In conclusion, the woman's experience with onycholysis highlights the negative consequences of improper nail care practices. It is essential for individuals to prioritize the health and well-being of their nails by entrusting trained professionals to handle their manicure needs. By taking proactive steps to protect their nails, individuals can avoid the risk of developing painful and potentially permanent conditions such as onycholysis.777 jili online casino 。

Republic Servs RSG has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 3.58% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 11.99%. Currently, Republic Servs has a market capitalization of $65.80 billion. Buying $100 In RSG: If an investor had bought $100 of RSG stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $973.73 today based on a price of $210.13 for RSG at the time of writing. Republic Servs's Performance Over Last 20 Years Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time. This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Scottie Scheffler has new putting grip and trails Cameron Young by 3 in Bahamas

One of my top shows of 2024 actually premiered in 2021. That’s because it took a couple of years for the Australian series “The Newsreader” to make its way Stateside. Alas, it was only legal to stream in the U.S. for a handful of weeks in September and then — pffft! — it was gone before most people had even heard of it. Well, I have great news. The show will be available once again, this time via Sundance Now (accessible through the AMC+ streaming platform), which has licensed the first season. Premiering Dec. 19, it stars Anna Torv (“Fringe”) and Sam Reid (“Interview with the Vampire”) as TV reporters in Melbourne, circa 1986. At the outset, Reid’s character exudes big loser energy, which is such an amusing contrast to his work as Lestat. The show is unexpectedly funny and terrifically Machiavellian in its portrayal of small-time office politics, and I’m thrilled audiences in the U.S. will get another shot at watching it. Overall, 2024 offered a modestly better lineup than usual, but I’m not sure it felt that way. Too often the good stuff got drowned out by Hollywood’s pointless and endless pursuit of rebooting intellectual property (no thank you, Apple’s “Presumed Innocent” ) and tendency to stretch a perfectly fine two-hour movie premise into a saggy multi-part series (“Presumed Innocent” again!). There were plenty of shows I liked that didn’t make this year’s list, including ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” and CBS’ “Ghosts” (it’s heartening to see the network sitcom format still thriving in the streaming era), as well as Netflix’s “A Man on the Inside” (Ted Danson’s charisma selling an unlikely premise) and Hulu’s “Interior Chinatown” (a high-concept parody of racial stereotypes and cop show tropes, even if it couldn’t sustain the idea over 10 episodes). Maybe it just felt like we were having more fun this year, with Netflix’s “The Perfect Couple” (Nicole Kidman leading a traditional manor house mystery reinterpreted with an American sensibility) and Hulu’s “Rivals” (the horniest show of 2024, delivered with a wink in the English countryside). I liked what I saw of Showtime’s espionage thriller “The Agency” (although the bulk of episodes were unavailable as of this writing). The deluge of remakes tends to make me cringe, but this year also saw a redo of Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” on Netflix that was far classier than most of what’s available on the streamer. Starring Andrew Scott, I found it cool to the touch, but the imagery stayed with me. Shot in black and white, it has an indelible visual language courtesy of director of photography Robert Elswit, whether capturing a crisp white business card against the worn grain wood of a bar top, or winding stairways that alternately suggest a yawning void or a trap. As always, if you missed any of these shows when they originally premiered — the aforementioned titles or the Top 10 listed below — they are all available to stream. Top 10 streaming and TV shows of 2024, in alphabetical order: The least cynical reality show on television remains as absorbing as ever in Season 4, thanks to the probing questions and insights from the show’s resident therapist, Dr. Orna Guralnik. Everything is so charged. And yet the show has a soothing effect, predicated on the idea that human behavior (and misery) isn’t mysterious or unchangeable. There’s something so optimistic in that outlook. Whether or not you relate to the people featured on “Couples Therapy” — or even like them as individuals — doesn’t matter as much as Guralnik’s reassuring presence. Created by and starring Diarra Kilpatrick, the eight-episode series defies categorization in all the right ways. Part missing-person mystery, part comedy about a school teacher coming to grips with her impending divorce, and part drama about long-buried secrets, it has tremendous style right from the start — sardonic, knowing and self-deprecating. The answers to the central mystery may not pack a satisfying punch by the end, but the road there is as entertaining and absorbing as they come. We need more shows like this. A comedy created by and starring Brian Jordan Alvarez (of the antic YouTube series “The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo”), the show has a sensibility all its own, despite a handful of misinformed people on social media calling it a ripoff of “Abbott Elementary.” There’s room enough in the TV landscape for more than one sitcom with a school setting and “English Teacher” has a wonderfully gimlet-eyed point of view of modern high school life. I’m amused that so much of its musical score is Gen-X coded, because that neither applies to Alvarez (a millennial) nor the fictional students he teaches. So why does the show feature everything from Laura Branigan’s “Gloria” to Exposé’s “Point of No Return”? The ’80s were awash in teen stories and maybe the show is using music from that era to invoke all those tropes in order to better subvert them. It’s a compelling idea! It’s streaming on Hulu and worth checking out if you haven’t already. A one-time tennis phenom accuses her former coach of coercing her into a sexual relationship in this British thriller. The intimacy between a coach and athlete often goes unexplored, in real-life or fictional contexts and that’s what the show interrogates: When does it go over the line? It’s smart, endlessly watchable and the kind of series that would likely find a larger audience were it available on a more popular streamer. There’s real tenderness in this show. Real cruelty, too. It’s a potent combination and the show’s third and strongest season won it an Emmy for best comedy. Jean Smart’s aging comic still looking for industry validation and Hannah Einbinder’s needy Gen-Z writer are trapped in an endless cycle of building trust that inevitably gives way to betrayal. Hollywood in a nutshell! “Hacks” is doing variations on this theme every season, but doing it in interesting ways. Nobody self-sabotages their way to success like these two. I was skeptical about the show when it premiered in 2022 . Vampire stories don’t interest me. And the 1994 movie adaptation starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt wasn’t a persuasive argument to the contrary. But great television is great television and nothing at the moment is better than this show. It was ignored by Emmy voters in its initial outing but let’s hope Season 2 gets the recognition it deserves. Under showrunner Rolin Jones, the adaptation of Anne Rice’s novels is richly written, thrillingly inhabited by its cast and so effortlessly funny with a framing device — the interview of the title — that is thick with intrigue and sly comedy. I wouldn’t categorize the series as horror. It’s not scary. But it is tonally self-assured and richly made, rarely focused on the hunt for dinner but on something far more interesting: The melodrama of vampire existence, with its combination of boredom and lust and tragedy and zingers. Already renewed for Season 3, it has an incredible cast (a thrilling late-career boost for Eric Bogosian) and is well worth catching up with if you haven’t already. It’s been too long since the pleasures of banter fueled a romantic comedy in the spirit of “When Harry Met Sally.” But it’s all over the place in “Nobody Wants This,” one of the best shows on Netflix in recent memory. Renewed for a second season, it stars Kristen Bell as a humorously caustic podcaster and Adam Brody as the cute and emotionally intelligent rabbi she falls for. On the downside, the show has some terrible notions about Jewish women that play into controlling and emasculating stereotypes. You hate to see it in such an otherwise sparkling comedy, because overall Bell and Brody have an easy touch that gives the comedy real buoyancy. I suspect few people saw this three-part series on PBS Masterpiece, but it features a terrific performance by Helena Bonham Carter playing the real-life, longtime British soap star Noele “Nolly” Gordon, who was unceremoniously sacked in 1981. She’s the kind of larger-than-life showbiz figure who is a bit ridiculous, a bit imperious, but also so much fun. The final stretch of her career is brought to life by Carter and this homage — to both the soap she starred in and the way she carried it on her back — is from Russell T. Davies (best known for the “Doctor Who” revival). For U.S. viewers unfamiliar with the show or Gordon, Carter’s performance has the benefit of not competing with a memory as it reanimates a slice of British pop culture history from the analog era. The year is 1600 and a stubborn British seaman piloting a Dutch ship washes ashore in Japan. That’s our entry point to this gorgeously shot story of power games and political maneuvering among feudal enemies. Adapted from James Clavell’s 1975 novel by the married team of Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, it is filled with Emmy-winning performances (for Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada; the series itself also won best drama) and unlike something like HBO’s far clunkier “House of the Dragon,” which tackles similar themes, this feels like the rare show created by, and for, adults. The misfits and losers of Britain’s MI5 counterintelligence agency — collectively known as the slow horses, a sneering nickname that speaks to their perceived uselessness — remain as restless as ever in this adaptation of Mick Herron’s Slough House spy novels. As a series, “Slow Horses” doesn’t offer tightly plotted clockwork spy stories; think too deeply about any of the details and the whole thing threatens to fall apart. But on a scene-by-scene basis, the writing is a winning combination of wry and tension-filled, and the cumulative effect is wonderfully entertaining. Spies have to deal with petty office politics like everyone else! It’s also one of the few shows that has avoided the dreaded one- or two-year delay between seasons, which has become standard on streaming. Instead, it provides the kind of reliability — of its characters but also its storytelling intent — that has become increasingly rare. Nina Metz is a Tribune critic.

Yang Niuhua, the brave mother who had tirelessly campaigned for justice for her daughter, stood firm in the face of Yu Huaying's appeal. In a poignant statement outside the courtroom, she expressed her determination to see Yu Huaying held accountable for his heinous crimes and to ensure that other families would not suffer the same heartbreak and loss that she had endured.On the other side, Atalanta will be eager to finally overcome their hoodoo against Real Madrid and claim a historic victory. With a talented squad led by the likes of Duvan Zapata, Luis Muriel, and Josip Ilicic, Atalanta will be aiming to upset the odds and secure a positive result against the reigning La Liga champions.

The most prestigious club football competition in Europe, the UEFA Champions League, is back with a bang as Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan gear up to face off in a total of 9 exciting matches tomorrow morning. Football fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the start of these highly-anticipated clashes as some of the continent's top teams go head-to-head in the pursuit of European glory.And as the winter slowly gave way to spring, the memory of Little Spud's daring adventure lived on, a reminder that sometimes, the greatest triumphs come from facing our fears head-on and pushing past our limits.

Biden Delivers National Address After Bashar Al-Assad Flees Syria: Key Takeaways

A roadmap to a Canada that's taken seriously again

And as the night faded into dawn, Bo Brother knew one thing for certain – the next chapter of Mia's journey would be filled with new challenges, unexpected joys, and endless possibilities. And he would be there, as always, to witness, support, and cherish every moment of her remarkable life story.

In conclusion, Vivo's showcase of 6G and AI technologies represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital technology, one that will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for industries, societies, and individuals alike. As we look towards the future, it is clear that Vivo is well positioned to lead the charge towards a more connected, intelligent, and immersive digital world.

In conclusion, Zelensky's remarks on Trump's claims about the presidential transition process underscore the global impact of the political developments in the United States. As the world waits for a resolution to the electoral dispute, his words serve as a testament to the enduring values of democracy and the imperative of upholding them in the face of uncertainty and challenge. Ukraine's president stands as a voice of reason and moderation in a tumultuous political landscape, offering a reminder that the principles of democracy transcend national boundaries and require steadfast commitment from all who cherish freedom and justice.

In response to inquiries from concerned passengers and the public, airport authorities at Nanjing Lukou International Airport have reassured travelers that appropriate measures were taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals on board the flight. They have affirmed that emergency procedures were followed diligently, and that the situation was managed effectively to provide timely medical assistance to the affected passenger.Ford continues to exhibit a dedication to diversifying its EV lineup in Europe — a dedication that, frankly, I wish could also be applied here at home — with the reveal of the new all-electric Puma Gen-E. The Puma is a familiar nameplate in Europe, as the automaker’s bestselling vehicle there since it surpassed the Fiesta in sales in 2021. Now, it’s getting a fully electric powertrain to complement the hybrid EcoBoost options that were added four years ago. The small, sporty Mustang Mach-E-looking subcompact crossover will get 376km (233 miles) on a full charge, can charge from 10 to 80 percent in 23 minutes when hooked up to a 100kW DC fast charger, and will accelerate from zero to 100km/h in a not-totally-disappointing eight seconds. 1/11 1/11 Storage is a key selling point for the Puma Gen-E, with Ford promising extra space in the extremely compact trunk thanks to something the company is calling the “GigaBox.” It’s basically an extra storage space underneath the floor of the trunk for additional items, a feature found in most EVs today but of added relevance to the Puma thanks to its small stature. Ford says the GigaBox can hold 145 liters (five cubic feet) of storage, which is a bit more than what most vehicles offer and certainly bigger than the 2.8 cubic feet of space offered by the gas-powered Puma’s understorage. How small are we talking for this subcompact? The Puma Gen-E is 4,214 millimeters (165.9 inches) long, 1,930mm (75.9 inches) wide, and 1,555mm (61.2 inches) tall. That’s smaller than the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV and by far the smallest vehicle in Ford’s lineup. Storage is a key selling point for the Puma Gen-E To compensate, Ford is giving its electric Puma a facelift in a variety of ways, including a very literal facelift with a new Mustang Mach-E-inspired shield design replacing the traditional grille. It’s also getting “unique alloy” wheels for an added “electric vibe” that come in two sizes: 17 inches for the standard trim or 18 inches for the Premium version. Inside, a 12.8-inch center display will run on Ford’s Sync 4 operating system (no Android-based Digital Experience in Europe yet) and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford is clearly hoping that the small, sporty Bumblebee yellow Puma Gen-E can lift its sagging fortunes in Europe after the company was forced to idle the plant in Cologne where it makes the electric Explorer and Capri. The company also recently laid off 14 percent of its workers in Europe, with most of the cuts affecting operations in Germany and the UK. Ford says the Puma Gen-E will go into production at its assembly plant in Craiova, Romania, using electric drive units built in Halewood, England. The new EV is available to order today and will begin to make deliveries in spring 2025. Pricing has not been announced yet.NoneReports: Saints concerned over QB Derek Carr's hand injury

Canada's Trudeau survives third no-confidence voteIs There a Black Doves Episode 7 Release Date or Part 2? By Fans are curious if there will be a or if the series has . The narrative centers around a spy who assumes the identity of a politician’s spouse. In her quest for justice, she discovers the murder of her lover and collaborates with a former assassin to seek vengeance. Devoted viewers are eager to know if a with more episodes is coming or if the series has concluded. Here’s the most recent update on what to expect for the future of the Netflix show. Is there a Black Doves Episode 7 release date and time? Black Doves Season 1 debuted on Monday, December 5, 2024, and consists of 6 episodes in total. The series has wrapped up, meaning there will be no 7th episode. In the final episode, called “In the Bleak Midwinter,” viewers see Helen, armed with evidence and driven by revenge, on a quest to find the Clarks. As the conspiracy begins to unfold, she faces a life-altering choice. Thus, the sixth episode serves as a complete and satisfying conclusion to Helen’s journey. Will there be a Black Doves Part 2 with more episodes? The series follows Helen Webb, a mother and wife who leads a double life as a skilled spy. Everything changes dramatically when her secret lover, Jason, is killed. In the aftermath of this loss, Helen’s boss, Reeds, sends Sam to keep her safe. However, their investigation into Jason’s murderer hits a wall, forcing her to battle for her survival. Meanwhile, Sam faces threats from his old employer. The plot unfolds with numerous exciting and unforeseen twists throughout the episodes. The Black Doves cast features , , , Ella Lily, Andrew Koji, Andrew Buchan, Omari Douglas, and many others. Stream all 6 episodes of Black Doves Season 1 exclusively via Netflix. Ayesha, an SEO Content Writer/Editor for Coming Soon. With a degree in Social work, she has been creating content as a Digital marketer for the last 3 years. Recently, Ayesha has taken up skincare as a hobby on Instagram, where she shares budget-friendly skincare routines along with quick and simple tips and tricks. To get in touch with her, make sure to follow her on Instagram. Share article

Reports: Saints concerned over QB Derek Carr's hand injury

777 jogo casino

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected fraudster, Osang Otukpa, for allegedly defrauding 139 Australians to the tune of eight million Australian dollars. The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. He said the suspect was picked up in a stakeout at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, after arriving from the United States on December 6. Oyewale said: “Otukpa goes by five aliases namely: Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto and Kristin Davidson. “He scammed his victims by luring them on social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group (LAG). “The proceeds of the alleged crimes were routed to his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform.” He said the suspect would be arraigned in court at the end of the investigations. Opinions Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs. As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake. If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause. Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development. Donate NowThe last special game of the year at Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St., off Exit 1 of the I-190, will be held today, Saturday, Dec. 14. Refreshments at noon, play begins at 12:30 p.m. It’s a StaC (Sectional Tournament at the Clubs) game, awarding silver master points. For partnerships, call Pat Haynes 716-202-1155 or email phaynes508@roadrunner.com . • • • The Buffalo Bridge Center offers a regular schedule of in-person and online games five days a week, with special games on the weekends, unusually one each month. Fee for face-to-face games is $8 for members and $11 for non-members until the end of the year. For more info, visit the Buffalo Bridge Center website or call 716-424-0014. The Bridge Center reminds members that dues for 2025 are $80 and can be paid starting Dec. 1, cash or check. Fee for games next year will be $8 for members and $12 for non-members. In other notices, the club once again will offer a game on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. Refreshments at 11:15 a.m., game at 11:45. Pre-registration required. Sign up at the club or with Andrei Reinhorn at 716-390-8857, email reinhorna@gmail.com . In case of heavy snow, the club abides by what the Buffalo Public Schools do. If they close, the club will be closed. Lessons for beginners are being held at the Buffalo Bridge Center from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. For more information, call Ruth Nawotniak at 716-949-7574 or email ruth2250@outlook.com . Don’t want to clean up the house for kitchen bridge? The Bridge Center also hosts a social game in its lessons room on Tuesday mornings during the regular 10:30 a.m. game. Players can go at their own speed and style. Fee is $5 to cover expenses. In-person games: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. For players with fewer than 1,600 points. Simultaneous game for players with fewer than 99 points if there are enough tables. Free lesson at 10. Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Open to all players. Simultaneous game for players with fewer than 99 points if there are enough tables. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Upgraded to now include players with up to 2,000 points. Simultaneous game for players with fewer than 99 points if there are enough tables. Free lesson at 10. Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Open to all players by pre-registration only. Call 716-424-0014. Virtual games on Bridge Base Online: Mondays, 7 p.m. For players with fewer than 750 points. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Delaware Wednesday game for players with fewer than 2,000 points. For info on this game, call Ed Harman at 716-480-1666 or email eharmon@roadrunner.com . • • • More access to virtual games on Bridge Base Online is being offered by the Airport Bridge Club, which currently is not holding face-to-face games. It has affiliated with a new group of clubs, the SE Club of Clubs Online Bridge Collective, where most games are $5. For more info, click this link . The Airport Club also continues to be part of the Alliance Bridge Club, which offers more than a dozen games every day. Anyone who has played at the Airport Club is automatically a member. For more info, visit alliancebridgeclub.com or call Airport Club manager Bill Finkelstein at 716-603-6943. • • • The East Aurora Bridge Club begins play at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in the Aurora Senior Citizens Center, 101 King St., East Aurora. Attendance is generally three or four tables. For more info, email director Dave Larcom at dmocral@verizon.net . • • • The Bridge Centre of Niagara (BCON) in St. Catharines, Ont., offers a mix of online games and in-person games at its club in Tremont Square opposite the Pen Centre shopping plaza off Glendale Avenue. Face-to-face games open to all players are offered at 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. There is also a face-to-face game for 499ers (players with fewer than 500 points) at 1 p.m. Monday and Friday, a beginner game with a mini-lesson at 6 p.m. Monday, mentoring at 1 p.m. Tuesdays (register by 9 p.m. Sunday), a 299er game at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (pre-registration requested); and a 999er game at 1 p.m. Thursday. The club currently hosts two virtual games on Bridge Base Online. There’s one for players with fewer than 750 points at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, and an open game at 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more info, click here . BCON also has begun an affiliation with SE Club of Clubs Online Bridge Collective, which appears as SE Carolina on Bridge Base Online. Games run throughout the day. A full lineup of games can be seen at SE Carolina On-line Bridge . • • • Face-to-face play in non-sanctioned clubs is offered at the Tonawanda Senior Center on Wednesday afternoons and at the Amherst Senior Center on Monday and Friday afternoons. • • • Tournament calendar 2024 District 5 STAC (Sectional Tournament at the Clubs) – Participating ACBL-sanctioned clubs. Today, Saturday, Dec. 14, and Sunday, Dec. 15. 2025 Toronto Non-Life Master Regional – Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Friday, Jan. 3, to Sunday, Jan. 5. For more info, click this link . Toronto New Year's Sectional – Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Friday, Jan. 3, to Sunday, Jan. 5. For more info, click this link . Cleveland Rock & Roll Regional – Embassy Suites Hotel, 5800 Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio. Wednesday, Jan. 8, to Sunday, Jan. 12. For more info, click this link . Niagara Sectional – Holiday Inn & Suites, 327 Ontario St., St. Catharines, Ont. Friday, Feb. 7, to Sunday, Feb. 9. Buffalo Spring Sectional – Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St., Buffalo. Friday, March 28, to Sunday, March 30. Toronto Easter Regional – Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Tuesday, April 15, to Sunday, April 20. For more info, click this link . Finger Lakes Regional – Louis Wolk Jewish Community Center, 1200 Edgewood Ave., Rochester. Tuesday, June 9, to Sunday, June 14. Cleveland All-American Regional – Embassy Suites Hotel, 5800 Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio. Tuesday, June 24, to Sunday, June 29. For more info, click this link . South Western Ontario Regional – St. George Banquet Hall, 665 King St. North, Waterloo, Ont. Tuesday, July 1, to Sunday, July 6. For more info, click this link . Buffalo Summer Sectional – Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St., Buffalo. Friday, July 11, to Sunday, July 13. Niagara 499er Sectional – Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Center, 14 Anderson Lane, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Friday, Aug. 15, to Sunday, Aug. 17. Pittsburgh Labor Day Regional – Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center, 3579 Masonic Way, Pittsburgh, Pa. Wednesday, Aug. 27, to Monday, Sept. 1. Great Lakes Sectional – Erie Bridge Club, 1221 Grant Ave., Erie, Pa. Saturday, Sept. 6, and Sunday, Sept. 7. Buffalo Fall Sectional – Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St., Buffalo. Friday, Sept. 12, to Sunday, Sept 14. Buffalo Regional – Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga. Tuesday, Oct. 21, to Sunday, Oct. 26. Niagara Regional – Holiday Inn & Suites, 327 Ontario St., St. Catharines, Ont. Tuesday, Nov. 11, to Sunday, Nov. 16. • • • Bridge club websites: Click names for links. Bridge Center of Buffalo . Western New York Unit 116 . The Airport Bridge Club, which continues to be on hiatus, does not have a website. For info, call 716-603-6943. • • • Duplicate scores from ACBL Live for Clubs Week of Dec. 2 to Dec. 8 ACBL Affiliated Clubs Buffalo Bridge Center Monday evening – 0-750 game online. Anne Slater and Cynthia Tashjian, 56.94%; (tie) Joyce Frayer and Karen Dearing, Jim and Michael Hassett, 52.78%; Carol Licata and Larry Himelein, 50%. Buffalo Bridge Center Tuesday morning – 0-1,600 game. North-south, Joyce Greenspan and Audrey Ray 64.93%; Ruth Nawotniak and Paul Zittel, 59.72%; Pat Haynes and Judy Zeckhauser, 55.56%; Joanne Nover and David Schott, 50.69%; east-west, Marilyn Wortzman and Jim Easton, 65.63%; Carol Licata and Ilene Rothman, 61.81%; Mary Ball and Pat Wolcott, 52.78%; Bonnie Clement and Larry Himelein, 51.74%; Sharon Wilcox and Anthony Girasole, 51.04%. Buffalo Bridge Center Thursday morning – 0-2,000 game. Closed due to snow. Buffalo Bridge Center Friday morning – Open game. Sandi England and Larry Abbate, 60.42%; Donna Steffan and Kamil Bishara, 55.21%; (tie) Judy Gray and Mike Ryan, John Ziemer and Vic Bergsten, 51.04%. Buffalo Bridge Center Saturday afternoon – Unit 116 annual meeting. Open game. North-south, Judie Bailey and Nancy Wolstoncroft, 57.65%; Judy Graf and Mike Ryan, 56%; Betty Metz and Paul Zittel, 54.58%; Sharon Benz and Elaine Kurasiewicz, 54.58%; Florence Boyd and Dale Anderson, 53.65%; Terry Fraas and Cathy Majewski, 53.36%; east-west, Jay Levy and Fred Yellen, 63.66%; Ruth Wurster and Sharon Wilcox, 56.38%; Mary Ball and Joyce Frayer, 52.70%; Larry Abate and Rajat Basu, 49.82%; Nancy Kessler and Paula Kotowski, 49.04%. Bridge Club of East Aurora Wednesday morning – Open game. Linda and Paul Zittel, 57.50%; (tie) Joan and Bob Ciszak, Ruth Wurster and Alex Ivanov, 55%. Delaware Wednesday evening – 0-2,000 game online. Walt Olszewski and Jim Lanzo, 65%; Beena Deshmukh and Bill Rich, 58.69%; Sue Manning and Sam Khyatt, 56.11%; Marilyn Wortzman and Jim Easton, 53.89%; Teresa McIntyre and Bruce Wachsman, 53.33%; Jim Hassett and Terry Camp, 52.22%. Other clubs Amherst Senior Center Monday afternoon – North-south, Jill and Bruce Brown, 59%; Joe Huber and Fritz Schweiger, 51%; east-west, Nancy Wolstoncroft and Pat Radtke, 62%; Shirley Cassety and Jeff Peters, 53%. Amherst Senior Center Friday afternoon – North-south, Nancy Wolstoncroft and Rolene Pozarny, 58%; Ed Drozen and Walt Olszewski, 57%; east-west, Midge Coates and Rob Buchanan, 62%; Rich Kayton and Ted Kotlarz, 58%. Tonawanda Senior Center Wednesday afternoon – Rose Bochiechio and Edna Fill, 64.5%; Judy White and Fritz Schweiger, 47.5%. • • • Unit 116 Master Point Leaders for Club Play Jan. 1, 2024, to Nov. 30, 2024 0-5 Points – John Brennan, 3.09; Cathy Hetzler, 2.02; Alice Cooley, 1.93; Elaine Rinfrette, 0.86. 5-20 Points – Dennis Daly, 12.56; Zakie Nohra, 9.09; Anthony Girasole, 6.38; Barbara Kaye, 3.43; Jeannine Dupuis, 3.38; Joan Nigrelli, 1.84; Chris-Elaine Santilli, 1.79; Bill Duax, 1.65; Devon Marlette, 0.40. 20-50 Points – Ilene Rothman, 14.70; Brian Fleming, 14.33; Molly Morris, 8.84; Pepe Justicia-Linde, 7.97; Donna Starnes, 6.51; Gini Sicignano, 5.48; Phyllis Stasiowski, 4.10; Helen Scott, 3.65; Peggy Mead, 3.06; Kathleen Voigt, 2.02. 50-100 Points – Susan Cardamone, 15.04; Maureen Cancilla, 13.63; Mike Meacham, 11.57; Howard Epstein, 3.86; John Houghtaling, 3.33; Jo Ann Smith, 3.25; Elaine Idzik, 3.12; Nancy Deneen, 1.94; Cherry Searle, 1.31; Anne Slater, 0.81; Darwin Skalski, 0.78. 100-200 Points – Carol Licata, 14.52; Betty DeFeo, 7.06; Joan Ciszak, 5.53; Susan Levy, 4.03; Janet Desmon, 1.96; Tom England, 1.54; Tiger Li, 0.78. 200-300 Points – David Whitt, 12.67; Ethan Xie, 5.53; Judith Babat, 4.03; Laura Houghtaling, 3.33; Laurie Foster, 3.32; (tie) Barbara Scott and John Scott, 1.87; Maria Amlani, 1.41; John Fiegl, 0.58; Jane Roberts, 0.56. 300-500 Points – David Schott, 52.90; Joanne Nover, 44.64; Pat Haynes, 44.14; Linda Milch, 26.72; Jim McClure, 24.46; Maryann Szafran, 18.58; Ruth Nawotniak, 17.65; Agi Maisel, 14.29; Judy Zeckhauser, 10.45; Margaret Zhou, 10.35. 500-1,000 Points – Larry Himelein, 59.42; Paul Zittel, 39.05; Andrei Reinhorn, 37.09; Linda Zittel, 37.06; Joe Miranda, 31.25; Joyce Frayer, 30.50; Mary Terrana, 24.33; Paula Rosen, 22.90 Gordon Crone, 22.13; Jo Nasoff-Finton, 20.36. 1,000-1,500 Points – Kamil Bishara, 47.79; Betty Metz, 44.99; Sue Neubecker, 36.14; Mary Ball, 34.97; Terry Fraas, 32.50; (tie) Marilyn Wortzman, Jim Easton, 30.65; Joanne LaFay, 25.99; Howard Foster, 17.74; Bob Kaprove, 11.55. 1,500-2,500 Points – Tova Reinhorn, 40.64; Pinky Regan, 39.39; Paula Kotowski, 34.18; Sandi England, 19.82; Joyce Greenspan, 19.08; David Colligan, 18.01; Walt Olszewski, 14.29; Barbara Pieterse, 7.24; Nancy Wolstoncroft, 7.07; Martin Pieterse, 6.87; Nancy Kessler, 5.37. 2,500-3,500 Points – Fred Yellen, 71.21; Linda Burroughsford, 33.13; Art Morth, 6.14; David Turner, 5.54; Dale Anderson, 5.50; Pat Rasmus, 1.89; Joanne Kelley, 1.71. 3,500-5,000 Points – John Ziemer, 60.43; Donna Steffan, 56.03; Judy Graf, 54.61; Davis Heussler, 49.78; Jim Gullo, 31.41; Mike Ryan, 26.24; Martha Welte, 23.77; Judy Padgug, 23.19; Chongmin Zhang, 4.20; Allen Beroza, 3.81. Over 5,000 Points – Bud Seidenberg, 69.12; Chris Urbanek, 60.10; Jay Levy, 48.57; Jay Costello, 45.26; Sharon Benz, 26.51; Dian Petrov, 17.65; Kathy Pollock, 5.02; Saleh Fetouh, 3.52. • • • The Duplicate Bridge column is compiled weekly by Buffalo News Staff Reporter Dale Anderson. The print version stopped appearing Saturdays in The News in March 2020 when the pandemic forced local bridge clubs to halt face-to-face play. These days you can find it in two places online. Google “Duplicate Bridge” plus the current Saturday date and that should bring up a link to it on buffalonews.com , the Buffalo News website. Another place to find it is on Dale Anderson’s bridge blog at http://newsdupli.blogspot.com/ Deadline for submission of scores and notices is Tuesday night. Email danderson@buffnews.com or dahotwings@aol.com . Office phone is 716-849-4420. • • • A Gold Life Master , Dale Anderson has a career total of more than 2,980 master points. He occasionally writes about his quest for the next measure of achievement, Sapphire Life Master (3,500 points), and other bridge adventures here . Email danderson@buffnews.com . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

