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Black Ops 6 is free - Dates and times for free Multiplayer, Zombies and Double XP eventBarrister cleared of misconduct calls on head of Bar Standards Board to resign
In keeping with a long-standing Thanksgiving tradition, President Joe Biden recently pardoned a pair of turkeys . During a ceremony at the White House, the birds — named Peach and Blossom — were spared from the dinner table and given a new lease on life. While it was an act of pure political pageantry, it highlights the president’s expansive pardon powers — which could be used liberally during his final two months in office. Historically, presidents have issued numerous pardons during their lame duck periods, including quite a few that have raised eyebrows. Here is what to know about presidential pardons. Presidential pardon power Article II of the Constitution enables the president to grant clemency for any federal crime, according to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report. This authority is rooted in an old English law that permits monarchs to bestow mercy on criminals. “The president’s power to pardon is astronomical,” Taylor Stoermer, a historian at Johns Hopkins University, told McClatchy News. “The Constitution doesn’t even require an explanation. The only real limits are that it doesn’t apply to state crimes or impeachment cases.” “So the president can grant full pardons, commute sentences, or even offer amnesty, on an individual basis or for an entire class of people,” Stoermer said. How often do presidents grant clemency? Most presidents have issued numerous acts of clemency throughout their terms in office, according to historians. For example, Donald Trump, during his first term, granted 143 pardons and 94 commutations, according to the Pew Research Center. During Barack Obama’s eight years in office, he issued 212 pardons and 1,715 commutations. Among the commutations granted by both men were multiple that concerned low-level drug offenses , such as possession of marijuana. However, these acts of clemency have not typically been distributed evenly throughout a president’s tenure. Since 1945, every president — with the exception of Lyndon Johnson — granted clemency at a higher rate during the last four months of their terms, according to CRS. For example, Obama granted an average of 296 acts of clemency per month during his final four months in office, compared with an average of eight per month before that. Similarly, Trump issued an average of 50 per month during the last four months compared with an average of one per month before that. “Trump certainly kept to that pattern, and I would not be surprised if Biden does as well,” Thomas Balcerski, a presidential historian at Eastern Connecticut State University, told McClatchy News. Additionally, these 11th hour acts of mercy tend to be the most controversial ones. “Most save the big, bold pardons for the end of their terms,” Stoermer said. “And because exactly why you’d think: No voters to answer to.” Controversial acts of clemency Throughout history, presidents have issued a fair number of pardons, commutations and acts of amnesty that have received widespread scrutiny. “The most famous, of course, is Gerald Ford’s pardoning of Richard Nixon,” Vernon Burton, an emeritus history professor at Clemson University, told McClatchy News. In September 1974, following the Watergate scandal and Nixon’s resignation, Ford issued a full pardon for any crimes Nixon “committed or may have committed” against the United States. Jimmy Carter also took flak for pardoning “all of the Vietnam War draft dodgers,” Burton said. “That was huge.” This pardon, issued on Carter’s first day in office in 1977, applied to roughly 100,000 military-age men who avoided going to war , according to Politico. “Then there’s George H.W. Bush pardoning key players in Iran-Contra,” Stoermer said. With less than one month until he left office, Bush pardoned six people , including a former secretary of defense, wrapped up in the illegal arms scandal. More recently, Obama reduced the sentence of Oscar Lopez Rivera, a Puerto Rican activist whose political organization was responsible for dozens of robberies and bombings in the U.S. And Trump preemptively pardoned adviser Steven Bannon, who was charged with bilking donors out of money they gave toward the construction of a border wall. “These kinds of moves show how the pardon power can get tangled up in political strategy or personal connections — and that’s what makes it fascinating (or infuriating) to watch,” Stoermer said. Have presidents pardoned family members? Given that Biden’s son Hunter Biden has been convicted of felony offenses , some have wondered whether he will issue a pardon before he leaves office. “Would he pardon Hunter Biden? That’d be quite something,” Balcerski said. “There is some precedent.” On his last day in office, President Bill Clinton issued a pardon for his half-brother Roger Clinton, who had pleaded guilty to a cocaine distribution charge. “That was slightly less impactful because Roger Clinton had already served the time,” Stoermer said. “So that was mostly about clearing his record than dodging accountability.” Biden, though, has said he has no plans to grant clemency to his son. Could Trump break the mold? Trump could break with long-standing tradition of issuing controversial pardons at the end of his term, historians said. The president-elect has vowed to pardon some of the people convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot on his first day in office. “I am inclined to pardon many of them ,” he wrote on social media in March, according