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We Must Understand Why Youth Are Radicalized: It’S Not Just ManipulationUnlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in recent years, Danielle Griffin had no trouble getting them. The 38-year-old information technology worker from New Mexico had a prescription. Her pharmacy had the drugs in stock. And her health insurance covered all but $25 to $50 of the monthly cost. For Griffin, the hardest part of using the new drugs wasn’t access. It was finding out that the much-hyped medications didn’t really work for her. “I have been on Wegovy for a year and a half and have only lost 13 pounds,” said Griffin, who watches her diet, drinks plenty of water and exercises regularly. “I’ve done everything right with no success. It’s discouraging.” In clinical trials, most participants taking Wegovy or Mounjaro to treat obesity lost an average of 15% to 22% of their body weight — up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. But roughly 10% to 15% of patients in those trials were “nonresponders” who lost less than 5% of their body weight. Now that millions of people have used the drugs, several obesity experts told The Associated Press that perhaps 20% of patients — as many as 1 in 5 — may not respond well to the medications. It’s a little-known consequence of the obesity drug boom, according to doctors who caution eager patients not to expect one-size-fits-all results. “It’s all about explaining that different people have different responses,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital The drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic a hormone in the body known as glucagon-like peptide 1. Genetics, hormones and variability in how the brain regulates energy can all influence weight — and a person’s response to the drugs, Stanford said. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea can prevent weight loss, as can certain common medications, such as antidepressants, steroids and contraceptives. “This is a disease that stems from the brain,” said Stanford. “The dysfunction may not be the same” from patient to patient. Despite such cautions, patients are often upset when they start getting the weekly injections but the numbers on the scale barely budge. “It can be devastating,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of the obesity treatment company FlyteHealth. “With such high expectations, there’s so much room for disappointment.” That was the case for Griffin, who has battled obesity since childhood and hoped to shed 70 pounds using Wegovy. The drug helped reduce her appetite and lowered her risk of diabetes, but she saw little change in weight. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” she said. “You want it to work like it does for everybody else.” The medications are typically prescribed along with eating behavior and lifestyle changes. It’s usually clear within weeks whether someone will respond to the drugs, said Dr. Jody Dushay, an endocrine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Weight loss typically begins right away and continues as the dosage increases. For some patients, that just doesn’t happen. For others, side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea force them to halt the medications, Dushay said. In such situations, patients who were counting on the new drugs to pare pounds may think they’re out of options. “I tell them: It’s not game over,” Dushay said. Trying a different version of the new class of drugs may help. Griffin, who didn’t respond well to Wegovy, has started using Zepbound, which targets an additional hormone pathway in the body. After three months of using the drug, she has lost 7 pounds. “I’m hoping it’s slow and steady,” she said. Other people respond well to older drugs, the experts said. Changing diet, exercise, sleep and stress habits can also have profound effects. Figuring out what works typically requires a doctor trained to treat obesity, Saunders noted. “Obesity is such a complex disease that really needs to be treated very comprehensively,” she said. “If what we’re prescribing doesn’t work, we always have a backup plan.” ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.None

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As 2024 draws to a close, Hindustan Times kicks off a three-part series taking a relook at the personalities from Chandigarh and its neighbouring districts of Panchkula and Mohali who dominated the headlines, for the right and wrong reasons. Gulab Chand Kataria, Punjab governor and UT administrator Collaborator with iron fist in velvet glove Since his tenure as Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator began in July, Gulab Chand Kataria, 80, has been on the go, from approving critical projects, such as the Green Corridor, to reconsidering the Sector 53 housing scheme, and even directing officers to explore alternatives for obtaining environmental clearance for another shelved initiative — the IT Park housing scheme at Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park (RGCTP) — which was halted due to ecological concerns. He has ensured that Punjab’s AAP government and the Centre collaborate effectively. His firm stance on sensitive issues, such as power privatisation, including invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), reflects decisive governance. Despite inheriting challenges from his predecessor, Banwarilal Purohit, Kataria has taken a measured approach to addressing them. However, the financial crisis in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation remains a challenge. His recent anti-drug walk in Punjab and call for inter-faith dialogue to combat drug abuse reflect his concern to address the region’s pressing issues. Known to be a hands-on governor, his meeting with Punjab administrative secretaries in August had caused unease in political circles. This, though, was a practice he had adopted as Assam governor before taking up his assignment in Chandigarh. Manish Tewari, Chandigarh Congress MP Vocal MP struggles to be heard on home front Congress leader Manish Tewari, 58, overcame all odds to wrest the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat in June, defeating BJP’s Sanjay Tandon by 2,504 votes. He became MP for the third time after winning his maiden election from Chandigarh, his birthplace. He represented Anandpur Sahib in 2019 and Ludhiana in 2009. Getting the Chandigarh Congress ticket was no mean feat for he had to fight opposition from ex-Union minister and former MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, who was also an aspirant. Bansal steered clear of the Congress campaign after Tewari got the ticket. In Parliament, Tewari has been a key speaker of the party, particularly on international issues; and was recently included as opposition MP on the joint parliamentary committee on ‘one nation one election’, along with Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi. Chandigarh has found a voice in the Lok Sabha with Tewari raising concerns, including the five legacy issues of share-wise sale of property, ownership rights of people living in resettlement colonies, extension of Lal Dora, and need-based changes in Chandigarh Housing Board structures. During the recent winter session, he took up the issues of the Panjab University senate elections, tricity expansion and status of the Metro project. However, he is finding the going tough on the home front, where he is struggling to get his poll promises of 20,000 litres of free water to each household every month and 300 units of free power to those having monthly income less than ₹ 20,000 and no new taxes implemented. The Congress, in alliance with the AAP, did try to implement its free water promise but the decision was vetoed by the Chandigarh administration. Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor, Chandigarh mayor and AAP councillor After tough climb, it’s lonely at the top Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor, 40, a national-level kabbadi player, had to wait with bated breath before he could become Chandigarh mayor on the Supreme Court’s orders early this year. Dhalor rose from a humble sanitation worker to become a councillor in 2021 and went on to make history by being the first non-Congress, non-BJP mayor of Chandigarh. Though Dhalor had a long list of populist promises for Chandigarh residents, including free water, free parking and shifting of the proposed solid waste plant from Dadumajra, he couldn’t deliver on any as his one-year tenure nears its end. Instead, he faced a backlash from councillors of all parties as all development works in Chandigarh have been held up since May due to the financial crisis. His efforts to garner special grants did not bear fruit. An unpopular Dhalor struggled to get support from his own party councillors as they openly challenged his efforts. Dhalor had also cried foul over MC officers not responding to his queries. To his credit, he raised concerns over hiring outstation employees in the MC rather than giving preference to Chandigarh residents. Beyond politics, he runs a tent and catering business with his brother and also works as a property dealer in Dadumajra. His wife is a homemaker and the couple has two children. Anil Masih, councillor and former UT mayoral poll presiding officer Returning officer who murdered democracy Anil Masih, 54, a nominated councillor in Chandigarh, was appointed as the presiding officer for the crucial mayoral elections in January 2024. The polls turned controversial when Masih attempted to deface eight ballots cast in favour of Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor, the AAP-Congress alliance candidate, in a bid to secure victory for BJP councillor Manoj Sonkar. The final count stood at 16 votes for Sonkar and 12 for Dhalor, despite the AAP and Congress collectively holding 20 councillors in the House. The irregularity was caught on camera, with visuals of Masih tampering with ballots spreading rapidly across media platforms. The shocking footage became key evidence as the AAP and Congress moved the Supreme Court, alleging rigging. The incident drew nationwide attention, prompting then Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to say, “He is murdering democracy. Is this the way an officer has to conduct elections? We are appalled by his conduct.” Masih has been a key member of the Chandigarh BJP for nearly a decade now. Later, this election became a national issue with the Congress and other parties raking it up in the Lok Sabha elections. The case is pending in