Edge with a Free Sample Report : https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/circuit-breaker-market Access the full 2024 Market report for a comprehensive understanding @ https://www.skyquestt.com/report/circuit-breaker-market In-Depth Exploration of the global Circuit Breaker Market: This report offers a thorough exploration of the global Circuit Breaker market, presenting a wealth of data that has been meticulously researched and analyzed. It identifies and examines the crucial market drivers, including pricing strategies, competitive landscapes, market dynamics, and regional growth trends. By outlining how these factors impact overall market performance, the report provides invaluable insights for stakeholders looking to navigate this complex terrain. Additionally, it features comprehensive profiles of leading market players, detailing essential metrics such as production capabilities, revenue streams, market value, volume, market share, and anticipated growth rates. This report serves as a vital resource for businesses seeking to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving market. Trends and Insights Leading to Growth Opportunities The best insights for investment decisions stem from understanding major market trends, which simplify the decision-making process for potential investors. The research strives to discover multiple growth opportunities that readers can evaluate and potentially capitalize on, armed with all relevant data. Through a comprehensive assessment of important growth factors, including pricing, production, profit margins, and the value chain, market growth can be more accurately forecast for the upcoming years. Top Firms Evaluated in the Global Circuit Breaker Market Research Report: Siemens AG (Germany) ABB Ltd. (Switzerland) Schneider Electric SE (France) Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan) Eaton Corporation plc (Ireland) General Electric Company (US) Toshiba Corporation (Japan) Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. (Japan) Hitachi, Ltd. (Japan) Legrand SA (France) Littelfuse, Inc. (US) Rockwell Automation, Inc. (US) TE Connectivity Ltd. (Switzerland) Key Aspects of the Report: Market Summary: The report includes an overview of products/services, emphasizing the global Circuit Breaker market's overall size. It provides a summary of the segmentation analysis, focusing on product/service types, applications, and regional categories, along with revenue and sales forecasts. Competitive Analysis: This segment presents information on market trends and conditions, analyzing various manufacturers. It includes data regarding average prices, as well as revenue and sales distributions for individual players in the market. Business Profiles: This chapter provides a thorough examination of the financial and strategic data for leading players in the global Circuit Breaker market, covering product/service descriptions, portfolios, geographic reach, and revenue divisions. Sales Analysis by Region: This section provides data on market performance, detailing revenue, sales, and market share across regions. It also includes projections for sales growth rates and pricing strategies for each regional market, such as: North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia South America: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc. Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa This in-depth research study has the capability to tackle a range of significant questions that are pivotal for understanding the market dynamics, and it specifically aims to answer the following key inquiries: How big could the global Circuit Breaker market become by the end of the forecast period? Let's explore the exciting possibilities! Will the current market leader in the global Circuit Breaker segment continue to hold its ground, or is change on the horizon? Which regions are poised to experience the most explosive growth in the Circuit Breaker market? Discover where the future opportunities lie! Is there a particular player that stands out as the dominant force in the global Circuit Breaker market? Let's find out who's leading the charge! What are the key factors driving growth and the challenges holding back the global Circuit Breaker market? Join us as we uncover the forces at play! To establish the important thing traits, Ask Our Experts @ https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/circuit-breaker-market Table of Contents Chapter 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Definition 1.2 Assumptions 1.3 Research Scope 1.4 Market Analysis by Regions 1.5 Market Size Analysis from 2023 to 2030 11.6 COVID-19 Outbreak: Medical Computer Cart Industry Impact Chapter 2 Competition by Types, Applications, and Top Regions and Countries 2.1 Market (Volume and Value) by Type 2.3 Market (Volume and Value) by Regions Chapter 3 Production Market Analysis 3.1 Worldwide Production Market Analysis 3.2 Regional Production Market Analysis Chapter 4 Medical Computer Cart Sales, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2023-2023) Chapter 5 North America Market Analysis Chapter 6 East Asia Market Analysis Chapter 7 Europe Market Analysis Chapter 8 South Asia Market Analysis Chapter 9 Southeast Asia Market Analysis Chapter 10 Middle East Market Analysis Chapter 11 Africa Market Analysis Chapter 12 Oceania Market Analysis Chapter 13 Latin America Market Analysis Chapter 14 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Medical Computer Cart Business Chapter 15 Market Forecast (2023-2030) Chapter 16 Conclusions Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 351-333-4748 Email: sales@skyquestt.com About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. This release was published on openPR.Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein leaves game with left leg injury against Louisville

Hugh Grant Has Always Played the Villain

NEW YORK — The New York Mets wanted Juan Soto to know his future with them could be set in stone. When the free agent outfielder traveled to owner Steve Cohen’s house in Beverly Hills, Calif., for a presentation last month, the team showed a video that included an image of a future Soto statue outside Citi Field, next to the one erected of franchise great Tom Seaver. “Everything that they showed me, what they have, what they want to do, it was incredible,” Soto said. “But my favorite part was the video.” Soto was introduced at Citi Field on Thursday, a day after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized. Speaking in the Piazza 31 Club, he was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and agent Scott Boras. Security men in gray suits wearing earpieces were off to the side. Soto picked the Mets over the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. His deal includes a luxury suite and four premium tickets for home games — all for free — and personal team security for the four-time All-Star and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games. “My family is really important for me. Without them, I probably wouldn’t have been here,” Soto said. “It’s one of the biggest things.” Boras had asked for those sweeteners. “We included it at the beginning,” Cohen said. “He made a request, and we were happy to provide.” The crosstown Yankees, who reached the World Series for the first time since 2009, in part because of Soto, refused to consider the concept. “Some high-end players that make a lot of money for us, if they want suites, they buy them,” general manager Brian Cashman said. Cohen purchased the Mets ahead of the 2021 season and has boosted them to baseball’s highest payroll in search of the team’s first title since 1986. The owner thanked his son, Josh, for helping create the video and commended his 93-year-old father-in-law Ralph for attending the first get-together with Soto. While other teams met Soto at the Pendry Newport Beach, a hotel just a five-minute drive from Boras Corp.’s office, Cohen asked to host the session at one of his homes. “If we’re going to some restaurant, I didn’t know what the atmosphere would be,” Cohen said. “Food’s better at my house.” Cohen and Soto met again Friday at another of the owner’s homes in Boca Raton, Fla. Soto wanted to know how many championships Cohen expects over the next decade? “I said I’d like to win two to four,” the owner recalled. The value of Soto’s contract eclipsed Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. Its length topped Fernando Tatis Jr.’s $340 million, 14-year agreement with San Diego that runs through 2034. The 26-year-old Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks this year and has a .285 career average with 201 homers, 592 RBIs and 769 walks over seven seasons with Washington, San Diego and the Yankees. Boras wouldn’t discuss who finished second in the bidding in Soto’s mind. “When you’re at a wedding, you don’t talk about the bridesmaids,” he said. Soto made the decision Sunday while at home with his family. Boras referred to the group as the “Soto Supreme Court” defined as “mother, sister, father, he’s got a wide group. I think he may have eight or nine uncles.” “My information requests and such were rather unique,” Boras said, detailing that his team asked for OPS by ballpark. Soto’s 1.175 at Citi Field is his highest at any stadium where he’s played 15 or more games. Soto cited Cohen’s relationship with Mets stars Francisco Lindor and Edwin Díaz as a factor in his mind. “They are kind of like (a tight) family, a family that wants to win but they definitely want to take care of their players and their families,” Soto said. Cohen had his wife Alex and father-in-law attend the initial meeting to emphasize kinship. “My father-in-law is at every game, every home game,” Cohen said. “I wanted him to see how important baseball is to this family. And Alex grew up with one TV in an apartment, and that Met game was on every night.” Cohen relishes owning the Mets. He spoke earlier in the day to a town hall at his hedge fund. “Whenever you meet somebody, they want to talk about the Mets before they talk about financial markets,” he said. Soto’s success will be determined by World Series titles. The Yankees have 27, the Mets two. “It’s such a big city, right? There’s plenty of room for both of us,” Cohen said. Soto had a more direct definition. “Championships is going to tell you if it’s a Yankees or Mets town at the end of the day,” he said.

Nebraska plans not to get caught sleeping vs. South Dakota

TherapeuticsMD Inc. stock underperforms Friday when compared to competitors despite daily gainsINVESTIGATION NOTICE: Kaskela Law LLC Announces Shareholder Investigation of Zuora, Inc. (NYSE: ...

