Taylor Swift ‘s weekend out and about in New York City continued Saturday night (Dec. 28). She was photographed with Travis Kelce in the Meatpacking District, where the two were reportedly seen arriving at private supper club Chez Margaux. The foundation of the singer-songwriter’s outfit was a mod Fleur du Mal mini dress ( Long Sleeve Flared Corset Dress , $495). The flattering stretch jacquard mini features a mock neck, corset seaming and boning, and a flare skirt. Swift topped the dress with a long, black coat by Simkhai that combines a classic, tailored silhouette with festive sparkle, thanks to its embellished design ( Gianni Coat , $995). Strappy Louboutin sandals with a substantial heel and carefully chosen jewelry, including a pair of De Beers Arpeggia One Line Earrings, rounded out what looked to be a date-night ensemble. Swift and Kelce’s Saturday night out followed a Friday dinner with the pop star’s longtime friend and producer Jack Antonoff and his wife, Margaret Qualley. Both couples were photographed outside BondST , a NoHo restaurant with Japanese-inspired cuisine. Swift’s post-holiday social outings in New York come after she wrapped her record-breaking Eras Tour, which grossed $2 billion , earlier this month in Vancouver — and after spending some time in Kansas City, Mo., where she visited patients at Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Hospital and attended the Chiefs-Texans game at Arrowhead Stadium. Swift’s December also brought 10 Billboard Music Awards , including Top Artist. She’s the most celebrated artist in the history of the BBMAs, having collected a total of 49 wins so far. See the stylish winter outfit Swift wore on Saturday night below.
The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life. Read More Karisma Kapoor's saree fusion redefines the ultimate fashion statement Ranthambore's 10 safari zones: A guide to guaranteed tiger sightings 9 reasons to include moringa leaves in your diet on a daily basis Janhvi Kapoor gears up for a glamorous Christmas celebration 10 signs your employees are losing interest in their jobs Baby names based on adorable names of Jesus Christ 10 classics that resonate the true spirit of Christmas Christmas 2024: How to make Coffee Walnut Cake for the special feast 10 best flowers for the winter balcony gardenTAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 5, 2024-- Concurrent Investment Advisors, LLC (“Concurrent”), a leading multi-custodial, hybrid registered investment adviser (“RIA”), reaches $9.7 billion in assets under management with the addition of six new advisors and additional support staff. Lora Hoff, Carl Lambert and Lindsay Lambert join existing Concurrent teams, Jason Hudson joins under his own brand, Hudson Wealth Management, while the remaining four advisors join as one team under Canopy Asset Management (“Canopy”). The new partnerships bring the firm a collective $885 million in assets under management. Canopy aligns with Concurrent to support its ongoing growth goals. It seeks to add assets and staff, as well as additional resources and solutions for clients, including improving reporting and portfolio management and building a legacy firm. The team of four, Tye Pipkin, Ken Pipkin, Jennifer Fussell, and Kristen Moore, will tap into Concurrent’s in-depth back-office support to reinforce the firm’s infrastructure and will continue operating under the current company name from their office in St. Simons Island, Georgia. Lora Hoff and Carl and Lindsay Lambert join Wealth Partners Alliance ("WPA") , an established part of the Concurrent network, which manages over $1.5 billion AUM. Hoff brings over 25 years of experience in financial planning and wealth management and will continue to serve her business-owner clients with enhanced services out of WPA’s Dallas office. Concurrent provides Hoff access to top-tier technology and promotes her firm’s continued growth through increased operational capabilities. The Lambert team will be based out of WPA’s Houston office, offering corporate retirement planning and wealth planning for individuals and employees. Concurrent’s advanced technology infrastructure will allow the team to serve clients with innovation and flexibility. The partnership presents business growth resources while allowing the Lambert team to maintain autonomy in their business. Jason Hudson has been helping clients plan for retirement for almost a decade. He is launching his firm Hudson Wealth Management and tapping Concurrent for its evolving technology and operational support, which will help enhance client relationships by offering personalized attention and improved services. “Our mission is to equip advisors with the resources they need for success. We are eager to see Jason, Lora, Carl, Lindsay, and the Canopy team grow as they elevate client engagement and satisfaction,” said Concurrent CEO and co-founder Nate Lenz. “We recognize that advisors have a choice, and we strive to be a destination firm for advisors who seek independence and support in their entrepreneurial endeavors. It’s an honor when advisors choose to align with us, and we are committed to maintaining the trust they place in us.” About Concurrent Concurrent is a multi-custodial, hybrid registered investment adviser (RIA) created to give independent advisors all the resources they need to grow their businesses and adapt to the evolving financial needs of their clients. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Concurrent was established in 2017 by former advisors, business owners and industry leaders to cultivate a national network of independent providers of unbiased, fiduciary advice. Through a partnership with Merchant , Concurrent offers its advisors strategic resources, full operational support, and opportunities to align through shared equity and mutual success. Independence and collaboration are central to Concurrent’s ethos, as advisors maintain their autonomy and unique value while sharing best practices and best-in-breed technology to grow as entrepreneurs. To learn more about Concurrent, visit www.poweredbyconcurrent.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205917211/en/ CONTACT: Media Contact Monica Estrada Gregory FCA for Concurrent concurrent@gregoryfca.com 267-503-4770 KEYWORD: FLORIDA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FINANCE CONSULTING BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ASSET MANAGEMENT SOURCE: Concurrent Investment Advisors, LLC Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/05/2024 03:39 PM/DISC: 12/05/2024 03:37 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205917211/en
'Never underestimate the power of the public': Inside the 6-day hunt for CEO Brian Thompson's killer
World Bank warns that Nigeria, others are losing investments to inefficient spendingThe Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is Dead at age 100Mary and Kerry spend their free time who are caught up on the wrong side of the law live better lives. or signup to continue reading The pair (who wished only to use their first names) volunteer for South Australia's and say they find their roles meaningful. "Without being sanctimonious, knowing that our service may help get through their a little more easily [and] that someone still sees their humanity [makes me feel fulfilled]," Mary said. Kerry said volunteering gives him purpose, a chance to meet lots of interesting people, get training on a mix of topics to help him work with people better, and share some social activities. Both dispelled similar myths about working in such settings. "It is not dangerous. You are safer in there than in the wider world," Mary said. "I have never been threatened or felt at risk while doing my volunteer role," Kerry said. Mary helps catalogue, cover, repair, and reshelve thousands of books in the library at Yatala Labour Prison in Adelaide. "I've always loved books and reading... The fact that somebody in there wanted access to them ... triggered... my impulse to go and do that," she said. Interaction with prisoners is short and respectful. She fields questions about different subjects or titles that might be available, such as sports biographies or any of "the classics", plus shares a little banter. Mary, who has previous experience in disability support and volunteering at a school library, finds they're taken aback when they find out she's a volunteer. "Sometimes you get the sense that they think... 