to ABC News. Throughout the country, about 1,500 people have been charged in connection with the riot, including about 547 who were charged with “assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees.” “It wouldn’t be surprising to see an unprecedented wave of pardons right out of the gate, particularly for January 6 rioters,” Stoermer said. “That would take the use of the pardon power into completely uncharted territory.” “Of course, there is a precedent: Carter’s first-day pardon of draft evaders of the Vietnam era,” Stoermer said. “That applied to hundreds of thousands of people. But that’s not quite the same as a coup.” ©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are determined to not get ahead of themselves. Sunday’s 30-7 rout of the New York Giants began a six-game, regular season-ending stretch in which the Bucs (5-6) will face five opponents that currently have losing records. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekSusquehanna’s long and winding road to the Division III football quarterfinals has led the team back home. The River Hawks host Bethel (Minn.) at noon Saturday — four months to the day since their first practice of the season. Susquehanna’s first day of class was Aug. 24. A couple of weeks later, SU beat Bridgewater 41-7 in a season-opening matchup under the lights of Doug Arthur Stadium. Point is, it’s been quite a lengthy season. It’s a good time to look back at the most pivotal plays that got the River Hawks where they are today, two wins away from reaching the Stagg Bowl. Bourgeois stuns Johnnies Does anything else measure up to last week’s game-winning field goal? Given the ball in a tied game with 3:31 to play, the River Hawks had the chance to knock off top-seeded St. John’s (Minn.) at its Clemens Stadium home. However, SU soon faced third-and-7 from its own 28-yard line. Susquehanna coach Tom Perkovich let the clock run, knowing that giving the ball back to St. John’s All-American quarterback Aaron Syverson could spell trouble. “We had two timeouts left. I thought we had enough (time) to move the ball down the field,” Perkovich said. “In the end, I did not want to give it back to them. It was everything to do with not wanting to give it back to their firepower in the pass game.” The River Hawks converted that third down (more on that later) and they kept marching down the field, chewing the clock until only two seconds remained. Dominic Bourgeois knew his number would be called to kick. “We got the stop, and I saw them driving down the field,” he said. “I knew I was going to have to kick a field goal or an extra point. They were the only two options, and I trusted the offense to get down the field.” After the Johnnies took a timeout to ice the sophomore kicker, Bourgeois drilled a 37-yard field goal right down the middle, whipping the Susquehanna sideline into a frenzy. Robbins keeps the drive alive Back to that third-and-7 situation in Collegeville, Minn. Failing to pick up that conversion would have given St. John’s the ball with less than three minutes to play, still plenty of time to break the tie and advance to the quarterfinals. SU quarterback Josh Ehrlich found Michael Robbins open on the right side of the field and delivered a strike. The 16-yard completion kept the drive alive, one that became a 10-play, 55-yard series that culminated in Bourgeois’ game-winning kick. Robbins caught another 16-yard pass from near midfield later in the drive that put SU on the brink of field-goal range. They were Robbins’ only two catches in the game. “Those two plays were huge,” Perkovich said. Ehrlich calls ‘game’ One week earlier, in their 42-35 second-round win over Hobart, the River Hawks were faced with a third-and-9 scenario from the Statesmen’s 32-yard line with two minutes to play. Not quite in field-goal range, the River Hawks could have played it safe with a run up the middle. The result of the play would have informed a decision to try for three points and a two-score margin, or to punt and force Hobart to drive the length of the field. Instead, Perkovich trusted his quarterback to make a play. Risking an incompletion that would have stopped the clock — or a potential turnover — Ehrlich dropped back to pass and found Robbins open across the middle for an 18-yard gain. As the Statesmen had no timeouts remaining, the gutsy completion allowed SU to kneel out the clock and secure its first NCAA win since 1991. “For us, it’s about putting the ball in the right people’s hands,” Perkovich said after the game. “I tried to stay incredibly aggressive throughout the game, and I think we did that. We saw the fruits of that labor.” Announcing his arrival Rahshan La Mons announced his presence with much fanfare in the second quarter of his first collegiate game. Split out wide deep in SU territory, the rookie back brought in a third-down screen pass from Ehrlich just beyond the line of scrimmage. He weaved in and out, avoiding the grasp of several Bridgewater defenders. By the time he reached the home 40-yard line, it was clear he was going to sail to the end zone. That 86-yard touchdown play was the first of his three scores that day. He finished with 228 total yards in the season-opening matchup. “It’s an unbelievable feeling,” La Mons said. “I called my parents last night, and they couldn’t believe how nervous I was. I’ve never been so nervous before a game in my life.” With 1,855 yards and 24 touchdowns to his name, La Mons was the Landmark Conference rookie of the year and was named to D3football’s All-Region squad as the first team running back. “He’s one of the best players in the country,” Ehrlich said. “Definitely the best