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The thing about emergency situations is that you never know when and where one is going to strike. This is why it's important to have various tools and utilities on standby just in case. Even if you're caught off guard by a sudden development, if you've got the right gear ready for action, you won't be left floundering. While you can get all kinds of good emergency equipment from your local Home Depot, if you're looking to stay in a single ecosystem of products, you may benefit from browsing the Milwaukee brand's line of Packout tools and kits. The Packout line is intended primarily for jobsite and workshop convenience, utilizing lids and bases that clip together in a sturdy stack. However, whether you're on the job or at home, resilient, multifunctional equipment is definitely useful when an emergency strikes. Here we've listed five Milwaukee Packout tools and kits that will be of use in an emergency. More information on how we selected the products can be found in our methodology at the bottom of this page. A very common type of emergency situation is a sudden power outage, whether due to grid problems or bad weather. If you don't have power, then the food in your refrigerator is officially on a time limit, to say nothing of more important things like perishable medicine. Whether you need a cool place to store snacks or medicine for a while, the Packout Cooler Bag has it handled. The Packout Cooler Bag is made up of 1680D tear-resistant ballistic fabric, ensuring it'll stand up to whatever punishment you subject it to while protecting its contents. The internal food-grade leak-proof liner can hold ice for up to 24 hours, which means you can stash temperature sensitive snacks and medicine for just as long. The bag has a sturdy shoulder strap, and is light enough to easily carry around if you need to travel somewhere on foot. However, its molded, impact-resistant base also allows it to clip securely onto a Packout stack. This can be handy if you're in the car and need to make sure the contents of the bag stay level. The Milwaukee Packout Cooler Bag is available at Home Depot for $74.97. This bag comes recommended by Brian of WorkshopAddict , who makes extensive use of it both in a professional and personal capacity. Another common emergency situation is a sudden injury, so it's very important that at least one person in each family has first aid training so they can get a handle on all kinds of injuries and ailments until more complete treatment. A vital component of the first aid process is a stocked toolbox of bandages, ointments, braces, and more. If you want such a medical toolbox, the Packout Type 3 First Aid Kit is a quality choice. This Class B first aid kit is stuffed with supplies for all kinds of medical emergencies, and in large quantities. The total item count adds up to 193, including bandages, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, cold packs, tourniquets, and much more. All of this is packed up into an IP65 waterproof-rated impact-resistant shell, guaranteed to withstand sudden drops and prevent any liquid ingress from rain or puddles. The kit is sealed by a locking clear lid, allowing you to easily see what's in each compartment, while the base can lock onto any Packout stack. The Milwaukee Packout Type 3 First Aid Kit is available at Home Depot for $144.97. Scott Wadsworth of YouTube channel Essential Craftsman recommends this first aid kit, not just for its resilience, but for the vital addition of the included usage instructions. He notes that even if you eventually exhaust the medical contents of the kit, the box itself would still be exceptionally useful to have around. It's bad enough to have an emergency strike during the day when you can see what's going on, but it's even worse if it happens at night. If there's a nighttime power outage and you can't see anything, you're going to need some resilient, reliable lighting, and in a hurry. While you should have some battery-powered lighting available at all times, like a flashlight, it definitely wouldn't hurt to have the M18 Packout LED Light as a supplemental option. This big block of illuminating power features three independent rotating light heads, providing a cumulative 3,000 lumens of TrueView high definition lighting output. Whether you clip it to a Packout stack or just leave it on a bench, it'll sit properly and proudly. With the help of one of Milwaukee's M18 REDLITHIUM battery packs, you can get up to 31 continuous hours of operation out of this light. As an added bonus, it has a compartment for storing small objects, as well as a 2.1 amp USB plug for charging small electronics. The Milwaukee M18 Packout LED Light is available at Home Depot for $199.00. Stan Durlacher of Tool Box Buzz gave this light a 4 out of 5 star rating in his review, praising how easy the device is to transport and the quality of the TrueView lighting. In emergencies like storms , it's very important that you have a way to receive vital news updates like weather forecasts and travel advisories. Unfortunately, if there's a power or internet outage, you won't be able to get those updates from a TV, computer, or smartphone. Luckily, we still have the classic option: good old fashioned radio. If you're looking to stay tuned in, the M18 Packout Radio/Speaker can deliver. This surprisingly beefy speaker setup is just what you need to receive the news of the world in the absence of other options. Its built-in AM/FM tuner can receive most standard radio signals, either tuning manually or with 18 station presets, while its ten-speaker setup ensures you'll hear the news in full 360-degree clarity. It's also equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 functionality, allowing you to wirelessly connect another device for audio up to 100 feet away. The rubber overmold of the Packout connectors protects the delicate components while allowing you to hook it onto a stack or holding base. For added convenience, there's a weatherproof storage compartment, plus an integrated USB charger, as well as an AC cord for recharging the attached M18 battery pack. The Milwaukee M18 Packout Radio/Speaker is available at Home Depot for $299.00. Clint DeBoer of Pro Tool Reviews scored this device a 9 out of 10, praising its impressive output volume and quality, as well as the built-in charging features. Whether it's for the gadgets we've mentioned here or other helpful Milwaukee tools, it's important that you have a stack of charged batteries ready for action in case an emergency suddenly manifests. After all, if you don't have any batteries, your Packout radio and light won't be able to do much. If you're specifically planning on using your Milwaukee batteries for emergency purposes, it'd be wise to keep them all in one place, such as on the Packout M18 6-Port Rapid Charger. This Packout stack-topping charging cradle has enough space to comfortably fit up to six Milwaukee M18 battery packs. The packs are charged two at a time at a base charging speed 40% quicker than Milwaukee's standalone chargers, with the device keeping each pack firmly latched in place. The integrated handle means you can easily tote the whole thing around if you're on the move, then unfurl the AC cord when you're in a safe place to charge the packs up again. There's also a pair of small caddies on the sides, perfect for holding smartphones while they charge up from the built-in USB-A charging port. The Milwaukee Packout M18 6-Port Rapid Charger is available at Home Depot for $249.00. Returning to Brian of WorkshopAddict , he calls it an excellent choice for those who already have a Packout stack and want to charge large quantities of batteries quickly. Just as it's important to have a variety of tools and implements in an emergency situation, it's also vital to know that your tools are of a high quality. This is why, for our recommendations, we stuck to products with recommendations from either accredited hardware publications or hardware-focused YouTube channels with at least 200,000 subscribers.

Tice, Otieno lead Quinnipiac to 75-69 OT win over HofstraScorpio – (23rd October to 21st November) Weekly Horoscope Prediction says, Overcome the tremors with a smile A happy love life and a productive professional life are your takeaways. Wealth will come in but ensure you handle it with care. Your health is also good. Resolve the issues to spend more time with the lover. All professional targets will be met and financially you are stronger. Health will also be positive. Scorpio Love Horoscope This Week You need to have a little control of your anger and temperament as that would be helpful to drive you to lead a good relationship. This is also a good time to conceive and Scorpios can think about starting a new family. Single Scorpios will be happy to know that the chances of finding new love are high. Be practical in romance and also learn to be diplomatic in conversations. The lover may not be comfortable doing or hearing a few things and you need to be careful about this. Scorpio Career Horoscope This Week Be careful about the professional assignments and ensure you stay in the good book of the management. Some professionals, especially those who are into IT, healthcare, finance, sales, and civil engineering may relocate abroad for job purposes. This week is good to switch the job and you can confidently put down the paper and update the resume on a job portal. Businessmen will see new opportunities to augment the trade and some entrepreneurs will also venture to territories abroad. Scorpio Money Horoscope This Week Financial fortune will be at your side. You will buy a new property in the first part of the week. A bank loan will be approved and you will also be able to clear all pending dues. You may consider a foreign trip with the family as the financial stats permit that. You may invest in the stock for a better future. Scorpio Health Horoscope This Week Fortunately, your health will be absolutely fine this week. No major medical issue will disturb the normal life. Make exercise a part of the routine. While driving, keep the speed under the limit and always wear the seat belt. Athletes and sports persons may develop minor injuries in the second part of the week. Scorpio Sign Attributes Strength Mystic, Practical, Intelligent, Independent, Dedicated, Charming, Sensible Weakness: Suspicious, Complicated, Possessive, Arrogant, Extreme Symbol: Scorpion Element: Water Body Part: Sexual Organs Sign Ruler: Pluto, Mars Lucky Day: Tuesday Lucky Color: Purple, Black Lucky Number: 4 Lucky Stone: Red Coral Scorpio Sign Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces Good compatibility: Taurus, Scorpio Fair compatibility: Aries, Gemini, Libra, Sagittarius Less compatibility: Leo, Aquarius By: Dr. J. N. Pandey Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert Website: www.astrologerjnpandey.com E-mail: djnpandey@gmail.com Phone: 91-9811107060 (WhatsApp Only)

Louisville wastes early lead, holds off Eastern KentuckyEvery year I try to make Christmas perfect. Maybe it’s time I give up

One person died in Ecuador and ports closed across Peru as massive waves up to four meters (13 feet) high pummeled the region, officials said Saturday. Many beaches along the central and northern stretches of the Peruvian coastline were closed to prevent risk to human life, local authorities said. Waves there submerged jetties and public squares, sending residents fleeing to higher ground, according to images on local media. In neighboring Ecuador, the National Secretariat for Risk Management said a body was recovered in the coastal city of Manta. "The Manta Fire Department reported that, at 6:00 am, the body of a missing person was found lifeless in the Barbasquillo sector," the agency announced on social media. Peru closed 91 of its 121 ports until January 1, the National Emergency Operations Center said on its X social media account. The municipality of Callao, close to the capital Lima and the location of the country's main port, closed several beaches and barred tourist and fishing boats from venturing out. "These waves are being generated thousands of kilometers away from Peru, off the coast of the United States," navy Captain Enrique Varea told Channel N television. "They are waves generated by a persistent wind on the surface of the ocean that is approaching our coasts," he said. Dozens of small fishing boats and businesses near the sea were affected, according to images broadcast on television and social networks. axl/rmb/nro/acbIs mstr 市值 the Next Big Thing in Gaming? Discover the Future Now

