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NoneTulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout
Middle East latest: ICC issues warrant for Israel's Netanyahu as Gaza death toll soars past 44,000B.C. Premier David Eby is promising to seek new export opportunities for the province after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25-per-cent tariff on all Mexican and Canadian goods. British Columbia exports billions of dollars’ worth of commodities and products – coal and lumber, plastics and machinery – every month, with just over half bound for the United States. It could be worse. Canada as a whole sends three-quarters of its exports to the U.S. B.C. has less exposure to that single market thanks to a long-running policy, embraced by political parties of every stripe, of maintaining a diversified trade portfolio. “We’re going to continue to do our work to expand those trading opportunities,” Mr. Eby told reporters Wednesday. In the 1980s, B.C.’s political leaders set their economic sights on Asia, opening trade offices in Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan with the intent of reducing the province’s dependence on its dominant customer to the south. The province has bankrolled countless trade missions and now maintains 19 overseas trade offices. Yet the U.S. has consistently remained its most important trading partner over the past four decades. At best, the diversification strategy has dampened the siren call of the behemoth at its doorstep. “Canada is so privileged to be next door to this giant economic engine of the United States,” noted former B.C. premier Glen Clark in an interview. “We understand the laws there, we understand the language, we understand the people, and it’s very close, so it’s a natural.” But too much dependence on a single market – no matter how big, no matter how easy – comes with risk. Mr. Trump’s tariff threat should be a catalyst for a fresh commitment to cultivate new markets, said Mr. Clark, who led 13 trade missions to China alone during his term as premier, from 1996 to 1999. “Reviving that trade policy, only with different focus on parts of the world, makes a lot of sense as we move forward in this kind of dangerous time.” In 1987, Mike Harcourt, then the NDP opposition leader, stood up in the legislature and endorsed the Social Credit government’s early trade missions. Even as some Socred backbenchers dismissed the trips as “boondoggles,” Mr. Harcourt pressed for a more aggressive strategy. “We support those initiatives, but we’re not bold enough,” he said, insisting that the province needed to establish outposts in China and India. At the time, the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute was demonstrating the ability of the U.S. to cripple the province’s forest sector. That conflict continues today – a textbook example for Canada of how U.S. protectionism can supersede good trade relations. British Columbia’s position as a trade gateway for Pacific Rim countries was already a reality before politicians tried to help. The year Mr. Harcourt was calling for trade offices in China, just 46 per cent of the province’s exports went to the United States. When he became Premier in 1991, Mr. Harcourt took the opportunity to pursue new markets aggressively. “I started talking about Vancouver being, not the last stop of the CPR railway, but the front door to Asia for Canada,” he said in an interview. But today he believes the province’s trade strategy needs an urgent update to prepare for 2025, when Mr. Trump returns to office. B.C.’s Trade Diversification Strategy was updated in 2023, but much has changed since. The value of softwood lumber exports has stagnated and is now rivalled by sales of machinery and equipment. Meanwhile, energy exports – especially coal – are climbing in value. Mr. Trump’s tariff threats aside, global trade relations are also more complex, particularly with China and India. The two countries are host to almost half of B.C.’s international trade offices outside the U.S. David Emerson helped steer Canada toward trade diversification. As deputy finance minister under then-Premier Bill Bennett and deputy minister to Premier Bill Vander Zalm, he crafted B.C.’s Asian Pacific trade strategy and later introduced the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative as the federal Minister of International Trade. He also was the minister who negotiated the one and only settlement on softwood lumber, in 2006. That agreement expired in 2015. Mr. Emerson says this is not a good time for British Columbia – and Canada – to face a strong protectionist leader in the U.S., because the alternatives are limited. “I do believe we need to grow market penetration in markets other than the U.S., but the greatest potential is in markets where we now have terrible relations,” he said. “Today, relations with China and India are a mess, and the great trade diversification strategy has run into serious trouble.” China is B.C.’s second-largest export destination – one that is growing in value. But Canada and China are in the midst of a trade spat. In August, Ottawa announced a 100-per-cent import tariff on Chinese electric vehicles and a 25-per-cent tariff on steel and aluminum products from China, after the U.S. and the European Union introduced similar measures. The following month, Beijing launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of rapeseed from Canada. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has signalled he is prepared to reignite trade tensions between the U.S. and China, which could put other trading partners in the crossfire. Canada’s relations with India soured after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last year that there were credible allegations the Indian government had links to the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Canada has since alleged that India’s Home Affairs Minister, Amit Shah, ordered the targeting of Sikh activists in Canada. Both countries have now expelled each other’s top diplomatic officials. Mr. Trump’s rationale for slapping tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports is to punish both countries for lax border security, allowing illegal migrants and illicit drugs to slip through into the U.S. On Wednesday, Mr. Trudeau met with the premiers to strategize and emerged with a promise to strengthen border security by pumping more money into the Canada Border Services Agency and the RCMP. Mr. Eby, who advocated for that investment as an answer to Mr. Trump’s complaints, said Canada should put up a united front to take on the U.S. trade threat. But in the meantime, he said, he’ll renew his government’s commitment to diversification. “This was definitely the right direction, obviously, in hindsight, and we do have to redouble those efforts, given the instability south of the border.” The decades of previous efforts have shown, however, that changing those trade patterns will be exceptionally difficult.LOS ANGELES , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- There is still plenty of time to experience the Los Angeles Auto Show ® ! Open through Sunday, Dec. 1 , including Thanksgiving Day ( Nov. 28 ), visitors of all ages can enjoy special exhibits, major attractions, hundreds of new cars on display, and a thrilling range of test ride and drive opportunities at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Car enthusiasts and shoppers are invited to touch, feel and experience all new car, SUV and truck models, spanning gas, hybrid, and electric options, all in one location from 30 premium brands including Acura, Alfa Romeo, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, INEOS, Jeep, Kia, Lucid, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche DTLA, RAM, Rivian, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, VinFast, Volkswagen and Volvo. Test drives and rides are the best ways to test out the latest models in a safe and stress-free environment. This year's LA Auto Show offers several indoor and outdoor test track experiences across the LA Convention Center. Included in a ticket purchase: This year's LA Auto Show offers car enthusiasts of all ages and levels of interest an experience they will never forget with the following activations: And so much more with food trucks on weekends, plenty of activities for kids and families, celebrity and sports autograph signings, luxury ride-ons, hard-to-find collectibles and something new around every corner. The Los Angeles Auto Show is open through Sunday, Dec. 1 including Thanksgiving Day. Operating hours are: Wednesday, Nov. 27 , 11AM to 7PM ; Thursday, Nov. 28 , 9AM to 4PM ; Friday, Nov. 29 - Saturday, Nov. 30 , 9AM to 10PM ; and Sunday, Dec. 1, 9AM to 6PM . Tickets Tickets for the Los Angeles Auto Show are on sale now and can be purchased online at laautoshow.com/tickets with a credit card or bank card. Stay up to date with the latest show news, updates, and information, follow the LA Auto Show on X , Facebook , Instagram , or LinkedIn and sign up for alerts at laautoshow.com . About the Los Angeles Auto Show & AutoMobility LA Founded in 1907, the Los Angeles Auto ShowTM is recognized as one of the world's most influential automotive events. The show celebrates the enduring love that Angelenos have for their cars and offers a global platform for industry debuts, technology, and innovation. Doors are open to the public Nov. 22 – Dec. 1 and the show runs for 10 full days, including Thanksgiving Day. It is a must-attend event for prospective car buyers, industry executives, influencers, car enthusiasts, and for families wanting to enjoy an unforgettable day out during the holiday season. Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the LA Auto Show contributes several hundred million dollars to the city's economy, stimulates the local job market, and is the number one revenue generator for the Center. On Nov. 21 , AutoMobility LA 2024 , the show's media and industry day, included a range of groundbreaking debuts and announcements, and a conference program featuring the leading minds in automotive and technology. These experts explored the most pressing industry issues in a series of presentations and panel discussions from AutoMobility LA's main stage. Media Contacts Kat Kirsch kat@katkirsch.com Tania Weinkle tania@taniaweinkle.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/all-roads-lead-to-2024s-los-angeles-auto-show-offering-unmatched-guest-experiences-vehicle-debuts-and-special-exhibits-for-attendees-of-all-ages-302317764.html SOURCE Los Angeles Auto Show
