Nothing's guaranteed, but Bucs need to win out to give themselves best shot to make the playoffs
Waterford club delegates were informed at Thursday night's annual convention in Dungarvan that the county board is not currently subject to an audit from Revenue. Jennifer Power from auditors Fitzgerald Power responded to a query from Ballinameela representative Conor Mulhall. "I don't know of any problematic areas at present and all we can do is take it from there. At this stage, that's all I can say on the matter." In a meeting with officers from across the country on Tuesday, the GAA confirmed that Galway, Mayo and Wexford are subject to open risk reviews. Déise treasurer Kieran Geary attended that meeting. "It's at an early stage. Three counties are being reviewed. Croke Park are going to be acting on behalf of every county board and that is where we're at. We will receive further information from Croke Park in early January after they meet with Revenue once again." Neil Moore (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty) succeeded Sean Michael O'Regan as county board chairman. O'Regan has completed his five-year term and will now lead the National Infrastructure Committee. He will also put his name forward for Munster vice-chairman. Moore served as Waterford vice-chairman for the past five years. He also chaired the Western Board. Brendan Tobin (Sliabh gCua/St Mary's) was elected as the new vice-chairman. Pat Grant (Fourmilewater) will represent Waterford on Central Council. He defeated Tom Cunningham (Stradbally) by 79 votes to 55. The board recorded a deficit of €164,743 in their 2024 accounts. The Déise made a surplus of €371,053 in 2023. Fundraising income dipped by almost €675,000 from €842,154 to €167,786. The Win A House In Dungarvan draw brought in €777,991 the previous year. Outgoing chairman Sean Michael O'Regan was asked if the county will be in dire straits financially early in the New Year. "I wouldn't say we're in dire straits. We have plans in place. You would hope that in May, with a successful House Draw, we would be in a good place. It's a big swing but there's lots of positives in the accounts." The Déise spent almost €1.3 million on county teams (€1,288,894). The senior hurlers came in at €506,119. The senior footballers cost €274,624 to prepare. €113,177 was the outlay on the Waterford minor hurlers over the last twelve months while the U20s totalled €100,615. €72,315 was spent on the minor football team and €42,610 on the U20s. Development squads totalled €179,434. The new Déise Draw yielded €106,787 in 2024 but the new Waterford supporters club only raised €10,332. Gate receipts at club games increased by €57,320. The senior hurling championship returned €163,706 including €41,573 from the county final between Ballygunner and Abbeyside. Finance is a priority for new chairman Neil Moore. "Providing financial stability is of upmost importance," he admitted in his opening address to delegates. "We can achieve that. I implore all clubs to support the House Draw." Underage is another main focus. "We do need to address our coaching and games structures and our games programme from minor down. That would be my target to improve the quality of our players." In his last address as chairman, O'Regan remarked that abuse of referees must be addressed. "That needs to be cut out. The onus is on you to stop that." He called on clubs to bring through new referees with the age profile of the current panel on the rise. "We all need to have a serious look." He wished Neil Moore all the best for the next five years. "Hopefully, we'll win an All Ireland on his watch. Hopefully, we'll open Walsh Park on his watch."ST. LOUIS (AP) — Fourteen North Korean nationals have been indicted in a scheme using information technology workers with false identities to contract with U.S. companies — workers who then funneled their wages to North Korea for development of ballistic missiles and other weapons, the head of the FBI office in St. Louis said Thursday. The scheme involving thousands of IT workers generated more than $88 million for the North Korean government, Ashley T. Johnson, special agent in charge of the St. Louis FBI office, said at a news conference. In addition to their wages, the workers stole sensitive information from companies or threatened to leak information in exchange for extortion payments, Johnson said. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Why does red wine cause headaches? Research points to a compound found in the grapes’ skin
Narges Mohammadi, the Iranian 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate on temporary medical leave from prison, said in a video call released Thursday that she would never let prison silence her. The 52-year-old has been jailed repeatedly over the past 25 years, most recently since November 2021, for past convictions relating to her advocacy against the obligatory hijab for women and capital punishment in Iran. "I know I can accomplish much more outside prison walls, but I will not allow imprisonment to silence me. Never!" Mohammadi said in a video call with the Nobel committee on Sunday, her first time speaking with them since winning the prize. The Nobel committee shared the video with AFP on Thursday, where Mohammadi can be seen without a veil, speaking joyfully in English and Farsi. "Commitment to women's rights, human rights and freedom cannot be confined by any prison wall," she said, adding that "advocating for human rights and women's rights is not a crime." "I should be free to continue my work," she said, denouncing Iran's "silent killing of political prisoners". "The Islamic Republic is seeking opportunities to silence any opposing voices in the country," Mohammadi said. But "even if they manage to silence me... it wouldn't change anything for the Islamic Republic," she said. "The people of Iran have risen up... have been protesting. "The people of Iran don't want the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Republic knows that," she said. - 'Release them immediately' - After Mohammadi won last year's Nobel Peace Prize, her two children collected the award on her behalf. She was released from prison on December 4 for three weeks on medical grounds after undergoing bone surgery. Her supporters have called this inadequate and pressed for her unconditional and permanent release. She is currently staying at a private residence where she is able to move about freely, according to her supporters. The United Nations, the Norwegian Nobel Committee and others have called for her permanent and unconditional release. Handing over the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to the Japanese atomic bomb survivors group Nihon Hidankyo in Oslo on Tuesday, the chairman of the Nobel committee likewise called on Iran to release Mohammadi. Jorgen Watne Frydnes also called for Belarusian activist Ales Bialiatski, co-winner of the 2022 prize, to be freed from his country's jails. "The Norwegian Nobel Committee calls upon the Iranian and Belarusian authorities to release them immediately, permanently and unconditionally," Frydnes said.