Want to support the DutchNews podcast and keep up our stocks of stroopwafels and orange tompouces? Click here to become a Patreon backer The government is running out of time to make its education budget add up as opposition parties form a “monster alliance” against its spending cuts. Sandra Palmen, who blew open the childcare benefits scandal, is put in charge of compensating the thousands of victims. Two Dutch members of a gang who smuggled cocaine in crates of onions are given eye-watering jail sentences in the UK. Drivers are warned they could lose their insurance cover if they use their phones behind the wheel. And the debate about wolves takes another sharp turn. Ophef of the week: Elderly housing residents frothing over strong alcohol ban News Coalition will drop fine for late students to save education budget D66 pulls out of education cuts talks, blaming lack of progress Former civil servant made minister for childcare compensation scheme Dutch drug gang members given hefty sentences in UK for trafficking Texting at the wheel could cause bankruptcy after insurers change terms Dutch provinces shoot down their own wolf management plan Sport Dutch Grand Prix to be axed after 2026, organisers cite high costs PSV open up gap as Saibari and Til strike twice against Utrecht Ajax draw 2-2 at home to Utrecht to hold on to second placeOhio State is getting close to full strength and is looking forward to a final non-conference foe before diving into its Big Ten schedule. The Buckeyes (8-4) host Indiana State (8-4) on Sunday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio, with another opportunity to get valuable minutes for center Aaron Bradshaw. Bradshaw, who transferred from Kentucky after his freshman year last season, missed seven games while Ohio State investigated an alleged domestic incident at his off-campus apartment. He made his first five shots and finished with 11 points in 18 minutes during the Buckeyes' 85-65 rout of then-No. 4 Kentucky on Dec. 21. "Aaron plays with an intensity and a passion that I thought we missed," Buckeyes coach Jake Diebler said Friday. "And certainly, his size (7-foot-1), rebounding ability, his ability to protect the rim, all of those things were certainly missed. "I'm not going to lie. I didn't anticipate he was going to go 5 for 6 but that spoke to his focus the last couple of weeks to get back out there." While Ohio State was battling the storied Kentucky program, Indiana State was posting a 101-53 win over the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy. The Sycamores open Missouri Valley Conference play next week. To say it's a giant leap to play Ohio State for the first time in program history is an understatement. "I'm definitely excited. I know the team is super excited because we all think we can play at that level," Indiana State guard Jahni Summers said. "We all know we can play at that level. It will be a big game for us, a huge challenge for sure." The Sycamores are led by Samage Teel, who is averaging 17.5 points per game while shooting 58.2 percent from the field. He also leads the team with 4.3 assists per game. Indiana State has won five in a row and has scored at least 80 points in each of the past six games. Diebler said the Buckeyes need to move past the win over Kentucky. "We know what's coming up here, certainly starting off with a really good Indiana State team," he said. --Field Level Media

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman says league's organizational values will not change under Trump presidency

WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump's picks. The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It's a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time "with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump's “border czar.” In another sign of Vance's influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump's first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships," he said. "But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he's not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.NEW YORK, Dec. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a lawsuit has been filed against PACS Group, Inc. PACS and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws. If you invested in PACS, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting : https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/pacs-group-inc . Investors have until January 13, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in PACS securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and is captioned Manchin v. PACS Group, Inc. , et al. , No. 24-cv-08636. What is the PACS Lawsuit About? The Complaint alleges that PACS is one of the largest operators of skilled nursing facilities in the United States. As alleged, PACS repeatedly represented to shareholders that it possesses a winning "turnaround" strategy to make its nursing facilities profitable. However, in truth, it is alleged that PACS's turnaround was driven by illicitly accessing Medicare benefits for thousands of patients. On November 4, 2024, prominent investment research firm Hindenburg Research published a report titled: "PACS Group: How to Become A Billionaire In The Skilled Nursing Industry By Systematically Scamming Taxpayers." After a 5-month investigation that included interviews with 18 former PACS employees, competitors, and an analysis of more than 900 PACS facility cost reports, Hindenburg alleged that "PACS abused a COVID-era waiver, inappropriately accessing skilled care Medicare benefits for thousands of patients across its national portfolio of facilities." Hindenburg further estimated that "the scheme drove more than 100% of PACS' operating and net income from 2020 – 2023, enabling PACS to IPO in early 2024 with the illusion of legitimate growth and profitability." On November 6, 2024, PACS then announced that it was postponing its Q3 earnings and that it had "received civil investigative demands from the federal government regarding the Company's reimbursement and referral practices that may or may not be related to this week's third-party report." The news caused a significant decline in the price of PACS stock. On November 4, 2024, the price of the company's stock fell 27.8%, from a closing price of $42.94 per share on November 1, 2024, to $31.01 per share on November 4, 2024. On November 6, 2024, the price of the company's stock fell 38.8%, from a closing price of $29.54 per share on November 5, 2024, to $18.09 per share on November 6, 2024. Click here if you Suffered Losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/pacs-group-inc . What Can You Do? If you invested in PACS you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/pacs-group-inc Or contact: Ross Shikowitz ross@bfalaw.com 212-789-3619 Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP? Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd. For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com . https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/pacs-group-inc Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

(The Center Square) – The question before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday was whether a Tennessee law banning gender dysphoria treatment for minors is unconstitutional. Twenty-three other states have similar bans, but the Tennessee case is the first one to have made it to the nation's highest court. Behind the legal questions debated are medical questions that are in dispute. A transgender girl identified as "L Williams" is at the center of the case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and later supported by the Biden administration. In an article posted on the ACLU's website, L said she was emotionally distressed as she began puberty. “You're at a point where not only are you going through puberty, but you're also going through nightmare puberty,” L said. “I mean, obviously, nobody's 100% comfortable with [the changes,] but you're immensely uncomfortable with them.” L's parents sought puberty and hormone blockers in another state when Tennessee lawmakers passed its ban in 2023. They were on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court when the case was argued. Also on the steps was Dr. Jared Ross, a member of Do No Harm, a group of medical professionals who say their mission is to keep identity politics out of medical education, research, and clinical practice. Ross has a story, too, about a blue-haired girl who came into an emergency room one night. She described herself as "gender-confused," Ross said in an interview with The Center Square. "She was cutting herself with a razor blade because voices were telling her to," Ross said. "Can you imagine if I had affirmed these voices, affirming what she was hearing? That would have been malpractice, that would have been criminal. I didn't affirm those voices. I also didn't affirm her gender confusion." Do No Harm filed an amicus brief challenging the medical evidence presented by the ACLU and the Biden administration. It points to a study called the "Cass Review," a multi-year project from the United Kingdom that said studies of the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones were uncontrolled observational studies subject to bias." The ACLU says it also has medical evidence on its side. The American Medical Association and the American College of Pediatrics are among the groups that support gender dysphoria treatment for minors. At least one medical organization is taking a second look at the treatments. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons said in April that it is reviewing the practice. "ASPS currently understands that there is considerable uncertainty as to the long-term efficacy for the use of chest and genital surgical interventions for the treatment of adolescents with gender dysphoria, and the existing evidence base is viewed as low quality/low certainty. This patient population requires specific considerations," the organization said in a statement. Doctors who don't support treatments for gender dysphoria for minors are accused of discrimination and not caring about the patients. But that's not the case, Ross said. "The other side often plays this as we're neglecting these kids or we're minimizing their suffering that they're going through," Ross said. "I don't doubt that they're suffering. They're suffering tremendously. They need love and compassion and good evidence-based mental health care." Until the Supreme Court rules in 2025, the Tennessee law and others like it will stay on the books.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the U.S. government believes missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared 12 years ago near the Syrian capital, is alive and that Washington is committed to bringing him home after Bashar Assad’s ouster from power in Damascus . “We think we can get him back,” Biden told reporters at the White House, while acknowledging that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. “Assad should be held accountable.” Biden said officials must still identify exactly where Tice is after his disappearance in August 2012 at a checkpoint in a contested area west of Damascus. “We’ve remained committed to returning him to his family,” he said. Tice, who is from Houston, has had his work published by The Washington Post, McClatchy newspapers and other outlets. A video released weeks after Tice went missing showed him blindfolded and held by armed men and saying, “Oh, Jesus.” He has not been heard from since. Syria has publicly denied that it was holding him. The United States has no new evidence that Tice is alive, but continues to operate under that assumption, according to a U.S. official. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. will continue to work to identify where he is and to try to bring him home. His mother, Debra, said at a news conference Friday in Washington that the family had information from a “significant source,” whom she did not identify, establishing that her son was alive. “He is being cared for and he is well — we do know that,” she said. The Tice family met this past week with officials at the State Department and the White House. “To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that we’re waiting for Austin,” Debra Tice said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media Sunday. “We know that when he comes out, he’s going to be fairly dazed and he’s going to need lots of care and direction. Direct him to his family please!” More articles from the BDNOhio State is getting close to full strength and is looking forward to a final non-conference foe before diving into its Big Ten schedule. The Buckeyes (8-4) host Indiana State (8-4) on Sunday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio, with another opportunity to get valuable minutes for center Aaron Bradshaw. Bradshaw, who transferred from Kentucky after his freshman year last season, missed seven games while Ohio State investigated an alleged domestic incident at his off-campus apartment. He made his first five shots and finished with 11 points in 18 minutes during the Buckeyes' 85-65 rout of then-No. 4 Kentucky on Dec. 21. "Aaron plays with an intensity and a passion that I thought we missed," Buckeyes coach Jake Diebler said Friday. "And certainly, his size (7-foot-1), rebounding ability, his ability to protect the rim, all of those things were certainly missed. "I'm not going to lie. I didn't anticipate he was going to go 5 for 6 but that spoke to his focus the last couple of weeks to get back out there." While Ohio State was battling the storied Kentucky program, Indiana State was posting a 101-53 win over the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy. The Sycamores open Missouri Valley Conference play next week. To say it's a giant leap to play Ohio State for the first time in program history is an understatement. "I'm definitely excited. I know the team is super excited because we all think we can play at that level," Indiana State guard Jahni Summers said. "We all know we can play at that level. It will be a big game for us, a huge challenge for sure." The Sycamores are led by Samage Teel, who is averaging 17.5 points per game while shooting 58.2 percent from the field. He also leads the team with 4.3 assists per game. Indiana State has won five in a row and has scored at least 80 points in each of the past six games. Diebler said the Buckeyes need to move past the win over Kentucky. "We know what's coming up here, certainly starting off with a really good Indiana State team," he said. --Field Level MediaBy MARC LEVY HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania conceded his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick on Thursday, as a statewide recount showed no signs of closing the gap and his campaign suffered repeated blows in court in its effort to get potentially favorable ballots counted. Casey’s concession comes more than two weeks after Election Day, as a grindingly slow ballot-counting process became a spectacle of hours-long election board meetings, social media outrage, lawsuits and accusations that some county officials were openly flouting the law. Republicans had been claiming that Democrats were trying to steal McCormick’s seat by counting “illegal votes.” Casey’s campaign had accused of Republicans of trying to block enough votes to prevent him from pulling ahead and winning. In a statement, Casey said he had just called McCormick to congratulate him. “As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last,” Casey said. The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Nov. 7, concluding that not enough ballots remained to be counted in areas Casey was winning for him to take the lead. As of Thursday, McCormick led by about 16,000 votes out of almost 7 million ballots counted. That was well within the 0.5% margin threshold to trigger an automatic statewide recount under Pennsylvania law. But no election official expected a recount to change more than a couple hundred votes or so, and Pennsylvania’s highest court dealt him a blow when it refused entreaties to allow counties to count mail-in ballots that lacked a correct handwritten date on the return envelope. Republicans will have a 53-47 majority next year in the U.S. Senate. Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriter

With one of the most exciting AFL seasons done and dusted, it’s time to see how horribly wrong — or right — we were at the start of the year. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. In January, we made a series of bold predictions for the 2024 season that, despite holding merit at the time, were still more likely to fail than succeed.Now it’s time to take a look back at which ones we got right and which ones were totally off the mark. BOLD PREDICTION: The Blues make the Grand Final VERDICT: Nope Carlton were one of the premiership favourites in pre-season, but their 2024 campaign was cruelled by injuries which meant they never really looked like featuring on the biggest stage of all. The Blues were bundled out in a hugely disappointing elimination final against eventual premiers Brisbane, conceding the first nine goals of the game. Twin towers Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay missed games through injury at the end of the season, while ruck Tom De Koning also missed a large chunk of the back end. Defenders Mitch McGovern, Adam Saad and Jordan Boyd all had disrupted seasons, while Adam Cerra, Zac Williams and Lachie Fogarty also spent some time on the sidelines. Overall, Carlton’s 2024 campaign was disappointing, but now all eyes turn towards whether or not they can bounce back in 2025. BOLD PREDICTION: Michael Voss wins Coach of the Year Award VERDICT: Nope There’s no doubt 2025 will be an intriguing year for the Blues, can Michael Voss find a way to get the most out of a talented group? Things were looking promising this time last year, but now the jury is out. The Blues arguably went backwards in 2024, but injuries certainly did play a part. Brisbane Lions premiership coach Chris Fagan won the award, while former Sydney coach John Longmire came runner-up. Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell rounded out the podium after he lifted the Hawks from cellar dwellers to premiership contenders. While we don’t know the full breakdown, you’d imagine Geelong coach Chris Scott, Giants head honcho Adam Kingsley and Port Adelaide mastermind Ken Hinkley would all have finished higher than Voss. A huge 2025 looms. BOLD PREDICTION: Brodie Grundy returns to All-Australian form VERDICT: Almost... Brodie Grundy was a key contributor to Sydney’s successes in 2024, but he didn’t quite reach those All-Australian levels he has before. After a turbulent year at Melbourne, Grundy returned to the number one ruck role at Sydney and performed admirably. The star Swan averaged 18 disposals, five clearances and 4.7 tackles a game as he started to get back to some good form. Max Gawn earned a seventh All-Australian blazer, while breakout Roos ruck Tristan Xerri and Collingwood tall Darcy Cameron were the other rucks to make the All-Australian squad. St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall was also considered an unlucky omission. Grundy was probably in the next batch of talls, including Tim English and Toby Nankervis. A stronger season and an increased output than what Grundy has produced in the past couple of years, but not quite All-Australian calibre. BOLD PREDICTION: The Suns break into the top eight VERDICT: Not yet We can probably rinse and repeat this one for 2025. Surely, the Suns aren’t far off from featuring in September action. In their first season under new coach Damien Hardwick, the Suns finished 13th with a win-loss record of 11-12. It was a bizarre year for the Suns, who were a dominant force on their home decks at People First Stadium and TIO Stadium, but didn’t win a game on the road until round 22 against Essendon at Marvel. The club’s had a refresh and a rebrand and will be hoping that next year is the year they break through for their maiden finals appearance. Their talented youth will only get better with another pre-season under their belts, while the acquisitions of damaging half-backs Daniel Rioli and John Noble will add the rebound out of the back half that they struggled with so much. Is 2025 the year they finally break the drought? BOLD PREDICTION: Three teams will drop out of the top eight VERDICT: Correct We were spot on with this one and the numbers didn’t lie. It’s been two every year since the top eight began and the average is approximately 2.8 per season. BOLD PREDICTION: The Saints are one of them VERDICT: Correct As we predicted, there was a bit of a dip for the Saints in 2024. They had a focus on getting experience into their younger brigade and they also lost some games they probably should’ve won. The likes of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Darcy Wilson and Mitch Owens all had strong campaigns that resulted in top 10 finishes in the best and fairest, while Mattaes Phillipou had a strong end to the season as well. They’ve attacked the draft hard again this year, securing Gippsland Power high-flyer Alix Tauru and Bendigo Pioneers product Tobie Travaglia, who both look like players for the future. The Saints will be hoping to improve on their win-loss record of 11-12 and push back towards September action in 2025. BOLD PREDICTION: But Max King returns to top form VERDICT: Nope As promising as Max King is, injuries limited the key forward to just 12 games in 2024. The Sandringham Dragons product booted 19 goals for the year at an average of 1.6 per game which was well down on his previous two years where he averaged 2.4 and 2.5 goals a match. It was the worst year of King’s career if you exclude 2019 (ACL injury so no games) and his first year in 2020, according to the AFL Player Ratings system. There’s no doubt that when fit, King is one of the most promising key forwards in the competition. The Saints have shown tremendous faith in King, extending his contract until the end of the 2032 season, can he repay that faith? 2025 will be a big year. BOLD PREDICTION: The Power also drop out VERDICT: Nope Port Adelaide strung together another strong home and away season, finishing in second spot with a win-loss record of 16-7. It was the fourth time in five years that Ken Hinkley’s side have featured in September action, yet they haven’t gone on to reach the big dance on any of those occasions. Right now, it feels like they’re home and away experts and then crumble under the finals pressure. Our bold prediction questioned how their recruits would fare and it’s fair to say they didn’t exactly fire. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is probably a tick as a defender, while Jordon Sweet assumed the number one ruck role by seasons end. Ivan Soldo sought a trade out of South Australia after just one year and Esava Ratugolea is on the fringes of the side heading into 2025. They’re so strong at home, so expect the Power to be around the mark of the top four again in 2025, but the challenge for them is progressing further through a finals campaign. BOLD PREDICTION: And the Josh Carr handover is made official VERDICT: Not yet Six months ago, it looked like Ken Hinkley’s job was on thin ice. They’d lost three consecutive matches to the Blues, Giants and Lions but they went on to win eight of their last nine in a scintillating end to the season. Post-match after the gritty win over St Kilda, Ken Hinkley was emotional in an on-field interview with Fox Footy’s Sarah Jones, highlighting how much he loved the playing group and how much the playing group loved him. The Power were thumped in a qualifying final by Geelong but bounced back in the semi against Hawthorn, before going down to the Swans in a preliminary final. Hinkley still remains in the hot seat, but there’s a sense amongst the competition that Josh Carr will inherit that throne sooner rather than later. Hinkley is yet to reach a grand final during his time as senior coach, a role he has held for 12 years. Carr has been a part of the Power footy program for several years and the club could execute a handover similar to that at the Swans, where Dean Cox took over from John Longmire. It feels inevitable that Carr takes over, but don’t rule out the Power making a bold play and trying to poach someone if Hinkley does step aside some time in 2025. BOLD PREDICTION: The Crows take their spot VERDICT: Not even close Adelaide were one of the biggest disappointments in 2024, if not the biggest disappointment. After finishing 10th with a win-loss record of 11-12 in 2023, there were high hopes that the Crows could return to September action for the first time since 2017. While it was overall a poor season, there were a few shining lights for Matthew Nicks’ side. Midfielder Jake Soligio showed positive signs of growth, while exciting youngster Max Michalanney is going to become a serious player. Izak Rankine played some good footy and Ben Keays was joint winner of the Best and Fairest alongside captain Jordan Dawson. Draftee Sid Draper has been tearing up the training track and is on target to feature in round one, while the likes of Riley Thilthorpe, Josh Rachele and Dan Curtin should only get better with another pre-season under their belts. At the end of the day though, the Crows weren’t as good as they could’ve been in 2024, given the talent at their disposal. BOLD PREDICTION: And Jordan Dawson finishes in the top three of the Brownlow Medal count VERDICT: Also no Let’s be honest, this one was pretty bold! Dawson finished equal 16th in this year’s Brownlow Medal count, polling 18 votes, two less than last