nice88app NEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "It's just what I've always wanted!" How often have you heard this delighted cry when a loved one opened a gift from you? Not as often as you'd hoped? This year, there's help. This season, Mike Bako's Holiday Gift Guide is here to prove one thing: it's not about planning ahead—it's about choosing right. Here's The Holiday Gift Guide That Makes You Look Like You Had It All Planned. Tech at the holidays from LG Electronics USA The holidays are here and it's the time of year when people are looking to upgrade their tech and home entertainment systems. There's no better time to upgrade your TV than during the season of holiday movies, sports, and kids' cartoon specials. Whether you're planning a "Home Alone" marathon or watching the NFL and college football playoffs, enjoying it all on a brand-new TV is a festive way to ring in the season. LG's B4 OLED TV is going to transform your living room into a theater with cutting-edge technologies like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos that put you right in the action with amazing visuals and immersive sound. If you are wondering why OLED is superior to miniLED TVs, it's because OLED displays excel at delivering a cinematic experience. They offer perfect blacks and infinite contrast, making them ideal for watching dark scenes or enjoying content in dimly lit rooms. Plus, with webOS, LG Smart TVs provide an intuitive and seamless streaming experience. So, you can easily access all your favorite apps and even explore over 300 free LG Channels, that provides instant access to sports, movies, TV shows and more! All you need is a wifi connection! With up to five years of software updates through LG's webOS Re:New program, your TV will stay current for years to come. This TV is a gamers dream! It's equipped with NVIDIA G-Sync and a 120Hz refresh rate so players will experience ultra-smooth gameplay and unmatched responsiveness come to life on a stunning display. Facebook Twitter (formerly X) Instagram Using tech to make your gift giving and shopping easier this season This holiday season, people will be spending more than they have in prior years. The numbers don't lie. The National Retail Federation predicts that 2024 holiday sales will grow between about 3 to 4% and that equates to over $980 billion in total holiday spending in November and December. That means everyone will be looking for ways to manage and save their money, discover deals, and most importantly, shop smart. This holiday season, Affirm is putting people back in the driver's seat of their finances. As a flexible, transparent payment option, Affirm allows eligible consumers to pay over time with no late or hidden fees. Whether it's a gaming console, headphones, or a laptop, Affirm can help approved consumers shop responsibly for the tech gifts on their holiday lists. Select Affirm at checkout or download the Affirm app to shop at hundreds of thousands of participating retailers. LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X For more information, visit LG.com and Affirm.com About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of LG Electronics USA and Affirm. Dante Muccigrosso Director of Media Integration & Client Reporting E: dantem@dssimon.com C: 973.524.0104 A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a2822a1-0bcb-41e6-b64d-a29c3d9b46d2 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Say that, with Christmas only a few weeks away, you’re in the mood to watch something festive. Netflix’s frothy best hardly lack in holiday spirit, but gravitas ? That’s another story. So...classic Christmas movies it is! But before you press play on It’s a Wonderful Life , consider the alternatives. You’re likely well-versed in Frank Capra’s wintertime drama, and filmdom is filled with Christmastime tales for kids from 1 to 92. Why not try something a little different? Much like Henry Travers’s guardian angel, we won’t lead you astray. Here, 27 of the best classic Christmas movies, from can’t-miss favorites to more out-of-the-box selections, to watch now. The Thin Man (1934) Should you like a film that’s only subliminally Christmas-y, look to this murder-mystery flick. Starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora, The Thin Man follows the married couple on a holiday break that takes them from San Francisco to New York. A retired, booze-soaked detective, Nick can’t help being called back into action when a murder takes place. The killer is revealed in a whodunit-style dinner party—and the costumes worn by Nora throughout the film are just to die for. How to watch: Stream Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . A Christmas Carol (1938) If you’re a little out of touch with the real meaning of Christmas, this adaptation of Charles Dickens’s 1843 novella about crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge’s slow journey to locate his Christmas spirit will be just the thing. God bless us, every one! How to watch: Stream on Max , Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . Remember the Night (1940) In Remember the Night , Barbara Stanwyck is arrested for shoplifting, and let out on bail by the New York district attorney (played by Fred MacMurray) to prevent her spending Christmas in jail. He soon takes a liking to her, but his mother does not—so Stanwyck opts to serve out her sentence. How to watch: Stream on Plex . The Shop Around the Corner (1940) Jimmy Stewart stars opposite Margaret Sullavan in the charming love story that inspired Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks’s AOL-centered rom-com You’ve Got Mail : A man and a woman are at odds with each other, yet find themselves besotted by their respective mystery pen pals. Guess who’s on the other side of that envelope? How to watch: Stream on MGM+ , Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . Holiday Inn (1942) Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Marjorie Reynolds make holiday magic in this Irving Berlin movie-musical, for which the classic song “White Christmas” was written. The story is anchored by a sharp-edged love triangle, with Crosby, Astaire, and Reynolds playing members of a musical performance group. How to watch: Stream on Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) Not a Christmas movie exactly , but we have this film to thank for the tune “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” And at the Christmas Ball, Judy Garland (in a pseudo turn-of-the-century gigot-sleeve red velvet gown) gives us all a lesson in chic holiday dressing. How to watch: Stream on Tubi , Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . Christmas in Connecticut (1945) This Christmas-y film is white with lies! Barbara Stanwyck stars yet again, now assuming the role of a columnist who chronicles her fictitious life as a housewife at a bucolic Connecticut farm. She’s found out and puts on a charade so as not to disappoint a fan: a celebrated war hero played by Dennis Morgan. Somewhere along the way the two fall in love, of course. How to watch: Stream on Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . The Bishop’s Wife (1947) Before we had Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington in The Preacher’s Wife in 1996, there was Loretta Young and Cary Grant’s The Bishop’s Wife . In it, Grant plays a Christmas angel sent to give a bishop’s strained marriage some celestial guidance. How to watch: Stream on Peacock , Tubi , Apple TV , or Prime Video . It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947) In this film, a drifting war veteran (played by Don DeFore) finds himself squatting in a well-appointed Fifth Avenue townhouse owned by an out-of-town mogul, the world’s second-richest man. His presence goes unnoticed until a charming Gale Storm, playing the daughter of the owner, shows up unannounced. It’s not a B&E if you’re in love! How to watch: Stream on Tubi , Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . Miracle on 34th Street (1947) You’ve likely seen the 1994 film of the same name (starring the delightful Mara Wilson as the little girl who believed), but don’t let that deter you from watching the original—in which that faithful child is played by none other than the great Natalie Wood. How to watch: Stream on Disney+ , Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . Holiday Affair (1949) Look to this film for another Christmastime tale of a shoplifting damsel in distress—this time, a single mother and war widow played by Janet Leigh. The sales clerk, played by Robert Mitchum, can’t bring himself to turn her in and is ultimately held responsible. Then, because it’s Christmas, the two fall in love. How to watch: Stream on Apple TV or Prime Video . The Lemon Drop Kid (1951) While most early holiday classics warm the heart, they are rarely out to get laughs. Enter the screwball comedy The Lemon Drop Kid , starring Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell and based on the short story of the same name. Around Christmas time, New York gangsters come to collect a $10,000 IOU from Hope’s character (shocker, he doesn’t have it), and comical mayhem ensues. Somewhere along the way, the Christmas classic “Silver Bells” is performed for the very first time. How to watch: Stream on Prime Video . White Christmas (1954) Another can’t-miss Christmas musical with Bing Crosby. The movie also stars Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen, and Rosemary Clooney (aunt of George!) in a colorful, feather-filled musical extravaganza you could watch for the Edith Head costumes alone. How to watch: Stream on Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . Babes in Toyland (1961) This fantastical film strings together Mother Goose’s coterie (Little Bo Peep; Mary, Quite Contrary; Tom, the Piper’s Son) in a theatrical musical based on Victor Herbert’s operetta of the same name. Before Tom and Mary can live happily ever after, seemingly everything goes awry. How to watch: Stream on Disney+ , Apple TV , or Prime Video . Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) It’s not for nothing that this stop-motion classic is the longest-running Christmas special on television. Partly inspired by the “Ugly Duckling” story, it sees Rudolph bullied by everyone at the North Pole—even Santa!—for his bright-red honker. But when Rudolph gets picked to guide the sleigh— oof , that gets us every time. How to watch: Stream on Apple TV or Prime Video . The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) It’s not a holiday movie, per se , but Jacques Demy and Michel Legrand’s color-saturated 1964 musical—starring Catherine Deneuve and the late Nino Castelnuovo as young lovers separated by the Algerian War—does conclude on Christmas Eve, in spectacularly sad (if also prettily snow-dusted) fashion. How to watch: Stream on Max , Apple TV , or YouTube . A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) A Charlie Brown Christmas may have been made nearly 60 years ago, but it’s still hard to top as one of the best animated Christmas movies of all time. If the adventures of Charlie, Lucy, Snoopy, and the gang aren’t enough of a selling point for you, the music—composed by jazz legend Vince Guaraldi—is holly-jolly enough to get you in the holiday mood. How to watch: Stream on Apple TV+ . How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) Sure, there’s a more modern reboot of this story, but there’s nothing like the original. Based on the eponymous Dr. Seuss book, this cartoon can be tricky to locate. But it’s worth the trouble—after all, who among us doesn’t cry when the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes? How to watch: Stream on Peacock or Prime Video . The Lion in Winter (1968) Imagine your typical family reunion at Christmastime, only dad is Henry II, King of England, and mom is his estranged wife, Eleanor of Acquitane, freed from prison for the holidays. Set in the late 12th century, Anthony Harvey’s The Lion in Winter is a tour-de-force of familial tensions, political drama, and—buried in there somewhere—a great deal of love; just the ticket for this time of year. Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, and a young Anthony Hopkins star. How to watch: Stream on Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . Fanny and Alexander (1982) Ingmar Bergman’s 1982 film—first conceived as a five-part television miniseries, released later—was inspired, in part, by his childhood with his sister, Margareta, and father, Erik Bergman, a strict Lutheran minister. But before the marital strife unfolds and the ghosts appear, the film lingers on a Nativity play and sprawling Christmas feast in 1907, comprising some of the most colorful and joyful moments in Bergman’s oeuvre. How to watch: Stream on Max or Apple TV . A Christmas Story (1983) Do you remember that one coveted Christmas gift from your childhood? In my zillennial world, it was all about the Nintendo DS, but for nine-year-old Ralphie Parker (played by Peter Billingsley), it was the “official Red Ryder carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.” A uniquely unhinged Gen X relic that’s absolutely worth a revisit. How to watch: Stream on Max , Apple TV or Prime Video . Falling in Love (1984) Unfairly maligned at the time of its release, Falling in Love actually has it all: Meryl Streep, Dianne Wiest, an appealing romantic turn from Robert DeNiro, and some light Brief Encounter cosplay—not to mention two meet-cute-y scenes at Rizzoli’s old Fifth Avenue store during the Christmas-shopping rush. How to watch: Stream on Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . The Dead (1987) For his final film, released a few months after his death, director John Huston movingly adapted the 1914 short story “The Dead” from James Joyce’s Dubliners. Set at an Epiphany party in early 1904—so, not on Christmas, exactly, but the atmosphere is similar—the drama unfolds over a snowy night in Dublin, where guests recite Old Irish poetry, sing songs, and moodily reflect on times gone by. ’Tis the season, after all! How to watch: Stream on Tubi , Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) All Clark Griswold wants is a picture-perfect Christmas with his family! This comedy, starring Chevy Chase alongside Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, and Johnny Galecki, is a what-else-could-go-wrong journey of holiday chaos. How to watch: Stream on Max , Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) We’re by no means disputing Home Alone ’s cult status, but this sequel is no slouch. On the way to Florida with his family, Kevin ( Macaulay Culkin ) takes an unplanned detour, mistakenly boarding the wrong plane and finding himself in New York City, armed with his dad’s credit card. That sounds sort of fun, right? Well, things soon take a turn when Kevin crosses paths with his forever foes, the Wet Bandits. How to watch: Stream on Disney+ , Apple TV , or Prime Video . The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) No roundup of holiday films is complete without a Tim Burton movie, and voila— The Nightmare Before Christmas (directed by Henry Selick) is the festive treat for Halloween lovers. Danny Elfman's score and the hauntingly stylish animation make this a must-watch. How to watch: Stream on Disney+ , Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube . The Santa Clause (1994) In a holiday twist (or tragedy, depending on how you see it), divorced dad Scott Calvin (played by Tim Allen) unintentionally finds himself filling in for Santa Claus, after the real Kris Kringle takes a tumble from his roof on Christmas Eve. Teaming up with his son Charlie (played by Eric Lloyd), Scott finishes Santa’s deliveries—but even more festive chaos ensues. How to watch: Stream on Apple TV , Prime Video , or YouTube .

AP 13:01 JST, December 30, 2024 BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag — a sister publication of POLITICO owned by the Axel Springer Group — published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. “The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country,” Musk wrote in his translated commentary. He went on to say the far-right party “can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality.” The Tesla Motors CEO also wrote that his investment in Germany gave him the right to comment on the country’s condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, Alice Weidel, has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. An ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the technology billionaire challenged in his opinion piece the party’s public image. “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” Musk’s commentary has led to a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with the paper’s own opinion editor announcing her resignation, pointedly on Musk’s social media platform, X. “I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS. Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print,” Eva Marie Kogel wrote. The newspaper was also attacked by politicians and other media for offering Musk, an outsider, a platform to express his views, in favor of the AfD. Candidate for chancellor, Friedrich Merz, of the Christian Democratic Union, said Sunday that Musk’s comments were “intrusive and presumptuous”. He was speaking to the newspapers of the German Funke Media Group. Co-leader of the Social Democratic Party, Saskia Esken said that “Anyone who tries to influence our election from outside, who supports an anti-democratic, misanthropic party like the AfD, whether the influence is organized by the state from Russia or by the concentrated financial and media power of Elon Musk and his billionaire friends on the Springer board, must expect our tough resistance,” according to the ARD national public TV network. Musk’s opinion piece in the Welt am Sonntag was accompanied by a critical article by the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Jan Philipp Burgard. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong,” Burgard wrote. Responding to a request for comment from the German Press Agency, dpa, the current editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Ulf Poschardt, and Burgard — who is due to take over on Jan. 1 — said in a joint statement that the discussion over Musk’s piece was “very insightful. Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression.” “This will continue to determine the compass of the “world” in the future. We will develop “Die Welt” even more decisively as a forum for such debates,” they wrote to dpa.Council approves new user fees, sewer and water ratesAustralians doubt Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s world-leading plan to ban children from social media will work, and fewer than half would be willing to hand over their ID to tech companies if required under the new laws. While findings from the latest Resolve Political Monitor show most Australians support the idea of banning social media for people under 16 years of age – which became a major plank of Albanese’s policy agenda in the second half of this year – they lack faith the government can execute it. Resolve suggests most Australians back a social media block on teenagers – but are not sure if it will work. Credit: iStock, Nathan Perri The findings highlight a risk for Labor and scepticism among voters as Albanese heads to the next election pursuing a broader tech crackdown, including a fresh proposal last week to force social media companies to pay for journalism through a new bargaining incentive. The government has pitched itself as acting on reports of bullying, aggression, sexualisation and other challenges faced by young people on social media, as well as declining mental health. “Parents are worried sick about this,” Albanese said earlier this year. “The safety and mental and physical health of our young people is paramount.” Most people agree: 58 per cent of people support the policy, including 67 per cent of Labor voters and 59 per cent of Coalition voters. Just 18 per cent don’t like it, and 24 per cent are unsure. But Australians have low confidence it will work. As the world watches what happens next , 68 per cent of people said they didn’t expect it would be effective. Similar overseas schemes, such as the UK’s attempt to stop children watching online porn, have been unsuccessful . Albanese has conceded new laws won’t “fix everything immediately”. “We have laws such as people can’t buy alcohol if they’re under 18, and from time to time that can be broken. But those laws set what the parameters are for our society, and they assist in ensuring the right outcomes,” he said last month. Just a quarter of voters surveyed thought the plan could be executed effectively, and only 4 per cent were “very confident”. Most others – 68 per cent – did not think it would work. Just 8 per cent were unsure. Parents were more likely to support banning children from social media, with 62 per cent in favour compared with 54 per cent of people without children. But they were less confident it could be put into practice: only 24 per cent of parents had any confidence in its efficacy, compared with 26 per cent without children. The federal government did not stipulate how the ban should be enforced as it raced through legislation by year’s end. Instead, it will leave that decision up to the big technology companies and slap them with fines of up to $50 million if they fail to keep children off their platforms. Some conservative MPs and digital rights activists have raised concerns about whether age-assurance technologies would need to be backed up by a digital ID, though Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has said people would not have to upload proof of identity directly to social media platforms. Voters surveyed in the Resolve poll were split over whether they would hand their ID to social media platforms if required, with 42 per cent saying they were likely to do so but 45 per cent expressing reluctance. Labor voters were most likely to comply, with 49 per cent saying they’d hand over identification if required, compared with 37 per cent who did not want to. Coalition voters were less keen, with 43 per cent willing to comply and 45 per cent reluctant. People who did not vote for the major parties were least likely to say they would hand over ID: 51 per cent were reluctant, compared with 36 per cent who would comply. Even though parents were more supportive of the plan, they were less likely than people without children to want to hand over identification (43 per cent versus 41 per cent). However, handing over ID is not the only method social media companies could use to comply with the legislation. Tony Allen, who leads the company that will trial technologies for the government, told this masthead there were three toolkit options for social media platforms. The first is age verification: using a digital ID, driver’s licence, passport or other records. This could be done by third parties to avoid directly handing IDs to social media companies. The second option is age estimation: tools that analyse biological or behavioural features that change with age, such as the depth of a person’s voice or their wrinkles. The third is age inference, which assumes someone’s age based on information, such as their purchase history or online activity. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter .Review: 2024 Nissan Ariya is a fitting replacement for the Leaf