player I’ve ever played with.” Ruisch, Fleming secure win Back on Sept. 14, Brockport looked like a team poised to potentially stun the River Hawks. Down by six points in the final two minutes of the game, the Golden Eagles forced a punt and started a drive on their own 14-yard line. After three incomplete passes, they converted on fourth-and-10 to keep the drive alive. Brockport picked up another first down and soon moved into Susquehanna territory, threatrning to hand SU a loss with a matchup looming against the reigning national champion Cortland. That was until River Hawks linebacker Jeese Ruisch slammed into a Brockport receiver Nolan Slywka, forcing the ball out of his grasp and onto the turf. SU sophomore cornerback Ben Fleming was quickest to the loose ball. His recovery allowed the River Hawks to kill the final 52 seconds and deny Brockport’s upset bid. “I was just going in pursuit of the tackle,” Fleming said. “I saw Ruisch punch the ball out, and just dove on the ball.” A Week 2 loss would have cost SU the right to host an NCAA second-round game, and possibly could have cost them a first-round bye.
NoneA high-profile barrister who was cleared of misconduct over social media posts has called on the head of the Bar Standards Board to resign. Dr Charlotte Proudman, who specialises in family law, had faced a Bar Standards Board (BSB) disciplinary tribunal over a 14-part Twitter thread criticising a judge’s ruling over a domestic abuse case, saying it echoed a “boys’ club”. However, the five charges against the 36-year-old were dropped on Thursday. In an interview with The Times, Dr Proudman described the position of Mark Neale, the board’s director-general, as “untenable” and said its chairwoman, Kathryn Stone, should also stand down. “They need a change, not just in those two individuals, though, because, of course, it seeps down to the rest of the organisation,” she said. She told the paper she “genuinely” wanted to work with the Bar Standards Board in helping them to understand how misogyny and sexism have impacted women at the bar. However, she said that “under the current leadership, it’s just not going to be possible”. The charges alleged Dr Proudman had “failed to act with integrity” in posting the tweets, that they amounted to professional misconduct, were “misleading” and “inaccurately reflected the findings of the judge” in the case. The women’s rights campaigner was also accused of behaving in a way “which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public placed in her and in the profession”, and that she “knowingly or recklessly misled or attempted to mislead the public” by making the posts. But panel chairman Nicholas Ainley found her tweets are protected under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right of freedom of expression. He said her tweets did not “gravely damage” the judiciary, which would “put them outside” of Article 10 protection, even if they “might not have been pleasant for any judge to read” or even “hurtful”. “We take the view that the judiciary of England and Wales is far more robust than that,” he said. The panel also concluded that some of the tweets were only inaccurate “to a minor degree” and not to the extent necessary for a charge of a lack of integrity. Speaking after the hearing, Dr Proudman told the PA news agency: “This ruling is a victory for women’s rights and a right to freedom of speech. “The prosecution against me brought by my regulatory body, the Bar Standards Board, should never have happened and I said that from day one. “I criticised a domestic abuse judgment. Everyone should have the right to do that, whether you’re a barrister or not. Our justice system, which I strongly believe in, is robust enough to withstand criticism from me.” She believes her tweets help “foster confidence” in the justice system, adding: “Only that way can we go about building change and a better treatment for all victims, women and children and men who are affected by domestic abuse.” Explaining that the BSB appears to have spent almost £40,000 “of barristers’ money” on instructing counsel in her case, she added: “I think it’s shameful that they’re using our money to pay for, in my view, malicious, vexatious prosecutions which I have no doubt was a personal attack against me as a woman and as a feminist, as an outspoken critic and advocate for women’s rights.” Dr Proudman called for “systemic change” within the board. “They don’t understand gender, they don’t understand diversity, I don’t think they’ve ever heard of the concept misogyny and certainly not institutional misogyny,” she said. “Until they recognise the deeply rooted, entrenched issue of bullying, harassment, sexism at the bar, for which I have suffered relentlessly... and own up to it I don’t think we’re going to see any change and I have no confidence in them.” She told of how male barristers have called her insulting names on social media and made derogatory comments about her. In the posts on April 6 2022, Dr Proudman referenced a case in which her client alleged she had been subjected to coercive and controlling behaviour by her husband, a part-time judge, meaning she had been “unable to freely enter” the couple’s “post-nuptial” financial agreement. Commenting on the ruling by Family Court judge Sir Jonathan Cohen, Dr Proudman wrote: “I represented Amanda Traharne. “She said she was coerced into signing a post-nuptial agreement by her husband (who is a part-time judge). I lost the case. “I do not accept the Judge’s reasoning. I will never accept the minimisation of domestic abuse.” She continued: “Demeaning the significance of domestic abuse has the affect of silencing victims and rendering perpetrators invisible. “This judgement has echoes of (t)he ‘boys club’ which still exists among men in powerful positions.” In the thread, Dr Proudman wrote that the judge had described the relationship of the couple as “tempestuous”, which she argued was a “trivialisation” of domestic abuse. “Tempestuous? Lose his temper? Isn’t this the trivialisation of domestic abuse & gendered language. This is not normal married life,” she wrote.