As snow blankets the Colorado mountains, outdoor enthusiasts have a unique opportunity: the winter hut trip. Whether you’re a skier or a snowshoer, a hut trip offers an excellent opportunity to connect with nature while exploring the rugged beauty of the state’s wilderness and enjoying the warmth and camaraderie of a cozy mountain hut. From the towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains to the snow-covered trails in Summit County, Colorado’s winter hut trips provide an unforgettable experience for adventurers of all levels. Huts fill up fast, so check each property’s for pricing and availability. Opus Hut Located between Telluride and Silverton near the top of Ophir Pass in the San Juan Mountains, the Opus Hut was built for backcountry skiers, mountaineers, hikers and mountain bikers. At 11,700 feet, the hut sits at treeline with low-angle glades below and open slopes above. While intermediate powder skiing is available out the back door of the hut, owner Travis Mohrman said the terrain is best suited for experienced backcountry skiers. Mohrman estimates that 15% to 20% of the groups visiting Opus Hut do so with guides. “They’re not personally comfortable with the terrain or they’re not from the area,” Mohrman said. “They guides are knowledgeable about local conditions — what the snow is, what’s safe and what’s not safe.” The cabin accommodates up to 20 people in five rooms. Some visitors book the whole hut and bring friends and family, while others reserve available beds in unbooked rooms. The hut features solar-powered lighting and 110-volt outlets for charging electronic devices. It also has filtered drinking water, hot and cold tap water, and indoor composting toilets. It provides full bedding and clean sleeping bag liners. During winter, the hut has four to six employees who sleep in a separate cabin. They prepare meals with natural, organic, and, when possible, locally grown products. The hut accommodates vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets–just be sure to inform the staff beforehand. It also offers beer, wine, and a limited selection of spirits for purchase. “You can travel much lighter if you don’t have to bring in your food,” said Mohrman, who took over the hut three years ago. “You don’t have to focus on the upkeep of being in the backcountry.” Reservations for Opus Hut open Aug. 1. “The winter fills up quick,” Mohrman said. “Every winter weekend books in the first five minutes.” Campfire Ranch Nestled at 11,200 feet in the San Juan National Forest, Campfire Ranch Red Mountain Pass is the perfect base for exploring world-class skiing, split boarding, snowshoeing, and ice climbing. Located between Silverton and Ouray, it’s is accessible during the winter via a half-mile backcountry over-snow approach. Campfire Ranch is an ideal choice for novices. While other Colorado hut systems require you to carry your own food, bring sleeping bags, and live off-grid, this one provides food service, solar-powered electricity, Wi-Fi, and bedding. The dog-friendly cabin accommodates eight people. “We took a hospitality approach to remove barriers to entry for people who want to have the experience but don’t have the gear or the knowledge,” said Katrin Meiusi, director of marketing for the properties. Campfire Ranch first opened a campground on the Taylor River in Almont near Crested Butte. RVs are not permitted at the campground, which is open from May to October. Amenities include unlimited firewood, clean bathrooms, and drinkable well water. 10th Mountain Division Huts The 38 backcountry huts managed by the non-profit 10th Mountain Division Hut Association are connected by 350 miles of trails among some of the tallest peaks in the lower 48 states. All huts, some of which accommodate up to 17 people, have kitchens with propane burners for cooking — propane is provided. They provide pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, a percolator or French press for coffee, salt and pepper, paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies and trash bags. Some huts have ovens and propane grills. All huts provide lighting from on-site solar power, propane or a generator. A few huts also have outlets for charging small devices such as phones. The huts have either an outhouse or an indoor bathroom with toilet paper supplied. All huts include mattresses and pillows, but you must bring your sleeping bag and pillowcase. Summit Huts Summit Hut Association operates five backcountry huts open for winter from November to May. Francie’s and Janet’s cabins are also open for summer use from July to September. All huts have solar-powered lights, fully stocked kitchens, and wood-burning stoves. Francie’s, Janet’s, and Sisters’ cabins have saunas and indoor toilets. The association hosts its annual Backcountry Ball fundraiser in October at The Maggie on Peak to kick off the season. The event includes dinner, drinks, a silent auction and entertainment. Proceeds help maintain the network of backcountry cabins.Carbon dioxide emissions from Big Ten football team travel for regular-season conference games more than tripled in 2024 compared to 2023 after after the addition of a quartet of West Coast schools , a Capital News Service analysis found. Carbon dioxide is one of the major contributors to global warming. It is a greenhouse gas, meaning it traps heat in the planet’s atmosphere. Global air travel was estimated to be responsible for 2.5% of all carbon emissions and 4% of global warming, according to a study published by Our World in Data in April. “As the Big Ten grows and its carbon-intensive activities increase, they’re contributing to higher levels of carbon emissions, so they’re fueling the heating of the planet,” said Joseph Nevins, a professor of geography at Vassar College and one of the pioneers of Flying Less, a project aimed at reducing air travel in higher education. “They’re making contributions to increasing forest fires in the U.S. Southwest and Canada, growing levels of air pollution, which have direct impacts on people’s bodily well-being.” The Big Ten did not mention environmental impact as a consideration in making its football schedule. “Our priority in football scheduling is to balance geography and travel to create compelling matchups in a flexible format that maximize opportunities for Big Ten teams to access the expanded College Football Playoff and win National Championships,” the Big Ten said in a statement to CNS in August. In 2010, the Big Ten consisted of 11 schools: Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Penn State, Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue, Minnesota and Indiana. Nebraska joined the contingent of Midwest schools in 2011. Maryland and Rutgers officially became members in 2014, which allowed the Big Ten to expand its footprint to the East Coast. Carbon emissions from Big Ten travel rose 6% when Maryland and Rutgers joined the conference, per an Arizona State study published in May. In 2024, the Big Ten added USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington, which brought its buffet of schools to 18 and expanded the conference’s geographic footprint across the country. USC and UCLA are more than 2,400 miles away from Rutgers. When UCLA football traveled to New Jersey to face Rutgers on Oct. 19, its travel emitted more than 150,000 kilograms of carbon. Six days later, the Scarlet Knights took their own cross-country trip to face USC for a nationally televised game that started at 11 p.m. on the East Coast. Those two trips emitted the most carbon dioxide of any Big Ten games. Each of the Big Ten’s new members is traveling at least twice as much this season as the year before, with UCLA and Washington traveling more than three times as much in 2024 for regular-season conference games as they did in their final Pac-12 seasons. Of the 18 Big Ten schools, 17 will see an increase in carbon emissions from last year. Purdue is the outlier, emitting nearly 14,000 less kilograms of carbon this year in comparison to 2023. The four West Coast schools are the Big Ten’s highest emitters. Washington is emitting more than 500,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide, the highest in the conference. USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon increased emissions of carbon dioxide by at least 250,000 kilograms in their first year in the Big Ten compared to their final year in the Pac-12. Penn State is projected to emit more 275,000 kilograms, Rutgers above 260,000, while Maryland is above 238,000 to take up the next three spots. “Is it necessary? Are there alternative ways of doing things that would not only radically cut our carbon emissions, but produce a more socially and environmentally just world?” asked Nevins, who got his doctoral degree from UCLA. The Seattle Seahawks of the NFL will travel an average of 3,227.62 miles round-trip for road games this season, the most in the league, according to Bill Speros of Bookies.com . The University of Washington football team, which plays its games less than seven miles from the Seahawks, will average 100 miles more per trip than its NFL neighbors. CNS calculated distances from nearby major airports to find the carbon emissions total. For example, UCLA’s Oct. 19 game against Rutgers, CNS used the distance from Los Angeles International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport. For games where teams likely used bus travel, CNS used the distance between stadiums. CNS focused on football team travel for this analysis due to the sport’s once-a-week travel patterns. Most other sports play multiple times a week and may have less predictable travel schedules. In 2023, the conference announced that each Big Ten football program would face all other programs at least twice in a four-year span. Between 2024 and 2028, the Big Ten has scheduled 33 cross-country trips among the seven schools on the East and West Coast (Penn State, Rutgers, Maryland, Washington, Oregon, USC, UCLA). “We develop our scheduling formats with input and feedback from school administrators, faculty representatives, medical professionals and head coaches looking at the potential impact on academics, health, safety, rest, recovery, and overall competitive equity,” the Big Ten stated in August. “We continue to evaluate our formats and evolve as needed.” Kerry Kenny, the chief operating officer of the Big Ten, told ESPN in 2023 that a divisional model restricted the regularity of compelling football games. Oregon and Penn State, the two teams who met in the Big Ten title game on Dec. 7, are scheduled to play each other three times in the next four seasons, which would not have been the case with East and West divisions. In its first season with the four new schools, the Big Ten had four teams qualify for the College Football Playoffs, the most of any conference. After an undefeated regular season and Big Ten title, Oregon is the top seed in the 12-team tournament. An Oct. 12 matchup between Oregon and Ohio State, two of the top three teams in the nation at the time, averaged 10.4 million viewers and peaked at 13.4 million in the final minutes of what was an eventual Oregon victory. It was the most-watched Big Ten primetime regular-season game since 2008, according to a press release from Comcast. Team travel for the game resulted in more than 125,000 kilograms of carbon being released. “The ultimate variable, in my opinion, is the games are better, the matchups are better, and certainly far more important,” said Tim Brando, a longtime broadcaster for Fox Sports. Included in Brando’s 2024 slate was a Sept. 27 matchup between the University of Washington and Rutgers. Washington emitted nearly 149,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide in its flight for the game. The Friday night matchup peaked at 2.5 million viewers as Rutgers, who made the game its annual blackout, escaped with a three-point victory. “That was probably the most intensity and the greatest crowd [Rutgers] had for a home game in Piscataway in years,” said Brando. “In large measure, it was because Washington was the opponent, a team that was playing for the National Championship just a year before.” What’s happening in the Big Ten is representative of the new age of college football. Division-less conferences are the new norm. The only FBS conference split into divisions this season was the Sun Belt Conference. “The only option to get to most of these competitions is to fly, which means that necessarily there are more flights,” said Madeleine Orr, an assistant professor of sport ecology at the University of Toronto and University of Minnesota graduate. “It’s a growth strategy, as opposed to a reductionist strategy and a climate strategy.” As awareness around the impact of air travel grows, more major sports teams and organizations are investing in carbon offsets. Carbon offsets have become a trendy way for major corporations to compensate for emissions. They do so by investing in efforts that lower gasses released into the atmosphere, essentially covering the carbon dioxide they emit. In 2019, the NHL purchased the equivalent of more than 3.8 million pounds (more than 1.72 million kilograms) of carbon offsets to counter its playoff travel. In the five years since then, the NFL’s Houston Texans, English soccer giant Manchester United and even the Australian national men’s and women’s soccer teams have bought offsets to make up for travel. “In order for that offset to work effectively, the offset has to immediately cancel out ... (those) emissions I’ve generated,” Nevins said. “You also have to be able to verify that it’s taking place and that the cut in emissions persists over time.” Most colleges and universities have sustainability departments that evaluate the schools’ practices and how to lessen their environmental impact. In the Big Ten, in addition to sustainability departments, schools such as the University of Illinois and Michigan have programs focused on sustainable aviation. The University of Maryland has a pledge to offset all air travel. While Maryland is offsetting all its travel, according to a school dashboard, the number of miles athletics traveled via commercial and chartered flights from 2021 to 2023 increased by 51%. The dashboard has not been updated for 2024, the first year that would include the West Coast teams in the Big Ten. “What we should be concerned with is: What are they teaching their students, right? What are they teaching the communities in the world?” Nevins asked. “They are normalizing a behavior that is counter to the direction you need to be heading, and they are opening themselves up to accusations of hypocrisy.” On Nov. 20, the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Studies released a paper looking at the impact of the school’s football travel. Paige Greenberg and Molly Russell, the authors, found conflict between the university’s messaging and the school’s athletics travel. “While U-M has positioned itself as a leader in sustainability within higher education, the recent Big Ten expansion contradicts this image and poses significant challenges to the University’s commitments,” the paper said. The 2024 season is the second of media contracts that the Big Ten has with CBS, Fox and NBC, which total more than $8 billion and will run through the 2030 season, according to the Sports Business Journal. In the 2023 fiscal year, the conference paid most of its members more than $60 million, a 3% increase from the previous year, according to USA Today. “That seems to fall into a larger pattern where, in general, more wealth leads to more emissions,” said Seth Wynes, a professor at the University of Waterloo who has published research on the relationship between sports and climate change. “Richer individuals produce more emissions than poorer individuals. The same is true generally for nations. So as leagues or teams become more affluent, it’s not a surprising result.” The immediate future of Big Ten football is set. Major media contracts have been signed, and games are scheduled through 2028. Multiple experts mentioned making college sports regionally organized again would alleviate some of the problem. In the Big Ten, doing so would place the four former Pac-12 schools in a West division. That would lean into the decades-long rivalries of these programs and lessen the environmental strain of travel. But re-implementing the East and West divisional format likely can’t be done until 2029 at the earliest, meaning the 2024 bump in emissions is likely to remain steady for the next four years. “We should be going in the direction of more regional, not less,” Orr said. “Let’s crunch this smaller, not let’s blow it up bigger.” Mekhi Abbott, Henry Brown, Keelin Brown, Shaela Foster, Alexa Henry, Steven Jacobs, Caroline Koutsos, Matthew Neus, Joshua Panepento, Brandon Schwartzberg, Laura Van Pate, and Matthew Weinsheimer contributed to the report. This article was first published by The Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism and Capital News Service. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

41 Gifts They'll Think Cost You A Fortune But Are Under $50

Jetliner skids off runway and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179

PLATINUM EQUITY INVESTS IN HVAC/R DISTRIBUTOR GLOBAL, THE SOURCE’Unsinkable Mrs. Brown’ was Hannibal native

The Atlanta Hawks were fined $100,000 by the NBA on Tuesday after a league investigation into star guard Trae Young missing an NBA Cup game two weeks ago. The NBA found the Hawks violated the league's Player Participation Policy when the 26-year-old American missed a November 12 contest at Boston. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

NEW YORK (AP) — Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Greg Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness. “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” said Berson. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season. The Associated Press

crazy 777 game NBA already knows its LeBron James and Steph Curry successors ahead of Christmas Day games

Percentages: FG .448, FT .762. 3-Point Goals: 6-24, .250 (Pack 4-7, Djobet 1-1, Blackmon 1-6, Bethea 0-2, Cleveland 0-2, Staton-McCray 0-2, Johnson 0-4). Team Rebounds: 3. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 5 (Cleveland 2, Kidd 2, Blackmon). Turnovers: 12 (Johnson 3, Cleveland 2, Djobet 2, Bethea, Blackmon, Kidd, Pack, Ugochukwu). Steals: 3 (Johnson 2, Staton-McCray). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .474, FT .762. 3-Point Goals: 10-22, .455 (Newman 3-4, Avery 3-5, Thompson 2-5, Ousmane 1-1, Davis 1-2, Brantley 0-1, Dean 0-1, Keller 0-3). Team Rebounds: 5. Team Turnovers: 2. Blocked Shots: 3 (Jennings 2, Avery). Turnovers: 6 (Dean 3, Avery, Davis, Keller). Steals: 6 (Thompson 2, Avery, Brantley, Dean, Ousmane). Technical Fouls: None. A_1,936 (5,100).

Anti-fraud efforts meet real-world test during ACA enrollment period

Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateStocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. Eli Lilly rose 3.6% after announcing that regulators as the first and only prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Gains in technology and communications stocks helped outweigh losses in consumer goods companies and elsewhere in the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, rose 3.7%. Broadcom climbed 5.5% to also help support the broader market. Walmart fell 2% and PepsiCo slid 1%. Department store Nordstrom fell 1.5% after it by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. The Conference Board said that consumer confidence slipped in December. Its consumer confidence index fell back to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Wall Street was expecting a reading of 113.8. Wall Street has several other economic reports to look forward to this week. On Tuesday, the US will release its November report on sales of newly constructed homes. A weekly update on unemployment benefits is expected on Thursday. Markets in the US will close at 1pm Eastern on Tuesday for Christmas Eve and will remain closed on Wednesday for Christmas. (More stories.)

Leader, lawmakers clashStephen Lovass Boosts Confidence With $142K Purchase Of Nordson Stock

India is set to allow homegrown carriers to use wet leased planes on new routes as the government seeks to address a severe aircraft shortage which is driving up ticket prices and hindering airlines ' expansion plans, people aware of the development said. ET Year-end Special Reads Top 10 equity mutual funds of the year. Do you have any? How India flexed its global power muscles in 2024 2024 was the year India became the talk of America IndiGo and SpiceJet are likely to be immediate beneficiaries of the government move. IndiGo, India's largest carrier, is finalising a leasing arrangement of up to six Boeing 787 jetliners with Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic, the people said. The government decision will also allow Air India to wet lease planes for starting new flights with the Tata Group airline's much touted turnaround under its new owner getting delayed due to an ageing fleet amid a global aircraft parts shortage. A government official said the change in policy will help carriers mount new routes besides boosting capacity on existing services, helping temper airfares. "Supply of aircraft is tremendously lagging demand due to engine issues and slowdown in delivery. Hence, this change is necessary," the official said. Entrepreneurship Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Boosting Startup Revenue with 6 AI-Powered Sales Automation Techniques By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Entrepreneurship Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Web Development Advanced C++ Mastery: OOPs and Template Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Analysis Animated Visualizations with Flourish Studio: Beginner to Pro By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Design Microsoft Designer Guide: The Ultimate AI Design Tool By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass By - CA Himanshu Jain, Ex McKinsey, Moody's, and PwC, Co - founder, The WallStreet School View Program Data Analysis Learn Power BI with Microsoft Fabric: Complete Course By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Finance Crypto & NFT Mastery: From Basics to Advanced By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Finance A2Z Of Finance: Finance Beginner Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Data Science MySQL for Beginners: Learn Data Science and Analytics Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Under the wet lease arrangement, an airline operates flights with aircraft leased from another carrier along with crew. Current rules permit airlines to wet lease planes for up to a year. However, the airlines are barred by sector regulator directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) from using these planes on new routes. More than 100 aircraft are grounded due to unavailability of engines and other spare parts, minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol told the Lok Sabha last week. "Across the world, only India barred airlines from launching new routes with wet leases. US, Europe, Australia permit such arrangements. DGCA will ensure that airlines lease planes only from countries which have high safety standards and are in good condition," the government official cited above said. IndiGo, which currently has two Boeing 777 aircraft on wet lease from Turkish Airlines, is planning to start flights to London and Paris with the 787 aircraft from Norway, the officials said. This will help IndiGo expedite its foray into the lucrative India-Europe market which would have otherwise been possible with its new Airbus A350 aircraft whose delivery starts only in 2027. Norse Atlantic has tentatively agreed a wet-lease for six of its Boeing 787s to another carrier, the airline said without disclosing the lessee airline's identity. If the agreement is finalised, two aircraft would be deployed in February and the remaining four in September. IndiGo didn't respond to ET's queries. More than 60 of IndiGo's Airbus A320 and 321 aircraft are grounded as US aerospace company RTX recalled 1,200 Pratt & Whitney engines after it found contamination in the powdered metal used in their manufacturing. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers in October said while the airline has managed to reduce the number of grounding from the peak of over 70 aircraft, it will have a little less than 50 grounded planes by March 2025. To tide over the capacity shortage, IndiGo has already wet leased 24 aircraft. This includes 10 Airbus A320 planes, two Boeing 777 and 12 737 Max aircraft. The airline which used to return aircraft after six years has now been forced to deploy them for a longer period amid the shortfall in available fleet. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

Stock market today: Wall Street inches higher to set more recordsHegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate

. hen asked why he didn’t begin writing novels until his 30s, the celebrated Czech author Milan Kundera said he didn’t have the requisite experience when he was younger. “This jerk that I was, I wouldn’t like to see him,” he added. Many of us look back at our former selves and wince to recall our immaturity. We vary quite a lot in the degree to which we feel friendly toward, and connected to, both our former and our future selves. Psychologists call this trait self-continuity, and suggest that it carries enormous weight in determining our long-term well-being. In recent years, increasing research has shown that a sense of coherence between our past and present selves can bolster mental health and, particularly, . Our connection to our future selves, on the other hand, can sway on our future welfare, from to . Self-continuity, says Cornell University gerontologist Corinna Löckenhoff, who researches the trait, gives us “an understanding of where we came from and where we’re going. It gives us direction and purpose and identity.” The 19th-century psychologist William James compared human experience to being perched on a saddle “from which we look in two directions into time.” But modern researchers have found that the ability—or willingness—to look meaningfully in either direction varies from person to person, just like other psychological traits such as being extroverted or introverted. “Some people feel a great degree of overlap and continuity with their future selves, and some people don’t even think about that self, and it feels almost like a stranger,” says psychologist Hal Hershfield of the University of California, Los Angeles. Most studies of self-continuity look to the future, not the past. Researchers typically measure future self-continuity by asking people how similar they feel to an imagined future self. In a 2009 study of 164 people, for example, Hershfield and his team employed a series of Venn diagrams, with two circles overlapping to various degrees. Participants were asked to pick the circle pair best describing . People’s responses ranged from almost no overlap to almost complete overlap. The differences between people depend on a hodgepodge of factors, in addition to basic influences of nature and nurture. Studies have reported that , whose expected time horizons are shorter, tend to have a greater sense of self-continuity, as do members of , which, as some scholars speculate, tend to have a more holistic, connected world view. But researchers have found that people struggling with , tend to feel less connected to their future selves. The degree of coherence we feel with ourselves over time can support or sabotage us. People with a sturdier connection with their future selves may be more likely to pay for future benefits, and vice versa. The comedian Jerry Seinfeld illustrates the conflict in his riff about how Morning Guy always suffers for the carpe-diem antics of Night Guy: “You get up in the morning, your alarm, you’re exhausted and groggy,” he says. “Oh, I hate that Night Guy! See, Night Guy always screws Morning Guy. ...” The same tension is evident in the broader and more serious failure by many Americans to save for retirement. In a 2022 survey of more than 1,100 retirees, 70 percent said . Hershfield says this emerging crisis is what drew him to focus his research on self-continuity and its behavioral consequences. He and others have found that people with more self-continuity are more likely to engage in behaviors that deliver future benefits, including not only saving for retirement but also taking better care of their health in the present. People with stronger self-continuity are also more likely to behave ethically and responsibly, Hershfield’s research suggests. In a 2012 study, he and colleagues measured the self-continuity of 85 Northwestern University students, then followed up with a test to assess their ethical conduct. Only 50 percent of those who scored low in self-continuity showed up for the follow-up, they found, compared with 73 percent of those who scored high. What’s more, of the low scorers who did show up, 77 percent were willing to lie to an anonymous partner to earn more money when tested with a “ ,” while only 36 percent of the high scorers would do so. A stronger sense of connection with one’s future self may also push people toward environmentally responsible behavior. In a 2022 study, researchers recruited 175 undergraduate students at an unnamed United States public university, randomly assigning them into three groups: one that was encouraged to visualize themselves at age 60, and the others told to visualize themselves, or another person, at the present time. Afterward, all of the students played a game where they could take simulated fish from a pool. The students who focused on their future selves limited the number of fish they took each round , the experiment revealed, while those who focused on the present were more likely to quickly exhaust the pool. For more than a decade, scientists have searched for ways to manipulate self-continuity in study participants to try to get them to behave more prudently. They have reported success with a variety of approaches, including having people interact with a of themselves, sometimes with the help of . Most recently, a new program called developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, offers young people a chance to chat with an online, AI-generated simulation of themselves at age 60. A recent found that users who interacted with their future selves reported “increased future self-continuity” and, perhaps as a consequence, significantly less anxiety, compared with those who did not. Future You is a high-tech version of a technique long practiced by high school teachers and counselors who encourage students to write letters to their future selves, as if writing to a pen pal. In a pilot study of high school students in Japan, social psychologist Anne E. Wilson, at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, took the exercise one step further. She and her colleague Yuta Chishima instructed students who had written the letter to their future selves to respond to it as they imagined their future selves might. Writing a letter back from the future made the students feel , the researchers found. A month later, students who had written back from their future self’s perspective reported “more intensive career planning and a greater willingness to study hard at school even when temptations beckon,” compared with students who wrote only the single letter, . To be sure, there are times when a shorter horizon may be useful, researchers from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom note in the 2023 . For example, too strong a sense of continuity with one’s past self might hamper efforts in the present to abandon “sunk costs”—investments already made in a doomed plan or project—they report. The same may apply to quitting a such as . “A bad past could be like an anchor for someone,” says Wilson. “Like, ‘If I’ve failed at this in the past, it means I’m going to fail at this in the future.’ “On the other hand,” adds Wilson, “a bad past could be something that we learn from and then figure out different strategies for the future, so we don’t keep making the same mistakes.” Perhaps like Milan Kundera, who so forcefully repudiated the man he was in his 20s, and died at 94 in 2023, after a long and celebrated writing career. Posted on is a journalist and author and co-author of 12 nonfiction books, including the ADHD family memoir, . Cutting-edge science, unraveled by the very brightest living thinkers.Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. His status for Sunday is uncertain

Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateBeyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad

AP Business SummaryBrief at 4:40 p.m. ESTStock market today: Wall Street inches higher to set more recordsMillion Hearts® 2024 Hypertension Control Champions achieved blood pressure control for at least 80% of their adult patients Three Aledade Physician Partners Recognized for Exemplary Hypertension Control Million Hearts® 2024 Hypertension Control Champions achieved blood pressure control for at least 80% of their adult patients For their work battling the 'silent killer' - hypertension - a community health center in Arkansas and independent primary care practices in Delaware and Florida were recognized as Million Hearts® 2024 Hypertension Control Champions . Awarded jointly by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Million Hearts 2024 Hypertension Control Champions are highlighted for their "exemplar rates of hypertension control.” Practices that achieved blood pressure control for at least 80% of their adult patients with hypertension (also known as high blood pressure) received the award from Million Hearts, which has a goal to avert 1 million preventable cardiovascular disease events by the end of 2026. Only 32 health providers nationwide met the criteria. "We join the CDC in congratulating our partner practices for their commitment to do more good by achieving these exceptional levels of blood pressure control for their patient population,” said Ahmed Haque, chief performance officer at Aledade. "At Aledade, we are proud to partner with primary care clinicians so they can succeed in value-based care. Our three Hypertension Control Champions are shining examples of how we give our primary care partners the data and support they need to keep patients healthy.” About one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, but many don't realize it. High blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, because it usually has no warning signs, yet can lead to life-threatening conditions like a heart attack or stroke. Fortunately, high blood pressure often can be prevented or treated as early diagnosis. Simple, healthy changes can keep high blood pressure from seriously damaging a person's health. Aledade partners who were recognized as Million Hearts 2024 Hypertension Control Champions include: "Our mission is to provide the highest quality clinical services to all,” said Kerry Pennington, M.D., the clinical director of Mainline Health Systems, a community health center in Southeast Arkansas. "A big change for us occurred when we began to implement the correct processes to proactively monitor the health of our patients. Aledade has been a big part of that improvement as they gave us a platform to invest in improved outcomes. We are honored that this work is being reflected in our recognition as a Million Hearts 2024 Hypertension Control Champion.” About Aledade Aledade, a public benefit corporation , is the largest network of independent primary care in the country, helping independent practices, health centers and clinics deliver better care to their patients and thrive in value-based care. Through its proven, scalable model, which includes cutting-edge data analytics, user-friendly guided workflows, health care policy expertise, strong payer relationships and integrated care solutions, Aledade empowers physicians to succeed financially by keeping people healthy. Together with more than 1,900 practices, federally-qualified health centers and community health centers in 45 states and the District of Columbia, Aledade shares in the risk and reward across more than 200 value-based contracts representing more than 2.5 million patient lives under management. To learn more, visit www.aledade.com or follow on X (Twitter) , Facebook or LinkedIn . ### Attachment Three Aledade Physician Partners Recognized for Exemplary Hypertension Control CONTACT: Hiran Ratnayake Aledade (302) 299-3562 [email protected]

NoneWhile Donald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, he and his campaign allies also wooed smaller religious groups, far from the mainstream. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday passed a $895 billion measure that authorizes a 1% increase in defense spending this fiscal year and would give a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military. The bill is traditionally strongly bipartisan, but some Democratic lawmakers opposed the inclusion of a ban on transgender medical treatments for children of military members if such treatment could result in sterilization. The bill passed the House by a vote of 281-140 and will next move to the Senate, where lawmakers had sought a bigger boost in defense spending than the current measure allows. Lawmakers are touting the bill's 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others as key to improving the quality of life for those serving in the U.S. military. Those serving as junior enlisted personnel are in pay grades that generally track with their first enlistment term. Lawmakers said service member pay has failed to remain competitive with the private sector, forcing many military families to rely on food banks and government assistance programs to put food on the table. The bill also provides significant new resources for child care and housing. “No service member should have to live in squalid conditions and no military family should have to rely on food stamps to feed their children, but that's exactly what many of our service members are experiencing, especially the junior enlisted,” said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. “This bill goes a long way to fixing that.” The bill sets key Pentagon policy that lawmakers will attempt to fund through a follow-up appropriations bill. The overall spending tracks the numbers established in a 2023 agreement that then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached with President Joe Biden to increase the nation’s borrowing authority and avoid a federal default in exchange for spending restraints. Many senators had wanted to increase defense spending some $25 billion above what was called for in that agreement, but those efforts failed. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who is expected to serve as the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the overall spending level was a “tremendous loss for our national defense," though he agreed with many provisions within the bill. “We need to make a generational investment to deter the Axis of Aggressors. I will not cease work with my congressional colleagues, the Trump administration, and others until we achieve it,” Wicker said. House Republicans don't want to go above the McCarthy-Biden agreement for defense spending and are looking to go way below it for many non-defense programs. They are also focused on cultural issues. The bill prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and prohibits TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children under 18 if that treatment could result in sterilization. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, said minors dealing with gender dysphoria is a "very real problem." He said the treatments available, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, have proven effective at helping young people dealing with suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression. “These treatments changed their lives and in many cases saved their lives,” Smith said. “And in this bill, we decided we're going to bar servicemembers' children from having access to that.” Smith said the number of minors in service member families receiving transgender medical care extends into the thousands. He could have supported a study asking medical experts to determine whether such treatments are too often used, but a ban on health insurance coverage went too far. He said Speaker Mike Johnson's office insisted upon the ban and said the provision “taints an otherwise excellent piece of legislation.” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called the ban a step in the right direction, saying, “I think these questions need to be pulled out of the debate of defense, so we can get back to the business of defending the United States of America without having to deal with social engineering debates.” Smith said he agrees with Roy that lawmakers should be focused on the military and not on cultural conflicts, “and yet, here it is in this bill.” Branden Marty, a Navy veteran who served for 13 years, said the loss of health coverage for transgender medical treatments could prompt some with valuable experience to leave the military, affecting national security because “we already struggle from a recruiting and retention standpoint.” He also said the bill could regularly force service members into difficult choices financially. “It will be tough for a lot of them because of out-of-pocket expenses, especially enlisted members who we know already struggle with food insecurity,” said Marty, the father of a transgender teenager. “They don’t get paid very much, so they’re going to be making a lot of choices on a day-to-day, tactical level.” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said his team was not telling Democrats how to vote on the bill. “There's a lot of positive things in the National Defense Authorization Act that were negotiated in a bipartisan way, and there are some troubling provisions in a few areas as well,” Jeffries said. Overall, 81 Democrats ended up voting for the bill and 124 against it. On the Republican side, 200 voted for the bill and 16 against. “It’s disappointing to see 124 of my Democrat colleagues vote against our brave men and women in uniform over policies that have nothing to do with their intended mission,” Johnson said. The defense policy bill also looks to strengthen deterrence against China. It calls for investing $15.6 billion to build military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Biden administration had requested about $10 billion. On Israel, the bill, among other things, includes an expansion of U.S. joint military exercises with Israel and a prohibition on the Pentagon citing casualty data from Hamas. The defense policy bill is one of the final measures that lawmakers view as a must-pass before making way for a new Congress in January.A massacre of more than 200 people in Haiti this month followed a gang-ordered manhunt that saw victims, many of them elderly, pulled from their homes and shot or killed with machetes, the UN said Monday. The victims were suspected of involvement in voodoo and accused by a gang leader of poisoning his child, with the suspects taken to a "training center" where many were dismembered or burned after being killed. A civil society organization had said at the time that the gang leader was convinced his son's illness was caused by followers of the religion. "On the evening of December 6, (Micanor Altes) ordered the members of his gang -- around 300 -- to carry out a brutal 'manhunt.' They stormed into about ten alleys of the (Port-au-Prince) neighborhood and forcibly dragged the victims out of their homes," said the report, authored jointly by the UN office in Haiti, BINUH, and the UN Human Rights Commissioner (OCHR). In the days that followed, the gang returned to the neighborhood, abducting adherents from a voodoo temple, targeting individuals suspected of tipping off local media and slaughtering people seeking to escape. Some of the bodies "were then burned with gasoline, or dismembered and dumped into the sea," the report concluded. A total of 134 men and 73 women were killed in total over six days, the report said. A mosaic of violent gangs control most of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. The impoverished Caribbean country has been mired for decades by political instability, made worse in recent years by gangs that have grown in strength and organizational sophistication. Despite a Kenyan-led police support mission, backed by the United States and UN, violence has continued to soar. "According to BINUH and OHCHR, since January 2024, more than 5,358 people have been killed and 2,155 injured," the report said. "This brings the total number of people killed or injured in Haiti to at least 17,248 since the beginning of 2022." The UN Security Council "strongly condemned the continued destabilizing criminal activities of armed gangs and stressed the need for the international community to redouble its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the population." A spokeswoman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said "these crimes touched the very foundation of Haitian society, targeting the most vulnerable populations." Voodoo was brought to Haiti by African slaves and is a mainstay of the country's culture. It was banned during French colonial rule and only recognized as an official religion by the Haitian government in 2003. While it incorporates elements of other religious beliefs, including Catholicism, voodoo has been historically attacked by other religions. gw

For more information, submit a form , email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003. The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) Misled Investors About How Issues in the Semiconductor Industry Would Impact the Company According to the complaint, during the class period, defendants failed to disclose that: (1) the issues being faced by suppliers, like ASML, in the semiconductor industry were much more severe than defendants had indicated to investors; (2) the pace of recovery of sales in the semiconductor industry was much slower than defendants had publicly acknowledged; (3) defendants had created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to customer demand and anticipated growth, while also downplaying risk from macroeconomic and industry fluctuations, as well as stronger regulations restricting the export of semiconductor technology, including the products that ASML sells; and (4) as a result, defendants' statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects lacked a reasonable basis. As a result of these acts, ASML stock has declined significantly, harming investors. What Now : You may be eligible to participate in the class action against ASML Holding N.V. Shareholders who want to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their application to the court by January 13, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here . All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. About Robbins LLP : Some law firms issuing releases about this matter do not actually litigate securities class actions; Robbins LLP does. A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LL have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. Since our inception, we have obtained over $1 billion for shareholders. To be notified if a class action against ASML Holding N.V. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at MENAFN24122024004107003653ID1109028194 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the monthly jobs report , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs , including for goods coming from China . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris , where the government is battling over the budget. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors

777 fortune gems How China Became the World’s Largest Gold Consumer and Producer

(Bloomberg) -- Nvidia Corp. assured investors that its new product lineup will continue to fuel an artificial intelligence-driven growth run, while also signaling that the rush to get chips out the door is proving costlier than expected. Listen to the Bloomberg Daybreak Europe podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. Speaking after the release of quarterly results, Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said that Nvidia’s highly anticipated Blackwell products will ship this quarter amid “very strong” demand. But the production and engineering costs of the chips will weigh on profit margins, and Nvidia’s sales forecast for the current period didn’t match some of Wall Street’s more optimistic projections. That brought a tepid reaction from investors, who had bid up Nvidia shares almost 200% this year heading into the earnings report. After that dizzying rally, which turned the chipmaker into the world’s most valuable company, anything but a blowout quarter was bound to be a disappointment. The shares fell as much as 3.6% on Thursday before rebounding by the afternoon. They closed up 0.5% at $146.67. Nvidia predicted fiscal fourth-quarter sales of about $37.5 billion. While the average analyst estimate was $37.1 billion, projections ranged as high as $41 billion. “The guidance seems to show lower growth, but this may be Nvidia being conservative,” said Alvin Nguyen, an analyst at Forrester Research Inc. “Short term, there is no worry about AI demand. Nvidia is doing everything they should be doing.” The company’s biggest moneymaker is its accelerator chip, which helps develop artificial intelligence models by bombarding them with data. Since OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot debuted in 2022, a frenzy of AI services has created insatiable demand for the product. All About Nvidia Chips, AI Hype and What Lies Ahead: QuickTake Wall Street has been closely watching the launch of Blackwell, the latest entry in that category, which is faster and has an improved ability to link up with other semiconductors. Manufacturing challenges have slowed the rollout, and Nvidia warned again of supply constraints on Wednesday. Demand for the products is expected to exceed supply for several quarters. “Critical questions around Blackwell’s production ramp and customer concentration remain key concerns,” Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne said in a note. “There’s little room for execution missteps in 2025.” Huang said that Blackwell is now in “full production,” and there’s still an appetite for Hopper, the previous design. “Blackwell is now in the hands of all of our major partners,” he said during the conference call. But the switch to Blackwell has taken a toll on profitability. The company’s gross margin, which measures the percentage of sales remaining after deducting the cost of production, will dip to as low as 73% this quarter from 75% in the previous period. The figure is expected to rebound when the new products reach larger-scale production, and the economics are more favorable. When asked whether Nvidia’s gross margin could be back in the mid-70s by the middle of next year, Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress said that’s a reasonable assumption. Nvidia remains far above its peers in this category: Its nearest rival, Advanced Micro Devices Inc., has a gross margin that’s 20 percentage points narrower. Intel Corp.’s isn’t even half of Nvidia’s total. Nvidia’s growth over the past two years has been staggering. Its sales are poised to double for a second year in a row, and it now notches more money in profit than it used to generate in total revenue. Nvidia’s revenue rose 94% to $35.1 billion in the fiscal third quarter, which ended Oct. 27. Excluding certain items, profit was 81 cents a share. Analysts had predicted sales of about $33.25 billion and earnings of 74 cents a share. Nvidia’s biggest division, the data center unit, saw revenue double from a year earlier to $30.8 billion. That beat Wall Street estimates. But networking revenue within that unit declined sequentially, and the business is more dependent than ever on a small group of customers: cloud service providers. That cohort, which includes companies such as Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc.’s AWS, accounted for 50% of data center revenue, up from 45% in the prior period. Investors want that number to go down, to show that the use of AI is spreading across the economy. Other recent earnings reports have given strong signals for AI. Nvidia customers, including Microsoft, Amazon and Meta Platforms Inc., have reaffirmed their commitment to spend heavily on AI infrastructure. WATCH: Nvidia's Surprising AI Origin Story Nvidia has only missed analysts’ estimates on quarterly revenue once in the past five years. And it has exceeded expectations by as much as 20% in recent periods, creating a high bar for its performance. Its data center division alone now has more revenue than rivals Intel and AMD have in total, combined. Net income this year is on course to exceed revenue at Intel, a business that was the chip industry’s biggest company for decades. Nvidia made its name by selling graphics processors, but discovered that the technology also has applications for AI. Its chips help software models during the training process, when they learn to recognize and respond to real-world inputs. Nvidia’s components are also used in systems that then run the software, a stage known as inference, and help power services such as ChatGPT. The Santa Clara, California-based company has rapidly expanded its product lineup to include networking, software and services, as well as fully built-out computer systems. Huang is traveling the world lobbying for a broader adoption of his technology and trying to spread its use by corporations and government agencies. “The age of AI is upon us and it’s large and diverse,” Huang said. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Okanagan MLAs express concern with removal of religious sign from nativity scene49ers RBs McCaffrey, Mason both headed to IRPhoto: The Canadian Press FILE - The OpenAI logo is displayed on a cell phone in front of an image generated by ChatGPT's Dall-E text-to-image model, Dec. 8, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO. Musk also sought to be CEO and in an email outlined a plan where he would “unequivocally have initial control of the company” but said that would be temporary. He grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence , or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI's board in early 2018. Musk didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration.

Victoria’s Secret & Co. Reports Third Quarter 2024 ResultsHealth minister Damodar Rajanarsimha directed officials to complete the setting up of 22 central medicine stores (CMS) within a week. With this, each of the districts will have a CMS. To address the reported shortage of medicines in hospitals, the minister ordered the formation of 10 task force teams, one for each undivided district, to inspect hospitals and CMS. During a meeting with officials, Rajanarsimha suggested that the supply chain management be divided into three stages. He also recommended holding workshops for pharmacists on the use of the existing e-Asuhadi portal. He directed hospitals to place indent orders in time with the TGMIDC for medicines in the necessary quantities. After procurement, medicines should be distributed to the CMS, where computers have been installed. The CMS staff should record stock details online, including medicine quantities and signatures from recipients. He suggested that all information, right from the medicine indent request to its delivery to the patient, should be recorded online.

How $1000 Became a Fortune. NVIDIA’s Stunning 15-Year SurgeExterminators PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading pest management digi-tech environmental enhancement company, clinched gold at the Sri Lanka Entrepreneur Awards (Western Province) in the selected category. Organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and the National Enterprise Development Authority, this prestigious event took place at the BMICH in Colombo on December 11th. The awards aim to celebrate entrepreneurial excellence in areas such as financial performance, innovation, employment generation, productivity, and corporate social responsibility. Tharindu Sooriyampola, joined Exterminators PLC as an intern in 2008 and now serves as the head of sales and marketing, alongside Hiroshima Senadheera, who began her career with the company in 2014 as an intern and currently holds the position of customer relationship manager, represented the firm at this ceremony. Their impressive, combined tenure of over 26 years highlights the company’s commitment to fostering talent and promoting professional growth within its ranks. The selection process for these awards involved a rigorous evaluation that ensured transparency and fairness. Applicants were judged based on criteria including business focus, market reach, market share, and environmental sustainability. The company, founded in 1998 by Marlon Ferreira, began its journey with a modest initial investment of Rs. 75,000 (approximately USD 1,000) and a single employee equipped with a spray gun and a motorbike. Under Ferreira’s leadership, Exterminators PLC has redefined industry standards to become Asia’s first publicly listed, carbon-neutral, and Great Place to Work-certified pest control company.

Panic among spectators at soccer game kills at least 56 in the West African nation of GuineaThe Atlanta Falcons re-signed linebacker Rashaan Evans to the practice squad on Tuesday. Evans played in two games for the Falcons earlier this season and received one defensive snap and five on special teams. He was on the roster Weeks 9-15 before being released Dec. 21. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Stacker examined Census of Agriculture data from the Department of Agriculture to see which states produce the most Christmas trees. Click for more. States that produce the most Christmas trees

None

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zentalis ® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ZNTL , a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing clinically differentiated small molecule therapeutics targeting fundamental biological pathways of cancers, today announced that on December 2, 2024, the Compensation Committee of Zentalis' Board of Directors granted the following equity awards: non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 3,028,800 shares of the Company's common stock to Julie Eastland, who joined the Company as Chief Executive Officer and President, non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 712,650 shares of the Company's common stock to Dr. Ingmar Bruns, who joined the Company as Chief Medical Officer, and non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 753,660 shares of the Company's common stock to five newly hired employees. The stock options were granted under the Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2022 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan (2022 Inducement Plan) as an inducement material to each such individual's entering into employment with Zentalis in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The 2022 Inducement Plan is used exclusively for the grant of equity awards to individuals who were not previously employees of Zentalis, or following a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to each such individual's entering into employment with Zentalis, pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The stock options have an exercise price of $3.66 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Zentalis' common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on the date of grant. The stock options granted to Ms. Eastland have a 10-year term and will vest over four years in equal monthly installments until the stock options are fully vested. The stock options granted to the other newly hired employees have a 10-year term and will vest over four years, with 25% of the options vesting on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and the remaining 75% of the options vesting in equal monthly installments over the three years thereafter. Vesting of the stock options is subject to the employee's continued service to Zentalis on each vesting date. About Zentalis Pharmaceuticals Zentalis ® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing clinically differentiated small molecule therapeutics targeting fundamental biological pathways of cancers. The Company's lead product candidate, azenosertib (ZN-c3), is a potentially first-in-class and best-in-class WEE1 inhibitor for advanced solid tumors. Azenosertib is being evaluated as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple clinical trials and has broad franchise potential. In clinical trials, azenosertib has been well tolerated and has demonstrated anti-tumor activity as a single agent across multiple tumor types and in combination with several chemotherapy backbones. As part of its azenosertib clinical development program, the Company is exploring enrichment strategies targeting tumors of high genomic instability, such as Cyclin E1 positive tumors, homologous recombination deficient tumors and tumors with oncogenic driver mutations. The Company is also leveraging its extensive experience and capabilities across cancer biology and medicinal chemistry to advance its research on protein degraders. Zentalis has operations in San Diego. For more information, please visit www.zentalis.com . Follow Zentalis on Twitter at @ZentalisP and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/zentalis-pharmaceuticals . ZENTALIS ® and its associated logo are trademarks of Zentalis and/or its affiliates. All website addresses and other links in this press release are for information only and are not intended to be an active link or to incorporate any website or other information into this press release. Contacts: Elizabeth Hickin Vice President, Investor Relations ehickin@zentalis.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield calls off plan to cap anesthesia coverage in at least one state

Are you merely observing as others profit from the crypto surge? Watching people get rich from cryptocurrencies overnight can be tough and exhilarating, making you feel left out of the windfall. But here's some great news: you still have time to get involved in top crypto projects . People are flocking to four major crypto presales, setting the stage for impressive returns in 2025, including BlockDAG, Best Wallet, 5th Scape, and iDEGEN. These presales promise significant rewards, excellent scalability, and a developer-friendly setup. They aim to provide a strong foundation for those new to the crypto space. 1. BlockDAG (BDAG): Swift, Scalable & Developer-Oriented At the forefront of our top crypto projects is BlockDAG (BDAG) , a venture that transforms blockchain with its Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure and Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus. This cutting-edge approach overcomes traditional limitations, enabling exceptional transaction speeds, scalability, and enhanced security. BlockDAG has gathered over $165.5 million in its presale, with its value escalating from $0.001 to $0.0234 in batch 26, yielding early backers a return of 2240%. BlockDAG prioritizes its community, evident in its novel 5-tier bonus system that rewards initial buyers with a 150% bonus using the code BDAG250. The incentives grow with each additional purchase. The project's ecosystem is also expanding rapidly. It features a low-code/no-code platform that allows enthusiasts to create meme coins, while its WASM compatibility helps developers produce sophisticated dApps. Additionally, the TG Tap Miner, a popular game on Telegram with over 70,000 participants, rewards users with Tap Points that can be converted into BDAG coins. With such remarkable success in its presale, analysts anticipate that BDAG could climb to $20 by 2027, driven by its technological advancements. BlockDAG is a leader among the top crypto projects for traders aiming for growth and innovation in 2025. 2. iDEGEN: A Fresh Take on Crypto with AI Next up among the premier crypto presales is iDEGEN, an ambitious blend of AI technology and cryptocurrency that's stirring the market. This platform doesn't just bring new ideas—it adapts and evolves by analyzing live data from Crypto Twitter, reflecting the direct sentiments of its community. Operating on the Solana blockchain, iDEGEN introduces a unique adaptive auction mechanism that tailors pricing to current demand. This approach positions it as a thrilling opportunity. Its standout feature is the melding of AI-driven strategies with meme culture and decentralized community engagement, transforming it into a unique combination of social endeavor and crypto innovation. 3. Best Wallet Token: Enhancing Crypto Utility Best Wallet Token ($BEST) is our third highlight, offering an adaptable and straightforward platform for crypto handling. It supports leading blockchains such as Ethereum and BNB, appealing to new users and experienced traders alike. $BEST excels by delivering tangible benefits like reduced transaction costs, priority access to presales, and superior staking rewards. As the cornerstone of the Best Wallet infrastructure, which includes the Best DEX multi-chain wallet and the forthcoming Best Card, it enables users to influence important updates. With close to $3 million gathered in its presale phase, Best Wallet Token is establishing itself robustly among the top crypto projects . 4. 5thScape: Merging VR and Blockchain for Future Tech Completing our list of must-see crypto presales is 5thScape: a revolutionary project, using augmented reality and virtual reality on blockchain to enhance the safety and transparency of interactions. Running on Ethereum and accelerated through Skale Network's Layer 2 for scalability, 5thScape aims to revolutionize the virtual reality market by providing a smooth, engaging user experience with potential applications in gaming, health, education, and corporate training. The users can earn 5SCAPE tokens, with the access of the tokens giving the user extra special features on the application. This makes 5thScape a hub for the convergence of both virtual and real-world landscapes. Assessing the Top Contenders for Crypto Growth Each of these presales has something unique to it. Best Wallet Token has the practical advantages and ease of use, iDEGEN brings AI-led innovation, and 5thScape pioneers in merging VR with blockchain. However, BlockDAG is at the center of the most promising crypto presale for 2025 because of its growth prospects. The fact that it has an innovative DAG structure and it had an extremely fast presale indicates potential for great returns. Its strong framework and its aggressive plan make BlockDAG stand out as one of the top crypto projects for the seekers of great growth in the crypto space. Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.AP Business SummaryBrief at 6:41 p.m. ESTBENIN – Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has said that Christmas represents the values that unite us as a people, regardless of tribe, religion and politics. Governor Okpebholo made the declaration while delivering his message at the Edo Christmas Carol, 2024, held at the Lawn Tennis Court of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; the Secretary to Edo State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor; former Speakers of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Justin Okonoboh and Francis Okiye; Head of Service (HOS), Anthony Okungbowa; other top government officials, party leaders, religious and traditional rulers, Permanent Secretaries, civil servants, among others. Governor Okpebholo noted that Christmas is a season of love and hope, as it reminds everyone of the importance of compassion, generosity and peace. He noted that the event was more than just singing, but represented the values that unite the people regardless of tribe, religion and politics. “It is with great joy that I welcome all of you to this beautiful Christmas Carol as we gather to celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ. “It is particularly memorable for me because this is the first time I have the honour of standing before you as Governor during such an event. “Christmas is a time of love, hope, and unity. It is also a season that reminds us of the importance of compassion, generosity and peace. “This Carol symbolizes much more than singing and entertainment; it is a testament to the values that bind us as one people, regardless of tribe, religion and political differences. “As we listen to the wonderful voices tonight, let us remember that our strength as a people lies in our diversity. “To our children, may the joy of tonight inspire you to dream big and grow with love and kindness in your hearts. Together, we can build a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow. “On behalf of the entire leadership of our beloved State, I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.” Governor Okpebholo in his quest for Edo people to celebrate a unique Christmas, instituted a raffle draw for winners to go home with a mini bus, tricycle, generating sets, sewing and grinding machines, among other items. There were melodious rendition by choirs from various denominations, including the Living Faith Church, Miracle Assembly, Blessed Virgin Mary, Church of God Mission and EL Excess Band. The event also saw a special performance by the Theatre Arts Department from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Leetu Man. Bible lessons were read in pidgin and English languages by various personalities which included the administrator, office of the First Lady of Edo State, Edesili Anani-Okpebholo, representative of wife of Deputy Governor and Edo South representative on the board of SUBEB, representative of vegetable sellers, a returnee and a bus driver, among others. Highpoints of the event was the presentation of prizes to winners in the raffle draw.