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(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Monday, Dec. 16 COLLEGE SOCCER (MEN’S) 8 p.m. ESPN2 — NCAA Tournament: Vermont vs. Marshall, Championship NFL FOOTBALL 8 p.m. ABC — Chicago at Minnesota 8:30 p.m. ESPN — Atlanta at Las Vegas NHL HOCKEY 8:30 p.m. NHLN — Florida at Edmonton SOCCER (MEN’S) 3 p.m. USA — Premier League: West Ham United at AFC Bournemouth SOCCER (WOMEN’S) Noon FS2 — Final Draw For The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jimmy Carter was honored with a moment of silence before the Atlanta Falcons’ game at the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, hours after the 39th president of the United States died at the age of 100 in Plains, Georgia. Beyond being a Georgia native who led the country from the White House less than 8 miles (12 kilometers) away during his time in office from 1977-81, Carter was the first president to host the NFL's Super Bowl champions there when he welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game with 21 seconds left after Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin connected on an 86-yard touchdown, Juanyeh Thomas returned the ensuing onside kick attempt for a touchdown and the Dallas Cowboys pulled out a 34-26 victory Sunday that extended the Washington Commanders’ skid to three games. Seibert, who missed the previous two games with a right hip injury, was wide left on the point-after attempt following a low snap. Thomas then took the kick back 43 yards as the Cowboys (4-7) ended their losing streak at five in improbable fashion. Part of that was the play of backup Cooper Rush, who threw for 247 yards and two TDs in his third start in place of starter Dak Prescott. Part was also the defense forcing two turnovers, as Chauncey Golston ripped the ball out of Brian Robinson Jr.’s hands for what was called an interception of Daniels in the second quarter, and Donovan Wilson stripped John Bates midway through the fourth. KaVonte Turpin provided the fireworks with a spinning, 99-yard kickoff return TD seconds after Daniels found Zach Ertz in the end zone and scored on a 2-point conversion to cut the deficit to three with 3:02 left. In the final three minutes alone, the Commanders (7-5) scored 10 points and allowed Thomas’ TD. All that after the score was 10-9 through three quarters before madness ensued. CHIEFS 30, PANTHERS 27 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns , Spencer Shrader kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired and Kansas City beat Carolina to reach double-digit wins for the 10th straight season. Noah Gray caught two TD passes as the Chiefs (10-1) bounced back from last week’s 30-21 loss at Buffalo and won at the buzzer yet again in a season of narrow escapes. DeAndre Hopkins also had a touchdown catch for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, who scored on their first five possessions. Bryce Young finished 21 of 35 for 262 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers (3-8), who had their two-game winning streak snapped. David Moore had six receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown. Trailing 27-19, Young completed a fourth-down pass to Adam Thielen to move the chains, then went deep for the veteran receiver, who drew a pass-interference penalty on Chamarri Conner. That set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Chuba Hubbard. LIONS 24, COLTS 6 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for two scores and David Montgomery added a third touchdown run, leading Detroit to a victory over Indianapolis. Gibbs finished with 21 carries for 90 yards as the Lions (10-1) extended their league-high winning streak to nine straight. Detroit has its been 11-game record since the franchise’s inaugural season in 1934. Jared Goff continued his sensational season, too, completing 26 of 36 throws for 269 yards. The Colts (5-7) lost their second straight home game and for the fourth time in their past five games. Anthony Richardson was 11 of 28 with 172 yards while rushing 10 times for 61 yards. While Indy managed to hold the NFL’s highest-scoring offense largely in check Sunday, it was doomed by its inability to finish drives with touchdowns. BUCCANEERS 30, GIANTS 7 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Baker Mayfield catapulted into the end zone on a spectacular 10-yard scramble for one of Tampa Bay’s four rushing touchdowns, and the Buccaneers beat the Giants and new starting quarterback Tommy DeVito, snapping a four-game losing streak and extending New York’s skid to six. The Giants’ decisions this week to bench and then release quarterback Daniel Jones did nothing to help the NFL’s lowest-scoring offense. DeVito threw for 189 yards, mostly in the second half with New York well on its way to its sixth straight loss at home, where it is winless. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers dominated in every phase in a near-perfect perfect performance that featured TD runs of 1 yard by Sean Tucker, 6 yards by Bucky Irving and 1 yard by Rachaad White. After recent losses to the Ravens, 49ers and Chiefs, Tampa Bay (5-6) moved within one game of idle Atlanta in the NFC South. Tampa Bay scored on five of its on first six possessions to open a 30-0 lead, and none was more exciting than Mayfield’s TD run with 12 seconds left in the first half. On a second-and-goal from the 10, he avoided pressure and went for the end zone. He was hit by Cor’Dale Flott low and Dru Phillips high around the 2-yard line, and he was airborne when he crossed the goal line. The ball came loose when he hit the turf but he jumped up and flexed — seemingly mocking DeVito’s go-to celebration — as the Bucs took a 23-0 lead. DOLPHINS 34, PATRIOTS 15 MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns, including two scores to running back De’Von Achane, and Miami routed New England. The Dolphins (5-6) have a thin margin for error the rest of the season but have kept themselves afloat with a three-game winning streak. With their win at New England (3-9) in Week 5, the Dolphins have swept their division rivals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. Tagovailoa, who moved to 7-0 in his career against New England, entered the game with a league-high 73.4% completion rate and went 29 for 40. Backup Skylar Thompson replaced Tagovailoa with about 11 minutes left in what was already a blowout, but a bad handoff on his first play resulted in a fumble that was recovered by cornerback Christian Gonzalez and returned 63 yards for a touchdown. It cut New England’s deficit to 31-15, and Tagovailoa returned the next drive. TITANS 32, TEXANS 27 HOUSTON (AP) — Will Levis threw for 278 yards and his 70-yard touchdown pass to Chig Okonkwo put Tennessee on top in the fourth quarter and the Titans held on for a win over the Texans. Okonkwo grabbed a short pass and rumbled for the touchdown to put the Titans (3-8) up 30-27 with 91⁄2 minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield. The Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 28-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting up and slamming his helmet on the field. Titans coach Brian Callahan held both hands in the air and smiled after watching the miss that allowed his team to win on a day it had three turnovers. The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball after that and Harold Landry sacked C.J. Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to snap a two-game skid. VIKINGS 30, BEARS 27, OT CHICAGO (AP) — Sam Darnold threw for 90 of his 330 yards in overtime to set up Parker Romo’s game-ending 29-yard field goal , and Minnesota outlasted Chicago after giving up 11 points in the final 22 seconds of regulation. Darnold threw two touchdown passes, Jordan Addison caught eight passes for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown, and T.J. Hockenson had 114 yards receiving for the Vikings (9-2), who remained one game behind Detroit in the rugged NFC North. Caleb Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns for the Bears (4-7), who lost their fifth straight. Minnesota appeared to have the game in hand, leading 27-16 with 1:56 left after Romo kicked a 26-yard field goal. But the Bears weren’t finished. Deandre Carter made up for a muffed punt that led to a touchdown in the third quarter with a 55-yard kickoff return to the 40. Williams took it from there, capping an eight-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen. A 2-point conversion pass to DJ Moore made it 27-24 with 22 seconds remaining. The Bears recovered the onside kick and Williams hit Moore over the middle for a 27-yard gain to the 30 before spiking the ball. Cairo Santos made a 48-yard field goal as time expired.These people are living to serve others in Central Florida | CommentaryAmerican McNealy takes first PGA title with closing birdie

THE Department of Trade and Industry-Davao Region (DTI-Davao) recorded P150 million in new investments for Cavendish banana exports and P85 million for banana chip exports in 2024. During the Annual Media Interface on December 12, DTI-Davao del Norte Officer-in-Charge Provincial Director Zerline Balleque highlighted that these investments generated 1,000 jobs in the banana sector. Despite this progress, Balleque noted that the sector is still grappling with the effects of Fusarium wilt, commonly known as Panama disease, which has forced the closure of several banana farms. To combat the fungus, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and local government units (LGUs) are employing innovative technologies such as fertilizers and drones. “Fusarium wilt remains a natural challenge. Aside from that, there are also issues with exporting banana products, particularly in making the process more cost-efficient,” Balleque said. She added that while small farms are still struggling, large plantations adhering to good manufacturing practices (GMP) have access to advanced technologies that help limit the disease’s impact. Fusarium wilt, caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Cubense, primarily affects banana plants, leading to wilting and eventual death. The disease was first discovered in Panama in the early 20th century. From January to December 2024, DTI-Davao assisted 30 exporters, resulting in P45.9 million in export sales and P41 million in domestic sales. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority-Davao (PSA-Davao), bananas remained the top export in the Davao Region in 2023, generating total revenues of $1.19 billion. Coconut oil ranked second with an export value of $263.95 million. Bananas accounted for 48.18 percent of the region’s total exports, solidifying their role as a key economic driver. DEFLOS ANGELES — Nearly half of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ record $1.3 billion homelessness budget for fiscal 2023-24 went unspent, an analysis by the city controller found. Controller Kenneth Mejia found that only $599 million had actually been spent. An additional $195 million was encumbered, leaving at least $513 million unspent. Mejia blamed “a sluggish, inefficient approach” for the underspending, listing lack of staff and resources, programs spread over multiple city departments and council offices, obsolete technology and absence of real-time data as contributing factors. According to Mejia, the city spent or encumbered only about 30 percent of its $262 million in grants from the state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program and 58 percent of its $267 million budget for Bass’ Inside Safe encampment reduction program. The encumbered amount will probably, but not necessarily, be spent eventually. The city also spent or encumbered less than half of the $150 million it received from Measure ULA, the so-called “mansion tax” on real estate sales of $5.15 million or more, and also failed to spend $30 million from other federal, state and local grants and $16 million for substance use disorder treatment beds. The City Administrative Office questioned some of Mejia’s findings. It said $100 million of the “unspent” Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention funds included multiyear grants not intended to be spent in one budget year. The analysis of the unspent Inside Safe funds did not account for more than $42 million used to expedite purchase of the Mayfair Hotel to get people off the street and later reimbursed to Inside Safe. A spokesman for Bass issued a statement defending her record on spending. “While the Controller is saying there’s too much money being spent one day, and not enough being spent the next, Mayor Bass has been executing a prudent and comprehensive strategy that brought down homelessness overall for the first time in years and reduced street homelessness by 10 percent,” Deputy Mayor of Communications Zach Seidl said. “Even before taking office, she warned that the city’s antiquated systems would get in the way, but while others ponder reports about the decadeslong problems, she has been leading the charge to fix the issues head on.” Mejia acknowledged that overall homelessness declined by 2 percent in 2024 but said the city had lost an opportunity to do more. “Imagine how much bigger the drop would have been had the city utilized the full potential of its homelessness budget,” he said. The report indicates the city moderately overspent on several categories, including a family source center expansion, short-term housing assistance and a fast response vehicle.An Post give update on Christmas deliveries following Holyhead Port closure

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect pick for intelligence chief fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about amid the of that country's hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm . But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump's America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect's choice to lead the FBI, , who has written extensively about locking up Trump's foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees' qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump's team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump's allies have described the in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president's Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump's first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will "prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies" — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump's 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump's first inauguration during the country's bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it's important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family's five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It's one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.The Indiana vs. Notre Dame matchup in the first round of the College Football Playoff is the most expensive ticket on StubHub, but it's Tennessee vs. Ohio State that's selling the fastest. StubHub spokesperson Adam Budelli said Monday that the game being hosted in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 21 has sold 34% more tickets than the game in South Bend, Indiana, on Dec. 20. “The expanded college football playoffs are seeing early high demand, especially as we see new teams enter the competition for the first time,” Budelli said. StubHub lists tickets for sale from official event organizers, but most of its offerings are from the resale market. Here's the ticket marketplace's average CFP first-round prices as of Monday evening: 1. Indiana at Notre Dame — $733 2. Clemson at Texas — $518 3. Tennessee at Ohio State — $413 4. SMU at Penn State — $271 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

Syrian government services come to a 'complete halt' as state workers stay homeFor their last holiday season in the White House, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden decked the halls with a theme of "A Season of Peace and Light." When guests first enter the White House for holiday tours, they're greeted by a massive, rotating starlight above the East Wing. The first tree on the tour is dedicated to Gold Star Families. It's made of six oversized and stacked stars representing the branches of the military. Names of fallen service members are written on gold star ornaments on the four accompanying Christmas trees around the room, according to the White House website . Brass-colored bells suspended from archways down the East Colonnade surround guests with the "peaceful sounds of the holiday season." The White House Library is a forest of vintage ceramic Christmas trees. RELATED STORY | Capitol Christmas tree arrives in Washington after 4,000-mile journey from Alaska The ceiling of the East Room is wrapped in a canopy of reflective medallions that mimic the feeling of a peaceful snowfall. This is where guests will find the Nativity scene that has been displayed during every White House holiday season since 1967. In the Blue Room, guests will find the official White House Christmas Tree, a Fraser fir from North Carolina, on display in the center of a whimsical carousel. Every year the room's chandelier is removed to accommodate the tall Christmas trees. Military families from the USS Delaware and the USS Gabrielle Giffords, Navy vessels that First Lady Biden sponsors, made dazzling paper garlands that wrap around the State Dining Room. One of the most anticipated features every year is the Gingerbread White House. The sugary replica features a large starburst and a cheerful scene of ice skaters this year. The White House said the gingerbread masterpiece took 25 sheets of gingerbread dough, 10 sheets of sugar cookie dough, five pounds of pastillage, 45 pounds of chocolate, 50 pounds of royal icing and 10 pounds of gum paste to come to life. In total, there are 83 Christmas trees throughout the White House adorned with approximately 9,810 feet of ribbon and over 28,125 ornaments. Over 165,075 lights decorate the trees, garlands, wreaths and displays. RELATED STORY | Experts share tips on how to have a bugfree Christmas "It has been the honor of our lives to serve as your President and First Lady. Our hope is for the Nation to be blessed with the peace and light of the holiday season. We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays," the president and first lady wrote in the welcome letter for the commemorative White House Holiday Guide. It took over 300 dedicated volunteers from across the country a full week to decorate the inside and outside of the White House, who the first lady thanked during a special event to mark the holiday season. The first lady invited National Guard families to be the first to experience this year's magical decorations and had their children on stage at the special event.

The Indiana vs. Notre Dame matchup in the first round of the College Football Playoff is the most expensive ticket on StubHub, but it's Tennessee vs. Ohio State that's selling the fastest. StubHub spokesperson Adam Budelli said Monday that the game being hosted in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 21 has sold 34% more tickets than the game in South Bend, Indiana, on Dec. 20. “The expanded college football playoffs are seeing early high demand, especially as we see new teams enter the competition for the first time,” Budelli said. StubHub lists tickets for sale from official event organizers, but most of its offerings are from the resale market. Here's the ticket marketplace's average CFP first-round prices as of Monday evening: 1. Indiana at Notre Dame — $733 2. Clemson at Texas — $518 3. Tennessee at Ohio State — $413 4. SMU at Penn State — $271 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

But beyond their on-screen personas, He Jiong and Wang Han have also endeared themselves to audiences through their genuine kindness and humility. Known for their philanthropic efforts and dedication to various charitable causes, they have shown us that true happiness comes from giving back and making a positive impact on the world around us.

Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley released a second letter Wednesday lambasting two Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services programs, listing “shocking examples” of alleged wrongdoing by caregivers contracted by the DHHS to provide services to Medicaid recipients. In a news release, Foley said his office found an Omaha-based home health care agency received over $1 million in reimbursements through DHHS’s personal assistance services and personal care services programs. Foley alleged many of the reimbursements requested by the agency were fraudulent, pointing out that one reimbursement was for a caregiver who was in law enforcement custody at the time services were supposedly performed. Foley said the agency’s founder had been authorized to provide child care services in a different DHHS program. However, DHHS terminated its agreement with the founder due to improper billing procedures and double billings resulting in overpayments. Foley said the caregiver owed DHHS $4,851 due to the billing irregularities but only paid $100 of that amount before the department wrote off the rest and then allowed the founder to become an approved Medicaid provider through the home health care agency. Foley dryly noted that other caregivers apparently can be in two places at once, as they billed DHHS for working unrealistic hours. One woman, who Foley said “rivaled certain canonized saints in her ability to bilocate,” billed the DHHS for continuous 24-hour shifts while also working full-time with a financial technology company. Foley said the audit found the woman billed the department for working 55 days while she simultaneously worked at her other job. Another woman, who Foley said was “an apparently similarly gifted practitioner of bilocation,” billed up to 95 hours of work per week with DHHS, even though the audit found the caregiver was also working a different full-time job outside of the state government system. Foley said the woman told DHHS she provided services and worked more than 24 hours per day — “ostensibly defying the laws of time.” Foley added that the audit found 29 days when the woman claimed to be providing DHHS services while working at her other job. Another woman, who was previously suspected of fraud by the auditor’s office, was allegedly found to have been billing DHHS for hours worked as a caregiver even though in those same hours, the woman was allegedly working as a bus driver and even appeared in court on drug and gun charges. After being charged, Foley said the woman continued to work as a student bus driver and bill DHHS for care-giving services. Foley said the department authorized another caregiver to work 88 hours per week while the caregiver simultaneously held a full-time job in county government. Foley’s report on Wednesday follows a similar report his office issued in February . In his annual audit of DHHS released around that time, Foley said that the state’s largest agency likely mishandled tens of millions of dollars allocated to the department from the state and federal governments during the 2023 fiscal year from July 2022 through June 2023. Despite his office’s findings, Foley said in the new release that his confidence in DHHS CEO Steve Corsi, who has led the agency since March, “remains as high as ever.” “Steve is a very serious-minded and highly competent director who takes these matters seriously, and I am happy to collaborate with him toward solutions that respect the taxpayers of our state,” Foley said in a statement. In a statement included in Foley’s news release, Corsi pointed to improvements made DHHS since Foley issued his February report. Those include updates to IT systems and “extensive provider engagement and education.” “Since these changes were made, non-compliant visits have reduced from 23% to 9%. We also added two full-time internal auditors, bringing the internal audit team up to six auditors,” Corsi said. “The department is dedicated to combating fraud and waste in any form and will continue to aggressively pursue and explore additional means to do so.” Corsi also praised Foley and said the department will continue to work with the auditor’s office. “I appreciate Auditor Foley’s efforts to safeguard taxpayer dollars and his recommendations,” Corsi said. “As the department continues to strengthen internal controls and stewardship of taxpayer funds, we look forward to ongoing collaboration with the state auditor’s office.” We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Season 5 Part 2 episode 12 of “ Yellowstone ” aired Sunday, Dec. 1, and shocked fans with another death just a few episodes out from the rumored series finale. Warning: This article contains spoilers. We’ve recapped the key moments each character faced in episode 12 below. Continue reading to catch up before episode 13 airs on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount Network . Warning: Spoilers begin now. These are the major plot points for the following characters from episode 12. The episode began with a sweet phone call between Teeter and Colby in which the ranch hand let his emotions get the best of him. He told Teeter he loved her. But their love was short-lived. Later in the episode, Colby found Carter cornered in a stall by an agitated stallion and tried to help. By the time Carter got out and grabbed a rifle to put the animal down, the horse had already stomped and kicked Colby to his untimely death. After episode 11 ended with Jamie’s lover Sarah Atwood being killed while the pair were on the phone, we saw him calling 911 to report the incident. This week, we learned more about her murder. Detective Dillard told Jamie that Atwood had been targeted. But he refused to let the detective see Sarah’s possessions and garnered suspicion in the process. Dillard left with the promise to treat him like a suspect now, and a panicked Jamie was seen shredding papers. Once Detective Dillard looped him in, someone from Kayce’s army past notified him about Grant, who led the team that killed John at the beginning of the season. Before he left to track Grant down, Kayce called up Mo for backup and told his wife Monica that he was doing what was best for the family. When we got eyes on Grant, we didn’t see a twisted killer arranging deaths but rather a supportive father at his daughter Allie’s soccer game. As the father and daughter got in the car to leave the field, Kayce hopped in the back seat, pointing the gun at Allie. He told her to be scared and asked if she knows what her dad does for a living. Then, Kayce turned his attention to Grant and threatened to leave the Duttons alone, otherwise, he would be back for Grant’s family. After Grant agreed, Kayce hit him on the head with the gun. Mo picked Kayce up. Concerned that Jamie may reveal family secrets if he is in hot water, Beth reassured Kayce that she would take care of their brother and started to plan exactly how. She also had a touching moment with Carter, who was guilt-ridden over Colby’s death. She encouraged him to spend the night with them, a surrogate family, rather than mourning in the barn. In preparation for what is to come with the ranch, Rip told Lloyd to start prepping the cattle for sale. Then, he asked Travis to sell the show horses. Later in the episode, Rip was seen blaming himself over Colby’s death. His wife Beth started a fire and encouraged him not to bottle those feelings up. With that, she poured him a whiskey and said when he poured it into the fire, he could let those emotions out with the fireball that would appear. There are only two episodes left of this series, and no one knows how it will end for the ranch or the main characters. The next new episode of “ Yellowstone ” airs Sunday, Dec. 8, at 8/7c on Paramount Network . In episode 13, “ Give the World Away ,” Jamie begins to spiral and seeks advice. Beth and Travis make a deal, meanwhile Kayce has an idea about the future of the ranch. Find a complete recap of “Yellowstone” in its entirety in our MLive “Yellowstone” guide .

Though Oscar may no longer be physically present, his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. His legacy as Shenzhen's first guide dog will continue to inspire future generations to embrace compassion, empathy, and the true meaning of friendship.Recent reports suggest that Jonathan David is eager to join Barcelona, one of the most prestigious and successful clubs in the history of football. The opportunity to play alongside some of the best players in the world and compete in top-tier competitions like La Liga and the UEFA Champions League is undoubtedly a dream for any aspiring footballer. The prospect of wearing the iconic Blaugrana jersey and following in the footsteps of legends like Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho is a tantalizing proposition for the young striker.