Nike Brings Back the Iconic Nike Air Max Plus OG “Hyper Blue”A smart coal mining project in northwest China set a global record for autonomous driving this year, with the world’s largest mixed fleet of 56 driverless and over 800 manned trucks operating safely since June. These driverless trucks at the Heishan mine, 70 km south of Urumqi in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, can easily match the skill of experienced human drivers and are even capable of identifying obstacles as small as 10 cm from up to 40 meters away. The technology behind these cutting-edge vehicles is provided by CiDi Inc., a unicorn company specializing in commercial vehicle autonomous driving. Founded in 2017, it has applied for over 530 technical patents and participated in the formulation of over 50 industry standards. “Innovation is deeply embedded in our entrepreneurial philosophy,” said Ma Wei, CiDi’s co-founder, noting that the company’s commitment to technological advancement is fundamental to its growth. More than 75 percent of the company’s 500-strong staff are engaged in research and development (R&D), and its R&D investment accounts for over 40 percent of the operating costs. With a threefold revenue increase in the first half of this year, CiDi has arguably crossed the “valley of death” in the highly competitive and challenging field of autonomous driving, emerging as one of the industry’s top players. CiDi’s success is not an isolated case in China. Amid a challenging economic environment this year, many private companies have intensified their focus on innovation, overcoming headwinds to strengthen their core competitiveness and secure new growth opportunities. Chinese companies are currently facing challenges both at home and abroad. The sluggish global economy, coupled with rising trade protectionism, has dampened prospects in international markets while domestically, insufficient demand and the ongoing economic shift toward new growth drivers have also caused challenges. Liu Yuanchun, president of the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, believes that the challenges posed by economic cycles and structural adjustments can also present growth opportunities and generate potential energy to drive economic development. Industry analysis shows that although the steel industry faces short-term pressure, there is strong demand for high-value-added steel products, particularly in sectors like electric vehicles. Similarly, while the notebook computer market is nearing saturation, sales of specialized products like gaming laptops and ultra-thin models are picking up pace. Despite the drag of insufficient domestic demand, some industries, such as travel and entertainment e-commerce, still saw notable growth. To capture the new growth points and opportunities, it is necessary to engage in innovation, meet the ever-changing market demands, and explore broader development space, according to experts. Li-Gong Industrial Co., an intelligent manufacturing solution provider, achieved rapid development this year as it precisely identified emerging opportunities in a niche market. Li Weichong, president of Li-Gong, saw a rapid increase in demand for small-batch, personalized intelligent equipment, as economic pressures have driven small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to accelerate their intelligent transformation in a bid to stay competitive. In response, Li and his team acted swiftly. “We visit the factory of each customer to assess their digital transformation needs, designing robotic systems and customized software packages tailored to their specific requirements,” Li said, noting that Li-Gong’s digital transformation projects in 2024 have doubled compared with last year. For Cangzhou Four Stars Glass Co., which is striving to secure a strong position in the fiercely competitive market, its significant investment in assembly line upgrades finally paid off this year. The company invested nearly 300 million yuan (about 41.74 million U.S. dollars) in the past two and a half years to upgrade its factory for digitalized production. The investment brought financial pressure, but the transformation is aimed at long-term development, said Wang Huanyi, chairman of the glass producer, noting that the company reduced overall costs by 5 percent and saw a 20 percent increase in orders this year, a remarkable achievement amid intense market competition. Despite ongoing economic hardships, the rise of more innovation-driven enterprises is injecting new vitality into the market and creating new momentum for the Chinese economy. In the first three quarters of this year, 6.19 million new private enterprises were registered nationwide, with 40 percent of them engaged in new technologies, industries and business models. During the same period, the R&D investment of Chinese listed companies reached 1.1 trillion yuan, and in particular the R&D intensity of companies on the STAR market, China’s Nasdaq-style sci-tech innovation board, stood at 9.94 percent. Chinese authorities have ramped up efforts to support businesses this year, particularly private enterprises, through a series of policies aimed at easing their financial