the Supreme Court. Masih had decidedly less officious beginnings: His first job was as a marketing executive with a pressure cooker company, which was followed by a role as a marketing executive with a water purifier company, both in Chandigarh. A practising member of the Church of North India (CNI), he is now completely “dedicated to politics”. Originally from Ambala, his father shifted to Chandigarh after he got a job at the Punjab Engineering College in Sector 12. Masih studied at a government school in Sector 11 and graduated from DAV College in Sector 10. His wife works as a manager at a girls’ hostel affiliated with a college and the couple along with their two sons stays on the campus. Malwinder Singh Sidhu, Punjab Police ex-AIG Punjab cop who turned criminal Former assistant inspector general (AIG) of Punjab Police Malwinder Singh Sidhu, 59, pulled the trigger on his son-in-law Harprit Singh, an Indian Civil Account Services (ICAS) officer, at the mediation centre of the Chandigarh district courts complex on August 3. “I shot him in a fit of rage,” Sidhu said, alleging that Harprit had orchestrated a series of cases against him, leading to his suspension and a tarnished career. The incident occurred when Harprit was escorting Sidhu to the washroom during the mediation session in a protracted marital dispute case. Harprit had reportedly demanded that Sidhu sign a compromise deed to settle all litigation against him by Sidhu’s family. Harprit threatened Sidhu with more cases if he refused, leading to an argument that triggered the shooting after a scuffle. Sidhu accused Harprit of leveraging his influence to get four corruption and extortion cases registered against him over the past year. Sidhu claimed the accusations surfaced only after Harprit faced criminal charges in the marital dispute. Kalyani Singh, accused in Sippy Sidhu murder case Judge’s daughter on wrong side of law “My only fault is that I fell in love with the wrong man,” says Kalyani Singh, 40, accused of murdering national-level shooter and former boyfriend Sukhmanpreet Singh, alias Sippy Sidhu, at a Sector 27 park on September 20, 2015 after he spurned her marriage proposal. The CBI court framed charges against Kalyani, the daughter of former Punjab and Haryana high court judge justice Sabina, in May. Special CBI judge Alka Malik ordered day-to-day hearings till the conclusion of trial. At present, Kalyani is out on bail and works as a diet consultant after her services as a contractual assistant professor at Post Graduate College for Girls, Sector 42, were terminated. When the CBI took over the case in 2016, it found Kalyani was in a relationship with Sippy, but they fell out after he refused to marry her. Sippy had also shared her objectionable photos among friends and family members, leaving her hurt and humiliated. Chander Mohan, Panchkula Congress MLA Panchkula’s ‘prince’ dons crown of thorns After a decade-long political hiatus, former Haryana deputy chief minister Chander Mohan was back with a bang as he made it to the assembly as the Panchkula MLA though his party, the Congress, suffered a shock defeat. Riding on his father Bhajan Lal’s vision of developing Chandigarh’s satellite town as the ‘Paris of Haryana’, Chander Mohan defeated BJP’s Gian Chand Gupta by 1,900-odd votes. This is his fifth term as MLA as he represented Kalka for four terms from 1993 to 2005. An alumnus of Lawrence School, Sanawar, and arts graduate from Panjab University, Chander Mohan, who stays in Sector 8, Panchkula, is known to be approachable. His wife Seema, son Siddharth, daughter Damini and daughter-in-law Satakshi campaigned door-to-door to ensure his victory. His please-all manifesto listed the relocation of the garbage dump from Jhuriwala and the town’s Sector 23, extension of the tricity Metro network to Barwala and the rehabilitation of slums as priorities. These are his biggest challenges, too. Shakti Rani Sharma, Kalka BJP MLA She draws power from family’s political legacy From being elected as the first woman mayor of Ambala to becoming the Kalka BJP MLA barely a month after joining the party in September, Shakti Rani Sharma, 71, draws power from her family’s political legacy. The wife of former Haryana minister Venod Sharma and the mother of Rajya Sabha member Kartikeya Sharma, Shakti Rani became a force to reckon with after she wrested Kalka from two-time MLA Pardeep Chaudhary with a victory margin of more than 10,000 votes, silencing critics and doubters who had trolled her for being an outsider. Shakti Rani’s eldest son, Siddharth Vashisht, alias Manu Sharma, was convicted in the infamous Jessica Lal murder case in Delhi in April 1999 and released from jail in June 2020. Though Manu stayed behind the scenes during her high-profile campaign in October, she craftily coined the slogan, ‘MLA Ke Saath MP free’. In her manifesto, she listed eradicating drugs as her priority and also promised the revival of the HMT unit at Pinjore. She vowed to use sports as a medium to empower women, based on her experience with the women’s cricket association. A matriculate from St Joseph’s Convent Girls Senior Secondary School, Jabalpur, she has shares in properties owned by her husband. Though proactive while campaigning, the Ambala-based family is yet to act on its promises.

