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By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Related Articles National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department’s operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University’s law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump’s statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden’s commutation. “I’m inclined to think it’s still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, ‘don’t worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,’” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Before Biden’s commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. Berman said Trump’s statement, along with some recent actions by states, may present an effort to get the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that considers the death penalty disproportionate punishment for rape. “That would literally take decades to unfold. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” Berman said. Before one of Trump’s rallies on Aug. 20, his prepared remarks released to the media said he would announce he would ask for the death penalty for child rapists and child traffickers. But Trump never delivered the line. One of the men Trump highlighted on Tuesday was ex-Marine Jorge Avila Torrez, who was sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old girl in a suburban Chicago park several years before. The other man, Thomas Steven Sanders, was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and slaying of a 12-year-old girl in Louisiana, days after shooting the girl’s mother in a wildlife park in Arizona. Court records show he admitted to both killings. Some families of victims expressed anger with Biden’s decision, but the president had faced pressure from advocacy groups urging him to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The ACLU and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were some of the groups that applauded the decision. Biden left three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.On their 121 st week of protest to save the Aarey forest, citizens who gathered on Sunday morning drew attention to Mumbai's worsening air quality. The small group of protesters who stood near Birsa Munda Chowk, Goregaon (East), held placards and banners, and raised slogans about the deteriorating air quality and the loss of tree cover. Among those who gathered were municipal school teachers, students, and members of the teaching staff at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. They took turns to stand along the road between 11.00 and 12.00am. Citizens have been gathering every Sunday since July 2022 to seek protection for one of the last surviving natural areas in the city. The gatherings are organised by local residents and members of the Bombay Catholic Sabha (BCS)’s Our Lady of Rosary Church parish in Goregaon. Alex D'Souza of the BCS who was there at the protest gathering, said, “We decided to highlight the air pollution issue because Mumbai's air is now becoming as bad as Delhi.” Aarey, established in 1949 as the Aarey Milk Colony, covers approximately 3100 acres (1250 hectares) and has defunct dairies, a bread factory, the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Film City), and other facilities cover almost a third of the area. There are also tribal villages that existed before the dairy was established, and slums. The rest is forests, grasslands, gardens, and tree plantations. The forest faces threats from slums, new government housing projects, and dumping of concrete debris. The campaign to save the remaining forests started after the allocation of nearly 25 hectares to construct a depot for the SEEPZ-Cuffe Parade underground Metro railway. The campaign completed 100 weeks in July.CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the holiday season approaches, it's the perfect time to focus on winter wellness and thoughtful gifting ideas for health-conscious entertaining. Renowned Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Mia Syn shares her top recommendations to help people feel their best while enjoying all the season has to offer. COMBAT HOLIDAY CONGESTION "So many of us look forward to holiday parties and quality time with loved ones," says Syn, "But we often find ourselves battling sinus congestion from dry air, cold weather, or seasonal allergies." Her go-to solution? The NEW Mucinex® Sinus Saline Nasal Spray, the first-ever saline product featuring a 2-in-1 nozzle with customizable spray settings. Consumers can choose the ‘Power Jet' to tackle tough nasal congestion or the ‘Gentle Mist' to clear everyday congestion and soothe your nose. With its dual-nozzle technology, Mucinex® Sinus Saline Nasal Spray helps relieve congestion caused by allergens, irritants, and colds. Available at major retailers, pharmacies, and on Amazon, you can find your nearest store at Mucinex.com. Direct link: https://www.mucinex.com/ Social Media Handle: Facebook: @mucinex IG: @mucinex_us HOLIDAY TREATS WITH A HEALTHY TWIST Syn also encourages swapping ingredients in traditional holiday recipes with better-for-you alternatives. "One of my favorite holiday ingredients is Almond Breeze Almondmilk," she shares. Almond Breeze Unsweetened Original Almondmilk: Versitile, plant-based milk with zero grams of sugar. Almond Breeze Extra Creamy Almondmilk: Perfect for its deliciously creamy texture with less sugar and fewer calories than dairy milk. 1 Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog: A rich holiday classic free of eggs, dairy, and lactose, boasting just 70 calories per serving. "Santa might even prefer Almond Breeze with his cookies this year!" jokes Syn. Direct link: www.AlmondBreeze.com Social Media Handle: Facebook: Almond Breeze Instagram: @AlmondBreeze Twitter: @AlmondBreeze SKINCARE MUST-HAVES FOR WINTER Cold, harsh air can wreak havoc on your skin, causing dryness and accentuating fine lines. "Nobody enjoys that itchy, uncomfortable feeling that winter brings," says Syn, a skincare enthusiast. "That's why I turn to Mediheal—a trusted name in Korean skincare that's been raising the bar for years." Mediheal's toner pads have become a hit on social media, especially on TikTok, where users are swearing by their magic. Leading the charge are two fan-favorite products: Madecassoside Blemish Pads : A viral sensation in the U.S., these pads are proven to reduce blemishes, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Clinical results show a 16% improvement in skin texture and tone within just four weeks. Collagen Ampoule Pads : Mediheal's #1 bestseller in Korea, these pads instantly boost skin elasticity by an astonishing 106% in just one swipe. They also reduce fine lines by up to 33%, making them an anti-aging powerhouse. "Mediheal's toner pads are absolute game-changers," Syn adds. "They're versatile, targeting multiple skin concerns, so there's something for everyone." With a diverse lineup of toner pads and skincare products designed to tackle winter skin woes, Mediheal cements its place as the ultimate go-to for glowing, healthy skin—even in the harshest seasons. For a limited time, the Madecassoside Blemish Pad, Collagen Ampoule Pad and Vitamide Brightening Pad will be available in festive holiday packaging—perfect for gifting to loved ones or treating yourself this season! Direct link: Mediheal Amazon Website Social Media Handle: Facebook: @Mediheal US Instagram: @mediheal_us TikTok: @mediheal_us Twitter (X): @medihealus 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 Almond Breeze, Mediheal, and Mucinex. Media Contact: Michael O'Donnell D S Simon Media 212-736-2727 modonnell@dssimon.com A video accompanying this release is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/74283b19-564e-43c4-a467-440c7d109074 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.777 game casino 。

Mumbai: FIR Registered Against 12 Social Media Users For Circulating Defamatory Video Targeting CM Devendra Fadnavis

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The Fine Gael leader was asked about the controversy in the first question posed during the second and final TV leaders’ debate of Ireland’s General Election campaign. Mr Harris apologised over the weekend for his handling of the discussion with Charlotte Fallon while canvassing in Kanturk in Co Cork on Friday evening. The Taoiseach was accused of dismissing concerns that Ms Fallon raised about Government support for the disability sector during the exchange filmed by RTE in a supermarket. Mr Harris rang Ms Fallon on Saturday and said he unreservedly apologised for the way he treated her, however focus has since shifted to Fine Gael’s interactions with the national broadcaster about the social media video. At the outset of Tuesday’s TV debate, co-host Miriam O’Callaghan directly asked the Fine Gael leader whether a member of his party contacted RTE to ask for the clip to be taken down. “I have no knowledge of that whatsoever, because this clip was entirely appropriate,” said Mr Harris. “It was a very important moment on the campaign. “And RTE and indeed many media outlets have been with me throughout the campaign, covering many interactions that I’ve had with many, many people right across this country.” The Taoiseach said the approach by his team member was part of the “normal contact that happens between party politics and broadcasters on a daily basis”. Mr Harris’s partner-in-government in the last coalition, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, said he was not aware of the approach to RTE by Fine Gael. “I didn’t realise this had happened,” he said. “I think Simon has given his explanation to it. I’m not sure it’s as normal or as usual. I just get on with it every day. But, again, I think, you know, I’m not au fait with the details behind all of this, or the background to it. “The video didn’t come down, and it was seen by many, many people. “And I think it illustrates that out there, there are a lot of people suffering in our society. “Notwithstanding the progress we’ve made as a country, a lot of people are facing a lot of individual challenges, and our job as public representatives and as leaders in travelling the country is to listen to people, hear their cases, to understand the challenges that they are going through in their lives. “And when we go about in election campaigns, we have to open up ourselves to criticism and to people calling us to account.” Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald had earlier in the day described reports of the Fine Gael approach to RTE as “chilling”. However, at the start of the debate, she was asked about a media-focused issue related to her own party, namely the controversial manifesto proposal for an independent expert review of RTE’s objectivity in its coverage of the war in Gaza and other international conflicts. Mr Harris previously branded the proposal a “dog whistle to conspiracy theorists” while Mr Martin said it was a “dangerous departure”. Ms McDonald defended the idea during the RTE Prime Time debate on Tuesday. “Politics and politicians should not try to influence editorial decisions or try and have clips taken down because they are inconvenient to them,” she said. “There has to be distance, there has to be objectivity. But I would say I am struck by the very defensive reaction from some to this (the review proposal). “The BBC, for example, a peer review looked at their coverage on migration. Politicians didn’t put their hands on it, and rightly so. “I think in a world where we have to rely on quality information, especially from the national broadcaster, which is in receipt of very substantial public funding, that has to be the gold standard of reliability. I think peer reviews like that are healthy.”The House of Representatives voted to block the immediate release of the ethics report involving former Rep. Matt Gaetz. The vote was 206 to 198 — with all but one Republican, Rep. Tom McClintock, voting to refer the report back to the Ethics Committee. The House Ethics Committee investigated allegations of sexual misconduct involving Gaetz, along with accusations of illicit drug use and the alleged acceptance of improper gifts. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and the Department of Justice announced last year it would not bring charges against him. “Today, the majority of the House of Representatives took the easy way out,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “They could have ensured a vote on whether or not former Members should be held accountable when they face serious and credible allegations of sexual misconduct, including having sex with minors. Instead, the House voted to sweep these allegations under the rug and set an unfortunate precedent that, if you are ever facing scrutiny, resigning from Congress can make your problems go away. Gaetz resigned from Congress in November, days before the potential release of the report. His resignation set off a debate in Washington about whether the report should still be released since he was no longer a sitting member of Congress. RELATED STORY | Johnson against release of House Ethics Committee report involving Gaetz House Speaker Mike Johnson said the report shouldn't be released, claiming it set a bad precedent. "The rules of the House have always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee," he said in November. However, there was mounting pressure to release the report from Democrats and some Republicans as Gaetz was the nominee to be the next attorney general. The former congressman ultimately decided to withdraw his name from consideration, saying the nomination had become a distraction. RELATED STORY | Matt Gaetz says he's removing his name for consideration for attorney generalHouse torpedoes Democratic-led effort to release Ethics report on Matt Gaetz

d777 Global Middle Mile Delivery Market Set For 10.2% Growth, Reaching $166.99 Billion By 2028In a family that could sometimes seem like the cast of a 1950s sitcom, my uncle Donald had a role of his own. He was the obnoxious one. And it’s true. Many of Donald’s adult traits—his determination, his short fuse–first displayed themselves in his childhood.” The person being described in this rather unflattering manner is none other than the mercurial Donald J Trump, now all set to occupy the White House once again. Describing him thus is his nephew Fred C Trump III, in his memoir All In The Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way, published a few months before his uncle won a second presidential term. The memoir reinforces the unsavoury traits of both the family and uncle Donald, a hugely successful real estate Moghul, until he stepped into politics to turn things upside down. The Trump family, as also uncle Donald, are portrayed as being mean-spirited, despite the wealth and means at their command. There is also a sense of dysfunctionality that comes through, with the author recalling how people would often tell him, “The Trump name is toxic.” Neither the family nor Donald Trump emerge unscathed as Fred gently twists the knife into both—be it their general lack of empathy, their lack of scruples in seeking to usurp his and his sister Mary’s share of inheritance in their grandfather’s estate, and even their downright heartlessness as they seek to cut-off the medical insurance of Fred’s severely disabled son, William. “Of all the cruel, low-down, vicious, heartless things my own relatives could do to me, my wife and my children, this was worse than anything I could possibly imagine,” he writes. But it’s not merely the move to cut-off William’s insurance cover that will leave you slack-jawed. It’s also uncle Donald’s callous remarks when Fred went to meet him regarding depleting funds for William’s medical treatment. “He doesn’t recognise you. Maybe you should let him die and move down to Florida,” is what the uncle told his nephew. If uncle Donald comes across as cold-hearted, so do his siblings as they go along with his efforts to prevent the author’s family from getting its share of their grandfather’s estate. Fred writes of his uncle: “Cutting off our share of the family fortune didn’t seem to cause Donald a second of anxiety or guilt”. Sister Mary has already documented the Trump family’s dysfunctionality and uncle Donald’s personality in her own memoir, Too Much And Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man. Fred adds to the mix. Having seen uncle Donald from close quarters right since childhood during regular visits to his grandparents mansion in New York city, Fred’s portrayal of his uncle is of a man who was ruthlessly ambitious, churlish, odious, unscrupulous and not averse to speaking untruths to meet his ends. It’s no surprise that Donald Trump’s recent presidential campaign was also peppered with untruths—the most preposterous one being his claim that Haitian immigrants were eating people’s pets! That the world has seen Donald Trump display these characteristics in good measure since he came into the limelight—first as a flamboyant property tycoon, and then as the US President from 2017 to 2021—goes without saying. These personality traits had their origins in his upbringing, going by the memoir. Donald, the fourth of five children of family patriarch Frederick Trump and his Scottish wife Mary, learned early “he could get away with things even as a child”. His penchant for half-truths and outright lies also comes through as the author narrates episodes from his life long before he became the President. Fred writes it was at the New York Military Academy, a school that Donald Trump was packed off to by his father, hoping to instill some discipline in his recalcitrant son, that his uncle “transitioned from simply obnoxious to thoroughly brash”. Later, uncle Trump managed his admission to Ivy League business school Wharton despite his “spotty academic record” with help from grandpa who went along with him for the on-campus interview. The patriarch chatted up the admissions staff, mentioning his multifarious projects and hinting at the donations the school could get. Voila! Trump entered the portals of Wharton. The memoir also shares in great detail how uncle Donald managed to repeatedly dodge military service during the Vietnam war, getting five deferments, four for attending college and the final one for bone spurs. Again, it was his father who came to the rescue, arranging for him a certificate from a podiatrist, a tenant in one of his buildings, to certify that the youngster was suffering from bone spurs. “Bone spurs? No one in the family had ever heard of Donald’s bone spurs. No one had ever seen him hobbling. No one had ever heard him complain,” notes his nephew. And then adds caustically, “Donald had a get-out-of-war free card,” which was to later earn him the tag of “draft dodger” from his political rivals. Charges that the President-elect is also racist are alluded to in his use of the N-word when he found his car vandalised as a youngster. Blacks, without any proof whatsoever, were blamed by him. Fred, however, appears to equivocate in saying that in those days “people said all kinds of crude, thoughtless, prejudiced things”. The use of racially charged remarks, of course, was one of the hallmarks of Trump’s recent presidential campaign. The memoir also leaves you with an unmistakable sense of irony as far as Trump’s strident anti-immigration stance is concerned, given that he himself is the grandson of illegal German immigrants to the US. Trump has now reaffirmed his plans to go ahead with his mass deportation programme when he takes over the Oval Office in January. The nephew’s portrayal of the next US President as a mean, mendacious, transactional, self-serving person could be dismissed as the rant of an embittered man. Curiously, he remains in touch with his uncle and even attended his presidential inaugural for the first term. The world more or less already knows what Donald Trump embodies, as it waits for his second presidential tenure with bated breath for the upheavals in the offing.

Martin & Company, a leading provider of insurance technology solutions and consulting services for MGAs and carriers, has filled key technology, finance, and marketing roles on its leadership team. PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 11, 2024 technology, finance, and marketing roles on its leadership team. In Q4 2023, Polaris Growth Fund (PGF) partnered with Martin & Company to accelerate the company's growth and expand into new software and service opportunities. PGF partners with founders building best in class technology and services companies. "We've built a great management team," Paul P. Martin, CEO and founder of Martin & Company said. "Along with our current executives, Senior Vice President of Compliance Sonja Rodebaugh and Vice President of Business Development Matt Heilmann, the new executives we've added to the team this year are here to help us continue to meet our clients' needs and grow our business in the coming years." Aaron Hickmann brings prior Insurtech experience as Chief Technology Officer. Hickmann holds an MBA in information technology and has led operational and technical teams... Martin & Company

Hail Flutie: BC celebrates 40th anniversary of Miracle in MiamiDua Lipa and Boyfriend Callum Turner Cozy Up in New Selfie: 'Home for the Holidays'EAST LANSING, Mich. — The sight was a common one for Andrew Kolpacki. For many a Sunday, he would watch NFL games on TV and see quarterbacks putting their hands on their helmets, desperately trying to hear the play call from the sideline or booth as tens of thousands of fans screamed at the tops of their lungs. When the NCAA's playing rules oversight committee this past spring approved the use of coach-to-player helmet communications in games for the 2024 season, Kolpacki, Michigan State's head football equipment manager, knew the Spartans' QBs and linebackers were going to have a problem. "There had to be some sort of solution," he said. As it turns out, there was. And it was right across the street. Kolpacki reached out to Tamara Reid Bush, a mechanical engineering professor who not only heads the school's Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory but also is a football season ticket-holder. Kolpacki "showed me some photos and said that other teams had just put duct tape inside the (earhole), and he asked me, 'Do you think we can do anything better than duct tape,?" Bush said. "And I said, 'Oh, absolutely.'" Bush and Rylie DuBois, a sophomore biosystems engineering major and undergraduate research assistant at the lab, set out to produce earhole inserts made from polylactic acid, a bio-based plastic, using a 3D printer. Part of the challenge was accounting for the earhole sizes and shapes that vary depending on helmet style. Once the season got underway with a Friday night home game against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30, the helmets of starting quarterback Aidan Chiles and linebacker Jordan Turner were outfitted with the inserts, which helped mitigate crowd noise. DuBois attended the game, sitting in the student section. "I felt such a strong sense of accomplishment and pride," DuBois said. "And I told all my friends around me about how I designed what they were wearing on the field." All told, Bush and DuBois have produced around 180 sets of the inserts, a number that grew in part due to the variety of helmet designs and colors that are available to be worn by Spartan players any given Saturday. Plus, the engineering folks have been fine-tuning their design throughout the season. Dozens of Bowl Subdivision programs are doing something similar. In many cases, they're getting 3D-printed earhole covers from XO Armor Technologies, which provides on-site, on-demand 3D printing of athletic wearables. The Auburn, Alabama-based company has donated its version of the earhole covers to the equipment managers of programs ranging from Georgia and Clemson to Boise State and Arizona State in the hope the schools would consider doing business with XO Armor in the future, said Jeff Klosterman, vice president of business development. XO Armor first was approached by the Houston Texans at the end of last season about creating something to assist quarterback C.J. Stroud in better hearing play calls delivered to his helmet during road games. XO Armor worked on a solution and had completed one when it received another inquiry: Ohio State, which had heard Michigan State was moving forward with helmet inserts, wondered if XO Armor had anything in the works. "We kind of just did this as a one-off favor to the Texans and honestly didn't forecast it becoming our viral moment in college football," Klosterman said. "We've now got about 60 teams across college football and the NFL wearing our sound-deadening earhole covers every weekend." The rules state that only one player for each team is permitted to be in communication with coaches while on the field. For the Spartans, it's typically Chiles on offense and Turner on defense. Turner prefers to have an insert in both earholes, but Chiles has asked that the insert be used in only one on his helmet. Chiles "likes to be able to feel like he has some sort of outward exposure," Kolpacki said. Exposure is something the sophomore signal-caller from Long Beach, California, had in away games against Michigan and Oregon this season. Michigan Stadium welcomed 110,000-plus fans for the Oct. 26 matchup between the in-state rivals. And while just under 60,000 packed Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, for the Ducks' 31-10 win over Michigan State three weeks earlier, it was plenty loud. "The Big Ten has some pretty impressive venues," Kolpacki said. "It can be just deafening," he said. "That's what those fans are there for is to create havoc and make it difficult for coaches to get a play call off." Something that is a bit easier to handle thanks to Bush and her team. She called the inserts a "win-win-win" for everyone. "It's exciting for me to work with athletics and the football team," she said. "I think it's really exciting for our students as well to take what they've learned and develop and design something and see it being used and executed." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Innovation and strategy consulting firm unveils refreshed brand and new services designed to foster sustainable growth, resilience, and long-term success. NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2024 renewed commitment to empower clients in achieving future-readiness. The firms' rebranding includes a strengthened focus on providing deep industry expertise, customized strategies, and tech-enhanced solutions to address both current business challenges and future growth opportunities. Stellarix evolves as a strategic partner, helping navigate a competitive, uncertain future shaped by disruptions like technology shifts, economic changes, and global dynamics. Stellarix empowers clients with innovative tools and strategies, enabling resilience, adaptability, and sustainable growth to stay ahead and thrive in today's unpredictable business landscape. At the core of Stellarix's approach is its ability to provide hyper-customized solutions designed to address the unique needs of each client. The firm recognizes that every business faces different challenges, and as such, it takes a personalized approach to creating strategies that not only meet short-term goals but also ensure long-term impact. Whether assisting with digital transformation, managing innovation, or creating growth strategies, Stellarix's solutions are built to help businesses adapt, innovate, and remain competitive in an ever-evolving market. Stellarix serves a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, nutrition, automotive, consumer goods, chemicals & materials, natural resources and energy, and manufacturing. The firms' expertise allows... Stellarix; Stellarix