burdens, fostering innovation and creating a more favorable business environment. Among the most notable measures, the People’s Bank of China implemented a re-lending program to promote technological innovation and industrial upgrading. By the end of October, outstanding loans to technology-focused SMEs had reached 3.17 trillion yuan, marking a 21 percent increase from the previous year. The Ministry of Finance introduced tax relief policies for innovation and the manufacturing sector, offering over 2 trillion yuan in tax cuts, refunds and fee reductions during the first three quarters. For entrepreneurs like He Jianjun, who is developing nickel-based welding materials in Tianjin, policy support has been crucial. Initially facing financing problems, He’s company secured 2 million yuan in angel investment, followed by 10 million yuan loans from two banks. Recently, an SME financing guarantee center also provided a 15 million yuan guarantee for him. His company has since begun trial production, with promising market prospects ahead. During the Central Economic Work Conference held early this month, Chinese policymakers emphasized the support for private enterprises when mapping out the economic work for 2025. Key measures include enacting a law to promote the private sector, launching a campaign to standardize law enforcement involving enterprises, and establishing guidelines for building a unified national market. The Chinese government will strive to ensure fair competition, address issues like overdue payments, and create a stable and secure environment for business growth, according to experts. The supportive policies have already begun to make a noticeable impact this year, driving growth in private investment and boosting business sentiment. In the first 11 months of this year, private investment, excluding the real estate sector, rose by 6.2 percent from a year ago, and the exports and imports of private companies climbed by 8.7 percent. In November, industrial output from private enterprises increased by 4.5 percent. According to Ma Huateng, chairman and CEO of tech giant Tencent, recent government policies have strengthened businesses’ confidence in China’s economic recovery. “Private enterprises are poised for a bright future, and the Chinese economy is certain to overcome all challenges and continue to thrive,” he said. XinhuaMemphis beats No. 2 UConn 99-97 in overtime to tipoff Maui Invitational LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Tyrese Hunter scored 17 of his 26 points after halftime to lead Memphis to a 99-97 overtime win against two-time defending national champion and second-ranked UConn in the first round of the Maui Invitational. Hunter shot 7 of 10 from 3-point range for the Tigers, who were 12 of 22 from beyond at the arc as a team. PJ Haggerty had 22 points and five assists, Colby Rogers had 19 points and Dain Dainja scored 14. Tarris Reed Jr. had 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Huskies. Alex Karaban had 19 points and six assists, and Jaylin Stewart scored 16. Judge rejects request to sideline a San Jose State volleyball player on grounds she’s transgender A judge has rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she’s transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player to continue competing in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship in Las Vegas this week. His order also upholds the seedings and pairings in the tournament. The ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed by nine current players against the Mountain West Conference challenging the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and Los Angeles Angels agree to a $63 million, 3-year contract, AP source says A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a $63 million, three-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by the New York Post, was subject to a successful physical. An All-Star with Seattle in 2021, Kikuchi was 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA this year for Toronto and Houston, which acquired him on July 30. Kikuchi was 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 starts with the Astros. He is 41-47 with a 4.57 ERA in six seasons. Conference title games a chance at a banner, bragging rights and, for some, a season-wrecking loss Indiana should be able to breathe easy. The Hoosiers have very little chance of making it to the Big Ten championship game. In the Southeastern Conference, Georgia has a spot in the league title game but with that comes a lot of worry. Conference title games give teams a chance to hang a banner, but for national title contenders it is an additional chance for a season-wrecking loss — even with an expanded 12-team College Football Playoff field. US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer. Naeher is on the team’s roster for a pair of upcoming matches in Europe but those will be her last after a full 11 years playing for the United States. Naeher was on the U.S. team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and the gold medal at this year's Olympics in France. She’s the only U.S. goalkeeper to earn a shutout in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 will expand the grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a federal investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti, who has since stepped aside. The 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew is out for the season with a broken collarbone HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Monday that quarterback Gardner Minshew is out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone. Pierce said