Comprehensive Insights of the Global Smart LED Bulbs Market: Key Drivers, Trends, and Forecast for 2024-2033No. 15 Houston rides balanced offense into league opener at Oklahoma St.Sue Heagy touches the colorful yarn circles her late daughter, Angie Kimmel, crocheted to relieve her pain and fear of dying. Kimmel was 39 and working in Corvallis eight years ago when she made her last stitch. “The pattern was challenging and hard to read let along crochet, so I asked her to set it aside,” said Heagy. “After her daily radiation treatment she would be wrapped in a blanket because she was so cold and work on this. She was trying to finish it within the few months she had left.” Kimmel completed a dozen autumn-colored circles, some resembling a flower. One flower medallion left in her craft bag, however, has the telltale sign that its maker never reached the end: a loose strand, frozen in time. Over the years, Heagy would take the pieces out to appreciate her daughter’s fine handwork. Late last year, Heagy decided it was time for the “complicated and unusual work” to be completed. She contacted the nonprofit Loose Ends Project and was matched to Bobbie Wallace, a volunteer “finisher” who lives in Arizona near Heagy. Wallace was guided by Kimmel’s clue-like stitches, as unique as a thumbprint, and a pattern of the project, which creative crafters like Kimmel modify to express themselves. When Wallace needed to make a decision to fulfill Kimmel’s vision, she relied on the stories Heagy tells about her daughter. Wallace heard Kimmel was a painter, photographer, quilter, crocheter, nature lover and marathon runner who worked as an accountant for an Oregon-based nonprofit collegiate sports association. Kimmel died in 2016 of brain cancer. Wallace applied her expertise in understanding the complex pattern, then relinquished the look, style and colors — yellow, orange, green, dark purple — to what Kimmel wanted. Kimmel’s pattern was freeform, multicolor and boho, while Wallace said she prefers vintage patterns in neutral colors. “Working on Angie’s project was definitely a stretch for me in all the best ways,” said Wallace. “I got out of my comfort zone, and learned about a lovely young woman who left her family too soon. I hope the finished piece helps fill the empty spot left in her mother’s heart.” Some Loose Ends projects, like Kimmel’s, come with patterns, a starting point. Many finishers are searching the fabric and thread for unspoken instructions. Heagy, who received the completed throw blanket this summer, said, “It’s so touching, so intimate” how finishers like Wallace work. “To have the sensitivity to delve into the creativity” of someone they never met. The place where Kimmel’s final stitch continued under Wallace’s hands is marked with a tiny heart-shape red button. “When I saw that, I burst out crying,” said Heagy, who has draped the throw blanket across her favorite reading chair. “Angie’s blanket hugs me,” said Heagy, “and it was a real comfort to talk to Bobbie, who has such an open heart, about my daughter.” Unlike wood crafters who use machines to make chairs or painters who navigate brushes, people who work with textiles are hands-on, massaging threads through fabric, pouring creativity, warmth and expression in every inch, and hopefully encasing it all with a border when the piece is complete. In the textile arts culture, hobbyist quilters, knitters and others skilled in making masterpieces from twisted fibers are known to spend hundreds of hours creating unique blankets and other labors of love they then give away. Each piece, created for comfort and to convey affection, is often gifted to a family member or friend marking an important event. Or it is donated to a worthy cause — the first recorded quilt raffle was in the 1830s — or is handed to a stranger. Members of the Westside Quilters Guild in Hillsboro make about 450 quilts a year for people in hospice, and youth and families attending Camp Erin grief camps. Children select one of the guild’s quilts to cuddle at CARES Northwest before they are interviewed about the sexual abuse committed upon them. Textile crafters’ openhandedness extends to help people who can’t finish a piece due to an illness or death. When crafters learn of an unfinished project, they circle around it until the last thread is tied. This longstanding, informal gift of experienced hands-on help inspired the founders of Loose Ends Project, a nonprofit that has grown from an idea in 2023 to having 30,000 volunteers around the world. Oregon alone has 638 Loose Ends volunteers, from teens to retirees, living in big cities and rural areas. “There are two things that connect all of us,” said Jen Simonic, a former Seattle educator who co-founded Loose Ends Project with her friend, Masey Kaplan of Portland, Maine. “We love to do fiber arts and we know everyone grieves at some point.” Simonic’s big message: “We have volunteers waiting for a project” to help someone who can no longer see or maneuver their hands well, or a family member hoping to finally hold a loved one’s work and tell their story. Posts on Loose Ends Project’s Facebook page show photos of recently finished work along with messages about the original maker of an afghan, cardigan, fair isle socks, doily, crochet bedspread, hooked rug. There are tales of finding a secret pile of 20 quilt tops. Some of the projects are generations old, kept safe because the family didn’t want to let it go. Finishers donate their time. The request received through LooseEnds.org could be cross-stitching a grandchild’s name on a homemade bear or mending a crocheted tablecloth. Or something much more time consuming. It may take six hours to complete a granny square lap blanket, 20 hours to finish a blanket poncho, months to knit a large blanket or 400 hours to finish a barely started quilt by hand. Once completed, the item is returned to the family. Recent projects include: • A quilt started in 1946 as a wedding gift to a daughter, who worked on it in the 1990s. It was finished by a Loose Ends volunteer in 2024. • A 30-year-old sweater project by a “creative knitter who never followed a pattern” and gave up on it when she was going blind, according to a family member who asked Loose Ends for help. • A 1995 quilt by a farmer who “by necessity, was a very talented seamstress and quilter,” as described by a loved one. • A cathedral quilt by a mother who taught her daughter to sew, knit, crochet and do embroidery. “The Loose Ends finisher helped me appreciate things about my mom’s quilt that I wouldn’t have known about,” posted the daughter. Martha Robertson of Forest Grove heard about the wide-reaching Loose Ends Project during a Zoom call. A social work professor working in end-of-life care noticed Robertson’s quilt on the wall and mentioned the volunteer effort. “I was immediately hooked, and I registered online to be a finisher,” said Robertson, 61, who started sewing on her mother’s Singer Featherweight machine as a kid. She has been making quilts for more than 35 years. Robertson, a member of the Westside Quilters Guild, was soon asked to complete a difficult Hawaiian-style hand applique quilt. She agreed and received blocks of different sizes and colors, and cotton thread, not the silk thread Robertson uses. The original maker had only worked on one corner of one block. Finishers can decline a project or pass it back to the organizers if it’s too much. Robertson said volunteers are giving their time. “People ask, ‘How much would you charge for that?’ and there is no answer,” Robertson said. “We may not see the person who receives a quilt but we know the effect it can have on them.” Personalized projects, like a memory quilt, “preserve a moment in time,” Robertson said. Loose Ends projects envelop a world of cultures and textile traditions. A crochet blanket was completed with hibiscus‭, ‬frangipani‭ ‬and other tropical flowers that remind the family of their Pacific Island heritage. Another crochet blanket mended by a volunteer displays the traditional Coushatta tribe colors. There’s an Irish chain quilt, a fragile Japanese Bunka embroidery piece with details as seen in oil paintings, and a handwoven 62-inch tallit (prayer shawl) with needlepoint art in each corner that needed to be painstakingly tied on a finisher’s loom before it could be worked on. One rug using 1/8-inch wool strips needed about 280 hours of work. Why do volunteers do this? Studies show knitting and other repetitive, calming creative hobbies reduce stress, and are a way to unwind. And there’s fun in tracking down patterns on Etsy, sourcing vintage yarn and modeling someone else’s tiny stitches and hand-sewn patchwork. Most important, volunteer finishers are front liners in hearing family members explain their loved one in rich detail. “I recall my dad saying to my mom, ‘Irene, I can’t wear just one sock, you know,’” wrote a daughter in an email request to Loose Ends. She hoped to have a matching argyle sock knitted to give it and the original sock to her son, “who says he will wear them in honor of both grandparents,” she wrote. Loose Ends volunteers without a project are waiting with open arms to be contacted. The organizers, who say the group has finished 3,500 projects, encourage people to help spread the word about this no-cost service. People can download and print flyers on looseends.org/flyers and post them at libraries, cafes, places of worship, senior centers, fabric and yarn stores, hospices or any community spaces where project owners or volunteers may see them. “The flyers are in more than 20 languages and we are always looking for native speakers to translate more,” said Simonic. “We want to be one-on-one with someone who might have lost the crafter in their life, the person they would have turned to ask, ‘What’s in this bag?’” Simonic said Loose Ends can help on any textile project. “We feel we are the Red Cross for crafts,” she said. Photos can be uploaded to LooseEnds.org/submitproject . Organizers work hard to match a person with a project to a volunteer skilled in that craft who lives in the same area. Some projects need a string of finishers, from needlepointing to sewing. Loose Ends can arrange volunteers skilled in each technique. Cards can also be printed and passed around to introduce the Loose Ends Project as one that “aims to ease grief, create community and inspire generosity by matching volunteer handwork finishers with projects people have left unfinished due to death or disability.” The group’s motto: “Started with love by them. Finished with care by us.” Crafters are also asked to help out. “Take a few moments to put LooseEnds.org on a note in your project bag, so your loved ones will be able to find us if they need us,” said organizers. People can also make a tax deductible donation to Loose Ends at LooseEnds.org/donate . “Donations help us provide the matching service done by our staff of two full-time and one part-time employees, and help us build our technology,” Simonic said. Get local news delivered to your inbox!super ace jili link 。

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While Cleveland heads into Sunday's home matchup with the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics sporting the league's best record, the Cavaliers also come in trying to avoid a three-game losing streak. Cleveland had its 15-game winning streak to open the season interrupted in its last meeting with Boston, a 120-117 win for the host Celtics on Nov. 19. The Cavaliers recovered with a pair of wins over Toronto and New Orleans, but fell in meetings with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday and Friday. A 20-point, 22-assist game from Trae Young on Wednesday powered Atlanta to 135 points, the most Cleveland has allowed this season. The Hawks followed the 11-point win in Cleveland with a 16-point rout of the Cavaliers on Friday in Atlanta. The consecutive losses dropped Cleveland to 17-3, tied with Boston for the NBA's best mark in the loss column. The Cavaliers maintain the league's best winning percentage at .850 but are trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak since last April. "Our defensive engagement was good," Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said, contrasting Friday's loss with Wednesday's. "(But) our offense kind of tanked. It's hard to be mad at our guys. They've been phenomenal offensively." The Cavaliers ranked No. 20 in points per game a season ago with 112.6. In their first season under Atkinson as coach, they lead the NBA in scoring at 122.4. Friday's contest was Cleveland's lowest-scoring output of the season despite 29 points from Darius Garland and 24 from Evan Mobley. Donovan Mitchell managed less than half of his season average (24.1) with 12, while 14.5-point per game scorer Jarrett Allen managed just six. The Cavaliers look to get back on track against a Celtics team riding a seven-game winning streak. The Celtics, averaging the NBA's second-highest point-per-game output at 121.2, have bookended their streak with 139 points in a rout at Brooklyn on Nov. 13 and 138 points in a win Friday at Chicago. Jayson Tatum scored 35 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Boston's nine-point defeat of the Bulls. He is averaging 28.7 points, which includes his 33-point performance in the win over the Cavaliers. In Friday's NBA Cup win, Boston also got a huge performance off the bench from Payton Pritchard. His 29 points (19 in the fourth quarter) came on the heels of a 20-point outing in the Celtics' 126-94 home blowout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. "The key to him is he finds different ways to impact games. He's grown as a player over the course of his career," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Pritchard. "He's a complete player. I know it sounds weird, but he's one of the best three-level scorers I've seen for his size, and he's just a high-level competitor." At 15.6 points per game, Pritchard is one of five Celtics averaging more than 12 points along with Tatum, Jaylen Brown (24.7), Derrick White (18.3) and Jrue Holiday (12.1). This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EVDANCE, a trusted name in electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, is proud to announce its 5th anniversary and the successful completion of a significant brand upgrade. To celebrate this milestone, EVDANCE is launching an exciting Mega Sale, offering exclusive deals to its valued customers. Exclusive Anniversary Offers From December 10 to December 31, EVDANCE invites all EV enthusiasts to visit its enhanced website at https://evdances.com/ and take advantage of the following special promotions: SITEWIDE 25% OFF – Use Code: EVD1228 60% OFF Tesla to J1772 Adapters – Use Code: EVDA60P 30% OFF EV Extension Cables – Use Code: EVDE30D These exclusive deals reflect EVDANCE's gratitude for the trust and support it has received over the past five years. Pick one of these three amazing discounts—the one that gives you the best value. Products Designed for Real-Life Scenarios EVDANCE is committed to delivering innovative products that address the everyday needs of EV owners, enhancing convenience and reliability. As it celebrates five years of innovation, the brand continues to meet real-world needs with products like portable chargers, durable extension cables, and versatile adapters, enhancing every EV charging experience. Portable EV Chargers: Lightweight and compact, these chargers are designed for ultimate convenience, allowing you to charge your EV wherever an outlet is available—be it at home or on the road. With IP66-rated protection against water, dust, and cold, these chargers perform reliably in temperatures ranging from -22°F to 122°F. Advanced safety features and fast charging capabilities ensure your EV is always ready to hit the road. Extension Cables: Built with high-strength TPE and silver-plated copper, EVDANCE's IP66-rated extension cables deliver exceptional durability and performance. Perfect for scenarios where outlets are far from parking spots or when navigating shared charging stations, these cables ensure seamless charging without constant vehicle rearrangements—ideal for road trips or multi-EV households. Adapters: EVDANCE's Tesla-to-J1772 and J1772-to-Tesla adapters ensure compatibility across diverse EV models, making them essential for families with multiple electric vehicles or those charging at public stations. Made from high flame-resistant PC material, these adapters are built to endure over 10,000 plug-in/out cycles, offering long-lasting reliability. The secure locking mechanism prevents accidental disconnections, ensuring a safe charging process. With an IP65 weatherproof rating, they operate efficiently in temperatures ranging from -22°F to 122°F, delivering consistent performance in extreme conditions. 5 Years of Excellence: EVDANCE's Commitment to EV Charging Innovation Since its founding in 2019, EVDANCE has been dedicated to developing reliable, high-quality, and innovative EV charging solutions. Its focus on safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction has earned the trust of EV owners in over 40 countries. This global reach reflects EVDANCE's mission to support sustainable mobility through advanced technology. Brand Upgrade: A Milestone for the Future EVDANCE's 5th anniversary celebrates five years of relentless innovation and a transformative brand upgrade, designed to meet the evolving needs of its growing customer base. Guided by a mission to make EV charging seamless, efficient, and accessible, the brand introduces an enhanced website( https://evdances.com ) with improved navigation, detailed product information, and a more intuitive shopping experience—making it easier than ever for customers to discover cutting-edge solutions. This milestone reflects EVDANCE's dedication to staying ahead in the rapidly advancing EV market while continuing its focus on quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. With these improvements, the brand reaffirms its commitment to driving sustainable mobility for a greener future. About EVDANCE Founded in 2019 by a team of visionary engineers and environmental enthusiasts, EVDANCE was born out of a passion for solving the challenges of EV charging. Frustrated with the limitations of existing infrastructure, the team set out to create innovative, intelligent, and reliable solutions that elevate the EV ownership experience. Since its inception, EVDANCE has remained at the forefront of EV charging technology, delivering fast and efficient solutions designed with sustainability in mind. By using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient technology, the company aligns its products with a broader mission to protect the environment. As EVDANCE continues to grow, it works closely with communities, businesses, and organizations to expand EV infrastructure, empowering a global shift toward sustainable mobility. Guided by the vision of "Electric Vehicle Quick Charge," EVDANCE is committed to driving progress in the EV industry and helping customers embrace a more sustainable future. For more information, please visit: https://evdances.com/ Media Contact: Wumi at marketing@evdances.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bfe05f92-c1b0-4a74-ad3b-17c9ecb97440 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Mutual funds: Are flexi cap schemes the right choice for investors amid market volatility?

Vikings, Eagles win and move nearer to clinching playoff spotsBalanced offense propels St. John's past Delaware for 6th straight win

NoneJournalist ‘stalked ex-Chancellor George Osborne & his wife for a year and accused them of drug abuse’

Comprehensive Insights of the Global Smart LED Bulbs Market: Key Drivers, Trends, and Forecast for 2024-2033None

Daily Post Nigeria Police vow to arrest killers of truck driver in Ebonyi community Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Metro Police vow to arrest killers of truck driver in Ebonyi community Published on December 8, 2024 By Ochogwu Sunday The Police Command in Ebonyi said on Sunday it has begun an investigation into the incident involving the killing of a truck driver along the Ishiagu-Okigwe expressway in the state. DAILY POST recalls that a truck driver was shot dead by suspected gunmen on the road on December 4. The people of Umuobor, Akaeze, and their neighbours, Ogwor, Ishiagu, both in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have been at communal war. DSP Joshua Ukandu, Police Public Relations Officer, told NAN in Abakaliki on Sunday that detectives have commenced an investigation for the possible arrest of the people behind the killing. “Yes, the command is aware of the incident. Our men have been on top of the matter in order to arrest those involved,” Ukandu explained. On security in the state, the police spokesman said that the command was committed to the protection of lives and property of the citizens. He urged the general public to steer clear of criminality for a better Ebonyi and Nigeria at large. Related Topics: Ebonyi police Don't Miss Troops dislodge bandits in Benue You may like Police rescue lawyer, niece from kidnappers’ den in Akwa Ibom Police foil two kidnap attempts in Katsina, rescue 20 Police apprehend suspected cultist in Anambra, recover AK-47 Police rescue three kidnap victims in Taraba Trigger-happy Policeman gun down young boy over knockout in Delta community Police nab suspected fraudsters in Rivers, reject $17,000 bribe Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdBethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Middle East latest: Bethlehem marks a somber Christmas Eve amid war in Gaza TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Palestinian city of Bethlehem is preparing for another somber Christmas under the shadow of war in Gaza. Most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s bombardment and ground invasion has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children. The Health Ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about one hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 1,447 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed. Twenty-eight flights were canceled. Millions of travelers are expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Major storm pounds California's central coast, blamed for man's death and partially collapsing pier SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A major storm has pounded California’s central coast bringing flooding and high surf that was blamed for fatally trapping a man beneath debris on a beach and later partially collapsing a pier, tossing three people into the Pacific Ocean. The storm was expected to bring hurricane-force winds and waves up to 60 feet Monday as it gained strength from California to the Pacific Northwest. Some California cities have ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon. Forecasters have warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day. Medellin Cartel victims demand truth and justice as cartel boss Fabio Ochoa walks free in Colombia BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — The return of the notorious drug trafficker Fabio Ochoa to Colombia, following his deportation from the United States, has reopened old wounds among the victims of the Medellin cartel, with some expressing their dismay at the decision of Colombian authorities to let the former mafia boss walk free.Some of the cartel victims said on Tuesday that they are hoping the former drug lord will at least cooperate with ongoing efforts by human rights groups to investigate one of the most violent periods of Colombia’s history, and demanded that Colombian prosecutors also take Ochoa in for questioning. Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Amsterdam court sentences 5 men over violence linked to Ajax-Maccabi soccer game THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An Amsterdam District Court has issued sentences of up to six months in jail against 5 men who were involved in violent disorder after a soccer match between the Dutch club Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv in November. The riots caused an international outcry and accusations of deliberate anti-Semitic attacks. The violence following a UEFA Europa League match left 5 people in hospital. More than 60 suspects were detained. The court on Tuesday sentenced one man to 6 months in prison, another to 2 1/2 months, two to 1 month and one to 100 hours of community service. France has a new government, again. Politics and crushing debt complicate next steps PARIS (AP) — France’s president and prime minister have managed to form a new government just in time for the holidays. Now comes the hard part. Crushing debt, pressure from the nationalist far right, wars in Europe and the Mideast. The hallenges abound for President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Francois Bayrou. They already had a tumultuous 2024. The most urgent order of business is passing a 2025 budget. Financial markets, ratings agencies and the European Commission are pushing France to bring down its deficit. It is threatening the stability and prosperity of all countries that share the euro currency. Legendary Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal dies at age 90 NEW DELHI (AP) — Shyam Benegal, a renowned Indian filmmaker known for pioneering a cinema movement that tackled social issues in the 1970s, has died after chronic kidney disease. He was 90. His contribution to cinema was recognized as a director, editor and screenwriter. He came into the limelight with films that challenged mainstream Bollywood by dealing with the social realities of a poor nation. He also was a mentor to top Indian actors. India's prime minister says he is “deeply saddened” by Benegal's death.