The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has launched an online registration portal to streamline its material testing processes. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the web registration portal was launched during the eGIS retreat 2.0, held at the 21st Century Technologies, Lekki, Lagos, on Saturday. The initiative aims to improve efficiency and accuracy in the testing of building materials, which is crucial for ensuring the safety and durability of structures. The General Manager of LSMTL, Mrs Olayinka Abdul, said at the launch that the new web portal would automate data capture and tracking of building materials tests, reducing manual errors and speeding up the processes. Abdul said: “This software application captures and tracks building data to streamline the LSMTL’s quality assurance process for long-lasting structures. “This initiative will directly benefit all stakeholders, such as potential clients and LSMTL agents.” Abdul said that LSMTL was taking proactive steps to improve building safety in Lagos by leveraging data-driven insights from geotechnical investigations. She added that detailed geotechnical investigations would be conducted to identify the specific characteristics of different areas in the state and recommend appropriate construction practices. Abdul emphasised the importance of data collection and analysis in preventing building collapse. She said that the agency was committed to using data-driven approaches to improve building safety and prevent disasters. “By collecting and analysing data, collaborating with other agencies, and developing detailed maps, LSMTL aims to create a more resilient and sustainable built environment in Lagos,” she said. The general manager also emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in the online portal payment process. She said that it would be important to provide a clear and accessible platform for customers to track the progress of their tests and make payments. According to Abdul, the portal is linked to the Alpha Beta Portal, a state government platform. She said that the initiative would further enhance transparency and accountability. Abdul also emphasised the importance of adhering to professional standards and regulations to ensure quality of testing services, urging professionals to be COREN- certified. Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, said that eGeographic information service was developed to fully harness the power of technology and quality of life for Lagos residents. He said, “Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has public trust which is fostered by what every ministry, departments and agency of government does to ensure we build on existing work and common platforms for information sharing and enhanced services, which is the focus of this two-day retreat.”

Football Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News. Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich insists Brisbane is “improving” despite being the only A-League team yet to register a point this season. The competition cellar dwellers have lost each of their three matches and face another tough battle in Saturday’s Unite Round clash against the unbeaten Adelaide United at Allianz Stadium. “The position on the ladder’s disappointing and we haven’t taken any points yet, but there are some strong indicators in our performances ... and we have to stay very process driven at this point in time and keep improving, but we’re at that point where we want to win as well,” Zadkovich said. “We’re hungry. The team’s been training really hard in this (international) break. It’s another opportunity for us to get better, and we need to. “Attitude and mentality-wise, the players have been in all three games really competitive but probably just lacking some quality in some moments under pressure to go and deliver. “We’re confident, though, that if we keep improving, which we’ve certainly done in the three games, that the process is going to serve us well and it’s going to turn into better performances, better results and better outcomes.” The future is NOW at @brisbaneroar 🟠✠̈ Ruben Zadkovich is set to hand a new crop of Roar academy talents their professional debuts 🙌 Watch this space. pic.twitter.com/JkUBuRp6wT — Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) November 21, 2024 With the Roar hoping to develop a host of young players, Zadkovich paid credit to Adelaide for showing a “really good blueprint” on how to successfully bring youth through a club system, with the obvious example being teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda, who left the Reds earlier this year to join German giants Bayern Munich. “Where they have the advantages is that they’re a lot further down that process than we are as a club at the moment,” the Brisbane mentor said. “They’ve got a really strong association with South Australian football. They’re working in tandem with that, which we’re trying to do here now with Football Queensland in trying to build better pathways and better processes for players to come through. “It is a work in progress. It’s going to take a long time before it’s to the level we need it to be, but we focus on the small steps and small gains. “We want to ... bring through more and more of our own homegrown talent into this squad, which will make us more sustainable long term as a club business-wise. “It’s also about the right game, right moment, right opportunity for those players and making sure that when they do come in that they’re ready.” The Roar will again be without Neicer Acosta on Saturday, with the Ecuadorian winger to miss a third successive match with a leg injury. “He’s probably still two or three weeks away, which is disappointing because we had him earmarked to play a certain role in our line-up, but one man’s misfortune is another man’s gain, and there are players putting their hands up, so that’s given me some selection headaches for sure,” Zadkovich said. Originally published as Brisbane Roar remain confident of ‘better results’ despite having lost first three games of the season Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Football Sydney still to decide on Costa The Sydney derby looms as the highlight of the A-League’s Unite Round, but whether Sky Blues star Douglas Costa is involved remains unknown. Read more Football Matilda set for milestone during A-Leagues’ Unite Round Ahead of a milestone match for Tameka Yallop during Unite Round, the Matilda veteran is confident she is part of something special at the Brisbane Roar which could give her a long-awaited shot at title glory. Read more

As the holiday season kicks into high gear, people are filled with excitement to see family and friends, and kitchens begin to buzz with the familiar aroma of festive dishes. According to a recent Instacart survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults by The Harris Poll, 88% are gearing up to cook festive meals for occasions like Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year's Eve. This report explores the food and drink trends surrounding Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's using Instacart purchase data from the 2023 holiday season — as well as a recent Harris Poll survey. Winter Holidays: Deliciously Diverse Traditions 'Tis the season to serve holiday dishes at various gatherings, with 67% of those surveyed saying family traditions are a top influence when selecting winter holiday dishes. Leading on the nostalgia front, a notable 73% of women (vs. 61% of men) and the same percentage of married individuals (vs. 62% not married) find themselves most influenced by these time-honored practices. Boomers (70%) are also more likely than Gen Z and millennials (61% and 63% respectively) to tap into their family favorite recipes for the holidays. When it comes to the different generations, Gen Z and millennials stand out as particularly budget-savvy. Nearly one in three Gen Z (32%) and millennials (30%) consider the cost of ingredients a top priority when planning their holiday feast. And among those who make holiday dishes, 31% of Gen Z and 34% of millennials are adventurous in the kitchen, desiring to experiment with new recipes. Main dish masterpieces: Turkey (56%) and ham (52%) are the most preferred festive staples on holiday tables. However, the younger generations are venturing beyond the traditional, favoring chicken dishes (47% Gen Z and 43% millennials vs. 28% Gen X and 21% Boomers) and enjoying vegetarian or vegan options (13% Gen Z and 11% millennials vs. 6% Gen X and 4% Boomers). Sipping Into the Season Fun beverages can add to the festive atmosphere of the holidays—and hot chocolate is the clear frontrunner warming the hearts of Americans everywhere. According to the survey findings, here are the top five seasonal sippers Americans say are among their favorite winter holiday beverages: Hot chocolate - 58% Eggnog - 42% Cider - 26% Mulled wine - 13% Hot toddy - 13% Gearing Up for Gift Giving During the week before Christmas last year, Instacart data showed an unmissable trend: customers were largely focused on preparing their gifts. Gift wrapping paper is a great proxy to measure gift-giving behavior, and orders containing wrapping paper peaked on Dec. 23—just two days before Christmas. In addition, these are the top five items that surged the week before Christmas, per Instacart purchase data: • Ribeye roast • Christmas cards • Gift wrap • Gift tags • Stockings • Sugar and Spice Delights For many, the holidays aren't complete without a batch of festive cookies. In fact, 41% of Americans look forward to them each year. But which cookie is the real crowd-pleaser? According to this survey, the top five favorite holiday cookies are: • Chocolate chip - 57% • Sugar - 52% • Peanut butter - 40% • Gingerbread - 33% • Snickerdoodle - 32% While some cookies may fly off the plate at a holiday party, some tend to linger a bit longer. Our survey found that the least favorite cookies are: • Oatmeal raisin - 21% • Molasses - 19% • Peppermint or mint chocolate - 17% • Meringues - 16% • Biscotti - 15% Instacart has created the Candy Cane Index to answer questions like, Is it too early to start hanging holiday lights? There's been a lot of talk over the past few years about starting the holidays earlier and earlier, so Instacart looked within its grocery catalog to see if there was a clear indicator of this trend. It turns out that candy cane purchases are the most closely related item to the beginning of Christmas festivities, so this variable is named the Instacart Candy Cane Index. Early Holiday Spirit Shines With Candy Canes and Latkes According to the Instacart Candy Cane Index, orders containing candy canes passed a critical seasonal threshold a full week earlier in 2023 compared to 2017. The earliest this happened was in 2020 (Nov. 30) and 2021 (Nov. 29), when people were social distancing and craving holiday joy sooner than ever before. Instacart anticipates this year the trend will keep pace with 2023, likely with an increase for candy cane purchases on or around Dec. 3. A Hanukkah favorite: Bring out the sour cream and applesauce to enjoy alongside classic Jewish latkes. On the first day of Hanukkah last year, orders for latkes increased by an impressive 2,626% compared to the yearly average. Instacart data also showed that purchases for latkes jumped around other notable Jewish observances of Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur in early April and mid-September in 2023. New Year's Tradition: Black-Eyed Peas for Luck and Prosperity According to Southern tradition, eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is considered to bring luck and prosperity in the year ahead. On New Year's Eve, the share of orders that contained black-eyed peas spiked 2,480% above the yearly average order share. Georgia alone ordered black-eyed peas 217% more often than the overall national average. Survey Method This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Instacart from September 19-23, 2024, among 2,077 adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This story was produced by Instacart and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

College Football Program Draws Embarrassing Crowd Amid Two-Win Season

Article content The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness (ECOHH) held a rally Saturday while the snow fell and the temperature dropped, with a goal of spurring action to develop more social housing to help more than 4,000 people experiencing homelessness in the city. “We’re all dressed nice and warm, of course, but the people who we’re here for are not, and they don’t have the luxury of going home afterwards,” said ECOHH chairwoman Nadine Chalifoux at the beginning of the event. A crowd of more than 50 people were bundled up in tarps and blankets at the North Plaza of the Legislature Grounds — experiencing a just fraction of what thousands experiencing homelessness endure throughout the winter. ECOHH’s rally was just one among 15 other cities across Canada to recognize of National Housing Day, aiming to raise awareness and to encourage action from municipal, provincial, and federal governments to invest in social housing for vulnerable Canadians. Attendees of the rally were given postcards addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau created by Social Housing & Human Rights Canada , calling on the federal government to create a “minimum of 50,000 net new rent-geared-to-income social housing units each year for 10 years, starting now.” ECOHH’s rally comes on the heels of a deadly two-weeks for Edmonton which saw four people found dead in bus shelters across the city as the weather has gotten colder and the snow began to fall. The four people were believed to be homeless, which president of transit union ATU Local 569, Steve Bradshaw, believed was weather related. “ They are coming out of their encampments and back onto the system, it’s a seasonal shift,” said Bradshaw to Postmedia. Safety response In response to the changing weather, the City of Edmonton activated its winter safety response plan to support Edmonton’s thousands of people experiencing homelessness. The initiative rolls out a variety of resources, including a free nightly shelter shuttle bus (which the city just added one more of for the winter), wound care pop ups, and warm public spaces, among others. Edmonton’s Hope Mission hit a new milestone since the change in the weather, providing shelter for more than 1,000 people for the first time ever. The organization said the demand for shelter was met with similarly increased demand for hot meals. Tim Pasma, director of programs and homelessness with Hope Mission, thanked the Alberta government for its financial support. “ We are so grateful that the province has helped us to open these additional shelter spaces. They have helped enable us to meet this growing need,” said Pasma in a release. For its part, the Alberta government said it increased funding for shelters in Edmonton to more than $42 million, bringing the total provincial budget for homelessness in 2024-25 to nearly $210 million. But funding for shelters wasn’t enough for the chanters at Saturday’s rally, which made clear by their collective voices echoing off of the surrounding provincial buildings in the quiet, cold, afternoon. “Build houses — not shelters,” the crowd shouted during a call-and-response segment of the rally. “I think this is honestly an appropriate day to be doing this and thinking about us being here together in solidarity with over 4000 people that are also outside today and unhoused or homeless,” said University of Alberta researcher Rylan Kamara to the bundled-up crowd in the plaza. “With those kind of numbers, it just shows how market approaches to this housing crisis, they don’t work, and they haven’t for a long time.” The crowd listened to several speakers and performers, including drumming from members the Enoch Cree Nation, and a performance by Martin Kerr of his song “ God Rest Ye Merry Billionaires ,” which was released last year. Juno award-winning songwriter Maria Dunn also performed a song specifically about the unfolding homelessness crisis, calling on Canadians to put the same effort into helping support the homeless as is put into hockey. “I think about how much our society values and seems to assemble lots of resources and money to celebrate hockey, which is wonderful to celebrate with joy, but why can’t we do that for people who are out on the street?” asked Dunn prior to beginning the song. “No matter what’s happened to you, no matter what you’re going through, you deserve a decent place to live. Without housing first, where does healing begin?” sang Dunn, as the crowd joined in for the final chorus. “Bring them home. Bring them home. Leave it all on the ice. We need everyone bring them home.” With files from Lauren Boothby.

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Deshawn Purdie threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to O'Mega Blake for the go-ahead score and Charlotte defeated Florida Atlantic 39-27 on Saturday in a game that matched two new interim coaches. Charlotte (4-7, 3-4 American Athletic Conference) fired Biff Poggi on Monday and Tim Brewster took over. FAU (2-9, 0-7) fired Tom Ferman, also on Monday, with Chad Lunsford taking charge. After Blake's third touchdown catch of the game that came with 5:25 left, the 49ers extended their lead when Tyriq Starks was strip-sacked by Ja'Qurious Conley and 335-pound Katron Kevans carried it 22 yards into the end zone. Blake made five catches for a career-high 205 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown. Purdie was 16 of 30 for a career-best 396 yards passing with the three scores plus an interception. The 49ers only rushed for 46 yards. Stephen Rusnak kicked four field goals. Starks was 12-of-23 passing for 179 yards including a 65-yard score to Omari Hayes in the final minute of the third quarter to get FAU within six of the 49ers. CJ Campbell rushed 58 yards to score early in the fourth quarter and the Owls had a 27-26 lead. Campbell finished with 150 yards on 21 carries. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Deshawn Purdie threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to O'Mega Blake for the go-ahead score and Charlotte defeated Florida Atlantic 39-27 on Saturday in a game that matched two new interim coaches. Charlotte (4-7, 3-4 American Athletic Conference) fired Biff Poggi on Monday and Tim Brewster took over. FAU (2-9, 0-7) fired Tom Ferman, also on Monday, with Chad Lunsford taking charge. After Blake's third touchdown catch of the game that came with 5:25 left, the 49ers extended their lead when Tyriq Starks was strip-sacked by Ja'Qurious Conley and 335-pound Katron Kevans carried it 22 yards into the end zone. Blake made five catches for a career-high 205 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown. Purdie was 16 of 30 for a career-best 396 yards passing with the three scores plus an interception. The 49ers only rushed for 46 yards. Stephen Rusnak kicked four field goals. Starks was 12-of-23 passing for 179 yards including a 65-yard score to Omari Hayes in the final minute of the third quarter to get FAU within six of the 49ers. CJ Campbell rushed 58 yards to score early in the fourth quarter and the Owls had a 27-26 lead. Campbell finished with 150 yards on 21 carries. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals have found all manner of ways to lose close games this season. Sunday's 44-38 loss to AFC North rival Pittsburgh can be blamed on a defense that missed tackles and allowed 520 yards of offense, and three turnovers by Joe Burrow. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.Get Ready to Play: 20 Must-Play Video Games from 2024crazy 777 jili 。