'They're doing this for me for free. That's kind of [them]'," she said." Kerry has a varied role where he supports people who have received a court-ordered sanction of some kind, like a prison sentence, or a bail or community-based order. You'll find him helping with accessing a bank, getting a phone, helping them maintain accommodation, go to medical appointments, help them learn how to use public transport, and be a listening ear. "When they realise that I am a volunteer, the majority become quite chatty and are happy to talk about most subjects," he said. "It is not common for them to talk about their lives and experience inside prison or why they ended up inside, so I don't ask. It can be quite overwhelming for some, so I try not to elevate any anxiety and just guide them through each interaction they have." He said he can become quite friendly with some of the longer-term people he helps. "They treat me with respect and are happy to have someone to help them and have a chat and a coffee [with]," he said. "This is rewarding for me when I think they are trying to move on with their lives." Kerry was able to use the skills he'd learned from working in civil construction for several decades plus with the education department. The SA Department for Correctional Services is looking for volunteers to help support people who are going back into the community, as well as those in prison. Roles include transporting people between locations for appointments or after release from prison, education such as numeracy and literacy, creative writing and art classes, library services, driver education, and helping people reintegrate into the community with tasks like shopping and learning how to use public transport. For more information visit or visit corrections.sa.gov.au Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement
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Stents Market Size: Strong Growth Ahead (2024-2032) 12-24-2024 05:36 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Cognate Insights Stents Market Latest Market Overview The global stents market is expected to reach USD 18.4 billion in 2024, with a projected CAGR of 7.1% from 2024 to 2032, and is forecasted to exceed USD 33.8 billion by 2032. Stents are small, expandable tubes used in medical procedures to treat narrowed or blocked blood vessels, primarily for conditions like coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and urinary tract obstructions. The growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, advancements in stent technology, and an aging global population are the key factors driving the growth of this market. The increasing demand for minimally invasive surgeries is further accelerating the adoption of stents worldwide. The Stents Market has experienced steady growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding at a strong pace from 2024 to 2032. This analysis offers a comprehensive overview, providing valuable insights into key trends and developments within the Stents industry. These findings equip business leaders with the necessary knowledge to devise more effective strategies and enhance profitability. Furthermore, the report serves as a useful resource for new and emerging businesses, helping them make informed decisions as they navigate the market and seek growth opportunities. Major Players of Stents Market are: Boston Scientific Corporation (USA): Revenue: $12.7 billion (2023). Medtronic plc (Ireland): Revenue: $31.2 billion (2023). Abbott Laboratories (USA): Revenue: $43.6 billion (2023). B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany): Revenue: $9.3 billion (2023). Terumo Corporation (Japan): Revenue: $6.7 billion (2023). Get Latest PDF Sample Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/request-sample/stents-market-research Our Report covers global as well as regional markets and provides an in-depth analysis of the overall growth prospects of the market. Global market trend analysis including historical data, estimates to 2024, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast to 2032 is given based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market segments involving economic and non-economic factors. Furthermore, it reveals the comprehensive competitive landscape of the global market, the current and future market prospects of the industry, and the growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and constraints in emerging and emerging markets. Global Stents Market Landscape and Future Pathways: North America: United States Canada Europe: Germany France U.K. Italy Russia Asia-Pacific: China Japan South Korea India Australia China Taiwan Indonesia Thailand Malaysia Latin America: Mexico Brazil Argentina Korea Colombia Middle East & Africa: Turkey Saudi Arabia UAE Korea Speak to Our Analyst for A Discussion on The Above Findings, And Ask for A Discount on The Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/check-discount/stents-market-research Key drivers and challenges influencing the Stents market: Regional Analysis: The report involves examining the Stents market at a regional or national level. Report analyses regional factors such as government incentives, infrastructure development, economic conditions, and consumer behaviour to identify variations and opportunities within different markets. Market Projections: Report covers the gathered data and analysis to make future projections and forecasts for the Stents market. This may include estimating market growth rates, predicting market demand, and identifying emerging trends. Company Analysis: Report covers individual Stents manufacturers, suppliers, and other relevant industry players. This analysis includes studying their financial performance, market positioning, product portfolios, partnerships, and strategies. Consumer Analysis: Report covers data on consumer behaviour, preferences, and attitudes towards Stents This may involve surveys, interviews, and analysis of consumer reviews and feedback from different by Application. Technology Analysis: Report covers specific technologies relevant to Stents. It assesses the current state, advancements, and potential future developments in Stents areas. Reason to Buy this Report: -Analysis of the impact of technological advancements on the market and the emerging trends shaping the industry in the coming years. -Examination of the regulatory and policy changes affecting the market and the implications of these changes for market participants. -Overview of the competitive landscape in the Stents market, including profiles of the key players, their market share, and strategies for growth. -Identification of the major challenges facing the market, such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing consumer preferences, and analysis of how these challenges will affect market growth. -Evaluation of the potential of new products and applications in the market, and analysis of the investment opportunities for market participants. For In-Depth Competitive Analysis - Purchase this Report now at @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/purchase-report/stents-market-research Contact Us: Cognate Insights Web: www.cognateinsights.com Email: info@cognateinsights.com Phone: +91 8424946476 About Us: We are leaders in market analytics, business research, and consulting services for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, financial & government institutions. Since we understand the criticality of data and insights, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. To be at our client's disposal whenever they need help on market research and consulting services. We also aim to be their business partners when it comes to making critical business decisions around new market entry, M&A, competitive Intelligence and strategy. This release was published on openPR.Many mysterious drones have been reported flying over New Jersey and across the eastern U.S., sparking speculation and concern over where they came from and why. The FBI, the Homeland Security Department and state agencies have been investigating, but officials say there has been nothing so far to suggest that any drones have posed a national security or public safety threat. In fact, authorities say, many of the drone sightings have actually been legal drones, manned aircraft, helicopters and even stars. President Joe Biden said Tuesday night that there appears to be nothing nefarious about the flying objects. “There are a lot of drones authorized. We are following this closely. So far no sense of danger,” the Democrat said as he left the White House for a trip to Delaware. Despite federal officials' comments, many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules about who can fly unmanned aircraft — and for the authority to shoot them out of the sky. The House Intelligence Committee grilled federal law enforcement and intelligence officials about the drones during a closed-door meeting Tuesday, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut told CNN. Authorities told the panel there still is no evidence that drones are posing dangers, Himes said. What has been seen in New Jersey? Dozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones statewide since mid-November, including near the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said Monday that drone-detection equipment supplied by the federal government has yielded little new information. He declined to describe the equipment except to say it was powerful and could even disable the drones, though he said that’s not legal on U.S. soil. Murphy urged Congress to give states more authority to deal with the drones. Meanwhile, the FBI and New Jersey state police warned against pointing lasers at suspected drones, because aircraft pilots are being hit in the eyes more often. Authorities also said they are concerned people might fire weapons at manned aircraft that they have mistaken for drones. But do the drones pose a threat? The growing anxiety among some residents is not lost on the Biden administration, which has faced criticism from Trump for not dealing with the matter more aggressively. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Monday that the federal government has yet to identify any public safety or national security risks. “There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States,” Kirby said. “And there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones that are lawfully in the sky on any given day. That is the ecosystem that we are dealing with.” The federal government has deployed personnel and advanced technology to investigate the reports in New Jersey and other states, and is evaluating each tip reported by citizens, he said. About 100 of the more than 5,000 drone sightings reported to the FBI in recent weeks were deemed credible enough to warrant more investigation, according to a joint statement by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense. Who is operating the drones? Speculation has raged online, with some expressing concerns that the drones could be part of a nefarious plot by foreign agents or clandestine operations by the U.S. government. Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said it’s unlikely the drones are engaged in intelligence gathering, given how loud and bright they are. And he repeated Tuesday that the drones being reported are not being operated by the Department of Defense. Asked whether military contractors might be operating drones in the New Jersey area, Ryder rebuffed the notion, saying there are “no military operations, no military drone or experiment operations in this corridor.” Ryder said additional drone-detecting technology was being moved to some military installations, including the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. Drone activity in the past week led to an hourlong closure of runways at New York’s Stewart International Airport, about 60 miles north of Manhattan, a four-hour closure of air space around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, and the arrests of two men in Boston accused by police of flying a drone too close to Logan International Airport. Officials urge action against the drones Trump has said he believes the government knows more than it’s saying. “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!” he posted on Truth Social. U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, said he has heard nothing to support the notion that the government is hiding anything. He said a lack of faith in institutions is playing a key part in the saga. “Nothing that I’m seeing, nothing that I’ve engaged in gives me any impression of that nature. But like, I get it, some people won’t believe me, right? Because that’s the level of distrust that we face,” Kim said Monday. Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut last week called for the drones to be “shot down.” Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Michael Casey in Boston; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut; Tara Copp in Washington; and Bruce Schreiner in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The latest from MassLive
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev., Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE:TPH) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a new stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $250 million of common stock through December 31, 2025 (the “Repurchase Program”), which succeeds the stock repurchase program that the Board of Directors authorized in December 2023 (the “2024 Repurchase Program”). For the fourth quarter through December 17, 2024, under the 2024 Repurchase Program, the Company repurchased 1,202,913 shares of common stock at a weighted average price per share of $41.57 for an aggregate dollar amount of $50.0 million. For the full year through December 17, 2024, under the 2024 Repurchase Program, the Company repurchased 3,964,537 shares of common stock at a weighted average price per share of $36.97 for an aggregate dollar amount of $146.6 million. Purchases of common stock pursuant to the Repurchase Program may be made in open market transactions effected through a broker-dealer at prevailing market prices, in block trades, or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws, including pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company is not obligated under the Repurchase Program to repurchase any specific number or dollar amount of shares of common stock, and it may modify, suspend, or discontinue the Repurchase Program at any time. Company management will determine the timing and amount of any repurchases in its discretion based on a variety of factors, such as the market price of the Company’s common stock, corporate requirements, general market economic conditions, legal requirements, and applicable tax effects. About Tri Pointe Homes® One of the largest homebuilders in the U.S., Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (NYSE: TPH) is a publicly traded company operating in 12 states and the District of Columbia, and is a recognized leader in customer experience, innovative design, and environmentally responsible business practices. The company builds premium homes and communities with deep ties to the communities it serves—some for as long as a century. Tri Pointe Homes combines the financial resources, technology platforms and proven leadership of a national organization with the regional insights, longstanding community connections and agility of empowered local teams. Tri Pointe has won multiple Builder of the Year awards, was named to the 2024 Fortune World’s Most Admired CompaniesTM list, is one of the 2023 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® and was designated as one of the PEOPLE Companies That Care® in 2023 and 2024. The company was also named as a Great Place To Work-CertifiedTM company for four years in a row (2021 through 2024), and was named on several Great Place to Work ® Best Workplaces lists (2022 through 2024). For more information, please visit TriPointeHomes.com . Forward-Looking Statements Various statements contained in this press release, including those that express a belief, expectation or intention, as well as those that are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our strategy, projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future production, land and lot sales, operational and financial results, including our estimates for growth, financial condition, sales prices, prospects, and capital spending. Forward-looking statements that are included in this press release are generally accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or other words that convey future events or outcomes. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim any obligation to update these statements unless required by law, and we caution you not to rely on them unduly. These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. The following factors, among others, may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements: the effects of general economic conditions, including employment rates, housing starts, interest rate levels, home affordability, inflation, consumer sentiment, availability of financing for home mortgages and strength of the U.S. dollar; market demand for our products, which is related to the strength of the various U.S. business segments and U.S. and international economic conditions; the availability of desirable and reasonably priced land and our ability to control, purchase, hold and develop such parcels; access to adequate capital on acceptable terms; geographic concentration of our operations; levels of competition; the successful execution of our internal performance plans, including restructuring and cost reduction initiatives; the prices and availability of supply chain inputs, including raw materials, labor and home components; oil and other energy prices; the effects of U.S. trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and duties on homebuilding products and retaliatory measures taken by other countries; the effects of weather, including the occurrence of drought conditions in parts of the western United States; the risk of loss from earthquakes, volcanoes, fires, floods, droughts, windstorms, hurricanes, pest infestations and other natural disasters, and the risk of delays, reduced consumer demand, and shortages and price increases in labor or materials associated with such natural disasters; the risk of loss from acts of war, terrorism, civil unrest or public health emergencies, including outbreaks of contagious disease, such as COVID-19; transportation costs; federal and state tax policies; the effects of land use, environment and other governmental laws and regulations; legal proceedings or disputes and the adequacy of reserves; risks relating to any unforeseen changes to or effects on liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, indebtedness, financial condition, losses and future prospects; changes in accounting principles; risks related to unauthorized access to our computer systems, theft of our homebuyers’ confidential information or other forms of cyber-attack; and additional factors discussed under the sections captioned “Risk Factors” included in our annual and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The foregoing list is not exhaustive. New risk factors may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risk factors on our business. Investor Relations Contact: InvestorRelations@TriPointeHomes.com, 949-478-8696 Media Contact: Carol Ruiz, cruiz@newgroundco.com, 310-437-0045True Crime Don't miss out on the headlines from True Crime. Followed categories will be added to My News. Exclusive: The nation’s retailers are suffering an epidemic of violence as thugs brazenly steal, threaten and assault innocent workers for the crime of doing their job. Workers are increasingly being punched, threatened with weapons and enduring death threats while working at supermarkets, shopping centres and grocery stores. Major retailers are calling to be allowed to use facial recognition technology (FRT) in a bid to catch offenders as shoppers flood stores in the lead up to Christmas when retail crime is expected to surge. Retail crime cost the Australian sector about $8 billion in the last financial year, representing nearly two per cent of sector wide annual turnover. Attacks involving weapons have jumped 33 per cent, according to global software company Auror that has recorded nearly 800,000 retail crime events in the past year. Knives and blades are the most commonly used weapon to assault or threaten retail staff followed by hammers. Kmart and Target have experienced a 62 per cent increase in consumer-threatening incidents over the past year with anti-social behaviour behind 86 per cent of incidents. The two chains have seen a 44 per cent increase in high-risk incidents, with physical assaults rising by 31 per cent and anti-social threatening situations rising by 76 per cent. “It’s not acceptable that anyone feels threatened either verbally or physically in their place of work – and that right should apply equally to people who work in retail in jobs that support and service communities right around Australia every day,” Kmart and Target’s chief people and capability officer Tristram Gray said. Watch the exclusive video above. An offender punches a Bunnings worker in the mouth at a store in Melbourne’s north. Picture: Supplied by Bunnings Woolworths has also reported a 20 per cent increase in incidents over the past year across supermarkets, Metro stores and Big W outlets. Only 10 per cent of offenders are responsible for about 63 per cent of crime while the rate of violence to theft is 80:20, a ratio that was flipped just a decade ago. Bunnings managing director Michael Schneider said workers across the retail sector including teenagers were copping foul verbal abuse, intimidation and violence. Mike Schneider, Managing Director of Bunnings. Picture: Peter Mathew “Our youngest team members are at school, they’re doing their first job, and we’ve got team members who are in their 70s and 80s,” he said. “If you’re a 15 or 16 year old working at Bunnings or McDonalds or Coles or whatever and someone’s aggressive and violent towards you that’s probably going to live with you for many years, if not for the rest of your life.” Bunnings released shocking CCTV footage of incidents of aggression and violence against staff after the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) found the hardware giant had breached the privacy of customers by using facial recognition technology. An offender punches a Bunnings worker in the mouth at a store in Melbourne’s north. Picture: Supplied by Bunnings The incidents captured on film include a naked man following a staff member, a customer wielding a gun and another man holding a knife to a staff member’s throat. Mr Schneider said as a major employer he had a responsibility to keep his employees safe and the hardware giant needed to be able to use facial recognition technology to catch repeat offenders. “We want every tool at our disposal to keep our team members safe,” he said. “I think that the general public want to know that when they’re shopping with us, that they’re not going to be confronted with some of the images that you guys and many other media outlets ran a couple of weeks ago.” The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, which represents 200,000 workers, is understood to support the use of FRT to protect workers if robust protections are in place. National Retail Association (NRA) Director of Policy David Stout said only 10 per cent of offenders were responsible for 65 per cent of retail crime and said retailers needed every tool at their disposal. “The shift in crime trends is alarming, and it’s clear that current frameworks need to be updated to cope with this issue,” he said. “We need modern reporting systems and immediate consequences for high harm repeat offenders. Australian Retailers Association chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown said retail crime had skyrocketed during the pandemic and had never abated. “It’s been quite catastrophic for the retail sector,” she said. “Retail crime intensifying has put many workers in a position where they may be quite apprehensive, stressed, if they are actually involved in aggression or assault.” New Zealand retail lobby group Retail NZ has also called for retailers to be allowed to use FRT stores to protect workers. More Coverage ‘Told to f**k off’: Kmart worker cops black eyes in brutal attack Remy Varga ‘Irritable people’: Retail assaults spark compo fears Remy Varga Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories True Crime ‘Irritable people’: Retail assaults spark compo fears Aggression towards retail workers has risen over the past decade, and companies fear a new fallout from Aussie shoppers’ constant aggression. Read more World Man caught on Google Street View putting dead body in car boot This is the moment that led police to the arrest of two people after a man was spotted loading a large white plastic bag with a dead corpse into the boot of his car. Read more