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Matt Gaetz will still be in Trump’s admin despite AG drop out – real ‘million-dollar question’ is on Musk, expert saysBETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of . The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the that usually fill the square. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Some carried a sign that read, “We want life, not death.” Security forces, meanwhile, arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. "Always the message of Bethlehem is a message of peace and hope," said Mayor Anton Salman. “And these days, we are also sending our message to the world: peace and hope, but insisting that the world must work to end our suffering as Palestinian people.” The is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehem’s income — almost all of it from the Christmas season. Salman said unemployment is hovering around 50% — higher than the 30% unemployment across the rest of the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Finance Ministry. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. Pizzaballa held a special in Holy Family Church in Gaza City on Sunday. “This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad,” he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. “I bring you the greetings, the prayers, of our brothers and sisters in Gaza.” The number of visitors to the town plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million people spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department. After nightfall, the golden walls of the Church of the Nativity were illuminated as a few dozen people quietly milled about. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The war in Gaza has deterred tourists and has prompted a , with more than 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis killed in militant attacks. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since , access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been difficult, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the economy there to contract by 25%. In on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Elsewhere, Christmas celebrations were also subdued. Syrians protest after Christmas tree burned Scores of Syrian Christians protested Tuesday in Damascus, demanding protection after the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama the day before. Videos and images shared on social media showed the large, decorated tree burning at a roundabout in Suqalabiyah, a town in the Hama countryside. It remains unclear who was responsible for setting the tree on fire. In a video that circulated on social media, a representative of Syria’s new leadership, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, could be seen visiting the site and addressing the community. He said: “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations.” Germans mourn after Christmas market attack German celebrations were darkened by a on Friday that left five people dead and 200 people injured. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his annual recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack. He plans to acknowledge that “there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg,” while urging Germans to “stand together,” according to an early copy of the speech. Heavy snow hits the Balkans A stranded drivers and downed power lines, but some saw the beauty in it. “I’m actually glad its falling, especially because of Christmas,” said Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. “We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas.” Planes grounded in the United States American Airlines briefly across the U.S. on Tuesday just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 1,447 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 28 flights canceled. ___ Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem and Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City contributed to this report. Jalal Bwaitel, The Associated Press

Mumbai: The insurance industry saw a significant jump in commission expenses in FY24 after the sector regulator removed caps on payouts. Life insurers saw commission expenses increase 22% while general insurers saw commission expenses double in FY24. This follows the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India's (IRDAI) decision to remove commission caps in April 2023, showed the latest IRDAI Annual report. ET Year-end Special Reads Top 10 equity mutual funds of the year. Do you have any? How India flexed its global power muscles in 2024 2024 was the year India became the talk of America IRDAI removed caps on commission payments for agents and brokers across all insurance lines, shifting from micro-management to offering insurers greater flexibility. The new guidelines gave a leeway to all insurers to manage their expenses in a manner that they expand without getting worried over the individual product level caps. Insurers breaching the Expenses of Management (EoM) cap must now submit a board-approved plan to achieve compliance within three years. During FY 24, the life insurance industry had a commission expense of ₹51,524 crore as against ₹42,322 crore in FY23. There is an overall cap of 30% under the new IRDAI regulations,where insurers are required to maintain total expenses of management (EoM) within this limit. 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Eight insurers exceeded these limits and have sought regulatory forbearance. The total management expenses across the life insurance industry amounted to ₹1.40 lakh crore, which is 16.94% of total premiums. At the same time, the non-life insurance industry saw a cumulative commission expense nearly double to ₹39,601 crore in FY24 against ₹20,145 crore in FY23. Commission expenses and operating expenses constitute a major part of the total expenses. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer said that Matt Gaetz ’s nomination to head the Justice Department fizzled because it would have cost too much “political capital” for Donald Trump to try to push his confirmation through the Senate. In a lengthy interview with Politico , the North Dakotan was candid about the president-elect’s most controversial picks for his upcoming administration. Cramer lauded Gaetz’s decision this past Thursday to pull his name from contention, amid a slew of sexual misconduct allegations, which has paved the way for Trump to name a markedly more conventional nominee: former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. ADVERTISEMENT “I would say whatever the circumstances are, this is one of the more positive things Matt Gaetz has done in a while,” Cramer told Politico. “I think in terms of his patriotism, in terms of his honor, in terms of his respect for the institutions, good for him to recognize that early on and prevent further wasting of the resources.” Cramer explained that Trump had told him as recently as Tuesday that he still hoped to push Gaetz’s nomination through, but that, in the end, the cost of doing so was apparently too great. “I’ve been everywhere just saying that the hill is very, very steep and the capital that you’d have to spend to succeed, much less probably not succeed, with the confirmation would be probably more than it would be worth,” he said. “I think that’s how he gamed it out. And good for him for not spending a lot more capital.” Cramer added that “political capital is our currency”—and that it’s “what you gather by doing things for people, with your partners, with your colleagues.” The risk for Trump, according to Cramer, was that he would have had to start heavily leveraging his capital for Gaetz to have a shot as attorney general. Even so, it still would have been a longshot. “Donald Trump would have had to spend a lot,” Cramer said. “If he was going to get Matt Gaetz across the finish line, he’d have to start transacting with some pretty strong skeptics. And it may very well be that there were not enough that were even persuadable.” Of another eyebrow raising Trump cabinet pick, prospective Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Cramer explained that he is a fan of the former Fox News host who faces a sexual assault allegation . “I think Pete, as a face of the military, as a warrior, as sort of a blue-collar, talented television personality, I think he gives hope to those people that say, there’s somebody at the top that actually understands my role in this military as opposed to just the general’s role,” Cramer said. The senator admitted, though, that he thought Hegseth should drop his controversial stance that women should be prohibited from combat roles in the U.S. military. “I think the landing position on it is simply the position that the requirement for combat readiness has to be the same for women as it is for men,” Cramer said. “And there are a lot of women who have met that standard that a lot of men could not. In which case, why would you not allow women in combat?”

Hours after a Manhattan jury acquitted Daniel Penny Monday of criminal charges for the choking death of homeless Black man Jordan Neely on an F Train last year, Mayor Eric Adams said that Neely “should not have had to die” but that he respects the jury’s decision. Adams, during his weekly off-topic media briefing on Dec. 9, noted that Neely shares a first name with his own son — Jordan Coleman — to illustrate what he saw as his connection to the incident. He then appeared to blame Neely’s death on a failing mental health care system at both the city and state levels — as Neely suffered from mental illness and had cycled in and out of psychiatric care for many years before his death. “These incidents that happen in the city are not only professional, but they’re personal, and we take that with us. Jordan should not have had to die,” Adams said. “A jury of his peers heard the case, saw all of the facts, saw all of the evidence, and made a decision. I join DA [Alvin] Bragg in stating that I respect the process.” The mayor’s comments came not long after the jury found Penny “not guilty” of a criminally negligent homicide charge. Daniel Penny leaving a Manhattan Criminal Court room after being acquitted on Dec. 9, 2024 in the death of Jordan Neely. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell The jury cleared Penny of that charge on Monday morning after Judge Maxwell Wiley had dismissed a second and more serious manslaughter charge against him on Friday. The judge dismissed that count because the jury had deadlocked on a verdict following over three days of deliberations. Penny was on trial for a May 1, 2023 incident — caught on a viral video — in which he placed Neely in a chokehold that the city Medical Examiner’s office found to be fatal. He argued that he was acting in self-defense as Neely was behaving erratically and threatening towards the other passengers in the subway car. The case became a flashpoint, representing differences in race, class and how to confront those undergoing psychiatric episodes on the city’s subways. It also raised questions of whether New Yorkers should preemptively take matters into their own hands if they perceive someone to be a threat. In the weeks immediately following Neely’s death, Mayor Adams faced heat over not calling for Penny to be charged . At the time, Adams gave a lengthy address calling for more structural changes to New York’s mental health care system that did not mention Penny by name. The mayor also sought to clarify his comments last week that Penny did “what we should have done as a city” in his interaction with Neely. “We should have been standing up for those passengers,” Adams said. “That’s what we should have done for the city. And standing up for those passengers [means addressing] the mental health crisis in this city and not just wait for incidents to happen. And the determination that he stood uprightly or wrongfully, that came in front of a jury of his peers.” Adams also indicated that he does not believe the verdict will encourage more New Yorkers who encounter those they perceive as threats on the subways to take matters into their own hands, as Penny did. “I think that oftentimes, people make these decisions when they are in the midst of it, and there’s a desire of New Yorkers to help out those in need, and there’s a desire of New Yorkers to always respond when they believe it’s necessary,” he said. “And I don’t think that’s going to change in any way.” However, Neil Berry, a leader with the left-wing group Vocal NY, said Adams’ and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s tough-on-crime rhetoric led Penny to place Neely in a chokehold. “This is just a continuous failure to recognize Jordan Neely as a human being. Instead of protecting vulnerable people – and Jordan Neely certainly was one – the mayor and the governor have created a level of pessimism and fear that fosters vigilante justice,” Berry said in a statement. “This decision sets the stage for this to happen again: for more homeless people, or even just loud kids, to be shot or killed because they are perceived to be potential threats.”The Minnesota Twins acquired infielder Mickey Gasper from the Red Sox on Tuesday, sending left-hander Jovani Moran to Boston. Gasper, 29, made his major league debut in 2024 with the Red Sox, going hitless with four walks and one run in 18 at-bats over 13 games. The switch-hitter spent most of the 2024 season at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, hitting a combined .328 with 27 doubles, 12 home runs and 58 RBIs in 92 games. The Red Sox selected him from the New York Yankees in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. A 27th-round pick of the Yankees in the 2018 draft, Gasper has played four positions in the minors -- first base, second base, third base and catcher -- along with serving as designated hitter. In 407 minor league games with the Yankees and Red Sox farm systems, he has hit .275 with 48 home runs and 207 RBIs. Moran, 27, underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2023 season and didn't pitch in 2024. In 79 relief appearances with the Twins from 2021-23, Minnesota's seventh-round pick in the 2015 draft is 2-3 with one save along with a 4.15 ERA, 52 walks, 112 strikeouts and a 1.33 WHIP in 91 innings. --Field Level MediaBethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas during the war in Gaza

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Gabby Hill netted 16 points, including three three-pointers, for Sportswood in its 41-35 win over East Brunswick in East Brunswick. Lizzie Calandruccio added 14 points for Spotswood, which closed out the game with 13-5 fourth quarter after East Brunswick used a 16-9 third quarter to tie the game. Spotswood improved its record to 3-1. 12/23 - 11:30 AM Girls Basketball Final Spotswood 41 East Brunswick 36 Makenna Gay scored 12 points for East Brunswick. The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)

Prominent brands struggle to adapt to an e-bike industry dominated by cheap, direct-to-consumer salesControversial billionaire Elon Musk responded to speculation that MSNBC could be put up for sale , asking on Friday how much the cable news network would set him back. The Comcast media conglomerate announced Wednesday it planned to spin some of its NBCUniversal properties — including MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen and E! — into “a new publicly traded company.” The announcement prompted some social media users, including Donald Trump Jr., to suggest the world’s richest man should buy MSNBC . Many of the left-leaning network’s hosts, including Joe Scarborough, Rachel Maddow and Mika Brzezinski, have been critical of Musk and the MAGA movement he supports. “Hey @elonmusk I have the funniest idea ever!!!” Trump Jr. posted on Friday alongside a graphic joking that MSNBC would sell for the “best offer.” “How much does it cost?” replied Musk, whose net worth was estimated to have reached a record high of $321.7 billion on Friday. Musk’s response was very similar to the one he gave in 2017 when some social media users suggested he buy Twitter. Five years later, he spent $44 billion to purchase the platform, which he renamed X and has since used to promote his right-wing ideology and conspiracy theories. “I mean it can’t be much,” Trump Jr. wrote back. “Look at the ratings.” MSNBC viewership reportedly plummeted 38% after Election Day, according to The Wrap. Musk’s banter with Trump Jr. continued, with the entrepreneur writing, “The most entertaining outcome, especially if ironic, is most likely.” While Comcast made no mention of selling MSNBC to Musk, the big-spending tech wiz has proven he can take over companies despite resistance from their board of directors, just as he did with Twitter. Speculation about Musk buying a progressive cable news network comes a week after satirical site The Onion announced it had purchased Alex Jones’ far-right “InfoWars” empire in a bankruptcy auction. Jones was forced to sell the disgraced brand to satisfy a judgment against him in connection with the lies and conspiracy theories he pushed about the 2012 massacre at Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary School. A Texas judge has delayed that acquisition while a court reviews details of the bidding process.

NoneKORE Announces NYSE Acceptance of Plan to Regain Listing ComplianceNEW YORK — Dylan Raiola took the shotgun snap and saw the Boston College defensive end crash in hard. Time to improvise. On the day Raiola set a new Nebraska freshman passing record for a season, perhaps his most crucial sequence came on a rare run. With the Huskers leaking momentum after a blocked punt helped whittle their lead to 20-15 late in the fourth quarter, the quarterback pulled the ball from Rahmir Johnson and took off to his left on a first-and-10 play from the NU 36. Raiola picked up five yards and slid late as defensive back Carter Davis crashed into him. Officials flagged Davis for a late-hit personal foul — Eagles coach Bill O’Brien vehemently disagreed in the moment and declined to discuss it afterward — as Raiola rolled to his feet and got in the face of the defender to set off a brief on-field scuffle. “He tried to take me out which is why I came up and kind of reacted,” Raiola said. “But I guess it was just kind of the fire in me. Game’s on the line, I’m going to lay it on the line for my team. I got up, I knew I wasn’t going to do anything but my linemen came in and kind of cleaned up for me.” Raiola finished 23-of-31 passing for 228 yards, pushing his season passing total to 2,823 yards in 13 games. The previous school mark was 2,617 by Adrian Martinez in 2018. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

NICEVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Aaliyah Nye scored 15 points and No. 23 Alabama coasted to an 83-33 win over Alabama State on Monday at the Emerald Coast Classic. Sarah Ashlee Barker and Karly Weathers both added 12 points for the Crimson Tide (7-0). Zaay Green had 11. Barker, Weathers and Green combined to go 12 of 16 from the field as Alabama shot 51% and made 23 of 34 free throws. Cordasia Harris had eight points for the Hornets (2-3), who shot 27.5% and had 28 turnovers while being outrebounded by 17. Alabama entered ranked 17th in scoring offense through the first two weeks of the season, averaging 87.3 points per game. Barker opened the scoring and contributed another layup before her 3-pointer made it 14-0. The Tide led 26-8 after one quarter. Alabama also had a 13-2 run in the second quarter and Weathers had a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to lead 46-20 at halftime. Alabama plays the winner of UAB-Clemson on Tuesday and the Hornets face the loser. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketballIt Was An Insane Year For McDonald’s

2 convicted in human smuggling case after Indian family froze to death on US-Canada borderKORE Announces NYSE Acceptance of Plan to Regain Listing ComplianceNewly elected Woodbury County officials to be sworn in Tuesday, dedication ceremony for Dennis Butler to follow

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), a diversified holding company (" Hyperscale Data ” or the " Company ”), announced that it was notified today by the NYSE American that due to the Company's disclosure in its Form 10-Q filed for the fiscal period ended September 30, 2024, which reported stockholders' equity of approximately $2.2 million, it no longer meets the requirement that it must have no less than $6 million or more in stockholders' equity pursuant to the listing standard set forth under Section 1003(a)(ii) and (iii) of the NYSE American Company Guide (the " Listing Standards ”) because the Company has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in five of its most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2023. Under the applicable NYSE American listing rules, the Company must by January 17, 2025 submit a compliance plan that demonstrates how it intends to regain compliance with the Listing Standards within 18 months of the receipt of the notice, or June 18, 2026. The Company intends to develop and submit to the NYSE American such a plan. If the NYSE American does not accept the plan, or if the Company does not make progress consistent with the plan during the plan period, the NYSE American will initiate delisting procedures. If the NYSE American accepts the plan the Company will be subject to periodic reviews including quarterly monitoring for compliance with the plan. During this period, the Company's common stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE American and trade as usual subject to compliance with other NYSE American listing requirements. The Company is confident that it will be able to submit a plan acceptable to the NYSE American within the requisite period and further that it will promptly be able to demonstrate that it has regained compliance with the Listing Standards. For more information on Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read Hyperscale Data's public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at hyperscaledata.com or available at www.sec.gov. About Hyperscale Data, Inc. Hyperscale Data is transitioning from a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact to becoming solely an owner and operator of data centers to support high performance computing services. Through its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, Hyperscale Data owns and operates a data center at which it mines digital assets and offers colocation and hosting services for the emerging artificial intelligence ecosystems and other industries. It also provides, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, Inc., mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including an artificial intelligence software platform, social gaming platform, equipment rental services, defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive, medical/biopharma and hotel operations. In addition, Hyperscale Data is actively engaged in private credit and structured finance through a licensed lending subsidiary. Hyperscale Data's headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 240, Las Vegas, NV 89141. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as "believes,” "plans,” "anticipates,” "projects,” "estimates,” "expects,” "intends,” "strategy,” "future,” "opportunity,” "may,” "will,” "should,” "could,” "potential,” or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company's business and financial results are included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company's website at www.hyperscaledata.com . Hyperscale Data Investor Contact: [email protected] or 1-888-753-2235

CenterPoint Energy continues to invest in the safety, reliability and resiliency of its natural gas system to benefit customers

Mayor Olivia Chow’s city hall inconsistently addresses antisemitism in Toronto, according to complaintsFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday. The win also secured the fourth postseason appearance in Jim Harbaugh’s five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his stint with the San Francisco 49ers. Herbert finished 26 of 38 for 281 yards to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson. Ladd McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and pulled in TD throws of 6 and 40 yards. With a 10-yard reception in the second quarter he passed 1,000 yards receiving for the season, making him the third Chargers rookie receiver to reach that milestone. JK Dobbins rushed 19 times for 76 yards and a TD. The Patriots have lost six straight games, their second such losing streak of the season. They are now 2-14 the last two seasons at home. New England quarterback Drake Maye finished 12 of 22 for 117 yards and a touchdown. He became the first rookie quarterback in franchise history with a TD pass in eight straight games. But he was sacked four times, and a second-quarter fumble marked his eighth straight game with at least one turnover. Los Angeles outgained New England 428-181 for the game. Maye briefly left the game to be evaluated for a head injury following a blow to his helmet in the first quarter. He was scrambling near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart, jarring the ball loose as Maye spun out of bounds. No flag was thrown on the play and Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field. He initially sat on the bench before going to the medical tent for evaluation. He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett in the next series, which ended in a punt. But after further evaluation in the locker room and a Cameron Dicker 27-yard field goal put the Chargers in front 10-0, Maye returned to the game for the Patriots’ third series, at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. Maye scrambled for 9 yards on his first play back, ending with him being hit by linebacker Junior Colson as he slid to the ground. Colson was flagged for unnecessary roughness. Five plays later, Maye mistimed a toss to Demario Douglas, causing a fumble that was recovered by Derwin James. The Chargers took over on the New England 24 and nine plays later, Herbert connected with McConkey for a 6-yard touchdown pass to put Los Angeles in front 17-0. Chargers: WR Joshua Palmer left the game in the third quarter with a heel injury. DB Elijah Molden limped off the field after a collision in the third quarter. He returned but was later driven off the field on a golf cart because of a shin injury. Patriots: In addition to Maye, CB Christian Gonzalez left the game in the second quarter to be evaluated for a head injury and was later ruled out with a concussion. McConkey, a second-round draft selection, also set a Chargers rookie record for catches, surpassing Keenan Allen, who had 71 in 2013. Chargers: Visit Las Vegas in their regular-season finale. Patriots: Host Buffalo next Sunday in their season finale. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Over 18,000 people in Mexico have registered online to run for Supreme Court seats and federal judgeships in the country's contentious new selection process , but a random drawing in the end will determine who gets on the ballot, officials said Monday. The ruling party pushed through a constitutional reform in September to make all federal judges stand for election, replacing the system where court employees and lawyers mainly move up through the ranks. Current court employees and their supporters have staged dozens of demonstrations against the reforms, calling them part of a ruling-party campaign to weaken checks and balances and eliminate independent regulatory and oversight bodies. Now, candidates for Supreme Court seats and federal judgeships need only a law degree, a grade point average of 3.2, “five years of professional experience” and five letters of recommendation from neighbors or friends. That, and some luck in the final drawing. Officials rejected criticism that has called the process rushed or amateurish for the often highly technical posts that can hear cases including intellectual property, organized crime and Constitutional law. “The results have been spectacular,” said Arturo Zaldivar, a top advisor to President Claudia Sheinbaum. According to the plan, evaluation committees will have just over a month to review thousands of resumes and whittle the field to about 10 candidates or less for each for the 881 judgeships and nine seats on the Supreme Court. Then 1,793 names chosen at random from those selected will appear on the ballot on June 1. Critics warn that many who land on the ballot will be unknowns who perhaps have never argued a case in the courts they seek to run. “You don’t elect a doctor or a surgeon for an operation based on their popularity, you elect them based on their technical expertise, their ability, their knowledge,” said Sergio Méndez Silva, the legal coordinator for the civic group Foundation for Justice. “That also applies for a judge.” With candidates now having to run election campaigns, critics warn there's a chance drug cartels or political parties could finance them to get friendly judges onto the bench. There are also concerns that the evaluation committees deciding who makes the cut for the selection to appear on ballots may not be impartial. Most committee members were appointed by the legislative or executive branches, controlled by the ruling Morena party. Some critics argue that the current justice system, which is riddled with nepotism, corruption and a lack of accountability, needs to be changed. “We need a justice system that gives results,” said Martínez Garza, an academic and former head of the human rights commission in the northern border state of Nuevo Leon who has registered to run for a Supreme Court seat. Trials in Mexico can last for years, and the ruling party has added to the growing list of crimes for which bail is not allowed, meaning that a large percentage of the prison population is people awaiting trial.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Connecticut couple has been charged in Minnesota with being part of a shoplifting ring suspected of stealing around $1 million in goods across the country from the upscale athletic wear retailer Lululemon. Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, both of Danbury, Connecticut, were charged this month with one felony count of organized retail theft. Both went free last week after posting bail bonds of $100,000 for him and $30,000 for her, court records show. They’re due back in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul on Dec. 16. According to the criminal complaints, a Lululemon investigator had been tracking the pair even before police first confronted them on Nov. 14 at a store in suburban Roseville. The investigator told police the couple were responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses across the country, the complaints said. They would steal items and make fraudulent returns, it said. Police found suitcases containing more than $50,000 worth of Lululemon clothing when they searched the couple’s hotel room in Bloomington, the complaint said. RELATED COVERAGE Last 2 defendants await their fate as long-running YSL trial ends after a year of testimony Court hears legal arguments in sex assault case of 5 hockey players Mexico’s president unveils a plan to promote non-violent music over ‘narco corridos’ According to the investigator, they were also suspected in thefts from Lululemon stores in Colorado, Utah, New York and Connecticut, the complaint said. Within Minnesota, they were also accused of thefts at stores in Minneapolis and the suburbs of Woodbury, Edina and Minnetonka. The investigator said the two were part of a group that would usually travel to a city and hit Lululemon stores there for two days, return to the East Coast to exchange the items without receipts for new items, take back the new items with the return receipts for credit card refunds, then head back out to commit more thefts, the complaint said. In at least some of the thefts, it said, Richards would enter the store first and buy one or two cheap items. He’d then return to the sales floor where, with help from Lawes-Richards, they would remove a security sensor from another item and put it on one of the items he had just purchased. Lawes-Richards and another woman would then conceal leggings under their clothing. They would then leave together. When the security sensors at the door went off, he would offer staff the bag with the items he had bought, while the women would keep walking out, fooling the staff into thinking it was his sensor that had set off the alarm, the complaint said. Richards’ attorney declined comment. Lawes-Richards’ public defender did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. “This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable,” Tristen Shields, Lululemon’s vice president of asset protection, said in a statement. “We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industrywide issue.” The two are being prosecuted under a state law enacted last year that seeks to crack down on organized retail theft. One of its chief authors, Sen. Ron Latz, of St. Louis Park, said 34 states already had organized retail crime laws on their books. “I am glad to see it is working as intended to bring down criminal operations,” Latz said in a statement. “This type of theft harms retailers in myriad ways, including lost economic activity, job loss, and threats to worker safety when crime goes unaddressed. It also harms consumers through rising costs and compromised products being resold online.” Two Minnesota women were also charged under the new law in August. They were accused of targeting a Lululemon store in Minneapolis.