EASTENDERS fans are convinced Nigel Bates’ return means one huge soap legend will make a shock comeback after years of rumours. Paul Bradley , 69, has left BBC viewers stunned as he reprises his legendary character for Christmas , leading many to believe that another show legend could be heading back to Albert Square. Advertisement 3 EastEnders fans are convinced Nigel Bates’ return means one huge soap legend will make a shock comeback Credit: BBC For years, there's been speculation surrounding the return of Grant Mitchell, one of EastEnders' most memorable and explosive characters. The rumours gained further momentum last month when actor Ross Kemp , 60, was spotted leaving the Walford set in a car with dark-tinted windows. Grant’s exit from the soap back in 2006 left a significant void, with his turbulent relationship with brother Phil and his fiery temper making him a household name. However, despite numerous rumors over the years, Grant has not yet made his comeback. Advertisement read more on EastEnders EastEnders' Natalie Cassidy reveals disgusting advice June Brown gave her Xmas shocker Paul Bradley reveals why he returned to EastEnders after 26 years Now, with Nigel’s sudden reappearance, fans are convinced the stage is being set. The two characters share a history , as Nigel's role in the show has always been tied to the Mitchell family, and his return has sparked wild theories about the possibility of Grant's re-emergence. Social media has been buzzing with excitement since the news broke, with fans eager to see what the future holds for the Mitchell family. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one wrote: "Actually this makes sense, cause grant and Nigel were best friends back in the day, so if phil needs saving who bettervtgen to bring back grant #eastenders." Advertisement Most read in Soaps Xmas shocker Paul Bradley reveals why he returned to EastEnders after 26 years jack the lad Inside EastEnders star Scott Maslen’s life off-screen with stunning wife memory lane EastEnders fans insist they ‘didn’t recognise’ soap legend after shock comeback GUILTY AS CIN EastEnders fans ‘work out’ who stole the USB as crisis looms for Cindy Another added: "There's a mention of " Ghosts returning from the past" during tomorrow's 2nd episode of #EastEnders. "If Grant returns during the 2nd episode for Phil's storyline I think I'll lose my mind." Someone else gushed: "This was such a lovely surprise! I didn’t recognise him at first though! But surely this means a Grant return must also be on the cards at some point." EastEnders legend makes shock comeback after 26 years - and he's hiding huge secret One more concluded: "IM CRYING WE JUST NEED GRANT." Advertisement Ross became a fan favourite while playing tough guy Grant from 1990 to 1999. Although he left the show to pursue other ventures, he has made a number of memorable comebacks over the years. His latest appearance was in 2016 for the emotional funeral of his on-screen mother, Peggy Mitchell, played by the late Barbara Windsor. This September, The Sun reported that Ross would be participating in the anniversary festivities by hosting a one-off documentary about the soap. Advertisement A source revealed: "He will interview stars past and present about why it is so good and how important it is. "EastEnders will always have a special place in his heart and he's really excited." While Ross has been tight-lipped about any potential on-screen return, his recent sighting near the EastEnders production set has left fans abuzz. During a recent This Morning interview, Alison Hammond pressed the actor about the rumors, asking: "What is going on, are you going back for the 40th anniversary? Tell us what’s going on." Advertisement Ross responded cryptically, saying: "I can tell you nothing. "I am very proud of the show celebrating 40 years and I wouldn’t have had a career, good or bad, without it. I absolutely love it and I still support it." The BBC has been keeping details of the anniversary week under wraps but has teased that it will feature an unprecedented live episode with an interactive element. Fans will be given the chance to vote on the outcome of a pivotal love story, with the cast and crew adapting live to the audience's choice. Advertisement The live broadcast is set for February 2025 and promises to be a historic moment for the show. Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said: "The 40th anniversary is a milestone event for EastEnders, and we have been planning this week for a long time to ensure that it’s a week full of drama and surprises." EastEnders Christmas and New Year schedule Monday December 23 - 6am iPlayer & 7:30pm BBC One Tuesday December 24 - 6am iPlayer & 7:45pm BBC One Christmas Day - 7:30pm & 10:35pm BBC One & iPlayer Boxing Day - 8:30pm BBC One & iPlayer Monday December 30 - 6am iPlayer & 7:30pm BBC One Tuesday December 31 - 6am iPlayer & 7:30pm BBC One New Year's Day - 10pm BBC One & iPlayer Thursday January 2 - 6am iPlayer & 7:30pm BBC One This week, Paul revealed exactly why he agreed to return to his old job. Nigel could be seen back in Walford having fallen on hard times during EastEnders' Christmas Eve episode. Advertisement However, it appears from today’s episode his life has changed significantly. Nigel was last seen in 1998 when he left Walford for a new life in Scotland with wife Julie, daughter Clare and stepson Josh. But, now back in Walford, Nigel was seen looking homeless as he came into contact with Yolande Trueman at the community centre’s soup kitchen. Paul said he is still recognised on the street by soap fans and said the cast have been friendly and welcoming. Advertisement He said: “I’m thrilled and honoured to be back as Nigel. Despite it being such a long time ago, I still get recognised as Nigel in the street. "Returning has been great as I’m so familiar with many of the faces at EastEnders, and they are a very friendly bunch. "It’s fantastic to work with Steve McFadden again - I’m a huge admirer of his work, and he sets the bar really high. I’m having a really good time.” Despite his new life in Scotland, Nigel has mysteriously returned to Walford alone as Phil will get a visit from the ghost of Christmas past. Advertisement Read more on the Scottish Sun SHOCK SWOOP Former Celtic boss 'lines up shock January transfer swoop for Kyogo Furuhashi' MAKE THE YULETIDE GREY White Christmas update for Scots as snow & 80mph winds wreak chaos The Sun on Sunday exclusively revealed how Paul was making a shock comeback in time for the 40th anniversary. However, his return for Christmas was totally unexpected. 3 Paul Bradley is back in EastEnders after 26 years Credit: BBC 3 Ross Kemp played Grant Mitchell from 1990 to 1999 Credit: BBC AdvertisementGrandmother shut out of Christmas celebrations