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"They (FEMA) tend to be very rigid, very slow and very nit-picky," said Commission alternate Andy Schiffrin. "We need the money."US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden paid tributes to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and sent their condolences to India. Calling him “a dedicated public servant and a humble person”, the US President credited his strategic vision and political courage for the unprecedented level of bilateral cooperation. A statement by the White House read, "Jill and I join the people of India in grieving (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); the loss of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. During this difficult time, we recommit to this vision to which Prime Minister Singh dedicated his life. Jill and I send our deepest condolences to former First Lady Gursharan Kaur, their three children, and all the people of India." The former Prime Minister, who was India’s first Sikh prime minister, died in New Delhi on Thursday night (December 26). He was 92.Syria’s embassy in Lebanon suspended consular services Saturday, a day after two relatives of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad were arrested at the Beirut airport with allegedly forged passports. Also on Saturday, Lebanese authorities handed over dozens of Syrians — including former officers in the Syrian army under Assad — to the new Syrian authorities after they were caught illegally entering Lebanon, a war monitor and Lebanese officials said. The embassy announced on its Facebook page that consular work was suspended “until further notice” at the order of the Syrian foreign ministry. The announcement did not give a reason for the suspension. Two Lebanese security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the suspension was ordered because the passports belonging to Assad’s relatives — the wife and daughter of one of his cousins — were believed to have been forged at the embassy. Assad’s uncle, Rifaat Assad — who has been indicted in Switzerland on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity — had flown out the day before on his real passport and was not stopped, the officials said. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Saturday that 70 Syrians, including former army officers, were handed over by a Lebanese security delegation to the security forces of the new Syrian government, led by the former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Three Lebanese judicial officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the report. Regional countries have been quick to establish ties with Syria’s new rulers. Delegations of Libyan and Bahraini officials arrived in Damascus on Saturday on official visits. HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has largely succeeded in calming fears within and outside of Syria that his group would unleash collective punishment against communities that supported Assad’s rule or attempt to impose strict Islamic law on the country’s religious minorities. However, in recent days, sporadic clashes have broken out between the HTS-led security forces and pro-Assad armed groups. The country’s new security forces have launched a series of raids targeting officials affiliated with Assad and have set up checkpoints in areas with significant populations of the Alawite religious minority to which the former president belongs to search for weapons. There have also been ongoing tensions and clashes in northeastern Syria between Kurdish-led forces and armed groups backed by Turkey. Many Kurds have viewed the new order in Damascus, which appears to have strengthened Turkey’s hand in Syria, with anxiety. Ankara sees the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces — a key U.S. ally in the fight against the Islamic State group — as an affiliate of its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which it classifies as a terrorist organization. The U.S. State Department said Saturday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to “discuss the latest developments in Syria.” “Secretary Blinken emphasized the need to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that upholds human rights and prioritizes an inclusive and representative government,” the statement said, adding that they “also discussed the shared goal of preventing terrorism from endangering the security” of Turkey and Syria. On Saturday, hundreds of protesters convened by Kurdish women’s groups participated in a demonstration in the northeastern city of Hasaka to demand women’s rights in the new Syria. Perishan Ramadan, a participant from Hasaka, said the new government “is worse than Bashar” and that its leaders are Islamist extremists who “don’t accept any role for women.” While the country’s new leaders have not attempted to impose Islamic dress or other conventions, it remains to be seen what role women will have in the new order and whether they will hold political or government positions. “Women must be present in the new constitution for Syria,” said Rihan Loqo, spokeswoman for the Kongra Star women’s organization. “... Women’s rights should not be ignored.” ___ Associated Press writers Hogir Abdo in Hasaka, Syria, and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report

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ps 88 DA Davidson analyst Michael Baker reiterated the Buy rating on BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. BJ , raising the price forecast to $110 from $95. Yesterday, the company reported third-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.18, beating the street view of 91 cents. Quarterly revenues of $5.10 billion were in line with the analyst consensus. BJ’s Wholesale Club expects fourth-quarter adjusted EPS to be between $0.78 and $0.88. For FY2024, adjusted EPS is forecasted at $3.90 – $4.00, up from previous guidance for a low end of $3.75 – $4.00 and against the consensus estimate of $3.85. The analyst notes that BJ has had another strong quarter, showing improvements in key areas like membership, sales, and digital performance. BJ’s Wholesale Club expects fourth quarter comparable club sales, excluding gasoline, to rise 2.5% – 3.0% year-over-year. With plenty of room to grow its store base, BJ’s is positioned as one of the rare long-term square footage growth stories in the big-box retail sector. Recent successes also allow BJ’s to raise fees, which, while benefiting customers, will ultimately be advantageous for shareholders, the analyst writes. The analyst highlights BJ’s strategy to compete with Costco Wholesale by focusing on differentiating itself, especially in the grocery and fresh produce areas. BJ’s grocery sales make up 77% of its total, compared to Costco’s 54%. Per Bake, BJ’s aims to replace weekly grocery trips, while Costco is more about stock-up shopping. Their “Fresh 2.0” program, launched 18 months ago, improves perishable and produce offerings through supply chain investments, better vendor relations, and enhanced in-store experiences. The program has shown positive results, with strong produce sales and customers spending more, leading to significantly higher annual spending, the analyst adds. Price Action: BJ shares are trading higher by 3.78% to $96.30 at last check Friday. Read Next: Chinese Fabless Integrated Circuit Company Nano Labs Stock Skyrockets With New V Series Launch: Details © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Lawsuit Update: Donald Trump Rebuked by Central Park 5

Illinois stuns Rutgers on Pat Bryant's 40-yard TD reception with 4 seconds leftAs the landscape of Douyin e-commerce continues to evolve, brands are also adapting to this new paradigm. Instead of bombarding users with flashy promotions and discounts, brands are focusing on creating high-quality content that educates, entertains, and inspires their audience. By engaging users with meaningful and relevant content, brands can build a loyal following and establish themselves as trusted authorities in their respective industries.