PHILADELPHIA — A few months ago, Jon Runyan was at the NFL Films office in Mount Laurel, N.J., when his phone rattled. It was his former Eagles teammate, Hugh Douglas. Douglas was trying to settle a debate with their other former teammate, Jon Ritchie, over a play in 2001. Ritchie, a fullback, was lined up in the backfield for the Oakland Raiders, and needed to make sure the end man on the line of scrimmage — Douglas — had his hands down. So, he ran at Douglas full speed and took his legs out. The NFL fined Ritchie $10,000, which, 23 years later, he wanted Douglas to pay back, because he believed it was a legal cut block. But Douglas refused, maintaining that the play was illegal. They decided to consult an expert — Runyan — who has worked as the NFL's vice president of policy and rules administration since 2016. This was when the irony began to set in. "We knew he worked at the NFL office," Douglas said. "But then it was like, wait a minute, Jon Runyan does rules. He does the fine stuff. We were like, 'Are you (expletive) kidding me? Jon Runyan?'" The former offensive tackle is used to this reaction. He had a reputation for playing past the whistle. In a 2006 Sports Illustrated NFL player poll, Runyan was voted the second-dirtiest player in the league (tied with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter and behind New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison). He wasn't above tripping a guy, or stepping on his feet, or cleaning the pile. Former defensive tackle Hollis Thomas said the 6-foot-7, 330-pound Runyan set an aggressive tone on his first day of Eagles practice in 2000. A rookie defensive end, Dwight Johnson, hit him with some force. When he tried to do it again, Runyan grabbed him, threw him on the ground, and gave him a "that's-what-you-get nudge" with his foot. "[Jeremiah] Trotter came to [the rookie's] rescue," Thomas said. "He was like, 'Oh, you think you're swole!' Then the entire defense kind of jumped him. It was like Runyan was King Kong and the DBs were the little airplanes." Ritchie said the Raiders would dedicate a portion of their special teams meetings to studying Runyan's "cheap shots" when the Eagles were attempting to kick extra points. He described his former teammate's playing style as "angry," "mean," and "cruel." As someone who racked up an estimated 12-14 fines in his career, Runyan understood how handing out discipline for the NFL would look. But he took the job anyway, and has held it for almost a decade. "Everybody just kind of laughed at it," said Runyan, 50. "They were like, after all the stuff you did on the football field, how the hell did you become a compliance guy? "If you have an IT system, and you want to avoid getting hacked, you bring in a hacker. If you want to have good home security, you bring in a burglar." -- 'Bully mentality' Runyan developed his physical playing style in college. He went to the University of Michigan from 1992-95, where he was coached in the hard-nosed, bruising, Bo Schembechler brand of football, which was still in place even after the coach's retirement in 1989. In Michigan's team meeting room, players would see two words: "pursuit," for defense, and "harassment," for offense. The message was clear. "Always be up in someone's face," Runyan said. "Leaning on him, pushing on him. The guy I'm blocking is a better athlete and faster than me 99% of the time. So, if I do just enough to annoy him, and he's trying to fight me, that takes his athletic ability away." He was selected by the Houston Oilers in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL draft, and moved with the team to Tennessee in 1997. By that point, he'd become a starter, and was quickly developing a reputation for being a "nasty-ass offensive lineman," in Douglas' words. Runyan helped guide the Titans to the Super Bowl in 1999, and signed a six-year, $30 million contract with the Eagles in 2000. It was a lot of money. But in return, they got "the best right tackle in football," in then-coach Andy Reid's opinion. "We throw a lot of money around in this business," Reid told The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000. "It's good to see that money go to someone who deserves it." Runyan spent his 14 NFL seasons toeing the line of physical-but-not-illegal. This proved to be more difficult after he signed with the Eagles. League rules became more stringent, and he was forced to adjust. He couldn't, for example, jump across the pile, over Duce Staley, and a throng of defensive linemen, shove San Francisco 49ers linebacker Jamie Winborn — right before the whistle was blown — and always expect to get away with it. "He just waylaid him," Douglas said. "I was like, 'What the (expletive) is he doing?'" This gritty mentality gave the Eagles exactly what they needed at the time. When Runyan arrived in 2000, they were a team in search of offense. Donovan McNabb was a young, developing quarterback in his first full year as an NFL starter. They did not have many big-play weapons in their passing game. In short, they were lacking an offensive identity, and Runyan gave them one. "He wouldn't yell and scream," Douglas said, "but when he put that helmet on, and it was time to play football, you were like, 'Yeah, I see why Andy (Reid) got this (expletive). Cause he crazy.' He set the tone." Added former Eagles center Hank Fraley: "Everybody fed off of him. He brought that bully mentality." With Runyan anchoring their offensive line, the Eagles reached the divisional round twice, the NFC championship game four times, and the Super Bowl in the 2004 season, in which they narrowly lost to the Patriots, 24-21. He retired after spending the 2009 season with the San Diego Chargers, and ran for office in New Jersey's third congressional district in 2010. Runyan won, and served two terms in the House of Representatives. He didn't