Uwill Founder & CEO Michael London Named Innovator in HealthcareRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has given an exclusive interview to conservative American journalist Tucker Carlson this week. The two talked about a wide range of topics of international concern, primarily the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the state of US-Russia relations. Here’s the full text of the conversation. Carlson: Minister Lavrov, thank you for doing this. Do you believe the United States and Russia are at war with each other right now? Lavrov: I wouldn’t say so. And in any case, this is not what we want. We would like to have normal relations with all our neighbors, of course, but generally with all countries, especially with a great country like the United States. And President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly expressed his respect for the American people, for American history, for American achievements in the world, and we don’t see any reason why Russia and the United States cannot cooperate for the sake of the universe. Carlson: But the United States is funding a conflict that you’re involved in, of course, and now is allowing attacks on Russia itself. So that doesn’t constitute war? Lavrov: Well, we officially are not at war. But what is going on in Ukraine is what some people call a hybrid war. I would call it a hybrid war as well, but it is obvious that the Ukrainians would not be able to do what they’re doing with long-range modern weapons without the direct participation of American servicemen. And this is dangerous, no doubt about this. We don’t want to aggravate the situation, but since ATACMS and other long-range weapons are being used against mainland Russia as it were, we are sending signals. We hope that the last one, a couple of weeks ago, the signal with the new weapon system called Oreshnik , was taken seriously. However, we also know that some officials in the Pentagon and in other places, including NATO, started saying in the last few days something like that NATO is a defensive alliance, but sometimes you can strike first because the attack is the best defense. Some others in STRATCOM, Thomas Buchanan is his name, representative of STRATCOM, said something which allows for an eventuality of exchange of limited nuclear strikes. And these kinds of threats are really worrying. Because if they are following the logic which some Westerners have been pronouncing lately, that don’t believe that Russia has red lines, they announced their red lines, these red lines are being moved again and again. This is a very serious mistake. That’s what I would like to say in response to this question. It is not us who started the war. Putin repeatedly said that we started the special military operation in order to end the war which the Kiev regime was conducting against its own people in parts of Donbass. And just in his latest statement , President Putin clearly indicated that we are ready for any eventuality. But we strongly prefer a peaceful solution through negotiations on the basis of respecting the legitimate security interest of Russia, and on the basis of respecting the people who live in Ukraine, who still live in Ukraine, being Russians. Their basic human rights, language rights, religious rights, have been exterminated by a series of legislation passed by the Ukrainian parliament. They started long before the special military operation . Since 2017, legislation was passed prohibiting Russian education in Russian, prohibiting Russian media operating in Ukraine, then prohibiting Ukrainian media working in the Russian language, and the latest, of course there were also steps to cancel any cultural events in Russian. Russian books were thrown out of libraries and exterminated. The latest was the law prohibiting the canonic Orthodox Church, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. You know, it’s very interesting when people in the West say we want this conflict to be resolved on the basis of the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and Russia must withdraw. The Secretary General of the United Nations says similar things. Recently his representative repeated that the conflict must be resolved on the basis of international law, the UN Charter and General Assembly resolutions, while respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine. It’s a misnomer, because if you want to respect the United Nations Charter, you have to respect it in its entirety. The United Nations Charter, among other things, says that all countries must respect the equality of states and the right of people to self-determination. And they also mentioned the United Nations General Assembly resolutions, and this is clear that what they mean is the series of resolutions which they passed after the beginning of this special military operation which demand the condemnation of Russia, that Russia get out of Ukraine; territory in its 1991 borders. But there are other United Nations General Assembly resolutions which were not voted on, but which were consensual, and among them is a declaration on principles of relations between states on the basis of the Charter. And it clearly says, by consensus, everybody must respect the territorial integrity of states whose governments respect the right of people for self-determination, and because of that represent the entire population living on a given territory. To argue that the people who came to power through military coup d’état in February 2014 represented Crimeans or the citizens of eastern and southern Ukraine is absolutely useless. It is obvious that Crimeans rejected the coup. They said, leave us alone, we don’t want to have anything with you. So we did: Donbass and Crimeans held referendums, and they rejoined Russia. Donbass was declared by the putschists who came to power a ‘terrorist group’. They were shelled, attacked by artillery. The war started, which was stopped in February 2015. The Minsk agreements were signed. We were very sincerely interested in closing this drama by seeing the Minsk agreements implemented fully. It was sabotaged by the government which was established after the coup d’état in Ukraine. There was a demand that they enter into a direct dialogue with the people who did not accept the coup. There was a demand that they promote economic relations with that part of Ukraine. And so on and so forth. None of this was done. The people in Kiev were saying we would never talk to them directly. And this is in spite of the fact that the demand to talk to them directly was endorsed by the [UN] Security Council. The putschists said they are terrorists, we would be fighting them, and they would be dying in cellars because we are stronger. Had the coup in February 2014 not happened and the deal which was reached the day before between the then president and the opposition [been] implemented, Ukraine would have stayed in one piece by now, with Crimea in it. It’s absolutely clear. They did not deliver on the deal. Instead they staged the coup. The deal, by the way, provided for the creation of a government of national unity in February 2014, and holding early elections, which the then president would have lost. Everybody knew that. But they were impatient and took the government buildings the next morning. They went to this Maidan Square and announced that they had created the government of the winners. Compare the government of national unity to prepare for elections and the government of the winners. How can the people whom they, in their view, defeated, how can they pretend that they respect the authorities in Kiev? You know, the right to self-determination is the international legal basis for the decolonization process which took place in Africa on the basis of this charter principle, the right to self-determination. The people in the colonies, they never treated their colonial powers, colonial masters, as somebody who represents them, as somebody whom they want to see in the structures which govern those lands. By the same token, the people in the east and south of Ukraine, people in Donbass and Novorossiya, they don’t consider the Zelensky regime as something which represents their interests. How can they do that when their culture, their language, their traditions, their religion, all this was prohibited? The last point is that if we speak about the UN Charter , resolutions, international law, the very first article of the UN Charter, which the West never, never recalls in the Ukrainian context, says, “Respect human rights of everybody, irrespective of race, gender, language, or religion.” Take any conflict. The United States, UK, Brussels, they would interfere, saying, “Oh, human rights have been grossly violated. We must restore the human rights in such and such territory.” On Ukraine, never, ever have they mumbled the words “human rights,” seeing these human rights for the Russian and Russian-speaking population being totally exterminated by law. So when people say, “Let’s resolve the conflict on the basis of the Charter,” - yes. But don’t forget that the Charter is not only about territorial integrity. And territorial integrity must be respected only if the governments are legitimate and if they respect the rights of their own people. Carlson: I want to go back to what you said a moment ago about the introduction or the unveiling of the hypersonic weapons system that you said was a signal to the West. What signal exactly? I think many Americans are not even aware that this happened. What message were you sending by showing it to the world? Lavrov: Well, the message is that you, I mean the United States, and the allies of the United States who also provide these long-range weapons to the Kiev regime, they must understand that we would be ready to use any means not to allow them to succeed in what they call the strategic defeat of Russia. They fight for keeping the hegemony over the world on any country, any region, any continent. We fight for our legitimate security interests. They say, for example, 1991 borders. Lindsey Graham, who visited some time ago Vladimir Zelensky for another talk; he bluntly, in his presence, said that Ukraine is very rich with rare earth metals and they cannot leave this richness to the Russians. We must take it. We fight. So they fight for a regime which is ready to sell or to give to the West all the natural and human resources. We fight for the people who have been living on these lands, whose ancestors were actually developing those lands, building cities, building factories for centuries and centuries. We care about people, not about natural resources which somebody in the United States would like to keep and to have Ukrainians just as servants sitting on these natural resources. So, the message which we wanted to send by testing in real action this hypersonic system is that we will be ready to do anything to defend our legitimate interests. We hate even to think about war with the United States, which will take nuclear character. Our military doctrine says that the most important thing is to avoid a nuclear war. And it was us, by the way, who initiated in January 2022 the message, the joint statement by the leaders of the five permanent members of the Security Council saying that we will do anything to avoid confrontation between us, acknowledging and respecting each other’s security interests and concerns. This was our initiative. And the security interests of Russia were totally ignored when they rejected at about the same time the proposal to conclude a treaty on security guarantees for Russia, for Ukraine in the context of coexistence and in a context where Ukraine would not ever be a member of NATO or any other military bloc. These security interests of Russia were presented to the West, to NATO and to the United States in December 2021 . We discussed them several times, including during my meeting with Antony Blinken in Geneva in January 2022 . And this was rejected. So we would certainly like to avoid any misunderstanding. And since the people, some people in Washington and some people in London, in Brussels, seemed to be not very capable of understanding, we will send additional messages if they don’t draw the necessary conclusions. Carlson: The fact that we’re having a conversation about a potential nuclear exchange and it’s real... thought I’d never see. And it raises the question, how much back-channel dialogue is there between Russia and the United States? Has there been for the last two and a half years? Is there any conversation ongoing? Lavrov: There are several channels, but mostly on the exchange of people who serve [prison] terms in Russia and in the United States. There were several swaps. There are also channels which are not advertised or publicized, but basically the Americans send through these channels the same message which they send publicly. You have to stop, you have to accept the way which will be based on the Ukrainian needs and position. They support this absolutely pointless ‘peace formula’ by Vladimir Zelensky, which was additioned recently by [his] ‘victory plan’. They held several series of meetings, Copenhagen format, Burgenstock. And they brag that [in the] first half of next year they will convene another conference and they will graciously invite Russia that time. And then Russia would be presented an ultimatum. All this is seriously repeated through various confidential channels. Now we hear something different, including Vladimir Zelensky’s statements that we can stop now at the line of engagement, line of contact. The Ukrainian government will be admitted to NATO, but NATO guarantees at this stage would cover only the territory controlled by the government, and the rest would be subject to negotiations. But the end result of these negotiations must be the total withdrawal of Russia from Ukrainian soil. Leaving Russian people to the Nazi regime, which exterminated all the rights of the Russian and Russian-speaking citizens of their own country. Carlson: If I could just go back to the question of nuclear exchange. So there is no mechanism by which the leaders of Russia and the United States can speak to each other to avoid the kind of misunderstanding that could kill hundreds of millions of people. Lavrov: No. We have this channel which is automatically engaged when a ballistic missile launch is taking place. As regards this Oreshnik hypersonic mid-range ballistic missile. 30 minutes in advance, the system sent the message to the United States. They knew that this was the case and that they don’t mistake it for anything bigger and really dangerous. Carlson: I think the system sounds very dangerous. Lavrov: Well, it was a test launch, you know. Carlson: Yes. Oh, you’re speaking of the test, okay. But I just wonder how worried you are that, considering there doesn’t seem to be a lot of conversation between the two countries. Both sides are speaking about exterminating the other’s populations. That this could somehow get out of control in a very short period and no one could stop it. It seems incredibly reckless. Lavrov: No, we are not talking about exterminating anybody’s population. We did not start this war. We have been, for years and years and years, sending warnings that pushing NATO closer and closer to our borders is going to create a problem. In 2007, Putin started to explain [this] to the people who seemed to be overtaken by the ‘end of history’ and being dominant, no challenge, and so on and so forth. And of course, when the coup took place, the Americans did not hide that they were behind it. There is a conversation between Victoria Nuland and the then-American ambassador in Kiev when they discuss personalities to be included in the new government after the coup. The figure of $5 billion spent on Ukraine after independence was mentioned as the guarantee that everything would be like the Americans want. So we don’t have any intention to exterminate Ukrainian people. They are brothers and sisters to the Russian people. Carlson: How many have died so far, do you think, on both sides? Lavrov: It is not disclosed by the Ukrainians. Vladimir Zelensky was saying that it is much less than 80,000 persons on the Ukrainian side. But there is one very reliable figure. In Palestine during one year after the Israelis started their operation in response to this terrorist attack, which we condemned . And this operation, of course, acquired the proportion of collective punishment, which is against international humanitarian law as well. So during one year after the operation started in Palestine, the number of Palestinian civilians killed is estimated at 45,000. This is almost twice as many as the number of civilians on both sides of Ukrainian conflict who died during ten years after the coup. One year and ten years. So it is a tragedy in Ukraine. It’s a disaster in Palestine, but we never, ever had as our goal killing people. And the Ukrainian regime did. The head of the office of Vladimir Zelensky once said that we will make sure that cities like Kharkov, Nikolaev will forget what Russian means at all. Another guy in his office stated that Ukrainians must exterminate Russians through law or, if necessary, physically. Ukrainian former ambassador to Kazakhstan Pyotr Vrublevsky became famous when giving an interview and looking into the camera (being recorded and broadcast) he said: “Our main task is to kill as many Russians as we can so that our children have less things to do” . And statements like this are all over the vocabulary of the regime. Carlson: How many Russians in Russia have been killed since February of 2022? Lavrov: It’s not for me to disclose this information. In the time of military operations special rules exist. Our ministry of defense follows these rules. But there is a very interesting fact that when Vladimir Zelensky was playing not in international arena, but at his comedy club or whatever it is called, he was (there are videos from that period) bluntly defending the Russian language. He was saying: “What is wrong with Russian language? I speak Russian. Russians are our neighbors. Russian is one of our languages” . And get lost, he said, to those who wanted to attack the Russian language and Russian culture. When Vladimir Zelensky became president, he changed very fast. Before the military operation, in September 2021, he was interviewed, and at that time he was conducting war against Donbass in violation of the Minsk agreements . And the interviewer asked him what he thought about the people on the other side of the line of contact. He answered very thoughtfully there are people and there are species. And if you, living in Ukraine, feel associated with the Russian culture, my advice to you, for the sake of your kids, for the sake of your grandkids, get out to Russia. And if this guy wants to bring Russians and people of Russian culture back under his territorial integrity, I mean, it shows that he’s not adequate. Carlson: So, what are the terms under which Russia would cease hostilities? What are you asking for? Lavrov: Ten years ago, in February 2014, we were asking only for the deal between the president and the opposition to have government of national unity, to hold early elections, to be implemented. The deal was signed. And we were asking for the implementation of this deal. They were absolutely impatient and aggressive. And they were, of course, pushed, I have no slightest doubt, by the Americans, because if Victoria Nuland and the US ambassador agreed the composition of the government, why wait for five months to hold early elections? The next time we were in favor of something was when the Minsk Agreements were signed. I was there. The negotiations lasted for 17 hours (well, Crimea was lost by that time because of referendum ). And nobody, including my colleague John Kerry, meeting with us, nobody in the West was worried about the issue of Crimea. Everybody was concentrated on Donbass. And the Minsk Agreements provided for territorial integrity of Ukraine, minus Crimea (this was not even raised) and a special status for a very tiny part of Donbass, not for the entire Donbass, not for Novorossiya at all. Part of Donbass, under these Minsk Agreements, endorsed by the Security Council, should have the right to speak Russian language, to teach Russian language, to study in Russian, to have local law enforcement (like in the states of U.S.), to be consulted when judges and prosecutors are appointed by the central authority, and to have some facilitated economic connections with neighboring regions of Russia. That’s it. Something which President Macron promised to give to Corsica and still is considering how to do this. And when these agreements were sabotaged all along by Pyotr Poroshenko and then by Vladimir Zelensky. Both of them, by the way, came to presidency, running on the promise of peace. And both of them lied. So when these Minsk Agreements were sabotaged to the extent that we saw the attempts to take this tiny part of Donbass by force, and we, as President Putin explained, at that time, we suggested these security arrangements to NATO and the United States, which was rejected. And when the Plan B was launched by Ukraine and its sponsors, trying to take this part of Donbass by force, it was then that we launched the special military operation . Had they implemented the Minsk Agreements Ukraine would be one piece, minus Crimea. But even then, when Ukrainians, after we started the operation, suggested to negotiate, we agreed, there were several rounds in Belarus, and one later they moved to Istanbul. And in Istanbul, Ukrainian delegation put a paper on the table saying: “Those are the principles on which we are ready to agree.” And we accepted those principles. Carlson: The Minsk Principles? Lavrov: No. The Istanbul Principles. It was April 2022. Carlson: Right. Lavrov: Which was: no NATO, but security guarantees to Ukraine, collectively provided with the participation of Russia. And these security guarantees would not cover Crimea or the east of Ukraine. It was their proposal. And it was initialed. And the head of the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, who is now the chair of the Vladimir Zelensky faction in the parliament, he recently (a few months ago) in an interview, confirmed that this was the case. And on the basis of these principles, we were ready to draft a treaty. But then this gentleman who headed the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul said that Boris Johnson visited and told them to continue to fight. Then there was... Carlson: But Boris Johnson, on behalf of... Lavrov: He said no. But the guy who initialed the paper, he said it was Boris Johnson. Other people say it was President Putin who ruined the deal because of the massacre in Bucha . But they never mentioned any more massacre in Bucha . I do. And we do. In a sense, they are on the defensive. Several times in the United Nations Security Council, sitting at the table with Antonio Guterres, I (last year and this year) at the General Assembly, I raised the issue of Bucha and said, guys, it is strange that you are silent about Bucha because you were very vocal when BBC team found itself on the street where the bodies were located. I inquired, can we get the names of the persons whose bodies were broadcast by BBC? Total silence. I addressed Antonio Guterres personally in the presence of the Security Council members. He did not respond. Then at my press conference in New York after the end of the General Assembly last September, I asked all the correspondents: guys, you are journalists. Maybe you’re not an investigative journalists but journalists normally are interested to get the truth. And Bucha thing, which was played all over the media outlets condemning Russia, is not of any interest to anyone - politicians, UN officials. And now even journalists. I asked when I talked to them in September , please, as professional people, try to get the names of those whose bodies were shown in Bucha. No answer. Just like we don’t have any answer to the question, where is the results of medical analysis of Alexey Navalny, who died recently, but who was treated in Germany in the fall of 2020. When he felt bad on a plane over Russia, the plane landed. He was treated by the Russian doctors in Siberia. Then the Germans wanted to take him. We immediately allowed the plane to come. They took him. In less than 24 hours, he was in Germany. And then the Germans continued to say that we poisoned him. And now the analysis confirmed that he was poisoned. We asked for the test results to be given to us. They said, no, we give it to the organization on chemical weapons. We went to this organization, we are members, and we said , can you show to us, because this is our citizen, we are accused of having poisoned him. They said that the Germans told us not to give it to you. They found nothing in the civilian hospital, and the announcement that he was poisoned was made after he was treated in the military Bundeswehr hospital. So it seems that this secret is not going... Carlson: So how did Navalny die? Lavrov: Well, he died serving the term in Russia. As far as it was reported, every now and then he felt not well. Which was another reason why we continued to ask the Germans: can you show us the results which you found? Because we did not find what they found. And what they did to him, I don’t know. Carlson: What the Germans did to him? Lavrov: Yeah, because they don’t explain to anybody, including us. Or maybe they explain to the Americans. Maybe this is credible. But they never told us how they treated him, what they found, and what methods they were using. Carlson: How do you think he died? Lavrov: I am not a doctor. But for anybody to guess, even for the doctors to try to guess, they need to have information. And if the person was taken to Germany to be treated after he had been poisoned, the results of the tests cannot be secret. We still cannot get anything credible on the fate of Skripals - Sergei Skripal and his daughter. The information is not provided to us. He is our citizen, she is our citizen. We have all the rights and the conventions which the UK is party to, to get information. Carlson: Why do you think that Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister of the UK, would have stopped the peace process in Istanbul? On whose behalf was he doing that? Lavrov: Well, I met with him a couple of times, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was motivated by some immediate desire or by some long-term strategy. He is not very predictable. Carlson: But do you think he was acting on behalf of the US government, on behalf of the Biden administration, or he was doing this independently. Lavrov: I don’t know. And I wouldn’t guess. The fact that the Americans and the Brits are leading in this “situation” is obvious. Now it is becoming also clear that there is a fatigue in some capitals, and there are talks every now and then that the Americans would like to leave it with the Europeans and to concentrate on something more important. I wouldn’t guess. We would be judging by specific steps. It’s obvious, though, that the Biden administration would like to leave a legacy to the Trump administration as bad as they can. And similar to what Barack Obama did to Donald Trump during his first term. Then late December 2016, President Obama expelled Russian diplomats. Just very late December. 120 persons with family members. Did it on purpose. Demanded them leave on the day when there was no direct flight from Washington to Moscow. So they had to move to New York by buses with all their luggage, with children, and so on and so forth. And at the same time, President Obama announced the arrest of pieces of diplomatic property of Russia. And we still never were able to come and see what is the state of this Russian property. Carlson: What was the property? Lavrov: Diplomatic. They never allowed us to come and see it though under all conventions. They just say that these pieces we don’t consider as being covered by diplomatic immunity, which is a unilateral decision, never substantiated by any international court. Carlson: So you believe the Biden administration is doing something similar again to the incoming Trump administration. Lavrov: Because that episode with the expulsion and the seizure of property certainly did not create the promising ground for beginning of our relations with the Trump administration. So I think they’re doing the same. Carlson: But this time President Trump was elected on the explicit promise to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. So I mean, he said that in appearance after appearance. So given that, there is hope for a resolution, it sounds like. What are the terms to which you’d agree? Lavrov: Well, the terms, I basically alluded to them. When President Putin spoke in this Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 14th of June he once again reiterated that we were ready to negotiate on the basis of the principles which were agreed in Istanbul and rejected by Boris Johnson, according to the statement of the head of the Ukrainian delegation. The key principle is non-bloc status of Ukraine. And we would be ready to be part of the group of countries who would provide collective security guarantees to Ukraine. Carlson: But no NATO? Lavrov: No NATO. Absolutely. No military bases, no military exercises on the Ukrainian soil with participation of foreign troops. And this is something which he reiterated. But of course, he said, it was April 2022, now some time has passed, and the realities on the ground would have to be taken into account and accepted. The realities on the ground are not only the line of contact, but also the changes in the Russian Constitution after referendum was held in Donetsk, Lugansk republics and Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. And they are now part of the Russian Federation, according to the Constitution. And this is a reality. And of course, we cannot tolerate a deal which would keep the legislation which are prohibiting Russian language, Russian media, Russian culture, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, because it is a violation of the obligations of Ukraine under the UN Charter , and something must be done about it. And the fact that the West (since this russophobic legislative offensive started in 2017) was totally silent and it is silent until now, of course we would have to pay attention to this in a very special way. Carlson: Would sanctions against Russia be a condition? Lavrov: You know, I would say probably many people in Russia would like to make it a condition. But the more we live under sanctions, the more we understand that it is better to rely on yourself, and to develop mechanisms, platforms for cooperation with ‘normal’ countries who are not unfriendly to you, and don’t mix economic interests and policies and especially politics. And we learned a lot after the sanctions started. The sanctions started under President Obama. They continued in a very big way under the first term of Donald Trump. And these sanctions under the Biden administration are absolutely unprecedented. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, you know. They would never kill us, so they are making us stronger. Carlson: And driving Russia east. And so the vision that I think same policymakers in Washington had 20 years ago is why not to bring Russia into a Western bloc, sort of as a balance against the rising east. But it doesn’t seem like that. Do you think that’s still possible? Lavrov: I don’t think so. When recently President Putin was speaking at Valdai Club to politologists and experts, he said we would never be back at the situation of early 2022. That’s when he realized (for himself, apparently, not only he, but he spoke publicly about this) that all attempts to be on equal terms with the West have failed. It started after the demise of the Soviet Union. There was euphoria, we are now part of the ‘liberal world’, democratic world, ‘end of history’. But very soon it became clear to most of the Russians that in the 1990s we were treated as - at best as junior partner, maybe not even as a partner, - but as a place where the West can organize things like it wants, striking deals with oligarchs, buying resources and assets. And then probably the Americans decided that Russia is in their pocket. Boris Yeltsin, Bill Clinton, buddies, laughing, joking. But even at the end of Boris Yeltsin’s term, he started to contemplate that this was not something he wanted for Russia. And I think this was very obvious when he appointed Vladimir Putin prime minister, and then left earlier, and blessed Vladimir Putin as his successor for the elections which were coming and which Putin won. But when Vladimir Putin became president, he was very much open to cooperation with the West. And he mentions about this quite regularly when he speaks with interviewers or at some international events. I was present when he met with George Bush Jr., with Barack Obama. Well, after the meeting of NATO in Bucharest, which was followed by NATO-Russia summit meeting in 2008, when they announced that Georgia and Ukraine will be in NATO. And then they tried to sell it to us. We asked: why? There was lunch and President Putin asked what was the reason for this? Good question. And they said this is something which is not obligatory. How come? Well, to start the process of joining NATO, you need a formal invitation. And this is a slogan - Ukraine and Georgia will be in NATO. But this slogan became obsession for some people in Tbilisi first, when Mikhail Saakashvili lost his senses and started the war against his own people under the protection of OSCE mission with the Russian peacekeepers on the ground. And the fact that he launched this was confirmed by the European Union investigation, which they launched and which concluded that he gave the order to start. And for Ukrainians, it took a bit longer. They were cultivating this pro-Western mood. Well, pro-Western is not bad, basically. Pro-Eastern is also not bad. What is bad is that you tell people, either/or, either you go with me or you’re my enemy. What happened before the coup in Ukraine? In 2013, the president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych negotiated with the European Union some association agreement which would nullify tariffs on most of the Ukrainian goods to the European Union and the other way around. And at some point, when he was meeting with Russian counterparts, we told him, Ukraine was part of the free trade area of the Commonwealth of Independent States. No tariffs for everybody. And we, Russia, negotiated agreement with World Trade Organization for some 17 years, mostly because we bargained with European Union. And we achieved some protection for many of our sectors, agriculture and some others. We explained to the Ukrainians that if you go zero in your trade with European Union, we would have to protect our customs border with Ukraine. Otherwise the zero tariff European goods would flood and would be hurting our industries, which we tried to protect and agreed for some protection. And we suggested to the European Union: guys, Ukraine is our common neighbor. You want to have better trade with Ukraine. We want the same. Ukraine want to have markets both in Europe and in Russia. Why don’t we sit three of us and discuss it like grownups? The head of the European Commission was the Portuguese José Manuel Barroso. He responded it’s none of your business what we do with Ukraine. And then the president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych convened his experts. And they said, yes, it would be not very good if we have opened the border with European Union, but the customs border with Russia would be closed. And they would be checking, you know, what is coming. So that the Russian market is not affected. So he announced in November 2013 that he cannot sign the deal immediately, and he asked the European Union to postpone it for until next year. That was the trigger for Maidan, which was immediately thrown up and ended by the coup. So my point is that this either/or. Actually, the first coup took place in 2004, when after second round of elections, the same Viktor Yanukovych won presidency. The West raised hell and put pressure on the Constitutional Court of Ukraine to rule that there must be a third round. The Constitution of Ukraine says there may be only two rounds. But the Constitutional Court, under the pressure of the West, violated the Constitution for the first time then. And pro-Western candidate was chosen. At that time, when all this was taking place and boiling, the European leaders were publicly saying Ukrainian people must decide: are they with us or with Russia? Carlson: But it is the way that big countries behave. I mean, there are certain orbits, and now it’s BRICS versus NATO, US versus China. And it sounds like you’re saying the Russian-Chinese alliance is permanent. Lavrov: Well, we are neighbors. And of course geography is very important. Carlson: But you’re also neighbors with Western Europe. And you’re part of it, in effect. Lavrov: Through Ukraine the Western Europe wants to come to our borders. And there were plans that were discussed almost openly to put British naval bases on the Sea of Azov. Crimea was eyed. Dreaming about creating NATO base in Crimea and so on and so forth. Look, we have been very friendly with Finland, for example. Overnight, the Finns came back to the early years of preparation for World War II when they were best allies of Hitler. And all this neutrality, all this friendship, going to sauna together, playing hockey together, all this disappeared overnight. So maybe this was deep in their hearts, and the neutrality was burdening them, and niceties were burdening for them. I don’t know. Carlson: They’re mad about the ‘winter war’. That’s totally possible. Can you negotiate with Zelensky? You’ve pointed out that he has exceeded his term. He’s not democratically elected president of Ukraine anymore. So do you consider him a suitable partner for negotiations? Lavrov: President Putin addressed many times this issue as well. In September 2022, during the first year of the special military operation , Vladimir Zelensky, in his conviction that he would be dictating the terms of the situation also to the West, he signed a decree prohibiting any negotiations with Putin’s government. During public events after that episode, President Vladimir Putin is asked why Russia is not ready for negotiations. He said, don’t turn it upside down. We are ready for negotiations, provided it will be based on the balance of interest, tomorrow. But Vladimir Zelensky signed this decree prohibiting negotiations. For starters, why don’t you tell him to cancel it publicly? This will be a signal that he wants negotiations. Instead, Vladimir Zelensky invented his ‘peace formula’. Lately, it was complemented by a ‘victory plan’. They keep saying, we know what they say when they meet with European Union ambassadors and in other formats, they say no deal unless the deal is on our terms. I mentioned to you that they are planning now the second summit on the basis of this peace formula, and they don’t shy away from saying, we will invite Russia to put in front of it the deal which we agreed already with the West. When our Western colleagues sometimes say nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine in effect, this implies that anything about Russia without Russia. Because they discuss what kind of conditions we must accept. By the way, recently they already violated, tacitly, the concept nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. There are passes, there are messages. They know our position. We are not playing double game. What President Putin announced is the goal of our operation. It’s fair. It’s fully in line with the United Nations Charter . First of all, the rights: language rights, minority rights, national minority rights, religious rights, and it’s fully in line with OSCE principles. There is an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe which is still alive. And well, several summits of this organization clearly stated that security must be indivisible, that nobody should expand his security at the expense of security of others, and that, most important, no organization in Euro-Atlantic space shall claim dominance. This was last time it was confirmed by OSCE in 2010. NATO was doing exactly the opposite. So we have legitimacy in our position. No NATO on our doorsteps because OSCE agreed that this should not be the case if it hurts us. And please restore the rights of Russians. Carlson: Who do you think has been making foreign policy decisions in the United States? This is a question in the United States. Who is making these decisions? Lavrov: I wouldn’t guess. I haven’t seen Antony Blinken for years. When it was the last time? Two years ago, I think, at the G20 summit. Was it in Rome or somewhere? In the margins. I was representing President Putin there. His assistant came up to me during a meeting and said that Antony wants to talk just for ten minutes. I left the room. We shook hands, and he said something about the need to de-escalate and so on and so forth. I hope he’s not going to be angry with me since I am disclosing this. But we were meeting in front of many people present in the room, and I said, “We don’t want to escalate. You want to inflict strategic defeat upon Russia.” He said, “No. It is not strategic defeat globally. It is only in Ukraine.” Carlson: You’ve not spoken to him since? Lavrov: No. Carlson: Have you spoken to any officials in the Biden administration since then? Lavrov: I don’t want to ruin their career. Carlson: But have you had meaningful conversations? Lavrov: No. Not at all. When I met in international events one or another person whom I know, an American, some of them say hello, some of them exchange a few words, but I never impose myself. It’s becoming contagious when somebody sees an American talking to me or a European talking to me. Europeans are running away when they see me. During the last G20 meeting, it was ridiculous. Grown-up people, mature people. They behave like kids. So childish. Unbelievable. Carlson: So, you said that when in 2016, in December, the final moments of the Biden administration, Biden made the relationship between the United States and Russia more difficult. Lavrov: Obama. Biden was vice-president. Carlson: Exactly. I’m so sorry. The Obama administration left a bunch of bombs, basically, for the incoming Trump administration. In the last month since the election, you have all sorts of things going on politically in bordering states in this region. In Georgia, in Belarus, in Romania, and then, of course, most dramatically in Syria, you have turmoil. Does this seem like part of an effort by the United States to make the resolution more difficult? Lavrov: There is nothing new, frankly. Because the US, historically, in foreign policy, was motivated by making some trouble and then to see if they can fish in the muddy water. Iraqi aggression, Libyan adventure - ruining the state, basically. Fleeing from Afghanistan. Now trying to get back through the back door, using the United Nations to organize some ‘event’ where the US can be present, in spite of the fact that they left Afghanistan in very bad shape and arrested money and don’t want to give it back. I think this is, if you analyze the American foreign policy steps, adventures, most of them are the right word - the pattern. They create some trouble, and then they see how to use it. When the OSCE monitors elections, when it used to monitor elections in Russia, they would always be very negative, and in other countries as well, Belarus, Kazakhstan. This time, in Georgia, the monitoring mission of OSCE presented a positive report. And it is being ignored. So when you need endorsement of the procedures, you do it when you like the results of the election. If you don’t like the results of elections, you ignore it. It’s like when the United States and other Western countries recognized unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, they said this is the self-determination being implemented. There was no referendum in Kosovo - unilateral declaration of independence. By the way, after that the Serbs approached International Court of Justice, which ruled that (well, normally they are not very specific in their judgment, but they ruled) that when part of a territory declares independence, it is not necessarily to be agreed with the central authorities. And when a few years later, Crimeans were holding referendum with invitation of many international observers, not from international organizations, but from parliamentarians in Europe, in Asia, in post-Soviet space, they said, no, we cannot accept this because this is violation of territorial integrity. You know, you pick and choose. The UN Charter is not a menu. You have to respect it in all its entirety. Carlson: So who’s paying the rebels who’ve taken parts of Aleppo? Is the Assad government in danger of falling? What is happening exactly, in your view, in Syria? Lavrov: Well, we had a deal when this crisis started. We organized the Astana process (Russia, Türkiye and Iran). We meet regularly . Another meeting is being planned before the end of the year or early next year, to discuss the situation on the ground. The rules of the game are to help Syrians to come to terms with each other and to prevent separatist threats from getting strong. That’s what the Americans are doing in the east of Syria when they groom some Kurdish separatists using the profits from oil and grain sold, the resources which they occupy. This Astana format is a useful combination of players, if you wish. We are very much concerned. And when this happened, with Aleppo and surroundings, I had a conversation with the Turkish minister of foreign affairs and with Iranian colleague. We agreed to try to meet this week. Hopefully in Doha at the margins of this international conference. We would like to discuss the need to come back to strict implementation of the deals on Idlib area, because Idlib de-escalation zone was the place from where the terrorists moved to take Aleppo. The arrangements reached in 2019 and 2020 provided for our Turkish friends to control the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone and to separate the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (former Nusra) from the opposition, which is non-terrorist and which cooperates with Türkiye. And another deal was the opening of M5 route from Damascus to Aleppo, which is also now taken completely by the terrorists. So we, as ministers of foreign affairs, would discuss the situation, hopefully, this coming Friday. And the military of all three countries and the security people are in contact with each other. Carlson: But the Islamist groups, the terrorists you just described, who is backing them? Lavrov: Well, we have some information. We would like to discuss with all our partners in this process the way to cut the channels of financing and arming them. The information which is being floated and it’s in the public domain mentions among others the Americans, the Brits. Some people say that Israel is interested in making this situation aggravated. So that Gaza is not under very close scrutiny. It’s a complicated game. Many actors are involved. I hope that the context which we are planning for this week will help stabilize the situation. Carlson: What do you think of Donald Trump? Lavrov: I met him several times when he was having meetings with President Putin and when he received me twice in the Oval Office when I was visiting for bilateral talks. Well, I think he’s a very strong person. A person who wants results. Who doesn’t like procrastination on anything. This is my impression. He’s very friendly in discussions. But this does not mean that he’s pro-Russian as some people try to present him. The amount of sanctions we received under the Trump administration was very big. We respect any choice which is made by the people when they vote. We respect the choice of American people. As President Putin said, we are and we have been open all along to the contacts with the current administration. We hope that when Donald Trump is inaugurated, we will understand. The ball, as President Putin said, is on their side. We never severed our contacts, our ties in the economy, trade, security, anything. Carlson: My final question is: how sincerely worried are you about an escalation in conflict between Russia and the United States, knowing what you do? Lavrov: Well, we started with this question, more or less. Carlson: It seems the central question. Lavrov: Yes. The Europeans whisper to each other that it is not for Vladimir Zelensky to dictate the terms of the deal - it’s for the US and Russia. I don’t think we should be presenting our relations as two guys decide for everybody. Not at all. It is not our style. We prefer the manners which dominate in BRICS , in Shanghai Cooperation Organization , where the UN Charter principle of sovereign equality of states is really embodied. The US is not used to respect sovereign equality of states. When the US says we cannot allow Russia to win on Ukraine because this would undermine our rules-based world order. And rules-based world order is American domination. Now, by the way, NATO, at least under Biden administration, is eyeing the entire Eurasian continent, Indo-Pacific strategies, South China Sea, East China Sea, is already on NATO agenda. NATO is moving infrastructure there. AUKUS, building ‘quartet’ Indo-Pacific Four as they call it (Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea). US, South Korea, and Japan are building military alliance with some nuclear components. And Jens Stoltenberg, the former Secretary General of NATO, last year after the summit he said that the Atlantic security is indivisible from Indo-Pacific security. When he was asked does it mean that you go beyond territorial defense, he answered - no, it doesn’t go beyond territorial defense, but to defend our territory, we need to be present there. This element of preemption is more and more present. We don’t want war with anybody. And as I said, five nuclear states declared at the top level in January 2022 that we don’t want confrontation with each other and that we shall respect each other’s security interests and concerns. And it also stated nuclear war can never be won, and therefore nuclear war is not possible. And the same was reiterated bilaterally between Russia and the United States, Putin-Biden, when they met in 2021 in Geneva in June . Basically, they reproduced the statement by Reagan-Gorbachev of 1987 ‘no nuclear war’. And this is absolutely in our vital interest, and we hope that this is also in vital interest of the United States. I say so because some time ago John Kirby, who is the White House communications coordinator, was answering questions about escalation and about possibility of nuclear weapons being employed. And he said, “Oh, no, we don’t want escalation because then if there is some nuclear element, then our European allies would suffer.” So even mentally, he excludes that the United States can suffer. And this is something which makes the situation a bit risky. It might – if this mentality prevails, then some reckless steps would be taken, and this is bad. Carlson: What you’re saying is American policy makers imagine there could be a nuclear exchange that doesn’t directly affect the United States, and you’re saying that’s not true. Lavrov: That’s what I said, yes. But professionals in deterrence, nuclear deterrence policy, they know very well that it’s a very dangerous game. And to speak about limited exchange of nuclear strikes is an invitation to disaster, which we don’t want to have.

777 slot review Stony Brook wins 72-55 against Rider

Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger reportedly got in touch with Liam Payne's devastated family as they were unable to make his funeralAP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:04 p.m. ESTAP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:03 p.m. EST

The IPL mega auction has wrapped up in Saudi Arabia with some astronomical figures put up by franchises to secure the biggest names in white-ball cricket. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. The two-day extravaganza yielded mixed results for Australia’s T20 stars. Some secured massive pay days, others took a sizeable pay cut, while plenty missed out all together and will be putting their feet up for two months during next March, April and May. Here are the winners and losers as 15 of the 37 Australians who went under the hammer were snapped up by the various franchises. WINNERS Josh Hazlewood Australia’s big three will all play in the same IPL season for the first time with Hazlewood cashing in upon his return to the competition after sitting out last season due to the birth of his first child. The 33-year-old was bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru on the opening night for $2.29 million to return to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium after playing there alongside Virat Kohli in 2022 and 2023. The right-arm seamer received the biggest pay day of any Australian in the auction as he was bought for more than double his base price. It was the lowest top price for an Australian since the auction for the 2019 IPL where many players opted out due to the ODI World Cup, but Hazlewood’s services were in high demand as he is an IPL champion with Chennai Super Kings in 2021, and his relentless accuracy has built him an impressive T20 resume with a career economy rate of 7.51 and a strike rate of 17.8. Hazlewood will not be the highest paid Australian next year however as his Test skipper Pat Cummins was retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad for $3.7 million. Mitchell Starc The left-arm quick took a massive pay cut with his $2.15 million purchase price by the Delhi Capitals less than half of what champions Kolkota Knight Riders paid for his services last season, but he is still a winner. He was second only to Hazlewood in the price among the Australian bought as Starc underwhelmed for much of the tournament but delivered when it mattered most as he was breathtaking in the final with figures of 2/14 from three overs. The dip in his price may be a result of his economy rate of 10.61 for the season as he took 17 wickets in 14 games, but the fact he is a proven match-winner meant he was still highly desirable. The Capitals will be the third franchise he has played for after previously suiting up for Royal Challengers Bengaluru as well as Kolkota. Marcus Stoinis The big-hitting all-rounder was the top Australian on Ricky Ponting’s shopping list as he was purchased by the Punjab Kings for $2 million. Ponting added five Australians to his squad - Glenn Maxwell ($770k), Josh Inglis ($475k), Aaron Hardie ($228k), Xavier Bartlett ($146k) and Stoinis who is the highest paid overseas player on the new-look Kings. Punjab only retained two players before the mega auction - teams had the right to retain up to six players - as they undertook a cleanout and Stoinis will be a key cog after an impressive 2024 IPL campaign for the Lucknow Super Giants. He smashed a century with 124 not out of 63 balls to chase down the Chennai Super Kings’ score of 210 as well as two other half centuries as he posted 388 runs in 15 games at an average of 32.22 at a strike rate of 147.52. Stoinis’ bowling is always a handy weapon with him having the ability to swing the new ball and shoulder the responsibility at the death, and Ponting has clearly sought after all-rounders. Jake Fraser-McGurk The Rooster exploded onto the IPL scene as a replacement player for Delhi Capitals earlier this year and now he has received a $1.65 million pay day from the franchise that gave him a start in the lucrative league. Fraser-McGurk was electric against the new ball in the powerplay with 330 runs in nine matches at an average of 36.66 and a whopping strike rate of 234.04. He scored four half centuries under the tutelage of former Delhi coach Ponting who unlocked Fraser-McGurk’s potential by encouraging him to swing at 80% because that’s all he needs to clear the rope. The right-hander has struggled in Australian colours and in franchise leagues around the world since his breakout IPL campaign, but the memories of him slapping the likes of Jasprit Bumrah to all parts clearly stuck in the mind of the Delhi hierarchy. Josh Inglis Australia’s most recent white-ball captain is off to the IPL for the first time with Ponting’s Punjab King snapping him up for $475,000. The wicket-keeper batter’s reputation has flourished in the last twelve months with two T20I centuries including the fastest ever hit by an Australian from just 43 balls against Scotland in Edinburgh in September. The knock that will stick in the mind of Indian fans however is his hundred in the first T20I of the infamous series that immediately followed Australia’s triumph in the ODI World Cup last year when most of the Australian side were exhausted and keen to go home. Inglis has also starred in the Big Bash for the Perth Scorchers as well as The Hundred for the London Spirit. Adam Zampa Many feared that Zampa may not return to the IPL after causing a stir by pulling out of last season, like he did in Covid times. New rules were brought in that bars players who do the same for two years going forward, but Australia’s dominant white ball spinner was still a sought after commodity. He has been overlooked at times in the IPL with franchises choosing to use their international spots on fast bowlers and batters rather than a spinner when there are an abundance of local options, but Zampa still found himself at the Sunrisers Hyderabad for $440,000 alongside retained Australian teammates Pat Cummins and Travis Head. The runners-up from last season will be the fourth franchise Zampa has played for after previously representing the Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rising Pune Supergiants. LOSERS Spencer Johnson It is hard to put someone who got bought as a loser, but Johnson copped a massive pay cut as he was sold to the Kolkota Knight Riders for $510,000 after pocketing $1.78 million from the Gujurat Titans last season. The left arm speedster is a heavily discounted replacement for Mitchell Starc for the champions, but his drop in price comes as little surprise after an underwhelming debut campaign. Johnson took only four wickets in five games as he went at an economy rate of 9.44. His stocks are rising in Australian cricket however with a five-wicket haul in the recent T20I series against Pakistan and calls from greats like Mark Waugh that he could be elevated into the Test team. Steve Smith Australia’s best batter of the modern era’s absence from the IPL will extend to a fourth straight year as Smith went unsold in the mega auction. It comes as little shock after he was pushed out of Australia’s T20 team earlier this year - he was not selected in the squad for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States. Smith showed in the Big Bash two summers ago that he can still be destructive in short form cricket with two centuries for the Sydney Sixers, and he boasts an impressive IPL record with 2485 runs from 103 matches at average of 34.51 with a strike rate of 128.09. He also captained Washington Freedom to the title in America’s Major League Cricket with 88 in the final, but Smith’s day in the IPL look done. Alex Carey Australia’s Test keeper went unsold as he continues to miss out on white ball opportunities. Carey was famously punted from Australia’s ODI team after the first game of last year’s World Cup, and has been on the outer of the national T20 team for some time with Inglis and the recently retired Matthew Wade preferred with the gloves. The South Australian was in stellar form with the bat during the ODIs in England in September but will not be heading to the IPL for a second season. His only campaign in the tournament to date was three games for Delhi Capitals in 2020. Matt Short Short has dominated the Big Bash in recent seasons for the Adelaide Strikers and has played handy innings this year at the top of the order in white ball cricket for Australia, but will not be returning to the IPL. The destructive right-hander was with the Punjab Kings in 2023 but went unsold for a second consecutive year from a base price of $136,500. The Victorian struggled in the series against Pakistan which may have proved costly. Jhye Richardson The West Australian quick was bought by the Punjab Kings for an astonishing $2.48 million in 2021 but this year went unsold. Richardson has battled injury woes in recent years and even sent a scare through the Australian cricket hierarchy earlier this week when it appeared he had injured his shoulder celebrating a wicket in the Sheffield Shield, but thankfully resumed bowling. He was bought by the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals - who played one game for last season - respectively in the past two years but injuries derailed those campaigns. The right-armer has only managed four IPL games throughout his career for three wickets at an economy rate of 10.47. Riley Meredith Another Australian speedster who once fetched a large sum going unsold. In the same 2021 auction as Richardson, Meredith was also bought by Punjab for $1.42 million. He played three years in a row with 19 wickets in 18 games for the Kings as well as the Mumbai Indians, but like Richardson, has been hampered by injuries. Meredith returned to the Australian white ball set-up during September tour of the United Kingdom, but he seems to have faded into obscurity when it comes to the IPL. AUSTRALIANS AT THE 2025 IPL Chennai Super Kings: Nathan Ellis ($365k) Delhi Capitals: Mitch Starc ($2.15m), Jake Fraser-McGurk ($1.65m) Kolkata Knight Riders: Spencer Johnson ($510k) Lucknow Super Giants: Justin Langer (coach), Mitch Marsh ($623k) Punjab Kings: Ricky Ponting (coach), Marcus Stoinis ($2m), Glenn Maxwell ($770k), Josh Inglis ($475k), Aaron Hardie ($228k), Xavier Bartlett ($146k) Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Josh Hazlewood ($2.29m), Tim David ($547k) Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins ($3.7m), Travis Head ($1.2m), Adam Zampa ($440k) Unsold: Sean Abbott, Ollie Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Chris Green, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Ben McDermott, Michael Neser, Alex Carey, Riley Meredith, Josh Brown, Matt Short, Will Sutherland, Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Cooper Connolly, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Jason Behrendorff, Daniel Sams, Andrew Tye, David WarnerBurns puts up 17 points as Maine edges Canisius 84-79