AliExpress offers a range of tools and services to help new businesses succeed, including marketing support, logistics solutions, and access to Alibaba's extensive network of suppliers. By leveraging these resources, entrepreneurs can overcome the challenges of starting and growing a cross-border e-commerce business. With the support of AliExpress, new businesses can thrive and compete effectively in the global market.Nadine Merabi viral bridal jumpsuit gets 50% cut in rare sale that's set to sell out all itemsWord count: 473 words

j nicolas medical clinic New Year is always such a overwhelming time, full of anxieties regarding what's about to come, what's about to change, what's the next thing to happen, however, it is important to hold a neutral position about what's to come, and it would be even better if one finds things to look forward to. Here are the top 10 things you can await with pleasure over the next year. Future of TikTok? Congress has overwhelmingly passed legislation for TikTok to be banned from US app stores by January 19 unless Beijing-based ByteDance sells its stake. However, after they appealed to the Supreme Court on grounds that the ban violates First Amendment rights to free speech, the court will hear the case on January 10th. Yet, with Trump's aligned conservatives in the court and Trump himself batting for the app saying, "We got to keep this sucker around for a little while", it will be interesting to see if both US and ByteDance's concerns could be satisfied. Photo Credit: Reuters NASA announced that the stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will be coming back to Earth by March 2025, after yet another delay. The astronauts had left for the ISS on June 5th 2024, aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft as a part of a test flight, with plans to return back to Earth a week later, but technical issues in the spacecraft delayed their return. Photo Credit: Reuters Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher are reuniting for an Oasis Live 2025 tour after a 15-year-long feud between them. The tour will begin on July 4th, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales, although the band has promised more dates outside the UK later in the year. This finally answers one of rock's biggest will-they-won't-they questions. In a release, they stated, "There has been no great revelatory moment that has ignited the reunion - just the gradual realisation that the time is right." Photo Credit: @Oasis on Instagram Although the release date of Grand Theft Auto VI has not been disclosed, it is expected to fall sometime in fall 2025. The game has already broken a Guinness World Record for most-viewed video game reveal with its trailer with more than 168 million views. Grand Theft Auto V, has sold over 190 million units. Photo Credit: @gta6ixofficial on Instagram The 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30) will convene in November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, and will include the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 30). but ironically, the meeting might harm the environment. A new highway, Avenida Liberdade, has been approved for the facilitation of traffic into and out of Belém, that will cut through its protected area, and disturb wildlife movement. Session of COP 28 in Dubai, where COP 30 was formalized in Brazil, in Belém Italy's capital is gearing up for a spectacular celebration as the Catholic Church's Jubilee returns in 2025. This momentous event, which occurs every 25 years, is expected to draw millions of devout pilgrims to the city. The festivities will commence on December 24, 2024, with a symbolic ceremony: the Opening of the Holy Door. One of the highlights of the Jubilee is the historic Seven Churches Pilgrimage. This revered tradition, which dates back to the 16th century, involves a 25km journey on foot through the city and surrounding countryside, visiting seven major basilicas along the way. Photo Credit: Reuters Osaka is preparing to host the World Expo in 2025, 55 years after setting a record for the best-attended Expo of the 20th century in 1970. The city is determined to surpass its previous success, and its plans are nothing short of impressive. Renowned Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto has designed a breathtaking centerpiece for the Expo: a 20-meter-high, 2-kilometer-long Grand Ring that will encircle the entire site. Visitors will be able to walk along the ring, taking in stunning views of the Expo and Osaka Bay. With its unique blend of architecture, technology, and international collaboration, Expo 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience. Photo Credit: @expo2025japan on Instagram 2025 will be an exciting year for television shows as the most anticipated shows are returning after quite some gap. Be it comedies, mysteries or dramas, the year will be a jam-packed one. Yellowjackets (survival thriller and drama) will be returning with a Season 3 of the show. The show will premiere on February 16th, 2025. The White Lotus (dark comedy, social satire) will be returning in February 2025, and will be set in Thailand. The Handmaid's Tale (dystopian fiction), based on the novel by Margaret Atwood, will also be released in 2025 with Season 6 of the show. This will be the final season for the show. The Last Of Us (post-apocalyptic drama) is a zombie drama series based on a video game of the same name, which became HBO's most watched debut season. Stranger Things (supernatural action-drama) will wrap up its final season on Netflix. The series pays homage to Stephen King and Steven Spielberg. The fourth season was the second-most-streamed Netflix show of all time. Photo Credit: @strangerthingstv on Instagram Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, the eight movie of the franchise sees the 62 year old Tom Cruise reprise his role as Ethan Hunt. It will pick up from where 2022's Dead Reckoning Part One left off. Superman, which sees David Corenswet play the 25-year-old version of DC character, is given the title "Chapter One: Gods and Monsters". Rachel Brosnahan stars as Lois Lane in the movie. 28 Years Later, starring Cillian Murphy, is a zombie apocalypse movie bringing the undead to run. This is the first in a planned trilogy. Snow White, co-written by Greta Gerwig stars Rachel Zegler in the titular role with Gal Gadot playing the Evil Queen. Michael, Lionsgate's most anticipated movie of the year, is a biographical film chronicling the life of Michael Jackson. The movie stars the pop icon's nephew, Jaafar Jackson. Photo Credit: @28yearslatermovie on Instagram How to Sleep at Night by Elizabeth Harris; the book follows a couple who have grown apart because of their political differences. The book is about romantic and sibling love, how identities evolve over time, ambition and monogamy. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler; this is the Pulitzer prize winning author's 25th novel, which revolves around a marriage story, not something one would quite expect. Tilt by Emma Pattee, is a natural disaster adventure novel that anxieties surrounding motherhood, marriage and career. The Next Day by Melinda French Gates; a memoir in which she explores themes of life's changes, becoming a parent and recent departure from a foundation she started with her ex-husband Bill Gates. Matriarch: A Memoir by Tina Knowles; Beyonce and Solange's mother tells her story through this book, about how she raises superstar daughters and the challenges that come along the way, basically how she came to be one of the most famous moms in the world. Photo Credit: @melindafrenchgates on Instagram

Vaccine expert Paul Offit is ‘shocked’ by RFK Jr.’s nomination to oversee US healthRCMP commissioner open to deploying cadets to harden the borderTOKYO (AP) — Troops surround South Korea's parliament overnight when the president declares martial law. He accuses pro-North Korean forces of plotting to overthrow one of the world’s most vibrant democracies. Lawmakers voice outrage and vote to end the declaration, and the president lifts the decree before daybreak. President Yoon Suk Yeol spread fear and confusion through South Korea overnight by issuing his sudden edict late Tuesday, the first martial law declaration since more than four decades ago when the country was controlled by a dictatorship. The declaration, the rushed vote by lawmakers to overturn it and the president's lifting of martial law soon afterward were moments of high drama for an unpopular leader who has struggled with political deadlock in an opposition-dominated parliament and scandals involving him and his wife. While there was no direct evidence presented, Yoon raised the specter of North Korea as a destabilizing force. Yoon has long maintained that a hard line against the North is the only way to stop Pyongyang from following through on its nuclear threats against Seoul. Amid the surreal scenes of troops massing around parliament, here are some things to know as this story unfolds: Immediately after Yoon's declaration the military chief called in key commanders for talks. South Korean troops set up barricades and then made their way into parliament. The leader of the main opposition, which controls parliament, ordered lawmakers to return to the building, where they eventually voted to lift the declaration of martial law. Yoon lifted the martial law decree around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting. Yoon's declaration had been accompanied by an accusation that the opposition was engaged in “anti-state activities plotting rebellion.” But he did not explain what that means, and provided no specific evidence. The vague statement is reminiscent of the heavy-handed tactics of the South Korean dictatorships that ended in the late 1980s. A series of strongmen repeatedly invoked North Korea when struggling to control domestic dissidents and political opponents. The opposition lambasted Yoon's move as un-democratic. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoon’s announcement “illegal and unconstitutional.” But the sudden declaration was also opposed by the leader of Yoon's own conservative party, Han Dong-hoon, who called the decision “wrong” and vowed to “stop it with the people.” “The people will block the president’s anti-constitutional step. The military must be on the side of the public in any case. Let’s resolutely oppose it,” Kim Dong Yeon, the opposition party governor of Gyeonggi province, which surrounds Seoul, wrote on X. Average South Koreans were in shock. Social media was flooded with messages expressing surprise and worry over Yoon’s announcement. “Martial law? I thought it was deepfake content, but is it really a martial law decree?,” one X user wrote. “I first thought about a war with North Korea when he said he would impose a martial law,” another X user wrote. There were quick claims that the emergency declaration was linked to Yoon’s political struggles. His approval rating has dropped, and he has had little success in getting his policies adopted by a parliament that has been controlled by the opposition since he took over in 2022. Conservatives have said the opposition moves are political revenge for investigations into the opposition leader, who is seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027. Just this month, Yoon denied wrongdoing in an influence-peddling scandal involving him and his wife. The claims have battered his approval ratings and fueled attacks by his rivals. The scandal centers on claims that Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee exerted inappropriate influence on the conservative ruling People Power Party to pick a certain candidate to run for a parliamentary by-election in 2022 at the request of Myung Tae-kyun, an election broker and founder of a polling agency who conducted free opinion surveys for Yoon before he became president . Yoon has said he did nothing inappropriate. South Korea became a democracy only in the late 1980s, and military intervention in civilian affairs is still a touchy subject. During the dictatorships that emerged as the country rebuilt from the destruction of the 1950-53 Korean War, leaders occasionally proclaimed martial law that allowed them to station combat soldiers, tanks and armored vehicles on streets or in public places to prevent anti-government demonstrations. Such scenes are unimaginable for many today. The dictator Park Chung-hee, who ruled South Korea for nearly 20 years before he was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979, led several thousand troops into Seoul in the early hours of May 16, 1961, in the country’s first successful coup. During his rule, he occasionally proclaimed martial law to crack down on protests and jail critics. Less than two months after Park Chung-hee’s death, Maj. Gen. Chun Doo-hwan led tanks and troops into Seoul in December 1979 in the country’s second successful coup. The next year, he orchestrated a brutal military crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Gwangju, killing at least 200 people. In the summer of 1987, massive street protests forced Chun’s government to accept direct presidential elections. His army buddy Roh Tae-woo, who had joined Chun’s 1979 coup, won the election held later in 1987 thanks largely to divided votes among liberal opposition candidates. AP writers Kim Tong-hyung and Hyung-jin Kim contributed to this story. Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.

All amounts in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 26, 2024 / RE Royalties Ltd . (TSX.V:RE)(OTCQX:RROYF) ("RE Royalties" or the "Company"), a global leader in renewable energy royalty-based financing, today announced that it has sent the notice of meeting, information circular, and proxy form (the "Meeting Materials") for the Company's upcoming Annual General Meeting to be held on December 13, 2024 at 10:00 am PST at the Company's head office in Vancouver, B.C. (the "Meeting") to shareholders of the Company. However, due to the ongoing Canada Post labour dispute, the Meeting Materials may not be delivered on time to shareholders at their address. Copies of the Meeting Materials including the form of proxy have been filed and are available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at https://www.reroyalties.com/agm If you are a registered shareholder, please contact Yanne Yu at Computershare Investor Services Inc. at 1-800-564-6253 to obtain your proxy form control number to cast your vote for the upcoming AGM. If you hold shares through an intermediary such as a brokerage firm, please contact your intermediary directly for a copy of the proxy form. The voting deadline for the Company's upcoming AGM is 10:00 am, Pacific Time, on December 11, 2024 prior to the Meeting. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Bernard Tan CEO About RE Royalties Ltd. RE Royalties Ltd. acquires revenue-based royalties over renewable energy facilities and technologies by providing non-dilutive financing solutions to privately held and publicly traded companies in the renewable energy sector. RE Royalties is the first to apply this proven business model to the renewable energy sector. The Company currently owns over 100 royalties on solar, wind, battery storage, energy efficiency and renewable natural gas projects in Canada, United States, Mexico, and Chile. The Company's business objectives are to provide shareholders with a strong growing yield, robust capital protection, high rate of growth through re-investment and a sustainable investment focus. For further information, please contact: Investor and Media Contact: RE Royalties Ltd. Talia Beckett, VP of Communications and Sustainability T: (778) 374‐2000 E: taliabeckett@reroyalties.com www.reroyalties.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), nor any other regulatory body or securities exchange platform, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any offer or sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been approved or disapproved by any regulatory authority nor has any such authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the short form base shelf prospectus or the prospectus supplement. The offer and sale of the securities has not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") with respect to the Company and within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. This information represents predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. Forward-looking information may relate to the Company's future outlook and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the Company's financial results, future financial position, expected growth of cash flows, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, projected capital expenditures, taxes, plans, objectives, industry trends and growth opportunities including financing. The reader is referred to the Company's most recent filings on SEDAR as well as other information filed with the OTC Markets for a more complete discussion of all applicable risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the Company's profile page at www.sedar.com . SOURCE: RE Royalties Ltd. View the original on accesswire.comSAN ANTONIO — Colorado secured what it said was record insurance coverage for quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter as the star duo opted to complete their college careers in the Alamo Bowl rather than sit out and prepare for the NFL draft. Colorado would not disclose the amount of insurance coverage each received, citing privacy laws. Coach Deion Sanders and athletic director Rick George both said it was the largest in college football history. "We happen to have two players that are probably going to be the first two picks of the NFL draft," Sanders said Monday. "We all know who those two are and they have received, I think, the highest number of coverage that has ever been covered in college football. It far exceeds anyone that has ever played this game of college football." While college programs maintain insurance policies for their athletes in case of injury, Colorado increased disability coverage for its entire roster in the Alamo Bowl. Sanders, the coach of the No. 20 Buffaloes, ensured his QB son and two-way star Hunter received larger policies since both are expected to be among the top 10 selections in the upcoming NFL draft. People are also reading... "It was his idea we should get disability insurance for our athletes for this game to ensure that they played and if there was some kind of injury that they would be well taken care of," George said. "So, we worked together on that. We're excited about it. We think it's great that all our players are playing in the game. That's what all bowl games should be like." Colorado (9-3, No. 23 CFP) will face the 17th-ranked BYU Cougars (10-2, No. 17 CFP) in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday. While most teams are scrambling with starters opting out of bowl games this year to enter the transfer portal or NFL draft, the Buffaloes did not lose any player on their two-deep roster. "It's more than what I got (when he played at Kansas State)," Colorado linebackers coach Andre' Hart said. "They gave us a helmet and said pop this on your leg and get out there and play. For them to get that (increased insurance coverage), I just think it's beneficial. To talk about where the game is, where it's going and how leadership is taking care of the players, I thought that's excellent." Shedeur Sanders completed 337 of 454 passes for 3,926 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. Many scouting services have Sanders rated as the top quarterback in this year's draft. Hunter received the Heisman Trophy as a two-way standout at cornerback and wide receiver. He had 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns and as a cornerback had four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and limited the opposition to 22 receptions on 688 defensive snaps. "They've taken care of us, everybody," Colorado running back Micah Welch said. "It really means a lot to have every teammate up here. That's a big thing. What I like about Coach Prime, they're taking care of us." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

TOKYO (AP) — Troops surround South Korea's parliament overnight when the president declares martial law. He accuses pro-North Korean forces of plotting to overthrow one of the world’s most vibrant democracies. Lawmakers voice outrage and vote to end the declaration, and the president lifts the decree before daybreak. President Yoon Suk Yeol spread fear and confusion through South Korea overnight by issuing his sudden edict late Tuesday, the first martial law declaration since more than four decades ago when the country was controlled by a dictatorship. The declaration, the rushed vote by lawmakers to overturn it and the president's lifting of martial law soon afterward were moments of high drama for an unpopular leader who has struggled with political deadlock in an opposition-dominated parliament and scandals involving him and his wife. While there was no direct evidence presented, Yoon raised the specter of North Korea as a destabilizing force. Yoon has long maintained that a hard line against the North is the only way to stop Pyongyang from following through on its nuclear threats against Seoul. Amid the surreal scenes of troops massing around parliament, here are some things to know as this story unfolds: Details on an “anti-state” plot are vague Immediately after Yoon's declaration the military chief called in key commanders for talks. South Korean troops set up barricades and then made their way into parliament. The leader of the main opposition, which controls parliament, ordered lawmakers to return to the building, where they eventually voted to lift the declaration of martial law. Yoon lifted the martial law decree around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting. Yoon's declaration had been accompanied by an accusation that the opposition was engaged in “anti-state activities plotting rebellion.” But he did not explain what that means, and provided no specific evidence. The vague statement is reminiscent of the heavy-handed tactics of the South Korean dictatorships that ended in the late 1980s. A series of strongmen repeatedly invoked North Korea when struggling to control domestic dissidents and political opponents. Lawmakers from both sides voice opposition The opposition lambasted Yoon's move as un-democratic. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoon’s announcement “illegal and unconstitutional.” But the sudden declaration was also opposed by the leader of Yoon's own conservative party, Han Dong-hoon, who called the decision “wrong” and vowed to “stop it with the people.” “The people will block the president’s anti-constitutional step. The military must be on the side of the public in any case. Let’s resolutely oppose it,” Kim Dong Yeon, the opposition party governor of Gyeonggi province, which surrounds Seoul, wrote on X. Average South Koreans were in shock. Social media was flooded with messages expressing surprise and worry over Yoon’s announcement. “Martial law? I thought it was deepfake content, but is it really a martial law decree?,” one X user wrote. “I first thought about a war with North Korea when he said he would impose a martial law,” another X user wrote. Yoon is struggling politically There were quick claims that the emergency declaration was linked to Yoon’s political struggles. His approval rating has dropped, and he has had little success in getting his policies adopted by a parliament that has been controlled by the opposition since he took over in 2022. Conservatives have said the opposition moves are political revenge for investigations into the opposition leader, who is seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027. Just this month, Yoon denied wrongdoing in an influence-peddling scandal involving him and his wife. The claims have battered his approval ratings and fueled attacks by his rivals. The scandal centers on claims that Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee exerted inappropriate influence on the conservative ruling People Power Party to pick a certain candidate to run for a parliamentary by-election in 2022 at the request of Myung Tae-kyun, an election broker and founder of a polling agency who conducted free opinion surveys for Yoon before he became president . Yoon has said he did nothing inappropriate. Martial law is extremely sensitive in South Korea South Korea became a democracy only in the late 1980s, and military intervention in civilian affairs is still a touchy subject. During the dictatorships that emerged as the country rebuilt from the destruction of the 1950-53 Korean War, leaders occasionally proclaimed martial law that allowed them to station combat soldiers, tanks and armored vehicles on streets or in public places to prevent anti-government demonstrations. Such scenes are unimaginable for many today. The dictator Park Chung-hee, who ruled South Korea for nearly 20 years before he was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979, led several thousand troops into Seoul in the early hours of May 16, 1961, in the country’s first successful coup. During his rule, he occasionally proclaimed martial law to crack down on protests and jail critics. Less than two months after Park Chung-hee’s death, Maj. Gen. Chun Doo-hwan led tanks and troops into Seoul in December 1979 in the country’s second successful coup. The next year, he orchestrated a brutal military crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Gwangju, killing at least 200 people. In the summer of 1987, massive street protests forced Chun’s government to accept direct presidential elections. His army buddy Roh Tae-woo, who had joined Chun’s 1979 coup, won the election held later in 1987 thanks largely to divided votes among liberal opposition candidates. ___ AP writers Kim Tong-hyung and Hyung-jin Kim contributed to this story.