ST. ALBANS — The fate of the St. Albans dialysis clinic is up in the air. Due to budget cuts, University of Vermont Medical Center is looking to off-load its dialysis clinics in St. Albans, Rutland and Newport to alternative providers. The health network will continue to operate the sites until if, or when, it finds new management for the life-saving services. The change will impact approximately 115 patients statewide, including 40 in the St. Albans area. “We will do everything we can to support our patients and our employees affected by these difficult decisions,” Dr. Stephen Leffler, president and COO of University of Vermont Medical Center, said in a statement. “These actions are in direct conflict with our nonprofit mission to be here for the patients who need us, and we are very sorry for the negative impact this will have on Vermonters.” Health network leaders are blaming the reductions on state regulatory measures undertaken by the Green Mountain Care Board, the state’s five-person group focused on cutting systemwide healthcare costs. The board limits how much state hospitals can charge commercial insurance in order to regulate increases to patients, which has impacted medical services offered by each hospital. At the dialysis clinic in St. Albans, patients and providers are concerned. “It’s extremely shocking to all of us and disappointing,” Heather Kosher, a dialysis nurse at the clinic, said. “It’s a really bad way to deal with a budget cap, by cutting vital services to patients who are very vulnerable.” The St. Albans clinic provides care to about 40 patients who have end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure. Patients rely on a machine to clean their blood three days a week for about four hours at a time. Nadine Reinhardt currently travels to the St. Albans clinic from the far side of Jay Peak. With aging parents who are unable to drive the long distance, she relies on GMTA bus service to get to and from her appointments. If the clinic closes, she’d need to take public transit even further south to Burlington or set up a dialysis machine at her home. “That would require me to put needles in her arm, and I’m not up to doing that,” her mother Peggy, age 79, said. “I’m an elderly lady. It’s something I’m not equipped to deal with as a mother.” The St. Albans clinic provides care to about 40 patients who have end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure. Patients rely on a machine to clean their blood three days a week for about four hours at a time. Jeffrey Williams, a resident of St. Albans, has a much shorter commute to the clinic, and that allows him to go back and forth by himself. If his care were to move further away, he said he’d either need to move or get someone to drive him. Kosher said the Burlington dialysis center is not equipped to handle more patients, and so some may be forced to go out of state. “At that point, I will have patients who will probably die because they will choose not to try to do that,” she said. Williams said he learned about the possible closure of the St. Albans clinic from a notice that was handed out to patients. While the clinic’s managing nurse has been a listening ear to patients’ concerns, she doesn’t know what’s next. “She isn’t really clear,” Williams said. “She doesn’t believe that we may not be leaving.” The St. Albans clinic has 17 clinical staff as well as several staff who travel between centers, like a dietician, social worker and renal technicians. Kosher said there’s been no communication to staff yet about the status of their jobs, many of which are highly-specialized and take years of training. “I really want to stay and take care of my dialysis patients,” she said. “That’s what I’m going to do until they see me out.” In a joint statement, Northwestern Medical Center, North Country Hospital and Rutland Regional Medical Center said they have begun discussions with UVM Health Network to find a way for dialysis care to be maintained in their respective service areas. “This process is still in its early stages and will ultimately require regulatory approval,” they said. “Collectively, we are hopeful the GMCB will recognize this important need and support our hospitals in transitioning the care in a way that balances the needs of our organizations with the needs of our patients. We must be assured that we can reasonably fund and support under the limitations placed on us by the GMCB.” In addition to changes in dialysis treatment, UVMMC also announced proposed cuts to other patient services across the hospital network. At Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, leaders plan to close the inpatient psychiatry unit. Changes are also expected at UVM Medical Center in Burlington, which will accept fewer patients for overnight care. The health network also plans to consolidate primary care and rehab clinics in central Vermont, closing at least two locations in Waitsfield.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

The Sweden midfielder hailed Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of the champions as the best game of his career. The 24-year-old delivered an outstanding performance as Spurs shattered the champions’ 52-game unbeaten home run, helping start the rout with a superb cross for James Maddison’s opening goal. Kulusevski said: “I believed (we would win) this because in the past years, we’ve come here and played really well. “So this is the game I look forward to most in the year and, once again, it happened – glory to God. “I’d say it’s the best result ever in my career. It’s a big night for the whole club, for the coach, for the players. “Because City have a lot of the ball sometimes, we can rest when we defend. There’s also so much space up there, we play one against one and then it’s always dangerous because we have a lot of quality. “It’s always great to play great teams because they always want to play football. When you play lower teams, sometimes it’s not. There’s not much football played because they are a lot of fouls, a lot of injuries and it’s slow going.” Maddison stole the show with two goals in quick succession in the first half while Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson later got on the scoresheet. Kulu-chef-ski cooked 👨‍🍳 📊 @KumhoTyreUK pic.twitter.com/CsrTh5oUgn — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 24, 2024 Yet Kulusevski’s performance was also eye-catching and the player himself believes there is plenty more to come from him. Asked if his form made him feel “unstoppable”, Kulusevski said: “I feel like that. I feel very good and I’m trying to keep this way. I’m very happy, I’m trying to improve. “I started the season good but there is over half of the season left and I hope I can do much better. “I think I have something that no other player has. With my engine, with my heart – I don’t get tired – I feel like I can do a lot still in my career.” Spurs have won more matches against Pep Guardiola's Man City than any other side 👀 pic.twitter.com/BHLZqde9sP — Premier League (@premierleague) November 23, 2024 Tottenham’s scintillating performance marked a spectacular return to form after their dismal loss to Ipswich in their previous Premier League outing. Kulusevski said: “We have to be much more consistent. It’s not a turning point. We just have to be better in other games. “This game suited us perfectly but we have a lot of improvement to make in the other games.”

USC men’s basketball: 3 takeaways before Big Ten debutThames Valley Police has released crime data from September 2024 which shows that there were a total of 167 incidents of anti-social behaviour were reported. This is a reduction in the anti-social behaviour reported to police in Reading in September 2023 when 218 crimes were reported. Using our interactive map you can see what was reported in your area: Thames Valley Police marked... Nicole McBride

The Sweden midfielder hailed Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of the champions as the best game of his career. The 24-year-old delivered an outstanding performance as Spurs shattered the champions’ 52-game unbeaten home run, helping start the rout with a superb cross for James Maddison’s opening goal. Kulusevski said: “I believed (we would win) this because in the past years, we’ve come here and played really well. “So this is the game I look forward to most in the year and, once again, it happened – glory to God. “I’d say it’s the best result ever in my career. It’s a big night for the whole club, for the coach, for the players. “Because City have a lot of the ball sometimes, we can rest when we defend. There’s also so much space up there, we play one against one and then it’s always dangerous because we have a lot of quality. “It’s always great to play great teams because they always want to play football. When you play lower teams, sometimes it’s not. There’s not much football played because they are a lot of fouls, a lot of injuries and it’s slow going.” Maddison stole the show with two goals in quick succession in the first half while Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson later got on the scoresheet. Kulu-chef-ski cooked 👨‍🍳 📊 @KumhoTyreUK pic.twitter.com/CsrTh5oUgn — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 24, 2024 Yet Kulusevski’s performance was also eye-catching and the player himself believes there is plenty more to come from him. Asked if his form made him feel “unstoppable”, Kulusevski said: “I feel like that. I feel very good and I’m trying to keep this way. I’m very happy, I’m trying to improve. “I started the season good but there is over half of the season left and I hope I can do much better. “I think I have something that no other player has. With my engine, with my heart – I don’t get tired – I feel like I can do a lot still in my career.” Spurs have won more matches against Pep Guardiola's Man City than any other side 👀 pic.twitter.com/BHLZqde9sP — Premier League (@premierleague) November 23, 2024 Tottenham’s scintillating performance marked a spectacular return to form after their dismal loss to Ipswich in their previous Premier League outing. Kulusevski said: “We have to be much more consistent. It’s not a turning point. We just have to be better in other games. “This game suited us perfectly but we have a lot of improvement to make in the other games.”World leaders gather to celebrate reopening of Notre Dame CathedralBrisbane news live: Man jailed for stabbing police officer who put gun away

Politicians truly are the worst among usDirty underwear and rough haircut amongst non-crime hate incidents investigated by police

NoneFacebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save GREEN LAKE, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man who faked his own drowning this summer and left his wife and three children has been located in Eastern Europe and is communicating with law enforcement, but he has not committed to returning home, authorities said. Ryan Borgwardt began communicating with authorities Nov. 11, after they tracked him down, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said Thursday. The sheriff showed a video that Borgwardt sent police that day from an undisclosed location. The sheriff said no charges have been filed and that he doesn't think they will be necessary while authorities “keep pulling at his heartstrings” to come home. Here are some things to know about Borgwardt and his disappearance: Who is he? Jersey Shore restaurants shift gears to survive in offseason Not too late! Voting closes at noon for The Press Football Player of the Week Galloway Township gymnastics center co-owner charged with sexually assaulting minor What does Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy mean for Atlantic City International Airport? Galloway man gets 3 years in Ocean City fatal crash Offshore wind company to buy vacant 1.5-acre Atlantic City lot for $1 million Atlantic City International Airport's 1 carrier, Spirit Airlines, files for bankruptcy Prosecutor still determined to find whoever is responsible for West Atlantic City killings Ocean City introduces new fees on rentals Jake Blum's 2-point conversion in OT propels Mainland Regional to second straight state final Which players did the Cape-Atlantic League coaches pick as the best of the best in fall sports? Friday’s New Jersey high school football playoff scores These Atlantic City area restaurants are serving Thanksgiving dinner High school football scoreboard: Friday's semifinal winners, plus Saturday updates Upper Township employees disagree on morale Borgwardt, who is in his mid-40s, lived with his wife and children in Watertown, a city of about 23,000 people northwest of Milwaukee that is known for its German heritage, parochial schools and two dams on the Rock River. When did he disappear? The sheriff has said his department was told Aug. 12 that Borgwardt had not been heard from since the previous day, when he traveled about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from home to Green Lake to go kayaking. Borgwardt’s wife said he texted her at 10:49 p.m. to say he was heading to shore. How was the search conducted? Deputies found Borgwardt’s vehicle and trailer near Green Lake. His kayak was discovered on the lake, overturned and with a life jacket attached to it, in an area where the water is about 200 feet (60 meters) deep. An angler later found Borgwardt’s fishing rod. The search for his body continued for more than 50 days, with divers scouring the lake on several occasions. How did authorities find Borgwardt? Clues — including that he reported his passport lost or stolen and obtained a new one a few months before he disappeared — led investigators to speculate that he made it appear that he had drowned to go meet a woman he had been communicating with in the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan. Podoll declined to comment when asked what he knew about the woman, but he said law enforcement contacted Borgwardt “through a female that spoke Russian.” His identity was confirmed through asking him questions that the sheriff said only Borgwardt would know and by a video he made and sent them Nov. 11. He has spoken with someone from the sheriff's department almost daily since. However Podoll said Thursday that Borgwardt's exact location in Eastern Europe was not known. Why are U.S. authorities struggling to pinpoint his location? Podoll said Chief Deputy Matt Vande Kolk has been the one communicating with Borgwardt and their conversations have all taken place via email. Vande Kolk told The Associated Press in an email Friday that authorities are trying to determine Borgwardt's exact location. But that might not be easy even with modern surveillance technology. Scott Shackelford, executive director of the Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research at Indiana University, said authorities should be able to locate Borgwardt through his device's internet protocol address, a unique number assigned to every device connected to the internet. But he said it's very easy to mask an IP address and make it appear as if the device is in one country when it's really in another. Software exists that can route your IP address across the globe, Shackelford said. Police may not have the expertise, the manpower or any interest in digging through multiple layers of cyber deception, he said. What was in the video Borgwardt sent to law enforcement? Wearing an orange T-shirt, Borgwardt, unsmiling, looks directly at the camera, apparently filmed on a cellphone. Borgwardt says he is in his apartment and briefly pans the camera, but mostly shows a door and bare walls. “I’m safe and secure, no problem,” he says. How did he fake his death? Borgwardt has told authorities he overturned his kayak on the lake, dumped his phone in it and paddled an inflatable boat to shore. He told authorities he chose Green Lake because it is Wisconsin's deepest at 237 feet (over 72 meters). He then rode an electric bike stashed by a boat launch about 70 miles (110 kilometers) through the night to Madison, the sheriff said. From there, by Borgwardt's account, he traveled by bus to Detroit and then Canada, where he boarded a plane. Police are still verifying Borgwardt’s description of what happened, Podoll said. Why did he do it? Borgwardt faked his death and fled because of “personal matters,” thinking it was the right thing to do, the sheriff said. Investigators found that he took out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January for his family. “He was just going to try and make things better in his mind, and this was the way it was going to be,” Podoll said. What's next? Borgwardt has not yet decided to return home, and if he does it will be of his own free will, according to Podoll. Deputies are stressing to him the importance of returning home and cleaning up the mess he made. The sheriff suggested that Borgwardt could be charged with obstructing the investigation into his disappearance, but so far no counts have been filed. The search for Borgwardt, which lasted more than a month, is said to have cost at least $35,000. Borgwardt told authorities that he did not expect the search to last more than two weeks, Podoll said, and his biggest concern is how the community will react to him if he returns. This story was updated to correct the spelling of Scott Shackelford’s last name, which had been misspelled “Shackleford.” Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins surveyed the wreckage left by the No. 2 Longhorns' . Then he summed up the message he believes it sent to the rest of about the Texas defense. “We're the best in the nation,” Collins said. It's hard to argue with the evidence the Longhorns (11-1, 7-1, No. 3 CFP) have produced week after week in earning a spot in the Southeastern Conference Saturday against No. 6 Georgia (10-2, 6-2 No. 7 CFP). The winner also earns a first-round bye in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Texas opened the season with a shutout. Three more times the Longhorns did not surrender an offensive touchdown. The defense has surrendered a total of 17 points over the last three games. The Longhorns rank No. 3 nationally in total defense, No. 2 in scoring defense, No. 1 in passing yards allowed and No. 3 in total interceptions while allowing just six passing touchdowns. Against Texas A&M, in the first game in the rivalry since 2011, Texas allowed just 248 total yards and made two critical touchdown-saving stands, one early and one late, that sealed a 17-7 victory. On the second one, Texas stuffed the Aggies on fourth-and-goal from the Texas 1 with less than five minutes left. “We feel like nobody’s getting in the end zone with us,” Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. said after the game. “If you think you’re going to just run right at us for 1 yard, I feel like you’ve lost your mind. I feel like that’s not going to happen.” Most notable against A&M was how the defense turned momentum and rescued a sputtering offense after the Aggies had scored their only touchdown on an interception return, and then blocked a punt. Backed inside their 5, the Texas defensive line mauled the Aggies and stuffed four consecutive run plays. “It’s just like a common theme at this point,” Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers said after the game, “they continue to save our butts on offense.” The game against Georgia is a rematch of the . Texas will be playing in the title game in its first year in the league. The Bulldogs are in the championship game for the fourth consecutive year and for the seventh time since 2018. The Bulldogs' 30 points was the most the Longhorns allowed all season. But even then, the Texas defense mostly excelled, holding Georgia under 300 total yards and intercepting three passes by Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. Georgia ran out to a 23-0 lead after two Texas turnovers set up the Bulldogs with short drives for a pair of touchdowns. Arguably the only time the Texas defense truly broke this season was a second half touchdown drive by the Bulldogs that put the game out of reach. The Longhorns had pulled within 23-15 when Georgia marched 89 yards in 11 plays for Trevor Etienne's fourth-down 1-yard TD run. "Georgia had a bunch of short fields and took advantage of those," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday. If anything, the Texas defense has gotten better since then. And Georgia coach Kirby Smart won't count on Texas being starstruck playing in the SEC title game. “I think defensively they’ve been at a high level the entire year," Smart said. “I’m just saying that the previous matchup does not determine this matchup,” Smart said. “You can’t overstate that to your players because the flow of that game was different in the first three, four, five drives. And then, you know, after a turnover it went the other way a little bit.” ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: and Jim Vertuno, The Associated PressBEIRUT — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. Rapid Advances by Opposition Forces The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. As they have advanced, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country’s long-running civil war, the government now has control of only four of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Homs, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad’s chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” Related Story: Panic in Damascus as Insurgents Approach In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to the Syria border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those that remained open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Related Story: Assad’s Status and International Response Amid the developments, Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad’s forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation of U.N. Resolution 2254 would be announced later. The resolution, adopted in 2015, called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later in the day, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. The Insurgents’ March and Military Response Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were also marching from eastern Syria toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. Syria’s military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama, the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that insurgents had entered the historic central town of Palmyra, home to invaluable archaeological sites, a day earlier. Palmyra had been in government hands since it was taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. Related Story: To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an interview Thursday from Syria that the aim is to overthrow Assad’s government. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle loomed. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists.” The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar’s top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process.