However, some state workers failed to return to their jobs and a United Nations official said the country’s public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt”. Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighbouring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Mr Assad’s brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant, who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the UN official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali for the first time. Mr Jalali stayed in Syria when Mr Assad fled and has sought to project normalcy since. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Mr Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a UN official said some government services had been paralysed as worried state employees stayed at home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt,” said Adam Abdelmoula, UN resident and humanitarian co-ordinator for Syria, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonised by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Mr Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. “I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” In a video shared on a rebel messaging channel, Mr al-Sharaa said: “You will see there are skills” among the rebels. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Mr Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Mr Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Mr Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets.

Bryce Thompson scored 17 points and achieved a milestone as Oklahoma State defeated Miami 80-74 on Friday afternoon in a Charleston Classic consolation game in Charleston, S.C. Thompson made 6-of-14 shots from the floor, surpassing 1,000 points for his career at Oklahoma State (4-1), which also got 15 points from Marchelus Avery. The Cowboys won in large part thanks to their impressive 3-point shooting (10-for-22, 45.5 percent). Oklahoma State backup guard Arturo Dean, a Miami native, posted eight points and one steal. He led the nation in steals last season while playing for Florida International. Miami (3-2) has lost two straight games in Charleston, failing to take a lead at any point. They will play on Sunday against either Nevada or VCU. The Hurricanes on Friday were led by Nijel Pack, who had a game-high 20 points. Brandon Johnson had a double-double for Miami with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Matthew Cleveland scored 11 points and Lynn Kidd and Paul Djobet added 10 points apiece for Miami. Miami, which fell behind 7-0 in Thursday's loss to Drake, got behind 9-0 on Friday as Abou Ousmane scored six of his eight points. Oklahoma State stretched its lead to 18 before settling for a 43-27 advantage at the break. Pack led all first-half scorers with 10 points, but Miami shot just 29.6 percent from the floor, including 3-of-13 on 3-pointers (23.1). Oklahoma State shot 48.4 percent, including 8-for-15 on 3-pointers (53.3 percent) before intermission. The Cowboys also had a 14-8 edge in paint points. In the second half, Miami closed its 20-point deficit to 55-42 with 12:12 left. Miami got a bit closer as two straight short jumpers by Kidd, trimming the deficit to 73-62 with 3:25 to play. The Hurricanes cut it to 77-70 on Pack's 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining, but the Cowboys hit their free throws to close out the win. --Field Level Media

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Seattle Seahawks receiver is DK Metcalf is just fine when he doesn't have the the ball because it means he gets to showcase his blocking skills. “I just look at it as a sign of respect that I’ve gained from other defensive coordinators and just continue to do my job with it as blocking or being a decoy,” the two-time Pro Bowler said. While opposing defenses have keyed in on Metcalf, other aspects of Seattle's offense have surfaced during its four-game winning streak. The run has the Seahawks (8-5) sitting atop the NFC West heading into Sunday night's game against the visiting Green Bay Packers (9-4). Geno Smith's new top target is second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who needs 89 receiving yards for his first career 1,000-yard season. Smith-Njigba has 75 catches for 911 yards and five touchdowns, while Metcalf, often dealing with double coverage, has 54 catches for 812 yards and two scores. Metcalf says he feels the pride of a “proud parent or a big brother” when it comes to Smith-Njigba's success. Seattle's offense also got a boost from the ground game in a 30-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend . Zach Charbonnet, filling in for the injured Kenneth Walker III, ran for a career-best 134 yards and two touchdowns. The Seahawks face another hot team in the Packers (9-4), who have won seven of nine. Green Bay's two losses over that stretch have come against NFC-best Detroit (12-1), including a 34-31 victory by the Lions on Dec. 5, which means the NFC North title is likely out of reach for the Packers. The Packers are well-positioned for a playoff berth, but that almost certainly won't come this weekend. They would need a win, a loss or tie by the Atlanta Falcons and a tie between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Metcalf, who learned to block from his father, former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf, says he tries to take blocking seriously to set himself apart from other receivers. His priorities are simple when he's getting double-teamed and the ball goes elsewhere. “Trying to block my (butt) off and trying to get pancakes on defensive backs,” he said. When the Packers surged their way into the playoffs last season, quarterback Jordan Love was a major reason why. He had 18 touchdown passes and one interception during Green Bay's final eight games. During the last four games of this season, Love ranks third in the NFL with a 118.9 passer rating with six touchdowns, one interception and a league-best 10.3 yards per attempt. “I always feel like I can put the ball where I want to — and that’s part of it, too, having that confidence to be able to throw those passes,” Love said. “There’s always like I said a handful of plays that might not come off or be in the exact spot that you wanted it to or the throw might be a little bit off. So, that’s where you’ve just got to try to be at your best every play, be consistent and accurate as possible.” Green Bay’s pass defense has been picked apart the last two weeks. First, it was torched by Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins in a Packers win. Next, it allowed Jared Goff to complete his final 13 passes as the Lions rallied to victory. It won’t get any easier this week. Smith is second in the NFL in attempts, completions and passing yards and is fifth in completion percentage. “It’s been a remarkable turnaround for him in terms of just where he started,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s not always where you start, but where you finish. And it tells me a lot about the person in terms of his resiliency and ability to fight through some adversity. He’s a dangerous quarterback.” The potential return of former All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) could help the Packers. Will the Packers break out their head-to-toe white uniforms? The last time Green Bay wore the winter white look was in a 24-22 win over Houston in October. The Packers asked fans to weigh in on social media . As for the Seahawks, they'll be sporting their “Action Green” uniforms. Metcalf is a fan. “I would say this about the Action Green, I love them personally in my opinion, but the big guys hate them. I don’t know why, don’t ask me," he said. “Hopefully, the Packers wear all white, so it’ll be a fun-looking game.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Appalachian State hires South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains as head coachNo. 9 Kentucky, focused on getting better, welcomes Jackson St.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Londynn Jones scored 15 points, making all five of her 3-pointers, and fifth-ranked UCLA stunned No. 1 South Carolina 77-62 on Sunday, ending the Gamecocks’ overall 43-game winning streak and their run of 33 consecutive road victories. The Gamecocks (5-1) lost for the first time since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat them in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals. Te-Hina Paopao scored 18 points and Tessa Johnson scored 14 for the Gamecocks, whose road winning streak was third-longest in Division I history. It was the first time UCLA took down a No. 1 team in school history, having been 0-20 in such games. The program's previous best wins were over a couple of No. 2s — Oregon in 2019 and Stanford in 2008. Elina Aarnisalo added 13 points as one of five Bruins in double figures. UCLA (5-0) dominated from start to finish, with the Bruins' suffocating defense preventing the Gamecocks from making any sustained scoring runs. South Carolina: The Gamecocks trailed by double-digits at halftime for the first time since Dec. 21, 2021, against Stanford, according to ESPN. Chloe Kitts, who averages a team-leading 14 points, finished the game with 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting. UCLA: The Bruins led 43-22 at halftime. Eight different players scored and contributed to 11-0 and 7-0 runs in the first and second quarters as they shot 52% from the field. The first quarter set the tone for a game in which the Gamecocks never led. They missed their first nine shots and were 4 of 18 from the floor in the quarter. UCLA ran off 11 straight points to take a 20-10 lead into the second quarter. The Bruins dominated the boards, 41-34, and held the Gamecocks well under their scoring average of 80.2 points. South Carolina travels to Florida to meet Iowa State in the Fort Myers Tipoff on Thanksgiving. UCLA travels to the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Hawaii to play UT Martin on Friday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballNEW YORK , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, Monport Laser is redefining the spirit of giving with its highly anticipated "Christmas Laser Bonanza" . Known for its industry-leading laser engraving machines, Monport Laser is offering a spectacular lineup of deals, rewards, and giveaways designed to spark creativity and make every creator's holiday truly magical. Whether you're a professional engraver, a small business owner, or a DIY enthusiast, this is your chance to bring home premium laser engraving tools at unparalleled prices. A Holiday Bonanza Like No Other Monport Laser's Christmas Laser Bonanza is packed with exciting opportunities to save big, win amazing prizes, and upgrade your engraving game. 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No. 1 South Carolina women stunned by fifth-ranked UCLA 77-62, ending Gamecocks' 43-game win streakNoneWednesday, December 18, 2024 On December 17, in South Carolina, USA, and Hanover, Germany – Custom Travel Solutions (CTS), a software-as-a-service platform designed for exclusive groups such as loyalty programs and membership organizations to offer travel services, along with AItensify, a German company excelling in voice and text analytics, marked the first anniversary of their partnership. This collaboration has set a new benchmark in customer service within the travel subscription industry by integrating advanced AI technologies to improve user experiences. AItensify utilizes its comprehensive analytics tools across multiple channels including voice, chat, and email. These tools transform customer interactions into quantifiable performance indicators, revolutionizing CTS’s approach to customer support. This method allows CTS to understand customer intentions, emotions, and satisfaction more deeply, enabling them to tackle issues proactively, refine interactions, and optimize processes. The resulting insights from analyzed calls, chats, and emails lead to better satisfaction ratings and increased operational effectiveness. “Customer service is at the heart of what we do,” said Mike Putman, CEO of Custom Travel Solutions (CTS) . “With AItensify’s tools, we can measure member interactions in real-time and address issues before they escalate – for example, by having a more senior person call back a customer who subtly revealed they were unhappy. This proactive approach has transformed our ability to deliver personalized and efficient support, elevating satisfaction levels across the board for our clients.” “The insights we’ve gained from this collaboration are invaluable,” added Putman . “We iterate the program monthly, introducing new features and refining our approach to ensure we stay ahead of customer needs. This is just the beginning of what we can achieve together.” “In this competitive era, our collaboration with CTS demonstrates the power of pairing advanced analytics with a customer-first philosophy,” said Markus Stumpe, CEO of AItensify. “Our technology provides actionable insights and facilitates a continuous feedback loop, enabling CTS to deliver exceptional service while achieving operational efficiency.” “This partnership also marks our expansion into the U.S. travel subscription market, showcasing our adaptability across industries. Together, we are setting benchmarks for how AI can redefine customer service, emphasizing personalization and efficiency,” added Stumpe. The joint effort has yielded considerable achievements, notably a significant boost in customer satisfaction attributed to sentiment analysis and rapid resolution of concerns. CTS has also seen advancements in efficiency by applying AI-driven insights to diminish manual tasks and enhance workflow management while maintaining high service quality. Moreover, the initiative includes proactive customer interactions, with automated follow-ups activated by low sentiment scores to ensure that all member issues are swiftly resolved.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Londynn Jones scored 15 points, making all five of her 3-pointers, and fifth-ranked UCLA stunned No. 1 South Carolina 77-62 on Sunday, ending the Gamecocks’ overall 43-game winning streak and their run of 33 consecutive road victories. The Gamecocks (5-1) lost for the first time since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat them in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals. Te-Hina Paopao scored 18 points and Tessa Johnson scored 14 for the Gamecocks, whose road winning streak was third-longest in Division I history. It was the first time UCLA took down a No. 1 team in school history, having been 0-20 in such games. The program's previous best wins were over a couple of No. 2s — Oregon in 2019 and Stanford in 2008. Elina Aarnisalo added 13 points as one of five Bruins in double figures. UCLA (5-0) dominated from start to finish, with the Bruins' suffocating defense preventing the Gamecocks from making any sustained scoring runs. South Carolina: The Gamecocks trailed by double-digits at halftime for the first time since Dec. 21, 2021, against Stanford, according to ESPN. Chloe Kitts, who averages a team-leading 14 points, finished the game with 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting. UCLA: The Bruins led 43-22 at halftime. Eight different players scored and contributed to 11-0 and 7-0 runs in the first and second quarters as they shot 52% from the field. The first quarter set the tone for a game in which the Gamecocks never led. They missed their first nine shots and were 4 of 18 from the floor in the quarter. UCLA ran off 11 straight points to take a 20-10 lead into the second quarter. The Bruins dominated the boards, 41-34, and held the Gamecocks well under their scoring average of 80.2 points. South Carolina travels to Florida to meet Iowa State in the Fort Myers Tipoff on Thanksgiving. UCLA travels to the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Hawaii to play UT Martin on Friday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

No. 1 South Carolina women stunned by fifth-ranked UCLA 77-62, ending Gamecocks' 43-game win streakFarmer's 22 lead Youngstown State over Oakland 66-50

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MONROE, La. (AP) — Robert Davis Jr.'s 32 points led Old Dominion over UL Monroe 80-75 in overtime on Saturday. Davis shot 8 of 17 from the field, including 7 for 14 from 3-point range, and went 9 for 12 from the line for the Monarchs (4-8, 1-0 Sun Belt Conference). Sean Durugordon scored 15 points while shooting 4 of 11 from the field and 6 for 6 from the line and added five rebounds. R.J. Blakney had 11 points and went 5 of 11 from the field (0 for 4 from 3-point range). Old Dominion led 68-63 with 21 seconds left in regulation but the Warhawks came up with a Jacob Wilson 3-pointer, a Jalen Bolden steal and two free throws by Bolden to force overtime. In OT, Davis hit a tying 3-pointer with 1:09 to go and the Monarchs held the Warhawks scoreless over the final 97 seconds. The Warhawks (4-10, 0-1) were led by Wilson, who recorded 23 points, six rebounds and three steals. Bolden added 17 points and two steals for UL Monroe. Tyreese Watson finished with 14 points and six assists. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Thomas R yank EustisATLANTA (AP) — Dillon Mitchell had 14 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season, and No. 18 Cincinnati beat Georgia Tech 81-58 on Saturday. Jizzle James and Cole Hickman also scored 14 points apiece for the Bearcats (5-0), who passed the first true test of the young season against their first major conference opponent in the Yellow Jackets of the ACC. Naithan George made three 3-pointers while scoring 13 points for Georgia Tech (2-3). Duncan Powell added 10 points, while leading scorer Baye Ndogo finished with just five points. Cincinnati: The Bearcats rode hot shooting to their decisive win, particularly from behind the arc. Cincinnati shot 41% (9 for 22) from 3-point range and 52% (32 for 62) overall. Georgia Tech: Despite four Yellow Jackets averaging in double-digit points this season, only George and Powell managed to break the 10-point mark. Georgia Tech shot just 36% (21 for 59) from the field and 55% (11 for 20) from the free-throw line. After surrendering the game’s opening basket, Cincinnati forced seven Georgia Tech turnovers in six minutes and reeled off a 14-2 run. Cincinnati's defense was stifling, holding down a Georgia Tech offense that had been averaging 82 points. The Bearcats had a strong day inside, outscoring the Yellow Jackets 44-28 in the paint. Cincinnati hosts Alabama State on Wednesday, and Georgia Tech continues its seven-game homestand against Charleston Southern, also on Wednesday.super ace jili trial 。

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Police are seeking information about an assault and theft at a Barnawartha North campground. or signup to continue reading Investigators are examining the circumstances of the incident, which took place on Wednesday last week. Police said the offence, at Richardsons Bend, occurred about 6.30pm on November 27. The offender is described as being of Indigenous appearance, with a scar on his nose and a cross necklace. He is about 183 centimetres tall, has shoulder length pale hair, and a large stomach. The man had a light blue car with him. Anyone with information can call police on (02) 6049 2600 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementPNC Financial Services Group Inc. Reduces Stake in Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:TXRH)

CLI to issue P5-B sustainability bondsAmerican University to Welcome Recent Graduate Sean Astin, SPA/MPAP '24, as Commencement Speaker for Fall Commencement

Carolyn Dickens, 76, was sitting at her dining room table, struggling to catch her breath as her physician looked on with concern. “What’s going on with your breathing?” asked Peter Gliatto, director of Mount Sinai’s Visiting Doctors Program. “I don’t know,” she answered, so softly it was hard to hear. “Going from here to the bathroom or the door, I get really winded. I don’t know when it’s going to be my last breath.” Dickens, a lung cancer survivor, lives in central Harlem, barely getting by. She has serious lung disease and high blood pressure and suffers regular fainting spells. In the past year, she’s fallen several times and dropped to 85 pounds, a dangerously low weight. And she lives alone, without any help — a highly perilous situation. Across the country, about 2 million adults 65 and older are completely or mostly homebound, while an additional 5.5 million seniors can get out only with significant difficulty or assistance. This is almost surely an undercount, since the data is from more than a dozen years ago. It’s a population whose numbers far exceed those living in nursing homes — about 1.2 million — and yet it receives much less attention from policymakers, legislators, and academics who study aging. Consider some eye-opening statistics about completely homebound seniors from a study published in 2020 in JAMA Internal Medicine : Nearly 40% have five or more chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease. Almost 30% are believed to have “probable dementia.” Seventy-seven percent have difficulty with at least one daily task such as bathing or dressing. Almost 40% live by themselves. That “on my own” status magnifies these individuals’ already considerable vulnerability, something that became acutely obvious during the covid-19 outbreak, when the number of sick and disabled seniors confined to their homes doubled. “People who are homebound, like other individuals who are seriously ill, rely on other people for so much,” said Katherine Ornstein, director of the Center for Equity in Aging at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. “If they don’t have someone there with them, they’re at risk of not having food, not having access to health care, not living in a safe environment.” Research has shown that older homebound adults are less likely to receive regular primary care than other seniors. They’re also more likely to end up in the hospital with medical crises that might have been prevented if someone had been checking on them. To better understand the experiences of these seniors, I accompanied Gliatto on some home visits in New York City. Mount Sinai’s Visiting Doctors Program, established in 1995, is one of the oldest in the nation. Only 12% of older U.S. adults who rarely or never leave home have access to this kind of home-based primary care. Gliatto and his staff — seven part-time doctors, three nurse practitioners, two nurses, two social workers, and three administrative staffers — serve about 1,000 patients in Manhattan each year. These patients have complicated needs and require high levels of assistance. In recent years, Gliatto has had to cut staff as Mount Sinai has reduced its financial contribution to the program. It doesn’t turn a profit, because reimbursement for services is low and expenses are high. First, Gliatto stopped in to see Sandra Pettway, 79, who never married or had children and has lived by herself in a two-bedroom Harlem apartment for 30 years. Pettway has severe spinal problems and back pain, as well as Type 2 diabetes and depression. She has difficulty moving around and rarely leaves her apartment. “Since the pandemic, it’s been awfully lonely,” she told me. When I asked who checks in on her, Pettway mentioned her next-door neighbor. There’s no one else she sees regularly. Pettway told the doctor she was increasingly apprehensive about an upcoming spinal surgery. He reassured her that Medicare would cover in-home nursing care, aides, and physical therapy services. “Someone will be with you, at least for six weeks,” he said. Left unsaid: Afterward, she would be on her own. (The surgery in April went well, Gliatto reported later.) The doctor listened carefully as Pettway talked about her memory lapses. “I can remember when I was a year old, but I can’t remember 10 minutes ago,” she said. He told her that he thought she was managing well but that he would arrange testing if there was further evidence of cognitive decline. For now, he said, he’s not particularly worried about her ability to manage on her own. Several blocks away, Gliatto visited Dickens, who has lived in her one-bedroom Harlem apartment for 31 years. Dickens told me she hasn’t seen other people regularly since her sister, who used to help her out, had a stroke. Most of the neighbors she knew well have died. Her only other close relative is a niece in the Bronx whom she sees about once a month. Dickens worked with special-education students for decades in New York City’s public schools. Now she lives on a small pension and Social Security — too much to qualify for Medicaid. (Medicaid, the program for low-income people, will pay for aides in the home. Medicare, which covers people over age 65, does not.) Like Pettway, she has only a small fixed income, so she can’t afford in-home help. Every Friday, God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that prepares medically tailored meals for sick people, delivers a week’s worth of frozen breakfasts and dinners that Dickens reheats in the microwave. She almost never goes out. When she has energy, she tries to do a bit of cleaning. Without the ongoing attention from Gliatto, Dickens doesn’t know what she’d do. “Having to get up and go out, you know, putting on your clothes, it’s a task,” she said. “And I have the fear of falling.” The next day, Gliatto visited Marianne Gluck Morrison, 73, a former survey researcher for New York City’s personnel department, in her cluttered Greenwich Village apartment. Morrison, who doesn’t have any siblings or children, was widowed in 2010 and has lived alone since. Morrison said she’d been feeling dizzy over the past few weeks, and Gliatto gave her a basic neurological exam, asking her to follow his fingers with her eyes and touch her fingers to her nose. “I think your problem is with your ear, not your brain,” he told her, describing symptoms of vertigo. Because she had severe wounds on her feet related to Type 2 diabetes, Morrison had been getting home health care for several weeks through Medicare. But those services — help from aides, nurses, and physical therapists — were due to expire in two weeks. “I don’t know what I’ll do then, probably just spend a lot of time in bed,” Morrison told me. Among her other medical conditions: congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis, an irregular heartbeat, chronic kidney disease, and depression. Morrison hasn’t left her apartment since November 2023, when she returned home after a hospitalization and several months at a rehabilitation center. Climbing the three steps that lead up into her apartment building is simply too hard. “It’s hard to be by myself so much of the time. It’s lonely,” she told me. “I would love to have people see me in the house. But at this point, because of the clutter, I can’t do it.” When I asked Morrison who she feels she can count on, she listed Gliatto and a mental health therapist from Henry Street Settlement, a social services organization. She has one close friend she speaks with on the phone most nights. “The problem is I’ve lost eight to nine friends in the last 15 years,” she said, sighing heavily. “They’ve died or moved away.” Bruce Leff, director of the Center for Transformative Geriatric Research at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, is a leading advocate of home-based medical care. “It’s kind of amazing how people find ways to get by,” he said when I asked him about homebound older adults who live alone. “There’s a significant degree of frailty and vulnerability, but there is also substantial resilience.” With the rapid expansion of the aging population in the years ahead, Leff is convinced that more kinds of care will move into the home, everything from rehab services to palliative care to hospital-level services. “It will simply be impossible to build enough hospitals and health facilities to meet the demand from an aging population,” he said. But that will be challenging for homebound older adults who are on their own. Without on-site family caregivers, there may be no one around to help manage this home-based care. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF . Subscribe to KFF Health News ’ free Morning Briefing. This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE:KMI) Shares Bought by PNC Financial Services Group Inc.