Waukegan residents got an early Christmas present — the possibility of getting rid of coal leftovers in their yule stockings. In a terse message, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week companies have to eliminate coal ash pits from decommissioned properties. The High Court’s one-sentence decision allows the federal Environmental Protection Agency to enforce its law requiring coal-fired generating plants to dispose of what is considered toxic: Coal ash pits, which contain the byproducts of making electricity. Various power companies across the nation have fought the EPA rule and perhaps will continue to do so in the courts or seek relief from the incoming Trump administration. One of them was the Eastern Kentucky Power Cooperative, which asked federal courts to stay enforcement of the EPA rule while its lawsuit against the anti-pollution agency weaves through the judicial process. The Supreme Court’s one-sentence decision gives the EPA the enforcement tool while court action continues, according to Steve Sadin’s page-one News-Sun story of Dec. 18. The pre-Christmas ruling affects the two coal-ash pits located yards from Lake Michigan along Waukegan’s shoreline on the site of the sprawling former ComEd Generating Station now owned by Houston-based NRG Energy, which has been turned into a “peaker plant” used only to produce electricity when demand is high to avoid power shortages. Cleaning up the two nasty-looking pits has been in limbo since 2015 when the EPA issued its first directive governing coal ash. It left a loophole — leaving unregulated those unlined ponds and landfills that stopped receiving coal fly and bottom ash before 2015 — large enough for companies to exploit. The agency’s new rule sought to make up for the previous oversight. This is not just a Waukegan problem. The “ponds” are yards away from the main source of drinking water for much of Lake County, indeed the Chicago region. Ponds are usually associated with idyllic swimming holes — with a few panfish, amphibians and algae — but the two NRG ash “ponds” are filled with hazardous materials. There are an estimated 1,000 operating ash ponds in the U.S., with the EPA saying coal ash is one of the country’s largest types of generated industrial waste. Waukegan certainly has had enough of its share of industrial waste and remaining pollutants from its legacy industries along the lakeshore. It doesn’t need more, or the possibility down the stretch of another EPA Superfund in the city. Some may remember the December 2008 catastrophic failure of ash ponds at a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant in the eastern part of the state. In that instance, a dike ruptured releasing 1.1 billion gallons of contaminated sludge composed of fly ash slurry which flowed into nearby waterways. At the time, it was the largest industrial spill in the nation, and an environmental and economic nightmare in Tennessee. It cost the TVA some $1 billion to clean up after pollution fouled rivers in the area and destroyed dozens of homes. That is why Waukegan and state officials are leery of NRG’s plans. Especially since the Illinois Pollution Control Board found in 2019 that NRG was responsible for groundwater contamination. The plans offered by the company include removing the west coal ash pond tailings from the site and just cap the one to the east, the one closest to Lake Michigan. NRG’s proposal is to keep the coal ash static and buried beneath the cover of artificial turf. At that point, the land would become “passive open space.” Environmental groups, city and state officials have long prodded NRG for total remediation of both ponds which would entail draining them, removing all the environmentally hazardous materials from them, trucking the ash out and covering the pits. The EPA says coal ash contains deadly contaminants like mercury, cadmium and arsenic. The contaminants can pollute waterways and groundwater if proper protocols are not followed, the agency notes. Ironically, just to the north in Zion, radioactive nuclear waste was trucked and removed via trains when the retired ComEd nuclear plant, also along the Lake Michigan shoreline, closed in 1998. Seems they could do the same with the existing Canadian National spur line which leads to the power plant and was used by freight trains bringing mega-tons of coal into the generating station over the decades. Maybe by this time next holiday season, there will be a solid plan in place to deal with the environmental issue at the NRG site. That should include the total drainage and removal of all pollutants in order to protect future city residents and Lake Michigan. Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor. sellenews@gmail.com X: @sellenews

Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees?Homeowners would pay an extra $3.97 on an average monthly gas bill under an agreement with CenterPoint Energy, less than half the increase originally sought by the company. Houston-based CenterPoint announced Monday evening it struck a deal with consumer advocates and labor groups to limit rate hikes to 5.2% for residential customers and between 6-12% for commercial customers. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has the final say on CenterPoint’s rates and is expected to weigh in next year. The five member board has often approved settlements like the one inked between CenterPoint, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Gov. Tim Walz’s administration, a nonprofit consumer advocate organization, two trade unions and a consortium of suburban cities from the Twin Cities metro. “Any increase in energy cost is difficult for many people, I mean there’s no question about that,” said Annie Levenson-Falk, executive director at the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota. “But at the same time, we understand that costs go up for utilities too. We can’t exactly celebrate any rate increase but we think this settlement is a reasonable middle ground.” CenterPoint initially wanted a two-year, 10.2% increase in revenue averaged across all of its customers, saying last November that it needed the money to improve the safety and reliability of its gas system, and to comply with a state law that allows gas utilities to pursue innovative technology that cuts carbon emissions . The proposal was met with skepticism by groups like CUB, which said the rate hike would come on top of other recent increases. Wesley Lund of Hastings was one of many Minnesotans to write the PUC in opposition to higher prices. “No doubt you are aware that rate hikes of any nature have a greater impact on retirees and poorer residents in Minnesota,” Lund wrote in late September. “While CenterPoint also experiences rising costs, they do not need to be a source of increased costs for many in our state.” CenterPoint’s settlement would raise $103.5 million in revenue for the company over two years. Company spokesman Joshua Solis said the settlement still allows CenterPoint to make meaningful investments in its infrastructure and climate projects. “These proposed investments will enhance our ability to deliver energy when customers need it most to help them withstand the coldest days of winter and to keep them safe and warm,” said Brad Steber, CenterPoint’s Vice President of Minnesota Gas, in a statement. The average residential customer will actually get a refund on 2024 bills if the PUC approves the deal. That’s because customers are already paying higher rates that were set by the commission as a temporary measure . The amount of a refund is based on energy use. CenterPoint is the state’s largest gas heating provider and has more than 920,000 customers in Minnesota. In 2022, the PUC approved a $48.5 million increase in ratepayer revenue for CenterPoint. Commercial customers picked up a larger proportion of the increase for that rate hike, too.

BRUSSELS , Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an upcoming EU Reporter interview , M. Shigeo Katsu , Founding President of Nazarbayev University (NU) and a key architect of Kazakhstan's education reforms, will address the escalating scandal surrounding financial mismanagement at the country's flagship higher education institution. The crisis gained public attention following the announcement of the state audit results of Nazarbayev University. The revelations have sparked widespread concerns about transparency and oversight at one of Central Asia's most prestigious universities. Adding to the controversy are allegations of financial mismanagement involving the New Generation Foundation, the Jusan Group — entities originally established to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of NU and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS). Questions have also been raised about the state of affairs at NU's Social Development Fund. Reports suggest that funds may have been misappropriated, triggering outrage from students, educators, and civil society. In response, a student initiative group from Nazarbayev University issued an open letter demanding the release of both the state audit and NU's internal audit of the Social Development Fund. The letter also calls for greater accountability, enhanced transparency, and the protection of students' rights. This appeal reflects mounting frustration with the university's leadership and a growing demand for immediate corrective action. Shigeo Katsu's interview will shed light on these unfolding developments. As a former leader of NU, Katsu is uniquely positioned to analyze the root causes of the crisis, critique the university's response, and discuss the broader implications for Kazakhstan's education sector. The full interview can be found here: https://www.eureporter.co/kazakhstan-2/2024/12/23/the-battle-for-nazarbayev-universitys-future-shigeo-katsu-on-financial-mismanagement-and-accountability/ The Battle for Nazarbayev University's Future: Shigeo Katsu on Financial Mismanagement and Accountability In light of recent controversies surrounding the financial governance of Nazarbayev University (NU) and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS), an open letter from concerned students has surfaced, addressing the troubling mismanagement of funds and alleged conflicts of interest. The letter highlights a series of financial decisions that led to the unraveling of key institutions meant to ensure the long-term stability of NU and NIS. The students are particularly concerned about the fate of the Jusan Group and the Nazarbayev Fund (NGF), which were once positioned to secure the financial future of these two leading educational institutions. Instead, they allege that significant funds were misappropriated and whole organizations lost, leading to the collapse of what was once a promising financial structure. In response, Shigeo Katsu , the Founding President of Nazarbayev University, has also written an open letter , received by EU Reporter, addressing the ongoing crisis and providing his perspective on the unfolding situation. In his letter, Katsu outlines the rationale of engagement in the financial sector and the erosion of the initial vision for NU, highlighting the role of key financial institutions like Jusan Bank and the NGF in securing a stable future for the university and NIS. He draws attention to the series of decisions that led to the loss of the former and calls for urgent remedial actions to prevent further damage to the institutions' credibility and financial stability . In this exclusive interview with EU Reporter , Shigeo Katsu , the Founding President of Nazarbayev University, sheds light on these pressing issues. He discusses the audit findings, the role of Jusan Bank , and what must be done to restore trust and secure the future of NU and NIS. Bio: Mr. Shigeo Katsu is the Founding President of Nazarbayev University. He held the position of President from December 2010 until June 2023 . He was Chair of the Board of Trustees of an affiliated secondary school system, the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools, and of the University's hospital system. Prior to the assignments in Kazakhstan , over the course of a 30-year career at the World Bank, Mr. Shigeo Katsu held various positions including leading financial sector reform support for China , Director for Cote d'Ivoire , and Vice President for Europe and Central Asia . After his retirement from the World Bank, he served for a few years on the US board of a youth-oriented international development NGO. Between 2011 and 2015 he was an Advisory Panel member of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO). Questions: - We have exclusively published your open letter and anticipate that it will generate a significant response. What drove you to write it, particularly in light of the misuse of funds intended to ensure the long-term financial stability of Nazarbayev University (NU) and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS)? The decision to write the open letter was not made lightly. It was driven by a profound sense of responsibility to the students, faculty, and broader community of Nazarbayev University (NU) and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS). These institutions were established with a vision to create world-class educational hubs in Kazakhstan and establish a center of excellence for academic research. Ensuring their financial independence and long-term stability is a core requirement to achieve the two institutions' mission. However, recent developments revealed through state and internal audits have exposed serious breaches of trust. The misuse of funds from entities like the University's Social Development Fund, New Generation Foundation, and Jusan Group directly threatens the sustainability of NU and NIS. These funds were meant to build up and guarantee the financial security of the institutions. Instead, we now see signs of embezzlement, mismanagement, and a concerning lack of accountability. The role played by key figures like the directors and executives of NGF, of Aslan Sarinzhipov (Executive Vice President of NU, a former Minister of Education) and Kadisha Dairova (Vice President for Student Affairs and International Cooperation, Nazarbayev University) only adds to the gravity of the situation. By writing the letter, my goal was to bring transparency to the issue and to mobilize public attention and international scrutiny. NU and NIS were founded on principles of meritocracy, transparency, and academic freedom. If we allow these values to be compromised, we risk undoing more than a decade of progress. The letter serves as a call for accountability, reform, and most importantly, protection of the future of Kazakhstan's youth. - Many students and alumni of NU have expressed their concern over the lowering of admission standards and the shift away from international standards. How do you assess these changes, and do you see them as diverging from the original vision for NU? NU was conceived as a model of excellence , designed to meet international standards in research, teaching, and governance. One of its founding principles was merit-based admission , which ensured that students were selected solely based on their ability and potential. This meritocratic foundation was not only an academic principle but a reflection of NU's mission to transform Kazakhstan's education system. Students, alumni, faculty and staff have worked hard to build NU's name. Now students, alumni and parents are rightly concerned that the lowering of admission standards undermines this mission and risks eroding the university's reputation both domestically and internationally. Such changes create the perception that NU is moving away from its original vision of being a world-class institution. To restore confidence, NU must reaffirm its commitment to international standards, transparency, and academic rigor. Reverting to merit-based admissions and prioritizing excellence will send a clear message that the institution remains steadfast in its mission. In the Open Letter, I stated that in theory, a policy of opening the entry door wider, but then be resolutely strict in terms of progression and graduation based on academic integrity and merit could work. There are some cases globally. However, it can only work if there is a full commitment to integrity and merit, openness and transparency, and NU's original values are upheld. But unfortunately, what I have observed and heard about recent developments at NU does not make me optimistic. While administration is supposedly in a belt-tightening mode, new senior positions were created and filled with scant regard for a proper hiring process and qualification. Conflict of interest and restrictions on hiring family members have been discarded. These are just a few of the institutional changes that will inevitably bleed over into the academic fabric as well. Is this the example that senior management wants to present to our students? - Do you believe the current situation, where the financial foundations like the Social Development Fund and New Generation Foundation were mismanaged, reflects a broader crisis within Kazakhstan's governance and democracy? Absolutely, but to be fair, this corporate governance crisis is not just limited to Kazakhstan . The findings of the internal audit conducted by NU on the Social Development Fund (SDF) reveal a systemic absence of check and balances and accountability that extends beyond these institutions. Mismanagement and theft, such as those involving Aslan Sarinzhipov , have not only undermined NU and NIS but also shaken public trust in Kazakhstan's leadership. The financial institutions linked to NU and NIS—Nazarbayev Fund, New Generation Foundation, and Jusan Group — were designed to guarantee long-term financial stability for education in Kazakhstan , securing the futures of NU and NIS for decades. However, NGF and Jusan Group's systematic depletion and dismantling highlight the country's struggle with accountability and the need for deep structural reform. This mismanagement reflects broader governance failings—particularly a lack of oversight, transparency, and mechanisms to prevent conflicts of interest. I cannot pronounce myself on the current status of the NF, but I would not be surprised if one discovers similar shortcomings there as well. I had called for an audit for some time until my departure but was not successful. The impact extends beyond education, affecting the economic and social fabric of Kazakhstan . Addressing these issues requires not just reforms within these organizations but also a renewed commitment to governance, accountability, and emphasis on establishing the rule of law. - With the financial stability once promised by entities like the NGF now in jeopardy, how do you envision NU's future without those foundational guarantees? The original intent of the Nazarbayev Fund, New Generation Foundation, and Jusan Group was to provide NU and NIS with long-term financial stability. These entities were carefully designed to ensure that Kazakhstan's leading educational institutions could eventually operate in a manner less affected by state budget fluctuations. However, as the audits reveal, these institutions have been systematically mismanaged and looted, jeopardizing the financial future of NU and NIS. NU's survival and success now depend on a bold and transparent strategy. The first step is to rebuild trust with the public, students, and alumni by publishing the findings of both the state audit of NU and the internal audit of SDF. Then, those responsible are held accountable. Financially, NU must re-establish a diversified funding model. This includes rebuilding its endowments and enhancing additional revenue streams, such as a logical and sound tuition policy, executive education and collaboration with industry and business in the form of contract research. Transparency and governance reform will be key to attract donors and investors who believe in NU's mission and potential. - The Supreme Audit Chamber of Kazakhstan , in its state audit, reported the mismanagement of 73.5 billion tenge at Nazarbayev University , as well as allegations of half a billion tenge being used illegally. What is your opinion on this, and how should the university address governance and corruption issues? I have not had the opportunity to access the state audit report, thus it is difficult to comment. If the cited amount in mismanagement of 73.5 billion tenge over six years is true, it is scandalous. However, we do not know what the auditors' definition and criteria of mismanagement is. So, let's first find out what the report actually says. What is clear, however, is the outcome of a 2023 internal audit of NU's Social Development Fund (SDF) , and it is sobering. This SDF audit reveals a blatant disregard of corporate governance principles, where individuals entrusted with university resources prioritized personal gain over the mission of NU. The audit revealed that SDF management led by current NU Executive Vice President Aslan Sarinzhipov constructed an intricate web of subsidiary entities, including abroad, to systematically evade the oversight and control of the University. Funds ( over 14 billion tenge ) meant to assist students and faculty were used for personal gains of Aslan Sarinzhipov and questionable deals. Unfortunately, NU senior officials such as Vice President Kadisha Dairova participated in such schemes. When I voiced my concern earlier over the developments at NU, it is largely because of the track record of senior officials there. For NU to move forward, it must adopt zero-tolerance policies for corruption, demand accountability from those responsible, and reform its governance structures to ensure transparency. - Why do some claim there is a lack of funds for NU and NIS, despite the promises of financial stability from their endowment funds? The claim of a lack of funds is a direct consequence of the systematic looting of resources from the New Generation Foundation and Jusan Group. These entities were explicitly designed to contribute to NU and NIS' long-term financial sustainability against the backdrop of reduced state funding. However, as I described in my Open Letter, these innovative financial structures have been undermined by mismanagement, and outright theft. For instance: Rebuilding financial stability will require recovering stolen assets, reforming governance structures, and restoring public trust through full transparency and accountability. - Given the scale of financial mismanagement, what steps are necessary to ensure accountability for those involved, including senior officials? Accountability must begin with transparency. First, all findings from the audits should be made public, and independent investigations should be conducted to identify those responsible. No individual, regardless of rank or influence, should be above scrutiny. Second, legal consequences must follow where wrongdoing is found. Kazakhstan's legal system must demonstrate its independence and commitment to justice by prosecuting those who exploited these funds. Finally, governance reforms are essential. NU and its associated entities must implement stricter checks and balances, including external audits, whistleblower protections, and oversight committees with independent members. These steps are not just about rectifying past mistakes—they're about ensuring a future where such mismanagement cannot happen again. - The audit findings were just the beginning of uncovering deeper issues. Is there more information you can share about how these financial foundations were exploited and what this means for the future of NU and NIS? The patterns that have emerged—opaque transactions, conflicts of interest, and questionable settlements—are deeply troubling. For instance, the transfer of assets to private hands under unclear terms raises red flags about the intentions behind such decisions. This exploitation puts the futures of NU and NIS at risk. These institutions were designed to be financially independent, insulated from political and economic volatility. The weakening of their financial foundations erodes their ability to deliver on their missions and betrays the trust of the Kazakhstani people, who have invested in these institutions through their taxes. The way forward requires not just recovering lost assets but rebuilding the governance systems that allowed this exploitation to occur. - Nazarbayev University was founded with a mission to serve as a model for higher education in Kazakhstan , supported by funds like those from the Nazarbayev Fund and New Generation Foundation. What was your original vision for the university, and how did these funds play a critical role in realizing that vision? The vision for NU was bold: to create an institution that could compete with the best universities in the world while serving as a model for higher education reform in Kazakhstan . From day one, we envisioned NU as a hub for innovation, research, and leadership development—a place where the brightest minds could come together to solve the challenges of tomorrow. However, one should not forget that universities, in particular research universities, are a long-term endeavor. They are meant to educate and develop generations upon generations of leaders and professionals in a broad range of sectors, and thus contribute to the scientific, economic, and societal wealth of countries. Building a strong institution that can meet the test of time requires long-term and unwavering commitments to foundational values such as integrity, meritocracy, excellence, openness and transparency. But of course, strong financial support from government and other stakeholders is needed, especially in the first decades. Thus, it was understood that NU would be dependent on state funding (through education grants and capital investments) for the initial decades of its existence, while in the meantime it would develop other sources of financing such as through endowment funds, tuition, and contract research. The Nazarbayev Fund, NGF and the Jusan Group were integral parts of this vision. This overall construct allowed us to recruit world-class faculty, develop state-of-the-art facilities, and provide scholarships to talented students, many from underprivileged backgrounds. These resources weren't just financial—they were a vote of confidence in NU's mission and a recognition of the transformative power of education. The loss of these resources is a significant setback, but I do hope that NU can recover. The university must focus on rebuilding trust with its stakeholders—students, faculty, alumni, and the public. This starts with transparency in financial management and governance. Diversifying funding sources will be crucial. This includes rebuilding its endowments, engaging with the philanthropic community, and developing innovative revenue streams. But most importantly, NU must stay true to its mission and values. Financial stability is important, but it must never come at the cost of compromising the university's integrity or academic excellence. Restoring NU's credibility begins with transparency. For instance, the university must share the audit report with stakeholders, and openly address any major shortcomings highlighted in the audit, including financial mismanagement and governance failures. An independent investigation, followed by public disclosure of findings, will demonstrate a commitment to accountability. Next, an affirmation of NU's commitment to its foundational values and principles is needed. Next, institutional reforms are essential. This includes introducing stronger oversight mechanisms for financial and administrative processes, ensuring that governance boards are staffed with individuals of the highest integrity and independence, and that management, faculty and staff are recruited on the basis of transparency and merit. Fourth, NU must recommit itself to its founding mission of academic excellence. This means maintaining rigorous admission standards, prioritizing high-quality faculty recruitment, and fostering research that addresses national and global challenges. And finally, engaging the NU community—students, faculty, alumni, and parents—in shaping the university's path forward is critical. A transparent, inclusive process will rebuild trust and reaffirm NU's position as a leader in higher education. Educational reform is not just critical—it is foundational to Kazakhstan's economic recovery and long-term stability. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in education systems worldwide, but it also underscored the importance of adaptability, innovation, and resilience. For Kazakhstan , investing in education means investing in the future. A well-educated population is essential for diversifying the economy, attracting foreign investment, and fostering innovation. Institutions like NU and NIS must lead the way by setting benchmarks for quality and demonstrating the value of education in driving economic progress. Moreover, reform must focus on equity. Expanding access to high-quality education for students from socially vulnerable backgrounds will ensure that economic recovery benefits all segments of society, not just the privileged few. - How do you see the role of institutions like NU and NIS in not only providing quality education but also contributing to economic growth in Kazakhstan , especially when financial stability is threatened? NU and NIS are more than educational institutions—they are catalysts for economic growth and social development. By equipping students with critical thinking skills, technical expertise, and a global perspective, they prepare the workforce needed to diversify Kazakhstan's economy. Their impact extends beyond classrooms. NU's research contributes to solving national challenges in areas like energy, healthcare, and technology. Meanwhile, NIS fosters innovation and leadership at the secondary education level, creating a pipeline of talent that benefits universities and industries alike. To sustain this role, NU and NIS must secure their financial stability. This includes strengthening governance, diversifying funding sources, and forging partnerships with the private sector and international organizations. These institutions are vital to Kazakhstan's future, and their success is intertwined with the country's broader economic ambitions. - Could the model used by NU and supported by the Nazarbayev Fund be applied in other countries, or does it require a uniquely Kazakh approach to work effectively? The NU model is innovative, but its core principles—integrity, meritocracy, autonomy, and a focus on global best practices—are universally applicable. Many countries could benefit from establishing institutions that prioritize excellence and align with international standards. That said, successful implementation depends on adapting the model to local contexts. Kazakhstan's approach benefited from strong initial financial and political backing, and a vision that emphasized independence from political and state bureaucratic interference. Replicating this requires careful consideration of governance structures, funding mechanisms, autonomy and other values, and cultural factors. In countries where philanthropic traditions or financial resources are limited, the model may need to rely more on public-private partnerships or international collaborations. Ultimately, the NU experience demonstrates that ambitious goals in education are achievable with the right vision, leadership, and long-term commitment support. - What lessons do you hope others will learn from the experience of the NGF, Jusan Bank , and the financial turmoil at NU? The story of NU and its financial affiliates offers a critical lesson: no institution, no matter how noble its mission, is immune to mismanagement and corruption without strong governance. NU and NIS' financial pillars, namely the Nazarbayev Fund, NGF, Jusan Group, but also the SDF and NIS' Corporate Development Fund were designed to guarantee long-term financial sustainability, yet their exploitation demonstrates how quickly trust can be eroded when transparency and accountability are neglected. For any endowment fund or financial institution, the following lessons are clear: NU's experience is a cautionary tale but also an opportunity. By addressing these failures head-on, NU can emerge as a model for how institutions can learn from adversity and rebuild stronger than before. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nazarbayev-university-crisis-shigeo-katsu-demands-audit-transparency-302338886.html SOURCE EU Reporter( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) - NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES - Vancouver, BC, Dec. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Demesne Resources Ltd. (CSE:DEME) (OTCQB:DEMRF) (“ Demesne ” or the“ Company ”) is pleased to announce that it has completed the third tranche (the“ Third Tranche ”) of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (the“ Offering ”). Pursuant to the Third Tranche, the Company issued 1,660,000 common shares of the Company (“ Common Shares ”), at a price of $0.25 per Common Share for gross proceeds of approximately $415,000. The Company plans to complete a subsequent tranche of the Offering, for gross proceeds of up to $424,599 in January 2025. In connection with the Third Tranche, the Company paid finder's fees to eligible finders consisting of $17,150 in cash and 68,600 Common Share purchase warrants (the“ Finder's Warrants ”). Each Finder's Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Common Share of capital of the Company at an exercise price of $0.25 per Common Share for a period of 12-months. Closing of the Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the Canadian Securities Exchange (the“ CSE ”). The Company will use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund certain payments pursuant to an option agreement in connection with the IMA Mine Project, certain payments pursuant to an option agreement in connection with the Star Project, work program related expenses, marketing expenses, and for general working capital purposes. All securities issued in connection with the Third Tranche are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the“ U.S. Securities Act ”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. ABOUT DEMESNE RESOURCES LTD. Demesne Resources Ltd. is a British Columbia based company involved in the acquisition and exploration of magnetite mineral properties. The Company's Star Project consists of five contiguous mineral titles covering an area of approximately 4,615.75 hectares located in the Skeena Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada. The Company has entered into an option agreement pursuant to which it is entitled to earn an undivided 100% interest in the Star Project. Demesne has also entered into an option agreement, pursuant to which it can acquire a 100% interest (subject to a 2% royalty) in and to the IMA Mine Project, a past producing underground tungsten mine situated on 22 patented claims located in East Central, Idaho, United States. Social media links: LinkedIn: X: Facebook: Instagram: YouTube: @demesneresources ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Murray Nye ‎CEO 1055 West Georgia Street, Suite 1500 Vancouver, BC V6E 0B6 Canada For further information, please contact: Murray Nye, CEO Email: ... Phone: +1 (416) 300-7398 CSE:DEME OTCQB:DEMRF The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. This press release includes "forward-looking information" that is subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. MENAFN24122024004107003653ID1109028429 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.