Cheetah Project Thrives: New Cubs Born in Kuno National ParkFormer Salisbury police sergeant joins Wiltshire charity to protect elderlyAP News in Brief at 6:09 p.m. EST

As World War II entered its final year in 1945, a 19-year-old Army soldier from Columbia got caught an intense battle thousands of miles away from home. Arthur W. Crossland Jr. was fighting German forces in a heavily wooded area near Althorn, France, when a mine exploded, killing him instantly. Facing mortars and machine gun fire, his fellow soldiers had to withdraw from the area before body could be recovered. Crossland died in March 1945 and within six moths the war would be over. The following year, the military began searching for Crossland's remains. Nearly 80 years later, that search has come to an end. Crossland's remains were identified using DNA technology, and now his family can lay him to rest in his hometown. According to a news release from Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Crossland will be buried in Columbia on March 14. His remains were recovered from Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. More than 9,000 U.S. troops are buried at the cemetery, and hundreds of the graves contain unidentified remains. In July 2022, workers from the Department of Defense and American Battle Monuments Commission exhumed the remains of X-535 and transferred them to a laboratory for analysis. Scientists used anthropological and other circumstantial evidence to identify the remains, according to the release. "Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis." On Aug. 21, 2024, scientists concluded that the remains of X-535 belonged to Crossland, a private 1st Class soldier assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 242nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division in the European Theater. More than 400,000 U.S. soldiers died in World War II. According to the New York Times, more than 72,000 of them are still unaccounted for. Before Crossland's remains were identified, he had already been memorialized Walls of the Missing at Epinal American Cemetery in Dinozé, France. Now that he has been accounted for, a rose will be placed next to his name.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Northern California was under a rare and brief tsunami warning alert Thursday that tested local emergency notification systems after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook part of the state. The National Weather Service canceled its alert after roughly an hour and before the tsunami was expected to arrive. In that hour, some cities and counties ordered evacuations while others relied on social media and text messages to inform people of the warning. Some people headed for higher ground, while others drove to the beach to get a better view. People took to social media to figure out why a warning was issued and then canceled so quickly, and how the NWS determines when to send alerts. Here are answers to more questions. What exactly is a tsunami? The word for tsunami comes from the Japanese characters for harbor and wave. It's a series of extremely long waves set in motion when energy from an earthquake causes the ocean floor to suddenly rise or fall, according to the National Weather Service . How common are they in California? Since 1800, California's shores have been struck by more than 150 tsunamis, most of them minor, according to the California Geological Survey. Phones buzzed Thursday when the National Weather Service issued its warning just minutes after the quake struck west of Ferndale, a small city in coastal Humboldt County. It read in part: “You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now.” Why was there an alert if there wasn't a large tsunami? The National Weather Service Bay Area posted on the social platform X early Friday that the region doesn't get tsunami alerts often and “there are lot of questions, frustration, and even some anger” about Thursday's event. A warning alert is the most serious of four tsunami alerts, including a watch alert for a possible tsunami and an advisory alert telling people to stay out of the water and away from the shore. The last time California received a warning alert was 2011 when an earthquake in Japan caused about $100 million in damages along the California coast. Basically, a distant, offshore earthquake or other trigger event gives scientists more time to analyze data and confirm that a large tsunami was generated before sounding a warning. But Thursday’s earthquake was local and close to the coast, forcing a hasty high-level alert in order to give people the maximum time to prepare as tsunami waves can travel very fast, up to 500 mph (800 kph) in the deep ocean, the NWS wrote. “By the time we actually observe it, it may be too late, because it's right there in our back doors,” said Dalton Behringer, a meteorologist with NWS Bay Area, on Friday. Scientists used the time Thursday to monitor buoys and get more information on the earthquake itself, he said. They canceled the alert after seeing little sea-level change and determining the quake was a strike-slip type of temblor that shifts more horizontally and is less prone to cause tsunamis, he said. “These things happen so infrequently for us, I think it just caught a lot of people off-guard,” he said. How did Northern California respond? Authorities in Eureka, the biggest city in Humboldt County, sent texts and went door-to-door to order businesses in high-risk areas to evacuate, said City Manager Miles Slattery. He said only a small portion of the city was at risk, and Thursday's test run showed evacuees need to work on leaving by foot, rather than by car. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the commuter light-rail system known as BART stopped traffic in all directions through the underwater tunnel between San Francisco and Oakland, and the San Francisco Zoo’s visitors were evacuated. Responses varied as fire and police in Berkeley evacuated certain areas of the city while in San Francisco, officials sent alerts and messages on social media telling residents to stay away from water, beaches, harbors, marina docks, and piers. “Move at least one block inland,” said the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management. Emergency personnel in vehicles with public address systems also went to make sure no one was on beaches and other low-lying areas. But some critics said San Francisco should have sounded its loud emergency sirens, which have been off-line since 2019 for repairs. In San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco, officials considered but decided against sounding its tsunami warning sirens after receiving more comprehensive information from the NWS that any tsunami would affect coastlines north of the Golden Gate Bridge, said Michelle Durand, a spokesperson for the county. Fire and police cleared the beaches while emergency personnel gathered to monitor the situation, she said, which “prioritized both public safety and the prevention of unnecessary panic.” Janie Har, The Associated PressBy Lawrence Delevingne and Carolina Mandl BOSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) -As a money manager, Scott Bessent's years of inconsistent performance have contributed to a nearly 90% decline in his hedge fund's assets. Now, with other business lines expanding, he has scored on perhaps his biggest bet yet: President-elect Donald Trump. Bessent spotted what he called an anomaly in the market: that political and market analysts were too negative on what a Trump victory would mean, according to a letter to clients in January seen by Reuters. His Key Square Capital Management put on bets that U.S. stocks and the dollar would gain, helping earn a double-digit percentage profit so far in 2024, with November as its best month, according to a person familiar with the situation. Bessent's even bigger wager and apparently win is on Trump, the future president. He's been a donor, economic adviser and booster on TV to Trump. On Friday night, news broke that Bessent was Trump's pick to be Treasury Secretary. "Scott is widely respected as one of the World’s foremost International Investors and Geopolitical and Economic Strategists," Trump wrote on Truth Social. A representative for Bessent did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment on the nomination. Trump has talked Bessent up as “one of the most brilliant men on Wall Street." While parts of Bessent's business have expanded, such as advising other family offices and money managers, details of his fund's performance, reported here for the first time, show a mixed track record in the decade since he launched his own hedge fund firm. Ted Seides, the former president of Protege Partners, an investment firm where Bessent earned strong returns in the late 2000s, told Reuters that Bessent's track record should be taken in the context of macro investing, where big profits can be followed by less attractive returns. So-called macro hedge funds bet on global macroeconomic trends and are not open to retail investors. "If you only look at the part of a track record with lean years, it’s like saying Aaron Judge struck out a lot last year," Seides said, referring the baseball star known for hitting home runs. "But he was just named MVP." Bessent has long been considered a top contender to run Treasury and his candidacy in the hotly-contested role has heightened interest in the fund manager. If he were to take a job in the new administration, Key Square could be wound down, sold, or put in "sleep mode," according to the same person. BIG START Bessent, who grew up in a small town in South Carolina and went to Yale College before landing on Wall Street, started Key Square in late 2015. The firm quickly raised $4.5 billion - then one of the largest hedge fund launches in history. That included $2 billion from famed macroeconomic investor George Soros, for whom Bessent had helped earn billions of dollars over two stints at Soros Fund Management. Key Square's main fund returns surged 13% in its first year, 2016, according to a second person familiar with the firm. That year, it gained on correctly predicting the British pound's decline around "Brexit," a vote for Britain to leave the European Union, according to the first person familiar with the situation. Later, Key Square made money when Bessent correctly anticipated a U.S. stock and dollar rally when Donald Trump was elected that November, according to the first person. But Key Square lost 7% in 2017, and then lost money or just broke even from 2018 to 2021, according to the second person and performance disclosures from one of its investors, New York City Police Pension Fund. The hedge fund gained double digits in both 2023 and 2024 and is up "double digits" over its history, according to the second person. That uneven performance appears to have scared away some clients. Assets under management shrank from a peak of around $5.1 billion at the end of 2017 to $577 million as of December 2023, while the number of institutional investors fell from 180 in December 2017 to 20 by the end of 2023, according to regulatory disclosures tracked by Convergence Inc. While Key Square's hedge fund assets have declined, it has other business lines that have expanded, including providing investment ideas to other money managers, with up to $1 billion to draw from and invest for a large macro investment firm; an advisory business for family offices, foundations and endowments, including one client with $11 billion in assets; and fees from a spin-out firm, $3.4 billion Ghisallo Capital, part of Key Square's incubation business, according to the two people familiar with the firm and regulatory filings. It also has plans to launch an ETF, according to a recent securities filing. Soros took back most of his capital in 2018, per a previous agreement with Bessent to return the money, according to a third source familiar with the matter. Soros no longer has any money managed by Bessent, according to the third person. The two men have not spoken since 2016, Bessent said in a recent interview with Trump ally Roger Stone. Other large clients who no longer have money with Key Square include Australia's Future Fund, Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners, and the New York City Police and Fire pension funds, according to public records and regulatory disclosures. One large hedge fund allocator told Reuters that they pulled their money several years ago from Key Square because the returns had been “too inconsistent.” Another large Key Square investor withdrew from the hedge fund last year because of Bessent’s support of Trump, according to the second person familiar with the firm. The University of California redeemed its assets from Key Square amid a broader pull back from using hedge funds, but Bessent has remained "deep source of knowledge for us," chief investment officer, Jagdeep Singh Bachher, told Reuters via email. Another longtime client to stick with Key Square is Brevan Howard Asset Management, the $34 billion macro hedge fund manager co-founded by British billionaire Alan Howard. "Scott is one of the best macro investors in the world," a spokesperson for Brevan Howard said via email. "His understanding of markets, public policy, and the global economy is largely unmatched." Semafor previously reported that selective Key Square performance numbers were being shared around Wall Street chats as Bessent competed for the coveted post of U.S. Treasury Secretary. The report did not reveal the numbers shared. POLITICAL BET Bessent contributed to Trump’s inauguration following his 2016 election win. He was more involved during the 2024 election cycle, serving as an economic adviser to the campaign in addition to being a top fundraiser. Since the election, he has made TV appearances and written opinion pieces in support of Trump's proposed economic agenda. “I was all in for President Trump. I was one of the few Wall Street people backing him,” Bessent recent said in the interview with Stone. In January this year, Bessent predicted a “Trump Rally” in stocks as long as the Republican remained ahead in the election polls. “We are expecting an upward trajectory in the U.S. equity markets,” he wrote in the letter to Key Square clients. “Barring (President Joe) Biden pulling ahead in substantial fashion, all pullbacks should be bought.” (Reporting by Lawrence Delevingne in Boston and Carolina Mandl in New York; editing by Paritosh Bansal, Megan Davies, Deepa Babington and Diane Craft)

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — EJ Farmer scored 20 points as Youngstown State beat Toledo 93-87 on Saturday. Farmer went 8 of 15 from the field (3 for 8 from 3-point range) for the Penguins (6-5). Nico Galette scored 17 points while shooting 5 for 13 (3 for 8 from 3-point range) and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line and added 11 rebounds and seven assists. Juwan Maxey shot 4 for 9 (3 for 7 from 3-point range) and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line to finish with 16 points. Sam Lewis led the Rockets (6-4) in scoring, finishing with 21 points and eight rebounds. Sonny Wilson added 17 points, six rebounds and four assists for Toledo. Seth Hubbard had 14 points. Farmer put up 13 points in the first half for Youngstown State, who led 44-39 at halftime. Youngstown State used a 7-0 second-half run to break a 76-76 tie and take the lead at 83-76 with 3:14 remaining in the half before finishing off the victory. Galette scored 12 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Google investing nearly $1B this year in Nebraska; total will hit $4.4BBurnaby scraps plans for sister cities trip

Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn’t install more automated systems

Drones for commercial and recreational use have grown rapidly in popularity, despite restrictions on who can operate them and where they can be flown. No-fly zones are enforced around airports, military installations, nuclear plants, certain landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, and sports stadiums during games. Not everybody follows the rules. Sightings at airports have shut down flights in a few instances. Reported sightings of what appear to be drones flying over New Jersey at night in recent weeks have created anxiety among some residents, in part because it is not clear who is operating them or why. Some state and local officials have called for stricter rules to govern drones. After receiving reports of drone activity last month near Morris County, New Jersey, the Federal Aviation Administration issued temporary bans on drone flights over a golf course in Bedminster , New Jersey, that is owned by President-elect Donald Trump, and over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base . The FAA says the bans are in response to requests from “federal security partners.” The FAA is responsible for the regulations governing their use , and Congress has written some requirements into law. With a 2018 law, the Preventing Emerging Threats Act, Congress gave certain agencies in the Homeland Security and Justice departments authority to counter threats from unmanned aircraft to protect the safety of certain facilities. New drones must be outfitted with equipment allowing law enforcement to identify the operator, and Congress gave the agencies the power to detect and take down unmanned aircraft that they consider dangerous. The law spells out where the counter-drone measures can be used, including “national special security events” such as presidential inaugurations and other large gatherings of people. To get a “remote pilot certificate,” you must be at least 16 years old, be proficient in English, pass an aeronautics exam, and not suffer from a ”mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of a small unmanned aircraft system.” Yes, but the FAA imposes restrictions on nighttime operations. Most drones are not allowed to fly at night unless they are equipped with anti-collision lights that are visible for at least 3 miles (4.8 kilometers). Over the past decade, pilots have reported hundreds of close calls between drones and airplanes including airline jets. In some cases, airplane pilots have had to take evasive action to avoid collisions. Drones buzzing over a runway caused flights to be stopped at London’s Gatwick Airport during the Christmas travel rush in 2018 and again in May 2023 . Police dismissed the idea of shooting down the drones, fearing that stray bullets could kill someone. Advances in drone technology have made it harder for law enforcement to find rogue drone operators — bigger drones in particular have more range and power. Some state and local officials in New Jersey are calling for stronger restrictions because of the recent sightings, and that has the drone industry worried. Scott Shtofman, director of government affairs at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, said putting more limits on drones could have a “chilling effect” on “a growing economic engine for the United States.” “We would definitely oppose anything that is blindly pushing for new regulation of what are right now legal drone operations,” he said. AirSight, a company that sells software against “drone threats,” says more than 20 states have enacted laws against privacy invasion by drones, including Peeping Toms. Will Austin, president of Warren County Community College in New Jersey, and founder of its drone program, says it's up to users to reduce public concern about the machines. He said operators must explain why they are flying when confronted by people worried about privacy or safety. “It's a brand new technology that's not really understood real well, so it will raise fear and anxiety in a lot of people,” Austin said. “We want to be good professional aviators and alleviate that.” Associated Press reporter Rebecca Santana in Washington, D.C., contributed.Why it matters: The success of Intel's upcoming 18A process node is critical to the company's future. After refuting reports of abysmal yield rates, Intel recently confirmed that 18A has reached a crucial milestone in its effort to regain competitiveness against semiconductor rivals Samsung and TSMC. comments aim to reassure industry observers that Intel's foundry business remains on track to compete with TSMC's and Samsung's 3nm and 2nm nodes starting next year. At the Barclays Annual Global Technology Conference, Holthaus and co-CEO David Zinsner discussed Intel's upcoming Panther Lake processors, which will debut the 18A process node upon their expected launch in the second half of 2025. Holthaus revealed that eight foundry customers have powered on ES0 (likely "Engineering Sample 0") chips built on the 18A node, signaling significant progress compared to six months ago. Intel released version... Daniel Sims

Nominations Open for 2025 Defense IT Summit Flywheel Awards

STORMZY is embracing the festive season America this year - alongside his rumored girlfriend, R&B star Victoria Monét. The couple were first spotted locking lips in October. 5 Stormzy has been spotted kicking off Christmas festivities in the US Credit: instagram 5 He has been joined by his new flame Victoria Monét Credit: instagram 5 The pair were first spotted kissing at Heathrow Airport in October Credit: SplashNews The pair appear to be going strong as they were captured celebrating the holiday season together in a video shared by a British media account. The video shows Victoria addressing a crowd at a Christmas event. During her speech, she thanked Stormzy for bringing everyone together, saying: "Everyone say thanks so much, Mike, for getting us here. Thank you, Mike." The camera then panned to Stormzy - whose real name is Michael Owuo. read more in music 'PROUD' I never dreamed of fame - UK shows are unbelievable homecoming, says Jacob Collier ED START Ed Sheeran teases massive 2025 comeback - and he’s already shot TWO music videos The rapper could be seen grinning and bashfully covering his face with his hand. Fans shared their excitement for the budding romance, with one gushing: "He deserves all the happiness. He seems like such a sweet soul." Another added: "I love everything about this." The relationship marks a fresh chapter for Stormzy following his high-profile split from Love Island host Maya Jama earlier this year. Most read in Celebrity Rangers 1 Spurs 1 Gers left ruing Forster save after Kulusevski earns point for Postecolgou FAIR CARNAGE Moment fairground goers fight to free revellers stuck on collapsed 180ft ride MAX'S HOSPITAL DASH Max George to undergo major heart surgery after terrifying health scare BATTLE OF BRITAIN Spurs fans sing 'Scotland get battered' & taunt Scots on way to Ibrox The pair, who initially began dating in 2014, rekindled their romance last year before announcing their final break up in July. In a joint statement, the former couple expressed mutual respect, saying they "still think the absolute world of each other" and will remain friends. Maya Jama returns to social media after Stormzy reveals his new relationship Stormzy’s new flame, Victoria Monét , is no stranger to the spotlight herself. The Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter is celebrated for hits like Coastin’ and Jaguar. She recently split from her fitness trainer ex-boyfriend, John Gaines, with whom she shares a three-year-old daughter, Hazel. Her relationship with Stormzy was first confirmed in October when they were photographed by the Sun sharing an affectionate kiss at London’s Heathrow Airport. Eyewitnesses described the pair as "smitten", with one onlooker noting Stormzy’s playful demeanor as he hugged and lifted Victoria off the ground. 5 Victoria is also in the music industry Credit: Getty 5 Friends close to the rapper have said she's a good match for him Credit: GettyUndiscovered Gems Harbin Bank And 2 Other Small Caps With Strong PotentialFor “Hysteria!” actresses Anna Camp and Julie Bowen, horror is harder than comedy. “Horror is really hard actually because there is a fine line you have to walk; you have to make it feel grounded and you’re put in these extreme circumstances: You’re being possessed or pulled through the air, there’s nothing you can do to relate to that,” explained Camp of “Pitch Perfect” fame. “With comedy, you can have a relatable situation and go, ‘I’ve been in situations like that.’ There’s nothing you can compare (horror) to, so you have to use your imagination. I find it harder. Your imagination goes home with you at the end of the day. You’re still thinking crazy thoughts.” Bowen, best known for playing Claire Dunphy on “Modern Family,” agreed. “Comedy’s pretty binary because it’s like either you can make people laugh or you don’t. I can’t watch horror. I’m terrified, terrified! I am the easiest scare in the world, so as far as doing (horror), I want to make it as real as possible. It was hard because I had to be really, really crazy. There were times when I’d get back to my hotel room at 3 a.m., I didn’t want to be alone in my head,” said Bowen, laughing. Camp, Bowen, Royal Oak native Bruce Campbell (“Evil Dead”), showrunner David A. Goodman (“Futurama”), and Ypsilanti native/creator Matthew Scott Kane (“American Horror Story”) were promoting “Hysteria!” at the New York Comic Con in October. The horror series is streaming on Peacock. Set in the fictional Michigan town of Happy Hollow, the first episode of “Hysteria” begins with a popular quarterback’s disappearance and a pentagram is discovered on a garage door. As a result, rumors of the occult and satanic influence run rampant through the town. A trio of outcasts in a heavy metal band called Dethkrunch exploit this by rebranding themselves as a satanic metal band, which leads to them becoming the targets of the town’s witch hunt. “Something on my mind a lot in 2019 was we’re living in this post-factual age with social media. It seemed like decades and decades ago, you could trust the news. Now everything is in question. When lies end up getting disseminated as truth, that starts to warp people’s version of reality. Suddenly, they’re living in a world other people are not. That was going on in the world I was living in and I very quickly connected it to the 1980s satanic panic. It’s not really that different because people were saying Ozzy Osbourne, Jason Voorhees (of ‘Friday the 13th’), and the Smurfs were going to turn your kids into satanists and kill you in your sleep. That didn’t happen. It wasn’t true, but so many people got worked up into such a fervor over it, bad things happened. ... It was smoke without fire,” Kane said. “Disinformation is not new,” Campbell said. “Disinformation will tear a town apart.” Campbell portrays Happy Hollow Police Chief Ben Dandridge. “This guy’s a reasonable cop; he’s a rational person who doesn’t treat the teenagers like they’re idiots. It’s all very refreshing,” he said. “I want to play that guy again. I want cops to be that guy. I’m playing the cop (that) cops need to be. That’s my whole motivation for playing this guy: How would you like cops to be, especially the guy in charge, the chief of police? They’re lucky to have Chief Dandridge.” “It was truly an exciting moment when Bruce signed on,” Goodman said. By the end of the first episode, a supernatural phenomenon happens to Linda Campbell, played by Bowen. “Linda seems like one thing, then you realize she’s bananas. She’s either bananas or she’s possessed. Either way, it’s a complicated thing to play,” Bowen said. “With Julie, you can have your cake and eat it too,” Kane said. “She’s this fun, quirky mom. ... As the episode goes on, she’s pulled deeper into this thing and crazy stuff starts happening. That final act of the first episode was my favorite moment with her because this announced that this is not Claire Dunphy. We’re not doing that again; we’re pushing her as a performer. “Julie was so excited about doing stunts. She told us on many occasions she’s very sturdy and can take it. The same goes for Bruce and for Anna. We didn’t ask anyone to give us a flavor of the thing they did before. We cast people we loved so much (in their famous projects) that we wanted to give them the opportunity to do the exact opposite.” Added Bowen: “I got this script and was like, ‘Oh great. She’s a mom. How fun.’ I love moms. I’m a mom, but I felt this was not worth flying out of town to Georgia and being away from my kids. Then I got to the end of the pilot and was like, ‘She’s crazy!’ Is she possessed? There’s a lot more questions. It’s fun to just stretch again and do things I haven’t done in a while, which I found really exciting.” Kane said he felt lucky Bowen signed on at the beginning. “She was the first adult actor to sign on. That gave us such credibility to have a two-time Emmy-winning actor leading this show. Suddenly, it goes from this script from a relatively unknown writer into the new Julie Bowen show,” he said. It was the quality of the writing that attracted Camp, Bowen and Campbell to “Hysteria!” “I loved the script; it was incredibly well-written. It was immersed in the time period. It was such a good coming-of-age story, too — the feeling of being in high school again, being in the 1980s,” Camp said. “I talked to Matt who said my character (Tracy) was incredibly pivotal to the series and we’ll learn about why she is the way she is. So I was like, ‘I’d love to do this!’” For Campbell, the writing is everything. “A lot of times, I’ll get a script that could make the words interchangeable with every other character because the writing is very bland and just doesn’t have the detail you need. This was different. Every character was pretty distinct and pretty well-drawn,” he said. “It’s quality. It’s not a (expletive) show. It’s a real show that’s playing around with interesting themes. A lot of it is still relevant to this day.” “Hysteria!” has other Michigan connections, including University of Michigan alumnus Jonathan Goldstein (“Spider-Man: Homecoming”) and Dondero High School alumnus Jordan Vogt-Roberts (“Kong: Skull Island”), who both serve as executive producers. Kane explained why he set “Hysteria!” in Michigan. “You write what you know. I grew up in Ypsilanti, so that had a lot to do with it. More importantly, when you’re in a small town in the Midwest — somewhere like Michigan — these things don’t ever happen and word spreads fast and paranoia spreads quickly and (everything’s) blown out of proportion and takes up a lot of people’s minds,” he said. “Whether or not something is real doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if there are people willing to believe it does and willing it into the world. What does it matter if it’s objectively real or living rent-free in someone’s head?”https://arab.news/rr2sm KABUL: Top Russian security official Sergei Shoigu visited Afghan government officials on Monday, assuring them Moscow will soon remove the Taliban from its list of banned organizations, Kabul said. Since the Taliban surged back to power in 2021 visits by foreign officials have been infrequent because no nation has yet formally recognized the government of the former insurgent group. Taliban government curbs on women have made them pariahs in many Western nations but Kabul is making increasing diplomatic overtures to its regional neighbors, emphasising economic and security cooperation. Shoigu, the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, met an Afghan cohort in Kabul headed by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar. He “expressed Russia’s interest in increasing the level of bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan,” Baradar’s office said in a statement released on social media site X. “He also announced that, to expand political and economic relations between the two countries, the Islamic Emirate’s name would soon be removed from Russia’s blacklist.” The Islamic Emirate is the name the Taliban government uses to refer to itself. Russian news agencies quoted Shoigu as saying he wanted “constructive” ties with Kabul, without saying if he had floated Moscow removing the Taliban from its list of banned groups. “I confirm the readiness to build a constructive political dialogue between our countries, including in order to give momentum to the process of the internal Afghan settlement,” Shoigu said, according to the RIA Novosti news agency. He also said Russian companies plan to take part in projects in Afghanistan on extracting natural resources. Analysts say Moscow may be eying cooperation with Kabul to counter the threat from Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) — the Afghan-based branch of the Sunni militant group. In March, more than 140 people were killed when IS-K gunmen attacked a Moscow concert hall. Taliban authorities have repeatedly said security is their top domestic priority and have pledged militants staging foreign attacks will be ousted from Afghanistan. “The Taliban certainly are our allies in the fight against terrorism,” Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, said in July. “They are working to eradicate terrorist cells.”