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By David E. Sanger and Lisa Friedman, New York Times Service Over the past two days, President-elect Donald Trump has made clear that he has designs for American territorial expansion, declaring that the United States has both security concerns and commercial interests that can best be addressed by bringing the Panama Canal and Greenland under American control or outright ownership. Trump’s tone has had none of the trolling jocularity that surrounded his repeated suggestions in recent weeks that Canada should become America’s “51st state,” including his social media references to the country’s beleaguered prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau.” Instead, while naming a new ambassador to Denmark — which controls Greenland’s foreign and defense affairs — Trump made clear on Sunday that his first-term offer to buy the landmass could, in the coming term, become a deal the Danes cannot refuse. He appears to covet Greenland both for its strategic location at a time when the melting of Arctic ice is opening new commercial and naval competition and for its reserves of rare earth minerals needed for advanced technology. “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World,” Trump wrote on social media, “the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.” On Saturday evening, he had accused Panama of price-gouging American ships traversing the canal, and suggested that unless that changed, he would abandon the Jimmy Carter-era treaty that returned all control of the canal zone to Panama. “The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous,” he wrote, just before an increase in the charges scheduled for Jan. 1. “This complete ‘rip-off’ of our country will immediately stop.” He went on to express worry that the canal could fall into the “wrong hands,” an apparent reference to China, the second-largest user of the canal. A Hong Kong-based firm controls two ports near the canal, but China has no control over the canal itself. Not surprisingly, the government of Greenland immediately rejected Trump’s demands, as it did in 2019, when he first floated the idea. “Greenland is ours,” Prime Minister Mute B. Egede said in a statement. “We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.” The Danish prime minister’s office was more circumspect, writing in a statement that the government was “looking forward to working with the new administration” and offering no further comment on Trump’s remarks. After Trump brought up the Panama Canal again in a speech on Sunday, Panama’s president, José Raúl Mulino, said in a video that “every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zones is part of Panama, and it will continue to be.” He added: “Our country’s sovereignty and independence are not negotiable.” But the president-elect’s statements — and the not-so-subtle threats behind them — were another reminder that his version of “America First” is not an isolationist creed. His aggressive interpretation of the phrase evokes the expansionism, or colonialism, of President Theodore Roosevelt, who cemented control of the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. And it reflects the instincts of a real estate developer who suddenly has the power of the world’s largest military to back up his negotiating strategy. Trump has often suggested that he does not always see the sovereignty of other nations’ borders as sacrosanct. When Russia invaded Ukraine, his first response was not a condemnation of the blatant land grab, but rather the observation that President Vladimir Putin’s move was an act of “genius.” Even now, as Trump seeks a deal to end the war in Ukraine, he has never said that the country’s borders must be restored, a key demand of the United States and NATO — he has only promised a “deal” to end the fighting. In the cases of Greenland and Panama, both commercial and national security interests are at play. Trump’s desire for Greenland was made explicit in the first term, when a wealthy New York friend of his, Ronald S. Lauder, the New York cosmetics heir, put the idea in his head. In the Trump White House in 2019, the National Security Council was suddenly delving into the details of how the United States would pull off a land acquisition of that size. Trump kept pressing the point with Denmark, which consistently rebuffed him. Trump was not the first president to make the case: Harry S. Truman wanted to buy Greenland after World War II, as part of a Cold War strategy for boxing out Soviet forces. Trump can make a parallel argument, especially as Russia, China and the United States jockey for control of Arctic routes for commercial shipping and naval assets. Arctic experts did not dismiss Trump’s Greenland bid as a joke. “Not that many people are laughing about it now,” said Marc Jacobsen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defense College in Denmark who focuses on Arctic security. Jacobsen noted that the reaction in Denmark to Trump’s latest bid had been one of fury (one Danish politician called it “an unusually strange way to be an ally”). But, he said, Greenlanders — who have long sought independence — may seek to use Trump’s interest as an opportunity to further strengthen economic ties with the United States. Since 2009, Greenland has had the right to declare its independence, but the vast territory of about 56,000 people is still heavily dependent on Denmark and has never chosen to pursue that path. Trump’s interest could give Greenland an opening for more U.S. investments, including in tourism or rare earth mining, he said. “Was it crazy when the U.S. acquired Alaska? Was it crazy when the U.S. built the Panama Canal?” asked Sherri Goodman, a former Pentagon official and a senior fellow with the Wilson Center Polar Institute, a Washington-based think tank. Goodman, whose book “Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security” centers in part on the Arctic, said the United States did have a strong interest in ensuring that China in particular does not develop a strong presence in Greenland. China’s ambitions in the Arctic have grown, and in 2018 it laid out plans to build infrastructure and develop shipping lanes opened by climate change. Goodman said the United States should continue to prevent China from gaining a foothold in the doorstep to North America, but said Greenlanders must decide their own fate. “We want to have all those territories proximate to our own mainland territory to protect us and also to prevent an adversary from using it to our strategic disadvantage,” Goodman said. “On the other hand, there is international law and international order and sovereignty, and Greenland is still a part of Denmark.” When it comes to Panama, Trump may also hold a distant personal grudge. In 2018, Panamanian police officers ousted the Trump Organization from the Trump International Hotel in Panama City after a protracted legal battle between the president-elect’s family and the majority owner of the property. The Trump name subsequently came down. The company had held a contract to manage the property. David L. Goldwyn, who served at the State Department under Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, noted that Greenland has tremendous undeveloped natural resources, including more than 43 of the 50 so-called critical rare earth elements used to make electric vehicles, wind turbines and other clean technology. “Certainly if Greenland chose to develop these resources, it would provide a significant alternative to China, although it is China’s capacity to process those minerals which gives it its current advantage,” he said. But Goldwyn said that in addition to Denmark’s sovereignty, Trump might find that Greenland’s Indigenous communities do not want mining and resource extraction as much as he does. “It is highly unlikely resource extraction could be forced on an unwilling population,” he said. “A more fruitful path might be to collaborate with the Danish government and Greenland’s population on ways to safely and sustainably develop those resources.” This article originally appeared in The New York Times . Extra News Alerts Get breaking updates as they happen. Be civil. Be kind.Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’Two Sasquatch hunters were found dead after they went missing while searching for the mythical beast on Christmas Eve . The men, aged 37 and 59, were found after a 60-strong volunteer search and rescue team joined authorities in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington State . They had intended to be home for Christmas Day, but a family member reported them missing to Skamania County authorities after they didn’t return by the morning. Police said the harsh weather conditions and their ill-preparedness for the forest contributed to the men’s deaths. Seven law enforcement agencies and the Coast Guard used canines, drones, ground teams and helicopters to locate them. “Their exhaustive search efforts resulted in bringing family members home to their loved ones,” the sheriff’s office said of the search teams. The force extended their “deepest sympathies and condolences to the families” involved. Kieran Culkin once got Mark Ruffalo high while on the job after switching out a prop joint with the real thing. In a profile with The Guardian published Saturday, Culkin recalled the prank his 17-year-old self concocted while starring alongside Ruffalo in an off-Broadway play in 2000, and explained that he “just watched” as Ruffalo took a draw of the “fake” joint before passing it to his co-stars on stage. “I’m like, ‘I thought this was a good prank. I’m stupid. Oh my God, I’m so sorry.’ But actually, they loved it,” Culkin remembered. “Mark says, ‘I haven’t smoked pot in 10 years; the second half’s going to be so much fun.’ There was this other actor who had never smoked pot in her life. She goes, ‘Is this what being high is? This is lovely.’ And then Phyllis Newman comes in and goes, ‘I haven’t smoked pot since the 1960s. Thank you, darling.’” The Succession star proceeded to express that he was “17 and stupid” and added, “I’m 42 now. I know better. I’m not going to try to get anyone high on stage.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Boxing Week sales are still in full swing, folks! As an avid J.Crew fan , I can honestly say that the brand’s discount-laden factory store (the brand’s online outlet) is a great way to get high-quality wardrobe staples without the big price tag. J.Crew Factory always offers discounts up to 40 percent off J.Crew, but for a limited time, you can unlock even more savings from already discounted items. Right now, J.Crew Factory is offering 70 percent off clearance items with the code SALE70 at checkout. Now’s the time to invest in evergreen staples like jeans and office-friendly blazers while they’re half off, or grab a few outwear essentials to round out your cold-weather lineup. The sale also includes tons of denim for just $50, pure cotton crewneck T-shirts for $20, and even new arrivals like NYE frocks and cashmere items. And the sale is not just for women; the gents’ and kids’ sections are equally full of additional savings. Loved ones of Hudson Meek, the teen actor who died in a car accident last week, gathered to celebrate his life on Saturday. The “celebration of life” service, held at a Baptist church in Homewood, Alabama, was livestreamed on the Baby Driver star’s Instagram. Several of the loved ones shared their favorite memories of the 16-year-old, and a choir sang in tribute. Fans expressed their appreciation for the service and their condolences in the comment section. “Wonderful celebration of Hudson’s life,” wrote user @melindaeubankswest, while @jeanniecmom added, “Praying for Hudson’s family at this difficult time. Fellow teen actor Grace Culwell shared in the comments that she was in attendance, writing: ”Such a beautiful service & so glad we were able to be there. Sending so much love & prayers to you all.” Meek died on Dec. 21 in from injuries sustained during a fall from a moving car on Dec. 19 in his hometown, Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Meek was known best for appearing in the 2017 crime movie Baby Driver alongside Ansel Elgort, Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx. A post shared by Hudson Meek (@hudsonmeek) Andy Cohen’s biggest gripe with CNN star and New Year’s Eve partner-in-crime Anderson Cooper? Cooper’s annual giggle fit. Cohen explained to People why the anchor’s unceasing laughter adds extra chaos throughout their annual special. “Well, [it’s] that I have to be the straight guy,” Cohen said. “Literally, he’s in a puddle of giggles for the last 90 minutes of the broadcast, and I’m the one that’s hitting all the commercial breaks.” Cohen said he turns “into Mr. CNN for the last 90 minutes” while Cooper becomes “Mr. Bravo.” “It’s a very funny role reversal,” the Bravo star said. The longtime friends have hosted the CNN event together since 2017 after former co-host Kathy Griffin was booted in the wake of backlash for posing with a mask depicting the severed head of Donald Trump. Cohen and Cooper have found themselves in various antics since then— some alcoholic , some not —leading to Cooper’s own frustrations with the Bravo host. Cooper joked on Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live earlier this month that he constantly worries about “who [Cohen’s] gonna insult and what the clean up on aisle 3 is gonna be in the morning.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. If you’re looking to revamp your at-home fitness lineup ahead of 2025 and don’t have hours to commit to exercising each day, allow us to introduce you to the CAROL Bike . The science-backed and AI-powered fitness bike is engineered to give you maximum results in the shortest time possible—and by the shortest time, we mean as little as five minutes. In fact, according to the brand, the CAROL bike is “proven to deliver double the health and fitness benefits in 90 percent less time compared to regular cardio.” Free Returns | Free Shipping Not only is it a huge time-saver, but the CAROL Bike is also designed to be personalized to the rider’s individual fitness levels, goals, and preferences, making the workouts easy to follow, time-efficient, and super effective. CAROL’s AI and Reduced Exertion HIIT (REHIT) technology optimizes the workout to your ability and fitness level, so every second matters. The personalized, optimal resistance levels are automatically adjusted as you work out—at exactly the right time—making the most efficient workouts easy to follow. “ CAROL Bike is designed to maximize training efficiency, with the shortest, most effective workouts, backed by science. And new rider-inspired features that give riders more flexibility to exercise their way,” says Ulrich Dempfle, CEO & Co-Founder at CAROL. You can try the CAROL Bike for yourself risk-free for 100 days, and the brand offers free shipping (7-10 business days) in the U.S. Billionaire businessman Charles Dolan, who founded HBO and Cablevision and whose family owns Madison Square Garden and a number of New York City sports teams, died on Saturday—he was 98. Dolan created Cablevision Systems Corporation in 1973, merging several small Long Island cable TV systems, according to the New York Times . At the time, the company served just 1,500 customers. But when he sold it for $17.7 billion in 2015, it supplied cable TV to over three million households in the New York metropolitan area, the Times reported. He also launched HBO in the early ’70s—it was at the time a pioneering cable TV channel that offered feature-length movies with no commercials. After his death, Dolan’s family will continue to be a powerful and influential force in the worlds of media and sports. His son Patrick is the owner of Newsday , the Long Island-based newspaper he and Charles bought in 2016. The family also owns MSG in New York City and the professional sports teams that play there, the NHL’s Rangers and the NBA’s Knicks. All three entities are led by Dolan’s son James. Tina Knowles sprang to her daughter Beyoncé’s defense after online trolls criticized her NFL halftime show performance on Christmas Day. Knowles clapped back at critics by reposting a message about her famous daughter on her Instagram on Friday. In the screenshot, user @iamkrisiman praised Beyoncé and wrote that “no matter how undeniably talented you are, people will always, ALWAYS, always have some negative ish to say.” Knowles cosigned the post in a lengthy caption. “It is mind-boggling to me that you would take your precious Christmas day and watch a performance of someone you hate and you don’t think has talent so that you can go talk ish about it later,” she wrote. “Obviously you are so obsessed with them, addicted to them, and secretly admire them,” she added. According to the New York Post, Knowles’ post came after some social media users called Beyoncé “overrated.” Fans and celebrities in the comments of Knowles’ response seemed to love her mama bear energy. “Period!!! Ms. T,” singer LeToya Luckett wrote. “All. Of. This!!!!!!” Oscar winner Octavia Spencer added. A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinaknowles) Elon Musk appeared to borrow a line from the 2008 film Tropic Thunder in an ongoing social media fight about H1B visas. Musk hit back against MAGA’s top players in a series of X posts, alleging that H1B visas are the reason why he, “and hundreds of other companies that made America strong,” are in the country. To a skeptical X user, Musk blasted: “Take a big step back and F--- YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” Although some were shocked by Musk’s sudden escalation—with former Trump strategist Steve Bannon calling him a “toddler”—others noticed that the disparaging remark was similar to a line in Tropic Thunder . Character Les Grossman, played by Tom Cruise, says in the film: “First, take a