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HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans certainly didn’t look like a playoff team in a rout by the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday. With just one game left until the playoffs begin, the AFC South champions know they’ll have to get much better to be competitive in the postseason. “That’s not who we are. That’s not what we represent,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “What we put out there on the field, that’s not Texans football. For anybody to come back and bounce back from it you’ve got to check yourself and make sure you’re playing with elite execution and elite energy.” The 29-point loss to the Ravens was Houston’s most lopsided defeat this season. The defense gave up a season-high 251 yards rushing and the offense was shut out, with the team’s only points coming on a second-quarter safety. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw an interception and missed several throws in a performance he called “one of the worst games of my whole career.” He was asked how he and the team can move on from such a tough loss. “That’s the only thing we can do,” he said. “There is nothing in life you can go ... back and re-do, so it’s all about how you respond. You hit rock bottom; the only way is up. So, we still have a lot of hope. At the end of the day, we clinched our division. We still have an opportunity in the playoffs.” The Texans (9-7) went 0 for 2 in the red zone Wednesday to lower their red zone efficiency to 50.94% this season, which ranks 26th in the NFL. After their safety Wednesday, they had a chance to cut the lead or potentially tie the game when they had a first down at the 10-yard line. Joe Mixon ran for 7 yards on first down before the drive stalled. He was dropped for a 1-yard loss on second down before an incompletion by Stroud brought up fourth-and-4. Stroud threw a short pass to Mixon and he was stopped at the 1-yard line to give the Ravens the ball back. Lamar Jackson then led a 99-yard drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-2. What's working Not much was working in this debacle. About the only good thing that happened for the Texans on Wednesday was a 45-yard kickoff return by Dameon Pierce in the second quarter to start the drive that ended with Mixon being stopped on fourth down. The second-year player is averaging 38.1 yards per return. What needs help The Texans managed just 58 yards rushing against the Ravens with Mixon gaining 26 yards on nine carries. Houston hasn’t reached 100 yards rushing in three straight games and four of its past five. The Texans must get their running game going to take some pressure off Stroud, who is working with a thin receiving group with Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs out for the season with knee injuries. Stock up WR John Metchie led the team with five receptions for 48 yards as he took on a bigger role in the offense in the first game without Dell. It’s the second-most yards Metchie has had in a three-year career where he missed his entire rookie season undergoing cancer treatments. Stock down Wednesday was the second time in three games where Mixon was held to fewer than 30 yards rushing. He started the season strong, running for at least 100 yards in six of his first eight games. But he’s struggled since then, reaching 100 yards just once in five games. Injuries G Shaq Mason missed Wednesday’s game after injuring his knee against the Chiefs and it’s unclear if he can return for the next game. ... C/G Juice Scruggs missed a fourth straight game with foot injury. Key number 59.2 — Stroud had a 59.2 passer rating in the loss, which is tied for the third-worst rating of his career. Next steps After playing three games in 11 days, the Texans now have an extended break before wrapping up the regular season next weekend at Tennessee. Stroud will try and use this setback to get better. “There’s not sunny days if there is not days with rain,” he said. “It’s a rainy day but at the end of the day the sun will rise up tomorrow. We have another crack at this thing next week to keep rolling.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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Kirk LaPointe: Surrey directors sound alarm over Metro Vancouver governance Regional body faces scrutiny over soaring project costs, lack of transparency Kirk LaPointe Dec 4, 2024 3:30 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message The North Shore wastewater treatment plant is slated to cost nearly $4 billion and be ready by 2030. Chung Chow, BIV Listen to this article 00:05:18 Deep concerns raised by Surrey board directors about Metro Vancouver paint a troubling portrait of an organization that lacks expertise, fails to consult, and forces the region’s officials to make multibillion-dollar decisions affecting taxpayers without adequate information. The criticism, in the form of a sharply worded letter Nov. 12 to Metro’s finance committee and obtained by Glacier Media, is the most extensive and prominent challenge yet from board directors for change at the regional federation of 21 municipalities, one electoral area and one treaty First Nation. It calls for an overhaul of the 2025 budgeting methods, arguing that inaccurate and insufficient information has been provided to directors, including an exhaustive review of decisions on development cost charges (DCCs), and a repeal of various bylaws. More broadly it calls for changes in how the body is governed. It identifies as specific pain points two Metro Vancouver projects, the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant in North Vancouver and the looming Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant in Richmond, and disparages how they are among the seven top projects reporting directly into Chief Administrative Officer Jerry Dobrovolny “with no independent third-party engineering and financial auditor to provide transparency, accountability and evaluate cost-benefit design-based principles/assumptions.” The projects lack detailed and audited information on how costs are calculated, says the letter. In the case of the North Shore plant, the budget has soared seven-fold to $3.86 billion from an original $550-million contract with little public information along the way. Already the budget for the Iona plant in Richmond has risen to $14 billion from the $9.9 billion mark two years ago, and construction remains years away. The letter was submitted moments before the committee’s most recent Nov. 13 meeting by Surrey Coun. Pardeep Kooner on behalf of five other Surrey directors, including Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke. Surrey’s six directors are second-most to Vancouver’s seven on the 41-director board. The letter’s general contents were briefly discussed but the letter itself was not part of the meeting package. It wasn’t formally dealt with at the committee meeting and has been referred to Metro Vancouver staff for a response early in 2025. But its language argues nothing short of significant shifts in its operating culture and quality of competence are necessary. “I believe there must be additional board oversight and decisions made on the costing of these Major Capital projects at a minimum,” Kooner wrote. The letter reflects the frustration many directors have expressed of a staff-dominated operation that leaves them without the necessary decision-making information – but with the accountability as elected officials to taxpayers in their districts. There have been calls for a third-party audit to examine what Kooner and others have complained is a chronic sprawl of budgets and a culture of indifference about them. While a performance audit will be conducted in-house on the North Shore plant costs, it hasn’t satisfied those who feel it is insufficiently independent. The provincial government, which created Metro Vancouver as a corporate entity, has so far declined publicly to involve itself, whether to launch a fuller-fledged inquiry into costs, provide additional funds to defray significant property tax levies for the North Shore plant, or to take back the responsibilities of the operation, which at the moment is overseeing some 300 infrastructural projects. The three-page letter goes on: “The way the current board is operating has many gaps in information, lacks sufficient details to make the decisions we need to and the full financial impacts or options are not being provided. “For instance, the board is often asked to approve or endorse a very broad strategy that has a suite of staff-led sub-action items and staff-driven priorities. There is often little or no discussion on the broad strategy let alone no consultation is provided on the sub-action items. “This results in a lack of crystal-clear strategies and policies which enables staff to make their own interpretations and significant decisions without Board consideration. I have found that staff has been using the strategic plan to pick and choose areas of focus with no clear direct board resolution which is affecting the information we are provided. I believe that the current governance model is not sufficient to ensure the Board is fully prepared and knowledgeable.” The letter outlines the need to defer the 2025 budget planning to deal with six issues, including what Kooner terms “a huge concern” about DCCs, how they are apportioned to communities, and the quality of the population and dwelling forecasts. “I have been told that there are many factors that are considered; however, these other factors have not been provided.” As it is, the budget information and methodology “is not accurate/insufficient and does not portray the true impact on the decisions that have been brought to the Board.” Kirk LaPointe is a Glacier Media columnist with an extensive background in journalism See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up Related Kirk LaPointe: Alberta's 'get things done' edge leaves B.C. behind in investment race Nov 27, 2024 12:00 PM Kirk LaPointe: West Van's latest pay parking pitch raises a lot of questions Nov 27, 2024 9:00 AM Kirk LaPointe: John Horgan made his mark mixing fiscal competence with social prescription Nov 13, 2024 11:30 AM Kirk LaPointe: Sewage plant mess presents tough test for Eby government Nov 13, 2024 7:10 AM

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says a national drive to reduce red tape and bureaucracy is to be undertaken by the Government. “To achieve rapid economic growth, we must become the most business-friendly and customer/citizen focused country in the region. We are fully committed to making Jamaica the best place to do business in the region,” Dr. Holness said. He was addressing a press briefing to announce the Government’s new policy direction for growth, dubbed ASPIRE Jamaica, at the Office of the Prime Minister on Tuesday (November 19). This new framework comprises six pillars critical for transforming Jamaica into a modern, peaceful, productive and prosperous society. ASPIRE stands for: • Access to Economic Opportunity for All (Inclusive Growth) • Safety and Security • People (Human Capital Development) • Infrastructure Development • Reform of the Bureaucracy (Ease, Speed and Cost of Doing Business), and • Economic Diversification/New Industries The Prime Minister said with the debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio significantly reduced, it is time to reassess and streamline these processes. “We will simplify approvals, reduce wait times and remove unnecessary barriers that have outlived their purpose. We will take a hard look at existing policies, permitting and approval processes, reform those that have outlived their usefulness, and remove the unnecessary layers of approval that hold us back,” Dr. Holness said. “This is not just about large investors, it is also about making Jamaica a place where micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) can thrive. Cutting red tape and improving efficiency in government also positively impacts citizens by reducing wait times and making it easier and faster for our citizens to do business with government agencies,” he added. Dr. Holness also announced the establishment of an Efficiency Programme Oversight Committee, which will focus on cutting red tape and improving efficiency in government. “We are also looking at our tax and customs policies with a view to streamlining them, making them easier to implement, as well as providing the right incentives to drive productivity and economic growth,” he said. The Prime Minister also informed that the Government intends to move forward with the consolidation of Jamaica’s various payroll taxes into a single payroll tax deduction. “We are exploring an increase in the threshold at which small businesses need to register and account for General Consumption Tax (GCT). In 2019, this Administration increased the threshold from $3 million to $10 million, and we are looking at a further increase to remove this burden from small businesses,” Dr. Holness said. “We are re-evaluating the Urban Renewal Tax Credit, with the aim of enhancing its effectiveness. This involves restructuring its framework and expanding the geographical areas eligible for this incentive. By doing so, we can attract greater investments into underserved communities, transforming them into vibrant economic hubs,” he added. Meanwhile, the Government is considering accelerated capital allowances to encourage businesses to modernise and retool their facilities, as well as for investments in technology. This, Dr. Holness said, will support enhanced productivity and competitiveness, especially in key industries that drive the economy. “We are examining the removal of taxes on tips. This initiative is aimed at rewarding productivity and excellent service, particularly in sectors like hospitality, where service excellence plays a critical role in our success as a global destination. It would not be limited to hospitality, but extend to all service industries,” he pointed out. Dr. Holness said the Government is also exploring the establishment of a National Infrastructure Fund — a vehicle designed to invest in and manage public-private partnership (PPP) projects. This fund, he informed, will create new opportunities for institutional investors, such as pension funds, to directly participate in nation-building, thereby ensuring that critical infrastructure is built sustainably and strategically for the future.UConn announced a two-year contract extension for head football coach Jim Mora on Saturday, just before the team took the field for the Fenway Bowl against North Carolina. Mora’s contract extension will run through 2028 and will pay him $10 million through the remaining four years, with the opportunity to earn more in incentives. The 63-year-old coach is set to make $1.7 million next season, $1.9 million in 2026 and $2.3 and $2.4 million in 2027 and 2028, respectively. UConn then went out and thrashed North Carolina, 27-14, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicated. “I am forever grateful. I’m grateful to (athletic director) David (Benedict) and (school president) Radenka (Maric) and the Board of Trustees, but this is about what the (UConn players) did today,” Mora said when asked about the extension in the postgame press conference. People are also reading... In a statement released by UConn ahead of the game, Mora said: “I’d like to thank David Benedict, Radenka Maric and the University of Connecticut leadership for their trust in me and their commitment to our football program. When I first got here, I talked about where we wanted this program to go and we have shown great progress but we still have plenty of work to do. The commitment and dedication from the university and the athletic department has me excited about the future for our football team.” “Three years ago, I tasked Jim Mora with the challenge of leading our football team back to success and through his experience, energy and leadership he has done just that,” UConn athletic director David Benedict said in a statement. “He has taken our program to post season bowl games twice and just guided our team to one of the best seasons in UConn football history, building a momentum to keep this program moving forward. I look forward to his leadership of our football team in the years ahead.” Mora is coming off one of the most successful seasons in UConn football history, having led the team to an 8-4 record and an appearance in the Fenway Bowl. It’s the Huskies’ second bowl appearance in three years. UConn’s eight wins is the most for the program since 2010, and the Huskies had their first winning season since that year, too. A win Saturday would give UConn nine wins for just the third time in program history, with the last two such seasons coming in 2003 and 2007. Robbins heading to Tulsa UConn quarterbacks coach Brad Robbins is heading to Tulsa as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, according to a report from CBS Sports. Robbins was part of a coaching staff that helped the offense produce its most prolific attack since the 2009 season and fifth-most in program history (32.3 points per game). Robbins worked at FCS Tennessee Tech and Division II North Greenville before joining Jim Mora’s staff in spring 2023. Be the first to know

NoneWhether you recall scenes of wildlife doing unexpected things, footage of unbelievable moments caught on camera, or videos of incredible humans performing incredible acts, some pretty "wild" videos went viral in 2024. With countless videos catching the attention of the news media and social media users daily, there are likely wild videos you'll recall from 2024 that we overlooked. Still, we're taking time to look back at compelling videos that captured the attention of the nation — and the world — over the past year. From a whale breaching and landing on a boat to first responders making dramatic rescues, here's a look at some of the wildest videos we saw in 2024: Two people were thrown into the ocean after a whale landed on their fishing boat off the New Hampshire coast on the morning of July 23, and the entire incident was caught on video. The wild video shows the whale breaching, propelling fish out of the water. As the massive animal's mouth closes, it flops over onto the rear of the nearby fishing boat with two men aboard. See the video in the player above. A driver was saved from a fully submerged pickup on Sept. 11, 2024, in New Orleans as Hurricane Francine prompted a flash flood emergency. A good Samaritan, Miles Crawford, was in the area and when Crawford figured out what was happening he ran back to his home, grabbed something to break the truck window and saved the man’s life. A dramatic video captured in November shows a man being rescued after dangling from the edge of a cliff in San Francisco, California. The California Highway Patrol helicopter responded to the scene as the man struggled to hold on. A video released by the California Highway Patrol shows a crew member being lowered from the helicopter by a hoist to grab the man. The San Francisco Fire Department said the man did not sustain any injuries. A snowboarder narrowly escaped an avalanche on Mount Washington's Tuckerman Ravine in New Hampshire in December 2024. It was all caught on camera. Patrick Scanlan, of the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, said that while such situations are common, it is rare to catch such a scenario on camera. He said the incident serves as a crucial reminder for those eager to hit the slopes early in the season. The avalanche happened to be on a low angle and was moving slowly. The partial failure of the Rapidan Dam in Minnesota forced a landmark in Mankato to fall into the Blue Earth River . An 11-year-old boy recorded a dramatic video of the structure collapsing into the water. The house belonged to the owners of the Rapidan Dam Store, but fortunately, no one was home at the time. Due to Minnesota's historic flooding, the ground under the house had been undermined by water rushing around the 114-year-old dam, which partially failed in late June. A small plane made an emergency crash landing on the golf course in Northern California on Aug. 4. It came to rest at the pro shop, the Sacramento Fire Department said. The pilot walked away with a minor cut to his hand. No one else was hurt. Video shows several sunbathers at a popular Rhode Island beach screaming in late July when an enormous swarm of dragonflies suddenly overtook them. It happened at the crowded Misquamicut Beach, in Rhode Island. A dog was blamed for sparking a fire at an Oklahoma home in early August. The Tulsa Fire Department shared a video showing a dog getting a hold of and chewing on a lithium-ion battery that appeared to be in some type of charger. The dog chewed on it until the battery exploded, causing a dog bed to catch fire. Cameras were rolling when the ground opened up and swallowed part of a soccer field in Illinois in June. Aerial footage of the scene, which was provided by KMOV , shows the massive hole that was left behind on the athletic field in Alton, Illinois, which is around 22 miles outside of St. Louis, Missouri. The sinkhole opened up on Wednesday, June 26, and as a video shows, it even swallowed a stadium light post on the property. Related video below: Another video shows what the sinkhole looked like in mid-July According to deputies, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office aviation unit in Florida was called around 7 p.m. on Feb. 24 after reports that an individual was climbing a cellular tower . The sheriff's office said the individual was climbing back down the tower after livestreaming a video to his social media. The aviation team was able to direct ground deputies to the location of the climber. Koalas are normally found in eucalyptus trees, but one couple came home in Australia were were shocked to come home one November day to find one in their bedroom . Video showed the koala scurrying around the house, presumably looking for a way out, as Fran Dias Rufino, the homeowner, screamed frantically in the background. Koalas rarely attack people and are most often seen at the tops of trees, lazily chewing eucalyptus leaves. Rufino said her husband later used a blanket to shoo the koala away, and it found its way to the door. A life-saving scene played out on Sept. 12 on a busy stretch road in Michigan with a heroic act by a sheriff's deputy . Deputies Nicole Miron and Anthony Gross, with the Macomb County Sheriff's Department, were notified that a silver GMC Sierra pickup truck was driving erratically. Gross was driving, and Miron rolled down her window and tried to get the driver to stop, but he appeared to be in a daze. The driver managed to briefly hit his brakes and that's when Miron climbed from her passenger seat into the moving truck. The deputy was able to stop the truck.