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AP Business SummaryBrief at 5:37 p.m. ESTSony has long been a pioneer in the world of technology and entertainment, constantly pushing boundaries and setting new standards with its innovative products. The company's latest gaming console, the PlayStation 5 Pro, has been making waves in the gaming community for its cutting-edge design and powerful performance. But what if I told you that the inspiration behind this sleek and futuristic console actually came from an unexpected source – a bathroom heater?

SoundHound AI Stock Investors Should Know ThisRockstar Games has always been known for its innovative marketing strategies and attention to detail in promoting its games. From cryptic teaser trailers to elaborate in-game events, the company has a proven track record of building hype and engaging with its community in unique ways.

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 9:15 a.m. ESTAt its core, this tragic incident is a stark indictment of an economic system that places profit above people, where the most vulnerable members of society are often the ones who bear the brunt of exploitation and neglect. It serves as a wake-up call to all stakeholders – from government officials to employers to consumers – to prioritize the well-being and dignity of all workers and to create a more just and equitable society for all.Critics argue that Manchester United's struggles can be attributed to a lack of clear vision and strategy from the leadership. With frequent changes in management and questionable transfer decisions, the club has failed to build a strong foundation for sustained success. This has led to a sense of frustration and disillusionment among fans who are desperate to see their beloved club return to the pinnacle of English and European football.

In a landmark development that promises to revolutionize the realm of 3D graphics, researchers at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) have unveiled the first 3D graphics system (3DGS) capable of rendering HDR (High Dynamic Range) scenes at speeds 1000 times faster than existing technologies while maintaining superior quality.

The impact of lower interbank deposit rates goes beyond individual investors. Financial institutions that rely on these rates for liquidity management and funding are also facing challenges. The decrease in yields on money market funds has forced these institutions to explore alternative sources of funding, which can have implications for their overall financial health.According to the official statement released by the local government, a total of ten individuals were found unconscious inside a bath center in Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan Province. Emergency services were immediately notified, and all affected individuals were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals for further medical treatment. The individuals were reported to be in stable condition following initial assessments by medical professionals.

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The game started off intensely with both teams exchanging baskets and playing tough defense. However, it was Sabonis who began to assert his dominance early on, scoring effortlessly in the paint and grabbing rebounds with authority. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor was evident as he made crucial defensive stops and facilitated ball movement on offense.

The Israeli government has justified its military operation in Syria as a necessary measure to protect its national security interests. With the ongoing conflict in Syria and the presence of various armed groups in the region, Israel argues that it has a right to defend itself and prevent threats from spilling over into its own territory. However, the unilateral action taken by Israel has raised concerns about the violation of international law and the potential for escalation of violence in the region.