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ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (AP) — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's home was broken into during Monday Night Football in the latest home invasion of a pro athlete in the U.S., authorities said Tuesday. No one was injured in the break-in, but the home was ransacked, according to a report provided by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Deputies weren't immediately able to determine what items were stolen. A person who is employed by Burrow arrived at the Anderson Township home Monday night to find a shattered bedroom window and the home in disarray. The person called their mother, and then 911 was contacted, according to the report. Deputies reached out to neighbors in an attempt to piece together surveillance footage. “Our investigators are exploring every avenue,” public information officer Kyla Woods said. The homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were broken into in October. In the NBA , Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis had his home broken into Nov. 2 and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr.'s home was burglarized on Sept. 15 while he was at a Minnesota Vikings game. Portis had offered a $40,000 reward for information. Both the NFL and NBA issued security alerts to players after those break-ins, urging them to take additional precautions to secure their homes. In league memos previously obtained by The Associated Press, the NFL said homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” And the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets, including attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in the neighborhood, according to officials. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been slapped with criminal fraud charges in the US for allegedly orchestrating a $250m (£198m) bribery scheme to secure lucrative renewable energy contracts in his home country. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn , New York , unsealed the five-count indictment on Wednesday, alleging Mr Adani and seven other associates, including nephew Sagar Adani, bribed Indian public officials, concealed the scheme, and made false statements to raise $3bn (£2.4bn) from American and international investors. Mr Adani, one of the world’s richest people, has faced fraud allegations earlier as well, but denied wrongdoing. He is regarded as a close ally of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi . Mr Adani, 62, has been charged with conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, directly advancing the bribery scheme, and obstructing investigations that began in 2022. The contracts to sell 12 gigawatts of solar power that his conglomerate obtained between 2020 and 2024 in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh allegedly through the bribery scheme are expected to generate over $2bn (£1.58bn) in profit. “On several occasions, Gautam S Adani personally met with an Indian government official to advance the bribery scheme and the defendants held in-person meetings with each other to discuss aspects of its execution. The defendants frequently discussed their efforts in furtherance of the bribery scheme, including through an electronic messaging application,” the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York said in a statement. It said the defendants meticulously documented the bribery scheme. Sagar Adani, 30, used his phone to log details of the alleged bribes. Another accused, Vineet S Jaain, 53, photographed documents summarising bribe amounts owed while Rupesh Agarwal created and shared analyses via PowerPoint and Excel outlining strategies to pay and conceal the bribes, the indictment alleged. The Adani Group has said the allegations are baseless and vowed to seek "all possible legal recourse". “Our stakeholders, partners and employees know that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws,” a spokesperson said. Lawyers representing Mr Adani have not issued a statement. The indictment against Mr Adani has jolted debt and equity markets in India. Adani Group bonds fell in value after the news broke, but the stocks of the conglomerate’s companies stabilised on Friday after having lost nearly $27bn in market value. India’s main opposition party, the Congress, has called for an investigation into Mr Adani’s ties with the prime minister. “When a top ranking Indian businessman is indicted by a foreign country, it tarnishes our image at the global stage,” the party’s president, Mallikarjun Kharge, said. “The Indian National Congress has been continuously objecting to unethical business practices, which profiteer and promote certain individuals by implementing Modi government’s policy of creating monopolies in key sectors and concentrating wealth in the hands of few by giving undue favours.” Senior Congress member Jairam Ramesh said the indictment is “consistent with a long record of fraud and criminality carried out with impunity with the obvious protection of the prime minister”. Mr Adani has risen from making a fortune in the coal business in the 1990s to becoming one of the richest and most influential people in India. His Adani Group has expanded vastly in the past decade or so, with interests ranging from defence manufacturing to infrastructure to selling cooking oil. In recent years, the group has made big moves in the renewable energy sector, marketing this with the slogan, “Growth with Goodness.” The group has a clean energy portfolio of over 20 gigawatts that includes one of the world’s largest solar power plants in the state of Tamil Nadu. The Adani Group has said it wants to become India’s biggest player in the sector by 2030. Mr Adani said in 2022 the company will invest $70 billion in clean energy projects by 2032.Dayan Nessah scores 19 as George Washington defeats UVA-Wise 102-62None

Global Life Science Reagents Market Set For 7.2% Growth, Reaching $69.03 Billion By 2028

After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soonAU President Jonathan Alger and Mr. Astin will celebrate the Class of 2024 on Dec. 15 WASHINGTON , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American University is proud to present Sean Astin --fondly known to many as Mikey Walsh in The Goonies, Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Rudy Ruettiger in the sports classic Rudy, and Bob Newby in the Netflix's hit series Stranger Things--as the keynote speaker for fall commencement. Astin is also a recent graduate of the School of Public Affairs, earning his master's degree in public administration and policy. During the ceremonies, Astin will be awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Though many are familiar with his onscreen work, Astin is also known for his stewardship and leadership with his union, SAG-AFTRA. Serving on the National and Los Angeles Local Boards as well as on many committees, such as the Executive, Strike Preparedness, Government Affairs and Public Policy, and Government Rules. Astin served on the 2023 TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee, which oversaw the historic 118-day summer strike, —one of the longest labor outages in Hollywood history, which resulted in $1 billion in gains for SAG-AFTRA and new protections around AI technology. The native Angeleno also served under six cabinet secretaries in two presidential administrations as a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army. Astin was appointed to serve as a nonpartisan on the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. "Through his longtime career as an actor, his civic engagement, and his work as a mental health advocate, Sean Astin exemplifies what it means to be a lifelong learner and community-builder, which are both important parts of what we do and who we are at American University ," said AU President Jonathan Alger . "And, as an Eagle himself, Sean will inspire our graduates with his journey and his continued quest to build change in our world." Astin regularly speaks to universities, corporations, and nonprofit organizations on various subjects, including leadership, acting, and with a special emphasis on mental health. His dedication to advancing the conversation around mental health continues the legacy of the late Patty Duke , who was a champion for those who are impacted. "I have always had a passion for public policy and administration. Completing my degree at American University this year is the realization of a lifelong dream. At this moment in the history of our country, nothing is more important than affirming the value of the skill, talent, and dedication of our civil servants," Astin said. "Starting during COVID, the American University online program was an incredible guide. From the curriculum to my cohort, my academic journey was rigorous and fulfilling. I am thrilled at the opportunity to be delivering this year's commencement address. I believe that my mission is to offer praise and appreciation for everyone's accomplishments and to share some thoughts on our path forward." Sean Astin and President Alger will celebrate approximately 1,475 graduates, who will receive their degrees from all eight of AU's schools during ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in Bender Arena on the AU campus. Students will also hear from fellow graduates at each of the ceremonies: This is American University's 148 th commencement. Sean Astin joins other notable American University fall commencement speakers such as Abby Phillip , CNN senior political correspondent and anchor of NewsNight , Andrea Mitchell , host of MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports , and recently Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy . ABOUT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY : American University leverages the power and purpose of scholarship, learning, and community to impact our changing world. AU's faculty, students, staff, and alumni are changemakers who shape the future from sustainability to social justice to the sciences. Building on our 130-year history of education and research in the public interest, we say "Challenge Accepted " to addressing the world's pressing issues. Our Change Can't Wait comprehensive campaign creates transformative educational opportunities, advances research with impact, and builds stronger communities. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-university-to-welcome-recent-graduate-sean-astin-spampap-24-as-commencement-speaker-for-fall-commencement-302320024.html SOURCE American University

(TNS) — Guilford Technical Community College plans to renovate the Johnson Warehouse on its High Point campus with money from a $5 million grant focused on environmental and climate justice challenges and workforce training for green jobs. The 13,200-square-foot building, currently used for storage, will be turned into state-of-the-art facilities for four programs: HVAC, construction, hotel and apartment maintenance, and a program to be determined. The grant is part of $1.6 billion in funding recently announced by the Environmental Protection Agency for 105 selected applications from across the country. “We are grateful the EPA selected the SWRF grant and for GTCC to be involved in such an important and impactful endeavor for our community and students,” said GTCC President Anthony Clarke. “This funding will allow us to have a positive impact on the High Point community surrounding our downtown campus, while providing students with the best possible environment to learn high demand skilled trades.” GTCC purchased the property at 721 S. Hamilton St. in 2007, according to documents from the Guilford County Register of Deeds. In an email to the News & Record, Clarke said that $4.4 million will be spent to transform the Johnson Warehouse into a skilled trades center and the school hopes to complete the renovations “within 1.5-2 years after the funds are secure.” Once completed, the renovated facilities will be used to train approximately 75 students a year for green jobs that are projected to provide at least $40,000 a year in earnings and an annual economic impact of $3 million for the community. Additionally, GTCC will spend $81,950 of the grant money to support students attending classes at the High Point Skilled Trades Center with a full-time career navigator who will provide direct support to eligible and current students about career pathways, academic plans, goal identification, and barrier removal. The grant will also be used to cover the addition of two electric-powered 15-person vans allowing local residents means to travel to GTCC’s campus, and an EV charging station will be installed at the High Point campus. According to Clarke, a little over $300,000 will be spent on the vans and one of the vans will be wheelchair-accessible. Finally, some money from the grant will be used to provide a work-based learning opportunity for GTCC students enrolled in the Civil Engineering Technology and Geomatics Technology Associate in Applied Science programs. These students will work in partnership with N.C. State University and the Piedmont Conservation Council to test water quality along Richland Creek. According to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality “Richland Creek is currently impaired for recreation due to high levels of fecal coliform bacteria, which is used as an indicator of the possible presence of blood borne pathogens.” “This component of the grant will provide GTCC students with an opportunity to gain field experience by assisting Dr. Jay Levine (NC State University) with the water testing and geospatial mapping project of Richland Creek,” Clarke said. “GTCC students will assist Levine’s field team with water sampling, mapping, and public outreach on the research findings. Grant funds will be used to pay students an hourly wage for this work-based learning opportunity.”

Amir’S Decade In Huai’An: A Journey Of Innovation And ConnectionBy Funto Omojola, NerdWallet Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a “state of credit card report” for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. OK, but let’s start with bonus rewards From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it’s not just about the rewards. Instant credit access Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. Convenience and safety As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Related Articles Business | Event promoters, hotels and lodging sites soon will have to disclose extra fees up front Business | Should you donate your points and miles to charity? Business | Skip the holiday debt by planning before you spend Business | 5 ways to tell if you’re on track for retirement — and 5 things to do if you need to catch up, according to experts Business | The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don’t use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders’ status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted “token” that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn’t require you to have your physical cards present, there’s less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com. The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet .

The morning began with a stunning resignation: Chrystia Freeland announced her resignation as Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Finance department the very day Canada’s Fall Economic Statement (FES) was announced. Only a few journalists stayed until the mini-budget was released in the mid afternoon. Canada’s National Observer stuck it out to bring you the biggest climate takeaways while Canada stares down the threat of a Trump tariff wall. The accelerated investment incentive — a tax credit system that gives businesses a tax break for investments in machinery and equipment — accounts for about three quarters of the new spending in the FES, David Macdonald, senior economist for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, told Canada’s National Observer. The program was developed by Freeland’s predecessor Bill Morneau and was due to ramp down in the coming years. The tax credit is being topped up to a total value of $17 billion over five years starting in 2025-26, up from the $35 million that will be spent this fiscal year, effectively extending the program through the decade. To put it in perspective, the extension is more than 10 times the $1.6-billion GST tax holiday, Macdonald said. The announced fund includes additional green investment with a 100-per-cent tax deduction for climate-friendly machinery and equipment purchases like electric vehicles. But the program also opens the door for further tax breaks for the oil and gas industry, including oil and gas property expenses, according to the FES. “A major beneficiary of it is, generally, the oil and gas sector, one of the biggest capital investors in the country,” Macdonald said. “The equipment that you buy to extract more oil from the oilsands, you can write that off more quickly.” Macdonald questioned whether these measures would insulate the economic shock a Trump tariff regime could bring, arguing that “continued corporate tax break isn’t going to make any difference.” “If there’s a 25-per-cent tariff wall — if that’s the test — I think it’s going to fail pretty badly,” Macdonald said. Instead of an insulator from tariff shocks, he said the fund acts as a “huge gift to the corporate sector.” Methane pyrolysis is now grouped under Ottawa’s investments into clean hydrogen, opening the door to use gas reserves for cleaner fuels. The Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit that supports the cost of eligible equipment used in clean hydrogen production. It is expected to cost $43.5 million over five years, starting in 2025. Support varies between 15 and 40 per cent of eligible expenses based on the hydrogen’s assessed carbon intensity, with projects that produce the cleanest hydrogen receiving the highest levels of support. Methane pyrolysis is a nascent method of splitting methane molecules into solid hydrogen and carbon — which is controversial because, although it reduces emissions, it still releases some and encourages the continued production of gas. A senior finance official told Canada’s National Observer that development of the technology has the potential to replace some of the need for carbon capture, utilization and storage. Equipment used to convert clean hydrogen to ammonia may also be eligible for a 15 per cent tax credit. Labour requirements must be met to receive maximum credit rates. The economic statement included more information about the design and implementation of the Electric Vehicle Supply Chain tax credit to further incentivize Canadian corporations to invest in the growth of Canada’s EV industry. This 10 per cent refundable tax credit would require investment in three segments of the supply chain, including EV assembly, battery production and cathode active material production. To be eligible, corporations will have to acquire at least $100 million dollars in property, which includes buildings, structures and their component parts, eligible for the Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit in EV assembly, battery production and cathode production for a total of $300 million in investment, with some wiggle room for subsidiary companies that do two of the above. The credit will be granted for property which are acquired and in use on or after Jan. 1, 2024. The tax credit will be maintained for nearly a decade before being reduced to five per cent for 2033 and by 2034, it will no longer be in effect. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to deem the federal Impact Assessment Act unconstitutional, Ottawa now intends to change the regulations governing what kinds of projects are subject to a federal assessment. A senior finance official said the changes are “potentially significant” for major projects seeking approvals. Ottawa plans to allow for regulators like the Canada Energy Regulator, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and offshore petroleum boards to be the sole approver of projects, side-stepping the federal impact assessment processes. For example, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission alone could apply for certain brownfield nuclear projects, rather than requiring a federal impact assessment. The federal government will deliver Indigenous loan guarantees through a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Canada Development Investment Corporation. The subsidiary will operate as the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation. Loans will be worth between $20 million and $1 billion and can apply to any sector. Ottawa will be announcing the first Indigenous loan guarantees in the near term. Matteo Cimellaro / Canada’s National Observer / Local Journalism InitiativeEmpowered Funds LLC lowered its position in shares of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. ( NYSE:ETD – Free Report ) by 70.5% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 33,804 shares of the company’s stock after selling 80,694 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Ethan Allen Interiors were worth $1,078,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in ETD. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Ethan Allen Interiors by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,640,722 shares of the company’s stock valued at $56,720,000 after purchasing an additional 25,472 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its position in Ethan Allen Interiors by 4.5% during the second quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 888,760 shares of the company’s stock valued at $24,788,000 after buying an additional 38,101 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in Ethan Allen Interiors by 15.3% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 547,959 shares of the company’s stock worth $15,283,000 after acquiring an additional 72,767 shares during the period. Hodges Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Ethan Allen Interiors by 16.6% during the 2nd quarter. Hodges Capital Management Inc. now owns 544,546 shares of the company’s stock valued at $15,187,000 after acquiring an additional 77,565 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ethan Allen Interiors by 2,127.1% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 157,480 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,392,000 after purchasing an additional 150,409 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.80% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Telsey Advisory Group restated a “market perform” rating and set a $32.00 price target on shares of Ethan Allen Interiors in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Insider Activity at Ethan Allen Interiors In related news, CEO M Farooq Kathwari sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.87, for a total value of $308,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,698,905 shares in the company, valued at approximately $52,445,197.35. This represents a 0.59 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . In the last quarter, insiders sold 30,000 shares of company stock valued at $913,800. 10.48% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Ethan Allen Interiors Stock Up 2.1 % Ethan Allen Interiors stock opened at $29.92 on Friday. Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. has a 12 month low of $26.53 and a 12 month high of $35.62. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $30.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $29.55. The stock has a market cap of $760.74 million, a P/E ratio of 11.84 and a beta of 1.27. Ethan Allen Interiors Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 12th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.21%. Ethan Allen Interiors’s dividend payout ratio is 63.16%. Ethan Allen Interiors Company Profile ( Free Report ) Ethan Allen Interiors Inc operates as an interior design company, and manufacturer and retailer of home furnishings in the United States, Mexico, Honduras, and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Wholesale and Retail. Its products include case goods items, such as beds, dressers, armoires, tables, chairs, buffets, entertainment units, home office furniture, and wooden accents; upholstery comprising fabric-covered items, such as sleepers, recliners and other motion furniture, chairs, ottomans, custom pillows, sofas, loveseats, cut fabrics, and leather; and home accent items consisting of window treatments and drapery hardware, wall decors, florals, lighting, clocks, mattresses, bedspreads, throws, pillows, decorative accents, area rugs, wall coverings, and home and garden furnishings. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ETD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. ( NYSE:ETD – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Ethan Allen Interiors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ethan Allen Interiors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Carson Beck completed 20 of 31 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns as No. 10 Georgia pummeled UMass 59-21 on Saturday in Athens, Ga. Nate Frazier ran for career highs of 136 yards and three touchdowns, while Arian Smith caught three passes for 110 yards and a score as the Bulldogs (9-2) won their second straight game and 30th straight at home, dating back to 2019. AJ Hairston completed 7 of 16 passes for 121 yards and a score for the Minutemen (2-9), who dropped their third straight. Jalen John ran for 107 yards and a score and Jakobie Keeney-James caught three passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Peyton Woodring kicked a 53-yard field goal to extend Georgia's lead to 31-14 on the first drive of the third quarter. But UMass wasted little time responding, as Hairston hit Keeney-James for a 75-yard touchdown to get the deficit down to 10. Georgia then finished its sixth straight drive with a score, as Frazier's 9-yard run up the middle gave the Bulldogs a 38-21 lead at the 8:44 mark of the third quarter. After UMass punted, Georgia played add-on in its next possession, with Frazier scoring from 15 yards out with 1:39 left in the third to lead 45-21. Frazier stamped his career day with his third touchdown run, a 2-yarder with 6:33 left, before Georgia capped the scoring with Chris Cole's 28-yard fumble return with 3:28 remaining. UMass took the game's opening drive 75 yards down the field -- aided by Ahmad Haston's 38-yard run -- and scored on CJ Hester's 1-yard run with 9:15 left. Georgia answered on its ensuing drive, as Beck's 17-yard passing touchdown to Oscar Delp tied the game at the 5:05 mark of the first quarter. Following a short punt by UMass, Beck connected with Smith for 49 yards, and a roughing-the-passer penalty put the ball at Minutemen's 14-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-4 from the 8-yard line, Beck found Cash Jones for a touchdown to take a 14-7 lead with 10:30 left in the second quarter. On UMass' next play from scrimmage, Raylen Wilson recovered John's fumble on the Minutemen's 28-yard line. Three plays later, Beck connected with Dominic Lovett for a 15-yard touchdown with 8:56 remaining. UMass then scored after a 14-play, 75-yard drive, finished off with John's 3-yard rushing score with 1:55 left in the first half. Georgia answered quickly, as Beck's 20-yard pass to Cole Speer set up a 34-yard touchdown pass to Smith with 43 seconds remaining, giving the Bulldogs a 28-14 halftime lead. --Field Level Media

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WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s public justification of his decision to pardon his son — accusing the Justice Department of political targeting — threatens to undermine the image he carefully cultivated through decades in politics as an honest broker whose principal loyalty was to protecting the sanctity of critical U.S. institutions. Biden’s 180-degree turn on pardoning his son led Republicans to accuse the president of lying to the public ahead of the election only to reverse course after the political stakes disappeared. The White House provided scant justification for the reversal, offering merely that Biden changed his mind after “wrestling” with the decision over a Thanksgiving holiday spent partly with his son. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Macron seeks new French government amid political chaos

Kool-Aid McKinstry eager for another shot at Malik Nabers: 'I feel like I match up good'Wednesday’s college basketball schedule features plenty of excitement, including a matchup between the Cornell Big Red and the Syracuse Orange, and there are our best bets against the spread for 10 games below. Watch men’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .

Scientists have developed a hand-y way to spot a lush. Researchers in the UK have found that someone’s love of the sauce may be linked to testosterone exposure in the womb — which has a distinct effect on a baby’s hand development, per a boozy study published in the American Journal Of Human Biology. “It is possible that differences in alcohol consumption are set in the womb,” said study author John Manning, who teaches evolutionary biology at Swansea University in Wales, the Daily Mail reported. To determine how people get draughted at such an early age, the scientists surveyed more than 258 students — 169 women and 58 men — on their weekly boozing habits. They then measured the length of their fingers, which are thought to reveal how much testosterone (the male sex hormone) or estrogen (the female sex hormone) we were exposed to in the womb, and therefore our so-called level of “masculinity.” Manning specifically used the somewhat disputed method of gauging 2D:4D digit ratios, the discrepancy in length between the index and ring finger. He believed that having a longer ring finger compared to the index one correlated to more prenatal testosterone exposure while having a longer pointer digit was linked to a higher level of estrogen in the womb. “This ratio is considered to be a biomarker of the balance between fetal testosterone and estrogen,” the professor explained while describing these so-called booze clues. The bar exam found that the heavier drinkers tended to have a “low digit ratio” — meaning their ring finger is longer than their index finger — and were therefore exposed to higher levels of male sex hormones in the prenatal chamber. From this, Manning suggested that higher testosterone — referred to in the study as a “prenatal sex steroid” — results in increased alcohol tolerance and therefore boozing habits. “Enzymes in male stomachs can reduce the absorption of alcohol by 30 percent whereas females absorb more into the bloodstream,” he said. However, the study was not so men could have bragging rights about their hepatic fortitude, but rather to shed light on the prevalent issue of alcohol abuse. “Alcohol consumption is a major social and economic problem,” explained Manning. “Therefore, it is important to understand why alcohol use shows considerable differences across individuals.” One major caveat is that the study sampled only students, which may represent a small portion of the population in terms of drinking habits. He explained that more studies will be needed to determine whether the link between prenatal testosterone exposure and adult drinking is causal rather than correlational. In the past, the 2D:4D ratio has been used to predict everything from penis size t o whether someone’s mother had an above-average income.

NoneWhen Katja Vogt considers a Jaguar, she pictures a British-made car purring confidently along the Italian coastline — a vision of familiarity that conveys “that dreaming, longing feeling we all love.” She’s not sure what to think about Jaguar now after the 89-year-old company announced a radical rebranding that featured loud colors and androgynous people — but no cars. Jaguar, the company says, will now be JaGUar. It will produce only electric vehicles beginning in 2026. Say goodbye to British racing green, Cotswold Blue and black. Its colors are henceforth electric pink, red and yellow, according to a video that sparked backlash online. Its mission statement: “Create exuberance. Live vivid. Delete ordinary. Break moulds.” “Intrigued?” @Jaguar posted on social media. “Weird and unsettled” is more like it, Vogt wrote on Instagram. “Especially now, with the world feeling so dystopian,” the Cyprus-based brand designer wrote, “a heritage brand like Jaguar should be conveying feelings of safety, stability, and maybe a hint of rebellion — the kind that shakes things up in a good way, not in a way that unsettles.” Jaguar was one of several iconic companies that announced significant rebrandings in recent weeks, upending a series of commercial — and cultural — landmarks by which many modern human beings sort one another, carve out identities and recognize the world around them. Campbell’s, the 155-year-old American icon that artist Andy Warhol immortalized in pop culture decades ago, is ready for a new, soupless name. Comcast’s corporate reorganization means there will soon be two television networks with “NBC” in their name — CNBC and MSNBC — that will no longer have any corporate connection to NBC News, a U.S. legacy news outlet. One could even argue the United States itself is rebranding with the election of former President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Unlike Trump’s first election in 2016, he won the popular vote in what many called a national referendum on American identity. Are we, then, the sum total of our consumer decisions — what we buy, where we travel and whom we elect? Certainly, it’s a question for those privileged enough to be able to afford such choices. Volumes of research in the art and science of branding — from “brandr,” an old Norse word for burning symbols into the hides of livestock — say those factors do contribute to the modern sense of identity. So rebranding, especially of heritage names, can be a deeply felt affront to consumers. “It can feel like the brand is turning its back on everything that it stood for — and therefore it feels like it’s turning its back on us, the people who subscribe to that idea or ideology,” said Ali Marmaduke, strategy director with the Amsterdam-based Brand Potential. He said cultural tension — polarization — is surging over politics, wars in Russia and the Mideast, the environment, public health and more, creating what he said is known as a “polycrisis”: the idea that there are several massive crises converging that feel scary and complex. “People are understandably freaked out by that,” he said. “So we are looking for something that will help us navigate this changing, threatening world that we face.” Trump’s “Make America Great Again” qualifies. So did President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” slogan. Campbell’s soup itself — “Mmm Mmm Good” — isn’t going anywhere, CEO Mark Clouse said. The company’s new name, Campbell’s Co., will reflect “the full breadth of our portfolio,” which includes brands like Prego pasta sauce and Goldfish crackers. None of the recent activity around heritage brands sparked a backlash as ferocious as Jaguar’s. The company stood as a pillar of tradition-loving British identity since World War II. Jaguar said its approach to the rebrand was rooted in the philosophy of its founder, Sir William Lyons, to “copy nothing.” What it’s calling “the new Jaguar” will overhaul everything from the font of its name to the positioning of its famous “leaper” cat. “Exuberant modernism” will “define all aspects of the new Jaguar world,” according to the company. The approach is thought to be aimed at selling fewer cars at a six-figure price point to a more diverse customer base. The reaction ranged from bewilderment to hostility. Memes sprouted up likening the video to the Teletubbies, a Benetton ad and — perhaps predictably — a bow to “woke” culture as the blowback intersected with politics. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

DENVER (AP) — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's “America’s Got Talent” meets “American Idol,” with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it’s never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at “Dream Team” status given the men’s side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023 . The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. “We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport,” said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. “We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world.” Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores . “Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That’s something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok , the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado’s two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. “If a receiver is running around, I’m thinking, ‘OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,’” Daniels explained. “They’re like, ‘No, you can’t.’ I’m just like, ‘So I’m supposed to let this guy just run?!’ I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn.” The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. “I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. “I’m not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, ‘I played NFL football for five years. I’m popular. I have a huge name.’ I’m still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise.” Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It’s his way of working on avoiding a “defender” trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. “You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the ‘Redeem Team’ led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, ‘That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. “Everybody thinks, ‘Yeah, the U.S. just wins,’” Daniels said. “But we work hard all the time. We don’t just walk in. We don’t just get off the bus thinking, ‘We’re going to beat people.’” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

super jili ace register PITTSBURGH , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) today declared a quarterly cash dividend on all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, in an amount equal to $0.4125 per share. The dividend is payable on December 31, 2024 to the holders of record of the common stock at the close of business on December 13, 2024 . In addition, the Board of Directors declared cash dividends on the company's 10.625% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock for the period October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 . The dividend is $664.0625 per preferred share, or $0.6640625 per depository share, and is payable on December 31, 2024 to holders of record at the close of business on December 13, 2024 . About Wesco Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , Wesco is a FORTUNE 500 ® company with $22 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry's premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates nearly 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations. Contact Information Investor Relations Will Ruthrauff Director, Investor Relations 484-885-5648 Corporate Communications Jennifer Sniderman Vice President, Corporate Communications 717-579-6603 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wesco-declares-quarterly-dividend-on-common-stock-and-preferred-stock-302319822.html SOURCE Wesco International

Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutionsProtest dies, conflict survives

“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives and those who live with them,” Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks “ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting'”, adding: “In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for their swift action.” Swatting entails generating an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretences. The FBI said in a statement that it is “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners”. It added: “We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.” Among those targeted was Elise Stefanik, Mr Trump’s choice to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations. Her office said that she, her husband, and their three-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. “New York state, county law enforcement, and US Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism,” her office said in a statement. “We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7.” In Florida, meanwhile, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said in an advisory posted on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9am this morning”. While a family member resides at the address, they said “former congressman Gaetz is not a resident”, adding: “The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.” Mr Gaetz was Mr Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration amid allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Mr Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by unusual violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The US Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Mr Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a fence while Mr Trump was playing golf.

“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives and those who live with them,” Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks “ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting'”, adding: “In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for their swift action.” Swatting entails generating an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretences. The FBI said in a statement that it is “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners”. It added: “We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.” Among those targeted was Elise Stefanik, Mr Trump’s choice to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations. Her office said that she, her husband, and their three-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. “New York state, county law enforcement, and US Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism,” her office said in a statement. “We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7.” In Florida, meanwhile, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said in an advisory posted on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9am this morning”. While a family member resides at the address, they said “former congressman Gaetz is not a resident”, adding: “The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.” Mr Gaetz was Mr Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration amid allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Mr Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by unusual violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The US Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Mr Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a fence while Mr Trump was playing golf.“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives and those who live with them,” Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks “ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting'”, adding: “In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for their swift action.” Swatting entails generating an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretences. The FBI said in a statement that it is “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners”. It added: “We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.” Among those targeted was Elise Stefanik, Mr Trump’s choice to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations. Her office said that she, her husband, and their three-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. “New York state, county law enforcement, and US Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism,” her office said in a statement. “We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7.” In Florida, meanwhile, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said in an advisory posted on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9am this morning”. While a family member resides at the address, they said “former congressman Gaetz is not a resident”, adding: “The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.” Mr Gaetz was Mr Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration amid allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Mr Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by unusual violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The US Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Mr Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a fence while Mr Trump was playing golf.

The domestic stock markets on the last trading session of the week erased the losses after taking support from positive global cues that included an indication of strength in the labour market of the United States and positive sentiments in other Asian markets. At the end of the trading on Friday, the Nifty 50 at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) ended at 23,907.25, rising 557.35 points, and the BSE Sensex was at 79,117.11, up by 1961.32 points. Both Nifty and climbed over two per cent (2.39 per cent and 2.54 per cent, respectively) On Friday morning, the stock markets opened with gains after the rally in other Asian stocks. The top gainers on NSE were State Bank of India, Titan, Bajaj Finance, ITC, and TCS, while the stocks of Bajaj Auto were the losers. All the sectoral indices on NSE traded in the green territory, except Media, during the trading day. The sectoral indices of IT witnessed a strength of 3.29 per cent, the realty sector jumped 3.17 per cent, while the PSU banks upped by 2.99 and FMCG, 2.27 per cent. Among the many interesting developments in the markets, the stocks of Adani Group erased their losses and traded in green territory. On the previous trading session, the stocks of Adani Group suffered losses due to charges by US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. “Markets rallied from a significant level of support. Since the last two days, FPI positions were being built in the futures market; today that came into the cash markets too. This is more of a technical bounce from very deep oversold levels. No fundamental change per se, Ajay Bagga, banking and market expert, stated observing today’s market. Bagga added, overall, the positive global cues, positive Asia cues, and an extremely oversold market combined with this relief on the Adani front to contribute to this sharp rally today. It looks like a bottom may have been formed price-wise; time-wise we will have to wait and watch for now.” Shriram Subramanian, founder and MD, InGovern Research Services, stated that as expected, markets are trying to pull back as the implications of the Adani Group indictment sink in. Investors are seeking to buy stocks of good companies that are available at reasonable valuations. IT and pharma sectors continue to attract buying interest, he added. “The buying momentum was noticed at the 200-day EMA on the daily chart and the 50-day EMA on the weekly chart, while the RSI dipped below 30, pushing the index into the oversold range. This movement triggered value buying, particularly in large-cap quality stocks,” said VLA Ambala, co-founder of Stock Market Today, observing the market. (ANI) Also Read: Also Watch:Hisense U6N Vs Hisense U7N: which budget mini-LED TV is best for you?

IndyCar Market Industry Dynamics and Contributions by Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Newman/Haas Racing, HVM Racing, Belardi Auto Racing, Carlin, Panther Racing, Conquest Racing, Arrow McLaren SP 12-08-2024 10:31 PM CET | Tourism, Cars, Traffic Press release from: STATS N DATA IndyCar Market The IndyCar market remains a vital segment of the automotive and motorsport industry, captivating audiences and enthusiasts globally. The market's relevance continues to grow, driven by innovations in vehicle technology, increasing viewership, and the strategic collaborations among racing teams, manufacturers, and sponsors. The IndyCar series, known for its high-speed, open-wheel racing, presents a unique platform for showcasing technological advancements while providing entertainment and excitement to millions of fans. Recent developments have significantly contributed to this growth trajectory. The integration of hybrid powertrains, advancements in aerodynamics, and the use of lightweight materials are transforming vehicle performance and safety. Additionally, the rise of digital platforms for broadcasting and fan engagement is enhancing the overall experience, promoting greater consumer awareness and interest in the sport. You can access a sample PDF report here: https://www.statsndata.org/download-sample.php?id=377337 Key Growth Drivers and Trends Several factors play a crucial role in shaping the demand for the IndyCar market. Sustainability has emerged as a significant influence, prompting teams and manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly technologies. The shift towards hybrid powertrains not only reduces carbon emissions but also aligns with global efforts to combat climate change, appealing to a more environmentally conscious audience. Digitization is another critical trend reshaping the market landscape. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) for data analysis and optimization during races enables teams to make real-time decisions that enhance performance. Additionally, the trend of product customization allows fans to engage more personally with their favorite teams and drivers, further driving market interest. Emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are also gaining traction, providing innovative ways for fans to experience the thrill of racing beyond the track. These advancements are expected to attract a younger demographic, ensuring the sport's continued relevance in an evolving entertainment landscape. Market Segmentation The IndyCar market can be segmented in various ways, reflecting its diverse applications and end-user demographics. By Type: - Open-wheel race cars - Single-seater cars - Lightweight chassis - Aerodynamically designed vehicles By Application: - Professional racing events - Series - International racing competitions - Exhibition races - Testing and development purposes By End User: - Racing teams - Automotive manufacturers - Sponsors and advertisers - Racing enthusiasts - Television broadcasters By Technology: - Hybrid powertrain systems - Advanced aerodynamics - Lightweight materials - Telemetry and data analysis - Safety innovations Each segment serves a distinct purpose, catering to various stakeholders involved in the IndyCar ecosystem. For instance, racing teams rely on advanced telemetry systems for performance analysis, while automotive manufacturers explore lightweight materials to enhance vehicle efficiency. Get 30% Discount On Full Report: https://www.statsndata.org/ask-for-discount.php?id=377337 Competitive Landscape The competitive landscape of the IndyCar market is characterized by a diverse array of teams and companies that play pivotal roles in shaping the future of racing. Notable players include: - Dreyer & Reinbold Racing: Known for their innovative approaches to vehicle design and a commitment to safety, they continually push the boundaries of performance. - Newman/Haas Racing: A historical powerhouse in the IndyCar series, their legacy includes numerous championships and a focus on technological advancements. - HVM Racing: This team emphasizes strategic partnerships and has consistently been at the forefront of integrating new technologies into their vehicles. - Belardi Auto Racing: They are known for nurturing young talent and bringing fresh perspectives to the sport. - Carlin: With a strategic focus on development and engineering excellence, Carlin is making significant strides in competitive racing. - Panther Racing: Their contributions to aerodynamics and lightweight chassis design have made them a formidable competitor. - Conquest Racing: They have a reputation for innovation in race strategy and vehicle performance. - Arrow McLaren SP: This team combines the legacy of McLaren with cutting-edge technology, pursuing excellence in every race. - Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: Their focus on fan engagement and community involvement sets them apart. - Andretti Autosport: A household name in racing, their commitment to excellence and performance innovation is unmatched. - Chip Ganassi Racing: Known for their aggressive racing strategies and technological prowess, they are a dominant force in the series. The contributions of these teams are crucial in driving market trends and fostering innovation. As they continue to collaborate with sponsors and technology providers, the IndyCar market is poised for significant advancements. Opportunities and Challenges As the IndyCar market evolves, various opportunities and challenges arise. Potential growth areas include untapped regions where motorsport is gaining popularity, including parts of Asia and South America. Additionally, evolving consumer preferences towards more immersive and interactive experiences present new avenues for engagement. However, the market also faces challenges. Regulatory constraints, particularly around safety and environmental standards, can limit team operations. Operational inefficiencies, such as high costs associated with technology integration, pose significant hurdles. Furthermore, a talent shortage in engineering and data analysis fields can impede progress. To address these challenges, teams and organizations can invest in training and development programs to cultivate the next generation of talent. Collaborations with educational institutions can also foster innovation, ensuring a robust workforce is prepared to tackle the demands of modern racing. Technological Advancements The integration of cutting-edge technologies is reshaping the IndyCar market. AI and machine learning are being utilized for predictive analytics, helping teams optimize their strategies and vehicle performance. Moreover, IoT-driven systems are enabling real-time data collection and analysis, enhancing decision-making during races. Virtual tools are being increasingly adopted for training and simulation, allowing drivers and teams to prepare for races with unprecedented accuracy. These advancements not only improve competitiveness but also enhance safety measures, ensuring the well-being of drivers. Research Methodology and Insights STATS N DATA employs a rigorous research methodology to gather insights into the IndyCar market. Utilizing both top-down and bottom-up approaches, the research encompasses a comprehensive analysis of market dynamics. Primary and secondary research methods ensure a well-rounded understanding of trends and developments. Triangulation techniques are employed to validate insights, providing stakeholders with accurate and actionable data. This meticulous approach positions STATS N DATA as a trusted authority in delivering market intelligence. In conclusion, the IndyCar market is on a trajectory of growth, driven by technological advancements, sustainability efforts, and evolving consumer preferences. As the landscape continues to transform, stakeholders must remain agile, adapting to new trends and challenges. With innovative teams and collaborative efforts, the future of IndyCar racing promises excitement and engagement for fans around the world. For customization requests, please visit: https://www.statsndata.org/request-customization.php?id=377337 https://www.statsndata.org/report/indycar-market-377337 Get more information about recently published reports by STATS N DATA below: You can then follow this with links or a list of the specific reports Top 10 Trends in Maggot Powder: Trends, Applications, and Industry Insights for a Sustainable Future : https://www.statsndata.org/blog/191/top-10-trends-in-maggot-powder-trends-applications-and-industry-insights-for-a-sustainable-future Top 10 Trends in Plastic Model Kits: Industry Evolution, Collector Insights, and Business Opportunities: https://www.statsndata.org/blog/192/top-10-trends-in-plastic-model-kits-industry-evolution-collector-insights-and-business-opportunities Top 10 Trends in the Evolution of Party Bus Charter Services: Insights, Industry Shifts, and Actionable Tips for Growth: https://www.statsndata.org/blog/193/top-10-trends-in-the-evolution-of-party-bus-charter-services-insights-industry-shifts-and-actionable-tips-for-growth Top 10 Trends in Tubular Running Services (TRS): Innovations, Industry Applications, and Future Insights : https://www.statsndata.org/blog/194/top-10-trends-in-tubular-running-services-trs-innovations-industry-applications-and-future-insights Top 10 Trends in Ultralight and Light Sport Aircraft (LSA): Innovations, Applications, and Industry Insights : https://www.statsndata.org/blog/195/top-10-trends-in-ultralight-and-light-sport-aircraft-lsa-innovations-applications-and-industry-insights John Jones Sales & Marketing Head | Stats N Data Phone: +1 (315) 642-4324 Email: sales@statsndata.org Website: www.statsndata.org STATS N DATA is a trusted provider of industry intelligence and market research, delivering actionable insights to businesses across diverse sectors. We specialize in helping organizations navigate complex markets with advanced analytics, detailed market segmentation, and strategic guidance. Our expertise spans industries including technology, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, food & beverages, and more. Committed to accuracy and innovation, we provide tailored reports that empower clients to make informed decisions, identify emerging opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. Our team of skilled analysts leverages cutting-edge methodologies to ensure every report addresses the unique challenges of our clients. At STATS N DATA, we transform data into knowledge and insights into success. Partner with us to gain a competitive edge in today's fast-paced business environment. For more information, visit https://www.statsndata.org or contact us today at sales@statsndata.org This release was published on openPR.