Mikaela Shiffrin , the most successful alpine skier of all time, said she is feeling better after crashing out of the women’s giant slalom during last weekend’s Stifel Killington Cup in Vermont. “I’m starting to feel a little bit more human, which is great,” she said in a social media video post. “This is another fairly ambiguous injury and really hard to put a timeline of when I’ll be either back on snow or back to racing.” Shiffrin struggled to get onto her couch in the video. Shiffrin suffered from a “puncture wound into the right side of her abdomen and severe muscle trauma,” US Ski and Snowboard said Sunday. The 29-year-old confirmed Wednesday that she will not compete at the World Cup in Beaver Creek, Colorado, on December 14-15 as she was seeking her 100th race victory. “This is a really big bummer, not to be able to race Birds of Prey. But on the other hand, I was really lucky and I’m really looking forward to cheering my teammates on recent Beaver Creek.” Shiffrin gave an update on her latest hospital visit. “There was a little bit of original concern about my colon,” she said. “There were some air bubbles where that puncture came pretty close to the colon and last night’s check confirmed that my colon is indeed intact.” However, Shiffrin said the puncture did tear a “cavern” into her oblique muscles, which caused “bleeding and inflammation and just pain in general.” Shiffrin had taken the lead after her first run before slipping and crashing into the security fence by the side of the slope during her second attempt. Ben Church contributed to this report.

NEW HOPE, Pa. (AP) — Dayle Haddon, an actor, activist and trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination by reentering the industry as a widow, has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found Haddon, 76, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man police later identified as Walter J. Blucas of Erie was hospitalized in critical condition. Responders detected a high level of carbon monoxide in the property and township police said Saturday that investigators determined that “a faulty flue and exhaust pipe on a gas heating system caused the carbon monoxide leak.” Two medics were taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide exposure and a police officer was treated at the scene. As a model, Haddon appeared on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and Esquire in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She also appeared in about two dozen films from the 1970s to 1990s, according to IMDb.com, including 1994’s “Bullets Over Broadway,” starring John Cusack. RELATED COVERAGE US teacher jailed in Russia is formally designated as wrongfully detained Customs agents seize 22,000 fake Pennsylvania vehicle inspection stickers Church closing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, donates the last of its money in Christmas act of charity Haddon left modeling after giving birth to her daughter, Ryan, in the mid-1970s, but then had to reenter the workforce after her husband’s 1991 death. This time she found the modeling industry far less friendly: “They said to me, ‘At 38, you’re not viable,’” Haddon told The New York Times in 2003. Working a menial job at an advertising agency, Haddon began reaching out to cosmetic companies, telling them there was a growing market to sell beauty products to aging baby boomers. She eventually landed a contract with Clairol, followed by Estée Lauder and then L’Oreal, for which she promoted the company’s anti-aging products for more than a decade. She also hosted beauty segments for CBS’s “The Early Show.” “I kept modeling, but in a different way,” she told The Times, “I became a spokesperson for my age.” In 2008, Haddon founded WomenOne, an organization aimed at advancing educational opportunities for girls and women in marginalized communities, including Rwanda, Haiti and Jordan.’ Haddon was born in Toronto and began modeling as a teenager to pay for ballet classes — she began her career with the Canadian ballet company Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, according to her website . Haddon’s daughter, Ryan, said in a social media post that her mother was “everyone’s greatest champion. An inspiration to many.” “A pure heart. A rich inner life. Touching so many lives. A life well lived. Rest in Light, Mom,” she said.Unai Emery feels confidence returning after Aston Villa end winless runThe recent deployment of Russia's new Oreshnik intermediate-range missiles against a Ukrainian defense industrial facility is a direct response to escalating Western involvement in the conflict, Dr. Godian Njoku, a Nigerian expert on policy, security, and peace-building, told Sputnik Africa in an interview. The expert considers the successful test a significant technological milestone for Russia. While acknowledging the unknown immediate impact of the strike, Dr. Njoku highlighted the demonstrated precision, range and capabilities of the Oreshnik, which travels at a speed of more than Mach 11 (13,500 km/h; 3.74 km/s) and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, as evidence of its advanced technology. This, Dr. Njoku suggests, could be viewed as a triumph of Russian engineering and a potential game-changer in the conflict. He added that the Oreshnik test refutes the notion that Russia relies solely on nuclear capabilities , revealing a wider range of technologically advanced military assets. The expert predicted that the action will provoke countermeasures from Ukraine and its Western allies, possibly leading to an escalation of the conflict and a shift in military strategies. He pointed to the possibility of increased deployment of weapons on both sides, fueled in part by the US administration's desire to take significant action before the return of Donald Trump to power.

Metro Ten Hotel LLC of Great Neck, Nassau County, which acquired the 89-room motel at 3083 Carman Road in 2006, sold the property to Carman Hospitality, a Westchester County-based LLC, for $3 million, according to a deed filed with the Schenectady County Clerk’s Office on Nov. 14. The Albany Business Review was first to report the sale. Plans for the now-closed motel were not immediately clear. Neither Metro Ten Hotel or Carman Hospitality could be reached for comment. But Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which owns the Super 8 chain, told the Business Review that the facility would reopen in March. The company did not immediately return a request seeking comment. News of the motel’s sale comes seven months after the building was deemed unsafe and occupants were ordered to vacate following an inspection by the town’s building department that uncovered a number of code violations back in the spring, including a faulty fire-suppression system. Dozens of asylum seekers transported from New York City were living at the motel at the time. Many were transported to nearby hotels in Albany County. Town Supervisor Mollie Collins on Tuesday said town inspectors finished going through the building last week and determined all violations, including those pertaining to fire suppression, have been addressed. “Anything that we had for the building, all the repairs have been made,” she said. Collins said she heard rumors for months that the property was set to be sold. She confirmed that plans to reopen the former KeyBank adjacent to the motel have been submitted to the town’s planning department and are set to be reviewed in the near future. The Super 8 motel became the center of controversy in July 2023, when the building’s occupants, many who were placed there by social services, were ordered to vacate without reason. Several buses carrying migrants from New York City rolled in a few hours later, sparking a fierce backlash among some residents, who raised concerns about safety and lamented federal immigration policies that led to an untold number of U.S. citizens being displaced from the motel. Others were critical of Schenectady County for not taking proactive steps to prevent migrants from arriving locally, though county officials have said they were blindsided by the move. A state of emergency preventing migrants from being housed in the county due to a lack of emergency shelters was issued a few days later and still remains in place. Conditions at the motel were often criticized by those living at the facility and local grassroot organizations who worked to provide support for those housed at the facility. Complaints ranged from infestation to overcrowding. Many also criticized the food provided by DocGo, a for-profit medical company contracted by New York City to provide care for the migrants. New York City has since ended its relationship with DocGo and announced plans to end housing migrants at upstate hotels. Rotterdam lawmakers earlier this year approved a local law limiting long-term stays at hotels in town to just 28 days with limited exceptions. “I’m glad that it’s reopening,” Collins said. “We now have code in place where it’s a 28-day stay and no longer than that, so we should be fine. I look forward to it opening again, instead of being a vacant building, and being a part of our business community.”Ohio State, Michigan players involved in melee after Buckeyes loss, multiple people pepper sprayed

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Article content “Wanted” posters with the names and faces of health-care executives have been popping up on the streets of New York. Hit lists with images of bullets are circulating online with warnings that industry leaders should be afraid. Recommended Videos The apparent targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the menacing threats that followed have sent a shudder through corporate America and the health-care industry in particular, leading to increased security for executives and some workers. In the week since the brazen shooting, health insurers have removed information about their top executives from company websites, canceled in-person meetings with shareholders and advised all employees to work from home temporarily. An internal New York Police Department bulletin warned this week that the online vitriol that followed the shooting could signal an immediate “elevated threat.” Police fear that the Dec. 4 shooting could “inspire a variety of extremists and grievance-driven malicious actors to violence,” according to the bulletin, which was obtained by The Associated Press. “Wanted” posters pasted to parking meters and construction site fences in Manhattan included photos of health-care executives and the words “Deny, defend, depose” — similar to a phrase scrawled on bullets found near Thompson’s body and echoing those used by insurance industry critics. Thompson’s wife, Paulette, told NBC News last week that he told her some people had been threatening him and suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Investigators believe the shooting suspect, Luigi Mangione, may have been motivated by hostility toward health insurers. They are studying his writings about a previous back injury, and his disdain for corporate America and the U.S. health-care system. Mangione’s lawyer has cautioned against prejudging the case. Mangione, 26, has remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Monday. Manhattan prosecutors are working to bring him to New York to face a murder charge. UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, said this week it was working with law enforcement to ensure a safe work environment and to reinforce security guidelines and building access policies, a spokesperson said. The company has taken down photos, names and biographies for its top executives from its websites, a spokesperson said. Other organizations, including CVS, the parent company for insurance giant Aetna, have taken similar actions. Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. has announced that its investor day will be held online, rather than in-person as originally planned. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health-care firm, said last week it was temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and would have its employees work from home. Heightened security measures likely will make health-care companies and their leaders more inaccessible to their policyholders, said former Cigna executive Wendell Potter. “And understandably so, with this act of violence. There’s no assurance that this won’t happen again,” said Potter, who’s now an advocate for health-care reform. Private security firms and consultants have been in high demand, fielding calls almost immediately after the shooting from companies across a range of industries, including manufacturing and finance. Companies have long faced security risks and grappled with how far to take precautions for high-profile executives. But these recent threats sparked by Thompson’s killing should not be ignored, said Dave Komendat, a former security chief for Boeing who now heads his own risk-management company. “The tone and tenor is different. The social reaction to this tragedy is different. And so I think that people need to take this seriously,” Komendat said. Just over a quarter of the companies in the Fortune 500 reported spending money to protect their CEOs and top executives. Of those, the median payment for personal security doubled over the last three years to just under $100,000. Hours after the shooting, Komendat was on a call with dozens of chief security officers from big corporations, and there have been many similar meetings since, hosted by security groups or law enforcement agencies assessing the threats, he said. “It just takes one person who is motivated by a poster — who may have experienced something in their life through one of these companies that was harmful,” Komendat said. — Associated Press reporters Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York and Barbara Ortutay in San Francisco, contributed to this report.

The counting of votes will be undertaken at 8 am on Saturday in where the election is witnessing a major battle. The Parli Assembly constituency (number 233), located in Beed district of Maharashtra, is set for a high-profile contest in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. This General category seat falls under the Beed Lok Sabha constituency and has witnessed fierce political rivalry in recent years. Incumbent Dhananjay Panditrao Munde of the NCP is seeking re-election after his stunning victory in 2019, where he defeated BJP’s Pankaja Gopinath Munde by a massive 30,701 votes, securing 54.45 percent of the vote share. In 2024, Munde will face strong competition from Rajasaheb Deshmukh, the NCP (SP) candidate. Dhondiram Laxman Ujgare of the BSP is also contesting the seat, further intensifying the competition. A total of 11 candidates are contesting from the constituency. In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Dhananjay Munde (NCP) secured 1,22,114 votes, winning with a 54.45 percent vote share. He defeated BJP's Pankaja Munde, who secured 91,413 votes. In contrast, the 2014 elections saw Pankaja Munde of the BJP winning with 49.56 percent of the vote share, defeating Dhananjay Munde by a margin of 25,895 votes. Key issues in the Parli constituency include rural development, agriculture, employment, and access to basic services like healthcare and education. With a significant rural population, addressing water scarcity and improving irrigation facilities are top priorities for candidates. The region’s infrastructure and connectivity also remain significant concerns for voters. As per 2019 Election Commission data, Parli had a total electorate of 3,06,710 voters, with 1,61,329 male and 1,45,381 female voters. The voter turnout in 2019 was 73.12 percent, reflecting a relatively high level of engagement. The constituency has 257 polling booths, ensuring widespread voter participation across the region. The Parli constituency vote on November 20, with results set to be declared on November 23, alongside other constituencies in Maharashtra. Parli emerged as a key battleground, recording a voter turnout of 75.27 percent.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Biden administration plans on reducing part of Intel's $8.5 billion in federal funding for computer chip plants around the country, according to three people familiar with the grant who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The reduction is largely a byproduct of the $3 billion that Intel is also receiving to provide computer chips to the military. President Joe Biden announced the agreement to provide Intel with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and $11 billion in loans in March. The changes to Intel’s funding are not related to the company’s financial record or milestones, the people familiar with the grant told The Associated Press. In August, the chipmaker announced that it would cut 15% of its workforce — about 15,000 jobs — in an attempt to turn its business around to compete with more successful rivals like Nvidia and AMD. Unlike some of its rivals, Intel manufactures chips in addition to designing them. Two years ago, President Biden hailed Intel as a job creator with its plans to open a new plant near Columbus, Ohio. The president praised the company for plans to “build a workforce of the future” for the $20 billion project, which he said would generate 7,000 construction jobs and 3,000 full-time jobs set to pay an average of $135,000 a year. The California-based tech giant's funding is tied to a sweeping 2022 law that President Biden has celebrated and which is designed to revive U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Known as the CHIPS and Science Act , the $280 billion package is aimed at sharpening the U.S. edge in military technology and manufacturing while minimizing the kinds of supply disruptions that occurred in 2021, after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, when a shortage of chips stalled factory assembly lines and fueled inflation . The Biden administration helped shepherd the legislation following pandemic-era concerns that the loss of access to chips made in Asia could plunge the U.S. economy into recession. When pushing for the investment, lawmakers expressed concern about efforts by China to control Taiwan, which accounts for more than 90% of advanced computer chip production. In August, the administration pledged to provide up to $6.6 billion so that a Taiwanese semiconductor giant could expand the facilities it is already building in Arizona and better ensure that the most advanced microchips are produced domestically for the first time. The Commerce Department said the funding for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. meant the company could expand on its existing plans for two facilities in Phoenix and add a third, newly announced production hub. The administration has promised tens of billions of dollars to support construction of U.S. chip foundries and reduce reliance on Asian suppliers, which Washington sees as a security weakness. Boak reported from Washington. Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.'WTF?': Trump defense pick's old military acquaintances reportedly baffled by nominationniceph 33 。

The top leaders of the ousted Awami League government who stand accused of command responsibility for the killings during the student-led mass uprising will be brought to book within one year, said Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal. "The tribunal cannot bring to justice every single officer or individual involved in crimes against humanity [within the time frame of the interim government]. But we'll bring the 'top commanders' to justice," he said at a dialogue organised by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies. The dialogue, titled National Dialogue-2024, was held at the Krishibid Institute Bangladesh. Tajul added that this will include Sheikh Hasina and those who acted as deputies in the chain of command. "Let the criminal courts deal with the rest." He further said the tribunal, with 17 investigation officers and 10 prosecutors, are being realistic with their ambitions. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul echoed the same sentiment and said, "Next year, we aim to celebrate Victory Day by meting out justice against mass murderers." He said that when amending the ICT law, they intentionally refrained from including any provisions to try AL as a political party. "We want this trial process to be internationally accepted. We didn't want to give anybody the scope to say this court is politically motivated." Attorney General Asaduzzaman said, "One of our challenges is making sure this tribunal can never be called a 'kangaroo court', so that the verdicts cannot be questioned. "We're faced with the reality that many criminal cases are being filed under questionable circumstances and people are being victimised. But we want to assure you that those cases will not impact the processes of the ICT, which will not focus on one or two incidents, but rather attempt to prove that crimes against humanity were committed in whole." General Secretary of Biplobi Workers Party Kazi Saiful Haque cautioned against indulging in vengeful tactics and urged upholding the spirit of justice. He said it has to be decided who had command responsibility, and who were field officers carrying out the orders. "The kind of justice meted out to each of these two categories will be different." Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Publicity Affairs Secretary Motiur Rahman Akand expressed frustration at the speed of the judicial process. "It has been 141 days already and we're yet to see any trial successfully completed. We feel the government is not being swift enough." Speakers also demanded the trial of officers of the Directorate General Forces Intelligence (DGFI) for their role in perpetrating enforced disappearances. "The DGFI is not acknowledging that it was linked with enforced disappearances. There needs to be accountability," said Sanjida Islam Tulee, coordinator of Mayer Daak, the platform for victims of enforced disappearance. Didarul Islam Bhuiyan, a member of the Digital Security Act Victims Network, said, "In this new Bangladesh, we don't want the presence of the forces, like the DGFI or Rapid Action Battalion, that were used as tools of oppression by the past government." In 2020, Didarul was picked up by men claiming to be Rab officials. He was bound, tortured and then prosecuted under a Digital Security Act case. Neamul Bashir, presidium member of Liberal Democratic Party, said DGFI needs to be brought to court for its involvement in enforced disappearances. "Law enforcement units like the police's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit, Rab and DGFI were used for political ends." Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said the government's lawyers have already been instructed to investigate all cases filed with political motives. "We've asked all the public prosecutors of all districts to investigate and find an estimate of the number of phantom cases filed out of political motivation." He added that his ministry had gotten an estimate from 51 districts and were still waiting on the data from the remaining 13. Zahir Uddin Swapan, media cell convener of the BNP; Jahidul Islam, the general secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir; Ashraf Ali Akand, political adviser to Islami Andolon; Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Amanullah Aman; Barrister Tasnuva Shelley, among others, also spoke, while journalist Monir Haider moderated the dialogue. The top leaders of the ousted Awami League government who stand accused of command responsibility for the killings during the student-led mass uprising will be brought to book within one year, said Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal. "The tribunal cannot bring to justice every single officer or individual involved in crimes against humanity [within the time frame of the interim government]. But we'll bring the 'top commanders' to justice," he said at a dialogue organised by the Forum for Bangladesh Studies. The dialogue, titled National Dialogue-2024, was held at the Krishibid Institute Bangladesh. Tajul added that this will include Sheikh Hasina and those who acted as deputies in the chain of command. "Let the criminal courts deal with the rest." He further said the tribunal, with 17 investigation officers and 10 prosecutors, are being realistic with their ambitions. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul echoed the same sentiment and said, "Next year, we aim to celebrate Victory Day by meting out justice against mass murderers." He said that when amending the ICT law, they intentionally refrained from including any provisions to try AL as a political party. "We want this trial process to be internationally accepted. We didn't want to give anybody the scope to say this court is politically motivated." Attorney General Asaduzzaman said, "One of our challenges is making sure this tribunal can never be called a 'kangaroo court', so that the verdicts cannot be questioned. "We're faced with the reality that many criminal cases are being filed under questionable circumstances and people are being victimised. But we want to assure you that those cases will not impact the processes of the ICT, which will not focus on one or two incidents, but rather attempt to prove that crimes against humanity were committed in whole." General Secretary of Biplobi Workers Party Kazi Saiful Haque cautioned against indulging in vengeful tactics and urged upholding the spirit of justice. He said it has to be decided who had command responsibility, and who were field officers carrying out the orders. "The kind of justice meted out to each of these two categories will be different." Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Publicity Affairs Secretary Motiur Rahman Akand expressed frustration at the speed of the judicial process. "It has been 141 days already and we're yet to see any trial successfully completed. We feel the government is not being swift enough." Speakers also demanded the trial of officers of the Directorate General Forces Intelligence (DGFI) for their role in perpetrating enforced disappearances. "The DGFI is not acknowledging that it was linked with enforced disappearances. There needs to be accountability," said Sanjida Islam Tulee, coordinator of Mayer Daak, the platform for victims of enforced disappearance. Didarul Islam Bhuiyan, a member of the Digital Security Act Victims Network, said, "In this new Bangladesh, we don't want the presence of the forces, like the DGFI or Rapid Action Battalion, that were used as tools of oppression by the past government." In 2020, Didarul was picked up by men claiming to be Rab officials. He was bound, tortured and then prosecuted under a Digital Security Act case. Neamul Bashir, presidium member of Liberal Democratic Party, said DGFI needs to be brought to court for its involvement in enforced disappearances. "Law enforcement units like the police's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit, Rab and DGFI were used for political ends." Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said the government's lawyers have already been instructed to investigate all cases filed with political motives. "We've asked all the public prosecutors of all districts to investigate and find an estimate of the number of phantom cases filed out of political motivation." He added that his ministry had gotten an estimate from 51 districts and were still waiting on the data from the remaining 13. Zahir Uddin Swapan, media cell convener of the BNP; Jahidul Islam, the general secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir; Ashraf Ali Akand, political adviser to Islami Andolon; Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Amanullah Aman; Barrister Tasnuva Shelley, among others, also spoke, while journalist Monir Haider moderated the dialogue.