Aidan O’Connell is on injured reserve with a broken thumb. He could be available to start when the Raiders visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday. The Raiders also could turn to Desmond Ridder. He replaced Minshew when he was injured late in Sunday’s 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. UCLA moves up to No. 1 in AP Top 25 women's basketball poll for first time in history UCLA has earned the school's first No. 1 ranking in in The Associated Press Top 25 women's basketball poll. The Bruins knocked off the previous top team, South Carolina, which had held the No. 1 spot for the previous 23 polls. UCLA moved up four spots. UConn remained No. 2. Notre Dame pulled off its own upset, beating then-No. 3 USC and moving up to third. South Carolina dropped to fourth, Texas is fifth and USC fell to sixth. Iowa is in the poll for the first time in the post-Caitlin Clark era, coming in at No. 22. Kansas stays at No. 1 ahead of showdown vs. No. 11 Duke; Ole Miss, Mississippi St back in AP Top 25 Kansas remained solidly entrenched at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll ahead of its showdown with Duke in Las Vegas. The Jayhawks received 51 of 62 first-place votes from the national panel of media, putting them well ahead of two-time reigning national champion UConn, which was second with six first-place votes. Gonzaga was third with two first-place votes, Auburn was next with three, and Iowa State rounded out a top five that was unchanged from the previous week. Xavier, Ole Miss and Mississippi State entered the poll at the expense of Illinois, St. John's and Rutgers. Wake up the ghosts! Texas, Texas A&M rivalry that dates to 1894 is reborn AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Any Texas or Texas A&M player who grew up in the state has heard the lore of the rivalry between the two schools, a grudge match that dates to 1894. But for more than a decade it has been only ghostly memories of great games and great plays made by heroes of the distant past. That changes this week when one of college football’s great rivalries is reborn after a 12-year hiatus. Third-ranked Texas plays at No. 20 Texas A&M with a berth in the conference championship game on the line.
SpaceX is launching a new mission: making its Starbase site a new Texas city. Billionaire Elon Musk 's company on Thursday sent a letter to local officials requesting a election to turn what it calls Starbase — the South Texas site where SpaceX builds and launches its massive Starship rockets — into an incorporated city. Residents of the area known as Starbase submitted the petition, according to the company said. The area is on the southern tip of Texas at Boca Chica Beach, near the Mexican border. Earlier this year, Musk announced he was moving the headquarters of SpaceX and his social media company X from California to Texas. "To continue growing the workforce necessary to rapidly develop and manufacture Starship, we need the ability to grow Starbase as a community. That is why we are requesting that Cameron County call an election to enable the incorporation of Starbase as the newest city in the Rio Grande Valley," Kathryn Lueders, the general manager of Starbase, wrote in a letter to the county. Cameron County Judge Eddie Teviño Jr., the county's top elected official, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Thursday. It's not the first time turning Starbase into its own city has been floated. Musk proposed the idea in 2021 when he wrote a social media post that simply said, "Creating the city of Starbase, Texas." More than 3,400 full-time SpaceX employees and contractors work at the Starbase site, according to a local impact study issued by Trevino earlier this year. SpaceX's rapid expansion in the region has drawn pushback from some locals. Earlier this year, a group called Save RGV sued the company in July over allegations of environmental violations and dumping polluted water into the nearby bay. SpaceX said in response that a state review found no environmental risks and called the lawsuit "frivolous."
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Telomir Pharmaceuticals ( NASDAQ: TELO ) said it has entered into a stock purchase agreement with a certain accredited investor, pursuant to which the company issued 142,857 shares of common stock at a price of $7 per share for a total of $1 million. The transaction did not involve the issuance of any warrants. Filing More on Telomir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Historical earnings data for Telomir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Financial information for Telomir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Is there anything better than inputting a coupon code and watching the total in your cart decrease? If you want to save on already-discounted Amazon products, you can experience that feeling thanks to Woot's Black Friday coupon code. With the code DEVICE10 and while supplies last, you can save an additional $10 if you spend $25 on refurbished Amazon tech until Dec. 2 at 12 a.m. CT. Many refurbished Amazon devices are already discounted for Black Friday. 