Husband’s excessive manners leave wife feeling left behindSingapore, Nov. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What is QUANTUM and what does it solve? QUANTUM is designed to overhaul the financial transaction systems by replacing outdated, centralized methods with a quantum-safe and AI-compliant decentralized blockchain solution that offers enhanced security and efficiency. It addresses the inherent limitations of traditional financial messaging systems like SWIFT, which suffers from issues such as slow transaction times, high costs, opaque fees, and susceptibility to cyber threats and geopolitical influences. QUANTUM introduces a next-generation financial framework that leverages post-quantum cryptography and trapping techniques to safeguard against advanced cyber threats and integrates AI to automate compliance checking with international financial regulations, aiming to streamline and secure financial transactions for banks, broker-dealers, investment managers, and market infrastructures globally. QUANTUM is also at the heart of all transactions underpinning the new financial institutions being built on Quantum Chain, forming the Quantum Ecosystem. Token Overview - Token name: Quantum - Token symbol: $Q - Total Issue Supply : USD $1,000,000,000 What are the utilities of $Q? The QUANTUM token serves as a multifunctional utility within the Quantum Chain network, fulfilling several key roles: 1. Transaction Fees: QUANTUM tokens are used to pay for transaction fees within the network, compensating validators and nodes for processing transactions and maintaining the blockchain. 2. Governance: Token holders can participate in governance decisions, influencing the development and operational aspects of the Quantum Chain network. This includes voting on protocol changes, upgrades, and proposals that affect the network. 3. Staking: Users will be able to stake QUANTUM tokens to participate in the network's consensus mechanism. Staking tokens helps secure the network by providing the necessary collateral to validate transactions. In return, stakers receive rewards proportional to their stake. 4. Reward Distribution: The network rewards participants, such as validators and certain users, with QUANTUM tokens for their contributions to network security, development, and community engagement. 5. Access to Services: Tokens might be used to access specific services within the QUANTUM ecosystem, such as advanced financial reporting tools, artificial intelligence-driven analytics, and other premium features. 6. Interoperability and Cross-Chain Services: QUANTUM may facilitate or manage cross-chain transactions, enabling interoperability with other blockchain networks, with the token potentially being used as a bridging asset. These utilities are designed to ensure the active participation of users, maintain the network's security, and encourage the ongoing development of the QUANTUM ecosystem. What does the QUANTUM ecosystem include? The QUANTUM ecosystem is built to provide a robust and scalable blockchain infrastructure with multiple components and services that address various aspects of blockchain technology and its applications to perfectly se the foundations of an evolved financial industry: 1. Core Blockchain Layer: At the heart of QUANTUM is its blockchain layer, Quantum Chain, the quantum-safe protocol which supports high transaction throughput and scalability through an innovative consensus mechanism. This layer ensures secure, fast, and efficient transaction processing. 2. Decentralized Applications (dApps)/Financial Institutions (FIs): The ecosystem supports the development and operation of new financial institutions and dApps. These applications leverage Quantum Chain technology for various use cases, including finance, tokenization, supply chain management, payments and cross-border transactions and much more. 3. Smart Contracts: QUANTUM integrates smart contract functionalities that allow incorporated developers to create automated, self-executing contracts with the terms directly written into code, facilitating trustless agreements and automated processes. 4. Interoperability Features: The platform includes L2 features designed to ensure interoperability with other blockchains, allowing for seamless cross-chain communications and transactions. This is crucial for enhancing the utility of QUANTUM in a broader blockchain environment. 5. Staking and Governance: Token holders can stake their tokens to participate in network governance, influencing decisions related to the network’s future development, upgrades, and changes in protocols. 6. Validator Nodes: The network relies on validator nodes, which are responsible for validating transactions and maintaining the integrity and security of the blockchain. Participants can run validator nodes by staking QUANTUM tokens. 7. Security Services: The ecosystem includes advanced security protocols to protect against common vulnerabilities and attacks, ensuring the safety of transactions and data stored on the blockchain. 8. Quantum Wallet: A proprietary wallet for managing QUANTUM tokens and interacting with the network. The wallet facilitates token storage, transactions, staking, and participation in governance. 9. Educational and Community Support: The ecosystem also focuses on education and community engagement to encourage adoption and foster a supportive environment for users and developers. This includes documentation, tutorials, workshops, and active community forums. 10. Platform Integration: Additionally, the QUANTUM project ecosystem will feature a dedicated "Quantum" column on the Coinstore platform. This column will serve as a focal point for all related activities and updates, providing users with direct access to information on QUANTUM's market movements, trading opportunities, and educational content. This integration into Coinstore will enhance visibility and accessibility, making it easier for users to engage with QUANTUM directly from the trading platform. These components work synergistically to create a comprehensive ecosystem that supports a wide range of blockchain applications and services, driving forward the adoption and utilization of blockchain technology across different sectors. QUANTUM Official Media Website | Twitter | Telegram About Coinstore Accessibility. Security. Equity. As a leading global platform for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, Coinstore seeks to build an ecosystem that grants everyone access to digital assets and blockchain technology. With over 9.5 million users worldwide, Coinstor e aims to become the preferred cryptocurrency trading platform and digital service provider worldwide. Coinstore Social Media Twitter | Discord | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Telegram Discussion | Telegram AnnouncementNone

A man in his 20s has been airlifted to hospital with head, chest and leg injuries following a horror motorbike crash in Warrawong. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading The motorbike he was riding collided with a car at the intersection of Cowper and King streets about 7.20pm on Tuesday, December 10. Emergency services rushed to the scene with lanes of traffic blocked off for some time after the crash. Paramedics treated the man as he lay on the road, with blood supplies rushed to the crash scene to treat him. He was then put into a waiting ambulance and taken to a rescue helicopter so he could be airlifted to St George Hospital. There has been a string of horror motorbike crashes in the Illawarra in recent months, including an accident in West Wollongong where a 66-year-old man was killed on November 10. On September 20 in Unanderra, a 23-year-old motorcyclist died after a multi-vehicle crash involving a bus, ute and sedan on the Princes Highway. More to come. Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au 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!Stocks to watch on Nov 25: Zomato, Adani stocks, Cochin Shipyard, RITES, RVNL and more

Edwin Jacobs, director of the Social Insurance Bank (SVB), recently announced that he approved the largest payroll in the institution’s history. On November 29th, SVB will disburse a total of 37.9 million florins in old-age pensions, along with an additional 4 million florins as a 75% year-end bonus. An extra 1.6 million florins will be allocated for AZV premiums for pensioners. This payout will benefit 22,703 pensioners, of whom 19,876 reside in Aruba. The top three other countries where pensioners from Aruba live are: As of December, 72 new pensioners will be added to the system, while 42 pensioners have passed away. One noteworthy trend is the decline in the mortality rate among SVB pensioners. In 2014, for every 1,000 pensioners over 65, 34.9 passed away. By 2019, this number had decreased to 33.3 deaths per 1,000 pensioners. In 2023, the figure dropped further to 31.0 deaths per 1,000 pensioners. This marks a significant reduction and challenges the common perception that older adults are dying at higher rates today compared to the past. SVB’s data also reveals that more citizens are reaching older ages, signaling positive developments in health and longevity across the island. Old-age pensions remain a crucial support for seniors, and it is our responsibility to ensure their continued sustainability for future generations.

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L ong before he started making guns with a 3D printer, Viljam Nyman was a kid who was bullied. In a document police later found on his computer, titled “The life story of how I became a far-right extremist”, Nyman described his childhood in Lahti, a city in southern Finland, being picked on by other kids and feeling abandoned by the adults around him. He wrote that this experience taught him something: “‘Be yourself’ or ‘don’t care’ were really bad pieces of advice. Violence and power, or the threat of using it, were actually the things that mattered. Equality and accepting difference were just words on paper, naive and idealistic fantasies. Human nature, in reality, was discriminatory and racist.” In 2005, when Nyman was 11, violent protests broke out in a number of European countries after a Danish newspaper published 12 cartoons of the prophet Muhammad in response to a debate about Islam and self-censorship. Why was it, Nyman wondered, that he was mocked for being different and no one did anything about it, but criticising a religion from faraway countries was off limits? He wrote in the document that “all of this” reinforced his belief that something was wrong with society and no one was on his side. Nyman became obsessed with Hitler and Nazi Germany. He began with the notion that bullies could be classified as subhuman and sent to camps, but became fascinated by the discipline and order of the Third Reich. As he got older, he immersed himself in online message boards that shared antisemitic theories. Until this point, Nyman had spent a lot of time playing video games. Now, he thought, he needed to do more so that he would not be a disgrace to the white race. He started to feel something he had not felt before: a sense of purpose. In 2020, when Nyman wrote the document, he was 26. He was still living in Lahti and he still did not have many friends. He was often lonely and resented not being in a relationship. Most of his social life was conducted over the internet; he regularly posted virulent racial hatred about black people, Muslims and Jews on far-right messaging platforms. He also attended far-right music events, which take place regularly around Finland, meeting like-minded people scattered across the country with whom he kept in touch online. On the encrypted messaging app Telegram, he regularly chatted with three friends in particular who shared his views. The police suspect they connected at far-right events. They were Niko Petteri Suikki and Tuukka Karinkanta, both in their 20s, and Jyrki Niemi, who was in his 60s. One of the things the men discussed was their shared belief in “accelerationism”, the idea that violence is a necessary means to hasten social collapse and introduce new power structures – ideally ethno-nationalist and authoritarian. One accelerationist tactic is to attempt to trigger a race war by carrying out attacks on ethnic minority groups in the hope of provoking retaliation. Rightwing accelerationists also emphasise the importance of stockpiling weapons in order to be prepared when society collapses. In different messaging threads and groups – including one named “Seize Finland by any means necessary” – the men shared thoughts about the coming race war. Sometimes this was couched in the ironic humour often seen in the far-right scene (“If this discussion is read by a government actor, I want to underline that I am in this chat by accident. Maybe someone else added me, I don’t know why I’m here,” Nyman wrote in December 2021). But frequently it was shockingly racist and violent. “The pleasure of shooting black gangs might take precedence over the annoyance of a prison sentence,” Nyman wrote to the group in August 2022. “At this rate, we will soon be a minority in our own country if we do not oppose those who enable the import of blacks,” Karinkanta wrote in a message to Suikki the same month, adding, “Many of them wouldn’t be ready when the race war starts.” Suikki responded with a joke about “shooting a negro”. To carry out shootings and stockpile weapons, you need guns. Nyman did not have a gun licence and was unlikely to get one. In November 2021, he bought his first 3D printer and immediately started printing gun parts. N yman was working from a blueprint, easily available online, for a model called the FGC-9, which revolutionised the world of 3D-printed weapons when it was published in March 2020. FGC stands for “fuck gun control” and 9 refers to the 9mm bullets it uses. The slogan reflects the ideological leaning of many involved in the development of 3D-printed guns. In an anonymised interview given after the manual was published, the creator of the FGC-9, who posted under the name JStark1809, said, “We fucked gun control for good ... Gun control is dead, and we killed it.” JStark1809 has since been revealed to be Jacob Duygu, a German man of Kurdish origin. In the FGC-9 manifesto, he called on people “to defend yourself and not be a victim to unjust firearm legislation any longer”. Elsewhere, he had posted about being an “incel”. In 2021, he was arrested by the German police. Two days later, he was found dead in a car parked outside his parents’ home in Hanover. He was 28. The German magazine Der Spiegel reported that an autopsy had been unable to determine the cause of death, but foul play and suicide had been ruled out. His mysterious death is the subject of many online conspiracy theories in the 3D-printed gun world. The 110-page FGC-9 manual takes readers through the process of making a weapon in meticulous detail, with step-by-step diagrams akin to those that accompany flat-pack furniture. Although 3D-printed weapons have been around since 2013, earlier models were rudimentary, requiring off-the-shelf parts manufactured by gun companies along with the 3D-printed parts, and usually firing just one or two shots before they disintegrated. In 2019, the white nationalist Stephan Balliet livestreamed a horrifying attack on a synagogue in the German town of Halle, carried out on Yom Kippur. Before the attack, he posted a manifesto online saying that one of his goals was to prove the viability of homemade weapons, including some that were 3D-printed. But on the live stream, his guns frequently jammed and he is heard cursing himself as a failure. (He did shoot and kill two people, and is serving a life sentence in prison.) The FGC-9 changed everything. Unlike those early models, the FGC-9 includes no regulated components: it can be made using just a 3D printer and parts available from a hardware store; it requires only some metalworking skills. Today, 3D printers are available for a couple of hundred pounds, while strong plastic polymers to print with are relatively inexpensive. The upper and lower receivers of the FGC-9 (the barrel assembly and trigger sections) are fully 3D-printed from plastic, as are the pistol grip and stock. The magazine can also be printed. Unlike previous 3D-printed gun models, it is a semi-automatic weapon. “It was revolutionary,” says Dr Rajan Basra, a researcher from King’s College London who studies 3D-printed weapons. The FGC-9 is now thought to be the most popular 3D-printed weapon in the world. It is particularly difficult to police, given that it doesn’t involve illegal parts. As Basra says, “You can’t regulate a steel tube or a spring.” The open-source manual was initially shared among niche gun manufacturing forums but quickly spread across the internet, and the guns have been manufactured around the world. “The guide is incredibly detailed,” Basra says. “There are videos online showing the entire process and the blueprints are shockingly easy to find – you can Google and get them in under five minutes.” The rise of these weapons is a particular concern in the UK, where 3D printing can circumvent extremely strict gun control laws. Since the FGC-9 manual was published four years ago, there have been at least 12 UK criminal cases involving these weapons. In October, 20-year-old Jack Robinson from Portsmouth was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for attempting to construct an FGC-9 and possessing documents that could be used for preparing an act of terrorism. Robinson, who was just 18 at the time of his arrest, had posted online with the username “kill Jews” and had a large amount of neo-Nazi material on his computer. Three men in Yorkshire accused of manufacturing FGC-9s to attack an Islamic centre are due to stand trial in 2025. This year, Abdiwahid Abdulkadir Mohamed, a 32-year-old Londoner, became the first known case of someone with jihadist sympathies being sentenced for possessing the FGC-9 manual and instructions for other homemade firearms (the crime was possessing documents likely to be useful for preparing an act of terrorism). But generally, around the world, 3D-printed guns have proved most attractive to organised criminals and people on the far right. “There are ideological reasons for this, such as the far-right emphasis on race war and stockpiling weapons, but it’s also a practical issue about who is sharing the blueprints online,” Basra says. “The extreme rightwing space overlaps with the hyperlibertarian idea that any gun control is a form of tyranny.” R ueben Dass is a researcher at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore who has compiled a database of arrests related to 3D-printed guns worldwide. “If you look at the numbers, 95% of the plots have been failures in the sense that people have been arrested before they actually shot the guns – for manufacture, possession, trafficking,” he explains. “But it’s a serious, growing risk because the technologies are becoming cheaper and more advanced and accessible.” Making a 3D-printed gun involves significantly more than simply downloading a blueprint and clicking print. To construct an FGC-9, you need drills, metalworking equipment and commitment. “You essentially turn yourself into a gunsmith. It involves frustration and trial and error and setbacks,” Basra says. “But many have followed these step-by-step instructions to make one.” The UK’s National Crime Agency says that although the weapon accounts for a small proportion of firearms cases overall, illicit interest is increasing. This is a serious concern for the authorities. While 3D-printed guns were considered to be illegal anyway by virtue of being a firearm, in November 2022 the UK government updated legislation to specifically outlaw possessing, buying or producing component parts for a 3D-printed gun. The NCA has urged the government to go further and outlaw having the blueprint at all, and there are currently two bills on this going through parliament. N yman started printing parts for his first FGC-9 in November 2021 and worked on it for months, acquiring a stick welder and an angle grinder to craft the metal sections of the gun. He frequently messaged the other three men about his progress, and sometimes they swapped ideas about how to avoid detection when buying parts, not all of which were easily available in Finland. “Did you explain that the parts were for a bicycle suspension?” Suikki asked Nyman in one exchange. “Yes,” he replied. “I said they were parts for a suspension fork; I didn’t have much more information, just that a friend asked me to make them, but my own equipment wasn’t good enough.” “I hope you’re paying in cash,” Suikki said. In another message, Nyman asked, “Any ideas for a believable story about what this part is for and what it locks, etc?” Suikki responded, “Say you’re building a safe for a school project, and since you’re an automation guy, you have to cut corners on the mechanical parts.” On 13 April, Nyman completed his first FGC-9. Niemi, the older man in the group, got hold of some 9mm bullets for it. (If you have a gun licence in Finland, it is not difficult to purchase bullets.) A few weeks later, Suikki took a train to Lahti from his home in Hyvinkää, around an hour away, to meet Nyman. They went into the forest to practise shooting and were elated to find the gun worked. Around the same time, Suikki borrowed it from Nyman and took it to his home town where he filmed himself shooting an immigrant family’s mailbox. Nyman soon started work on making more guns. In June, he rented out a warehouse to scale up his gun production. Within a few months, he would have four functioning FGC-9s. The men discussed plans to produce 15 weapons in total. Some would be hidden in case they were needed when the race war came. Others would be sold for between €1,000 and €3,000 each. (The 3D-printers cost around €250 each – by this stage, Nyman had three of them – while the other parts added up to a further €200-300 a gun.) In May, soon after Nyman finished constructing the first gun and ascertained that it could actually fire shots, he and Niemi discussed the possibility of carrying out attacks. “Now is not the time for small skirmishes; the attacks need to be of such calibre and so well-planned that they make headlines,” Niemi wrote on Telegram. In another message, he said, “That doesn’t mean we’ll be running around Helsinki with guns next week; it requires extensive planning, funding, and various preparations.” In August, Nyman messaged, “I’m leaning towards wearing an FGC-9 under a coat and going to East Helsinki or wherever those ‘roadman’ [street gang] blacks hang out.” In other messages, the men discussed the possibility of attacking critical infrastructure, including power stations, water supply systems and transportation hubs, with the aim of destabilising society and precipitating race war. “We need to hit them where it hurts. Multiple locations at once – make them scramble,” Nyman wrote in August 2022. Suikki replied, “If we time it right, the police won’t know what’s happening until it’s too late.” “The goal is to cause maximum confusion and fear,” Niemi said. “They need to feel like they’ve lost control.” Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion That same month, Suikki decided to toughen himself up for the coming race war. He took his cat to Niemi’s house, where he borrowed a gun and shot the cat three times. In a Telegram message to Karinkanta, he wrote that people who thought this was harsh were “probably ready to take it from a black man because they’re too scared to kill”. As Nyman pressed on with producing more FGC-9s, he did not know that police were on to him. Tuomas Kuure is a detective chief inspector in the Päijät-Häme region, of which Lahti is the main city. He is a polite, softly spoken man who has been a police officer for 20 years, mostly specialising in narcotics and organised crime. In early 2022, he got some surprising police intelligence: someone in Lahti was manufacturing guns using a 3D printer. The idea of 3D-printed guns wasn’t totally new to Kuure – there had been a couple of reported arrests for their manufacture in Finland – but it was the first time he’d ever worked on this crime himself, which made it exciting and nerve-racking. As he and his team started to investigate, they knew they had to think carefully about it. “We usually only did narcotics, and this was quite different,” Kuure tells me on a video call. “It’s easy for us to say, ‘OK, there’s some cocaine, let’s go through the normal process.’ But with this, we had to figure everything out from scratch. What do we need to show? And how can we show it?” As Nyman built his guns, Kuure, along with a team of five investigators and four officers on surveillance, were gathering information and biding their time. Kuure knew it was essential to wait for the right moment to make the arrests. If police acted too soon, before they knew for sure that the guns were capable of firing shots, it would be much harder to obtain a conviction for an aggravated firearms offence. “If the guns hadn’t been working, it would have been easy for them to say, ‘We’re not making guns, we’re just making prototypes or collectors’ items,’” Kuure says. But wait too long and the consequences could be much worse. I n late August 2022, Karinkanta took a train from his home in Oulu, a city in central Finland, to visit Nyman in Lahti to practise shooting the FGC-9s. Suikki was invited, too, but couldn’t make it. Nyman collected Karinkanta from the train station and they drove to a Lidl supermarket where they bought a watermelon. They drew a Star of David on the melon with a marker pen and drove to some woodland nearby where they filmed themselves firing shots at it. After this, they returned to the car and drove back to the warehouse Nyman had rented. “We sat in the car and smoked cigarettes,” Nyman later told interrogators. “I threw the weapons in the blue box inside the warehouse, then we drove back to my apartment.” When they got there, police officers were waiting to arrest them. “Nyman’s been taken,” Suikki messaged the Telegram group the next day. “Get out, scatter, we’ll regroup soon if we can,” Niemi replied. Kuure is used to investigating organised crime, where suspects usually answer “no comment” to every question. This was different. “These guys were more open,” he tells me. “None of them said they had terrorist motives, but about the guns they were clear: ‘I’ve shot these guns, I had them in my possession.’ Our main suspect quickly said he believes there will be confrontation between different ethnic groups. I think they might even be a bit proud because of their ideology – they think they are doing the right thing.” In his interrogation, though, Nyman insisted he did not make the guns with violent intent. Instead, he said he was worried about the energy crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the idea that Russia might invade Finland next. “I decided I should make a gun, so people wouldn’t just shoot me here,” he told police. “I’m such a survivalist that there were hundreds of jars of canned goods, nuts and so on in my apartment, and I had more dry food in storage downstairs ... I’m also prepared to defend my property and myself. The FGC-9s were not to initiate any kind of violence, they were mainly for self-defence.” It’s true that when police searched Nyman’s computer they found survivalist manuals, with tips for what to store and how to carry out rudimentary medical procedures at home in the event of injury. But there was also a huge amount of neo-Nazi and accelerationist material. And the messages Nyman had exchanged with the three other men told a very different story. Soon after Nyman and Karinkanta’s arrests, Niemi and Suikki were arrested, too. Police searched all their homes and devices, uncovering a significant arsenal of weaponry, mostly at Nyman’s apartment and the warehouse he had rented. Nyman had made four FGC-9s, with plans to produce more. He had also made a 3D-printed pen-pistol. Police found a large quantity of ammunition – about 1,400 9mm cartridges – and explosives. All the men had a considerable volume of extremist material on their devices. They had mistakenly believed deleting Telegram chats would remove them, but police were able to recover significant portions of their conversations, revealing the extent to which they had discussed manufacturing the weapons and potential attacks and targets. Just a few days before his arrest, Nyman had shared a link to a news article about Sanna Marin, then prime minister, giving a speech in Lahti; he asked, “Should I go with an FGC in a hoodie?” Perhaps most worryingly, when police searched Niemi’s house, they found a list of addresses of leftwing activists and politicians. But police struggled to find evidence of plans for a specific attack – and that made it hard to prove intent. “Our suspects didn’t have any particular or detailed plans, not that we had knowledge of, but they frequently discussed what type of things should be done and whom they would target with their actions,” Kuure says. The men were released on bail while police, along with investigators from Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, continued to build their case. “We had functioning guns; from the device searches we had videos of the guns being used, we had parts, tools, printers,” Kuure says. This was clear evidence for firearms offences, but they wanted to pursue terrorism charges, too – and astonishingly, Finland had never seen anyone convicted for far-right terrorism. During this period, most of the men kept their heads down. Nyman did not. In December 2022, the mailbox shooting video was published online, to an account believed to be run by Nyman. Police already had a copy, as it had been discovered in the device search, but until this point it had not been made public. “We believe it was the main suspect that made those publications – maybe he wanted to show like-minded persons that this is possible,” Kuure says. In this period, out on bail, Nyman also posted his own modification of the FGC-9 blueprint online, explaining that he was frustrated that not all the parts were easily available in Finland and had updated the design to address this. “I found this constant ordering and waiting for packages frustrating and also a factor that increases the risk of getting caught,” he wrote. He bought himself a new 3D printer. Soon after this flurry of activity, he was arrested again. The trial began in September 2023. Nyman and Suikki were charged with aggravated firearms offences with terrorist intent; Karinkanta was charged with aiding and abetting this; Niemi was charged with firearms offences but not terrorism, due to insufficient evidence. Journalists filled the courtroom as prosecutors presented damning evidence from the Telegram message exchanges. The defendants argued that the guns weren’t that effective and the messages were pure fantasy. “It’s daydreaming that has no basis in reality,” Nyman’s lawyer said. Kuure followed news of the trial nervously. “I knew we had a lot of materials, but I didn’t know what it would take to get that terrorism conviction,” he says. For the last two days of the trial, he slipped into the courtroom to watch proceedings first-hand. As he heard the final cases presented, he began to feel more confident. The men were all found guilty. The verdicts against Nyman, Suikki and Karinkanta marked the first time in Finnish criminal history that anyone had been convicted for far-right terrorism. Nyman was sentenced to three years and four months in prison for the firearms offences and training to commit a terrorist act. Suikki was sentenced to one year and nine months, Karinkanta was handed a seven-month suspended sentence and Niemi was sentenced to one year and two months. The court judgment stated that Nyman “produced weapons primarily for the purpose of using them in violence aimed at promoting his adopted ideology”. Around the world, authorities are grappling with how to tackle this growing threat; some countries, including the UK, are looking at making it illegal to access or download blueprints, while others continue to rely on existing firearms laws and intelligence. “Law enforcement take 3D-printed guns very seriously, but the political system we’re in is reactive,” Basra says. “If there’s a completed attack, where someone is killed, the threat will seem much more urgent and will receive more resources and attention. It’s pretty sad that we’d have to wait for that point.” In Finland, Kuure remains concerned about what might come next. “This technology makes guns available to everyone. If you have a few hundred euros, some spare time and craftiness, then you have a gun.”Tampa dentist sent multiple threats, including to an election official: DOJ