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An auto industry leader says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's threat of tariffs on Canadian goods would have devastating effects for the sector, forcing both Canadian and U.S. consumers to pay higher prices. Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association, says it's unreasonable to apply such a tax to vehicle parts, which may cross the border up to eight times before ending up in a finished vehicle. Trump sparked backlash among Canadian business and political leaders after posting to Truth Social on Monday that he will sign an executive order imposing a 25 per cent tariff on all products coming to the United States from Canada and Mexico. Volpe says cars "would cease to be made by American companies" with tariffs that high, noting the auto industry works with single-digit profit margins. He says any cross-border tax would increase the cost of components and raw materials that go back and forth between the neighbouring countries, leading to a slowdown in production and higher prices at the dealership. Trump's social media post had said such a tariff would remain in place until Canada and Mexico stop drugs and people from illegally crossing the borders. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Nov. 27, 2024

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This holiday season, give the gift of peace of mind. Where to start? Wyze is a company you can trust to keep a lookout for your well-being. Whether upgrading your home security system or shopping for someone who values safety, Wyze is the name we look to for cutting-edge products. Thanks to Cyber Week , the brand is offering competitive pricing for our two favorite holidays: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. RELATED: 101+ early Black Friday 2024 deals we’re shopping ahead of Thanksgiving Now through Nov. 27, Wyze is offering early Black Friday deals up to 40% off security cameras, but that’s not all it offers; the brand sells vacuums, thermostats, lock bolts, and more. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your own home security or surprise someone special with a thoughtful gift, now is the time to buy. Why? Because these select cameras may sell out before Black Friday really ramps up. But we’ll let you in on a little secret: Wyze will be slashing prices up to 60% off security cameras from Nov. 28 to Dec. 4. The only question is if they’ll still be there by the time you check out. Smart security cameras help you keep an eye on deliveries (especially this time of the year) and you can monitor your home from anywhere, anytime, and stay connected to your space with clear HD video, motion detection, and smart alerts. Plus, it’s easy to set up, so no matter your age or technology challenge, Wyze makes it easy to set up without calling anyone under twenty years of age to help. Plus, Wyze offers a 30-day hassle-free return policy on its security cameras. This is the biggest discount of the year, so don’t let it pass you by. Prices will be at full price starting Dec. 5! So give the gift of security that keeps on giving. Wyze Pan v3 Security Bundle [Buy with Prime Exclusive] Now you can monitor your furry friends at home or watch the mail being delivered with this IP65 weather-resistant HD camera, featuring a 360-degree view and 180-degree tilt. It comes with two-way audio to hold a conversation with the user on the other side. Available in black or white, the cameras offer automatic motion tracking and a privacy mode with a shutter for added security. Perfect for recording package theft, they capture clear HD footage without disturbing pets or interrupting your work. Wyze Cam OG This is undoubtedly the best deal you’ll find. Get your hands on this all-purpose security camera with a built-in motion-activated spotlight, fast live streaming, and weather resistance. It has a highly sensitive microphone for clear two-way communication and Color Night Vision to help you easily detect intruders and movement day or night. Wyze Security Starter Pack [Buy with Prime Exclusive] This starter pack is a favorite among Wyze customers because it’s easy to install (just plug it in!) and affordable. They have Color Night Vision that’ll help you see every detail clearly in vibrant color, even in low light. Both are IP65 weather-resistant, making them suitable for indoor and outdoor use. The Cam v4 also includes a 2.5K Quad High Definition camera with a motion-activated spotlight that automatically triggers LED lights and voice prompts for added security. The Pan v3 provides motion tracking, and when paired with the add-on, Cam Plus, it gives unlimited video storage and advanced AI detection for more accurate monitoring. Wyze Cordless Vacuum S IWyze sells more than just security cameras; it offers vacuum cleaners. After all, if someone broke into your home, they might have left a mess, so what better way to recover than by cleaning up with this cordless vacuum? It sucks up dirt with 20,000 Pascal suction power and is super lightweight at 2.8 pounds. Our favorite part is the 40-minute interchangeable lithium-ion battery. Wyze Battery Cam Pro Purchase two cameras, available in black or white, featuring 2.5K HDR color vision for clear motion capture. No plugins are required, and the cameras are designed with a rechargeable, easy-to-swap battery pack. While they are best suited for outdoor use, they can also be used indoors. Each camera includes an integrated siren and spotlights to deter intruders. You can purchase one, two, or three cameras in a bundle, with extra battery or solar panel options. The price shown below is for two Battery Cam Pros. Wyze Pan v3 Outdoor Bundle This outdoor bundle includes the Cam Pan V3, which is IP65 weather-resistant and capable of scanning 360 degrees with a 180-degree tilt. Enjoy two-way audio and Color Night Vision to highlight its automatic motion tracking capabilities. This package also has a 128GB MicroSD card for recording storage and time-lapse capabilities. Your Black Friday FAQs, answered by shopping experts Thanksgiving is late this year, falling on Thursday, November 28 , 2024. This year, Black Friday and its much-anticipated sales will occur on Friday, November 29 , 2024. We recommend shopping early for items that are likely to sell out, such as perennial gift favorites like Xbox, Ugg boots , PS5, Apple AirPods , the editor-approved Dyson AirWrap and more. Yes! Most stores and big box retailers continue to hold traditional in-store Black Friday sales but also match discounts for online shoppers. According to the National Retail Federation , Black Friday has topped Cyber Monday as the busiest day of the calendar ye ar for online shopping since 2019. The earliest usage of “Black Friday” as we know it dates back to the 1950s or ’60s, with “black” nodding to dreaded traffic jams caused by shoppers crowding downtown retail stores, as well as understaffed sales associates. Retailers attempted to rename the day “Big Friday” to signify a day of family fun and shopping. Although the rebrand didn’t stick, the positive connotation did. Retail businesses enjoy increased sales, and consumers enjoy corresponding holiday shopping discounts. Despite being a great day for retailers, Black Friday still draws on the dark side of American consumerism, as many will remember violent crowds competing for limited merchandise. However, with the advent of internet shopping, retailers and e-tailers have continued to see record-breaking sales in recent years, without the morbid mob mentality kicking off the holiday season. This year, the online shopping holiday Cyber Monday will take place on Monday, December 2 , 2024. The short answer is, it depends. Some retailers approach Black Friday and Cyber Monday differently, discounting various brands and products throughout the days after Thanksgiving, sometimes at different price points. Traditionally, Cyber Monday offers retailers an opportunity to drop deeper discounts on already on-sale products. However, consumers should take caution: waiting for Cyber Monday is a risk that products, or certain sizes or models, may sell out. Conversely, some stores don’t differentiate between their Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Jet-setters rejoice: Travel Tuesday , with its great deals on flights, hotels, cruises, all-inclusives, and more, will take place on Tuesday, December 3 , 2024. Right here! Follow Post Wanted shopping coverage for all the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday deals worth your coin in 2024. Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance . We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products , and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

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AP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:29 p.m. ESTNone

BUCHAREST, Romania -- A top Romanian court on Friday annulled the first round of the country's presidential election, days after allegations emerged that Russia ran a coordinated online campaign to promote the far-right outsider who won the first round. The Constitutional Court’s unprecedented decision — which is final — came after President Klaus Iohannis declassified intelligence on Wednesday that alleged Russia organized thousands of social media accounts to promote Calin Georgescu across platforms such as TikTok and Telegram. The court, without naming Georgescu, said that one of the 13 candidates in the Nov. 24 first round had improperly received “preferential treatment” on social media, distorting the outcome of the vote. Georgescu denounced the verdict as an “officialized coup” and an attack on democracy, as did the second-place finisher, reformist Elena Lasconi of the center-right Save Romania Union party. Despite being an outsider who declared zero campaign spending, Georgescu emerged as the frontrunner who was to face Lasconi in a runoff on Sunday. Some 951 voting stations had already opened abroad on Friday for the runoff for Romania’s large diaspora, but had to be halted. Iohannis said he would remain in office until a new presidential election could be rerun from scratch. On Dec. 1, one week after the first round of the presidential race, Romania also held a parliamentary election , which saw pro-Western parties win the most votes but also gains for far-right nationalists. Iohannis said that once the new government is formed, the date of the new presidential vote would be set. On Wednesday the president had released intelligence files from the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Special Telecommunication Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In a televised statement Friday, Iohannis said he was “deeply concerned” by the contents of the intelligence reports. “Intelligence reports revealed that this candidate’s campaign was supported by a foreign state with interests contrary to Romania’s. These are serious issues," he said. The Constitutional Court in its published decision cited the illegal use of digital technologies including artificial intelligence, as well as the use of “undeclared sources of funding.” It said one candidate received “preferential treatment on social media platforms, which resulted in the distortion of voters’ expressed will." Georgescu slammed the verdict as putting “democracy is under attack.” “I have only one pact ... with the Romanian people and God,” he said in a video statement. “We are no longer talking about fairness but rather about a mockery that betrays the principles of democracy ... It is time to show that we are a courageous people who know that the destiny and rights of the Romanian nation are in our hands.” Lasconi also strongly condemned the court's decision, saying it was “illegal, immoral, and crushes the very essence of democracy" and that the second round should have gone forward. “Whether we like it or not, from a legal and legitimate standpoint, 9 million Romanian citizens, both in the country and the diaspora, expressed their preference for a particular candidate through their votes," she said. “I know I would have won. And I will win because the Romanian people know I will fight for them, that I will unite them for a better Romania,” she added. Some 9.4 million people — about 52.5% of eligible voters — had cast ballots in the first round in this European Union and NATO member country. The president serves a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in national security, foreign policy and judicial appointments. Most surveys had predicted the top candidate would be Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the ruling center-left Social Democrats. They indicated that second place would be claimed by either Lasconi or the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, George Simion. As the surprising results came in with Georgescu on top, and Lasconi narrowly beating Ciolacu, it plunged the political establishment into turmoil. The same court last week ordered a recount of the first-round votes, which added to the myriad controversies that have engulfed a chaotic election cycle. Following a recount, the court then validated the first-round results on Monday. Many observers have expressed concerns that annulling the vote could trigger civil unrest. The court said Friday that its decision was meant “to restore citizens’ trust in the democratic legitimacy of public authorities, in the legality and fairness of elections.” Simion, of the far-right party, said the development was a “coup d’état in full swing” but urged people not to take to the streets. “We don’t let ourselves be provoked, this system has to fall democratically,” he said. Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, said the court's decision amounts to a “crisis mode situation for Romanian democracy.” “In light of the information about the external interference, the massive interference in elections, I think this was not normal but predictable, because it’s not normal times at all, Romania is an uncharted territory,” he told The Associated Press. “The problem is here, do we have the institutions to manage such an interference in the future?” Georgescu’s surprising success left many political observers wondering how most local surveys were so far off, putting him behind at least five other candidates before the vote. Many observers attributed his success to his TikTok account, which now has 6 million likes and 541,000 followers. But some experts suspected Georgescu’s online following was artificially inflated while Romania’s top security body alleged he was given preferential treatment by TikTok over other candidates. In the intelligence release, the secret services alleged that one TikTok user paid more $381,000 (361,000 euros) to other users to promote Georgescu content. Intelligence authorities said information they obtained “revealed an aggressive promotion campaign” to increase and accelerate his popularity. Georgescu, when asked by the AP in an interview Wednesday whether he believes the Chinese-owned TikTok poses a threat to democracy, defended social media platforms. “The most important existing function for promoting free speech and freedom of expression is social media,” he said.Kandace Espinosa Sworn in as White Settlement City Councilmember; Gregg Geesa Appointed to Planning and Zoning BoardMinistry eyes digital GDP growth of 5.7%

BALTIMORE (AP) — Nendah Tarke's 24 points helped Towson defeat Morgan State 64-60 on Sunday night. Tarke added seven rebounds for the Tigers (4-2). Tomiwa Sulaiman scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. Christian May scored nine. The Bears (3-5) were led in scoring by Wynston Tabbs with 19 points. Kameron Hobbs had 13 points and Ahmarie Simpkins finished with nine points, three steals and two blocks. Towson went into halftime leading Morgan State 35-26. Tarke scored 14 points in the half. Towson used a 7-0 run in the second half to build an 11-point lead at 58-47 with 5:51 left in the half before finishing off the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the U.S.

LAMAR, Mo. — If you exit off of Interstate 49 onto Missouri Highway 160 into Lamar and go east into town, you'll see the right side of the road lined with motivational signs that say "Refuse to lose" and "Take pride in how far you've come, have faith in how far you can go." There are many signs for a stretch on the south side of the road and then farther down the north side of 160. Once you get to Maple Street and turn north toward the high school, the signs continue along that street. "The senior parents lead that every year. It's a tradition that has been passed on from senior parents to senior parents. It's a cool deal to add to our atmosphere," Lamar football head coach Jared Beshore said. It makes an impact for a couple of seniors on the team. "Coming down that road in the morning and reading those signs, it just gets me motivated for the day," quarterback Alex Wilkerson said. "I love it. Any time I drive down 160, I see those signs. I'm like, 'Oh, yeah, it's football season,'" lineman Eli Hull said. The signs are another way Lamar signifies that it is indeed a football town. One sign in particular reads: "Friday night forecast: 100% Tigers." What else is there to do on a Friday night? Probably many things, really. But it's about what the community wants to do. And in the fall, that is football. That dedication on Friday nights is shown to the players through the packed stands each week. It was still evident in 2024 through three straight losses in the middle of the regular season, two of them at home. The final home game in the regular season saw Lamar give the fans what they wanted in a 35-0 win over Aurora. And the fans packed the stands despite the 4-3 record coming into play. "Even though we had those losses, the stands never went from full to empty. I think coach (Scott) Bailey or Beshore said, 'Don't hop off, stay on the boat with us and just keep rowing' when we had those losses," Wilkerson said. Another sign reminds people that they are in Tiger country. That's what stands out to Hull about the effort from the community. Opposing teams see what they're getting into when they show up. He said it tells them, "You're in our house now." The next team to visit their house is Pembroke Hill for a 1 p.m. Saturday kickoff at Thomas M. O'Sullivan Stadium in Lamar. The Raiders (11-0) have outscored opponents 85-12 in the postseason. "They're a really good football team. ... They're really big, they've got good size, they have a lot of good athletes on the perimeter. The quarterback's a really good player that can run and throw. They have a big tight end. The defensive end is 6-2, 240," Beshore said. "We always preach here that we have to win the physicality battle." Pembroke Hill averages 38 points per game and holds opponents to about 12 per contest. Beshore talked about the key to keeping their offense below that 38 ppg average. "We have to contain their athletes, limit big plays and protect the football," Beshore said. It has not been a typical season for Lamar (8-4) because folks have grown accustomed in the past 10 years or more to just one, two or maybe three losses in a season. But Beshore said it's typical for what it looked like early on in the Big 8 Conference with a tough opponent each week. He's seen some of the teams that have struggled in recent years really bring their programs back up this year. "There wasn't a week where we didn't have to dogfight for a win," Beshore said. "This year, we had to battle a lot more than we've had to in the past." There have been a multitude of injuries for Lamar. One injury during Week 8 of the regular season put a player out for the remainder of the year. Key players that were banged up throughout the year were Wilkerson, Cooper Haun and Carson Sturgell. "It's tough. I was hoping to get a full season because I haven't had a full season since freshman year," Wilkerson said. "I believe I became a better man and a better leader through the injuries. Standing on the sideline, encouraging and making sure the team is doing the right thing and are on the right page, teaching the underclassmen the way to go and the people that are probably going to fill my shoes next year." That was part of the process as he dealt with his injury, and now he's been back on the field for the playoffs and is giving his all for his final season. Throughout the battles, a staple on the offensive and defensive lines has been Hull, and he knows his role is valuable to the team. "Coaches say it all the time, and it's the truest thing ever. If you win the line of scrimmage, you win the ballgame," Hull said. "We make an emphasis on hitting people hard and making a statement early." He add that the ball carriers for Lamar are special and make it easier to block with how hard they run. Grinding through those injuries and tribulations of the football season got Lamar to another state tournament, and playing a home game at this time of the season is important. "It'll be a matchup of 'Can those guys handle coming down here and playing in Barton County?' and 'Can our guys be more motivated than them?'" Beshore said. "They've not been in this quarterfinal spot in recent years. So will they be more motivated by being in a new spot than our experience? "Experience can be a good thing. It can also be a bad thing. You know how to handle the atmosphere. But it can be a bad thing if you get complacent. Those kids from Pembroke Hill haven't gotten to play in this game, so I see them being motivated as all get out. Hopefully we can match that hunger." Being at home is important to the players as well. "I've been in this program as ball boy and water boy since third grade, and I've never seen a program that has an atmosphere at a playoff game like us," Wilkerson said. "You walk down this street and see the away stands filled and the home stands filled. There's nothing else like it." "I'm getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it," Hull said. "It just shows what you play for." They play for those who put up signs, including Wilkerson's favorite, which says: "Effort is you vs. you." "Effort is everything here," he added. Haun has led the Tigers with 906 rushing yards and a single-game high of 206 yards against Nevada. He also ran for 183 against Mount Vernon and 156 against East Newton. He leads the team with 12 rushing touchdowns. Sturgell has racked up 686 yards on the ground and had a season high of 149 against Monett. He has nine touchdowns. Haun has toted the rock 132 times, Sturgell 76 times. Wilkerson has passed for 440 yards and nine touchdowns. He's ran for 264 on a limited 33 touches. He had over 300 yards of total offense in a 1-point loss to Cassville this year. He battled injuries to start the year and has been battling through them since that game. Trey Pittsenbarger leads all receivers with 13 catches, 214 yards and three scores. Sturgell adds six grabs, 164 yards and three more scores. Ayden Sheat has nine receptions, 129 yards and two touchdowns. Leading tacklers are TJ Ansley (105), Orry Jones (89) and Mario Delapena (83).Polls close in Uruguay’s election, with ruling coalition and opposition headed for photo finish