Hezbollah fired into a disputed border zone held by Israel on Monday after multiple Israeli strikes inside Lebanon since a ceasefire took hold last week. The militant group said the volley, its first during the truce, was a warning shot in response to what it called repeated Israeli violations . Israeli leaders threatened to retaliate, and within hours, Israel’s military carried out a string of strikes in southern Lebanon, state media reported. There was no immediate word on casualties or what was struck. Israel has said its strikes in since the ceasefire began Wednesday have been in response to unspecified Hezbollah violations, and that under the truce deal it reserves the right to retaliate. Hezbollah began launching its attacks in solidarity with Hamas militants who are fighting Israel in the Gaza Strip. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage . Israel’s blistering retaliatory offensive has killed at least 44,429 Palestinians , more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war in Gaza has destroyed vast areas of the coastal enclave and displaced 90% of the population of 2.3 million, often multiple times . Here’s the Latest: WASHINGTON — U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office for a second term there will be “HELL TO PAY.” “Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social site . He added that, “Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!” It was not immediately clear whether Trump was threatening to directly involve the U.S. military in Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Trump allies have said he hopes there will be a ceasefire and hostage release deal before he returns to office early next year. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage on Oct. 7, 2023. Some 100 are still held inside Gaza , around two-thirds believed to be alive. WASHINGTON — Senior American officials have had conversations with Israelis to raise questions about some of the strikes they have carried out against Hezbollah since a ceasefire went into place but have not found the Israelis to be in gross violation of the terms of the ceasefire, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about the sensitive conversations with the Israelis, said those conversations were part of a mechanism that was created to ensure that ceasefire agreement is implemented. “This is that mechanism working,” the official added. White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Monday that “largely speaking the ceasefire is holding.” “We’ve gone from, you know dozens of strikes, you know, down to one a day maybe two a day,” Kirby told told reporters aboard Air Force One as President Joe Biden made his way for a visit to Angola. “That’s a tremendous, tremendous reduction. And we’re going to keep trying and see what we can do to get it down to zero so that both sides are fully implementing it. But, this is, this is the only it’s only a, a week or so old.” — By Aamer Madhani JERUSALEM — Hezbollah fired into a disputed border zone held by Israel on Monday, the militant group’s first attack since its ceasefire with Israel took hold last week, after Lebanon accused Israel of violating the truce more than 50 times in recent days. The Israeli military said two projectiles were launched toward Mount Dov, a disputed Israeli-held territory known as Shebaa Farms in Lebanon, where the borders of Lebanon, Syria, and Israel meet. Israel said the projectiles fell in open areas and no injuries were reported. Hezbollah said in a statement that it fired on an Israeli military position in the area as a “defensive and warning response” after what it called “repeated violations” of the ceasefire deal by Israel. It said complaints to mediators tasked with monitoring the ceasefire “were futile in stopping these violations.” The U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire came into effect on Wednesday calling for a 60-day halt in fighting, aiming to end more than a year of exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel. Since then, Israel has carried out a number of strikes in Lebanon, most recently on Monday, when a drone strike killed a man on a motorcycle in southern Lebanon and another hit a Lebanese army bulldozer in the northeastern town of Hermel, wounding a soldier. The Lebanese army had stayed on the sidelines of the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel says the strikes are in response to Hezbollah violations of the ceasefire, without giving specifics. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s parliament speaker on Monday accused Israel of committing 54 breaches of the ceasefire that ended the war between Hezbollah and Israel, demanding urgent intervention to halt what he called “flagrant violations.” Speaking to the Lebanese newspaper Al Joumhouria, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri condemned Israel’s “aggressive actions,” including the alleged demolition of homes in border villages, the persistent overflight of Israeli reconnaissance drones, and airstrikes that have caused casualties. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Berri’s assertions. Israel says it reserves the right under the ceasefire deal to respond to perceived ceasefire violations. An Israeli drone strike on Monday hit a Lebanese army military bulldozer in the northeastern town of Hermel, wounding a soldier, the Lebanese army said in a statement. Also on Monday, an Israeli drone strike targeting a motorcycle in Jdeidet Marjayoun in southern Lebanon killed one person, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. In Bint Jbeil province, a drone strike injured one person, the state-run National News Agency said. On Saturday, two people were killed in an airstrike on Marjayoun province, Lebanon’s state media said. Berri called on the technical committee established to monitor the ceasefire to take immediate action, urging it to “oblige Israel to halt its violations and withdraw from Lebanese territories without delay.” He said that Lebanon and Hezbollah have fully adhered to the terms of the ceasefire since the early hours of Wednesday. Berri is the leader of the Shiite Amal movement, which is closely allied with the Shiite militant group Hezbollah. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said Monday one person was killed in an Israeli drone strike that hit a motorcycle, while the Lebanese army said that a soldier was wounded in an Israeli strike on a military bulldozer at an army base. The Israeli military said that it carried out a series of strikes in Lebanon on Sunday and Monday, including one in the same area where the soldier was said to have been wounded. It said it struck several military vehicles in Lebanon’s Bekaa province as well as strikes on Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon. The incidents underscored the fragility of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah reached after nearly 14 months of cross-border fighting. Since the ceasefire went into effect on Wednesday, Israel has struck several times in response to what it says have been ceasefire violations by Hezbollah. Lebanon has accused Israel of violating the deal but so far Hezbollah has not resumed its rocket fire. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Monday rejected accusations that Israel is violating the tenuous ceasefire agreement, saying it was responding to Hezbollah violations. In a post on X, Saar said that he made that point in a call with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot. France, along with the U.S., helped broker the deal and is part of an international monitoring committee meant to ensure the sides uphold their commitments. Israel says that it reserves the right under the deal to respond to perceived ceasefire violations. TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israeli military said Monday an Israeli American soldier who was believed to have been taken hostage alive on Oct. 7, 2023, is now presumed to have been killed during Hamas’ attack and his body taken into Gaza. Neutra, 21, was a New York native who enlisted in the Israeli military and was captured when Hamas attacked southern Israel. Neutra’s parents, Ronen and Orna, led a public campaign while he was thought to be alive for their son’s freedom. They spoke at protests in the U.S. and Israel, addressed the Republican National Convention this year and kept up ties with the Biden administration in their crusade to secure their son’s release. In a statement announcing the death, the military did not say how it came to the conclusion over Neutra’s fate. He was one of seven American Israelis still held in Gaza, four of whom are now said to be dead. Hamas released a video of one, Edan Alexander, over the weekend, indicating he was still alive. In late summer, Israel said Hamas killed Hersh Goldberg-Polin , another prominent Israeli American hostage, along with five other captives, whose bodies the Israeli military recovered. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostage. Some 100 captives are still held inside Gaza , around two-thirds believed to be alive. Iraqi militias supported by Iran deployed in Syria on Monday to back the government’s counteroffensive against a surprise advance by insurgents who seized the largest city of Aleppo, a militia official and a war monitor said. Insurgents led by jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a two-pronged attack on Aleppo last week and the countryside around Idlib before moving toward neighboring Hama province. Government troops built a fortified defensive line in northern Hama in an attempt to stall the insurgents’ momentum while jets on Sunday pounded rebel-held lines. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus Sunday and announced Tehran’s full support for his government. He later arrived for talks in Ankara, Turkey, one of the rebels' main backers. Iran has been of Assad’s principal political and military supporters and deployed military advisers and forces after 2011 protests against Assad’s rule turned into an all-out war. Tehran-backed Iraqi militias already in Syria mobilized and additional forces crossed the border to support them, said the Iraqi militia official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. According to Britain-based opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, some 200 Iraqi militiamen on pickups crossed into Syria overnight through the strategic Bou Kamal. They were expected to deploy in Aleppo to support the Syrian army’s pushback against the insurgents, the monitor said. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — U.S. Navy destroyers shot down seven missiles and drones fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels at the warships and three American merchant vessels they were escorting through the Gulf of Aden. No damage or injuries were reported. U.S. Central Command said late Sunday that the destroyers USS Stockdale and USS O’Kane shot down and destroyed three anti-ship ballistic missiles, three drones and one anti-ship cruise missile. The merchant ships were not identified. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement and said they had targeted the U.S. destroyers and “three supply ships belonging to the American army in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden.” Houthi attacks for months have targeted shipping through a waterway where $1 trillion in goods pass annually over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon. A ceasefire was announced in Lebanon last week. The USS Stockdale was involved in a similar attack on Nov. 12 . Read more of the AP's coverage of the Middle East wars: https://apnews.com/hub/mideast-warsUkraine must be in strong position for negotiations, Starmer says

Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., discusses why he believes the ATF should be abolished and names other federal entities he thinks should be nixed. Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., wants to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and plans to put forward a measure that would do just that. "The ATF is a disaster," Burlison, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, told Fox News Digital on Thursday, adding that "for decades they've been a disaster agency" which has "been violating the... Second Amendment ." The congressman suggested that states should be allowed to handle matters themselves, without federal interference. "There's very few ATF officials," he said, accusing the agency of "co-opting or commandeering [local] law enforcement to enforce laws" which state lawmakers did not pass. CONGRESSMAN ERIC BURLISON: IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, ‘THE INMATES ARE RUNNING THE PRISON’ Left: Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 25, 2023; Right: The letters "ATF" are seen on a Department of Justice ATF Explosive and Fire Investigation vehicle at the Marine Corps Air Station Airshow in San Diego, California, on Sept. 28. (Getty Images) The legislator plans to introduce a proposal previously put forward in 2023 by then-Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla. Burlison, a freshman who took office last year, was one of the Republicans who joined Gaetz's measure as a cosponsor. GOP Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Mary Miller of Illinois, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Cory Mills of Florida, Mike Collins of Georgia, Barry Moore of Alabama, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Bob Good of Virginia also joined as cosponsors, according to congress.gov. MATT GAETZ URGES COLLEAGUES TO ABOLISH THE ATF BEFORE IT STRIPS AMERICANS OF GUN RIGHTS: ‘CANNOT BE TRUSTED’ A vest worn by special agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is seen during a training session near San Marcos, Texas, on Aug. 19, 2010. (Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) Fox News Digital reached out to the ATF for comment on Friday. "ATF provides enormous benefits to the American public through all of its efforts fighting violent crime every day," ATF spokesperson Kristina Mastropasqua said in an emailed statement. Burlison also thinks the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should be abolished. GAETZ INTRODUCES ‘ABOLISH THE ATF ACT’ AFTER RULING AGAINST STABILIZING BRACES ATF seal (Ted Soqui/Corbis via Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "The EPA is making one-size-fits-all rules for the entire United States" and is "being more harmful than... helpful," he said. Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.None

It is essential for Country Garden and other players in the real estate industry to learn from this incident and take proactive measures to improve transparency, compliance, and accountability. By doing so, they can rebuild trust with stakeholders and demonstrate their commitment to ethical business practices.Yee also stresses the importance of integrity and authenticity in acting. He believes that actors must stay true to themselves and their values, even in the face of industry pressures or societal expectations. By being authentic in their performances and choices, actors can connect with audiences on a deeper level and convey genuine emotions and messages that resonate with viewers.Celebrities can spark change when they speak up about their healthgame 777 casino 。

Former member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and former director of the Cultural, Historical, and Learning Committee, Wu Yingjie, has been expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office.Most foreign investors who adopted a wait-and-see policy were now convinced and happy with the political stability in Sri Lanka which in turn will bring more Foreign Direct investments to the country, said Chairman of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Mohan Perera. He said now rival politicians and parties should forget their differences and support the Government to take Sri Lanka towards being a prosperous nation. Perera said that as a patriotic citizen although he contested the elections from another party, he would woo investors to Sri Lanka. “Towards this objective I plan to host a mega Sri Lanka investment forum early next year in the UAE,” he said. Perera said that Dubai has many investors in the Gulf and outside who were looking for opportunities and with Sri Lanka’s present status quo, the country could easily be marketed in these countries. On a suggestion made by the Sunday Observer Business, Perera said that he would host an investment event in Jaffna next year and invite the Diaspora to attend. Perera also said that most of the investors local and foreign stayed clear of the North due to the former politicians who did not have a sincere objective to promote FDIs in the region. “They were more concerned about the benefits accruing to them rather than the benefit it would bring to the country,” he said. With the new administration taking over and with better air and sea connectivity to Jaffna, the Indian Diaspora investors too would be invited for the event, he said.India’s Biodiversity and Climate Commitment: A global model ignored

PITTSBURGH — Bryan Rust had two goals and an assist to help the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-4 on Wednesday night. Blake Lizotte scored after missing five games with a concussion, while Kevin Hayes had a power-play goal and Rickard Rakell also scored for Pittsburgh. Erik Karlsson had three assists, while Sidney Crosby had two as the Penguins built a 4-1 lead through one period. Tristan Jarry stopped 25 shots for the Penguins. The Canucks trailed 5-2 entering the third period before Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson cut it to a one-goal deficit. Pius Suter and Aatu Raty also scored for the Canucks. Arturs Silovs made 18 saves. Takeaways Canucks: Vancouver lost for just the second time on the road. The Canucks, who saw a brief two-game win streak end, have lost four of their last seven overall. Penguins: The Penguins ended a three-game losing streak. Pittsburgh had lost eight of 10 and 14 of its last 18 games. Despite the win, the Penguins, who have the worst goal differential in the NHL, have still allowed at least four goals in seven of their last 11 games. Key moment Pittsburgh scored four first-period goals on 10 shots. Rakell and Hayes both scored from the top of the crease, Lizotte converted a carom off the end boards and Rust finished a 2-on-1 with Crosby. Pittsburgh Penguins' Kevin Hayes (13) celebrates with Evgeni Malkin (71) after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Pittsburgh. Credit: AP/Matt Freed Key stat Mike Sullivan became the fastest-born U.S.-born coach in NHL history to reach 500 regular season and playoff wins. Sullivan, who also coached in Boston, reached the mark in 948 games, 20 fewer than Peter Laviolette. Up Next Canucks visit Buffalo on Friday, and Penguins visit Boston..

Title: Son Heung-min Rumored to Move to Turkish Super Lig, Barça Agent Swiftly Denies to Korean Media: Still in Talks with Tottenham HotspurThe importance of teachers in shaping the future generations of a country cannot be overstated. They play a crucial role in imparting knowledge, nurturing values, and fostering critical thinking skills among students. However, in recent years, teachers in China have faced various challenges such as heavy workloads, low salaries, and a lack of respect from students, parents, and society at large. Recognizing these issues, the Education Ministry, along with other relevant departments, has put forward a comprehensive plan to address these concerns and elevate the status of teachers in the country.Supreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. The justices agreed Friday to hear an appeal filed by fuel producers who object to a waiver granted to California in 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency during Joe Biden’s presidency. The waiver allows California to set more stringent emissions limits than the national standard. The case won’t be argued until the spring, when the Trump administration is certain to take a more industry-friendly approach to the issue. Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Saudi Arabia banned film for 35 years. The Red Sea festival is just one sign of the industry's rise JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia’s decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different. And the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Thursday. Both the award and the glitzy festival itself are signs of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to shaping a new film industry. The reopening of cinemas in 2018 after 35 years marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Unique among 'Person of the Year' designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazine Donald Trump got something this year that no other person designed Time magazine's Person of the Year had ever received. He got a fact-check of claims that the president-elect made in the interview accompanying the magazine's piece. Trump earned the recognition of the year's biggest newsmaker for the second time, also winning it in 2016 the first time he was elected president. But in a piece described as a “12-minute” read, Time called into question more than a dozen statements Trump made when speaking to the magazine's reporters, on issues like border size, autism and crowd size at a rally. Time said it has fact-checked other interviews in the past, but not for this annual feature. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge. The development comes as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk was an early OpenAI investor and board member. But he sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. He has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI filed its response in court Friday. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications.

One day, when actor and comedian Rosie O'Donnell was in her 50s, her body ached and her arms felt sore, but she pushed through the pain, not realizing she was having a massive heart attack. She had surgery to put in a stent that saved her life. Shortly after her 2012 heart attack, O'Donnell shared her experience on her blog. During her 2015 television standup special, she spoke about how the experience changed her life. The segment included a heart attack acronym the comedian coined: HEPPP (hot, exhausted, pain, pale, puke). O'Donnell's candidness about her heart attack helped spread awareness about how it can present differently in women. She's one of countless celebrities over the years who have opened up about their health conditions, including breast cancer, HIV, depression, heart disease and stroke. When celebrities reveal and discuss their health issues, the impact can be far-reaching. It not only helps to educate the public, but it also can reduce stigma and inspire others. "Health disclosures by celebrities do matter, and we know this from decades of research across a lot of different health conditions and public figures," said Dr. Jessica Gall Myrick, a professor of health communication at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. "They absolutely do influence people." Some of the earliest celebrity health disclosures happened in the 1970s and 1980s with U.S. presidents and first ladies. When first lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after Gerald Ford became president in 1974, she spoke openly about her diagnosis, inviting photographers into the White House and helping make talk of cancer less taboo. In 1987, first lady Nancy Reagan used her breast cancer diagnosis as a chance to advocate for women to get mammograms. Her disclosure came two years after President Ronald Reagan's colon cancer diagnosis, about which the couple was equally as vocal. "Individuals throughout the country have been calling cancer physicians and information services in record numbers," the Los Angeles Times reported after Nancy Reagan's widely publicized surgery. The public showed a similar interest years earlier following Betty Ford's mastectomy. Another major milestone in celebrity health disclosures came in 1991, when 32-year-old NBA superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. "Life is going to go on for me, and I'm going to be a happy man," Johnson assured fans during a news conference. He immediately retired, only to return to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. His disclosure, along with his work as an advocate for safe sex, helped shatter stigmas around HIV and AIDS. Calls to testing centers increased significantly in the days and weeks after Johnson's announcement. "That celebrity disclosure really helped people see there was a wider susceptibly to HIV," Gall Myrick said. "People were more likely to say, 'I need to think about my own risks.' It was very powerful." When it comes to heart and stroke health, President Dwight Eisenhower helped make heart attacks less frightening and mysterious. During a news conference in 1955, millions of Americans learned from the president's doctors about his heart condition, his treatment, and concrete steps they could take to reduce their own heart attack risk. Other notable figures have shared their health experiences over the years. Soap opera legend Susan Lucci , who was diagnosed with heart disease in 2018, has advocated for women's heart health. Basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar talks about his irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, and advocates for regular health screenings. Lawyer, author and television personality Star Jones continues to speak about heart disease risk after having lifesaving heart surgery in 2010. Longtime TV and radio personality Dick Clark brought stroke and aphasia into the national spotlight when he returned to hosting "New Year's Rockin' Eve" in Times Square just a year after his 2004 stroke and continued until his death in 2012. And actor and comedian Jamie Foxx recently revealed he had a stroke last year. "Celebrity disclosures represent teachable moments," said Dr. Seth M. Noar, director of the Communicating for Health Impact Lab at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "Searches for different health conditions often spike in the wake of these types of announcements. They cause people to think about these health issues, learn more about them, and in some cases change their behaviors." Celebrities have also highlighted the importance of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to restore a person's heartbeat if they experience cardiac arrest. Interest in CPR and AEDs spiked in 2023 after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during an NFL game broadcast on national TV. Views of the American Heart Association's hands-only CPR pages jumped more than 600% in the days following Hamlin's cardiac arrest. Three months later, around 3 million people had watched the AHA's CPR video. Family members of celebrities who have died from a heart issue have also spread awareness. After actor John Ritter died of an undiagnosed aortic dissection in 2003, his wife, actor Amy Yasbeck, started the Ritter Foundation to raise awareness about the condition and help others avoid a misdiagnosis. A literature review published in Systematic Reviews in 2017 found that people are conditioned to react positively to celebrity advice. Research also has found that people often follow advice from celebrities who match how they perceive – or how they want to perceive – themselves. The most effective celebrity disclosures are frequently the ones that tell a compelling story and include clear steps people can take to apply lessons the celebrity learned to their own health situation, Gall Myrick said. "People are more likely to take action when they feel confident and capable." Research has shown that celebrity disclosures often impact calls to hotlines and page views on health-related websites, and they can spark behavioral and even policy changes. Anecdotally, Gall Myrick said, people ask their doctor more questions about health conditions and request medical screenings. Celebrities can have a big impact because people tend to have parasocial relationships with them, Gall Myrick said. These are one-sided relationships in which a person feels an emotional connection with another person, often a celebrity. People may feel as if they know the basketball player they've watched on the court for years, or the Hollywood actor they've followed, she said. They want to comfort them after a health disclosure. Social media has only increased this feeling of familiarity, as celebrities regularly share mundane – but fascinating – details of their daily lives, like what they eat for breakfast, their favorite socks, or the meditation they do before bed. "We spend a lifetime being exposed to celebrities through the media, and over time, you get to know these public figures," Gall Myrick said. "Some feel like friendships." A study published in the journal Science Communication in 2020 compared reactions to actor Tom Hanks, who had COVID-19 early in the pandemic, and an average person with COVID-19. Researchers found that participants identified more with Hanks when it came to estimating their own susceptibility to COVID-19. The participants also felt more emotional about the virus that causes COVID-19 when thinking about it in relation to Hanks versus an average person. When a celebrity reveals a health condition, it's a surprise that may feel personal, especially if they are well-liked and the health issue is dramatic and sudden. "We feel like we know them, and the emotional response is what can then push people out of their routine," Gall Myrick said. Noar said a celebrity health story is often a more interesting and powerful way to learn about a health condition than just the facts, which can feel overwhelming. People are drawn to the slew of media coverage that typically follows a celebrity disclosure, he said. "Some of these high-visibility public figures' stories are now woven into some of these illnesses," Noar said. For example, Angelina Jolie is often linked to the BRCA1 gene mutation after the actor shared she had a preventive double mastectomy because of her elevated breast cancer risk and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed because of her increased risk for ovarian cancer. "It's a narrative, a story that humanizes the condition in a way that very informational communication really doesn't," Noar said. "People remember it, and it can potentially be a touch point." After a disclosure, patients may bring up a celebrity's story during a doctor's appointment and connect it to their own care. Today's multiplatform digital culture only amplifies celebrity messages. "You're seeing everyday people react to these events, and that can have a ripple effect too," Gall Myrick said. "We know from research that seeing messages more than once can be impactful. Often it's not just one billboard or one commercial that impacts behavior; it's the drip drip drip over time." Still, there's a cautionary tale to be told around the impact of celebrity health news, especially if the celebrity has died. An unclear cause of death may lead to speculation. Gall Myrick said that guesswork could potentially end up hurting rather than helping if patients were to act on misinformation or a lack of information. "Maybe the death was atypical or it needs more context," she said. "That's where advocacy groups and public health organizations come in. They need to be prepared for announcements or disclosures about celebrity deaths, and to fill in some of those gaps." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!