seek a third term. The former tackle liked the process of legislating, but he didn't like all that came with it: The public posturing, the fundraising. So, in 2016, he reached out to Howie Roseman about a role in player engagement. Roseman, the Eagles' executive vice president of football operations, told him to write a job description. Runyan sent it to former Eagles teammate Troy Vincent, who used to be the head of player engagement for the NFL, and Vincent called him back. "Are you interviewing for this job?" he asked. "I might have a position for you up here." Vincent wanted Runyan to be the head of discipline for the league office. He would analyze rules, make sure they were implemented, and if they weren't, he'd hand out fines. Runyan accepted the job, and found it to be intuitive work. Despite existing in the gray area during his playing career — where any given hit could elicit a flag — he said that he had a very black-and-white understanding of the rules. He knew where the line was drawn, and was not reckless in crossing it. This understanding has helped him in his current role even though the league's rules are quite different now. -- Making the change The NFL said it has made more than 50 changes to its rulebook since 2002. For example, when Runyan started with the Eagles, tackling a player by grabbing the inside of his shoulder pads ("the horse-collar tackle") was legal. Now, it is not only a penalty, but it can draw a fine. These rule changes are a lot to keep track of, and Runyan's job is to make sure that nothing is overlooked. "People don't realize, the officiating crews are like a quarterback," Runyan said. "So depending on the formation, they have reads that they're going through, progressions that they're going through, and a lot of times they just move down to the next progression, and something happens when they take their eyes off of their first read. "I have the benefit of slowing it down and taking a look at all 22 players, so I can see that kind of stuff. And I can tell you, a lot of times, even when we watch it live on Sunday, there's no flag on the field. And it's like, 'Alright, I'm already tagging that play because I know there was a foul missed here.'" Every Sunday, Runyan and Vincent watch all the games, with an eye on potential fouls. They review them again on Monday with the NFL's compliance team. Runyan sits with coaching supervisors on Tuesday to let them know what calls were missed, and on Wednesday, he and a few other NFL executives decide which plays are worthy of a fine. Runyan has been careful not to show any favoritism — even to his own son. In 2022, he fined then-Packers guard Jon Runyan Jr. $5,215 for unnecessary roughness in a game against the New York Giants. Out of courtesy, Runyan gave Junior a heads up. "He had attempted to do a leg whip earlier in the game, and I knew he was still asleep, so I just texted him," Runyan said. "I go, 'You know, this play in the second quarter, you tried to leg whip this guy, but you missed.' And then 20 minutes later, I'm like, 'You did it again, and you got him! You'll have a letter by the end of the week.'" He will dole out 300 to 500 fines a year, but his job is not all about punishment. It's about protection and making the game safer. This is the part that most excites Runyan. Compared to Congress, where meaningful change takes a long time, football moves quickly. And the results of those changes can be life-altering. He points to the "Use of the Helmet" rule as an example. It was tweaked a few years ago — "we added six words to it," Runyan said — and so far, the league has seen fewer helmet-to-helmet hits. These kinds of outcomes make those long days in the league office worth it. Runyan understands, firsthand, how violent football can be. He said he hasn't suffered severe post-retirement injuries, but not all of his former teammates have been as fortunate. Former Oilers and Titans tight end Frank Wycheck estimated he had 25 concussions during his 11-year career. He died at 52 in 2023. Brian Westbrook, one of Runyan's former Eagles teammates, said he believed concussions were the cause of memory loss that he began experiencing in his 30s. It's likely that football players have sustained concussions for as long as the sport has been played. But for decades, the long-term health issues resulting from concussions were unknown. It wasn't until the 2000s when that perception began to change, following the suicide deaths of multiple retired NFL stars. Runyan was in the midst of his NFL career at that time. When he was playing, he didn't think much about how he'd feel when he was 60. But his hope is that he can encourage more players to think about that now. "Two of my former teammates are dealing with a lot of brain injury issues," Runyan said, without specifying which teammates. "A lot of drug abuse and a lot of depression stuff. Legitimate issues. In and out of rehab, broke the family up, all that kind of stuff. And I try to communicate with them and talk to them as much as I can, but it is really difficult. "And unfortunately, that was a part of the sport. But that's why you're seeing the NFL shifting towards playing safer, and creating rules like use of the helmet, that mandate that we get the head out of the game." This is admirable work, and Runyan plans to continue to do it. But that doesn't mean his former teammates will stop teasing him. "I love to see all of these guys transition into new careers," Douglas said. "It's