NFL roundup: Bengals top Broncos in OT, stay in playoff huntInvestors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Spotify Technology SPOT . And retail traders should know. We noticed this today when the positions showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga. Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with SPOT, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen. Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 12 options trades for Spotify Technology . This isn't normal. The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 75% bullish and 25%, bearish. Out of all of the options we uncovered, there was 1 put, for a total amount of $41,945, and 11, calls, for a total amount of $416,620. Predicted Price Range After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $105.0 and $500.0 for Spotify Technology, spanning the last three months. Volume & Open Interest Trends In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Spotify Technology options trades today is 39.0 with a total volume of 65.00. In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Spotify Technology's big money trades within a strike price range of $105.0 to $500.0 over the last 30 days. Spotify Technology Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days Largest Options Trades Observed: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume SPOT CALL TRADE BEARISH 07/18/25 $77.4 $76.0 $76.0 $460.00 $60.8K 0 0 SPOT PUT SWEEP BULLISH 06/20/25 $41.95 $41.9 $41.9 $460.00 $41.9K 40 13 SPOT CALL TRADE BULLISH 06/18/26 $385.55 $382.2 $385.55 $105.00 $38.5K 0 2 SPOT CALL TRADE BULLISH 06/18/26 $385.35 $382.0 $385.35 $105.00 $38.5K 0 2 SPOT CALL TRADE BULLISH 06/18/26 $381.2 $378.0 $381.2 $110.00 $38.1K 0 2 About Spotify Technology Spotify is the leading global music streaming service provider, with over 600 million monthly active users and 250 million paying subscribers, with the latter comprising the firm's premium segment. most of the firm's revenue and nearly all its gross profit come from the subscribers, who pay a monthly fee to access a very comprehensive music library that consists of most of the most popular songs ever recorded, including all from the major record labels. The firm also sells separate audiobook subscriptions and integrates podcasts within its standard music app. Podcast content is not exclusive and is typically free to access on other platforms. Ad-supported users can access a similar music catalog but cannot customize a similar on-demand experience. In light of the recent options history for Spotify Technology, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance. Present Market Standing of Spotify Technology With a trading volume of 1,016,422, the price of SPOT is up by 1.15%, reaching $482.38. Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought. Next earnings report is scheduled for 54 days from now. What Analysts Are Saying About Spotify Technology A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $500.0. Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days? 20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. Click here for access .* An analyst from Macquarie persists with their Outperform rating on Spotify Technology, maintaining a target price of $500. * Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Barclays keeps a Overweight rating on Spotify Technology with a target price of $475. * An analyst from Phillip Securities downgraded its action to Accumulate with a price target of $485. * Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from B of A Securities keeps a Buy rating on Spotify Technology with a target price of $515. * An analyst from Canaccord Genuity persists with their Buy rating on Spotify Technology, maintaining a target price of $525. Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Spotify Technology with Benzinga Pro for real-time alerts. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Scrim, a 17-pound mutt that's mostly terrier, has become a folk hero, inspiring tattoos, T-shirts and even a ballad as he eludes capture from the posse of volunteers. And like any antihero, Scrim has a backstory: Rescued from semi-feral life at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, the dog broke loose in April and scurried around the city until he was cornered in October and brought to a new home. Weeks later, he'd had enough. Scrim leaped out of a second-story window, a desperate act recorded in a now-viral video. Since then, despite a stream of daily sightings, he's roamed free. The dog’s fans include Myra and Steve Foster, who wrote “Ode to Scrim” to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit, “I’m a Travelin’ Man.” Leading the recapture effort is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former information technology professional. She lost everything — home, car, possessions — in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in the aftermath, found her calling rescuing pets. “I was like, ‘This is what I should be doing,’” Cheramie said. “I was born to rescue.” She launched Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that now averages 600 cat and dog adoptions a year and offers free pet food to anyone who needs it. She helped Scrim find the home he first escaped from. It was Cheramie's window Scrim leaped from in November. She's resumed her relentless mission since then, posting flyers on telephone poles and logging social media updates on his reported whereabouts. She's invested thousands of dollars on wildlife cameras, thermal sensors and other gear. She took a course offered by the San Diego Zoo on the finer points of tranquilizing animals. And she's developed a network of volunteers — the kind of neighbors who are willing to grid-search a city at 3 a.m. People like writer David W. Brown, who manages a crowd-sourced Google Map of all known Scrim sightings. He says the search has galvanized residents from all walks of life to come together. As they search for Scrim, they hand out supplies to people in need. “Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around here and the animals around you,” Brown said. And neighbors like Tammy Murray, who had to close her furniture store and lost her father to Parkinson's disease. This search, she says, got her mojo back. “Literally, for months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said Murray, 53. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis with him.” Murray drives the Zeus' Rescues' van towards reported Scrim sightings. She also handles a tactical net launcher, which looks like an oversized flashlight and once misfired, shattering the van's window as Scrim sped away. After realizing Scrim had come to recognize the sound of the van's diesel engine, Murray switched to a Vespa scooter, for stealth. Near-misses have been tantalizing. The search party spotted Scrim napping beneath an elevated house, and wrapped construction netting around the perimeter, but an over-eager volunteer broke ranks and dashed forward, leaving an opening Scrim slipped through. Scrim's repeated escapades have prompted near-daily local media coverage and a devoted online following. Cheramie can relate. “We’re all running from something or to something. He's doing that too,” she said. Cheramie's team dreams of placing the pooch in a safe and loving environment. But a social media chorus growing under the hashtag #FreeScrim has other ideas — they say the runaway should be allowed a life of self-determination. The animal rescue volunteers consider that misguided. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free,” Cheramie said. “It’s too dangerous.” Scrim was a mess when Cheramie briefly recaptured him in October, with matted fur, missing teeth and a tattered ear. His trembling body was scraped and bruised, and punctured by multiple projectiles. A vet removed one, but decided against operating to take out a possible bullet. The dog initially appeared content indoors, sitting in Cheramie's lap or napping beside her bed. Then while she was out one day, Scrim chewed through a mesh screen, dropped 13 feet to the ground and squeezed through a gap in the fence, trotting away. Murray said Cheramie's four cats probably spooked him. “I wholeheartedly believe the gangster-ass cats were messing with him,” Murray said. Cheramie thinks they may have gotten territorial. Devastated but undeterred, the pair is reassessing where Scrim might fit best — maybe a secure animal sanctuary with big outdoor spaces where other dogs can keep him company. Somewhere, Murray says, “where he can just breathe and be.” Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96
NEW DELHI, Dec 25 : In a significant step towards strengthening grassroots governance, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ initiative to mark the “Good Governance Day”, commemorating 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The initiative, which is part of the broader ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur’ campaign, aims to enhance the capacity and competence of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by equipping elected representatives and officials with the tools and knowledge required for effective governance and participatory planning. Speaking at the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that governance reforms must begin at the grassroots to bring about long-lasting and meaningful change as well as to fill up the capacity gaps. The “Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi” initiative focuses on strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through innovative tools and capacity-building frameworks. Piloted in Odisha, Assam, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, the initiative leverages e-learning platforms, AI-powered chatbots, and mobile apps to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance service delivery” said the Minister. Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that this program aligns with the government’s broader mission to decentralize governance and foster participatory decision-making at the grassroots level. The initiative is expected to create scalable models of citizen-centric governance, enabling PRIs to drive equitable and sustainable development across rural India. Marking Good Governance Day Dr. Jitendra Singh launched a series of other transformative initiatives as well aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centric governance. These initiatives, rooted in leveraging technology and fostering collaboration, underscore the government’s commitment to inclusive and accountable administration. The first initiative unveiled by Dr. Jitendra Singh was the launch of a new dashboard on the iGOTKarmayogi platform, along with the milestone introduction of the 1600th e-learning course. The enhanced dashboard is designed to empower ministries, departments, and state administrators with advanced tools to monitor user registrations, course completions, and overall progress in capacity-building efforts. With customizable views and robust data filtration capabilities, the dashboard provides detailed insights to improve decision-making and optimize training initiatives. Additionally, the introduction of the 1600th course on the platform underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a diverse and comprehensive learning ecosystem. These courses, curated in collaboration with government and private ecosystem partners, aim to equip officials with the skills and knowledge needed to address dynamic challenges in governance. Together, these developments represent a significant stride toward building a capable, future-ready civil service aligned