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In addition to getting refurbished technology that is already discounted, you can get an additional $10 off with the code DEVICE10 if you spend $25. We love it when you can stack deals. Plus, Amazon Prime members get free shipping, since Woot is owned by Amazon. For more, check out the best Amazon Black Friday deals out there.The recently released Royal Commission of Inquiry about New Zealand’s COVID response highlights the harmful impact of misinformation and disinformation on public health. While the report offers no solutions, it notes that disinformation campaigns fuelled division and loss of trust in government. It’s an age-old problem that has proved extremely difficult to counter. Indeed, the practice of disinformation and propaganda has , with some of the earliest recorded use of these techniques dating back to antiquity. The Greeks were among the first to study and formalise the art of rhetoric, a cornerstone of effective propaganda. In 2010, colleagues and I published that analysed vaccine narratives for the use of logical fallacies defined by Aristotle. We highlighted many common techniques of manipulation. It was a fun exercise in a more innocent time. Understanding and analysing these manipulative tactics has evolved alongside their use in both political and military strategies. So have the tactics of mitigating the impact of such strategies. Early approaches to counteract these effects typically involved promoting transparency, education and critical thinking. This still stands today, but the time for merely talking about the problem has passed. What’s required now is decisive action and robust policy to address misinformation and disinformation as we navigate the ongoing impacts of the COVID pandemic. How to recognise misinformation and disinformation Misinformation refers to inaccurate information spread without harmful intent, often due to a misunderstanding or mistake. Disinformation, on the other hand, is deliberately deceptive and crafted to manipulate public sentiment or promote discord. Research has meticulously mapped the contours of . Experts highlighted that the before the pandemic. Identifying misinformation and disinformation involves a critical evaluation of content and its source. A first question is the source credibility. Is the information from a recognised authority or reputable news source? The next bit, logical consistency, is harder to detect. Does the information contain contradictions or logically impossible claims? Many false narratives are internally inconsistent or implausible. Often there will also be at least some level of emotional manipulation. Disinformation frequently exploits emotions such as fear or anger to enhance engagement and sharing. The subtle art of rhetoric Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that undermine the logic of an argument. For example, the fallacy attacks the person making an argument rather than the argument itself. This is a common tactic to undermine credible sources. Cherry picking is the practice of selecting data that support a particular argument while ignoring data that contradict it. This is harder to spot if you are unfamiliar with the topic. Conspiracy theories are another major tool in the propaganda kit. During the pandemic, numerous conspiracy theories have misrepresented scientific evidence and the intentions of health authorities and experts. The claim of cover-ups is often the final go-to when there is no other convincing argument. Studies have repeatedly shown how and how this influences public perceptions and behaviours . From myths about vaccine ingredients causing harm to conspiracy theories about global surveillance, these untruths have a real impact. Surveys have repeatedly highlighted a worrying trend: a segment of the public, including some health professionals, , fuelled by unmitigated misinformation. How to counter disinformation The consequences of disinformation campaigns are not abstract or random. It is crucial to recognise that such campaigns are meticulously designed and executed with specific goals in mind. One of the most insidious is the erosion of social cohesion. This is achieved by injecting divisive and false narratives into public discourse. They exploit socio-political fissures, amplifying scepticism and opposition to public health measures such as vaccination. These campaigns leverage sophisticated strategies and technologies to manipulate public perception. They exploit societal divisions and foster distrust in authoritative sources, particularly in science and medicine. Once consensus on basic facts is eroded, effective action becomes difficult. Significant research efforts have aimed to understand how best to counter misinformation and sophisticated disinformation campaigns. These emphasise the importance of clear, consistent and credible communication from trusted sources. Public health campaigns that engage directly with community leaders and employ tailored messaging have shown promise in . “ ”, which involves educating people on how to spot misinformation before they encounter it, is gaining traction. Authorities and public health leaders must prioritise transparency to rebuild and maintain public trust. Being open about the uncertainties and evolving nature of science can help mitigate the impact of disinformation that exploits gaps in public knowledge. Increasing media literacy is also important. By understanding the common tactics used in disinformation campaigns, people can become less susceptible to their influences. Collaboration between governments, international organisations and tech companies is essential. These stakeholders must work together to detect and limit the spread of harmful content and promote accurate information appropriate to the audience (right message, right messenger, right platform). Time to act Despite these insights, a coordinated, large-scale and multi-pronged strategy to combat misinformation remains elusive. Governments and health organisations often react to misinformation rather than being proactive, or worse, leave a vacuum. The challenge of misinformation is not insurmountable, but it requires more than ad-hoc responses. We need a strategic, well-resourced commitment from the highest levels of government and health leadership. It takes courage and the ability to walk a tightrope between freedom of speech and protecting public health. Both are human rights. As we continue to navigate the repercussions of the COVID pandemic, let us prioritise the integrity of our public health communications and bring all the facets we need to do this together. This includes media, tech companies, academics and community leaders. Only through a united front can we hope to restore and maintain the public trust essential for overcoming this crisis and future public health challenges. To remove this article -