year, where he finished 13th (including ineligible players). Dawson did not poll a vote in his first five games and just one in his final six, so it was the middle part of the year where he did his best work. His inconsistent campaign was a bit reflective of Adelaide’s season as a whole. Playing mainly through the midfield, the former Swan averaged 24.5 disposals, five marks and 6.1 tackles. The Crows skipper will no doubt have a huge pre-season to try and give himself the best chance of leading the Crows to their first finals campaign since 2017 and return to some of the best form of his career. BOLD PREDICTION: Dustin Martin finishes in the top five VERDICT: Nope There was clearly a bit of nostalgia behind this one and let’s be honest, it wasn’t even close to being correct. Martin polled just one Brownlow Medal vote this year for his performance in round 11 against Essendon, where he amassed 23 disposals and three goals. Injury and then retirement meant he played just one match of the last eight of the season and he had clearly lost his edge that will see him go down as one of the greats. A superb career and one we were so lucky to be able to witness. BOLD PREDICTION: Then moves to the Gold Coast VERDICT: Still, no Wow, wasn’t this one bubbling away for some time! There were murmurings of Dusty reuniting with former coach Damien Hardwick up at the Suns, but nothing materialised and he is happily retired. He is the only three-time Norm Smith Medallist, a triple premiership player, four time All-Australian and 2017 Brownlow Medallist. He’ll go down as one of the greatest ever Tigers and a true champion of the game. BOLD PREDICTION: The Dogs come in VERDICT: Yes! The Bulldogs made the finals yet again after narrowly missing out in 2023, which was a step in the right direction. The Bulldogs are one of the biggest mysteries in the competition right now. Their list is incredibly talented, and their best football is electric, but they struggle to piece it all together for a prolonged period of time. The club continues to back in premiership coach Luke Beveridge who never backs down from a challenge and will be looking to press towards a top four berth in 2025. Their youth is exciting, but it is important that they capitalise while the likes of Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar are in career-best form. BOLD PREDICTION: But the Cats miss out again VERDICT: Nope Year after year, the Cats continue to prove the footy world wrong. Chris Scott’s side made it all the way to a preliminary final in 2024, falling just short to eventual premiers Brisbane. The Cats have featured in September every year bar three since 2004. That is an absurd period of time to be featuring at the pointy end of the season. The scary thing is, you’d imagine the Cats only get better in 2025. The recruitment of former Bulldog Bailey Smith will bolster their midfield stocks dramatically, while if they can get ex-Blue Jack Martin fit, that could be a bargain. It would take a brave person to write them off again. BOLD PREDICTION: The Hawks just miss out VERDICT: Not quite Can we give this one a tick? We predicted the Hawks would surge up the ladder this year, just not all the way to a semi-final. No one saw that coming, especially after their poor start where they sat 0-5 and then 1-6. The evolution of ‘Hokball’ has been a joy to watch this season. Sam Mitchell’s side have played with plenty of dash and dare and they’ve had the celebrations to match. The scary thing? They could be even better in 2025 and are genuine premiership contenders. The core of their list is still young and will only improve, while the additions of Tom Barrass and Josh Battle will further bolster their defensive stocks. The sky is the limit for these young Hawks. BOLD PREDICTION: And Jack Ginnivan thrives VERDICT: We’ll pay this one! A move to Hawthorn under Sam Mitchell has resulted in Jack Ginnivan playing the best footy of his career. Ginnivan averaged 16.5 disposals, 3.9 marks and 2.7 tackles a game this year, booting 28 goals. He’s become an integral part of one of the best forward lines in the competition and loves to get under the skins of his opponents. He’s become an absolute fan favourite amongst the brown and gold faithful and will be key in Hawthorn’s quest for success. It’s fair to say, he’s put a messy exit from Collingwood behind him and is absolutely thriving. BOLD PREDICTION: Fremantle remains stranded outside the top eight VERDICT: Bang on We were spot on with this one, the Dockers missing out on the top eight by just two premiership points. It went down to the last game of the season, if they had been able to defeat Port Adelaide on their home deck, then they would’ve squeezed Carlton out. The general consensus right now though is that the Dockers could be the biggest risers of 2025. They’ve added former Tiger Shai Bolton to their weaponry, while young gun Murphy Reid could make an impact early on in the year, too. Fremantle have stars across every single line. In defence, Luke Ryan, Jordan Clark and Alex Pearce have been super, while the on-ball brigade of Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Hayden Young genuinely could be the best in the competition. Their forward half improved as Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss took big strides forward and the ruck duo of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson gives them great flexibility. It’s exciting what they could produce next year. BOLD PREDICTION: And Justin Longmuir goes VERDICT: Nope Justin Longmuir signed a one-year extension in March, tying him to the Dockers until the end of 2025. There’s no doubt that the pressure will be on Longmuir next year to try and get the best out of his side, because they are just so talented. It’s never easy entering the final year of your contract, but his future really is in his hands. A strong season will surely see him recontracted, but if the Dockers can’t feature in September, the heat will well and truly be on. BOLD PREDICTION: Finn Callaghan jumps into the All-Australian side VERDICT: Nope This was another pretty bold call, but one that didn’t eventuate. Giants youngster Finn Callaghan had a strong year but it definitely wasn’t All-Australian calibre. Callaghan took a small step forward from his 2023 campaign, lifting his disposals average (22.9), tackles (3.6) and clearances (3.4) and will be an exciting player to track in the years to come. He is clean with ball in hand, smooth-moving in traffic and has plenty of drive out of stoppage. He also managed to finally get some continuity with his body, playing 24 games for the year. Intriguingly, Callaghan did not finish in the top 10 in the club best and fairest. BOLD PREDICTION: And Jamarra Ugle-Hagan does too VERDICT: Nope A strong season for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, but not All-Australian worthy. The former number one draft pick booted a career-high 43 goals this season and continued his steady increase year-on-year. Alongside Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy, the Bulldogs have a three-pronged attack that is the envy of the competition. He improved his consistency this year, kicking at least one goal in 19 out of 22 appearances this season. At his best, Ugle-Hagan is flying for his marks and kicking miraculous goals. Should he continue his upwards trajectory, hitting that 50-goal mark for the first time in his career won’t be out of the question in 2025. BOLD PREDICTION: With one club offering him a 10-year contract VERDICT: We’ll pay it! We’re going to claim this one! According to the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph, clubs were offering “lifetime deals” to Ugle-Hagan early in the season to try and lure him out of the Kennel. Ralph reported that deals “as much as 11 or 12 years” were tabled to Ugle-Hagan, but ultimately, he decided to re-sign with the Dogs. The star forward put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension in May, tying him to the club until the end of 2026. Keep an eye on what he can produce next year. BOLD PREDICTION: The grand final start time stays put VERDICT: Correct The AFL decider indeed remained in its traditional afternoon slot. Instead, the AFLW grand final had its start time moved to the evening. But, while we correctly predicted nothing would change in Andrew Dillon’s first season in charge, we did tease that an eventual tweak might be ‘inevitable’ — and that might too be the case, given the success of the night grand final in the women’s competition. “A night grand final is pretty special ... Maybe we might see it in the men’s, who knows? ... Maybe not!” said victorious North Melbourne AFLW skipper Emma Kearney post-GF. BOLD PREDICTON: Any issues with the score review system will be a thing of the past VERDICT: Tongue in cheek Admittedly this one was tongue in cheek, but the spotlight once again was on the score review system in 2024. At the start of the year, the system was being used too often and for too long and then there’s the AFLW score review system, which had a few kinks in it to begin with. An error with the new ball tracking technology in the Suns and Pies clash incorrectly recorded that the ball was touched, when the video clearly showed the ball had not been touched. The Suns went on to lose that game and the AFL issued a statement afterwards apologising for the mistake.