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing possible impeachment for sending heavily armed soldiers into Seoul's streets with a baffling declaration of martial law that reminded many of the country's past military-backed dictatorships. Lawmakers began impeachment proceedings against Yoon just hours after parliament unanimously voted to cancel martial law, forcing the president to lift his order about six hours after it began. Opposition parties are pushing for a vote on Saturday on the impeachment motion, which needs support from two-thirds of the National Assembly to advance to the Constitutional Court, which would decide whether to remove Yoon from office. Yoon appeared on TV hours ahead of the parliamentary vote on Saturday and apologised for causing public anxiety with his short-lived attempt to impose martial law earlier this week. The head of Yoon's governing party has expressed support for suspending the president's powers, making Yoon's impeachment more likely. Here's what to know about the situation: Will Yoon be impeached? Parliament was set to vote vote Saturday on Yoon's impeachment, calling his short-lived martial law declaration an "unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup". But with 192 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, they need support from some members of the president's conservative People Power Party to get the two-thirds majority required to pass the impeachment motion. In a striking reversal, PPP leader Han Dong-hun called on Friday for an immediate suspension of Yoon's official duties, increasing the chances of impeachment. Han said he had received intelligence that Yoon had ordered the country's defence counterintelligence commander to arrest key politicians on accusations of "anti-state activities" during the brief period of martial law. Yoon also faces rising popular pressure to step down. Thousands of protesters have marched in the streets of Seoul since Wednesday, and thousands of autoworkers and other members of the Korean Metal Workers' Union, one of the country's biggest umbrella labour groups, have started hourly strikes since Thursday. The motion to impeach Yoon can be put to a vote between Friday and Sunday. A new motion can be submitted later if the current one fails or expires. If Yoon is impeached, he would be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who holds the No. 2 position in the government, would take over presidential responsibilities. The Constitutional Court currently has three vacancies due to retirements, and six votes are required to remove the president from office. The Democratic Party is expected to speed up the process of exercising its right to recommend two of the three new justices. What is martial law? South Korea's constitution gives the president the power to use the military to keep order in "wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states". Imposing martial law can include things like suspending civil rights such as the freedom of the press and assembly and temporarily limiting the powers of the courts and government agencies. The constitution also gives the National Assembly the power to lift the declaration with a majority vote. Lawmakers rushed to the building as soon as they heard of Yoon's declaration late Tuesday. Some climbed the walls to evade the military cordon so they could assemble a quorum. Their vote to lift the order was 190-0 including 18 members of Yoon's party. The impeachment motion alleges Yoon imposed martial law far beyond his legitimate powers and in a situation that did not meet the constitutional standard of a severe crisis. The constitution also doesn't allow a president to use the military to suspend parliament. The motion argues that suspending political party activities and deploying troops to seal the National Assembly amounted to rebellion. Yoon blamed an anti-state' plot but details are vague In Yoon's announcement late Tuesday, he vowed to eliminate "anti-state" forces he said were plotting rebellion and accused the main opposition parties of supporting the country's rival, North Korea. Yoon gave no direct evidence when he raised the spectre of North Korea as a destabilising force. Yoon has long maintained that a hard line against North Korea is the only way to stop it from following through on its nuclear threats against South Korea. Yoon has struggled to get his agenda through an opposition-dominated parliament while facing corruption scandals involving him and his wife. Yoon has been struggling politically There were quick claims that the martial law declaration was linked to Yoon's political struggles. He has had little success in getting his policies adopted by a parliament that has been controlled by the opposition since he took over in 2022. Conservatives have said the opposition moves are political revenge for investigations into Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who is seen as the favourite in the next presidential election in 2027. Just this month, Yoon denied wrongdoing in an influence-peddling scandal involving him and his wife. The claims have battered his approval ratings and fuelled attacks by his rivals. The scandal centres on claims that Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee exerted inappropriate influence on the PPP to pick a certain candidate to run for a parliamentary by-election in 2022 at the request of Myung Tae-kyun, an election broker and founder of a polling agency who conducted free opinion surveys for Yoon before he became president. Yoon has said he did nothing inappropriate. Martial law has a dark history in South Korea During the dictatorships that emerged as South Korea rebuilt from the 1950-53 Korean War, leaders occasionally proclaimed martial law that allowed them to station soldiers, tanks and armoured vehicles on streets or in public places to prevent anti-government demonstrations. Army Gen. Park Chung-hee led several thousand troops into Seoul in the early hours of May 16, 1961, in the country's first coup. He led South Korea for nearly 20 years and proclaimed martial law several times to stop protests and jail critics before he was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979. Less than two months after Park's death, Maj. Gen. Chun Doo-hwan led tanks and troops into Seoul in December 1979 in the country's second coup. The next year, he orchestrated a brutal military crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Gwangju, killing at least 200 people. In the summer of 1987, massive street protests forced Chun's government to accept direct presidential elections. His army buddy Roh Tae-woo, who had joined Chun's 1979 coup, won the election held later in 1987 largely because of divided votes among liberal opposition candidates. (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Thousands of Netflix users reported technical difficulties while trying to watch the fight. Frustrated viewers contended with buffering and blurry video, a result of tens of millions of households trying to watch the bout at once. It’s the kind of thing that, if the event were aired on a traditional network, would have provoked angry calls to cable companies. Live sports is considered one of the great opportunities for streamers, including Netflix, which need mass audiences tuning in to please advertisers. Companies including Amazon and Apple are spending big, driving up the price of live sports rights and encroaching further on the turf of legacy network rivals. But sports are also a challenge for tech firms. Even without buffering or grainy feeds, live streams are typically delayed compared with cable and satellite broadcasts, which means streaming audiences risk seeing spoilers on social media if the events are simulcast. For Netflix, the stakes are high. The company will host its first live NFL games on Christmas, including one featuring a halftime show from Beyoncé. Netflix is also preparing to air WWE’s “Raw” pro-wrestling franchise starting next year. Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of nonfiction series and sports, said he has “full faith” in the company’s engineering team, which learned much from the Paul vs. Tyson live match and will adjust before the NFL games. Netflix said it worked quickly to stabilize the viewing for a majority of its subscribers during the boxing event, in which the 27-year-old Paul defeated the 58-year-old Tyson. “We were overwhelmed in the sense of the expectation — it far exceeded our expectations in terms of how many people came to the fight,” Riegg told The Los Angeles Times. “It’s as simple as that. As much as we forecast how many people would come, many, many more people came. It’s impossible for our engineering team to test that magnitude of traffic and viewership unless they have a real, live thing, which is what happened.” On the bright side, Netflix showed that it can be a big draw for sports fans, with an average audience of 108 million live viewers globally tuning in for the fight. Netflix said there were 65 million live concurrent streams, calling it the “most-streamed global sporting event ever.” Industry observers say the day is coming when streamers could place their own bid to host the Super Bowl on their platforms, as long as they can handle the traffic. “Once they prove that they’re capable of delivering a consistent, robust, top-of-the-line, premium experience for these events that consumers have grown to expect, then I have no doubt that we’re going to get there,” said Rob Rosenberg, a former Showtime Networks executive and founder of New York-based Telluride Legal Strategies. The technological challenges aren’t unique to Netflix. Glitches have arisen during other live events streamed on competitors’ platforms, including on YouTube during an NFL game last year and on Amazon’s Prime Video during a Thursday Night Football game in 2022. There are various reasons why buffering occurs, particularly with a highly-anticipated program. When a sporting event is being live streamed, the captured video is released in smaller segments of a few seconds in length that are then transmitted to streaming subscribers and decoded by the users’ devices. If too many devices are seeking those video segments at the same time, it can cause a backlog. Streamers can try to solve the problem by rerouting traffic, but even that sometimes isn’t enough. Streaming services can try to prepare ahead of time by buying more bandwidth capacity from the internet service providers, but it can be difficult to guess how many people will watch, especially if the streamer is new to a particular type of content. There may be limits on how much bandwidth companies can buy. For example, Australia has much less available bandwidth compared with the United States, said Simon Wistow, a co-founder and vice president of strategic initiatives at cloud computing company Fastly. Wistow added that if streamers buy too much capacity and it isn’t used, that’s wasted money. “There’s a lot of complexities, a lot of things go on,” Wistow said. “The scale of internet traffic just gets bigger and bigger every year.” Netflix said it will improve its systems to better handle live events at unprecedented scale and work with ISPS to continue increasing its capacity. The company has been steadily putting on more live events, such as a hot dog eating competition, Screen Actors Guild Awards and a tennis exhibition match. The company’s first live event was a Chris Rock comedy special last year, which has drawn 23.5 million views. An early effort at live streaming, a “Love Is Blind” reunion special, encountered technical trouble due to a bug that went unnoticed until people tried to watch the program. The Paul vs. Tyson event was a new milestone for Netflix’s live streaming efforts. For some viewers, like Florida resident Malcolm Scott, the streamer’s issues were unacceptable. Scott even sued Netflix for breach of contract last week, alleging that Netflix viewers missed large portions of the fight. Netflix declined to comment on the lawsuit. Brian Comiskey, a futurist at the trade group Consumer Technology Assn., chalked Netflix’s problems up to technological growing pains. “At the end of the day this is content being delivered from thousands of miles away via files,” said Comiskey, calling himself a millennial who remembers what it was like pre-smartphone. “This is a tremendous step in technology, but it only gets better from there.” Brian Rolapp, the NFL’s chief media and business officer said he believes Netflix will be ready to stream its games. “I think it shows the power of their global platform, their international reach, which is one reason why we did this deal,” Rolapp said during the Sports Business Journal Media Innovators Conference. “So, I think what they did was pretty extraordinary.”Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta’s (META.O) instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play (GOOGL.O) as a first step to scale back internet restrictions, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday. The Islamic Republic has some of the strictest controls on Internet access in the world, but its blocks on US-based social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are routinely bypassed by tech-savvy Iranians using virtual private networks. “A positive majority vote has been reached to lift limitations on access to some popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play”, Iran’s official IRNA news agency said on Tuesday, referring to a meeting on the matter headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian. “Today the first step in removing internet limitations... has been taken,” IRNA cited Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi as saying. Social media platforms were widely used in anti-government protests in Iran. In September the United States called on Big Tech to help evade online censorship in countries that heavily sensor the internet, including Iran.