with the vision of Mission Karmayogi. The second was the launch of the Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi initiative. The third initiative, the launch of CPGRAMS Annual Report 2024, provides a comprehensive review of the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System(CPGRAMS). As the world’s largest citizen interface platform, CPGRAMS has redefined grievance redressal by integrating advanced technologies, multilingual support, and comprehensive tracking mechanisms. The report showcases key achievements, including the resolution of over 25 lakh grievances annually and the implementation of the Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index (GRAI). By fostering transparency, accountability, and best practices, CPGRAMS has significantly improved public service delivery and government responsiveness, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of governance reforms. The fourth initiative, the Single Simplified Pension Application Form, revolutionizes pension processing for retiring officials. Combining nine separate forms into one streamlined digital format, the new system ensures end-to-end digitization through the integration of e-HRMS with Bhavishya. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the initiative’s benefits, including real-time tracking of pension applications, Aadhaar-based e-signatures, and seamless verification through e-Service Books. This innovation reduces processing time and costs, ensuring timely disbursement of pensions while enhancing user experience through a pensioner-friendly interface. Another significant initiative launched during the event was the Compendium of Pension Related Instructions, 2024, a comprehensive document consolidating all updated rules, procedures, and guidelines related to pensions. This compendium serves as a single-window reference for pensioners and administrative personnel, eliminating ambiguities and ensuring clarity in pension-related processes. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that this initiative aligns with the government’s vision to simplify and streamline pension systems, making them more accessible and user-friendly. By integrating the latest amendments, including digital innovations and procedural reforms, the compendium is expected to enhance the ease of living for pensioners and promote efficient pension administration across the country. Dr. Jitendra Singh reflected on the progress made in governance reforms under the Modi administration since 2014, focusing on inclusive and participatory governance as a cornerstone of the government’s approach. He remarked that Good Governance Day, institutionalized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, serves as a reminder of the government’s commitment to initiatives that directly impact citizens’ lives. The Minister pointed to several governance milestones achieved in recent years. Among these, he highlighted the liberalization of childcare leave and the extension of maternity benefits to women delivering stillborn babies, which he described as measures that promote equity and address long-standing societal issues. He further noted the success of the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), which has revolutionized grievance redressal in India. Since 2014, the number of grievances addressed annually has grown from 2 lakh to over 25 lakh, reflecting increased public trust in the system. Technology has played a transformative role in modernizing governance, Dr. Jitendra Singh said. He highlighted the introduction of face recognition technology for digital life certificates for pensioners, a significant step in simplifying processes for elderly citizens. Recalling the hardships faced by pensioners in the past, he shared how the government has moved from paper-based to biometric and now to face recognition technology, ensuring ease and accessibility for all. Dr. Jitendra Singh also emphasized the need to dismantle outdated practices in governance. He recounted personal experiences with bureaucratic inefficiencies, particularly in pension processing, and stressed the importance of adopting a corporate-like approach to enhance productivity in government systems. He advocated for a single-page pension form and the elimination of redundant paperwork, which he termed as a waste of time and resources. The Minister lauded the Capacity Building Commission for its efforts in integrating private-sector efficiency into public administration. He noted that this corporate-style work culture has significantly improved service delivery and productivity within government departments. Reflecting on India’s journey towards its centenary as an independent nation in 2047, Dr. Jitendra Singh outlined the need to prepare for a future where citizens can independently manage governance processes with minimal reliance on bureaucratic systems. He shared his experience of introducing AI-driven mobile health clinics in rural areas, highlighting how technology not only facilitates governance but also captivates and engages communities. Dr. Jitendra Singh also paid tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose vision for good governance inspired the institutionalization of this day. He stated that each year, the government strives to introduce new initiatives that add value to governance and reflect its dynamic and evolving nature. Concluding his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh remarked that initiatives like ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ exemplify the government’s commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and technological innovation. By empowering panchayats and ensuring participatory governance, the government aims to lay the foundation for a future-ready India where citizens are active partners in shaping their destinies.