b777-800

Byfield scores in 200th career game as Kings hold off Kraken for 2-1 win

Seahawks place RB Kenneth Walker on IR with ankle injury

Soitec SA (OTCMKTS:SLOIF) Short Interest Update

Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100“Paycheck to paycheck is not descriptive enough”: Workers struggle to survive on CU Boulder wages

Next NASCAR season for Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing organization is still up in the air. They will race, but there are still question marks. With three drivers racing as open teams, barring an injunction from the court, it could be an interesting year. The Clash this season is at Bowman Gray Stadium. It is a historic return for NASCAR and the venue. While it hosts Weekly Series races throughout the year, the Cup Series has not been there in decades. However, with the costs and potential damages and extra costs of that – 23XI Racing might sit out of the Clash. After all, open teams do not have to attend. Only chartered teams are mandated to show up. “I don’t know. I think a lot of dominoes need to fall. Sponsorship, things like that,” Hamlin said, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports . “So, I don’t know that that decision’s been rock solid, made yet. But you know we um, things are so fluid, over the next few weeks we’ll probably know more.” When asked if there was a benefit to the Clash, Hamlin said there was. However, there are also downsides. “Yeah it’s always a good, The Clash is always a good repetition. A rep,” Hamlin said. “It’s certainly one where even though you don’t have pit crews there, it’s good for the teams to work some kinks out. So, yes. But also you know, it’s, you’re probably going to go down there and tear up a lot of stuff. So, I don’t know, we’ll see.” Charter teams must participate in the Clash, but Open teams are not required to attend. Would 23XI Racing skip the Clash if they have that choice as an Open team? Denny Hamlin isn't sure: pic.twitter.com/DTQQLKouJM During the NASCAR Awards on Friday, Denny Hamlin spoke about many things. He had a crew chief change, an ongoing lawsuit at 23XI Racing, and the normal questions around performance and next season that drivers get this time of the year. Denny Hamlin gives update on charter purchase Despite announcing his third team and driver at 23XI Racing this week, Denny Hamlin still does not have a third charter in his hands. 23XI is still in the process of purchasing a NASCAR charter from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing. With the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, it might take a while. NASCAR has to approve the purchase and right now, it doesn’t look like that is going to happen any time soon. At the NASCAR Awards, Denny Hamlin talked about the charter purchase. Or lack thereof at the moment. Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported that Hamlin, “said nothing is complete as far as the SHR charter to 23XI. He said he knows the options as far as that charter but can’t talk about it.” So, it is still unclear how that situation will work out. Riley Herbst will drive the No. 35 next year as an open car or chartered car. Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace will do the same thing in the 45 and 23 cars as well. This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

Monster Beverage Co. (NASDAQ:MNST) Shares Sold by Pathstone Holdings LLCChina's AIMA brand electric motorbike is now in BangladeshFrom De-Escalation of Tensions to Rising Credibility, 5 Foreign Policy Win for Modi Govt in 2024

‘Paycheck to paycheck is not descriptive enough’: Workers struggle to survive on CU Boulder wages

Labor will harden its demands on the Greens to pass more than a dozen bills through parliament in the next four days in the belief that voters will blame the smaller party at the next election for blocking the government’s agenda. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking to have the draft laws passed without a single deal with the Greens after months of argument over housing, the environment, university fees, school funding and other reforms. The approach reflects a crucial calculation that the Greens have lost ground in recent state and local government elections and are at risk of losing federal seats because voters think the party has moved too far to the left on economic policy and the Middle East. But in two significant retreats, Labor shelved a bill on Sunday that sought to crackdown on misinformation and did not put forward a long-awaited ban on gambling advertising after earlier saying it would unveil the package before the end of the year. Read more about the bills before the parliament in the The Greens’ latest housing proposal is “unlawful, unworkable” and wouldn’t construct any new homes, Housing Minister Clare O’Neil says. In an interview with ABC O’Neil took issue with how a question on housing was framed, arguing it implied the Greens had “attempted some type of negotiation with the government”. “That’s not how I would describe it,” O’Neil said. “For 21⁄2 years now, the Australian Greens have done nothing but block and delay the action the government has attempted to take on housing. They’ve worked with Peter Dutton to do so. “The result of that has been more homelessness, fewer homes built, and fewer social and affordable homes built.” O’Neil said it was time to “stop playing games” and pass the housing bills. Pushed to be specific on why the government wouldn’t accept the Greens’ proposed amendment to build 25,000 social and affordable homes, O’Neil said the projects weren’t value for money. “The way that the Greens have proposed this is something that would be unlawful, unworkable, and not actually construct any new homes,” she said. O’Neil continued: Labor will harden its demands on the Greens to pass more than a dozen bills through parliament in the next four days in the belief that voters will blame the smaller party at the next election for blocking the government’s agenda. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking to have the draft laws passed without a single deal with the Greens after months of argument over housing, the environment, university fees, school funding and other reforms. The approach reflects a crucial calculation that the Greens have lost ground in recent state and local government elections and are at risk of losing federal seats because voters think the party has moved too far to the left on economic policy and the Middle East. But in two significant retreats, Labor shelved a bill on Sunday that sought to crackdown on misinformation and did not put forward a long-awaited ban on gambling advertising after earlier saying it would unveil the package before the end of the year. Read more about the bills before the parliament in the The warm weather returns to Brisbane this week, with a top of 27 degrees forecast today, and most days this week expected to go over 30. It should be a cloudy day with just the slight chance of a shower in the River City. In fact, no sunny days are forecast this week, with the chance of showers to rise within days. Here’s how the week looks to be panning out so far: Here’s what’s happening beyond Brisbane this morning: A media storm threatens to thwart plans to by year’s end, heightening a dispute over their fate. Bunnings aims to roll out , despite a determination from the privacy commissioner that its use breaches privacy laws. Sitting at work is often unavoidable, but could be game-changing. From earbuds to e-books, here are some of or those who could do with a few more gadgets. And in sport, a former Junior Wallaby was one of the in a match that saw Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii leave the field injured. Also, Nathan McSweeney capped a horror debut – the worst by an Australian opener in 45 years – with a second-innings duck as Marnus Labuschagne failed to bat his way out of a concerning form slump to leave in Perth. Good morning, thanks for joining us for live news blog. It’s Monday, November 25, and we’re expecting a possible shower and a top temperature of 27 degrees. In this morning’s local headlines: As Brisbane’s population booms, something strange is happening in one pocket of the city – . The – including its signature “adult crime, adult time” policy – will be tabled on Thursday and be law by Christmas, according to Premier David Crisafulli. Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls has cast doubt over , saying that as of Friday, just 27 tests had been conducted, equating to $8000 a test. And a from an unmarked car in Townsville as part of a break-in spree by at least four people.Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100

November 24 - Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul fired a 7-under-par 65 to claim a one-shot win at the CME Group Tour Championship and the $4 million first-place prize, the largest in professional women's golf history, on Sunday in Naples. Fla. Tied with Angel Yin entering the final round at Tiburon Golf Club, Thitikul birdied three of her first seven holes and finished strong, sinking an eagle on the par-5 No. 17 hole before closing her round with a birdie on No. 18. "Actually, I don't know what's (happening) to me on 17 and 18," Thitikul said after her fourth LPGA Tour win. "I mean, like I really make a birdie on 17, which is giving me a good chance. "But like having eagle, it's more than I can ask for. And then hitting really, really good second shot on 18 and hole the putt, it's just like, you know, all the hard work that I've been, it's just like pay off." The 21-year-old Thitikul collected a total of six birdies, one eagle and one bogey, on the par-4 No. 4 hole, to close at 22-under 266 in the LPGA's season finale. With the win, she is the 2024 Race to the CME Globe champion. As for the $4M payout, Thitiful already has plans for the money. "Definitely spend it," she said with a laugh. "That's an honest answer for sure. Definitely going to spend it for a little while, but like saving it for my parents as well. Because I told them that I'm shopping a lot. Don't tell my parents that I've been spending all the money." Yin played a bogey-free round with six birdies but shot a 6-under 66 to finish one shot behind Thitikul at 21-under 267. "Lots of positives, hitting it good," Yin said. "This is -- you know, I'm happy because this is a golf course that I'm not very fond of and never played well. My track record, I think this is my best finish ever." New Zealand's Lydia Ko posted the round of the day, notching a 9-under 63 and moving up nine spots to finish third, five spots off the lead. Ko delivered nine birdies, including three in a row on Nos. 7-9, and played bogey-free golf. China's Ruoning Yin (68 on Sunday) finished fourth, followed by World No. 1 Nelly Korda (66) and Narin An (68) of South Korea in a tie for fifth. Korda sank six birdies in a bogey-free round but couldn't catch the leaders after a first-round 72. "Motivated definitely, and just excited and proud of how this year went," Korda said. "Never in a million years would I have thought last year, 365 days ago, I would be here with seven wins in one season and another major championship." Lexi Thompson, who had announced earlier this year that this would be her last full season on tour, shot a 2-over 74 and finished in a tie for 49th at 2-under 286. "Yeah, it was very emotional," she said. "Really wasn't until I got to No. 9 for some reason. Kind of all hit me." --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

PIAA Class 4A football: Southern Lehigh rolls over Juniata to reach state semifinal for first timeSky Labs Inc., BrainU Co., Ltd., and ANDOPEN Co., Ltd. as Innovation Award Winners , /PRNewswire/ -- Following its successful participation last year, Seongnam City will participate in CES 2025, the world's largest consumer electronics and information technology exhibition. The event will take place from , in , . Seongnam City will operate the "Seongnam Pavilion," which will support 25 local startups from the Seongnam region and highlight their innovative technologies and products. CES 2025 will attract approximately 4,400 companies and over 130,000 attendees worldwide. At CES 2024, Seongnam City garnered significant attention from domestic and international investors and buyers by showcasing startups with outstanding technological capabilities. This effort established valuable global networks and expanded market opportunities, achieving a total contract value of . These tangible outcomes highlighted the high level of satisfaction among participating companies. This year, Seongnam City, a leading innovative hub in , aims to actively support local startups in expanding into overseas markets and building global networks through its participation in CES 2025. The Seongnam Pavilion will feature cutting-edge technologies and products across advanced industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, smart cities, and mobility. Through these efforts, Seongnam City seeks to further solidify its position as a "Global Innovation City." Notably, three companies from Seongnam were honored with CES Innovation Awards, demonstrating their technological excellence and global competitiveness on the world stage: Seongnam City stated, "By participating in CES 2025, we aim to showcase Seongnam's innovative technologies to the global stage and provide a launchpad for our startups to expand into international markets." Meanwhile, the Seongnam Pavilion will feature 25 companies, including BRYTN Co., Ltd., NTL HEALTHCARE Co., Ltd., EMTAKE Inc., AWESOME LAB Co., Ltd., JNL Co. Ltd., Linkface Co., Ltd., Emma Healthcare Co.,Ltd., NC& Co.,Ltd, Becon Co.,Ltd, LITBIG, Inc., GeodeSound., Inc, MEDIAIPLUS, INC, BoS Semiconductors, Sky Labs Inc., STRATIO, INC., BrainU Co., Ltd., analogue plus Co.,Ltd., EX Healthcare Inc., Mangoslab, Littleone, Bluefeel Co., Ltd., Aram Huvis Co., Ltd., Real Design Tech Co.,Ltd., Crescom Co., Ltd., ANDOPEN Co., Ltd. These companies are set to unveil their groundbreaking technologies at the exhibition. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Seongnam City

EVANSVILLE 66, CAMPBELL 53

Pope Francis’ Culture Wars Divide Catholic Church (C1)

Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov and Chicago Blackhawks starlet Connor Bedard shared the ice at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, facing each other for the first time since May 6, 2021. Michkov and Bedard, representing Russia and Canada, respectively, went toe-to-toe in the gold medal game in the 2021 U18 World Junior Championships . Michkov had one goal and two assists in the 5-3 loss, while Bedard had one goal and one assist and became the youngest medallist in U18 history. And although Michkov led that tournament in scoring with 16 points, he came away only with a consolation prize. Michkov still remembers that day and hopes the future Flyers and Blackhawks meetings write more chapters in the story of him and Bedard. “It was really good to see him on the ice,” Michkov said via interpreter Slava Kuznetsov. “It was a long time we don’t play against each other. I hope it’s only the beginning.” Michkov scored the game-winning goal for the Flyers against Bedard’s Blackhawks on Saturday, cashing in on a 4-on-3 power play in overtime to win the game, 3-2, slamming home an excellent pass from Travis Konecny . Matvei Michkov prepared for Connor Bedard rematch Bedard did not score a point for the Blackhawks against the Flyers on Saturday afternoon. He played only 18:05, won 28.6% of his faceoffs, and failed to register a shot on goal. Michkov knows he did not see his Canadian counterpart at his best and expects a hotly contested rematch in the future. Respect. #CHIvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/YluFlLiQts — Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 23, 2024 “I think he will try to get it back,” the Flyers rookie said of Bedard. “I have to be ready for it.” For their next meeting against each other, Michkov and Bedard will have to wait until May 23, 2025, when Philadelphia visits Chicago towards the end of the 2024-25 season. With his goal, Michkov is now up to seven goals, nine assists, and 16 points on the season. His four power play goals are second to only Konecny on the Flyers, and his two game-winning goals — both in overtime — lead the Flyers. “When you get a moment, you have to be cold-blooded and finish it,” Michkov said of his game-winner against the Blackhawks. This article first appeared on Philly Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.db 777 。

Federal DEI spending explodes under Biden-Harris administration

US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems? DALLAS (AP) — Delta and United Airlines have become the most profitable U.S. airlines by targeting premium customers while also winning a significant share of budget travelers. That is squeezing smaller low-fare carriers like Spirit Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday. Some travel industry experts think Spirit’s troubles indicate less-wealthy passengers will have fewer choices and higher prices. Other discount airlines are on better financial footing but also are lagging far behind the full-service airlines when it comes to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most industry experts think Frontier and other so-called ultra-low-cost carriers will fill the vacuum if Spirit shrinks, and that there's still plenty of competition to prevent prices from spiking. Bitcoin ticks closer to $100,000 in extended surge following US elections NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, setting another new high above $99,000. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Supreme Court steps into fight over FCC's $8 billion subsidies for internet and phone services WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has stepped into a major legal fight over the $8 billion a year the federal government spends to subsidize phone and internet services in schools, libraries and rural areas, in a new test of federal regulatory power. The justices on Friday agreed to review an appellate ruling that struck down as unconstitutional the Universal Service Fund. The Federal Communications Commission collects money from telecommunications providers, who then pass the cost on to their customers. The Biden administration appealed the lower court ruling, but the case probably won’t be argued until late March. At that point, the Trump administration will be in place and it is not clear whether it will take a different view of the issue. Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it heads for a winning week Stocks gained ground on Wall Street, keeping the market on track for its fifth gain in a row. The S&P 500 was up 0.2% in afternoon trading Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 333 points and the Nasdaq composite was essentially flat. Retailers had some of the biggest gains. Gap soared after reporting quarterly results that easily beat analysts' estimates. EchoStar fell after DirecTV called of its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Crude oil prices gained ground. Australia rejects Elon Musk's claim that it plans to control access to the internet MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian Cabinet minister has rejected X Corp. owner Elon Musk’s allegation that the government intends to control all Australians' access to the internet through legislation that would ban young children from social media. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Friday that Musk’s criticism was “unsurprising” after the government introduced legislation to Parliament that would fine platforms including X up to $133 million for allowing children under 16 to hold social media accounts. The spat continues months of open hostility between the Australian government and the tech billionaire over regulators’ efforts to reduce public harm from social media. Parliament could pass the legislation as soon as next week. Oil company Phillips 66 faces federal charges related to alleged Clean Water Act violations LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oil company Phillips 66 has been federally indicted in connection with alleged violations of the Clean Water Act in California. The Texas-based company is accused of discharging hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater containing excessive amounts of oil and grease. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment on Thursday. Phillips is charged with two counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act and four counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. An arraignment date has not been set. A spokesperson for the company said it was cooperating with prosecutors. US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment U.S. regulators want a federal judge to break up Google to prevent the company from continuing to squash competition through its dominant search engine after a court found it had maintained an abusive monopoly over the past decade. The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Justice Department calls for Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions designed to prevent Android from favoring its search engine. Regulators also want to ban Google from forging multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. New York judge rejects state efforts to shutter bitcoin mine over climate concerns NEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge has rejected an effort by state regulators to shutter a bitcoin mine over concerns about its greenhouse gas emissions. The decision will allow the Greenidge power plant to continue operating in the Finger Lakes region of the state. The state had previously found the gas-powered crypto mine ran afoul of a climate law intended to limit greenhouse gas emissions. But on Thursday, a state Supreme Court judge found Greenidge was entitled to a process to defend its continued operation. Environmental groups have protested the facility, which they allege is pumping emissions into the air while contaminating the nearby Seneca Lake. What you need to know about the proposed measures designed to curb Google's search monopoly U.S. regulators are proposing aggressive measures to restore competition to the online search market after a federal judge ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly. The sweeping set of recommendations filed late Wednesday could radically alter Google’s business. Regulators want Google to sell off its industry-leading Chrome web browser. They outlined a range of behavioral measures such as prohibiting Google from using search results to favor its own services such as YouTube, and forcing it to license search index data to its rivals. They're not going as far as to demand Google spin off Android, but are leaving that door open if the remedies don't work. Apple and Google face UK investigation into mobile browser dominance LONDON (AP) — A British watchdog says Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers. The watchdog's report Friday recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year. The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker’s tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. The CMA’s report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers “the clearest or easiest option.” Apple said it disagreed with the findings.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With Penn State's strong push for a spot in the College Football Playoff still a couple of wins from completion, the biggest roadblock to a bid for the Nittany Lions in this favorable final third of their schedule has appeared with a trip to Minnesota. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With Penn State's strong push for a spot in the College Football Playoff still a couple of wins from completion, the biggest roadblock to a bid for the Nittany Lions in this favorable final third of their schedule has appeared with a trip to Minnesota. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With Penn State’s strong push for a spot in the College Football Playoff still a couple of wins from completion, the biggest roadblock to a bid for the Nittany Lions in this favorable final third of their schedule has appeared with a trip to Minnesota. That’s why this week, naturally, is too early for them to talk about making the inaugural 12-team tournament — as enticing as their prospects might be. “I think the quality of teams that we go in and play each week speaks for itself,” quarterback Drew Allar said. “But as far as rankings, it doesn’t really matter until it matters.” Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) is fourth in both the AP poll and the CFP rankings this week, needing help for a long-shot hope of reaching the Big Ten title game because of a loss to now-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 2. In this new era of playoff expansion, the Nittany Lions are on firm footing for an at-large bid. Lose to the unranked Gophers (6-4, 4-3), however, and that ground could become shaky given the current collection of standout two-loss teams in the SEC. In case the Nittany Lions needed proof of the danger of letting focus diverge, coach James Franklin and his staff can call up the tape from Nov. 9, 2019. That’s when an undefeated Penn State team came to Minnesota and lost 31-26. The Nittany Lions lost again at Ohio State two weeks later and finished 11-2, one of several not-quite performances for this storied program that last went unbeaten in 1994 and hasn’t been recognized as national champions since 1986. The Gophers were undefeated themselves after that game before losses to rivals Iowa and Wisconsin ended their Rose Bowl quest. This team isn’t on that level of talent and success from five years ago, but the chemistry has been off the charts. Coach P.J. Fleck drew attention to some of the individual standout performances that fueled the signature victory in 2019 in meetings with players this week. “We need our best playmakers to play their best. Penn State’s going to need their playmakers to be their best. That’s what happens in November,” Fleck said. Warren’s momentum Tyler Warren has already shattered nearly every record for Penn State tight ends. The do-it-all senior become such a force his teammates insist he’s worthy of the Heisman Trophy, tracking toward the top of the NFL draft board for his position next spring. “He’s the best tight end in America, but he’s also the most complete tight end in America,” Allar said. Warren is coming off a 190-yard performance at Purdue that included 63 yards on three rushes and 127 yards on eight receptions. “He has the ability to take a play that should be 2 or 3 yards and turn it into 30 or 40,” Gophers defensive end Danny Striggow said. Carter vs. Ersery Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter has 17 1/2 tackles for loss, the second-most in the FBS, and eight sacks to match the third-most in the Big Ten. He has a challenging matchup this week with Minnesota left tackle Aireontae Ersery across from him in a battle of projected first-round NFL draft picks. Gophers coaches told Striggow and his fellow defensive linemen a couple of seasons ago to relish the opportunity to face Ersery in practice. “That’s one of the best looks in the country that you’re going to get,” Striggow said. Carter has successfully made the transition from linebacker this season. “He is impacting the game in a number of ways, which creates opportunities for other guys on our defensive line and within our defense and causes a lot of headaches,” Franklin said. “He is becoming more and more of a leader every single day.” Security measures Allar and the Nittany Lions have paid particular attention to protecting the ball this week, given the Gophers have 16 interceptions, one short of the national lead. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar feels he’ll need to be especially accurate this weekend considering Minnesota has 16 interceptions on the season. “We’re just going to have to be disciplined and stick to our game plan,” Allar said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Senior day The Gophers have a strong group of departing players who will take the field at Huntington Bank Stadium for the final time, including Ersery, quarterback Max Brosmer, wide receiver Daniel Jackson, right guard Quinn Carroll, cornerback Justin Walley, kicker Dragan Kesich and Striggow. “It’s been good to reflect, but it’s not over yet,” Striggow said. “Those short windows of reflection, I cut ’em out and then say, ‘We’ve got some more memories to make.’” ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football. Advertisement AdvertisementReport: 2025 QB1 Bryce Underwood Commits to Michigan from LSU amid NIL Contract RumorGermany has said it will tighten its law to make it easier to prosecute those helping to smuggle migrants to the UK, as part of a new plan agreed between the two countries. Currently facilitating people-smuggling is not technically illegal in Germany if it is to a third country outside the EU - which, following Brexit, includes the UK. Under the new agreement the Home Office says Germany has pledged to make the activity a clear criminal offence. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the "ground-breaking" new agreement would help tackle the criminal gangs organising small boat crossings across the Channel. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp has previously criticised the UK government's approach, labelling their plans to reduce small boat crossings "weak and vacuous". The agreement between the UK and Germany comes as the Home Office's own Border Security Command warns that Channel crossings "are the most dangerous they have ever been". Charlie Eastaugh, director of international operations at the command, told the BBC: "We've seen tyre inner tubes being used in place of life jackets, it's extraordinarily dangerous, they are death traps. "There are fewer boats and fewer engines in supply, we have seized over 450 boats and engines across Europe - and organised crime gangs are taking greater risks. "We're seeing increased numbers in these boats because of the disruptive work we have carried out with our law enforcement partners in Europe". Over 33,000 have crossed the English Channel by small boat this year, which is higher than the 29,000 last year, but below the record numbers in 2022. More than 70 people have died trying to make the crossing this year this year, and the average number of people per boat has risen to 53 compared with 10 back in 2019. After coming into power in July, the Labour government ditched the previous Conservative government's plan to deter crossings by sending to Rwanda those making the journey. Instead Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government would focus on tackling the criminal gangs arranging the crossings. As part of that approach, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has signed an agreement with Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, committing to co-operation on tackling people smuggling. Under the Joint Action Plan, Germany has confirmed its intention to make clear that activities in Germany that facilitate migrant-smuggling to the UK will be deemed criminal offences. The joint action plan also commits the two countries to "exchanging expertise with a special focus on removing migrant-smuggling content from social media platforms". The UK government said: "Once enacted, this anticipated law change is expected to significantly increase the number of prosecutions made in relation to migrant smuggling." Earlier this year the BBC investigated the German connection to small boat crossings in the Channel with people smugglers operating in the west German city of Essen. At the time, one UK Home Office source told the BBC there was "frustration" about Germany's legal framework, which did not technically consider the arranging of people smuggling to countries outside of the EU to be illegal. Cooper said the partnership would help the UK go after the gangs who had been "getting away with it for too long". Faeser said it would "help us end the inhumane activities of criminal migrant smuggling organisations". "Many of these crimes are planned in Germany. Together, we are now countering this unscrupulous business with even more resolve." The plan was signed ahead of a meeting of the Calais Group in London, hosted on Tuesday by the UK and Germany and attended by ministers and police from France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Sir Keir has said he wants to reduce both regular and irregular migration but has avoided setting a target for cutting numbers, arguing that an "arbitrary" cap would not work. Privately, Labour ministers acknowledged that tackling irregular migration will be key to how they are judged by voters.