Morgan Stanley boosts consumer finance outlook for 2025

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The search for a missing teenager last seen riding his bike towards the M48 Severn Bridge is continuing. Joseph Bellamy, 18, left his home address in Caldicot, Wales, between 12am and 1am on Tuesday , December 3 and has not been seen since. Police say he was captured on CCTV riding a red pushbike towards the M48 bridge. The bike was later found by officers and there is serious concern for Joseph's welfare. Investigating officers are now urging motorists to check their dashcam footage. They are appealing for anyone with relevant information on his whereabouts to come forward. Joseph is described as white, 6ft tall with mousey hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing light colour jeans with black Jordan 4s Black Cat Retro mid-top Nike trainers and a black Teddy fleece jumper with a black sweatshirt underneath. Gwent Police say: "Officers investigating are trying to establish Joseph’s movements after he was captured on CCTV at 00:45/12.45am and are urging for any motorists who used the M48 bridge that morning to check their dashcam footage. "If you were using the bridge or in the surrounding area, and haven’t done so, please check CCTV or dashcam footage between 12.30am and 2am on Tuesday 3 December for any sightings of Joseph." They added: "Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call us on 101 or send us a direct message on social media, quoting log reference 2400400170. Joseph is also urged to get in touch with us."Lenovo’s upcoming handheld console seems to be around the corner, as tech insider Evan Blass just shared images of what could be the Legion Go S. As per the images from the now-deleted X post, the console will come with a streamlined design and the option of black and white color variants. What’s interesting though is if you look closely at the black variant, there is a dedicated Steam button near the left joystick. This suggests that Lenovo could be one of the first third-party manufacturers to launch a handheld gaming console based on SteamOS. If that is the case, it would make Lenovo’s debut into the world of Linux-based handheld gaming, potentially opening doors to gaming solutions that cater to enthusiasts looking for a straightforward, portable experience. If you remember, back in August Valve had explicitly said that it was working on bringing SteamOS to other devices, including the Asus ROG Ally . According to The Verge , Lenovo’s potential launch of a SteamOS-powered handheld comes right after Valve updated its branding guidelines in a document to include “Powered by SteamOS” hardware. This update strongly indicates that Valve is expanding collaborations with third-party manufacturers beyond Asus, potentially certifying a wider range of devices for SteamOS compatibility. Launching a handheld console with SteamOS makes a lot of sense too, as it is optimized for the Steam gaming platform, offering access to thousands of games in a handheld-friendly interface. SteamOS also supports Proton, a compatibility layer that allows many Windows-based games to run on Linux. Unlike the Legion Go , which debuted with detachable controllers, the Legion Go S features a more traditional design similar to the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. From what we can gather, the handheld comes with a standard D-pad, two joysticks with RGB LED lighting, XYAB buttons, and front-firing speakers. The white variant is particularly interesting as it looks identical to the previously leaked images of an unfinished chassis that we saw a few months ago. Notably, the Steam key is not available on the white variant, which seems odd. It is a possibility that Lenovo wants to give a secondary option to consumers by launching a Windows variant of the Legion Go S. The Verge also reports that the Legion Go S will not be the only handheld that Lenovo plans to launch in the upcoming days. Blass has shared images of a new Legion Go (possibly a refresh) featuring the same detachable gamepads and a kickstand as the original. While there isn’t a lot of information on this device either, it will effectively come with an 8.8-inch OLED panel and most likely an upgrade to the new upcoming AMD Z2 Extreme chipset. With CES 2025 only a few weeks away, we may not have to wait long to see what Lenovo and Valve have worked up.

The claim: US fell from 1st to 24th in education since Department of Education was created in 1979 A Nov. 14 Instagram post ( direct link , archive l i nk ) uses a meme with an image of former President Jimmy Carter to claim U.S. educational achievement has plummeted. “In 1979 I created the Department of Education,” reads on-screen text in the image. “Since then America went from 1st to 24th in education.” X owner Elon Musk made the same claim in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that was reposted 98,000 times. The claim also circulated widely on Instagram . More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: False There is no evidence to support the claim. While multiple studies have compared U.S. students to their peers in other countries, none show they ranked first in 1979, nor do any say they ranked 24th in 2024. Tests show mixed results for US students There isn’t a definitive way to rank a country’s education quality, but multiple studies show results contrary to the trend claimed in the post. Martin Carnoy , a professor at Stanford’s Graduate School of Education, told USA TODAY that the claim is “completely inaccurate.” “These are very rough comparisons, but it can be said that U.S. middle school and secondary students have always done poorly on international tests of mathematics compared to students in other developed countries and have done better in science and reading,” Carnoy said. Many U.S. adults believe the country is either average or below average at teaching students science, technology, engineering and math, according to a Pew Research Center survey released in April. Fact check : No, Trump did not name Lauren Boebert education secretary on Nov. 13 But the results of a test measuring students' reading, math and science skills from about 80 countries show more of a mixed bag. In 2022, the test – called the Program for International Student Assessment – found five education systems with higher average reading scores than the U.S., 25 with higher math scores and nine with higher science scores. The test has existed since 2000 , when 32 countries participated. That year, eight countries had higher math scores than the U.S. and seven countries had higher science scores. U.S. students performed “about as well on average” in reading compared to students in other participating countries. U.S. News & World Report ranked the U.S. as the top country for education in 2024 as part of its “Best Countries” rankings , which are based on an international survey of nearly 17,000 people who were asked “whether a country has a well-developed public education system, whether respondents would consider attending university there and if that country has a reputation for top-quality universities.” The news outlet has only ranked countries in that way for nine years . US students weren’t outperforming all other countries in 1979 There is no evidence of any widespread decline in student achievement in the U.S. since 1979, Carnoy said. U.S. math scores have been below many other countries for decades. In the mid-1960s, U.S. 13-year-olds were outperformed in math by students in all but one of the 11 other countries that participated in the First International Mathematics Study, while U.S. students in their last year of high school were ranked last, according to a National Center for Education Statistics report published in 1992. A similar study of math skills conducted in the early 1980s broke the results down by category, and found the U.S. was near the bottom in most of them. A different report published by the National Center for Education Statistics in 1993 analyzed two decades of National Assessment of Educational Progress results. It says “overall trends in science, mathematics and reading suggest few changes in levels of educational achievement.” National Center for Education Statistics charts of reading and math scores for 9-year-olds and 13-year-olds in the U.S. don’t show significant declines since 1979. Rather, math scores are up since then while reading is at about the same level, according to the latest test results from 2022 and 2023. Fact check: No, Trump didn't nominate Amber Rose as education secretary The high school graduation rate in the U.S. for the 1979-80 school year was 71.5%, far below the 87% reported for the 2021–22 school year . The college enrollment rate for those who completed high school has risen from 49.4% in 1979 to 61.4% in 2023 , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is important to recognize the U.S. doesn’t have only one education system – instead, each state has its own, Carnoy said. “Student performance in some states has increased greatly in the past 30 years, and not so much in other states,” he said. Carter signed the bill that created the Department of Education on Oct. 17, 1979, saying the federal government had “for too long failed to play its own supporting role in education as effectively as it could.” It wasn’t the first time that the U.S. had a Department of Education, though. In 1867, President Andrew Johnson signed a bill that created the country’s first Department of Education, but it was demoted to an office in the Department of the Interior about a year later “due to concern that the department would exercise too much control over local schools,” according to the current Education Department website. President-elect Donald Trump has said he supports eliminating the Department of Education, calling it a “bloated and radical bureaucracy.” USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Snopes also debunked the claim. Our fact-check sources Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here . USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta .Google is ramping up its push into smart glasses and augmented reality headgear, taking on rivals Apple and Meta with help from its sophisticated Gemini artificial intelligence. The internet titan on Thursday unveiled an Android XR operating system created in a collaboration with Samsung, which will use it in a device being built in what is called internally "Project Moohan," according to Google. The software is designed to power augmented and virtual reality experiences enhanced with artificial intelligence, XR vice president Shahram Izadi said in a blog post. "With headsets, you can effortlessly switch between being fully immersed in a virtual environment and staying present in the real world," Izadi said. "You can fill the space around you with apps and content, and with Gemini, our AI assistant, you can even have conversations about what you're seeing or control your device." Google this week announced the launch of Gemini 2.0, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date, as the world's tech giants race to take the lead in the fast-developing technology. CEO Sundar Pichai said the new model would mark what the company calls "a new agentic era" in AI development, with AI models designed to understand and make decisions about the world around you. Android XR infused with Gemini promises to put digital assistants into eyewear, tapping into what users are seeing and hearing. An AI "agent," the latest Silicon Valley trend, is a digital helper that is supposed to sense surroundings, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals. "Gemini can understand your intent, helping you plan, research topics and guide you through tasks," Izadi said. "Android XR will first launch on headsets that transform how you watch, work and explore." The Android XR release was a preview for developers so they can start building games and other apps for headgear, ideally fun or useful enough to get people to buy the hardware. This is not Google's first foray into smart eyewear. Its first offering, Google Glass, debuted in 2013 only to be treated as an unflattering tech status symbol and met with privacy concerns due to camera capabilities. The market has evolved since then, with Meta investing heavily in a Quest virtual reality headgear line priced for mainstream adoption and Apple hitting the market with pricey Vision Pro "spacial reality" gear. Google plans to soon begin testing prototype Android XR-powered glasses with a small group of users. Google will also adapt popular apps such as YouTube, Photos, Maps, and Google TV for immersive experiences using Android XR, according to Izadi. Gemini AI in glasses will enable tasks like directions and language translations, he added. "It's all within your line of sight, or directly in your ear," Izadi said.

Repealing no-fault divorce has so far stalled across the US. Some worry that'll changeTaylor Swift has made a surprise stop at a Kansas City children’s hospital, shocking parents and patients alike as she laughed with them, posed for photos and exchanged gifts. All parent Cassie Thomas was told beforehand was that she might want to brush her hair and teeth because there was going to be a special visitor. But she was stunned when Swift, fresh off her Eras Tour and one day before her 35th birthday, walked into her son's son Beckett Thomas' room on Thursday at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. “No rumors. Like, we literally had absolutely no idea this was happening,” Thomas recalled. Her 13-year-old son, Beckett Thomas, is a cancer patient and a fan of Swift's Kansas City Chiefs tight-end boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Beckett uses a 3D printer to make earrings bearing his and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' names, walking around the hospital unit selling them to nurses. Now, Swift has a pair as well. “She was amazing,” Beckett's mom said. “So down to earth.” Another patient told Swift that her favorite song was “Love Story" and had some questions about San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy, whose team played the Chiefs in the Super Bowl earlier this year. Surprised, Taylor, muttered: “Brock Purdy, What? I mean, I don’t mind Brock Purdy.” She then continued: “He put me through a lot last February.” Asked before the Super Bowl whether he was prepared to disappoint Swift, Purdy responded: “Yes.” The game ended with Mahomes rallying the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25-22 over the 49ers in overtime. “I was very stressed for a second but it all ended up fine,” Swift told the girl, their recorded conversation posted online. The girl then chimed in: “I like Travis now.” Swift responded with: “Me too. That’s an absolute yes on that one." There is no word on whether Swift will be in the stands when the Chiefs play the Browns on Sunday in Kelce’s hometown of Cleveland.

SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is “alert” and conscious after being taken off the field on a stretcher during the team's 1-0 win at Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday, manager Julen Lopetegui said. The game was delayed for around eight minutes as Fabianski received treatment on the field at St Mary's Stadium. The 39-year-old Polish goalkeeper was hurt in a collision from a corner and was replaced by Alphonse Areola in the 36th minute. Southampton 'keeper Aaron Ramsdale had run the length of the field to check on Fabianski amid worrying scenes. Fabianski was then greeted by applause as he was taken off with an oxygen mask on, but did not need to go to the hospital. “He had one big knock around the head, around the neck and he was not very sure about his actions. Fortunately the news is he is talking, he is alert, he is conscious,” Lopetegui said. “I talk with him. The doctors say that he feels better and well. I am positive with him. He showed he more or less recovered his sense. I am not afraid. We feared but now he is better and it is a positive feeling because we were very worried.” West Ham, which also saw defender Max Kilman go off in the first half, scored through Jarrod Bowen in the 59th. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

AP News Summary at 10:35 a.m. ESTBroncos can take step toward breaking playoff drought with a win over Colts

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hit on a number of short-term free agent signings this past offseason, with quarterback Sam Darnold, running back Aaron Jones, cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin, and defensive lineman Jerry Tillery producing strong returns on team-friendly, one-year deals. That’s the good news for 2024. The bad for this coming offseason is that the Vikings will have a number of tough decisions to make among their own impending free agents, including as many as eight starters. Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report sees plenty of competition for those players looming come March. In his recent AFC scouting reports for Week 15, Ballentine predicted the Denver Broncos will poach Jones from Minnesota in an effort to bolster their chances at competing for a Super Bowl. MORE: Proposed Vikings signing would land 4-time Pro Bowler as Stephon Gilmore insurance Here was Ballentine’s take on Jones potentially becoming a Bronco in 2025: “It's unfortunate, but it's looking less likely that Javonte Williams will reach the potential that he showed as a rookie. The injuries have sapped some of his explosiveness, and he's averaged 3.6 yards per carry in each of the last two seasons. Free agency isn't typically the best way to address the running back position. It's a young man's game, and that's going to hurt Aaron Jones' market as a 30-year-old back. However, signing him to be part of a committee next season would be a smart idea.” The Vikings signed Jones to a one-year contract worth $7 million for this season. The deal included a $4 million signing bonus , but Jones will earn that money in prorated $800,000 annual payments regardless of where he plays in 2025 and beyond. Those four “void years” in Jones’ contract make him a likely candidate for a contract extension, especially after a strong debut season in Minnesota. The Broncos could definitely use an alpha in their current committee, as their group of Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime has delivered inconsistent returns in 2024. The Broncos are 20th in the NFL in rushing entering Week 15, and Williams is the team’s leading rusher with just 446 yards in 13 games. Jones just might be out of Denver’s reach this March. Minnesota will likely make retaining him a priority, as he’s helped balance and transform one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses. The Vikings also have a significant future need at the position, with Jones on an expiring contract and no starting caliber talent currently developing behind him. Even on the wrong side of 30, Jones would have multiple suitors if allowed to test the open market. His most likely destination at this point in the process, though, remains Minnesota. Related Minnesota Vikings stories: Kirk Cousins sounds off on Sam Darnold, loss to Vikings in return to Minnesota Insider: Vikings should plan for future, land 6-foot-3 lockdown corner in 2025 NFL Draft Analyst drops bold take on Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy’s future as Vikings starter Vikings should pay Sam Darnold, follow Packers model at QB with J.J. McCarthy

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Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as the market posted its fifth straight gain and the Dow Jones Industrial Average notched another record high. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%. The benchmark index’s 1.7% gain for the week erased most of its loss from last week. The Dow rose 1% as it nudged past its most recent high set last week, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump’s victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. It’s now within about 0.5% of its all-time high set last week. “Overall, market behavior has normalized following an intense few weeks,” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 12.8% after handily beating analysts’ third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount retailer Ross Stores rose 2.2% after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.8% after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company’s Dish Network unit. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8%. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 gained ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.2%. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $3.6 trillion behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.7%. It gave investors a quarterly earnings forecast that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.7% following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action investors’ lawsuit to proceed against the company. It stems from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. All told, the S&P 500 rose 20.63 points to 5,969.34. The Dow climbed 426.16 points to 44,296.51, and the Nasdaq picked up 42.65 points to close at 2,406.67. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41% from 4.42% late Thursday. In the crypto market, bitcoin hovered around $99,000, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year and first surpassed the $99,000 level on Thursday. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Target, though, reported weaker earnings than analysts’ expected and its forecast disappointed Wall Street. Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index. It revised its latest figure for November to 71.8 from an initial reading of 73 earlier this month, though economists expected a slight increase. It’s still up from 70.5 in October. The survey also showed that consumers’ inflation expectations for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6%, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the U.S. releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. The PCE is the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last PCE reading prior to the central bank’s meeting in December. Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as the market posted The owners of a Colorado funeral home who let nearly The Supreme Court on Friday stepped into a major legal Oil company Phillips 66 has been federally indicted in connectionMuscat: In a landmark move for Oman’s energy efficiency sector, HASA ENERGY, a prominent provider of energy efficiency and decarbonization solutions, has signed the nation’s first-ever Energy Services Performance Contract (ESCO) with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. This milestone agreement is set to reduce energy consumption by 39% across the Ministry’s buildings, with a notable six-year payback period. This partnership represents a critical advancement for Oman’s rapidly growing energy efficiency market, which is expected to reach 900 million OMR across the GCC region. From Left: Rihab Salim Moosa Al Mayahi, DG of Social Housing and Projects, Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning with Eng Muatasam Al-Aulaqi, Co-Founder, HASA Energy. The project is in line with Oman’s Vision 2040, which prioritizes sustainable development, and supports the country’s commitment to global climate goals, as outlined in the COP agreements. Moreover, it is poised to create new employment opportunities in the energy and sustainability sectors, contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth. A Systematic Approach to Energy Efficiency In an exclusive interview, Eng. Muatasam, Co-Founder of HASA ENERGY, outlined the company’s methodical strategy for driving energy efficiency. “We begin by reducing energy consumption, then move to optimize energy usage, and finally introduce renewable energy solutions,” Muatasam explained. “This structured approach supports Oman’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and we are proud to be playing a role in that transition.” The project will see significant upgrades to the Ministry’s buildings, including the installation of more energy-efficient cooling systems, enhanced water usage optimization, and the integration of solar PV. These improvements, alongside cutting-edge technology, will not only reduce energy demand but also help decrease the carbon footprint of the Ministry’s facilities. “We are collaborating with global technology leaders to install intelligent systems that allow cooling to be used only when necessary, optimizing energy consumption,” Muatasam added. “Through smart building solutions enabled by IoT and machine learning, we’ll also be able to predict maintenance needs, enhance operational efficiency, and further reduce costs.” Commitment to Carbon Reduction and Transparency At the core of this ESCO contract is HASA ENERGY’s commitment to measurable results and full transparency. Mustapha Aanzi, Managing Director of HASA ENERGY, emphasized the importance of the project in achieving real and lasting environmental impact. “Our goal is a 39% reduction in energy consumption, which will result in a significant reduction in carbon emissions,” Aanzi stated. “Throughout the contract’s six-year duration, we will provide detailed updates on both energy savings and emissions reductions, ensuring that we meet our targets and maintain transparency with the Ministry.” Aanzi also stressed that the ESCO initiative aligns with Oman’s long-term sustainability goals as outlined in Vision 2040. “This is a pivotal moment not just for HASA ENERGY, but for the whole ESCO industry,” he said. “It sets a clear path for future public-private collaborations aimed at achieving the country’s sustainable development goals.” Advancing Global Climate Targets Aanzi pointed out that according to forecasts from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), achieving the target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C will require the world to expand its renewable energy capacity threefold by 2030. Furthermore, the global annual rate of energy efficiency improvements must increase significantly, from the current 2% to over 4% each year, if these climate goals are to be met. HASA ENERGY is committed to overcoming the operational and financial hurdles that often accompany the energy transition. “Achieving a net-zero building stock requires cooperation across all sectors,” Aanzi explained. “Our focus is on developing local talent, collaborating with global technology innovators, and securing financing to ensure the success of this transition.” Setting the Standard for Sustainable Development in Oman The partnership between HASA ENERGY and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning marks a transformative moment for sustainable urban development in Oman. It establishes a new benchmark for green infrastructure and energy efficiency that will help Oman meet its 2040 environmental and energy goals, setting the nation on the path to be among the regional leaders in sustainability. About HASA ENERGY HASA ENERGY is a prominent provider of energy efficiency and decarbonization solutions based in Oman, with operations across the GCC region. The company specializes in delivering energy-saving projects, renewable energy installations, and smart building technologies to help businesses and government entities reduce their carbon footprints while improving operational efficiency.