In conclusion, the BBC's report on the increased risk of brain diseases among footballers highlights the urgent need for greater awareness, research, and action in addressing the long-term health implications of heading the ball in football. The calls for compensation from retired players underscore the human cost of playing the sport and the importance of prioritizing player safety above all else. It is time for the football community to come together and take meaningful steps to protect the well-being of those who dedicate their lives to the beautiful game.

One day, when actor and comedian Rosie O'Donnell was in her 50s, her body ached and her arms felt sore, but she pushed through the pain, not realizing she was having a massive heart attack. She had surgery to put in a stent that saved her life. Shortly after her 2012 heart attack, O'Donnell shared her experience on her blog. During her 2015 television standup special, she spoke about how the experience changed her life. The segment included a heart attack acronym the comedian coined: HEPPP (hot, exhausted, pain, pale, puke). O'Donnell's candidness about her heart attack helped spread awareness about how it can present differently in women. She's one of countless celebrities over the years who have opened up about their health conditions, including breast cancer, HIV, depression, heart disease and stroke. When celebrities reveal and discuss their health issues, the impact can be far-reaching. It not only helps to educate the public, but it also can reduce stigma and inspire others. "Health disclosures by celebrities do matter, and we know this from decades of research across a lot of different health conditions and public figures," said Dr. Jessica Gall Myrick, a professor of health communication at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. "They absolutely do influence people." Some of the earliest celebrity health disclosures happened in the 1970s and 1980s with U.S. presidents and first ladies. When first lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after Gerald Ford became president in 1974, she spoke openly about her diagnosis, inviting photographers into the White House and helping make talk of cancer less taboo. In 1987, first lady Nancy Reagan used her breast cancer diagnosis as a chance to advocate for women to get mammograms. Her disclosure came two years after President Ronald Reagan's colon cancer diagnosis, about which the couple was equally as vocal. "Individuals throughout the country have been calling cancer physicians and information services in record numbers," the Los Angeles Times reported after Nancy Reagan's widely publicized surgery. The public showed a similar interest years earlier following Betty Ford's mastectomy. Another major milestone in celebrity health disclosures came in 1991, when 32-year-old NBA superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. "Life is going to go on for me, and I'm going to be a happy man," Johnson assured fans during a news conference. He immediately retired, only to return to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. His disclosure, along with his work as an advocate for safe sex, helped shatter stigmas around HIV and AIDS. Calls to testing centers increased significantly in the days and weeks after Johnson's announcement. "That celebrity disclosure really helped people see there was a wider susceptibly to HIV," Gall Myrick said. "People were more likely to say, 'I need to think about my own risks.' It was very powerful." When it comes to heart and stroke health, President Dwight Eisenhower helped make heart attacks less frightening and mysterious. During a news conference in 1955, millions of Americans learned from the president's doctors about his heart condition, his treatment, and concrete steps they could take to reduce their own heart attack risk. Other notable figures have shared their health experiences over the years. Soap opera legend Susan Lucci , who was diagnosed with heart disease in 2018, has advocated for women's heart health. Basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar talks about his irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, and advocates for regular health screenings. Lawyer, author and television personality Star Jones continues to speak about heart disease risk after having lifesaving heart surgery in 2010. Longtime TV and radio personality Dick Clark brought stroke and aphasia into the national spotlight when he returned to hosting "New Year's Rockin' Eve" in Times Square just a year after his 2004 stroke and continued until his death in 2012. And actor and comedian Jamie Foxx recently revealed he had a stroke last year. "Celebrity disclosures represent teachable moments," said Dr. Seth M. Noar, director of the Communicating for Health Impact Lab at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "Searches for different health conditions often spike in the wake of these types of announcements. They cause people to think about these health issues, learn more about them, and in some cases change their behaviors." Celebrities have also highlighted the importance of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to restore a person's heartbeat if they experience cardiac arrest. Interest in CPR and AEDs spiked in 2023 after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during an NFL game broadcast on national TV. Views of the American Heart Association's hands-only CPR pages jumped more than 600% in the days following Hamlin's cardiac arrest. Three months later, around 3 million people had watched the AHA's CPR video. Family members of celebrities who have died from a heart issue have also spread awareness. After actor John Ritter died of an undiagnosed aortic dissection in 2003, his wife, actor Amy Yasbeck, started the Ritter Foundation to raise awareness about the condition and help others avoid a misdiagnosis. A literature review published in Systematic Reviews in 2017 found that people are conditioned to react positively to celebrity advice. Research also has found that people often follow advice from celebrities who match how they perceive – or how they want to perceive – themselves. The most effective celebrity disclosures are frequently the ones that tell a compelling story and include clear steps people can take to apply lessons the celebrity learned to their own health situation, Gall Myrick said. "People are more likely to take action when they feel confident and capable." Research has shown that celebrity disclosures often impact calls to hotlines and page views on health-related websites, and they can spark behavioral and even policy changes. Anecdotally, Gall Myrick said, people ask their doctor more questions about health conditions and request medical screenings. Celebrities can have a big impact because people tend to have parasocial relationships with them, Gall Myrick said. These are one-sided relationships in which a person feels an emotional connection with another person, often a celebrity. People may feel as if they know the basketball player they've watched on the court for years, or the Hollywood actor they've followed, she said. They want to comfort them after a health disclosure. Social media has only increased this feeling of familiarity, as celebrities regularly share mundane – but fascinating – details of their daily lives, like what they eat for breakfast, their favorite socks, or the meditation they do before bed. "We spend a lifetime being exposed to celebrities through the media, and over time, you get to know these public figures," Gall Myrick said. "Some feel like friendships." A study published in the journal Science Communication in 2020 compared reactions to actor Tom Hanks, who had COVID-19 early in the pandemic, and an average person with COVID-19. Researchers found that participants identified more with Hanks when it came to estimating their own susceptibility to COVID-19. The participants also felt more emotional about the virus that causes COVID-19 when thinking about it in relation to Hanks versus an average person. When a celebrity reveals a health condition, it's a surprise that may feel personal, especially if they are well-liked and the health issue is dramatic and sudden. "We feel like we know them, and the emotional response is what can then push people out of their routine," Gall Myrick said. Noar said a celebrity health story is often a more interesting and powerful way to learn about a health condition than just the facts, which can feel overwhelming. People are drawn to the slew of media coverage that typically follows a celebrity disclosure, he said. "Some of these high-visibility public figures' stories are now woven into some of these illnesses," Noar said. For example, Angelina Jolie is often linked to the BRCA1 gene mutation after the actor shared she had a preventive double mastectomy because of her elevated breast cancer risk and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed because of her increased risk for ovarian cancer. "It's a narrative, a story that humanizes the condition in a way that very informational communication really doesn't," Noar said. "People remember it, and it can potentially be a touch point." After a disclosure, patients may bring up a celebrity's story during a doctor's appointment and connect it to their own care. Today's multiplatform digital culture only amplifies celebrity messages. "You're seeing everyday people react to these events, and that can have a ripple effect too," Gall Myrick said. "We know from research that seeing messages more than once can be impactful. Often it's not just one billboard or one commercial that impacts behavior; it's the drip drip drip over time." Still, there's a cautionary tale to be told around the impact of celebrity health news, especially if the celebrity has died. An unclear cause of death may lead to speculation. Gall Myrick said that guesswork could potentially end up hurting rather than helping if patients were to act on misinformation or a lack of information. "Maybe the death was atypical or it needs more context," she said. "That's where advocacy groups and public health organizations come in. They need to be prepared for announcements or disclosures about celebrity deaths, and to fill in some of those gaps." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!ICBC's approval of the issuance further underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and risk management in the Chinese banking sector. As the largest commercial bank in China, ICBC plays a pivotal role in setting industry standards and promoting best practices among its peers.

s777 slot indie Semiconductor: Back On Track

Inside Nagarjuna Akkineni’s car collection in HyderabadTORONTO (AP) — Hannah Miller scored a power-play goal with 1:38 remaining in the game, lifting the Toronto Sceptres to a 3-1 victory over the Boston Fleet in the Professional Women’s Hockey League season opener on Saturday. With Boston standout Hilary Knight in the penalty box for a vicious boarding penalty on Sceptres defender Renata Fast, Miller made good on her rebound attempt on a shot by Daryl Watts with a half-open net. Fast recovered for an assist on the winner before 8,089 fans at Coca-Cola Coliseum. The Fleet challenged the goal, but video review deemed Miller’s shot was good. Sarah Nurse got Toronto on the board with a short-handed tally 11:50 into the first period and Emma Maltais added an empty-net strike with 12 seconds left. Boston’s Hilary Knight opened the scoring 3 minutes in, sending a slap shot past Toronto goalie Kristen Campbell, who registered 18 stops on the night. Toronto outshot Boston 41-19. Boston goalie Aerin Frankel, a big reason why her team advanced to the Walter Cup final last spring, had 38 saves. Sceptres: Billie Jean King MVP Natalie Spooner missed the season opener. The PWHL scoring champion underwent left knee surgery in June after getting injured in Game 3 of Toronto’s first-round series against Minnesota. Fleet: Defender Emma Greco played her first game for Boston. She was part of the Walter Cup-winning Minnesota team that defeated Boston in a three-game series last spring. With the game tied 1-1, the Sceptres failed to score during a 59-second 5-on-3 advantage midway through the second period. Boston blocked five shots during the span. Last year, Toronto enjoyed an 11-game win streak en route to its regular-season championship, including three wins against Boston. Boston will play its home opener on Wednesday, a rematch with the Walter Cup-champion Minnesota. Toronto visits Ottawa on Tuesday. AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

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Gravity Agrees to Sell Water Midstream Business to Delek Logistics

This Morning viewers were once again left wondering where to get their hands on Cat Deeley's latest outfit. Fortunately for fashion enthusiasts, we've tracked down the exact dress she wore this week on the ITV show - and it's available at ASOS . On Wednesday's episode (November 20), co-hosting with Dermot O'Leary, Cat donned a sleek satin dress featuring a trendy leopard print pattern . Immediately after the show, her followers flocked to Instagram to find out where it was from. One commented: "This morning you had an amazing leopard print dress. Do you know the brand? I'm absolutely obsessed with your look." Another added: "Today's dress is [heart eyes emoji]." Read more: When is Black Friday 2024, what is it and where can you find the best deals Read next: New Marks & Spencer £40 knitted top is 'just right for Christmas Day' and is 'so soft' The 48-year-old's stylish outfit was an & Other Stories Open Back Satin Maxi Dress , priced at £145. The elegant piece has a 'dancefloor dress code', making it an excellent choice for Christmas parties if you're not into the classic little black dress or sequins, as reported by the Mirror . The satin maxi dress features a boat neck and an open back with a romantic waterfall finish , along with voluminous sleeves and a side split to flaunt your legs. Available at & Other Stories, the dress comes in EU sizes 32 to 44 , though some have already sold out. At ASOS, the sizes have been converted to UK for convenience, ranging from 4 to 16 , with every size currently in stock. Cat Deeley in the & Other Stories leopard print dress (Image: Instagram) For a touch of autumn, Cat teamed her dress with a c hunky waist belt from Pritch, priced at £260 . The corset-style belt, crafted in Italy, offers multiple styling options for a versatile look. She completed the outfit with knee-high boots - a regular feature in the presenter's wardrobe - and wore her hair loose and curled. If £145 seems a bit steep, we also recommend this Brown Leopard Satin Midi Dress, available for £44.99 at Needs No Label . This satin midi is slightly shorter, featuring short puff sleeves and available in sizes 8-18. Cat is known for her classy, elegant ensembles with clean lines and tailored fits, often choosing brands like Mint Velvet, Zara and LK Bennett.The S&P 500 ( ^GSPC 0.56% ) soared 26.3% (including dividends) in 2023, and it's up 27.8% in 2024 so far. That means it's on track for consecutive annual gains of at least 20% for the first time since 1999. In fact, going back to when the S&P 500 was established in 1957, that has only happened on six occasions. History suggests it could lead to another strong year in 2025, but the data is skewed by a period of time many investors would probably rather forget. Back-to-back gains of 20% (or more) are extremely rare The S&P 500 has delivered a compound annual return of 10.5% since 1957, so its performances during 2023 and 2024 are already significantly above average. Let's dive into some historical data below, and examine what happened every other time the index gained at least 20% in consecutive years. The S&P 500 generated a 37.2% return in 1975, and then a 23.8% gain in 1976. That strong back-to-back performance was followed by a 7.2% loss in 1977. The index generated a 21.5% return in 1981, and then a 22.5% gain in 1982. That occasion was followed by a modest 6.2% return in 1983. The S&P was up 37.5% in 1995, followed by a 22.9% gain in 1996, a 33.3% gain in 1997, a 28.5% gain in 1998, and a 21% gain in 1999. The streak ended with a 9.1% loss in the year 2000. In hindsight, that incredible five-year streak between 1995 and 1999 became known as the dot-com technology bubble, when internet companies surged in value without having the revenue, earnings, or fundamentals to support their gains. The dot-com bubble became the dot-com bust with a brutal three-year run of losses for the S&P 500 between 2000 and 2002. It took seven years for the index to reclaim its all-time high from that period. If we calculate the average S&P result from 1977, 1983, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000, we get an average return of 12.1%. That might be the gain we can expect in 2025, based purely on the above historical data alone. As I mentioned earlier, the data is heavily skewed by the dot-com era, which was an unprecedented time in stock market history. But we are in the midst of another technology boom right now, this time driven by artificial intelligence (AI). This isn't 1999, but the S&P 500 is unquestionably expensive AI has played a key role in the incredible S&P 500 gains during 2023 and 2024. Nvidia ( NVDA 2.15% ) , for example, has added a staggering $3.1 trillion to its market capitalization over the last two years, primarily based on sales of its graphics processing units ( GPU s) for the data center that are used to develop AI . Nvidia is on track to generate $129 billion in revenue during its current fiscal year, which will be a near-fivefold increase from two years ago. In other words, the AI boom is underpinned by tangible financial results, which wasn't the case with the internet bubble. In fact, Morgan Stanley predicts four tech companies -- Microsoft , Amazon , Alphabet , and Meta Platforms -- will invest a combined $300 billion in AI infrastructure during 2025 alone. Those four companies, plus Nvidia, represent 22.6% of the total value of the entire S&P 500, so it will be great for the broader market if that spending eventually pays off. With that said, the S&P is expensive right now. It trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 24.7, which is a 36% premium to its long-term average of 18.1 going back to the 1950s. However, we are still comfortably below the dot-com-era peak of around 46, which suggests valuations are elevated but not necessarily irrational just yet. Opposing economic forces could spark volatility in 2025 Given the valuation of the S&P 500, next year will have to be almost perfect in order for investors to see another strong return. That means corporate America will have to meet expectations when it comes to earnings growth, and macroeconomic conditions need to remain supportive. On the one hand, the U.S. economy will be supported by falling interest rates. The Federal Reserve has already cut rates twice since September, and there should be more on the way . On the other hand, the incoming Trump administration plans to levy sizable tariffs on important trading partners like Mexico and Canada, which could disrupt global trade and potentially even spark inflation. The last time President Trump was in office, he imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from practically every country in the world. Many countries (like China) decided to retaliate with tariffs of their own, sparking fears of a painful trade war that could have derailed the global economy. That was a key reason the S&P 500 almost slipped into bear market territory during 2018. So if tariffs are on the agenda as soon as President-elect Trump moves back into the White House in January, the stock market could be in for a rough ride in 2025.