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:04 p.m. ESTDr Charlotte Proudman, who specialises in family law, had faced a Bar Standards Board (BSB) disciplinary tribunal over a 14-part Twitter thread criticising a judge’s ruling over a domestic abuse case, saying it echoed a “boys’ club”. However, the five charges against the 36-year-old were dropped on Thursday. In an interview with The Times, Dr Proudman described the position of Mark Neale, the board’s director-general, as “untenable” and said its chairwoman, Kathryn Stone, should also stand down. “They need a change, not just in those two individuals, though, because, of course, it seeps down to the rest of the organisation,” she said. She told the paper she “genuinely” wanted to work with the Bar Standards Board in helping them to understand how misogyny and sexism have impacted women at the bar. However, she said that “under the current leadership, it’s just not going to be possible”. The charges alleged Dr Proudman had “failed to act with integrity” in posting the tweets, that they amounted to professional misconduct, were “misleading” and “inaccurately reflected the findings of the judge” in the case. The women’s rights campaigner was also accused of behaving in a way “which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public placed in her and in the profession”, and that she “knowingly or recklessly misled or attempted to mislead the public” by making the posts. But panel chairman Nicholas Ainley found her tweets are protected under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right of freedom of expression. He said her tweets did not “gravely damage” the judiciary, which would “put them outside” of Article 10 protection, even if they “might not have been pleasant for any judge to read” or even “hurtful”. “We take the view that the judiciary of England and Wales is far more robust than that,” he said. The panel also concluded that some of the tweets were only inaccurate “to a minor degree” and not to the extent necessary for a charge of a lack of integrity. Speaking after the hearing, Dr Proudman told the PA news agency: “This ruling is a victory for women’s rights and a right to freedom of speech. “The prosecution against me brought by my regulatory body, the Bar Standards Board, should never have happened and I said that from day one. “I criticised a domestic abuse judgment. Everyone should have the right to do that, whether you’re a barrister or not. Our justice system, which I strongly believe in, is robust enough to withstand criticism from me.” She believes her tweets help “foster confidence” in the justice system, adding: “Only that way can we go about building change and a better treatment for all victims, women and children and men who are affected by domestic abuse.” Explaining that the BSB appears to have spent almost £40,000 “of barristers’ money” on instructing counsel in her case, she added: “I think it’s shameful that they’re using our money to pay for, in my view, malicious, vexatious prosecutions which I have no doubt was a personal attack against me as a woman and as a feminist, as an outspoken critic and advocate for women’s rights.” Dr Proudman called for “systemic change” within the board. “They don’t understand gender, they don’t understand diversity, I don’t think they’ve ever heard of the concept misogyny and certainly not institutional misogyny,” she said. “Until they recognise the deeply rooted, entrenched issue of bullying, harassment, sexism at the bar, for which I have suffered relentlessly... and own up to it I don’t think we’re going to see any change and I have no confidence in them.” She told of how male barristers have called her insulting names on social media and made derogatory comments about her. In the posts on April 6 2022, Dr Proudman referenced a case in which her client alleged she had been subjected to coercive and controlling behaviour by her husband, a part-time judge, meaning she had been “unable to freely enter” the couple’s “post-nuptial” financial agreement. Commenting on the ruling by Family Court judge Sir Jonathan Cohen, Dr Proudman wrote: “I represented Amanda Traharne. “She said she was coerced into signing a post-nuptial agreement by her husband (who is a part-time judge). I lost the case. “I do not accept the Judge’s reasoning. I will never accept the minimisation of domestic abuse.” She continued: “Demeaning the significance of domestic abuse has the affect of silencing victims and rendering perpetrators invisible. “This judgement has echoes of (t)he ‘boys club’ which still exists among men in powerful positions.” In the thread, Dr Proudman wrote that the judge had described the relationship of the couple as “tempestuous”, which she argued was a “trivialisation” of domestic abuse. “Tempestuous? Lose his temper? Isn’t this the trivialisation of domestic abuse & gendered language. This is not normal married life,” she wrote.