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EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The game had suddenly gone sideways for the Minnesota Vikings , their 11-point lead on the Chicago Bears having evaporated in the closing seconds. They straightened it out in overtime, no sweat, because Sam Darnold simply hasn't been fazed. Save for his occasional rash of turnovers, in games the Vikings still managed to win, Darnold proved again on Sunday in defeating the Bears that he's directing a passing attack with the potential to be one of the NFL 's most potent. “I think he’s a mentally tough guy. I think he’s a physically tough guy. I think he’s confident in the guys around him, and I think he’s confident in our system,” coach Kevin O'Connell said after the 30-27 victory. “I think when he just continues to play quarterback at a high level, I think we’re a tough team.” After the defense forced the Bears to punt on the opening possession of overtime, Darnold led the Vikings on a 68-yard drive to set up the game-ending field goal while overcoming a 7-yard sack on the first play and two subsequent setbacks with a false start and a holding penalty. On third-and-10 from the 21, he hit Jordan Addison near the sideline for 13 yards. On first-and-15 from the 29, Darnold threaded a throw to Justin Jefferson for 20 yards after he'd muscled his way through Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a post route for the clutch catch after he'd been all but silenced all afternoon by a defense determined to constantly bracket him with double coverage. On second-and-11 from the 48, Darnold connected with a wide-open T.J. Hockenson underneath for 12 yards. Then two plays later off a second-and-8 play-action fake, he found Hockenson again on a deep corner route for 29 yards to put Parker Romo in prime position for the walk-off winner. “Just execute. It’s as simple as that. Just one play at a time," said Darnold, who went 22 for 34 for 330 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. “I think I tell the guys that every single time in the huddle, but that’s my mindset every single time I’m out there on the field, especially in that situation.” Even when Jefferson continues to draw an extraordinary amount of coverage , the Vikings with Addison, Hockenson, Aaron Jones and the rest of their crew running O'Connell's system have proven they have an offense that can go win a game when it's required. That wouldn't be possible without Darnold, whose career rebirth has helped spark the Vikings (9-2) become one of the league's biggest surprises in what's now its most difficult division. “He’s cool, calm, collected,” Hockenson said. "That’s what you want as the leader of the huddle.” The Vikings' defense ranks ninth in the league on third downs, allowing a conversion rate of 34.5% after limiting the Bears to a 6-for-17 performance. The Vikings are tied for first on fourth downs with an allowance of 36.4% after the Bears went 2 for 3. Both conversions came in the fourth quarter during touchdown drives. The Vikings also rank fourth in the NFL in opponent points per drive (1.52). The Vikings had seven possessions that crossed the 20-yard line in Chicago, but only three of them yielded touchdowns. Their lone turnover was the type of game-altering giveaways they've struggled to eliminate this month, a fumble by Aaron Jones at the 1-yard line that ruined a promising first drive. The Vikings are tied for 20th in the league in red zone touchdown rate (53.9%) and are 17th in goal-to-go touchdowns (72%). Addison had eight catches for 162 yards, both career highs, and a touchdown on nine throws from Darnold. The second-year wide receiver has had a quieter season than his rookie year, but he stepped up in a significant way on an afternoon when Jefferson was as smothered by the opposing secondary as ever. TE Johnny Mundt had the onside kick glance off his shin as he charged toward the coverage, and the first kicking team recovery in the NFL this season helped the Bears extend the game. Mundt also had the false start on the overtime drive. His lone catch was a 7-yard gain when he was stopped short of the goal line, one play before the lost fumble. Mundt played 33 of 71 snaps and Hockenson took 48 snaps with Oliver out. The Vikings lost LT Cam Robinson (foot) and LB Ivan Pace (hamstring) to injuries in the first quarter against the Bears, and O'Connell said on Monday those players were still in "evaluation mode." Oliver (ankle) will have an opportunity to return after being sidelined last week. 101.7 — Darnold's passer rating, which ranks ninth in the NFL. Darnold has posted a 100-plus passer rating in nine of 11 games this season. He had only 12 such performances in 56 career starts before joining the Vikings. The Vikings have four of their next five games at home, starting with Arizona (6-5) this week, Atlanta (6-5) on Dec. 8 and a rematch with Chicago (4-7) in a Monday night game on Dec. 16. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLLAS VEGAS (AP) — A team that previously boycotted at least one match against the San Jose State women's volleyball program will again be faced with the 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. Wyoming, Nevada and Southern Utah — which is not a Mountain West member — also canceled regular-season matches, all without explicitly saying why they were forfeiting. Nevada players cited fairness in women’s sports as a reason to boycott their match, while political figures from Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Nevada suggested the cancellations center around protecting women’s sports. In a lawsuit filed against the NCAA , plaintiffs cited unspecified reports asserting there was a transgender player on the San Jose State volleyball team, even naming her. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity and through school officials has declined an interview request. A judge on Monday rejected a request made by nine current conference players to block the San Jose State player from competing in the tournament on grounds that she is transgender. That ruling was upheld Tuesday by an appeals court. “The team looks forward to starting Mountain West Conference tournament competition on Friday,” San Jose State said in a statement issued after the appeals court decision. “The university maintains an unwavering commitment to the participation, safety and privacy of all students at San Jose State and ensuring they are able to compete in an inclusive, fair and respectful environment.” Boise State did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. “Utah State is reviewing the court’s order," Doug Hoffman, Aggies associate athletic director for communications, said in an email. "Right now, our women’s volleyball program is focused on the game this Wednesday, and we’ll be cheering them on.” San Jose State, which had a first-round bye, would be sent directly to the conference title game if Utah State or Boise State were to forfeit again. If the Spartans make the title game, it's likely the opponent would not forfeit. They would face top-seeded Colorado State, No. 4 Fresno State or No. 5 San Diego State — all teams that played the Spartans this season. The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

By BILL BARROW, Associated Press PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — Newly married and sworn as a Naval officer, Jimmy Carter left his tiny hometown in 1946 hoping to climb the ranks and see the world. Less than a decade later, the death of his father and namesake, a merchant farmer and local politician who went by “Mr. Earl,” prompted the submariner and his wife, Rosalynn, to return to the rural life of Plains, Georgia, they thought they’d escaped. The lieutenant never would be an admiral. Instead, he became commander in chief. Years after his presidency ended in humbling defeat, he would add a Nobel Peace Prize, awarded not for his White House accomplishments but “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” The life of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, ended Sunday at the age of 100 where it began: Plains, the town of 600 that fueled his political rise, welcomed him after his fall and sustained him during 40 years of service that redefined what it means to be a former president. With the stubborn confidence of an engineer and an optimism rooted in his Baptist faith, Carter described his motivations in politics and beyond in the same way: an almost missionary zeal to solve problems and improve lives. Carter was raised amid racism, abject poverty and hard rural living — realities that shaped both his deliberate politics and emphasis on human rights. “He always felt a responsibility to help people,” said Jill Stuckey, a longtime friend of Carter’s in Plains. “And when he couldn’t make change wherever he was, he decided he had to go higher.” Carter’s path, a mix of happenstance and calculation , pitted moral imperatives against political pragmatism; and it defied typical labels of American politics, especially caricatures of one-term presidents as failures. “We shouldn’t judge presidents by how popular they are in their day. That’s a very narrow way of assessing them,” Carter biographer Jonathan Alter told the Associated Press. “We should judge them by how they changed the country and the world for the better. On that score, Jimmy Carter is not in the first rank of American presidents, but he stands up quite well.” Later in life, Carter conceded that many Americans, even those too young to remember his tenure, judged him ineffective for failing to contain inflation or interest rates, end the energy crisis or quickly bring home American hostages in Iran. He gained admirers instead for his work at The Carter Center — advocating globally for public health, human rights and democracy since 1982 — and the decades he and Rosalynn wore hardhats and swung hammers with Habitat for Humanity. Yet the common view that he was better after the Oval Office than in it annoyed Carter, and his allies relished him living long enough to see historians reassess his presidency. “He doesn’t quite fit in today’s terms” of a left-right, red-blue scoreboard, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who visited the former president multiple times during his own White House bid. At various points in his political career, Carter labeled himself “progressive” or “conservative” — sometimes both at once. His most ambitious health care bill failed — perhaps one of his biggest legislative disappointments — because it didn’t go far enough to suit liberals. Republicans, especially after his 1980 defeat, cast him as a left-wing cartoon. It would be easiest to classify Carter as a centrist, Buttigieg said, “but there’s also something radical about the depth of his commitment to looking after those who are left out of society and out of the economy.” Indeed, Carter’s legacy is stitched with complexities, contradictions and evolutions — personal and political. The self-styled peacemaker was a war-trained Naval Academy graduate who promised Democratic challenger Ted Kennedy that he’d “kick his ass.” But he campaigned with a call to treat everyone with “respect and compassion and with love.” Carter vowed to restore America’s virtue after the shame of Vietnam and Watergate, and his technocratic, good-government approach didn’t suit Republicans who tagged government itself as the problem. It also sometimes put Carter at odds with fellow Democrats. The result still was a notable legislative record, with wins on the environment, education, and mental health care. He dramatically expanded federally protected lands, began deregulating air travel, railroads and trucking, and he put human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy. As a fiscal hawk, Carter added a relative pittance to the national debt, unlike successors from both parties. Carter nonetheless struggled to make his achievements resonate with the electorate he charmed in 1976. Quoting Bob Dylan and grinning enthusiastically, he had promised voters he would “never tell a lie.” Once in Washington, though, he led like a joyless engineer, insisting his ideas would become reality and he’d be rewarded politically if only he could convince enough people with facts and logic. This served him well at Camp David, where he brokered peace between Israel’s Menachem Begin and Epypt’s Anwar Sadat, an experience that later sparked the idea of The Carter Center in Atlanta. Carter’s tenacity helped the center grow to a global force that monitored elections across five continents, enabled his freelance diplomacy and sent public health experts across the developing world. The center’s wins were personal for Carter, who hoped to outlive the last Guinea worm parasite, and nearly did. As president, though, the approach fell short when he urged consumers beleaguered by energy costs to turn down their thermostats. Or when he tried to be the nation’s cheerleader, beseeching Americans to overcome a collective “crisis of confidence.” Republican Ronald Reagan exploited Carter’s lecturing tone with a belittling quip in their lone 1980 debate. “There you go again,” the former Hollywood actor said in response to a wonky answer from the sitting president. “The Great Communicator” outpaced Carter in all but six states. Carter later suggested he “tried to do too much, too soon” and mused that he was incompatible with Washington culture: media figures, lobbyists and Georgetown social elites who looked down on the Georgians and their inner circle as “country come to town.” Carter carefully navigated divides on race and class on his way to the Oval Office. Born Oct. 1, 1924 , Carter was raised in the mostly Black community of Archery, just outside Plains, by a progressive mother and white supremacist father. Their home had no running water or electricity but the future president still grew up with the relative advantages of a locally prominent, land-owning family in a system of Jim Crow segregation. He wrote of President Franklin Roosevelt’s towering presence and his family’s Democratic Party roots, but his father soured on FDR, and Jimmy Carter never campaigned or governed as a New Deal liberal. He offered himself as a small-town peanut farmer with an understated style, carrying his own luggage, bunking with supporters during his first presidential campaign and always using his nickname. And he began his political career in a whites-only Democratic Party. As private citizens, he and Rosalynn supported integration as early as the 1950s and believed it inevitable. Carter refused to join the White Citizens Council in Plains and spoke out in his Baptist church against denying Black people access to worship services. “This is not my house; this is not your house,” he said in a churchwide meeting, reminding fellow parishioners their sanctuary belonged to God. Yet as the appointed chairman of Sumter County schools he never pushed to desegregate, thinking it impractical after the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board decision. And while presidential candidate Carter would hail the 1965 Voting Rights Act, signed by fellow Democrat Lyndon Johnson when Carter was a state senator, there is no record of Carter publicly supporting it at the time. Carter overcame a ballot-stuffing opponent to win his legislative seat, then lost the 1966 governor’s race to an arch-segregationist. He won four years later by avoiding explicit mentions of race and campaigning to the right of his rival, who he mocked as “Cufflinks Carl” — the insult of an ascendant politician who never saw himself as part the establishment. Carter’s rural and small-town coalition in 1970 would match any victorious Republican electoral map in 2024. Once elected, though, Carter shocked his white conservative supporters — and landed on the cover of Time magazine — by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Before making the jump to Washington, Carter befriended the family of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom he’d never sought out as he eyed the governor’s office. Carter lamented his foot-dragging on school integration as a “mistake.” But he also met, conspicuously, with Alabama’s segregationist Gov. George Wallace to accept his primary rival’s endorsement ahead of the 1976 Democratic convention. “He very shrewdly took advantage of his own Southerness,” said Amber Roessner, a University of Tennessee professor and expert on Carter’s campaigns. A coalition of Black voters and white moderate Democrats ultimately made Carter the last Democratic presidential nominee to sweep the Deep South. Then, just as he did in Georgia, he used his power in office to appoint more non-whites than all his predecessors had, combined. He once acknowledged “the secret shame” of white Americans who didn’t fight segregation. But he also told Alter that doing more would have sacrificed his political viability – and thus everything he accomplished in office and after. King’s daughter, Bernice King, described Carter as wisely “strategic” in winning higher offices to enact change. “He was a leader of conscience,” she said in an interview. Rosalynn Carter, who died on Nov. 19 at the age of 96, was identified by both husband and wife as the “more political” of the pair; she sat in on Cabinet meetings and urged him to postpone certain priorities, like pressing the Senate to relinquish control of the Panama Canal. “Let that go until the second term,” she would sometimes say. The president, recalled her former aide Kathy Cade, retorted that he was “going to do what’s right” even if “it might cut short the time I have.” Rosalynn held firm, Cade said: “She’d remind him you have to win to govern.” Carter also was the first president to appoint multiple women as Cabinet officers. Yet by his own telling, his career sprouted from chauvinism in the Carters’ early marriage: He did not consult Rosalynn when deciding to move back to Plains in 1953 or before launching his state Senate bid a decade later. Many years later, he called it “inconceivable” that he didn’t confer with the woman he described as his “full partner,” at home, in government and at The Carter Center. “We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics,” Rosalynn Carter told AP in 2021. So deep was their trust that when Carter remained tethered to the White House in 1980 as 52 Americans were held hostage in Tehran, it was Rosalynn who campaigned on her husband’s behalf. “I just loved it,” she said, despite the bitterness of defeat. Fair or not, the label of a disastrous presidency had leading Democrats keep their distance, at least publicly, for many years, but Carter managed to remain relevant, writing books and weighing in on societal challenges. He lamented widening wealth gaps and the influence of money in politics. He voted for democratic socialist Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in 2016, and later declared that America had devolved from fully functioning democracy to “oligarchy.” Yet looking ahead to 2020, with Sanders running again, Carter warned Democrats not to “move to a very liberal program,” lest they help re-elect President Donald Trump. Carter scolded the Republican for his serial lies and threats to democracy, and chided the U.S. establishment for misunderstanding Trump’s populist appeal. He delighted in yearly convocations with Emory University freshmen, often asking them to guess how much he’d raised in his two general election campaigns. “Zero,” he’d gesture with a smile, explaining the public financing system candidates now avoid so they can raise billions. Carter still remained quite practical in partnering with wealthy corporations and foundations to advance Carter Center programs. Carter recognized that economic woes and the Iran crisis doomed his presidency, but offered no apologies for appointing Paul Volcker as the Federal Reserve chairman whose interest rate hikes would not curb inflation until Reagan’s presidency. He was proud of getting all the hostages home without starting a shooting war, even though Tehran would not free them until Reagan’s Inauguration Day. “Carter didn’t look at it” as a failure, Alter emphasized. “He said, ‘They came home safely.’ And that’s what he wanted.” Well into their 90s, the Carters greeted visitors at Plains’ Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and where he will have his last funeral before being buried on family property alongside Rosalynn . Carter, who made the congregation’s collection plates in his woodworking shop, still garnered headlines there, calling for women’s rights within religious institutions, many of which, he said, “subjugate” women in church and society. Carter was not one to dwell on regrets. “I am at peace with the accomplishments, regret the unrealized goals and utilize my former political position to enhance everything we do,” he wrote around his 90th birthday. The politician who had supposedly hated Washington politics also enjoyed hosting Democratic presidential contenders as public pilgrimages to Plains became advantageous again. Carter sat with Buttigieg for the final time March 1, 2020, hours before the Indiana mayor ended his campaign and endorsed eventual winner Joe Biden. “He asked me how I thought the campaign was going,” Buttigieg said, recalling that Carter flashed his signature grin and nodded along as the young candidate, born a year after Carter left office, “put the best face” on the walloping he endured the day before in South Carolina. Never breaking his smile, the 95-year-old host fired back, “I think you ought to drop out.” “So matter of fact,” Buttigieg said with a laugh. “It was somehow encouraging.” Carter had lived enough, won plenty and lost enough to take the long view. “He talked a lot about coming from nowhere,” Buttigieg said, not just to attain the presidency but to leverage “all of the instruments you have in life” and “make the world more peaceful.” In his farewell address as president, Carter said as much to the country that had embraced and rejected him. “The struggle for human rights overrides all differences of color, nation or language,” he declared. “Those who hunger for freedom, who thirst for human dignity and who suffer for the sake of justice — they are the patriots of this cause.” Carter pledged to remain engaged with and for them as he returned “home to the South where I was born and raised,” home to Plains, where that young lieutenant had indeed become “a fellow citizen of the world.” —- Bill Barrow, based in Atlanta, has covered national politics including multiple presidential campaigns for the AP since 2012.Apiaries abuzz over ruling against widening cross-border trade in live honeybeesALIENS might be living among us here on Earth - and they believe they can protect us from a galactic war. Someone who calls themself a "starseed" is a human who believes they were aliens in a past life before arriving on Earth stuck in a human body, and The Sun has learnt all about them. Experts told The Sun that some starseeds believe there is currently a war between good and bad aliens in a galaxy unreachable to us. It means some starseeds might align themselves with either the good side or the bad side. The idea was originated by Brad Steiger in his 1976 book Gods of Aquarius. They claim to channel human lifeforms and suffer helplessness and total amnesia concerning their identity, origins and life purpose. It is not known exactly how many people identify as starseeds, because many choose to keep this part of themselves private. Those involved with the world of starseeds explained that they are more likely to relate to something like Star Wars than to real life . Dr Susannah Crockford, an anthropology lecturer at the University of Exeter, said a key reason why people identify as starseeds is because they don't feel like they belong. She told The Sun: "Most of the starseeds I met were very on their own. "Some of them would explicitly say that there was a war between these good and bad aliens, and that they were on the side of the good. "They would relate it to something like Star Wars and say that was in fact real. "Not literally real, but the idea that there are star systems at war with each other. So it gave them a sense of mission and purpose. "There are still bad aliens, often these are called 'Reptilians'. "So there are the bad aliens, and then there are the good aliens. "And most, in fact all of the Starseeds I met said that they were on the side of the good aliens. "They said they came from planets such as Sirius, or Lyra, Pleiades was a common one, Arcturus. "These are quite distant stars from our solar system, we don't really know what's on there, and we have no real knowledge of what these planets are, so you can sort of speculate as to what is there. "They were part of something much more important than what they may be doing in their everyday life. "They actually had something far more exciting going on in their life, which was being a starseed." In some cases, notable influencers in the starseed space have been accused of using their worldview to "brainwash" people. In an article for Vice in 2016, Leigh Alexander recounted her experience with Unicole Unicron, who is the leader of UNICULT. Unicole also runs a TikTok with over 120,000 followers, in which she makes content based around her experiences as an alien. Unicole describes UNICULT as a way to help others see the light after her suicide attempt made her realise that she is the belief that she is an incarnation of a divine being of light helped her heal. She decided to join the group, which required her to give a drop of her blood as part of an initiation. One of the most revealing parts of the article is the internal structure that holds starseeds together, including Unicole, blind faith. Leigh pointed that in Unicole's world, belief is all it takes to make something real. Leigh wrote: "Her music videos only have a few thousand views, a liberal interpretation of pop stardom, but the more I read about UNICULT, the more I realized that that’s kind of the point—belief makes real, Unicole Unicron reminds us. "If she says she is a pop star, she is a pop star." Rolling Stone reported in 2021 that Unicole was allegedly offering members religious exemption from taking the Covid vaccine. The publication labelled her as "anti-vax". In June 2024, Kelly Tyler went on This Morning and claimed that she is a starseed who healed from long term sickness, after she swapped souls with a ‘walk in alien’ when she was just a child. She says she's been able to "astral travel" and can leave her earthly body on command, transporting herself to a galaxy far, far away, where she meets up with blue aliens. Kelly told the programme: "When I was a child I wasn't born as a starseed. I was a very sensitive child... I was quite an ill child, and also the world was too sensitive for me. "I would be at the bottom of my garden, with a bug box looking at stuff rather than interacting with people because it felt too much." She went onto recount how she first came into contact with a spiritual entity, who she calls "Tom". "I developed a relationship, or had contact, with this being from at age of seven at the bottom of my garden. "He appeared as a light and then started to show himself more, and we just used to have this really comforting telepathic relationship. "About a year later I developed whooping cough and I got really really ill, to the fact that I lost all my weight, and the doctors said she's not gonna make it. "At that time, myself and this being exchanged souls. "It's not a possession of somebody taking over, it's a mutual agreement that we decided to exchange souls. "I don't have any real emotional memory of being pre-eight years old, and my personality ,and my physicality changed. "I went from actually being not that clever to being able to do stuff. "I ended up passing an entrance exam for a private school...my social skills improved and I became less shy and introverted. "Lots of significant changes happened, and nobody can really understand why." Dr Susannah went onto add that starseeds are seeking a wider purpose: "They were all motivated by a sense that they were seeking something larger than themselves, some sort of wider mission, something else that would account for these various feelings that they had. "They didn't quite fit in, they weren't really like everyone else. "Partly it was driven by a sense of alienation from their wider culture, that these were people who for various reasons felt like they didn't really fit in with mainstream American culture." But another expert insists that despite starseed's apparent intentions to search for a larger purpose, they have to do this from the shadows. Here's what you need to know... George Lizos, a psychic healer and spiritual teacher, said this group in society are usually "people pleasers". He told The Sun: "They tend to be people pleasers, because the whole collective purpose of star people is to create peace on Earth. "And they are here to bring forth new frequencies, new technologies, new ideas for the purpose of expanding human consciousness, but at the same time to create peace." George, who does not identify as a starseed, added: "They are eager to help in whatever way they can. "That being said, because they are highly sensitive, they are not very comfortable being in the spotlight. They'd much rather work behind the scenes to create powerful change. "They are also very focused on accomplishing tasks and working rather than forming relationships. "On their home planet, they form relationships in different ways, so they are not used to the way we procreate for example. "They may also seem a little bit distant as a result of that. "Once they realise I am here to help, in a conscious way, then that essentially overpowers their anxieties or their feeling of alienation."