Enron , once among the largest energy companies in the U.S., has become a punchline since it famously collapsed amid inflated profits and corporate fraud in 2001. Now, social media posts, a slick promotional video and a revamped website suggest the infamous company is making a comeback. On Dec. 2, it posted promotional videos on TikTok , BlueSky and X about adapting to the changing world featuring inspiring imagery and diverse voices claiming "I am Enron" with the tagline, “We're back. Can we talk?” To coincide with the video and website launch, cryptocurrency bloggers speculated Enron will be involved in cryptocurrency exchange. Others speculated the rebranding is fake or parody . THE SOURCES Enron.com terms of use page Will Chabot , managing director of media strategy for Stu Loeser & Co. Enron Corporation articles of incorporation United States Patent and Trademark Office Wayback Machine archives of Enron.com WHAT WE FOUND On Dec. 2, a company calling itself Enron Corporation published a promotional video on social media, introduced a new website and issued a press release announcing a relaunch of the company. But the relaunched website calls itself a parody. The new company with the infamous name is owned by Connor Gaydos, the co-founder of satirical conspiracy group “Birds Aren’t Real.” A disclaimer on the website’s terms of service page reads, “THE INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE IS FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTED PARODY, REPRESENTS PERFORMANCE ART, AND IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.” VERIFY reached out to the media contact listed on Enron’s website and in the press release about the site’s relaunch. Will Chabot , spokesperson for the current Enron brand and managing director of media strategy for Stu Loeser & Co., would not confirm or deny if the company was real or parody, but did direct VERIFY to the company’s articles of incorporation and press release about the relaunch. “I understand you had some questions about Enron's launch. While I'm not able to answer all of them (we'll have more to share soon - including a big announcement in the energy space - and will be sure to keep you in the loop),” Chabot told VERIFY. The latest iteration of Enron Corporation’s articles of incorporation were filed in Delaware on Feb. 28, 2024 by Gaydos, according to records provided to VERIFY by Chabot. Gaydos is the co-founder of Birds Aren’t Real , a satirical conspiracy group founded in 2017 that jokingly claims the U.S. government has been replacing living birds with surveillance drones. Gaydos registered the Enron trademark on May 13, 2020, through his The College Company LLC, which also has registered trademarks for Birds Aren’t Real. According to the trademark application for Enron, the trademark is used for shirts and other merchandise. The new website has merchandise for sale. Archival versions of Enron.com dating back to 1998 are available on The Wayback Machine. In January of 2024, the website domain of enron.com was available for purchase , archives of the page show. The last time that URL represented the bankrupt energy giant was in 2007 . There is no evidence to support claims the Enron brand was relaunched as a cryptocurrency firm, as some have speculated. There is a page on Enron’s new website titled “decentralization,” which is a common term to describe the kind of technology behind cryptocurrency. The website says, “Decentralized technology is advancing, and we will of course have a role to play in its future. We couldn't be more excited to show you, but until then please stay vigilant and avoid falling for scams. When we announce something, you'll know.”Teck Releases First Integrated Report on Climate Change and NatureORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — In a season that began with many questions and lowered expectations , it was apt watching Bills quarterback Josh Allen join coach Sean McDermott lay on the cold, wet sideline to make snow angels in celebrating Buffalo’s earliest clinching of a division title in team history. That Allen took part was no surprise. The newly engaged 28-year-old has maintained the happy-go-lucky approach he brought with him to Buffalo as a raw-talented athlete in 2018, while gradually blossoming into one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. For McDermott, it was a pleasant surprise to see the usually reserved eight-year coach finally let his hair down — figuratively, because the few jokes he does make are usually about being bald. With his latest do-it-all three-TD outing — one rushing, one receiving and, the coup de grace, being credited with receiving his own pass for a score off a lateral from Amari Cooper — in a 35-10 win over San Francisco on Sunday night , Allen continued making his strongest NFL MVP case. What’s also becoming apparent is how much McDermott deserves consideration for coach of the year honors. Without the two, the Bills (10-2) wouldn’t be in this position in becoming just the eighth NFL team — and first since Indianapolis in 2009 — to clinch a division title with at least five games remaining in their schedule. It’s reflective of how the two have grown together in what, on the outside, could be perceived as an odd couple relationship between an offensive-minded, swashbuckling quarterback and a defensive-minded coach, too often knocked for being too conservative. Perhaps, it’s Allen’s boyish nature that has brought out the risk-taker in McDermott, who has carried over the aggressive approach he takes to defense by placing trust in his quarterback. It’s become apparent in everything the Bills have accomplished so far in having at least 10 wins through 12 games for just the fifth time in team history, and first since 1991, when Buffalo was led by eventual Hall of Famers in coach Marv Levy and quarterback Jim Kelly. Buffalo has won seven straight since consecutive losses to Baltimore and Houston. And the Bills have scored 30 or more points in six straight outings, matching the team record set in 2004. Allen is doing more with less on an offense that was supposed to be hampered following the offseason departures of receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis and center Mitch Morse. The Bills are more balanced in leaning on their running attack, while Allen has also curtailed his turnover-prone ways. He's lost two fumbles and thrown just five interceptions after being picked off a career-worst 18 times last season. Meantime, McDermott has taken a different approach to fourth down situations. The Bills have converted 13 of 15 fourth down attempts after going 9 of 16 last season and 7 of 13 in 2022. The most fourth down attempts during McDermott’s tenure came in 2021, when Buffalo converted just 11 of 22. This is but an example of the bond the quarterback and coach have built in a shared objective of overcoming past playoff failures. Clinching a division title is but one step, with the Bills now focused on catching the Kansas City Chiefs (11-1), whom they’ve beaten already , for the AFC’s top seed. In calling it the team’s next goal, McDermott went off script from his usual game-at-a-time message by noting the importance of celebrating a division-clinching win, if only for one day. “Being 50 years old and 20-plus years in this league, I’ve learned to try and enjoy the moments,” McDermott said. “And this is a moment, right?” It certainly was. Turnover differential. Buffalo’s defense forced three fumbles, including one at its goal line, while the offense didn’t commit a giveaway. The Bills upped their league-leading turnover differential entering Monday to plus-17. Run defense. Though the conditions were snowy and slick, the Bills allowed 119 yards rushing in the first half before the 49ers were forced to start passing the ball once the score became lopsided. Buffalo particularly struggled in stopping Christian McCaffrey, who had 53 yards on seven carries before leaving the game with a potential season-ending knee injury . LB Matt Milano was in on five tackles while playing 37 of 48 defensive snaps in his first outing in nearly 14 months after being sidelined by a broken right leg and torn left biceps. CB Kaiir Elam, the 2022 first-round pick was a healthy inactive for a second straight outing, and still having difficulty finding a regular role. None reported. 9-0 — The Bills' home record going back to last season, marking their second-longest run in team history. Hit the road for two outings, starting with a trip to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Walmart's Cyber Monday sale is arriving earlier than you think. While Cyber Monday is still days away, Walmart is releasing its official sale a day earlier on Sunday, December 1. That means new deals will be released, allowing you to score a bargain from brands like Apple, Dyson, HP, Bissell, Samsung, Sony, and more. Per Walmart's press release , Walmart Plus members will get early access to tomorrow's Cyber Monday sale starting at 5 PM ET. The sale will be available to everyone at 8 PM ET and will end on Monday at Midnight ET. If you aren't already a Walmart Plus member, the retailer has an incredible 50% discount on a yearly membership , which brings the price down from $98 to $49. Along with the dates, Walmart also released its Cyber Monday ad, which you'll find below. Based on Walmart's Black Friday sale, I suspect the retailer will have more deals when its official sale goes live, so don't be disappointed if you don't see an offer you like advertised. If you're looking to shop for left-over Black Friday deals right now, I've listed Walmart's best offers still available, which include record-low prices on iPads, TVs, air fryers, robot vacuums, gaming consoles, and more. Walmart Cyber Monday Ad 2024 Sony 75 Class BRAVIA 4K HDR LED TV with Google TV: $898 (Save $600) Ninja Grand Kitchen System: $98 (Special Buy) Cricut Air 2 Bundle: $179 (Save $90) Beautiful by Drew Accent Chair: $198 (Save $100) LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader Helmet: $48.98 (Save $31.01) Skechers Summits Women’s Sneaker: $40 (Save $25) RTIC 20 oz Stainless Steel Insulated Tumbler 2 Pack: $22.99 (Save $13.01) Intex 6-Person PureSpa Inflatable Hot Tub Spa Set: $499.99 (Save $250) Walmart's best pre-Cyber Monday deals You can score a rare 50% discount on a one-year Walmart Plus membership. That lowers the price from $98 to $49, making it significantly cheaper than Amazon Prime by $90. As well as early access to Cyber Monday deals, Walmart Plus membership perks include free grocery delivery, free shipping with no minimum order value, a free Paramount Plus subscription, discounts on gas, free tire repairs, and more. This Gourmia Air fryer oven, on sale for only $50, briefly sold out earlier this week, but it's back—for now. The 14-quart air fryer features 28 preset cooking functions and includes two baskets, a rotisserie spit and rotisserie lift tool, and a large window so you can monitor your cooking. While we've seen the Air M1 go for as little as $699 previously, Walmart has beaten that already excellent discount by a whole $100. Not only is this an outstanding price for such a powerful laptop that still holds up great for 2024, but this could be the last chance to pick one up now that it's officially discontinued. Don't miss this incredible deal if you're looking for a great bang for the buck MacBook. This is an unbelievable deal if you want a robot vacuum and mop combo. The Onnson robot vacuum works on carpets and hardwood floors, and after you're done vacuuming, the 230ML water tank can help you mop the floor - a dream come true for just $139.99. Walmart's cheapest TV is this Onn 43-inch HD TV, which is on sale for only $94 - an incredible price. While the Onn TV lacks 4 K resolution, it offers the Roku experience for easy streaming and a compatible app that allows you to use your voice to launch shows, browse movies, and adjust the volume. Released in 2022, Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones represent some of the industry's best. There's nothing better with class-leading noise-canceling technology, crystal-clear hands-free calling, and Alexa voice control for ease of use. Today's pre-Cyber Monday deal is a new record-low price and beats Amazon's current offer. The top-rated Tineco cordless wet-dry vacuum mop combo is on sale for a record-low price of $99. The Tineco iFloor 2 vacuums and washes hard floors in one step, handling wet and dry messes in one sweep. With a disc drive, you can play either physical games or the digital route with the standard PlayStation 5 Slim. You can also access any PS5-capable titles, plus select tiles for previous consoles. This way, you can play your Sony favorites, and you'll get the mighty DualSense Controller included in the box. The Ninja Creami ice cream maker will surely be a Cyber Monday best-seller due to its popularity at recent holiday sales, and Walmart has the appliance down to a record-low price. You can make ice cream, milkshakes, and sorbets with a touch of a button and add your favorite mix-ins and flavors. Walmart just dropped Apple's 10.9 iPad to a record-low of $259. In our iPad 10.9 (2022) review , we said Apple's latest base-level tablet is a big upgrade over the previous generation model, offering a larger Liquid Retina display, a new A14 Bionic chip, improved cameras, USB-C support, and a sleek design. KitchenAid is a mainstay in the Bake Off tent and still the leader when it comes to high-quality stand mixers, but they come with hefty upfront cost. It comes with a stainless steel bowl and three attachments for mixing, kneading, and beating – everything the amateur or intermediate baker needs for the kitchen. Today's deal is one of the cheapest you'll find for a KitchenAid mixer. Walmart is known for its stunningly low prices on TVs during Cyber Monday, and this 2024 Hisense set might be the best deal I've seen. For just $178, you get 4K HD resolution, Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10, DTS Studio Sound, and the Roku operating system for easy streaming. This is an incredible offer, and I don't expect it to be around for long. Get the best compact, single-serve blender for under $50 ahead of Cyber Monday. This is an ideal solution for your daily smoothie or protein shake. With its built-in handle and sippy cup lid, you'll be ready to make your favorite creation just before leaving the house. Today's Black Friday deal on the budget Apple Watch SE for $149 is a new record-low price and beats Amazon's current offer by $20. The Apple Watch SE tracks activity, sleep, and calories burned and will notify you when a high or low heart rate is detected. The water-resistant smartwatch also helps you stay connected by allowing you to receive notifications, take calls, and reply to texts directly from your wrist. If you're on a budget but still want a high-end vacuum, Dyso's V8 Absolute is a fantastic option at just $279.99. Perfect for pet owners, the Dyson V8 features a de-tangling motor bar that works across hardwood floors and carpets and can transform into a handheld vac for quick and convenient clean-ups. This is $12 cheaper than AirPods Pro 2 have ever been, and I expect this deal won't last long. They sound excellent, the noise cancellation is top tier, Dolby Atmos spatial audio is amazing for movies, and they even have an unlosable case, thanks to tech that points you to where it's hiding (and a speaker to help, too). They're also very small and light, which is great for comfort. The previous lowest price was $169, so absolutely do not miss this deal – they're fantastic value for this price. If you're looking for a budget laptop during today's Black Friday sale, Walmart has HP's 14-inch laptop for just $129. For that money, you're getting an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB of SSD, and up to 10 hours of battery life.Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. Many feel forced to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society. Others still find ways to dissent, but carefully. Israel's National Security Ministry counters that, “Freedom of speech is not the freedom to incite.” Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Zvi Kogan was killed, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” It said: “The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Kogan went missing on Thursday, and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped. His disappearance comes as Iran has been threatening to retaliate against Israel after the two countries traded fire in October. Israeli strike kills Lebanese soldier and wounds 18 as Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel BEIRUT (AP) — An Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center has killed one soldier and wounded 18 others. The Hezbollah militant group meanwhile fired around 160 rockets and other projectiles into northern and central Israel on Sunday, wounding at least five people. Israeli strikes have killed over 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanon's military has largely kept to the sidelines. The Israeli military expressed regret over the strike, saying it occurred in an area of ongoing combat operations against Hezbollah. It said it does not target the Lebanese armed forces and that the strike is under review. The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump's promises on growth and inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has big plans for the economy. He also has big debt problem that'll be a hurdle to delivering on those plan. Trump has bold ambitions on tax cuts, tariffs and other programs. But high interest rates and the price of repaying the federal government’s existing debt could limit what he’s able to do. The federal debt stands at roughly $36 trillion, and the spike in inflation after the pandemic has pushed up the government’s borrowing costs such that debt service next year will easily exceed spending on national security. After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles WASHINGTON (AP) — During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump had hailed what would become Project 2025 as a conservative roadmap for “exactly what our movement will do." Trump pulled an about-face when Project 2025 became a political liability. He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans, even though some were written by his former aides and many allies. Now, after winning the 2024 election, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the effort he temporarily shunned. Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy. Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across US during Thanksgiving week WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — Forecasters in the U.S. have warned of another round of winter weather that could complicate travel leading up to Thanksgiving. California is bracing for more snow and rain this weekend while still grappling with some flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for California's Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at high elevations. Thousands remained without power in the Seattle area on Saturday after a “bomb cyclone” storm system hit the West Coast earlier in the week, killing two people. Parts of the Northeast and Appalachia also began the weekend with heavy precipitation. Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry made the announcement on X, which is banned in Pakistan. Sunday's protest is to demand Khan's release. He has been in prison for more than a year but remains popular. His supporters rely heavily on social media and messaging apps to coordinate with each other. Pakistan has already sealed off Islamabad and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with Khan's power bases. Here's what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at UN climate talks BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. But it’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensions SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan has held a memorial ceremony near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the brutal wartime use of Korean laborers. South Korea’s absence at Sunday’s memorial, to which Seoul government officials and Korean victims’ families were invited, is a major setback in the rapidly improving ties between the countries. The Sado mines were listed in July as a UNESCO World Heritage Site after Japan moved past years of disputes with South Korea and reluctantly acknowledged the mines’ dark history. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He teamed up with Young for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and became a full supporter Donald Trump.

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Verstappen captures 4th F1 championship after Mercedes sweep of Las Vegas Grand Prix LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship Saturday night by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen needed only to finish ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to give Red Bull a fourth straight driver championship. The Dutchman started fifth but was already up to second by the 10th lap around the street circuit that includes the famed Las Vegas Strip. Norris, who had to score at least three points more than Verstappen to extend the championship fight, finished sixth. The race was won by George Russell who was followed by Lewis Hamilton in the first 1-2 sweep for the Mercedes drivers since 2022. Dartmouth sorority, two members of fraternity face charges after student who attended party drowned HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A sorority at Dartmouth College and two members of a fraternity faces charges related to the death of a student who drowned after attending an off-campus party. The Hanover, New Hampshire police department, where Dartmouth is located, said Friday that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house. Two members of the Beta Alpha Omega face a charge of providing alcohol to a person under 21. Won Jang, 20, of Middletown, Delaware, had attended an off-campus party in July hosted by Alpha Phi sorority. Police said the alcohol was provided by Beta Alpha Omega. Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards are marching in downtown Barcelona to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living." The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States. The average rent for Spain has doubled in the last decade. In cities like Barcelona, rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Jason Kelce's wife announces she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce's wife is announcing she's pregnant with the couple's fourth child. Kylie Kelce posted a photo on Instagram on Friday of the couple's three young daughters reacting to the news. The oldest daughter, Wyatt, appears to be cupping her head in shock. The middle daughter, Ellioette, is smiling. The youngest, Bennett, is in tears. A caption attached to the photo reads: “I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page!” Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE is missing. Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnapped DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in the United Arab Emirates has gone missing, with Israeli authorities raising the suspicion he may have been kidnapped as tensions remain high with Iran. The Israeli prime minister’s office said that Zvi Kogan has been missing since noon Thursday. It said that against the backdrop of information that this was a terrorist incident, an extensive investigation has been opened in the country. Emirati officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State-run media in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, did not immediately report the incident. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Michael B. Jordan uses timeout at women's college basketball game to sign smoldering photo LOS ANGELES (AP) — Snoop Dogg strolled in wearing a jacket with JuJu Watkins’ name and number on the front and back. Michael B. Jordan thrilled a USC female fan with an impromptu autograph during a timeout. The stars came out to the showdown between third-ranked Southern California and No. 6 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish won 74-61 to remain undefeated in the nationally televised game. The woman held up a smoldering magazine photo of the actor and he indicated he'd sign it. With the arena DJ egging her on, she climbed out of the stands and met Jordan at his seat. He leaned in to ask her name, signed and they shared an embrace.

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In addition to technology, Zhou Haichao also stressed the significance of sustainable development in business real estate. With increasing awareness of environmental issues, tenants and investors are increasingly looking for properties that are not only profitable but also environmentally friendly. Zhou Haichao discussed the benefits of green building practices, energy-efficient designs, and eco-friendly amenities in attracting and retaining tenants while reducing operating costs in the long run.SAN DIEGO, Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Presidio Property Trust, Inc. (“Presidio” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SQFT; SQFTP; SQFTW), an internally managed, diversified real estate investment trust (“REIT”), today announced that the Company has been granted an additional 180-day period from Nasdaq’s Listing Qualification Department, through June 2, 2025, to regain compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Company’s common stock continues to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SQFT.” If at any time until June 2, 2025, the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock is at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive trading days, Nasdaq will provide the Company with written confirmation of compliance. If compliance cannot be demonstrated during the additional 180-day grace period, Nasdaq will provide written notification that the common stock will be subject to delisting. At such time, the Company may appeal the determination to a Nasdaq Hearings Panel. The Company intends to monitor the closing bid price of its common stock between now and June 2, 2025, and intends to consider available options to cure the deficiency and regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement within the compliance period. About Presidio Property Trust Presidio is an internally managed real estate investment trust with holdings in model home properties, which are triple net leased to homebuilders, and office, industrial, and retail properties. Presidio’s model homes are leased to homebuilders located in Arizona, Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, and Florida. Presidio’s office, industrial, and retail properties are located primarily in Colorado, with properties also located in Maryland, North Dakota, Texas, and Southern California. Presidio also owns approximately 4.3% of the outstanding common stock of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc., a disease agnostic multi-asset clinical-stage life science company providing an efficient model for compound development. For more information on Presidio, please visit Presidio’s website at https://www.PresidioPT.com . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical, including statements regarding management’s intentions, beliefs, expectations, representations, plans or predictions of the future, and are typically identified by such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “should” and “could.” Because such statements include risks, uncertainties and contingencies, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s present expectations, but these statements are not guaranteed to occur. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes. Investors should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements. For further discussion of the factors that could affect outcomes please refer to the Company’s filings with the SEC, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, copies of which are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov . Investor Relations Contact: Presidio Property Trust, Inc. Lowell Hartkorn, Investor Relations LHartkorn@presidiopt.com Telephone: (760) 471-8536 x1244 This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

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A discounted cash flow valuation of Shopify ( SHOP 3.75% ) stock suggests this e-commerce enabler is overvalued. *Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Dec. 3, 2024. The video was published on Dec. 5, 2024.

Israel strikes Houthi rebels while WHO chief says was meters awayAdditionally, changes in trade policies and global economic conditions have had a significant impact on the Southeast Asian overseas warehouse industry. The implementation of free trade agreements and the emergence of new markets have created opportunities for businesses to expand their reach and establish a presence in key strategic locations. This has led to the proliferation of overseas warehouses in Southeast Asia, as companies seek to capitalize on the region's strategic position as a hub for international trade and commerce.NFL ends investigation into sexual assault allegations against Browns QB Deshaun WatsonDespite the markdown in price, the mansion's sale is expected to generate significant interest from affluent buyers and real estate investors looking to own a piece of Hong Kong's prestigious property market. The allure of owning a property owned by one of the city's most beloved celebrities adds a unique appeal to the listing, potentially driving up interest and demand.