great to see growth. But at the same time, I'm like, damn, this ain't the (expletive) that I know. I remember what this (expletive) used to be. "To hear he's giving out fines ... It's like, man, God is good. Because if he can change, anybody can, you know what I mean?"I broke down in tears when I spotted my dad in his favourite spot on Google Street View 11 years after he died By RYAN PROSSER Published: 18:18, 28 December 2024 | Updated: 18:18, 28 December 2024 e-mail View comments A grieving woman was left in tears after spotting her late father sat in his favourite spot on Google Street View 11 years after he died. Katie Scott, 49, found he had been immortalised on the search engine's 360 street imagery this month. Arthur Scott passed away in 2013 aged 83, after being diagnosed with stage three kidney failure. The Google image captured in 2009 shows Arthur sat on the bench outside his home where he used to enjoy soaking up the sun. In another photo, his German Shepherd, Elsa, is spotted wandering into the house. Elsa passed away four years before Arthur. 'When I found the image, I was so emotional,' said Katie, from Salford, Greater Manchester. 'I cried when I found it. All those memories came flooding back. 'That was his favourite spot. As soon as the sun came out, he was on that bench.' Arthur Scott pictured on a Google Street View image sitting on the bench outside his home where he loved to soak up the sun His daughter Katie was surprised to find him immortalised on the search engine's Street View feature She added: 'It was upsetting but I was happy. I don't have many photos of my dad, but we were very close. 'I've screenshotted it so I can see him all the time.' Arthur was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2008, when Katie moved into his council house with him to become his full time carer. She said: 'When he was diagnosed, we were told that he'd only have a few years left so I moved in with him to look after him. He managed to live another five years. 'It was a shock when he was diagnosed and it heartbreaking to think about losing him. 'He was so funny. He had a brilliant sense of humour and our relationship was mostly based on humour. It's been hard living without him.' Katie first discovered the image of Arthur just after he passed away. But she was 'heartbroken' when Google updated the image shortly after and thought it was lost forever. Last month, though, she learned that she could access older Google Street View images. Katie (pictured) moved in with her father in his social home to care for him full time after he was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2008 Arthur passed away in 2013 aged 83 after being diagnosed with stage three kidney failure Katie with her father Arthur when she was a child. She found the picture of her father while looking at his old home on Google Maps, using the site's historic Street View images Google Maps features a tool which allows you to view historic images from previous years, with some dating back to when Street View was first launched in 2007. Katie added: 'Just after he passed away, we were looking through old photos and we looked at the house on Google Maps and there he was. 'I looked at it a lot. When it got updated, I was heartbroken thinking I'd never see it again. I was still grieving. 'I found out on TikTok that you can look at older photos and it was lovely to see him again.' Share or comment on this article: I broke down in tears when I spotted my dad in his favourite spot on Google Street View 11 years after he died e-mail Add comment
By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
Saturday, November 23, 2024 “Hoteliers wanting to drive direct sales shouldn’t rely solely on rapid AI-based placements for their marketing strategy in 2025” warned Mirai’s Pablo Delgado during an executive panel at Phocuswright – taking place this week in Phoenix, Arizona – titled ‘Travel’s tech driven retail revolution’. Instead the Mirai CEO for the Americas recommeded that hotels focus on brand protection campaigns and established social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. When asked for Mirai’s view on the impact of AI on direct hotel sales, Delgado nonetheless confirmed that “incorporating AI to gain first-mover advantage should be on your 2025 agenda, but just not the sole objective for the year”. Moderated by Phocuswright’s Lorraine Sileo, the panel looked at how AI is shaking up the world of online travel sales and also included TripAdvisor’s President Kristen Dalton and Sojern’s Chief Revenue Officer Noreen Henry. During the panel Delgado outlined how Mirai – whose technology helps hoteliers maximise revenues in the direct channel – is advising clients to “learn and innovate if they have enough budget, particularly to participate in the planning stage or upper funnel and especially when it comes to the new placements (social and AI-based tools) so they have the first mover advantage when the time does finally come”. However, he pointed out too that the marketing landscape is still dominated by Google – for advertising, Google Hotels and organic search – as well as by the big OTAs. “This is likely to continue for a very long time, they have signifcant resources and inbuilt advantages such as the data they have, the great teams they have and so on. Nor should we rule out that AI developments might mean that other online players like Amazon or Meta or Microsoft could make an entry into the travel space too”.