ACLU spurns ‘flawed and dangerous’ ruling on TikTok ban

NoneThese five food titles, ranging from a chef’s memoir to a foodie crime novel, offer a smorgasbord of perspectives on the ways food shapes our culture, our identities, our environment and ourselves. A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain A Cook’s Tour (2001) follows late chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain on a global culinary adventure as he searches for “the perfect meal”. While Bourdain doesn’t find perfection, he does discover the centrality of food in preserving culture and building relationships. In Portugal, he gets involved in the yearly pig slaughter – visceral and confronting, despite his experience as a chef – and revels in the celebration, conviviality and hospitality that accompanies this centuries-old tradition. In Vietnam, he builds tentative relationships with locals by joining them in drinking “moonshine from a plastic cola bottle” on the banks of the Mekong. The book is engaging, witty and sharp, but also poignant. It encourages us to not only think about where our food comes from, but about the meanings we ascribe to it and the communities we build around it. My Life in France by Julia Child (with Alex Prud’homme) Julia Child was an unlikely culinary icon. She didn’t really learn to cook until she moved from the United States to France with her husband, Paul, in 1948. On her return, she introduced not just her home country but the English-speaking world to the art of French cooking. My Life in France (2005), co-written with journalist Alex Prud’homme, tells the story of “a crucial period of transformation” in which she found her “true calling” and started writing Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle. My Life in France is bursting at the seams with Child’s signature joie de vivre : she certainly doesn’t take herself seriously. It is also a snapshot of postwar French cuisine, as experienced by someone encountering something completely transformative – and deciding to share her experience with the world, despite the obstacles. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat Judging by the subtitle, Mastering the Art of Good Cooking, Samin Nosrat’s 2016 book, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat , took some inspiration from Mastering the Art of French Cooking . However, it is eminently more beginner-friendly. While the book has recipes (good ones), it is not a recipe book per se . Rather, it is a set of instructions on how to cook: or, if you already have the basics down, how to cook better. Yet, unlike other cooking reference books, it tells a story. Iranian–American Nosrat, who trained at the acclaimed restaurant Chez Panisse , introduces her readers to her four elements of good cooking, one at a time. She introduces culinary theory, scientific principles and tips and tricks, in an accessible and engaging way. This information is interspersed with vignettes from Nosrat’s culinary life and supported by excellent illustrations. It is not only a good read, but a cookbook you will reach for time and again. Death in the Dordogne by Martin Walker It may be strange to see a mystery novel on this list, but sometimes we want a palate cleanser, a sweet treat to end a meal. Martin Walker’s Death in the Dordogne (2009) is just the thing. Bruno Courrèges is chief of police in the small town of St. Denis in the Dordogne, in south-west France. While there is a murder to be solved (the death of an elderly war veteran), Bruno’s other major obsession is the food and wine of the Périgord region, which Walker describes in delicious detail. As Bruno travels around the countryside solving the mystery, he eats: omelettes scented with black truffle, ripe red strawberries, flaky croissants, and fresh trout cooked in the open air. Alongside this feast, the book also probes the complexities of a changing, modern France – including the impact of immigration and the rise of right-wing politics . Cod by Mark Kurlansky Cod: a Biography of the Fish that Changed the World (1997) is a book about the voracious appetite of the human race and the effects of appetite. The story Kurlansky tells is not just the millennia-long saga of the low-fat, white-fleshed fish that was indispensable to cuisines across Europe. It is that, of course – but it’s also a story about the rise of colonialism and capitalism, international conflict, the slave trade, the insatiable search for commodities, and the environmental legacy of new technologies. Cod was first published almost 30 years ago, soon after the North Atlantic cod fishing industry had reached a point of collapse due to overfishing. In 2024, for the first time since the early 1990s, the Canadian government lifted its moratorium on commercial cod fishing off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, in light of improved cod stocks. Kurlansky’s writing is evocative – you can feel the chill and the fog of the cod banks. Intrepid cooks may even attempt some of the recipes. Lauren Samuelsson is an Honorary Fellow in History, University of Wollongong. This article was first published on The Conversation .

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In conclusion, the DJI Flip's leak on Amazon has sparked excitement and anticipation within the drone community, with many eagerly awaiting its official release. With its ultra-lightweight design, advanced features, and high-quality camera, the DJI Flip is poised to set a new standard for drones in its weight class and redefine what is possible in aerial videography. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking new product from DJI.

UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York

In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, four ancient wooden slips dating back to over a thousand years ago have been unearthed in South Korea. These wooden slips, known as "mokkan" in Japanese and "mujeok" in Korean, are pieces of wood that were used in East Asia for writing, recording information, and official communication during ancient times.

Use of cash is growing – amid concerns businesses are refusing to accept notes and coinsFor the parents and family members who witnessed the ceremony, it was a moment of both pride and trepidation. Seeing their children stand tall and resolute in their commitment to serve their country filled them with admiration and respect. At the same time, they knew that the path ahead would be filled with uncertainties and dangers, and their hearts ached with the thought of the risks their loved ones would face.

Pedestrian struck in northeast LondonEverythingALS and Compass UOL partner to advance artificial intelligence and computational biology by training and supporting 2,000 Top Talent to Cure ALS at AWS re:Invent 2024The Tencent Games Annual Conference, also known as TGA, is one of the most anticipated events in the gaming industry. Every year, TGA brings together gamers, developers, and industry professionals to celebrate the best of gaming culture. One of the highlights of TGA is the Player's Voice award, where gamers have the opportunity to vote for their favorite games and influencers.

While the consolidation of village and town banks in Hebei may bring benefits in terms of efficiency, risk management, and competitiveness, it also raises concerns about the impact on local communities. Village and town banks play a crucial role in providing financial services to rural and underserved areas, and the consolidation of these institutions may result in reduced access to banking services for residents.Liverpool's Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has once again showcased his incredible talent on the football field with a stellar performance in the month of November. Scoring a remarkable 4 goals and providing 1 assist in just 3 matches, Salah has earned well-deserved recognition for his exceptional contributions to his team.

PONTE VEDRA, Fla., Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Treace Medical Concepts, Inc. ("Treace” or the "Company”) (NasdaqGS: TMCI), a medical technology company driving a fundamental shift in the surgical treatment of bunions and related midfoot deformities through its flagship Lapiplasty® and Adductoplasty® Procedures, today announced the successful completion of the first cases combining IntelliGuideTM PSI technology with the Adductoplasty® System for a CT-based, patient specific correction personalized to the patient's unique midfoot deformity. IntelliGuideTM PSI, incorporating RedPointTM technology, is the first and only patient-specific cut guide system available for correction of bunion and/or midfoot deformities in the U.S. IntelliGuideTM PSI provides an AI-enabled software approach to convert a patient's CT-scan to a pre-operative surgical plan and produce a 3D-printed cut guide specific to the patient's deformity for efficient and personalized intra-operative guidance. It is estimated that midfoot deformities, such as metatarsus adductus, may occur in up to 30% of bunion patients. 1,2 Treace has now initiated a limited market release of IntelliGuideTM PSI for the Adductoplasty® Procedure and plans to expand surgeon access of IntelliGuideTM for both the Lapiplasty® and Adductoplasty® procedures progressively over the coming months with full market release expected within the first half of 2025. "IntelliGuideTM PSI further advances our market leadership position in the surgical management of bunion and midfoot deformities, extending the established benefits of PSI personalized approaches to our Lapiplasty® and Adductoplasty® Procedures,” said John T. Treace, CEO, Founder and Board Member of Treace. "We look forward to further building out our ecosystem of enabling digital technologies as part of our strategy to provide a comprehensive portfolio of bunion and related midfoot solutions to address the evolving needs of our surgeon customers and patients.” Eric Kuhlman, DPM of Center for Spine & Orthopedics in Denver, who performed an initial IntelliGuideTM Adductoplasty® case commented, "This technology is going to revolutionize the way that I approach treating patients with bunion and related midfoot deformities. The virtual planning process helped me fully visualize the complex three-dimensional metatarsus adductus midfoot correction before stepping foot in the OR and the 3D-printed cut guides added a new level of intra-operative precision, efficiency, and confidence to the procedure. Just as PSI has advanced other areas of orthopedics, I expect IntelliGuideTM PSI to rapidly expand our understanding and treatment of these common, yet challenging foot deformities.” Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Company's expectations of innovation, product commercialization, market performance, and growth. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current assumptions and expectations of future events and trends, which affect or may affect the Company's business, strategy, operations or financial performance, and actual results and other events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Factors that could cause actual results or other events to differ materially from those contemplated in this press release can be found in the Risk Factors section of Treace's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024, and its subsequent SEC filings. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements speak only as of their date and, except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements, whether as a result of any new information, future developments or otherwise. Internet Posting of Information Treace routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the "Investor Relations” section of its website at www.treace.com . The Company encourages investors and potential investors to consult the Treace website regularly for important information about Treace. About Treace Medical Concepts Treace Medical Concepts, Inc. is a medical technology company with the goal of advancing the standard of care for the surgical management of bunion and related midfoot deformities. Bunions are complex 3-dimensional deformities that originate from an unstable joint in the middle of the foot and affect approximately 67 million Americans, of which Treace estimates 1.1 million are annual surgical candidates. Treace has pioneered and patented the Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® System - a combination of instruments, implants, and surgical methods designed to surgically correct all three planes of the bunion deformity and secure the unstable joint, addressing the root cause of the bunion and helping patients get back to their active lifestyles. To further support the needs of bunion patients, Treace has introduced its Adductoplasty® Midfoot Correction System, designed for reproducible surgical correction of midfoot deformities. The Company continues to expand its footprint in the foot and ankle market with the introduction of its SpeedPlateTM Rapid Compression Implants, an innovative fixation platform with broad versatility across Lapiplasty® and Adductoplasty® procedures, as well as other common bone fusion procedures of the foot. For more information, please visit www.treace.com . To learn more about Treace, connect with us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . 1. Aiyer AA, et al. Foot Ankle Int. 2014; 35:1292-1297. 2. Gribbin CK, et al. Foot Ankle Int. 2017; 38:14-19. Contacts : Treace Medical Concepts Mark L. Hair Chief Financial Officer [email protected] (904) 373-5940 Investors : Gilmartin Group Vivian Cervantes [email protected]Furthermore, the evolving preferences of buyers in Guiyang have also influenced the development of the local real estate market. Developers and investors are now focusing on creating more diverse and innovative residential projects that cater to the changing needs and tastes of consumers. From eco-friendly housing developments to smart home technologies, the market in Guiyang is witnessing a transformation towards more sustainable and intelligent living environments, aligning with the city's vision for urban renewal and environmental protection.

In addition to its performance capabilities, the Xiaomi YU7 is also set to raise the bar in terms of connectivity and technology. Equipped with the latest in-cabin infotainment systems, advanced driver-assist features, and smart connectivity options, the YU7 ensures that drivers and passengers stay connected, entertained, and safe throughout their journey.But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”

In addition to stabilizing property prices, the government is also committed to improving access to housing for the general population. Affordable housing has long been a major issue in China, with many people struggling to find suitable and affordable accommodations. To address this challenge, the government has pledged to increase support for affordable housing projects and improve the availability of rental housing options. By enhancing access to housing for all citizens, the government aims to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of the people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO in a targeted killing on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, ran the insurance arm of the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc. since 2021 and had worked at the company for 20 years. He previously led its Medicare and retirement businesses. As CEO, Thompson led a business that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at Pricewaterhouse Coopers and had little name recognition beyond the industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. Thompson’s few moments of public attention stood in contrast to his role in reshaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy, rather than focusing on treating them when they get sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson was scheduled to speak at an investor meeting when he was shot around 6:45 a.m. outside the New York Hilton Midtown by a masked assailant who fled on foot, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. He said Thompson walked out of the hotel alone. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporter Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report. This story corrects the style of the company’s name to UnitedHealthcare.

The midseason four-game winning streak that lifted the Arizona Cardinals into the playoff picture seemed as though it happened fast. Their subsequent free fall has been even more jarring. The Cardinals could have moved into a tie for first place in the NFC West with a home win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Instead, they were thoroughly outplayed in a 30-18 loss and are now tied for last in the tightly packed division. Arizona has lost three straight and will face an uphill battle to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The Seahawks (8-5) are in first place, followed by the Rams (7-6), Cardinals (6-7) and 49ers (6-7). Even more daunting for their playoff hopes, the Cardinals lost both of their games against the Seahawks this season, meaning a tiebreaker would go to Seattle. Four games remain. “I just told them we put ourselves in a little bit of a hole now, but all you can do is attack tomorrow, learn tomorrow and have a good week of practice,” second-year coach Jonathan Gannon said. There are plenty of reasons the Cardinals lost to the Seahawks, including Kyler Murray's two interceptions, a handful of holding penalties, a porous run defense and a brutal missed field goal. It all adds up to the fact Arizona is playing its worst football of the season at a time when it needed its best. “I’m sure we’ll stick to our process, but we have to tweak some things,” Gannon said. "I have to tweak some things.” It's probably faint praise, but the Cardinals did make the game interesting in the second half while trying to fight back from a 27-10 deficit. Murray's shovel pass to James Conner for a 2-yard touchdown and subsequent 2-point conversion cut the margin to 27-18. The Cardinals had a chance to make it a one-score contest early in the fourth quarter, but Chad Ryland's 40-yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright. “I thought we spotted them a lot of points there, but then we battled back,” Gannon said. “I appreciate their effort. That was good. We battled back there, had a couple chances to even cut the lead a little more, but ultimately didn’t get it done." Murray's in a bit of a mini-slump after throwing two interceptions in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. He also didn't do much in the run game against the Seahawks, with 16 yards on three carries. The quarterback's decision-making was nearly flawless for much of the season and the Cardinals need that good judgment to return. “I’m not looking at it like I have to try to be Superman,” Murray said. “I don’t think that’s the answer. I just need to play within the offense like we’ve done for the majority of the season. Today, I didn’t. Like I said, throwing two picks puts yourself behind the eight ball.” Said Gannon: “I thought he stuck in there and made some big time throws, though, but he has to protect the ball a little bit better. That’s not just him, that’s all 11. So there’ll be a lot of corrections off those plays." The defense didn't have its best day, but it's not Budda Baker's fault. The two-time All-Pro safety is having another phenomenal season and was all over the field against the Seahawks, finishing with 18 tackles. Baker's energy is relentless and he's the unquestioned leader of a group that has been better than expected this season, even with Sunday's mediocre performance. Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. had a tough day, getting flagged for holding three times, though one of those penalties was declined by the Seahawks. The second-year player moved from right tackle to the left side during the offseason and the transition has gone well, but Sunday was a step backward. The Cardinals remain fairly healthy. DL Roy Lopez (ankle) and P Blake Gillikin (ankle) left Sunday's game, but neither injury is expected to be long term. 9 — It looks as if the Cardinals will go a ninth straight season without winning the NFC West. The last time they won the division was 2015 with coach Bruce Arians and a core offense of quarterback Carson Palmer, running back David Johnson and receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The Cardinals are in must-win territory now for any chance at the playoffs. They'll host the New England Patriots on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

In conclusion, the 7.8 rating on Douban for "I Am a Detective" is a reflection of its compelling storytelling, realistic portrayal of investigative procedures, and strong character development. While some creative liberties may be taken for entertainment purposes, the series succeeds in capturing the essence of grassroots criminal investigation and shedding light on the challenges faced by those working in the field. As a detective who has experienced the highs and lows of the job, I appreciate the efforts made by the creators to bring this world to life on screen.Looking ahead, the implications of NVIDIA's future AI accelerator are far-reaching. From enabling real-time AI inference for autonomous vehicles to powering advanced healthcare diagnostics and accelerating scientific research, the possibilities are endless. As AI continues to permeate every aspect of our lives, the need for high-performance computing solutions like NVIDIA's future AI accelerator will only continue to grow.The success of Sony's gaming business is not just limited to hardware sales, but also extends to its software and services offerings. The PlayStation Network, Sony's online gaming platform, has experienced rapid growth in both user base and revenue, as more and more gamers flock to the platform to connect, play, and interact with others.When poverty and pet ownership intersect, what's the most humane thing to do?