CLEVELAND (AP) — The NFL has closed an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is ending the season on injured reserve for the second year in a row. The league has been reviewing the case for months , trying to determine whether Watson should be punished. “The matter is closed,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said Friday in an email to The Associated Press. “There was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.” Watson, who served an 11-game suspension in 2022, was accused of assault in Texas by a woman in September. She was seeking more than $1 million in damages before the sides reached a confidential settlement. Watson strongly denied the allegations through his attorney, Rusty Hardin. The 29-year-old Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture in October. He's been rehabbing the injury in hopes of returning next season. The Browns still owe Watson $46 million in each of the next two seasons after they traded three first-round picks to Houston and signed him to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract that has backfired. Watson has only played in 19 games over three seasons due to the suspension and injuries. He was acquired by the Browns, who were comfortable with his character despite Watson being accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions while he played for the Texans. While he's in the clear with the league, Watson's future with Cleveland isn't so certain. His massive contract — and its salary-cap ramifications — has put the Browns in a bind in terms of trying to improve their roster. Cleveland has had a disappointing season after making the playoffs a year ago and could move on from Watson, but the cost would be exorbitant if the team just releases him. The Browns signed Jameis Winston for one season to be Watson's backup. Winston has gone 2-3 as a starter since taking over and he's put some life into Cleveland's offense, which didn't score 20 points or gain 300 yards with Watson before his injury. His 2023 season was ended by a broken bone in his shoulder, requiring surgery. Winston has indicated he would come back, and he could be a viable option as a starter even if the Browns draft a young QB. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLHowever, with the emergence of inconsistent cooling patterns following heavy snowfall, consumers may find themselves grappling with uncertainty and unpredictability in their routines. The inability to rely on expected temperature drops could lead to shifts in consumer preferences and spending patterns, as individuals seek to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.

Google recently made a groundbreaking announcement in the field of quantum computing by introducing its latest quantum chip named "Willow." This advanced technology is set to revolutionize the way we approach complex computational problems, offering a solution to a significant challenge that has been puzzling scientists for the past three decades.NFL ends investigation into sexual assault allegations against Browns QB Deshaun Watson

The Hinterland Scholarship Dormitory (HSD) in Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown is home to a diverse population of hinterland scholars, and will soon undergo a major facelift, to cater to students’ specific needs. President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali unveiled this crucial initiative, during a dinner with scores of hinterland scholarship students, at his official residence, on Friday evening. According to the head of state, plans are afoot to enhance dormitory facilities, including the founding of essential amenities that will foster sport and artistic development. General enhancements will also be undertaken, ensuring students’ comfort and well-being. “We can development of cricket, maybe a hard tarmac, so that you can play other forms of sport, even during the rainy season... we will put in a facility, preferably a prefab building in there so you can have your art room,” he elaborated for students at the dinner. While students travel home for the Christmas holidays, the head of state and Minister of Education Priya Manickchand along with Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai will be working to concretise the plans. Already, an assessment of the general enhancements has been completed, and “We’re going to invest in those upgrades so that we can make your life as easy and comfortable as possible and we can give you a feeling of home,” President Ali emphasised. Furthermore, as the dormitory Liliendaal Dormitory is home to diverse backgrounds, the head of state affirmed the government’s commitment to investing and expanding opportunities for them. He also expressed pride in their achievements and encouraged them to exploit the opportunities available, foster a sense of mutual understanding and support for each other, an important asset in life. “You’re living as a family, and as family, you’re getting to share experiences, build new friendships, and this is what is going to ensure that the Guyana we are building, the One Guyana, is made up of every single community,” he further underlined. These improvements are part of the government’s broader commitment to investing in human capital, particularly in hinterland and riverine communities, so they can have the best futures. Since 2020, investments have been made in improving educational facilities, to ensure equal access to quality education. A massive training programme for hinterland teachers is also being rolled out. Modern schools are being established in every part of Guyana, and are being equipped with technology, including internet access that will integrate the hinterland to broader learning resources. As a result, there is an increasing number of students shining in academics, and joining programmes such as nursing, technical and military training. “Today we celebrate .... the largest intake to the army officers programme came from the hinterland and riverine communities...and we could have only achieved that because for the first time, our young people in the hinterland and riverine communities are having access to secondary education,” Guyana’s president expressed. Ministers Manickchand and Sukhai also delivered brief remarks, in which they underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to hinterland youths. Since 2020, the government would have invested over $300 million to support high achievers from the hinterland, signalling their staunch commitment. (DPI)

Keeping warm at the right price; A quick look at what you can do as the temperatures dropAs the investigation into the shooting continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward and assist in the pursuit of justice. The healthcare executive remains in critical condition, and the road to recovery may be long and arduous. However, the outpouring of support and solidarity from the community is a testament to the strength and resilience of those affected by this senseless act of violence.

There are a lot of things to like about Altria ( MO 1.25% ) , particularly if you are a dividend investor. But there are also a few very important things to be worried about. No company is perfect, so you always have to take some bad with the good. But if you are hoping to retire a millionaire on Altria's dividend, you'll want to think extra hard about the bad here. Altria is an industry leader To give credit where credit is due, Altria owns the most important brand in its category in North America. And it isn't even close when you look at the market share numbers. Altria's market share in cigarettes was a huge 45.7% in the third quarter of 2024. The Marlboro brand alone accounted for 41.7 percentage points of that total. Put simply, Altria's Marlboro brand is a category dominator. The strength of the Marlboro brand has allowed Altria to increase its dividend annually for decades. And given the dividend yield of 7.3% today, it makes sense for income-focused investors to take a close look. Think about that yield for a second. All Altria needs to do is increase the dividend 2.7 percentage points and you would likely be getting the 10% total return investors generally expect from the broader market over time. For investors who are already retired, buying Altria certainly looks like a chance to set up a lifetime of lofty dividend payments. For those not ready to turn on that income stream, dividend reinvesting would allow the payout to compound over time. It isn't unreasonable to think that Altria could help you retire a millionaire. There's just one problem: the product. Altria is facing down a major headwind Cigarettes are increasingly falling out of favor in the North American market that Altria serves. Having the most important high-end cigarette brand in a cigarette market that is, effectively, drying up isn't necessarily a great long-term proposition for shareholders. The numbers are getting worse, too, not better. In 2022, Altria's cigarette volume fell 9.7%. In 2023, the decline was 9.9%. And through the first nine months of 2024, the drop was 10.6%. Sure, that trend could turn around, but are you willing to bet your retirement on it? So far, Altria has been able to offset those declines with price increases. That's great, for now. But at some point, price increases are likely to make the volume declines worse. At that point, the price increases may have to slow down or possibly even stop. Or the company may have to consider other options for conserving cash, such as cutting its dividend. The other big issue here is that Altria knows there's a problem and so far hasn't had much success doing anything about it. It has tried. For example, it bought a stake in vape maker Juul and a marijuana company , but neither worked out, and the company had to take massive write-offs. The recent acquisition of vape maker Njoy appears to be working out better, but the business is too small to have much impact on the company's results (it is still classified in an "other" catchall revenue category). Is it worth betting your retirement on the success of a tiny little business that isn't even big enough to break out on its own yet? Altria is a high-risk, high-yield stock Altria has a storied history, but the future is not going to look like the past given the changes taking shape in the cigarette market. The company is trying to adjust as best it can, but Wall Street is worried that it won't succeed, which is why the dividend yield is so high. Given the failures so far and the small size of the one successful new business that the company hopes will solve its cigarette problems, most dividend investors should tread with extreme caution here. Could Altria help you retire a millionaire? Sure, but it could also leave you broke. The risk/reward balance is probably tilted too far to the risk side right now for all but the most aggressive investors.Title: Touching Story of an 83-Year-Old Woman Lost in Tears After Walking 18 Kilometers: Street Vendor Helps Her and Calls the Police

NoneWhile the odds may still be stacked against them, Atalanta have shown that they have the talent, experience, and mental toughness to win the Serie A title. Their journey from Serie B to title contenders is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at the club. With Gasperini at the helm and a squad full of talented and experienced players, Atalanta have what it takes to make history and lift the coveted Serie A trophy.On the other hand, the "failed cooling" phenomenon also has implications for consumer behavior and societal norms. Traditionally, winter weather prompts individuals to adjust their lifestyles and purchasing habits to accommodate the cold temperatures. From investing in winter clothing and heating systems to stocking up on comfort foods and beverages, consumer behavior often reflects the changing seasons and weather conditions.

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By TravelPulse (TNS) While 2024 was a year that brought about significant, continued post-pandemic recovery for the travel industry, it was also a period of time marked by instability in some locations around the world. From attacks on the rail lines during the Paris Olympics to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, not to mention the war in Ukraine, the global travel realm in 2024 was fraught with challenges. It is against this backdrop that the international security and medical services provider Global Guardian recently released its 2025 Global Risk Map. Published annually, the map is meant to help travelers better understand the current global risk landscape. In order to develop its guidance, experts at Global Guardian assess a long list of country-specific security risk factors and indicators, including crime, health, natural disasters, infrastructure, political stability, civil unrest and terrorism. For 2025, Global Guardian’s assessment results underscore the reality that disruption globally and domestically continues to increase, and now more than ever travelers need to be prepared when exploring the world. As part of the latest assessment, Global Guardian highlighted a handful of specific global regions that are at particular risk of destabilization over the next year and beyond. Here’s a closer look at those regions, along with insights from Global Guardian CEO Dale Buckner, who recently spoke with TravelPulse at length about the risks travelers may face in 2025. Here are the regions at risk of destabilization in 2025: Israel’s existential battle against Iran is set to continue into 2025, says the Global Guardian report. “In July 2024, Israel assassinated Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) safehouse in Tehran, and Iran has pledged revenge,” the report explains. “This comes as Iran and its web of regional proxies took their war on Israel out of the shadows and into the open following October 7, 2023, with seven live fronts.” Global Guardian also predicts that Israel’s regional war will shift from Gaza to the West Bank and Lebanon in the year ahead, heightening tensions with Hezbollah, while Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean will persist. The report adds that as “we enter 2025, Israel may assess that its strategic window to prevent a nuclear Iran is rapidly closing and choose to act.” The ongoing civil war in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is also of concern, according to Global Guardian’s risk analysis. The conflict “has created a dire humanitarian situation with ethnically motivated violence on the rise,” says the report. Some of the areas of concern in the Latin American region include Venezuela and Mexico, according to Global Guardian. The risk in Venezuela is tied to the country’s long-standing territorial dispute with neighboring Guyana, says the report. “Since 2019, the U.S. Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel from U.S. Embassy Caracas and suspended all operations,” explains Buckner. “Violent crimes, such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking, are common in Venezuela. Shortages of gasoline, electricity, water, medicine, and medical supplies continue throughout much of Venezuela. Simply put, Venezuela is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Western travelers and should be avoided.” In Mexico, meanwhile, the problems include drug cartel-related violence and theft, among other issues, says the report. Mexico recently inaugurated its first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and like her predecessors she will face challenges “reining in cartel violence, corruption, extortion, theft and kidnapping,” says the report. “As such, security continues to be a top concern in Mexico’ ” says the report, which categorizes Mexico as “high risk” when it comes to travel for 2025. Countries classified as high risk experience regular conflict, criminal activity or civil unrest — and have not effectively managed those risks. The Global Guardian report also suggests there may be heightened risks in Mexico now that Donald Trump has been reelected U.S. president. “Bilateral relations between the U.S. and Mexico could dramatically deteriorate. Trump has promised a mass deportation operation, which could sour relations between the U.S. and Mexico, increasing risks to businesses operating in Mexico,” the report adds. Asked to comment on Mexico’s high-risk designation, Buckner stressed that the situation in the country is extremely nuanced, adding that it’s a vast oversimplification to call the entire country high risk. “There are pockets of Mexico that are wildly safe and wonderful to visit and people shouldn’t hesitate to go,” Buckner told TravelPulse. “And there are also pockets that are unsafe and dangerous.” The good news, added Buckner, is that Mexico’s new president is focusing a great deal of effort and energy on addressing the problems surrounding drug cartels, which are the source of a great deal of the risk. Buckner was quick to add however, that as long as there’s demand for drugs, the drug cartel situation is likely to remain problematic. “The U.S. is driving the drug demand — we consume more drugs then the rest of the world,” explained Buckner. “It’s really overly simplified to paint Mexico as the bad guy, because if there wasn’t demand, we wouldn’t need the supply. But the demand is real and violence comes with that.” Representatives for Global Nexus, a government and public affairs consultancy that advises travel and tourism companies and interests in Southern Mexico, told TravelPulse that while drug-related violence has been known to occur, it involves members of the drug cartel targeting each other, they’re not targeting tourists. “There is an ongoing battle between small drug vendors who use the beach to sell product to tourists hanging out on the beach,” explained Ruben Olmos, Global Nexus president and CEO, in reference to the Quintana Roo region, which is popular with tourists. “There have been cases where gunfire has been exchanged between these groups. They are targeting themselves. They are fighting over ‘This is my beach’ and they initiate a shootout.” However, added Olmos, that the U.S. State Department’s risk categorization for Quintana Roo (which is separate from the Global Guardian risk assessment) has not changed. Located on the State Department’s Mexico page, the risk assessment for Quintana Roo remains in the “Exercise Increased Caution” category, which is below the top risk categories of “Do Not Travel” and “Reconsider Travel.” The Exercise Increased Caution designation means “Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security,” explains the State Department’s website. Olmos also pointed out that Mexico is the only country that has a map on the U.S. State Department website that covers every single state in the country, providing details for travelers about which states are safest. In June 2024, thousands of young people took to the streets in Kenya to protest a controversial tax bill. The protesters were met with heavy-handed policing, including the use of live fire and mass arrests, says the Global Guardian risk report. Despite the local security response, protests continued. The success and tenacity of the Kenyan movement has triggered similar protests or dissent in other countries including Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, and Nigeria, says Global Guardian. That is just a portion of the risk Global Guardian sees for Sub-Saharan Africa over the course of 2025. “With multiple conflicts escalating across the continent, aging leaders leaving behind unclear successions, and entrenched regimes with dissipating legitimacy, Sub-Saharan Africa now looks much like the North African and Arab world in the early 2010s,” says the report. “While the dynamic unfolding in Africa might not yet merit the label of “African Spring,” a significant change to the continent’s political status quo is coming.” Several countries received an extreme or high-risk designation on the new Global Guardian risk map for 2025, including more than a few that are popular with leisure travelers or tourists. Extreme risk countries are those that Global Guardian says are “actively engaged in conflict, while also experiencing severe criminal activity and civil unrest.These countries are insecure; state institutions are too weak to manage militant groups or large-scale disasters.” They include Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Lebanon, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Ukraine, West Bank, Gaza and Yemen. The current list of high-risk countries, which are countries that experience regular conflict, criminal activity or civil unrest and have not effectively managed those risks, includes Bangladesh, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Libya, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Uganda, Venezuela Officials from the Jamaica Tourist Board provided a statement to TravelPulse in response to Global Guardian’s designation of the country. “Last month, Global Guardian, a private security provider, released its 2025 Global Risk Map, which included Jamaica, amongst other destinations,” said the Tourist Board. “It is important to note that the crime rate against visitors is notably low at 0.01% and the majority of Jamaica’s tourism product remains unaffected.” The country’s tourism officials added that Jamaica has welcomed 3 million visitors this year and boasts a high repeat visitor rate of 42%. “The island is consistently ranked among the top destinations for international travel and visitors continue to come with confidence to enjoy all that Jamaica has to offer,” the statement adds. When it comes to Jamaica, Buckner offered similar comments to those of Mexico, noting that the situation is impacted by drug-related violence and the experience on the ground is nuanced and cannot be painted with a broad brush. “In the same vein as Mexico — Jamaica can be a wonderful place to visit,” says Buckner. “There are pockets of beauty and low crime and as long as you are careful, it’s a very low threat.” Buckner, a retired Army colonel, maintains that the world is indeed a more risky place heading into 2025. The challenges in the Middle East and Ukraine are at the forefront of the instability, but are hardly the only cause for concern. “Israel has now gone to Gaza and cleaned out Hamas, they’re now moving north into Lebanon, and we are convinced Israel will strike Iran,” Buckner said during an interview that took place prior to Israel’s strike on Iran. “If that occurs you are going to see violence across the Middle East.” “But there are over 100 conflicts across the globe,” continues Buckner. When you combine that reality with other challenges the world is currently grappling with, including the destabilizing influences of climate change, there are plenty of risks for travelers to bear in mind when planning a journey for the coming year. He wraps up by offering a few tips for travelers, a check-list of sorts, to work through when planning or considering travel to a specific country in 2025: — If you don’t know who to call or how you are going to negotiate if someone is kidnapped, you shouldn’t go there. — Consumers need to read the fine print on travel insurance because it does not cover war zones, terrorism or natural disasters, says Buckner. And travelers are often surprised and find out too late that these types of events are not covered. — If you get stuck or stranded, if you don’t know who you are going to call to get you out of that situation, know what organizations locally or internationally are available to help you. ©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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A young Nigerian man has shared the certificate he was given as prize for emerging as the best graduating student in his department The student of the University of Benin graduated from the department of Civil Engineering with a CGPA of 4.89 Social media users who came across his post did not hesitate to congratulate him in the comments section CHECK OUT: Learn at Your Own Pace! Our Flexible Online Course allows you to fit copywriting skills development around your busy schedule. Enroll Now! A young Nigerian man's outstanding academic achievement was recently recognised with a prestigious award. The University of Benin graduate emerged as the best graduating student in the Department of Civil Engineering, earning a well-deserved certificate to commemorate his achievement. Best graduating student shows off award certificate The accomplished graduate, @ kolatheballer , took to the X app to share his certificate and a photo of himself proudly wearing his graduation attire. PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng Needs Your Help! Take our Survey Now and See Improvements at LEGIT.NG Tomorrow His post was met with an outpouring of congratulatory messages and praise from social media users who were impressed by his academic excellence. Read also UNIBEN graduate poses with mum as he celebrates leaving school after years, photos trend According to the graduate, his achievement was a proof of his hard work, dedication, and unwavering faith. His Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.89 confirmed his exceptional academic abilities and commitment to excellence. In his words: "All glory to GOD. Thank you Department of Civil Engineering. Thank you UNIBEN. It’s Official! All glory to GOD B.Eng. Civil Engineering Bagged. Civil Engineering Best Graduating Student with a CGPA of 4.89/5.0. Class of 2022/23. University of Benin. A journey of hard work, dedication, and unwavering faith." Reactions as UNIBEN graduate shows off award Nigerians stormed the comments section of his post to react to it. Pakidor said: "Congratulations." Emenike Emmanuel said: "My Idolo." Ekenem commented: "Engineering on fire. Well done and congratulations bro." Mo of Oduga said: "Congratulations." Miracle Fimicho said: "Congratulations my bro." Williams Ajayi said: "Congratulations sir." University of Ibadan graduate bags first class Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a Nigerian lady celebrated as she graduated with a first-class degree from the University of Ibadan . Read also UNIBEN: Man who bagged degree in engineering says it took him 9 years to graduate She shared photos and a video of herself on her convocation day, as she revealed that she studied Communication and Language Arts. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ngKapco submits lowest bid for KE’s 120MW solar project KARACHI: Kot Addu Power Company Limited (Kapco) has emerged as the lowest bidder for K-Electric’s (KE) proposed 120MW solar power project in Deh Halkani, District West, Karachi. In a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday, Kapco announced that it had submitted a competitive bid tariff of Rs9.8319 per kWh (3.4061 cents/kWh), based on the reference exchange rate of USD/PKR 288.65. The bidding process, conducted by KE, followed the guidelines outlined in Nepra’s Electric Power Procurement Regulations, 2022.The formal award of the project is now contingent upon regulatory approval from Nepra, which will review the report of the Auction and Evaluation Committee prepared by K-Electric, the notice stated.