diamond game 777 OTTAWA — Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 "Freedom Convoy" in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order. A judge in an Ottawa courtroom Friday said the Crown proved beyond a reasonable doubt that King was guilty on one count each of mischief, counselling others to commit mischief and counselling others to obstruct police. He was also found guilty of two counts of disobeying a court order. The Alberta resident was found not guilty on three counts of intimidation and one count of obstructing police himself. King could be facing up to 10 years in prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin on Jan. 16. The Crown is seeking "significant" incarceration time in a penitentiary while the defence wants King to be sentenced to time served and a period of probation. King's attorney Natasha Calvinho said right now she is focused on the sentencing hearing and will determine if any other action, such as an appeal, will be pursued at a later date. Calvinho said she and her client are disappointed with the ruling, but she said it was well reasoned. "I think what the more important takeaway here, and what we've been saying from the very beginning, Mr. King was acquitted of all charges related to inciting any form of violence, specifically intimidation of Ottawa residents," Calvinho said outside the courthouse. "So yes, he was convicted, a couple counts of mischief for his social media posts, as the judge found, and will continue to fight another day." The maximum sentence for mischief in this instance is 10 years. In January 2022 the convoy attracted thousands of demonstrators to Parliament Hill in protest against public-health restrictions, COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the federal government. The event gridlocked downtown streets around Parliament Hill, with area residents complaining about the fumes from diesel engines running non-stop, and unrelenting noise from constant honking of horns and music parties. The federal Liberal government ultimately invoked the Emergencies Act to try and bring an end to the protests, which had expanded to also block several border crossings into the United States. Ottawa Police brought in hundreds of officers from police forces across Canada to force the protest to an end. King's defence argued that King was peacefully protesting during the three-week demonstration and was not a leader of it. But the Crown alleged he was a protest leader who was instrumental to the disruption the protest caused the city and people who lived and worked nearby. The Crown alleged King co-ordinated the honking, ordering protesters to lay on the horn every 30 minutes for 10 minutes at a time and told people to "hold the line" when he was aware police and the city had asked the protesters to leave. The Crown's case relied mainly on King's own videos, which he posted to social media throughout the protest to document the demonstration and communicate with protesters. The court proceedings paused for about 10 minutes when King requested a short "health break" after the first verdicts on the mischief charges were read. Superior Court Justice Charles Hackland described the honking as "malicious conduct" intended to disrupt residents, workers, businesses and others from lawfully enjoying downtown Ottawa. Hackland also said that the videos show King was seen as and accepted the leadership role. He pointed to a quote from King, finding it "hilarious" that residents could not sleep for 10 days as "gleefully" aiding and abetting mischief. This evidence also played a role in determining King's guilt in disobeying a court order and counselling others to do the same. These charges relate to the original Feb. 7, 2022 injunction against using air and train horns in downtown Ottawa which was launched by residents. The city successfully filed a similar injunction days later. As for counselling others to obstruct police, Hackland found King's call to "hold the line" was telling people not to move from the protest site despite police orders. The judge said that phrase can be seen as a greeting between supporters of the convoy protest, but said there was no other logical interpretation in the context of King's videos. In the days before a multi-day police removal operation began, King called on people to link arms and sit down with their backs to police if officers tried to move them. On the intimidation charges, Hackland said that a consistent theme of King's videos were calls to remain peaceful and non-violent. He said that the target was always the federal government and COVID-19 policies, and specific individuals were not targeted by or through King's actions. As for an intimidation charge related to blocking highways, Hackland said that finding guilt in this instance would be an "overly broad" interpretation of the Criminal Code as the blockade was done as part of a political protest, which is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. His trial was heard over several weeks between May and July. King still has charges of perjury and obstruction of justice that need to be dealt with which is a separate matter stemming from an April 2022 bail review hearing. Details of the testimony that led to the charges are protected under a publication ban, which exists for all information that arises during a bail hearing. This story by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024. David Baxter, The Canadian Press

North Texas landed nine players on the opening day of the early signing period in college football Wednesday. The Mean Green hung on to highly regarded North Crowley quarterback Chris Jimerson Jr. and added Oklahoma defensive lineman Braydon Knox late. Knox is a three-star prospect who was previously committed to Tulsa, one of UNT’s rivals in the American Athletic Conference. The Mean Green also lost a few players who had been committed to continue their careers at UNT. Five players backed out in all, including highly regarded wide receiver/defensive back Jacobe Hayes, who signed with TCU. UNT coach Eric Morris was pleased with the group he and his staff landed, particularly after he hired a new defensive coordinator in the hours before national signing day. Skyler Cassity spent last season guiding the defense at Sam Houston and took over for Matt Caponi, who was fired with two games left in the regular season. “It’s a really good starting point for us,” Morris said. “We’re far from done and will continue to add pieces. Getting bigger, longer frames and body types was important, along with adding speed at wideout.” The following is a look at UNT’s class superlatives. There wasn’t a bigger question in the weeks leading up to national signing day was if UNT would hold on to Jimerson. The one quarterback prospect in the Mean Green’s class ranks among the most productive players in the state. Jimerson has threw for 2,955 yards and 44 touchdowns through the end of the regular season and has guided North Crowley to the Class 6A Division I final. The Panthers will take on traditional power Allen on Saturday. “Jimerson is as electric as any high school football player in any state,” Morris said. “A lot of people didn’t want to take a chance on him because he’s 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds. We had him in a 7-on-7 camp. To watch him spin the football was incredible.” Jimerson was committed to TCU as a wide receiver before backing out because he wanted to play quarterback on the college level. UNT has a long history with smaller quarterbacks who have excelled dating back to program legend Mason Fine. Chandler Morris, who is 6-foot, is the latest in that line and has thrown for 3,774 yards and 31 touchdowns this season. The TCU transfer is a junior and nearing the end of his college career. UNT needed another quarterback to add to the pipeline and got its man in Jimerson. There aren’t many sure bets in college football. The fact UNT will throw the ball quite a bit next season, and in every subsequent year in which Morris is the Mean Green’s coach, is one of them. UNT has had 21 players who have caught passes this season. The total was 20 heading into UNT’s regular season finale at Temple. Only two teams competing at the Football Bowl Subdivision level had more players who had caught a pass that that point. Morris said UNT wanted to add speed on the outside and believes it reached that goal by signing Tyler Brown. The former Aubrey standout won the Class 4A state championship in the 200-meter dash. Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! UNT is losing Damon Ward Jr., Nick Rempert and Blair Conwright to graduation. There will be plenty of opportunities to Brown to contribute early. Defensive tackles are tough to find for teams that compete at the lower levels of college football. UNT appears to have found a gem in Antwon Brown. Brown plays for one of the top programs in the state at Duncanville. He also has great bloodlines. His older brother, Roderick Brown, has excelled for the Mean Green for years and is a senior this year Roderick Brown is undersized for a defensive tackle at 5-foot-11 and 290 pounds and has still excelled. He has 4.5 sacks on the season while playing in the middle of a three-man front. Antwon Brown has a bigger frame at 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds. If the second of the Brown brothers is anything like the first, UNT will have an impact player on its hands. UNT looked like it had a steal on its hands when Mansfield standout Jacobe Hayes committed back in July. Hayes had offers from a host of high-profile teams, including TCU. The Mean Green sold Hayes on the idea that it would let him play both wide receiver and defensive back. The Mean Green hung on until the hours before national signing day when Hayes flipped to TCU. UNT had five players decommit late. It wasn’t a surprise considering Morris fired defensive coordinator Matt Caponi and replaced him with former Sam Houston coordinator Skyler Cassity. Players want to know who they are going to play for and have relationships with those coaches. Losing Hayes was a blow regardless. The bottom line when it comes to UNT’s class is that it’s still too early to early to make a judgement in terms of the group. The Mean Green landed some good young players. What UNT does from here is what will tell the tale when it comes to this year’s class. The Mean Green are currently sitting eighth among AAC teams in the 247Sports class rankings. UNT is set to lose a host of key players to graduation, including six starters in its front seven. Morris said UNT would be active in the transfer market and has offered a host of players who could fill key voids. The Mean Green are off to a good start. How UNT’s class looks will depend largely on what it accomplishes between now and the late signing period in February.

Betting on horse racing in Australia pushing the limits of new tech

PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) Trading Down 0% – Here’s WhyAP News in Brief at 6:04 p.m. EST

Pressure on Nike to deliver for Caitlin Clark after Paige Bueckers got a different dealSurging Flyers take aim at Panthers, who may be without top goalie

Isaac Guerendo gets his shot as lead runner in 49ers’ decimated backfieldDallas (3-7) at Washington (7-4) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox BetMGM NFL Odds: Commanders by 10 1/2 Against the spread: Cowboys 2-8; Commanders 7-4 Series record: Dallas leads 78-48-2. Last meeting: The Cowboys clinched the NFC East title last season by beating the Commanders 38-10 at Washington on Jan. 7. Last week: Cowboys lost to the Texans 34-10 on Monday; Commanders lost to the Eagles 26-18 on Thursday, Nov. 14. Cowboys offense: overall (20), rush (31), pass (T-7), scoring (T-24) Cowboys defense: overall (27), rush (31), pass (19), scoring (31) Commanders offense: overall (6), rush (6), pass (15), scoring (4) Commanders defense: overall (18), rush (30), pass (5), scoring (T-14) Turnover differential: Cowboys minus-11; Commanders plus-5 Star pass rusher Micah Parsons has six of his 43 1/2 career sacks against Washington, more than any opponent. But Jayden Daniels is the biggest threat Parsons has faced at QB with this opponent. There’s no question the Dallas pass rush suffered in the four games Parsons missed with a sprained ankle and has been substantially better in the two games since the two-time All-Pro’s return. Parsons making life difficult for Daniels might be the only way for the Cowboys to stay close. Rookie CB Mike Sainristil held his own against A.J. Brown despite being at a sizeable height disadvantage. With trade deadline pickup Marshon sidelined again with a hamstring injury, Sainristil could be counted on to do more of the same against CeeDee Lamb, who is still productive no matter who the Cowboys quarterback is. Commanders rushing offense vs. Cowboys rushing defense. Dallas allowed Houston RB Joe Mixon to pick up 109 yards and three TDs and the ground and has struggled against the run all season. Brian Robinson Jr. returned last week after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury, and Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols provide some depth for Washington. Cowboys: Perennial All-Pro RG Zack Martin and promising young LG Tyler Smith sustained ankle injuries on the same drive in the fourth quarter for the Cowboys against the Texans. Martin, who is also battling a shoulder issue, is doubtful, and Smith is questionable while also dealing with a knee injury. ... Rookie LT Tyler Guyton re-injured a shoulder trying to run with a fumble after QB Cooper Rush had the ball knocked out of his hand on a throw. He is expected to play. ... TE Jake Ferguson was ruled out after sustaining a concussion in the first quarter against the Texans. ... CB Jourdan Lewis (neck) and RB Hunter Luepke (calf) missed the Houston game but are listed as available this week. ... Dallas might get some reinforcements in WR Brandin Cooks (knee), rookie DE Marshawn Kneeland (knee), CB DaRon Bland (foot) and T Chuma Edoga (toe). Cooks last played in Week 4 and Kneeland in Week 5. They are questionable along with Edoga, who hasn't played all season. Bland also hasn't played this year after having surgery for a stress fracture late in the preseason, but it appears he will make his season debut after setting an NFL record in 2023 with five interception returns for touchdowns. ... DB Markquese Bell, a key special teams player, is set for season-ending surgery after injuring a shoulder covering a kickoff against the Texans. Commanders: Lattimore was on the field Wednesday but didn't take part in practice all week. He will miss a third consecutive game since being acquired at the deadline from New Orleans. ... K Austin Seibert appears to be trending toward returning from the right hip injury that sidelined him the past two games. The Cowboys have won five of the past six meetings. Washington's only victory in that span was in the 2022 season finale when Dallas had nothing to play for once it was clear Philadelphia would finish first in the NFC East. ... The Cowboys are 16-4 against NFC East opponents since 2021 and haven’t lost consecutive division games since 2020, when they finished 6-10. Dallas lost to Philadelphia two weeks ago and plays the New York Giants on Thanksgiving Day. ... This is Commanders coach Dan Quinn's first game against the Cowboys since spending the past three seasons as their defensive coordinator. ... Washington with a win would have its best start through 12 games since 1996 and first 3-1 division record since 2012. The Cowboys are on a five-game losing streak, their longest since a seven-game skid in 2015. Mike McCarthy has matched the longest losing streak of his coaching career. He lost five in a row in 2008, late in the third of his 12-plus seasons in Green Bay. McCarthy is on an expiring contract and the possibility of returning to the Cowboys diminishes with each loss. ... Dallas is 3-2 on the road. ... Rush has lost three consecutive starts as an injury replacement for Dak Prescott after winning his first five. He is 0-2 this season with a touchdown, an interception and three fumbles lost. Prescott had season-ending surgery on his torn hamstring last week. ... Lamb needs 81 yards receiving to become the fastest Dallas wideout to reach 6,000 yards. ... WR KaVontae Turpin had a career-long touchdown catch of 64 yards against the Texans. It’s the only TD at home for Dallas since Week 3. ... K Brandon Aubrey has 10 field goals of at least 50 yards this season. That’s one behind Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn, who has already tied Daniel Carlson’s single-season NFL record from 2022. ... Daniels has thrown for 10 TDs and three INTs, including one of each against the Eagles. He has four rushing TDs but none since Week 4. He's 18 yards away from being the first rookie QB since Kyler Murray in 2019 to run for 500. ... Robinson's seven TD runs through eight games match his first two professional seasons combined. ... Ekeler had a season-high eight catches for 89 yards at Philadelphia. ... WR Terry McLaurin had just one catch on two targets last week. ... Zach Ertz's 428 yards receiving are his most in a season since 2021. He's 35 away from moving into the top 10 among tight ends in league history. ... LB Bobby Wagner is nine tackles away from joining London Fletcher as the only players with 100-plus tackles in 13 consecutive seasons since 2000. ... LB Frankie Luvu sacked Jalen Hurts twice to tie a career high with seven. McLaurin will almost certainly be targeted more often than last week, especially after he, Daniels and the offense got a full week of practice. Washington's top receiver could be in for a big game. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Mid-inclination orbit provides more SAR-imaging opportunities at middle latitudes of the globe for ICEYE customers. HELSINKI, Finland , Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE, the global leader in SAR satellite operations for Earth Observation and persistent monitoring, announced today that it has launched two new satellites to its constellation of SAR satellites. Both satellites expand the availability of ICEYE's latest imaging technology to deliver additional 25 cm imaging capacity. The satellites were integrated via Exolaunch and launched as part of the Bandwagon-2 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA . Both satellites have established communication, and early routine operations are underway. With today's launch, ICEYE has successfully launched 40 satellites into orbit since 2018, with nine satellites launched in 2024 alone. The new SAR satellites were launched into mid-inclination orbits; compared to a polar orbit, these mid-inclination orbits provide more than twice the collection opportunities at middle latitudes of the globe. ICEYE customers have many areas of interest in these middle latitudes (+/- 45 degrees), and these customers will benefit from increased persistence over these regions. Customers with imaging interests outside these middle latitudes will continue to benefit from the frequent revisit enabled by ICEYE's dozens of satellites in polar orbits. ICEYE's unique mix of mid-inclination and polar orbits provides its customers with deep revisit capabilities for targets all around the globe. The new satellites will serve ICEYE's commercial missions as part of the world's largest SAR satellite constellation owned and operated by ICEYE. Rafal Modrzewski , CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE said: "This launch marks another significant milestone in ICEYE's ability to provide our customers with a rich diversity of collection opportunities. We bolster our industry-leading SAR constellation and expand our customers' collection opportunities in the areas most important to them." Today's launch is another step forward in ICEYE's steady drumbeat of innovative breakthroughs in Earth Observation. This year alone, ICEYE has, for example, introduced Dwell Precise, a new 25 cm imaging mode that offers its customers the highest-fidelity 25cm imaging capability, and adds advanced capability to ICEYE's line of Dwell products; launched an API that allows customers to directly task its SAR satellite constellation; and launched ICEYE Ocean Vision to provide actionable intelligence for maritime domain awareness. About ICEYE ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before. Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable high-quality data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development. ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland , Poland , Spain , the UK, Australia , Japan , UAE, Greece , and the US. We have more than 700 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation. Media contact: press@iceye.com Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iceye-expands-its-earth-observation-capabilities-with-launch-of-two-sar-satellites-for-mid-inclination-orbit-on-the-bandwagon-2-mission-with-spacex-302337876.html SOURCE ICEYENoneNEW ORLEANS (AP) — The largest artificial intelligence data center ever built by Facebook’s parent company Meta is coming to northeast Louisiana, the company said Wednesday, bringing hopes that the $10 billion facility will transform an economically neglected corner of the state. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry called it “game-changing” for his state's expanding tech sector, yet some environmental groups have raised concerns over the center's reliance on fossil fuels — and whether the plans for new natural gas power to support it could lead to higher energy bills in the future for Louisiana residents. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, is expanding its existing supercomputer project in Memphis, Tennessee, the city's chamber of commerce said Wednesday. The chamber also said that Nvidia, Dell, and Supermicro Computer will be “establishing operations in Memphis,” without offering further details. Louisiana is among a growing number of states offering tax credits and other incentives to lure big tech firms seeking sites for energy-intensive data centers. The U.S. Commerce Department found that there aren’t enough data centers in the U.S. to meet the rising AI-fueled demand, which is projected to grow by 9% each year through 2030, citing industry reports. Meta anticipates its Louisiana data center will create 500 operational jobs and 5,000 temporary construction jobs, said Kevin Janda, director of data center strategy. At 4 million square feet (370,000 square meters), it will be the company's largest AI data center to date, he added. “We want to make sure we are having a positive impact on the local level,” Janda said. Congressional leaders and local representatives from across the political spectrum heralded the Meta facility as a boon for Richland parish, a rural part of Louisiana with a population of 20,000 historically reliant on agriculture. About one in four residents are considered to live in poverty and the parish has an employment rate below 50%, according to the U.S. census data. Meta plans to invest $200 million into road and water infrastructure improvements for the parish to offset its water usage. The facility is expected to be completed in 2030. Entergy, one of the nation's largest utility providers, is fast-tracking plans to build three natural gas power plants in Louisiana capable of generating 2,262 megawatts for Meta's data center over a 15-year period — nearly one-tenth of Entergy's existing energy capacity across four states. The Louisiana Public Service Commission is weighing Entergy's proposal as some environmental groups have opposed locking the state into more fossil fuel-based energy infrastructure. Meta said it plans to help bring 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy onto the grid in the future. Louisiana residents may ultimately end up with rate increases to pay off the cost of operating these natural gas power plants when Meta's contract with Entergy expires, said Jessica Hendricks, state policy director for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, a Louisiana-based nonprofit advocating for energy consumers. “There’s no reason why residential customers in Louisiana need to pay for a power plant for energy that they’re not going to use," Hendricks said. "And we want to make sure that there’s safeguards in place.” Public service commissioner Foster Campbell, representing northeast Louisiana, said he does not believe the data center will increase rates for Louisiana residents and views it as vital for his region. “It’s going in one of the most needed places in Louisiana and maybe one of the most needed places in the United States of America,” Foster said. “I’m for it 100%.” Environmental groups have also warned of the pollution generated by Musk's AI data center in Memphis. The Southern Environmental Law Center, among others, says the supercomputer could strain the power grid, prompting attention from the Environmental Protection Agency. Eighteen gas turbines currently running at xAI’s south Memphis facility are significant sources of ground-level ozone, better known as smog, the group said. Patrick Anderson, an attorney at the law center, said xAI has operated with “a stunning lack of transparency” in developing its South Memphis facility, which is located near predominantly Black neighborhoods that have long dealt with pollution and health risks from factories and other industrial sites. “Memphians deserve to know how xAI will affect them,” he said, “and should have a seat at the table when these decisions are being made.” Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Matt O’Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed to this report. 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

Isaac Guerendo gets his shot as lead runner in 49ers’ decimated backfield

Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump’s most contentious picks

Nearly five years ago, most office workers in Canada went home to work. Office life as we knew it vanished in a pandemic instant. Remarkably, most of these workers didn’t skip a beat. Most people liked the flexibility and the work got done – comfortably from home. Now many employers want people to come back to the office. Some make it a requirement on set days, others let employees make their own schedules, but most have settled on some kind of hybrid in-person and remote work model. But many employees don’t want to go back, citing long commutes, traffic, crowded or inconvenient public transit, expensive parking and the impact on the environment. Plus, remote workers who moved far away just don’t see the point of coming in at all. However, recent studies, such as one led by Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom, report that reduces productivity by 10 to , while hybrid work . Without an in-person requirement, employers are concerned about losing out on productivity, communication, creativity and a strong company culture. So, what works and how can employers make people feel good about commuting and coming into the office again? Linda Duxbury, the Chancellor’s professor of management at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University in Ottawa, says the key is to intentionally design the in-office experience, rather than just requiring people to show up without a clear purpose or plan. “One of the reasons people like coming into the office is to socialize with their colleagues – they enjoy the informality, team activities and discussions,” says Prof. Duxbury. “If employers want happier employees, then they have to manage the in-person days better than many do.” “Right now, it’s a dog’s breakfast. It can’t be just random, with people coming in and then spending all their time on video calls with co-workers who are at home. What works is requiring whole teams to come in on certain days to do activities that can’t be done remotely, maximizing collaboration, team building, coaching, mentoring, training and development.” At Universities Canada, a non-profit organization representing Canadian universities, all 108 full-time employees are required to work in-person for two days a week. Shortly after Gabriel Miller, president and chief executive officer, joined last June, the organization moved into new headquarters in downtown Ottawa, designed after surveying employees about what they wanted in their work environment. “The office has been thoughtfully designed with people in mind,” says Mr. Miller. “When you enter, there’s an open gathering space that connects to a big kitchen, where people can stop by for coffee or to eat lunch with everybody from the most senior employees to university interns.” “The office is full of green plants, which really humanizes the space and helps people feel at home. There’s a variety of work settings so people can choose what best suits their needs and a mix of meeting rooms equipped with seamless technology so it’s easy for people to access information, but also connect to people who aren’t present. What this office says to our people is that in every possible way, we want to support you being together as a team.” To minimize commuting woes, the new office is centrally located and well served by transit and includes lockers for employees who cycle to work. “We need to provide as many sustainable options as we can,” he says. “Being located in a place that our employees can get to with minimal inconvenience, whether by car, bike, bus or on foot is key. So far we’ve only allowed people to work remotely on a temporary basis, but overwhelmingly, we’ve held the line on [a minimum of two in-person days a week]. If you start chipping away at it, one person or project at a time, people would soon begin to doubt our commitment.” When people are together in the office, he stresses it’s important to have opportunities for them to connect and collaborate in ways that wouldn’t be possible to do from home. “I really believe you need to balance remote and in-person work to maintain productivity and relationships,” he says. “If you think back on your career, a lot of what we learned was the result of encounters and relationships that we built organically with the people around us. Especially for young people, in-person interactions are critical for mentorship and career development.” Toronto-based Accenture Canada takes a “one-size-doesn’t-fit-most” approach for its 6,500 employees, according to its chief human resources officer, Suehlan Yu. A 20-year veteran of the firm, she says remote/hybrid work isn’t new to the organization, as Accenture Canada has been doing it globally for decades, collaborating with clients, teams and people working remotely. “Our focus is on levelling the playing field, so that irrespective of where people are, they’re able to participate fully and bring their best to work,” says Ms. Yu. “We really started by listening to our people, and we do that through a robust listening framework that includes surveys, fireside chats and town halls. What the majority of our people say is that flexibility – when, where and how they work – is the top enabler for the successful future of work.” Ms. Yu says there’s no policy that requires everyone to be in the office on set days. Instead, leaders and teams work together to determine the unique mix of virtual and in-person work that’s best for them, guided by client needs, individual roles and responsibilities. “In-person connection is part of everyone’s role, but we don’t believe in being on-site for the sake of being on-site,” says Ms. Yu. “We like to make that purposeful for our people.” Offices at Accenture are designed with a focus on “we spaces” – collaborative areas with technology allowing remote employees to fully participate in meetings and team activities. There’s also a focus on friendly and accommodating workspaces to suit individual and diverse needs, as well as meditation rooms, mothers’ lactation rooms and wellness rooms equipped with yoga balls and table tennis. To encourage in-person socialization, the firm hosts a quarterly event that they call “stacked events” – a full-day at the office packed with engagement activities, panel discussions and learning sessions, ending with a social event. “People get to meet leaders, network with peers and maybe find their next staffing opportunity,” says Ms. Yu. “We also have Gen AI and industry and function learning days, lunch and learns, and employee resource group events constantly happening and encouraging people to come into the office. Everything’s available virtually as well, so people can be involved wherever they are at that time.” One caveat remote workers might consider is that many jobs that can be done at home may also be easily done by AI. That might inspire some to put in more office time. “There’s a recent article in Harvard Business Review that says first,” says Prof. Duxbury. “That’s because much of the type of work that can be done at home is the kind of thing that has sequential structure, doesn’t require a lot of creativity, discussion with other people, negotiation or to be front-facing. So perfect for AI too.”

Mid-inclination orbit provides more SAR-imaging opportunities at middle latitudes of the globe for ICEYE customers. HELSINKI, Finland , Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE, the global leader in SAR satellite operations for Earth Observation and persistent monitoring, announced today that it has launched two new satellites to its constellation of SAR satellites. Both satellites expand the availability of ICEYE's latest imaging technology to deliver additional 25 cm imaging capacity. The satellites were integrated via Exolaunch and launched as part of the Bandwagon-2 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA . Both satellites have established communication, and early routine operations are underway. With today's launch, ICEYE has successfully launched 40 satellites into orbit since 2018, with nine satellites launched in 2024 alone. The new SAR satellites were launched into mid-inclination orbits; compared to a polar orbit, these mid-inclination orbits provide more than twice the collection opportunities at middle latitudes of the globe. ICEYE customers have many areas of interest in these middle latitudes (+/- 45 degrees), and these customers will benefit from increased persistence over these regions. Customers with imaging interests outside these middle latitudes will continue to benefit from the frequent revisit enabled by ICEYE's dozens of satellites in polar orbits. ICEYE's unique mix of mid-inclination and polar orbits provides its customers with deep revisit capabilities for targets all around the globe. The new satellites will serve ICEYE's commercial missions as part of the world's largest SAR satellite constellation owned and operated by ICEYE. Rafal Modrzewski , CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE said: "This launch marks another significant milestone in ICEYE's ability to provide our customers with a rich diversity of collection opportunities. We bolster our industry-leading SAR constellation and expand our customers' collection opportunities in the areas most important to them." Today's launch is another step forward in ICEYE's steady drumbeat of innovative breakthroughs in Earth Observation. This year alone, ICEYE has, for example, introduced Dwell Precise, a new 25 cm imaging mode that offers its customers the highest-fidelity 25cm imaging capability, and adds advanced capability to ICEYE's line of Dwell products; launched an API that allows customers to directly task its SAR satellite constellation; and launched ICEYE Ocean Vision to provide actionable intelligence for maritime domain awareness. About ICEYE ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before. Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable high-quality data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development. ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland , Poland , Spain , the UK, Australia , Japan , UAE, Greece , and the US. We have more than 700 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation. Media contact: press@iceye.com Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iceye-expands-its-earth-observation-capabilities-with-launch-of-two-sar-satellites-for-mid-inclination-orbit-on-the-bandwagon-2-mission-with-spacex-302337876.html SOURCE ICEYE