Former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber returning to Cleveland Guardians on 1-year deal, AP source saysCalled a “dirty cop,” Roger Golubski was accused of abusing women, putting innocent men in prison, and terrorizing the Black community for decades.(Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3 This story was produced by KCUR 89.3 . Roger Golubski, the former Kansas City, Kansas, Police detective accused of misconduct, criminal behavior and “the grossest acts of corruption a police officer can commit,” has died of an apparent suicide. He was 71. Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HOME to 741741. It is free, available 24/7 and confidential. Police rushed to Golubski’s home in Edwardsville, where an electronic monitoring device showed he was located, after he failed to appear for the first day of his federal trial at 9 a.m. Monday in Topeka. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest and delayed the start of trial. According to a statement from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Edwardsville Police received a 911 call from a neighbor reporting a gunshot. “When officers arrived on scene, they located a deceased male on the back porch, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound,” the statement read. The KBI added that there were “no indications of foul play.” Golubski had been confined on house arrest for the last two years. Under the conditions of his release, Golubski was prohibited from possessing a “firearm, destructive device or other weapon.” The KBI said it’s scheduled an autopsy and will continue to investigate. At 11 a.m., the judge convened with federal prosecutors. They confirmed Golubski had died and moved to dismiss the case, which the judge accepted . On Monday morning, Golubski’s lawyer, Chris Joseph, said the former detective was “despondent” about media coverage. Golubski is accused of using the power of his badge to violate the civil rights of two women by rape, kidnapping and sexual assault. He’s charged under a federal statute making it a crime for government officials , including law enforcement officers, to deprive a person of federally-protected civil rights. Golubski pleaded not guilty to the charges. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, of the Civil Rights Division, and U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher, for the District of Kansas, issued a statement in response to the news: “This matter involved extremely serious charges, and it is always difficult when a case is unable to be fully and fairly heard in a public trial and weighed and determined by a jury. The proceedings in this case may be over, but its lasting impact on all the individuals and families involved remains. We wish them peace and the opportunity for healing as they come to terms with this development and ask that they all be treated with respect and their privacy respected.” Golubski is the central subject of KCUR’s Overlooked podcast , which investigated decades of corruption in the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department and the allegations against Golubski. On the white side of Kansas City, Kansas, Golubski was considered a legendary homicide detective who rose quickly through the ranks and closed cases. In the Black community, he was called the Grim Reaper, the devil, and a snake. Once the accusations against him arose during the 2017 trial exonerating Lamonte McIntyre of a double homicide, people called Golubski “a chameleon.” His victims have long feared Golubski would die before he went to trial on a host of federal charges. They were also furious that Golubski was released from prison and allowed to remain on house arrest while awaiting trial, even though the magistrate found the allegations “shocking.” In March, Golubski was even allowed to remain on home detention despite violating his pre-trial release conditions by going to a fast-food restaurant . “I am angry and hurt at the same time because none of us will be able to face our accuser,” said Niko Quinn, who says she was forced to give false testimony against McIntyre. Quinn also says her sister, Stacey Quinn, had been manipulated by Golubski beginning when she was only a teenager, part of a pattern by the detective . Niko Quinn said with Golubski’s death, so many secrets will be buried, and she and others in the community will never be able to know what happened to their loved ones. Federal prosecutors charged Golubski in September 2022 with violating the civil rights of two women — and possibly seven more — by raping and kidnapping them. One of his victims, identified only as S.K. in court documents, was just 13 when she says Golubski started abusing her. In November 2022, Golubski was charged in a separate federal case with protecting Cecil Brooks, a notorious drug dealer who was running a sex trafficking operation of underage girls. Along with Brooks and two other men, Golubski faced conspiracy, kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse and attempted aggravated sexual abuse, including the “involuntary servitude” of two teenagers who were held captive at an apartment complex. Golubski was accused of raping one of the girls, who was 16 at the time. Golubski pleaded not guilty to all charges and his attorney questioned the validity of the decades-old and uncorroborated allegations. From a large extended Kansas City, Kansas, family, Golubski first wanted to become a Catholic priest and went to seminary for high school. He changed his mind, graduating from the police academy in 1975 and finally retiring in 2010. The claims against Golubski first surfaced in 2016 during the exoneration case of Lamonte McIntyre , a then-16-year-old who said he was set up by Golubski to take the fall for a 1994 double homicide. McIntyre spent 23 years in prison and was released as an innocent man in 2017. McIntyre and his mother, Rose, won a $12.5 million settlement against the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, in June 2022. Although the new Wyandotte County District Attorney, Mark Dupree, was crucial in dropping the case against McIntyre in 2017, some of Golubski’s victims accused Dupree of later being slow to investigate cases brought by Golubski during his years as a homicide detective. Dupree established a Conviction Integrity Unit in 2018 , but the three attorneys who were hired to staff it were ultimately fired for racist remarks. In November 2022, KCKPD Chief Karl Oakman announced that he was launching a review of 155 of Golubski’s cases, and Dupree got $1.7 million from the Unified Government to digitize the old case files. When pressed, Oakman brushed aside concerns that KCKPD couldn’t be trusted to conduct an impartial review of Golubski’s cases, saying, “Who better to clean their own house?” But social justice activists scoffed at the internal review, calling it a “major red flag.” Activists have long demanded a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the entire department. As the case gained more attention, victims — mostly Black women — started to congregate at rallies, protests and prayer circles. In November 2023, a federal lawsuit filed by five Black women accused the UG of allowing “dirty cops” like Golubski to sexually exploit them, run a “police protection racket,” and subject the Black community to “regular acts of humiliation and exploitation.” One of the victims in the lawsuit recounted being violently assaulted by Golubski, and asking the detective why he was doing it. “Because I can,” Golubski reportedly said.

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What do Reviews of Real Mitolyn Users Say About Purple Peel Exploit for Weight Loss?MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and the left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff after failing to win an outright majority in last month’s vote . The closing of polls started a countdown to the announcement of official results as independent polling firms were preparing to release so-called quick counts. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front. Uruguay's staid election has turned into a hard-fought race between Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, and Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the first round. But other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Congress ended up evenly split in the October vote. Most polls have shown a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, with nearly 10% of Uruguayan voters undecided even at this late stage. Many said they believed turnout would be low if voting weren't compulsory in the country. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation," said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates' lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power elsewhere . “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over a surge in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, campaigned on a vow to continue the legacy of current President Lacalle Pou — in some ways making the election into a referendum on his leadership. He campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." While a string of corruption scandals rattled Lacalle Pou's government last year, the president — who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term — now enjoys high approval ratings and a strong economy expected to grow 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. Inflation has also eased in recent months, boosting his coalition. Delgado served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor's pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to iconic former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who raised Uruguay's international profile as one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations during his 2010-2015 term. His Broad Front coalition oversaw the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and the sale of marijuana in the small South American nation of 3.4 million people. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , was among the first to cast his ballot after polls opened. “Uruguay is a small country, but it has earned recognition for being stable, for having a citizenry that respects institutional formalities,” he told reporters from his local polling station. “This is no small feat.” While promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay, Orsi plans no dramatic changes. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi similarly pledged a smooth and respectful transition of power, describing Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” ___ Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report. Nayara Batschke, The Associated PressLake Burley Griffin will have floating saunas, after final approval comes through

Zoom Video Communications ZM-Q raised its forecast for fiscal 2025 revenue and adjusted profit on Monday, anticipating robust demand for its online video conferencing software as it expands its product portfolio, and clients embrace hybrid working models. Zoom also said it would expand its share repurchase plan by $1.2-billion. Shares of the company were down around 3 per cent in extended trading after closing up over 3.5 per cent. Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital, attributes the stock reaction to a rally in the shares leading up to the earnings report. “Traders are probably taking profits going into this shortened and light Thanksgiving holiday week,” he said. The company expects revenue in the range of $4.65-billion to $4.66-billion, from its earlier forecast of between $4.63-billion and $4.64-billion. Zoom’s online meeting services continue to see strong spending from its large enterprise client base as hybrid working models become the norm in many firms and its push to integrate artificial intelligence makes it a staple for many companies’ operations. It raised its forecast for full-year adjusted earnings per share to a range of $5.41 and $5.43 per share, compared with the $5.29 to $5.32 previous range. However, the company faces stiff competition from rival video conferencing services such as Microsoft’s Teams and Cisco’s Webex as they battle for client dollars in a crowded market. Enterprise revenue for the third quarter grew 6 per cent and now makes up 59 per cent of the company’s total revenue, reflecting Zoom’s shift to an enterprise-centric customer base, newly appointed Chief Financial Officer Michelle Chang said on a post-earnings call. The company reported revenue of $1.18-billion for the third quarter, beating estimates of $1.16-billion, as per data compiled by LSEG. It reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.38 in the quarter ended Oct. 31, compared with estimates of $1.31.Receiving Social Security benefits is one of the most important times of the month for more than 72 million recipients who rely on these benefits to cover their living expenses. Therefore, any changes in the monthly payment amount are of great importance, as they will directly impact their finances. Since the Bureau of Labor Statistics has finally confirmed the new cost of living adjustment (COLA) for next year , Social Security beneficiaries are eagerly waiting for this annual boost to become effective as of January 2025. If you currently qualify for the retirement, survivor, and disability insurance (RSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, learn more about when beneficiaries will receive their first increase in Social Security checks. Social Security checks will increase in January following the 2025 COLA boost announcement The first boost in Social Security payments will be made soon. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will increase benefits sent by the Social Security Administration (SSA) by 2.5 percent for next year. The 2025 COLA will affect payments for retired workers, survivors, and disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Considering the 2.5% COLA boost, beneficiaries from the retirement, survivor, disability, and SSI programs will receive the following payment amounts: For Supplemental Security Income (SSI) , the maximum monthly federal payments will be $967 for an eligible individual, $1,450 for an eligible individual and an eligible spouse, and $484 for an essential person. It is crucial to note that because Social Security benefits are determined individually, each beneficiary will receive a different amount. You can add 2.5% to your current benefits to get an estimate. Beneficiaries will receive notice of their updated amount from SSA via mail or their My Social Security account. When will the first additional Social Security 2025 payments be sent? Beginning in January 2025, over 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 2.5 percent COLA adjustment. However, the enhanced payouts for approximately 7.5 million Supplemental Security Income users will begin on December 31, 2024, since the January payment was shifted earlier. Thus, the official payment schedule for sending the first higher payments is: Even though the Social Security Administration has a fixed schedule, some beneficiaries could experience delays in their payments. If this happens, it is recommended to wait at least some days before contacting customer service, as the delay may have to do with your banking processing system. Likewise, beneficiaries should keep in mind that they can access their My Social Security Account to learn more about their monthly benefits and download financial statements.Crystal Palace star’s rubbish was fly tipped outside my flat – I was furious & reported him to club

What do Reviews of Real Mitolyn Users Say About Purple Peel Exploit for Weight Loss?How to Watch Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Games – Tuesday, December 3 Published 4:28 pm Monday, December 2, 2024 By Data Skrive The Tuesday college basketball slate includes six games featuring a ranked team on the court. Among those games is the Holy Cross Crusaders taking on the UConn Huskies. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Today’s Top 25 Games Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.

niceph link A delegation led by Mr Batu Khasikov, Head of the Republic of Kalmykia, the Russian Federation, arrived in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning after travelling from Yangon by air. They were welcomed at the airport by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Aye Tun, members of the Nay Pyi Taw Council, and other officials. The delegation later met SAC Member Mahn Nyein Maung and Union Ministers U Tin Oo Lwin, U Min Naung, Dr Nyunt Pe, and U Min Thein Zan at the M Gallery Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw. Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation, including promoting mutual exchanges in religious and cultural matters, collaborating to successfully organize the third International Buddhist Forum in Kalmykia in September 2025, encouraging investment in agriculture and livestock sectors, and sharing agricultural technologies and quality seeds, introducing the Myanmar language as a subject in Russian universities and facilitating exchanges of scholarships and academic programmes, strengthening ties in education, healthcare, youth affairs, and sports development, and exploring the possibility of direct air links between Kalmykia and Myanmar to support tourism and hospitality industries. In the afternoon, the delegation visited Uppatasanti Pagoda in Nay Pyi Taw, where they offered flowers and water to a sacred Buddha image, made monetary donations, and signed the guestbook. They also visited the White Elephant Lodge, feeding white elephants with nutritional supplements. In the evening, Union Minister U Tin Oo Lwin hosted a dinner in honour of the Kalmykia delegation at the M Gallery Hotel. The event was attended by SAC Member Mahn Nyein Maung, Union ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman, deputy ministers, members of the Nay Pyi Taw Council, the Russian Ambassador to Myanmar, and delegation members. Following the dinner, the delegation visited the Maravijaya Buddha Image, where they paid their respects and toured the Buddha Garden on the premises. — MNA/TMTNone

Sellers' 20-yard TD run with 1:08 to go lifts No. 16 South Carolina to 17-14 win over No. 12 ClemsonMany of us are guilty of being chained to our desk chairs during the day and to the sofa during the evenings, but what impact could this have on our health later down the line? The cold and dark weather dramatically decreases the appeal of exercise this time of year, however gentle movements little and often could do wonders for our health. Advertisement So, what are the health risks of sitting down too much? And how often should we be moving our bodies? What signs might indicate you are sitting down too much? Our bodies are not designed to sit still for long periods (Alamy/PA) Advertisement “Signs that we are sitting too much might include joint pain and stiffness, particularly in the back and neck, and muscular pain and tightness, particularly in the shoulders, at the back of the knees and muscles at the front of the hips,” says Laura Mould, lead physiotherapist at Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital . “Low energy levels, fatigue and difficulty concentrating can also be related to inactivity.” Sitting down for too long may also exacerbate symptoms from existing conditions. “People with long-term health conditions such as arthritis, breathing conditions or circulation problems might find that sitting increases symptoms such as joint stiffness, breathlessness and leg swelling,” adds Mould. How does sitting down too much impact our bones and muscles? Advertisement Bones Sitting down too much affects our bones as well as our posture (Alamy/PA) “Sitting can make your bones weaker and eventually lead to osteoporosis and risk of fracture,” says Clara Kervyn, physiotherapist from the joint and muscle care specialists Deep Heat and Deep Freeze . “Sitting puts significant stress on the spine and can lead to compression of the discs in the spine. Advertisement “Spinal issues can cause significant pain and eventually immobility.” Being sedentary can also have a negative impact on our posture. “When we sit we often have bad posture as we tend to slouch, so make sure you sit right,” advises Kervyn. “Stop slouching and sit upright with feet flat on the floor and screens at eye level.” Muscles Advertisement “Sitting can cause the large muscles in your legs and glutes to weaken and waste away,” warns Kervyn. “These muscles are essential for walking, keeping your balance and generally stabilising your body. “Sitting can also tighten hip flexors, which can lead to problems with your hip joints.” Is it OK to sit down more as we age? We tend to sit down more after we retire (Alamy/PA) Moving your body regularly during retirement can help keep you healthy, mobile and independent. “We lose muscle much faster as we age and weakening muscles exacerbated by sitting down can lead to sarcopenia,” highlights Kervyn. “Eventually an old person may have difficulty getting out of bed and out of a chair potentially leading to the need for carers sooner.” How often should we move our body throughout the day? Go for a short walk (Alamy/PA) “Little and often is the key if you have a sedentary lifestyle or find yourself stuck at your desk,” advises Laura Stocks, physiotherapy quality lead at Nuffield Health . “Getting up from the desk and taking a little walk around can really help to reduce stiff joints and tight muscles. “Movement is key to musculoskeletal health and it is very important we exercise to maintain this part of health as we age.” Here are 3 gentle exercises you can do during the day... 1. Ankle rotations View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kim | Mobility & Pilates Strength Specialist (@mobilityfocuspilates) “While seated, lift your feet off the ground and rotate your ankles in circular motions in the same direction, five times one way and the same the other way,” instructs Olly Banks, personal trainer at Fitness First . “Repeat this motion three times. “This exercise helps to stimulate blood flow in your lower legs and feet, preventing stiffness and promoting circulation.” 2. Leg extensions “Extend one leg out in front of you and flex your foot, then bring it back down,” says Banks. “Repeat with the other leg and keep going back and forth a few times. “Leg extensions are a simple move that can prevent annoying stiffness in your legs, particularly if you’ve been sitting for long periods of time.” 3. Fast feet “Lift your heels off the floor so you’re on the balls of your feet, then quickly alternate between tapping your heels up and down, like you’re running on the spot,” says Banks. “Do this for 10 seconds before resting for 5 seconds and repeating 10 times. “This rapid movement helps to activate your calf muscles and pump blood back up towards your heart, giving your circulation a boost.”

ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. Get local news delivered to your inbox!ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Notation Labs Secures $2 Million Credit Facility to Accelerate Production of QwelTM, a Cutting-Edge Lead Detection and Prevention System

Blockchain founder Justin Sun has invested $30 million into President-elect Donald Trump's crypto project, World Liberty Financial. The platform aspires to be a sort of digital asset bank, where customers will be encouraged to borrow, lend and invest in digital coins. It also launched the WLFI token. Trump's company, DT Marks DEFI LLC is entitled to 75% of any revenue over $30 million. Before Sun's investment, the platform had sold $21 million of tokens. Now it has sold $51 million. Tron blockchain founder Justin Sun has invested $30 million into Donald Trump's crypto project, World Liberty Financial, he announced Monday. "We are thrilled to invest $30 million in World Liberty Financial @worldlibertyfi as its largest investor," Sun wrote in a post on X . Sun recently made national headlines when he spent $6.2 million at a Sotheby's auction for a banana duct-taped to a wall . World Liberty Financial, the Trump-branded crypto platform, aspires to be a sort of digital asset bank, where customers will be encouraged to borrow, lend and invest in digital coins. Trump has licensed his name and promotional considerations to the venture through an LLC, with no assumption of liability. In exchange, Trump's LLC received billions of tokens and the right to 75% of revenues above a $30 million threshold. The platform launched a WLFI token last month , and said in a roadmap that it was looking to raise $300 million at a $1.5 billion valuation in its initial sale. Before Sun's investment, $21.2 million worth of the token had been sold. As of Monday afternoon, $51.2 million worth of the token had been sold, according to its website. Sales now appear to have crossed the $30 million threshold to trigger revenue distribution to Trump's LLC. "The U.S. is becoming the blockchain hub, and Bitcoin owes it to @realDonaldTrump ! TRON is committed to making America great again and leading innovation. Let's go!" added Sun. WLFI co-founder Zachary Folkman has said "well over 100,000 people" are on the whitelist to invest in the token. But as of Monday afternoon, only about 20,400 unique wallet addresses hold the token, according to blockchain data tracked by Etherscan, representing roughly 20% of the total number of people who registered. "There have been a number of similarly significant purchases in recent weeks, and we are confident about future success and building out something that helps to make finance freer and fairer," Folkman said in a statement. "We expect more such developments to happen in the coming weeks and months." While Trump does not take office until January, Sun's investment in WLFI, and the revenue it appears to direct to Trump's LLC under the terms disclosed, highlights the way Trump's newer business ventures, like his social media company Trump Media Technology Group and this crypto venture, could offer more direct opportunities for individuals to enrich the president-elect than Trump's hotels and office buildings did. During Trump's first term in office, there were near constant questions about whether foreign governments' lavish spending on rooms and banquets at Trump's Washington, D.C. hotel amounted to violations of the Constitution's "emoluments clause." The clause bars federal office holders from accepting payments or things of value from foreign governments and their representatives. But Trump's hotel rooms and office space have relatively fixed prices, and costs that cut into total profits. By contrast, the investors in Trump's newer ventures — as demonstrated by Sun's token purchase — can inject tens of millions of dollars, instantly, with little to no cost to Trump. Spokespeople for the Trump presidential transition, World Liberty Financial and Sun's Tron did not immediately reply to requests for comment. Sun's purchase comes as Trump actively works to assemble his list of appointees. The president-elect wrapped up cabinet appointments over the weekend and has since moved on to other agency and department leaders. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong reportedly met with Trump to discuss appointments on Nov. 18. Within a day, conversations swirled about the potential for Trump to create the White House's first crypto czar . By the end of the week, longtime crypto foe and SEC chairman Gary Gensler, whose term doesn't expire until June 2026, announced he would be retiring on Inauguration Day. Trump has yet to select a nominee to lead the SEC in Gensler's place. Under new leadership, the securities regulator could choose to drop some of its enforcement actions against major crypto ventures. It's unclear how Tron's case could be impacted. In March 2023 , the commission unveiled fraud and unregistered securities charges against Sun, alongside separate violations against the celebrity backers of his Tronix and BitTorrent crypto assets, which included Jake Paul, Lindsay Lohan and Soulja Boy. The SEC alleged that Sun engaged in fraud by manipulating the trading activity of the two tokens, creating the appearance of active trading when it did not exist. The unregistered offer and sale charges, on the other hand, are similar to charges the SEC has unveiled against other crypto offerings and exchanges, including Genesis, Gemini , Coinbase , Binance, and Kraken. The crypto industry showed up in force this election cycle. Several notable sector leaders including Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, as well as multiple C-suite executives from crypto firms battling the SEC, donated to PACs supporting the Trump campaign.