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Unveiling the silent stakeholder: Call for farm animal welfare in sustainability reportingICEYE expands its Earth Observation capabilities with launch of two SAR satellites for mid-inclination orbit on the Bandwagon-2 mission with SpaceX

This Is What Whales Are Betting On Nebius GroupBiden opens final White House holiday season with turkey pardons and first lady gets Christmas treeThe state government will launch a parliamentary inquiry into regional housing supply as it steps up its effort to tackle the crisis in country Victoria. or signup to continue reading Leader of the House and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas will give notice of a motion to establish the inquiry on November 27. Premier Jacinta Allan to tackle the housing crisis in October, but no new policies to specifically tackle the issue in the regions. A government spokesperson said the new inquiry would find out what kind of housing country Victorians needed, and how it could best be delivered. Ms Thomas's motion said the inquiry would "get regional MPs out into the communities talking about housing for the next 12 months". It will report back by December 15 2025. An ACM investigation revealed the government's Big Housing Build had already allocated more than its promised $1.25 billion investment to regional Victoria. But it also showed the program was to increase the state's social housing stock by 10 per cent. For every two houses built under the Big Build, the government was having to demolish or sell one, and in regional Victoria the increase in housing was lagging well behind the number of new houses. The government has also started rolling out a $1 billion Regional Housing Fund. under the program, but the 1300 figure now comprises at least 500 existing Homes Victoria dwellings that were previously uninhabitable. A government spokesperson said a key part of the inquiry would be assessing the delivery of the Big Build and Regional Housing Fund to ensure they were providing the promised benefits. It will also investigate the cost of building houses under the programs. The cost per house under the Big Build in regional Victoria ranged from $350,877 in Wangaratta, to $439,024 in Warrnambool. But the 1300 new and "upgraded" houses under the Regional Housing Fund will cost about $770,000 each. The inquiry will be done by the Legislative Assembly's Environment and Planning Committee, chaired by Wendouree MP Juliana Addison. Every regional MP will be expected to build a picture of the housing need in their district, including the ideal mix of social and affordable dwellings. But the inquiry will also explore efficient and innovative building methods, including whether modular and prefabricated housing could improve the amenity of an area quickly and cost-effectively. Another focus will be the need for smaller dwellings compared to three and four-bedroom homes, and whether apartments could efficiently fill the housing need in larger cities. The government's suite of housing announcements in October included cuts to red tape and stamp duty, as well as a plan to force developers to contribute their fair share to local infrastructure. Developers face . In south-west Victoria, councils like Warrnambool City and Moyne Shire have been forced to create their own key worker housing because planning challenges and a lack of developer interest have made new developments rare. In Ballarat, some growth areas have sat in activation limbo while other potential housing areas remain undeveloped because crucial infrastructure is lagging five or 10 years behind housing demand. A government spokesperson said the inquiry would seek input from developers to find out what changes would help them build more housing more quickly in regional areas. The government has also opened a second round of its Regional Worker Accommodation Fund, which offers grants from $150,000 to $5 million to businesses, councils, or community groups to deliver key worker housing. The first round stimulated $250 million in public-private investment for "shovel-ready" regional housing projects. Ms Allan - whose hometown of Bendigo faces one of the biggest housing shortfalls in the state - said the government wanted to give "more families the opportunities they deserve to live in the communities they love". Correspondent covering key issues across regional Victoria, based in Melbourne. Correspondent covering key issues across regional Victoria, based in Melbourne. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. 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777 logo Amazon Web Services plans $10 billion Ohio investmentFormer New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is expected to clear waivers Monday and have a new home on a one-year deal sooner rather than later, league sources told ESPN. No team is expected to claim the balance of Jones' contract -- $11,833,333 for this season in addition to the $23 million in injury guarantees for after this season -- making him officially free to sign with another team after 4 p.m. ET on Monday. Jones, who was officially waived Saturday by the Giants, is expected to have multiple options but likely will prefer to finish this season on a playoff-contending team, where he will be involved in big games, rather than going to a meandering quarterback-needy team not remotely in playoff contention, according to sources. Editor's Picks How it all fell apart for Daniel Jones and the Giants 1d Jordan Raanan Barkley: Hoping Jones can find 'same fresh start' 8h Could Daniel Jones still have success in the NFL? His case for another shot, plus five team fits 1d Ben Solak Multiple playoff-contending teams are likely to inquire about Jones and his level of interest, but it will not be long before Jones is finishing out the season somewhere other than New York. New York announced its intention to part ways with Jones on Friday, ending the former first-round draft pick's stint with the Giants after five-plus seasons. Giants owner John Mara said in a statement that the organization and Jones "mutually agreed" that the move "would be best for him and for the team." Once the Giants informed Jones earlier this week that they were benching him, events surrounding the quarterback happened quickly. Jones effectively was no longer on the depth chart because the Giants would not take any risk of an injury, with Tommy DeVito as their starter, Drew Lock as the backup and the newly signed Tim Boyle at third string. Jones took individual reps and even helped out the squad when he played scout-team safety in practice Thursday during a walkthrough, before asking for and being granted his release Friday. None of this should have been overly surprising; similar scenarios unfolded four times in the NFL over the past two seasons before the Giants' turn with Jones this week. Last season in Denver, the Broncos benched Russell Wilson before he could potentially suffer an injury and trigger a $37 million guarantee for 2024. Also last season, the Raiders benched Jimmy Garoppolo rather than risking an injury to the quarterback, which could have guaranteed an additional $11.25 million that would have been due this season. In 2022, the Colts benched Matt Ryan in October, decreasing the risk of having to pay the veteran quarterback a $7.5 million roster bonus in March 2023. Later that year, the Raiders benched Derek Carr to avoid his $32.9 million salary for the 2023 season and $7.5 million of his 2024 salary becoming guaranteed if he suffered a significant injury. Now Jones and the Giants have expedited their divorce, freeing the quarterback to find a new home next week. One team unlikely to pursue Jones right now is the Eagles , who already signed former Giants running back Saquon Barkley . Barkley was selected second overall by the Giants in the 2018 draft -- one year before New York used the sixth overall pick on Jones. The two-time Pro Bowler said he has been in contact with his former teammate and knows there are bright days ahead for Jones. "Our friendship has stayed close throughout the whole process of me being here," Barkley told reporters Friday. "It sucks to see how everything went down for him over there. I've got nothing but great things to say about him. You're not going to really find anybody that can say negative things about him. "It's the NFL. Hopefully, wherever he ends up next, they're going to get a guy who come in and work. It didn't work for me over there, and I'm doing well over here. Hopefully, he can find the same fresh start and success."

No. 5 Georgia football finds itself with a deficit at halftime in Saturday's SEC championship game against No. 2 Texas. But the Bulldogs' bigger concern surround quarterback Carson Beck. The Georgia quarterback was hurt in the final seconds of the first half as he was hit by Longhorns defensive edge Trey Moore. Georgia coach Kirby Smart told ESPN's Holly Rowe that he hurt his hand as the ball was knocked out by Moore. Smart continued by saying Georgia will look at Beck during halftime. Beck sustained an injury during the final play of the first half in Saturday's SEC conference championship game when he was hit by Moore. Carson Beck took a big shot there — Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) He lay down on the turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for several moments before he was tended to by members of the Georgia medical staff. ESPN's broadcast showed Beck walking off the field with members of the Georgia medical staff.Unlocking Hidden Potential: AI Stocks That Could Make You a FortuneThe people that president-elect Donald Trump has selected to lead federal health agencies in his second administration include a retired congressman, a surgeon and a former talk-show host. All of them could play pivotal roles in fulfilling a new political agenda that could change how the government goes about safeguarding Americans' health — from health care and medicines to food safety and science research. And if Congress approves, at the helm of the team as Department of Health and Human Services secretary will be prominent environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine organizer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. By and large, the nominees don't have experience running large bureaucratic agencies, but they know how to talk about health on TV . Centers for Medicare and Medicaid pick Dr. Mehmet Oz hosted a talk show for 13 years and is a well-known wellness and lifestyle influencer. The pick for the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Marty Makary, and for surgeon general, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, are frequent Fox News contributors. Many on the list were critical of COVID-19 measures like masking and booster vaccinations for young people. Some of them have ties to Florida like many of Trump's other Cabinet nominees: CDC pick Dr. Dave Weldon represented the state in Congress for 14 years and is affiliated with a medical group on the state's Atlantic coast. Nesheiwat's brother-in-law is Rep. Mike Waltz , R-Fla., tapped by Trump as national security adviser. Here's a look at the nominees' potential role in carrying out what Kennedy says is the task to “reorganize” agencies, which have an overall $1.7 billion budget; employ 80,000 scientists, researchers, doctors and other officials; and affect the lives of all Americans. The Atlanta-based CDC, with a $9.2 billion core budget, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. Kennedy has long attacked vaccines and criticized the CDC, repeatedly alleging corruption at the agency. He said on a 2023 podcast that there is "no vaccine that is safe and effective,” and urged people to resist the CDC's guidelines on if and when kids should get vaccinated . Decades ago, Kennedy found common ground with Weldon , the 71-year-old nominee to run the CDC who served in the Army and worked as an internal medicine doctor before he represented a central Florida congressional district from 1995 to 2009. Starting in the early 2000s, Weldon had a prominent part in a debate about whether there was a relationship between a vaccine preservative called thimerosal and autism. He was a founding member of the Congressional Autism Caucus and tried to ban thimerosal from all vaccines. Kennedy, then a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, believed there was a tie between thimerosal and autism and also charged that the government hid documents showing the danger. Since 2001, all vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market and routinely recommended for children 6 years or younger have contained no thimerosal or only trace amounts, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. Meanwhile, study after study after study found no evidence that thimerosal caused autism. Weldon's congressional voting record suggests he may go along with Republican efforts to downsize the CDC, including to eliminate the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, which works on topics like drownings, drug overdoses and shooting deaths. Weldon also voted to ban federal funding for needle-exchange programs as an approach to reduce overdoses, and the National Rifle Association gave him an “A” rating for his pro-gun rights voting record. Kennedy is extremely critical of the FDA, which has 18,000 employees and is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs, vaccines and other medical products — as well as overseeing cosmetics, electronic cigarettes and most foods. Makary, Trump’s pick to run the FDA, is closely aligned with Kennedy on several topics . The professor at Johns Hopkins University who is a trained surgeon and cancer specialist has decried the overprescribing of drugs, the use of pesticides on foods and the undue influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies over doctors and government regulators. Kennedy has suggested he'll clear our “entire” FDA departments and also recently threatened to fire FDA employees for “aggressive suppression” of a host of unsubstantiated products and therapies, including stem cells, raw milk , psychedelics and discredited COVID-era treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Makary's contrarian views during the COVID-19 pandemic including the need for masking and giving young kids COVID vaccine boosters. But anything Makary and Kennedy might want to do when it comes to unwinding FDA regulations or revoking long-standing vaccine and drug approvals would be challenging. The agency has lengthy requirements for removing medicines from the market, which are based on federal laws passed by Congress. The agency provides health care coverage for more than 160 million people through Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, and also sets Medicare payment rates for hospitals, doctors and other providers. With a $1.1 trillion budget and more than 6,000 employees, Oz has a massive agency to run if confirmed — and an agency that Kennedy hasn't talked about much when it comes to his plans. While Trump tried to scrap the Affordable Care Act in his first term, Kennedy has not taken aim at it yet. But he has been critical of Medicaid and Medicare for covering expensive weight-loss drugs — though they're not widely covered by either . Trump said during his campaign that he would protect Medicare, which provides insurance for older Americans. Oz has endorsed expanding Medicare Advantage — a privately run version of Medicare that is popular but also a source of widespread fraud — in an AARP questionnaire during his failed 2022 bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania and in a 2020 Forbes op-ed with a former Kaiser Permanente CEO. Oz also said in a Washington Examiner op-ed with three co-writers that aging healthier and living longer could help fix the U.S. budget deficit because people would work longer and add more to the gross domestic product. Neither Trump nor Kennedy have said much about Medicaid, the insurance program for low-income Americans. Trump's first administration reshaped the program by allowing states to introduce work requirements for recipients. Kennedy doesn't appear to have said much publicly about what he'd like to see from surgeon general position, which is the nation's top doctor and oversees 6,000 U.S. Public Health Service Corps members. The surgeon general has little administrative power, but can be an influential government spokesperson on what counts as a public health danger and what to do about it — suggesting things like warning labels for products and issuing advisories. The current surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, declared gun violence as a public health crisis in June. Trump's pick, Nesheiwat, is employed as a New York City medical director with CityMD, a group of urgent care facilities in the New York and New Jersey area, and has been at City MD for 12 years. She also has appeared on Fox News and other TV shows, authored a book on the “transformative power of prayer” in her medical career and endorses a brand of vitamin supplements. She encouraged COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, calling them “a gift from God” in a February 2021 Fox News op-ed, as well as anti-viral pills like Paxlovid. In a 2019 Q&A with the Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation , Nesheiwat said she is a “firm believer in preventive medicine” and “can give a dissertation on hand-washing alone.” As of Saturday, Trump had not yet named his choice to lead the National Institutes of Health, which funds medical research through grants to researchers across the nation and conducts its own research. It has a $48 billion budget. Kennedy has said he'd pause drug development and infectious disease research to shift the focus to chronic diseases. He'd like to keep NIH funding from researchers with conflicts of interest, and criticized the agency in 2017 for what he said was not doing enough research into the role of vaccines in autism — an idea that has long been debunked . Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz and Matt Perrone and AP editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.DAMASCUS, Syria — Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally, Russian media said Sunday, hours after a stunning rebel advance seized control of Damascus and ended his family’s 50 years of iron rule . Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire and waved the revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. The swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” President Joe Biden said , crediting action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He called the fall of Assad a “fundamental act of justice” but also a “moment of risk and uncertainty,” and said rebel groups are “saying the right things now” but the U.S. would assess their actions. Russia requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Syria, according to Dmitry Polyansky, its deputy ambassador to the U.N., in a post on Telegram. The arrival of Assad and his family in Moscow was reported by Russian agencies Tass and RIA, citing an unidentified source at the Kremlin. A spokesman there didn’t immediately respond to questions. RIA also said Syrian insurgents had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Earlier, Russia said Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. The leader of Syria’s biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani , is poised to chart the country’s future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the Umayyad Mosque and described Assad’s fall as “a victory to the Islamic nation.” Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he said Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in remote areas. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They urged people to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state,” and announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. An online video purported to show rebels freeing dozens of women at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed . At least one small child was seen among them. “This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he,” said one relative, Bassam Masr. “I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years.” Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi appeared on state TV and sought to reassure religious and ethnic minorities, saying: “Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects.” “We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did,” he added. Celebrations in the capital Damascus residents prayed in mosques and celebrated in squares, calling, “God is great.” People chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teenage boys picked up weapons apparently discarded by security forces and fired into the air. Soldiers and police fled their posts and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Families wandered the presidential palace, walking by damaged portraits of Assad. Other parts of the capital were empty and shops were closed. “It’s like a dream. I need someone to wake me up,” said opposition fighter Abu Laith, adding the rebels were welcomed in Damascus with “love.” Rebels stood guard at the Justice Ministry, where Judge Khitam Haddad said he and colleagues were protecting documents. Outside, residents sought information about relatives who disappeared under Assad. The rebels “have felt the pain of the people,” said one woman, giving only her first name, Heba. She worried about possible revenge killings by the rebels, many of whom appeared to be underage. Syria’s historically pro-government newspaper al-Watan called it “a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood.” It added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing past government statements ordered from above. A statement from the Alawite sect that formed the core of Assad’s base called on young Syrians to be “calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country.” The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. In Qamishli in the northeast, a Kurdish man slapped a statue of the late leader Hafez Assad with his shoe. Calls for an orderly transition The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall within days as the Syrian army melted away. The road to Damascus from the Lebanese border was littered with military uniforms and charred armored vehicles. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad, abandoned him as they reeled from other conflicts. The end of Assad’s rule was a major blow to Iran and its proxies, already weakened by conflict with Israel . Iran said Syrians should decide their future “without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention.” The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Hossein Akbari, Iran’s ambassador to Syria, said it was “effectively impossible” to help the Syrian government after it admitted the insurgents’ military superiority. Speaking on Iranian state media from an undisclosed location, he said Syria’s government decided Saturday night to hand over power peacefully. “When the army and the people could not resist, it was a good decision to let go to prevent bloodshed and destruction,” Akbari said, adding that some of his colleagues left Syria before sunrise. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on state TV, said there were concerns about the “possibility of civil war, disintegration of Syria, total collapse and turning Syria into a shelter for terrorists.” Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali has said the government was ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting him from his office to a hotel. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, said they agreed on the need “to engage all parties on the ground,” including the HTS, and that the main concern is “stability and safe transition.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions. Israel’s military later warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety, and didn’t respond to questions. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the U.S., views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israel’s efforts to take advantage of Assad’s downfall to occupy more territory. -- By Abdulrahman Shaheen, Sarah El Deeb and Abby Sewell, The Associated Press

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Hyderabad, Nov 23 (IANS): Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao on Saturday said that regional parties have always been and will continue to be the future of Indian politics. He also alleged that the Congress party has failed to become a strong opposition but is hellbent on destroying regional parties. Rama Rao also believes that the BJP is surviving because of the Congress party's inability and incompetence. He accused both the national parties of piggybacking on regional parties. KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, was reacting to the results of the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections. "The writing is on the wall! Today's Maharashtra and Jharkhand election results have sent a clear message: Regional parties have always been and will continue to be the future of Indian politics," KTR posted on 'X'. "Congress party fails to become a strong opposition but is hellbent on destroying regional parties. This has become a recurring theme. I reiterate BJP is surviving only because of Congress' inability and incompetence. Both the national parties are shamelessly piggybacking on regional parties' hard work and commitment," said the BRS MLA. He also said that Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddys campaign in Maharashtra proved utter flop. "Also, a word of advice to CM Revanth Reddy. Your campaigns, speeches bags and choppers couldn’t save your party from utter failure, now can you focus on your primary duty as the CM and deliver the six guarantees that you promised to the Telangana public more than a year ago," he added. Meanwhile, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy hailed Mahayuti's landslide victory in Maharashtra. "Thank you, Maharashtra, for the landslide mandate to BJP-SS-NCP. This mandate is a reiteration of the faith, trust, and confidence of the people of Maharashtra in the development and welfare-oriented politics of the Mahayuti government and the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. The BJP leader congratulated all the party workers in Maharashtra. "With renewed energy, Mahayuti will continue to work towards making Maharashtra a $1 trillion economy," he added. He said the Congress party has once again become a laughing stock. He alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi carried out false propaganda and tried to divide people in the name of religion and caste but the people of Maharashtra taught a lesson to the INDIA bloc.More than 100 arrested for dial-a-dealer scheme