1 2 3 4 Prayagraj: Addressing the 136th convocation of Allahabad University (AU), Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath advocated for holding student union (SU) elections in all the universities of the state. The suggestion of the CM comes at a time when it has been six years since elections for the student union were held at Allahabad University. The last elections for the student union were held at AU in 2018. The CM suggested that it should be called ‘Yuva Sansad' as the country needs talented and committed youth in politics. Yogi detailed how and who should contest the elections for this ‘Sansad'. "We want, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said time and again that able youngsters should come into the field of politics and on this thought even universities should decide whether the concept of Yuva Sansad can replace the SU in the university system," said Yogi. The CM also suggested the methodology of the working of this Yuva Sansad. He said that a student cannot fight the election straight away when he is in the first year of the course. Rather, there should be an election within the class for the representatives and those representatives should decide who would contest the election in the third year or at the PG level. "Meritorious students, who can give direction to the society, should contest these elections," he said. On a lighter note, the CM recalled that once he met an office-bearer of a student union who was looking quite aged. "Someone told me that the son of that office-bearer is also a student of the same institution which means that the individual has taken admission in the university just to join the student union. There should be a limit to those who can contest the elections," he said. Those who want to stay in the university system for a longer time should be there to pursue research. Let them do it, but for contesting the elections for the student union or the Yuva Sansad, there should be some age limit. "Hold these elections simultaneously. Regularise your session and hold the elections between Aug 15-25 after completing all the admission processes," he suggested. Talking about the power of the youths, he criticised those who are using them for political mileage. "Those who are dividing our youths should remember that whenever the youths are divided on the basis of caste, creed and religion, this division will not harm the nation's potential, but those who are conspiring to divide are committing the sin of not only taking the nation backward, but they are blocking the development of the country too," he said. "And we should not let such forces progress who divide the youth on the basis of caste, creed, or religion," he added. Everyone, be it an institution, individual, or organisation, has to keep pace with the changing times. Everyone should meet the challenges of the changing times and adjust accordingly. Gone are the days when people used to say, "Hamari Mange Puri Karo" (fulfil our demand). "If you are indulging in any such activity, you are wasting your invaluable time," he said. The CM said that the first Gurukul of the world was established in Prayagraj by Saint Bharadwaj. "Upanishads taught us how to behave in society after graduating from an educational institution," he said. The CM also referred to the fast-changing scientific world and technology. He said in the 1990s there was a movement in the nationalised banks to oppose computerization. But later on everyone witnessed that the same computerisation made banking so easy. "Technological changes brought by ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have made work very easy and fast. But at the same time, youths should be vigilant while using such tools as technology has always been a double-edged sword," cautioned Yogi. He said that he is happy that of the eight students who were given medals by him at the convocation, seven are girls. But still, there is a lot to be done for girls' education,he added. Kumar Vishwas awarded honorary degree The 136th convocation of AU was held in the historic Senate Hall of AU. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was the chief guest, while AU's Chancellor and Chairman of Bombay Stock Exchange, Ashish Chauhan, was the special guest. Popular Hindi poet Kumar Vishwas was given the honorary degree at the convocation. Eight meritorious students of postgraduate and undergraduate courses were given medals by the CM. These included Diksha Pandey, Riya Tiwari, Riya Verma, Neha Uttam (all PG students), Anchal Tripathi, Mani Rashmi, Shubham Kumar Yadav, and Ritika Singh (UG students). AU Vice Chancellor Prof Sangita Srivastava said that under her regime, AU has come out of the dark age and is now heading towards a bright and prosperous future. She mentioned some of the milestones that AU has achieved during her tenure, foremost being the filling up of 70% of vacant teaching positions.Granite Real Estate Inc. Staple (NYSE:GRP.U) Shares Gap Down – What’s Next?None