The family of Ado Bayero of Kano has offered an explanation why the wedding of their daughter, Maryam to Jibrin (Abba) Barau I Jibrin, the son of Sen. Jibrin Barau, Deputy President of the Senate was moved to Abuja. In a statement issued by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano and Chairman of the organising committee of the bride’s families, the families described reports circulating on the social media about the relocation of the venue of the wedding ceremony as false and misleading. While the reports claim that the wedding has been relocated from Kano to Abuja due to tensions surrounding the Tax Reform Bills, the statement read in part: “I, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano, wish to clearly state as follows, on behalf of the bride’s families; “That the decision to change the location of our daughter’s wedding from Kano to Abuja was purely and solely the decision of our families and not that of our daughter’s would-be husband’s family – the Deputy President of the Senate. Based on our tradition, the responsibility of picking the venue or location of the wedding rests on the shoulders of the bride’s family. “The relocation of the wedding venue, slated for Friday, 13th of December this year, from Kano to Abuja, has no connection with issues generated by the Tax Reform Bills. “That the wedding was relocated from Kano to Abuja weeks ago to make it convenient for personalities who have indicated interest in attending the wedding from across the country and abroad.” The families therefore, urged all those linking the change of the location of the wedding with the Tax Reform Bills issue to desist forthwith. “As we all know, marriage is a significant matter in our religion and is part of the Sunnah of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and it should not be politicized,” the families charged.Number of women who are state lawmakers inches up to a record high

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks closed at more records after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to reach another all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3% to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.6% as Big Tech stocks helped lead the way. Stock markets abroad saw mostly modest losses, after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office. U.S. automakers and other companies that could be hurt particularly by such tariffs fell. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rising toward records Tuesday after created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% and was on track to top its set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 81 points, or 0.2%, to set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.5% higher, with less than an hour remaining in trading. Stock markets abroad were down, but mostly only modestly, after President-elect Trump said he on Mexico, Canada and as soon as he takes office. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada's main index edged down by just 0.1%. Trump has often praised the , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. General Motors sank 8.2%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.9%. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support to the . While lower interest rates can boost the overall economy and prices for investments, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed's earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to released Tuesday afternoon. Unlike tariffs in Trump's first term, his proposal from Monday night would affect products across the board. Trump’s tariff talk came almost immediately after U.S. stocks rose Monday amid excitement about his pick for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent. The hope was the hedge-fund manager could steer Trump away from policies that balloon the U.S. government deficit, which is how much more it spends than it takes in through taxes and other revenue. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another set of mixed profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates instituted by the Fed to get inflation under control. tumbled 17.6% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. fell 4.7% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. J.M. Smucker jumped 5.4% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500 after topping analysts' expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 2.8% for Amazon and 2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. In the bond market, Treasury yields rose following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.30% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after late last week. It's since dipped back toward $91,600, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.NBA Rumors: Jae Crowder, Kings Nearing Contract After Bucks, Suns Stints

Staten Island HS soccer: Despite rain, boys and girls’ all-star games bring out best in everyoneClintons urge voters agitated by today's politics to remain involved in public service

The family of Ado Bayero of Kano has offered an explanation why the wedding of their daughter, Maryam to Jibrin (Abba) Barau I Jibrin, the son of Sen. Jibrin Barau, Deputy President of the Senate was moved to Abuja. In a statement issued by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano and Chairman of the organising committee of the bride’s families, the families described reports circulating on the social media about the relocation of the venue of the wedding ceremony as false and misleading. While the reports claim that the wedding has been relocated from Kano to Abuja due to tensions surrounding the Tax Reform Bills, the statement read in part: “I, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano, wish to clearly state as follows, on behalf of the bride’s families; “That the decision to change the location of our daughter’s wedding from Kano to Abuja was purely and solely the decision of our families and not that of our daughter’s would-be husband’s family – the Deputy President of the Senate. Based on our tradition, the responsibility of picking the venue or location of the wedding rests on the shoulders of the bride’s family. “The relocation of the wedding venue, slated for Friday, 13th of December this year, from Kano to Abuja, has no connection with issues generated by the Tax Reform Bills. “That the wedding was relocated from Kano to Abuja weeks ago to make it convenient for personalities who have indicated interest in attending the wedding from across the country and abroad.” The families therefore, urged all those linking the change of the location of the wedding with the Tax Reform Bills issue to desist forthwith. “As we all know, marriage is a significant matter in our religion and is part of the Sunnah of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and it should not be politicized,” the families charged.Cricket-England’s Cox ruled out of New Zealand test seriesNone

A few questions about veggies

When the Lufkin Panthers got the opportunity to host the Pineywoods Hoopfest, one of the biggest positives was bringing some big-time talent to deep East Texas. That proved to be a learning experience last year when the top competition led to two losses. This time around, the Panthers learned their lessons while winning. Austin Brown scored 21 points and put the game away with six straight fourth-quarter free throws and the Panthers fought their way to a 72-58 win over the 6A Converse Judson Rockets Tuesday afternoon. Brown had plenty of help in a team effort in a game the Panthers never trailed. B.J. Thomas scored 10 of his 15 points after the break, JaKevion Sanders had 14 and Brycen Skinner added 10. That allowed the Panthers to finish the Hoopfest 2-0 after Monday night’s win over Lake Travis. Elijah Favela led Converse Judson with 23 points while Jaylen Crittendon had 12. The Panthers set the tone for the afternoon with a game-opening 14-2 run. C.J. Burse got a breakaway dunk in the opening seconds before Sanders nailed a trey. After Judson’s Kenyon Smith scored on a tip-in, Brown hit a layup and two free throws and Sanders had a three-point play and a steal and layup to make it 14-2. The Rockets didn’t make things easy for Lufkin from there as they stayed within striking distance the entire afternoon. Three-pointers from Favela and Crittendon and a Gerald O’Neal basket cut the margin to six before Lufkin led 19-10 after the first eight minutes. That lead got cut to four points at 31-27 late in the second quarter on a Jordan Taylor trey. Lufkin answered with 3-pointers from Thomas and Marcellus Parks to up the margin back to double digits. The Panthers led 37-30 at halftime. The lead went back to double digits early in the second half when Sanders and Parks hit layups, but Judson didn’t go down easily, cutting the margin to 55-51 late in the third quarter. The Panthers led 60-53 headed into the final quarter. Things slowed down for both teams in the fourth quarter with Crittendon knocking down a triple that cut Lufkin’s lead to 64-58 with 3:28 remaining. That was the last time Judson scored. Brown iced the game from there with six straight free throws before Skinner got a steal and layup to close it out. Other Lufkin scorers were Parks (5), JaVarius White (4) and Tripp McManus (1). Lufkin (7-2) starts district play Tuesday when it hosts Whitehouse.

Gov’t has realistic economic programme, clear vision to growth, improved living conditions - ministerNASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Alyssa Ustby and Lexi Donarski scored 14 points apiece, and Ustby added 14 rebounds to lead No. 16 North Carolina to a 53-36 victory over Villanova in a semifinal game at the Women's Battle 4 Atlantis on Sunday. The Tar Heels (5-1) play Indiana in the championship game on Monday. The Hoosiers upset No. 18 Baylor 73-65 in Sunday's first semifinal. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks closed at more records after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to reach another all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3% to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.6% as Big Tech stocks helped lead the way. Stock markets abroad saw mostly modest losses, after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office. U.S. automakers and other companies that could be hurt particularly by such tariffs fell. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rising toward records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% and was on track to top its all-time high set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 81 points, or 0.2%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.5% higher, with less than an hour remaining in trading. Stock markets abroad were down, but mostly only modestly, after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada's main index edged down by just 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. General Motors sank 8.2%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.9%. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support to the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the overall economy and prices for investments, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed's last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. Unlike tariffs in Trump's first term, his proposal from Monday night would affect products across the board. Trump’s tariff talk came almost immediately after U.S. stocks rose Monday amid excitement about his pick for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent. The hope was the hedge-fund manager could steer Trump away from policies that balloon the U.S. government deficit, which is how much more it spends than it takes in through taxes and other revenue. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another set of mixed profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates instituted by the Fed to get inflation under control. Kohl’s tumbled 17.6% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.7% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. J.M. Smucker jumped 5.4% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500 after topping analysts' expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 2.8% for Amazon and 2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. In the bond market, Treasury yields rose following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.30% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It's since dipped back toward $91,600, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. ___ AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. Stan Choe, The Associated Press

Epsilon Energy Ltd. Announces Quarterly Dividend

(Reuters) -The U.S. government has approved the export of advanced artificial intelligence chips to a Microsoft-operated facility in the United Arab Emirates as part of the company’s highly-scrutinized partnership with Emirati AI firm G42, Axios reported on Saturday, citing two people familiar with the deal. Microsoft invested $1.5 billion in G42 earlier this year, giving the U.S. company a minority stake and a board seat. As part of the deal, G42 would use Microsoft’s cloud services to run its AI applications. The deal, however, was scrutinized after U.S. lawmakers raised concerns G42 could transfer powerful U.S. AI technology to China. They asked for a U.S. assessment of G42’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party, military and government before the Microsoft deal advances. The U.S. Commerce Department, Microsoft and G42 did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. The approved export license requires Microsoft to prevent access to its facility in the UAE by personnel who are from nations under U.S. arms embargoes or who are on the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security’s Entity List, the Axios report said. The restrictions cover people physically in China, the Chinese government or personnel working for any organization headquartered in China, the report added. U.S. officials have said that AI systems could pose national security risks, including by making it easier to engineer chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. The Biden administration in October required the makers of the largest AI systems to share details about them with the U.S. government. G42 earlier this year said it was actively working with U.S. partners and the UAE’s government to comply with AI development and deployment standards, amid concerns about its ties to China. Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company, the UAE’s ruling family and U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake hold stakes in G42. The company’s chairman, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the UAE’s national security advisor and the brother of the UAE’s president. (Reporting by Devika Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Paul Simao) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );Curious case of Godmother Italian nun who has been arrested over suspected link to mafia underworld

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