big step back, and literally, F--- YOUR OWN FACE ... I don’t know what kind of pan-pacific bulls--t power play you’re trying to pull here, but Asia, Jack, is my territory. So whatever you’re thinking, you’d better think again.” In response to Musk’s comment, the X user tweeted, “Bro was just memeing. I wouldn’t take it too seriously.” Nothing beats the classics pic.twitter.com/MRSdXifhH5 Charles Shyer, the writer-director best known for directing the 1991 Steve Martin comedy Father of the Bride has died at 83. According to Deadline, Shyer died Friday and no cause of death was given by his family in a statement. “His loss leaves an unfillable hole in our lives, but his legacy lives on through his children and the five decades of wonderful work he’s left behind. We honor the extraordinary life he led and know there will never be another quite like him,” his family told the outlet. In addition to directing, Shyer gained notoriety for his screenwriting and nabbed an Oscar nomination in 1981 for co-writing the Goldie Hawn-led military comedy Private Benjamin alongside Harvey Miller, and fellow writer-director Nancy Meyers. Meyers and Shyer married in 1980 before calling it quits in 1999. They share two daughters. Other notable films co-written by Shyer include Jumpin’ Jack Flash , The Parent Trap , and Baby Boom , which he also directed. His most recent credit behind the camera was co-writing and directing the 2023 Netflix Holiday film Best. Christmas. Ever. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. 2025 is quickly approaching, and there’s no better way to celebrate the new year than with 2024’s cocktail du jour—the espresso martini. It’s the perfect way to toast 2025 with sophistication, flavor, and an energy boost. Think you can’t make the buzzy beverage at home because you’re not a bartender? Think again. You can create this beloved cocktail effortlessly with just a cocktail shaker, fresh espresso, vodka, coffee beans, and Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur . It all starts in the land Down Under—Australia. Mr Black sources its ingredients, including 100 percent specialty-grade Arabica coffee, from local farmers and cooperatives. The liqueur is then slowly brewed with purified cold water to preserve its delicate, complex flavors. The result? A bittersweet masterpiece with bold flavor, balanced sweetness, and a lasting coffee kick. Its rich, coffee-forward taste is a crowd-pleaser, and the sleek bottle design adds a touch of elegance to any bar cart. Making an espresso martini is simple. Combine Mr Black , vodka, and freshly brewed espresso in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until cold. Then, strain the mixture into a martini glass and finish with three coffee beans as a garnish. Skip the champagne toast this year and ensure you stay awake for the countdown to 2025 with a Mr Black espresso martini. A Norwegian chess champion left mid-tournament after refusing to change his outfit for judges. Magnus Carlsen, a five-time World Chess Champion, was competing in New York’s FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday when he was asked to change. According to The Telegraph , Carlsen was first fined $200 for breaking the wardrobe rule before being told he would have to leave if he didn’t change. “I said, ‘I’ll change tomorrow if that’s OK.’ I didn’t even realize it today, but they said, ‘Well you have to change now.’ At that point it became a bit of a matter of principle for me,” Carlsen told chess outlet Take Take Take in an interview. “Honestly, I am too old at this point to care too much. If this is what they want to do,” he added. As for why he wore the jeans in the first place, Carlsen said he had little time to change before the tournament as he was coming from a meeting. The grandmaster made light of the debacle on X where he tweeted a photo of the now notorious jeans. “OOTD,” he captioned the snap. OOTD pic.twitter.com/9reOP6zuJv Gossip Girl star Chanel Maya Banks , who made headlines last month after denying her family’s claims that she had gone missing, has filed a restraining order against her mother and cousin. The 36-year-old submitted the request in Los Angeles on Thursday, alleging her mom, Lutchmin Judy Kumar, and cousin, Danielle Singh have harassed her, TMZ reported. The actor also claimed that her mother and cousin were working to destroy her credibility. In October, Banks’ family reported her missing. She denied the claims in a post days later. Banks wrote in the restraining order filing that Kumar and Singh broke into her apartment in November while she was gone and attacked her husband. She also alleged that an Apple AirTag was put on her car to track her. After the attack, she alleged that her mother and cousin accused her husband of murder and said that Banks should be in a psychiatric hold. Sources told TMZ that they’re happy she is safe and are “moving on with their lives.”
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli soldiers raided a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. 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. In the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. The war was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because to a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when 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. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.Viad Corp Announces Mandatory Conversion Date for 5.5% Convertible Series A Preferred StockPhone service has been restored at PIH Health’s three hospitals where a debilitating ransomware attack purportedly compromised 17 million patient records. The Dec. 1 breach downed computers and most phone systems at PIH Health Downey Hospital, PIH Health Whittier Hospital and PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. It also compromised systems at the organization’s urgent care centers, doctors’ offices and a home health and hospice agency. PIH announced on its website that services at hospitals for incoming and outgoing calls are available, while phone systems at physician offices should be functional this week. “We are still facing some limited functionality, which we are working on internally,” PIH said in the statement. “However, patients can call the hospitals’ main phone numbers to reach services and patient rooms.” PIH said it has increased staffing to handle an anticipated high volume of phone calls, but noted some medical procedures and surgeries may be cancelled due to ongoing technology issues. “We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this incident, and all our teams continue to work diligently to resolve this issue quickly and bring the rest of our systems back online securely,” Amanda Enriquez, a spokesperson for PIH, said in an email. Last week the Southern California News Group obtained a copy of a threatening typewritten letter purportedly faxed by the unidentified hackers to PIH outlining the scope of the attack. The cyber thieves said they found PIH’s network “highly vulnerable,” with data stored insecurely on servers, and claimed to have stolen about 2 terabytes of files, documents and reports, including: It is unknown if PIH has paid a ransom to the hackers. No known group has publicly claimed responsibility for the attack. PIH said it is working with a cyber forensic specialist and the FBI to unravel the breach. If the hackers’ claims of stealing 17 million records are accurate, the PIH ransomware attack could potentially become the second-largest health data breach this year, according to bankinfosecurity.com. The incident marks the second time hackers have successfully targeted PIH. In June 2019, a targeted email phishing campaign against PIH employees compromised personal and protected health information for nearly 200,000 patients. However, PIH didn’t report the breach to the U.S. Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights until seven months later. According to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, covered entities must report breaches affecting protected health information within 60 days of discovering the breach. The recent ransomware attack has prompted several law firms to aggressively solicit plaintiffs online for class-action lawsuits against PIH. “Our attorneys believe that any health entity that collects and stores your sensitive data has a duty to properly protect it from ransomware attacks,” the Lyon Firm, which has offices in Irvine, said in on its website. “If a company is deemed negligent and has not maintained reasonably secure IT security systems, they may be held accountable.”
Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreamsNew England Patriots Head Coach Jerod Mayo leaves the field following Saturday’s 40-7 loss to the Chargers. Michael Dwyer/Associated Press FOXBORO, Mass. — Eleven and a half months after he was introduced as the head coach of the Patriots, the chief reason to believe in Jerod Mayo remains unchanged. It’s nothing you can see, nor hear, nor point to as proof. It’s an idea, an extension of the imagination. Something abstract. Potential. Or, in the words of the pessimist: pure, unfounded faith. Because most of what we’ve seen and heard from Mayo since he was hired paints an increasingly disturbing reality for the NFL’s once premier franchise. The Patriots are a laughing stock. An embarrassment. A doormat the Chargers, of all franchises, just wiped their feet on before waltzing into the playoffs without having to play their starters through to the end. Meanwhile, these Patriots are penalty prone. Selfish. Unaccountable. And now, most damning of all, they’re quitters. “Just to speak for myself, I’ve seen a lot of stuff out there. It feels like a lot of guys start giving up when things get hard,” defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale told me after Saturday’s 40-7 loss. New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. during the second half of Saturday’s game in Foxborough, Mass. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press Shaking his head, Ekuale continued: “I feel like towards the end of the fourth quarter, some of the guys just give up, and some guys play to the end of the whistle. I don’t know, man. It’s been a tough year, ups and downs.” Saturday was all downs, an avalanche leading into next weekend’s season finale and an uncertain future beyond that who-cares affair with the Bills. All of the reporting surrounding Mayo’s future has indicated he will return for 2025, provided he avoids a “collapse” or “calamity” down the stretch. Did Saturday’s loss, by far the Patriots’ worst of the season, qualify as either? I don’t know. What I do know is I have seen enough to pass on potential, and pick up the phone for Mike Vrabel. If Vrabel is, indeed, interested in returning to New England, the Krafts ought to bring him home. Say what you will about Vrabel’s Titans — a hard-nosed, boring bunch often hamstrung by bad quarterbacks — they never quit. They didn’t break fundamentally. Instead, they knocked out the dynasty-era Pats in January 2020, Tom Brady’s last game as a Patriot, and made the AFC championship game that same year. Two seasons after that, they clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and Vrabel was named Coach of the Year. During his Tennessee tenure, Vrabel was widely regarded as a top-10 NFL coach and compiled a winning record. Mike Vrabel was a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots as a player and he now has eight years of coaching experience. Wade Payne/Associated Press Whatever Mayo might become, he’s light-years away from that, and eight seasons behind Vrabel in coaching experience. All of the years Vrabel has spent outside New England since being traded as a player in 2009 have served him in a way Mayo can never know until he leaves himself; building a network, learning other systems, coaching techniques and philosophies. Vrabel is not a Patriot anymore, and that fact, along with his track record of hiring strong offensive coordinators, makes him the perfect candidate for what Mayo was hired to do in the first place: reboot and modernize the franchise. Because under Mayo, the Patriots coaches are stuck on a hamster wheel of failure; unable to complete the four basic tasks of their profession: motivate, organize, teach and develop. This staff is not reaching its best players. “I’ve never been in this position; as disconnected or not on the same page as I am right now,” Pats defensive lineman Keion White told me. “Like, I know I can play good football. I have the ability to. I’m just not right now, and (I’m) trying to figure it out what it is.” This staff has not developed anyone outside of Drake Maye. Fellow rookie Javon Baker still has fewer career catches than Vederian Lowe, the team’s left tackle, and Ja’Lynn Polk’s caught two passes since Halloween. This staff can’t force opponents to “play left-handed.” The pick that should have been Polk, Ladd McConkey, the Chargers’ leading receiver by more than 400 receiving yards, scored two touchdowns Saturday. Two! And the staff is not inspiring players in a way that suggests the Patriots will be able to next season. “Just need to compete better, fight a little more,” Pats receiver Kendrick Bourne admitted. “Just embarrassing.” Never mind Mayo’s ongoing parade of media mistakes, which continued Saturday when Rhamondre Stevenson started the game after he told the national television and local radio broadcasts the butterfingered Stevenson would sit. Or that veteran players continue to reflect Mayo’s don’t-mind-the-defense attitude after a 33-point beatdown when they allowed 150 rushing yards. “I thought we were playing good run D — just particularly talking about defense — I thought we were playing good run defense,” Pats nose tackle Davon Godchaux said. “You know, I think (Jim) Harbaugh made a statement and said they were going to come in and play bully ball. Particularly when you say that, they typically want to run the ball, stop the run, play your special teams. I thought for the most part, we played good run defense.” Man. Seriously? What matters is the Patriots have one game left against the Bills, who are likely to rest their starters ahead of the playoffs. Several Pats players happily noted Buffalo’s expected lineup decision Saturday’s post-game locker room, perhaps the saddest possible commentary on the state of the franchise. That the Patriots, six-time Super Bowl champions, might win because of whom the Bills choose to sit, not because of who they are as a team. If ownership opts to fire Mayo’s coordinators the following week, the Krafts will face an impossible task of hiring quality coaches willing to work a second-year headman on the hot seat with minimal experience. If they run it back with Mayo, Alex Van Pelt and DeMarcus Covington, ownership will send a message that losing like this can be tolerated; that they again are betting on potential, while the on-field results and locker-room commentary scream otherwise. The thing is, I’m done with potential. The sure thing is out there. His name is Mike Vrabel, and if he’s willing and able to return, that’s all the Krafts need to know. We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve. Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe . Questions? Please see our FAQs . Your commenting screen name has been updated. Send questions/comments to the editors. « Previous