Trump threatens ‘all hell to pay’ if Hamas fails to release hostages before he returnsWILMINGTON, N.C., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- nCino, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCNO), the leading provider of intelligent, best-in-class banking solutions, today announced its participation in the following investor conferences: Scotiabank Second Annual Global Technology Conference Presentation: Tuesday, December 10, at 12:45 p.m. ET Barclays 22 nd Annual Global Technology Conference Presentation: Wednesday, December 11, at 6:05 p.m. ET A live webcast of the Barclays presentation will be available on the Events & Presentations page of the Investor Relations section of the Company website or by clicking here . About nCino nCino (NASDAQ: NCNO) is powering a new era in financial services. The Company was founded to help financial institutions digitize and reengineer business processes to boost efficiencies and create better banking experiences. With over 1,800 customers worldwide - including community banks, credit unions, independent mortgage banks, and the largest financial entities globally - nCino offers a trusted platform of best-in-class, intelligent solutions. By integrating artificial intelligence and actionable insights into its platform, nCino is helping financial institutions consolidate legacy systems to enhance strategic decision-making, improve risk management, and elevate customer satisfaction by cohesively bringing together people, AI and data. For more information, visit www.ncino.com . CONTACTS INVESTOR CONTACT Harrison Masters nCino +1 910.734.7743 [email protected] MEDIA CONTACT Natalia Moose nCino [email protected]NEW HOPE, Pa. (AP) — Dayle Haddon, a Canadian-born actor, activist and trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination by reentering the industry as a widow, has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found Haddon, 76, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man police later identified as Walter J. Blucas of Erie was hospitalized in critical condition. Responders detected a high level of carbon monoxide in the property and township police said Saturday that investigators determined that “a faulty flue and exhaust pipe on a gas heating system caused the carbon monoxide leak.” Two medics were taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide exposure and a police officer was treated at the scene. As a model, Haddon appeared on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and Esquire in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She also appeared in about two dozen films from the 1970s to 1990s, according to , including 1994’s “Bullets Over Broadway,” starring John Cusack. Haddon left modeling after giving birth to her daughter, Ryan, in the mid-1970s, but then had to reenter the workforce after her husband’s 1991 death. This time she found the modeling industry far less friendly: “They said to me, ‘At 38, you’re not viable,’” in 2003. Working a menial job at an advertising agency, Haddon began reaching out to cosmetic companies, telling them there was a growing market to sell beauty products to aging baby boomers. She eventually landed a contract with Clairol, followed by Estée Lauder and then L’Oreal, for which she promoted the company’s anti-aging products for more than a decade. She also hosted beauty segments for CBS’s “The Early Show.” “I kept modeling, but in a different way,” she told The Times, “I became a spokesperson for my age.” In 2008, Haddon founded WomenOne, an organization aimed at advancing educational opportunities for girls and women in marginalized communities, including Rwanda, Haiti and Jordan.’ Haddon was born in Toronto and began modeling as a teenager to pay for ballet classes — she began her career with the Canadian ballet company Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, . Haddon’s daughter, Ryan, said in a social media post that her mother was “everyone’s greatest champion. An inspiration to many.” “A pure heart. A rich inner life. Touching so many lives. A life well lived. Rest in Light, Mom,” she said.Rangers 'mind games' denied by Jim Goodwin as Dundee Utd boss puts Ian McCall right over his Ibrox tactics
Biden Says Israel Approves Ceasefire Against Hezbollah: 'Permanent Cessation Of Hostilities'
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