NoneVANCOUVER — Taylor Swift touched down on five continents during her Eras Tour, and now fans from around the world are awaiting its final curtain at BC Place in downtown Vancouver. Fans are anticipating what the singer has in store for the 149th and final performance of a tour that has explored Swift's vast song catalogue, past and present. Grossing an estimated US$2 billion in revenue with the Eras Tour, Swift has bucked the downward trend of a music industry disrupted by the downfall of physical album sales and the rise of pennies-per-song streaming services. The tour that began in the spring of 2023 saw Swift make countless outfit changes while fans enthusiastically handed out their trademark friendship bracelets. Hours before Swift was set to take to the stage, fans like Meme Bautista and Jean Batac were milling about near BC Place, planning to visit Swift-themed signs erected around Vancouver before the superstar's third sold-out night at the stadium. Bautista says her fandom has only grown since she last saw Swift in the Philippines a decade ago, and she has mixed emotions about the tour coming to an end. "A lot of people are expecting something like a surprise announcement or something special," Bautista said Sunday. "A lot of people have described it as like a kindness convention. It's more than just a tour, it's like a community coming together celebrating ... having fun. "And it's very sad to see that coming to an end." While Bautista has been a diehard Swiftie for years, Batac is a new convert. Batac said she's looking forward to seeing her friend's reaction because Swift is Bautista's "dream artist." "I'm looking forward to her emotion," Batac said. Batac and Bautista are two out thousands who descended on downtown Vancouver over the last three days, including celebrities like rapper Flavor Flav. The Public Enemy hype-man said on social media he's on his way from Los Angeles to "Taycouver" on a "flight full of Swifties" ahead of Sunday's last show. B.C. singer Michael Buble was handing out friendship bracelets on night one, also attended by Swift's parents, while Canuck Jake DeBrusk was at Saturday's show according to a social media post and photo by his girlfriend. Swift has reciprocated fans' feelings, telling the audience on Friday night that she chose Canada and Vancouver to close out the tour because the fans not only know the lyrics, they "scream them." Swifties have been planning something special to end the tour, with Swift forums abuzz with suggestions to surprise her by singing "Happy Birthday" at tonight's show, ahead of Swift's 35th birthday on Dec. 13. Fan projects like this have been a big part of the Eras Tour, with chants and patterned clapping breaking out during various songs. On Saturday, after the ballad "Champagne Problems," Swift was met with a ritualistic standing ovation that lasted more than four minutes, along with chants of "thank you." "I don't even know how to thank you for everything that you've given to me to get me to this place that I get to even stand here and have this experience," Swift told the crowd. University of Kansas sociology professor and "Swiftologist" Brian Donovan says such moments of joyous social solidarity are known as "collective effervescence." "What is interesting about the Eras Tour is that it also brought about unique cultural things like the trading of friendship bracelets," he said, noting such practices were fan-driven and were not organized by Swift or her team. Swift performed six shows in Toronto last month. Canada was announced as a late addition to the tour last year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously pleaded with the star on social media to visit Canada, telling her "don’t make it another 'Cruel Summer,'" a nod to one of her hits. Trudeau and family members were among Swifties at the Toronto shows, as were former U.S. president Bill Clinton and his wife former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Swiftie Jenny Fox got tickets to Saturday's show after seeing her daughter Avery's reaction to the Eras Tour movie. "I texted my husband in the theatre and said that if this is how it is in a movie theatre, I can't even imagine what it would be like to see and experience this in real life in a massive stadium, and to see the joy on Avery's face," she said. Fox is the primary caretaker for her own mother, who has late-stage Alzheimer's. "As soon as we put certain music on, mom comes back," she said. "So music is very near and dear to us. We play a lot of music, and a lot of Taylor Swift with her, so there is that love and memory and special tie to it." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press

( MENAFN - Gulf Times) Minister of transport H.E. sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani visited Hamad Port's Strategic Food Security Facilities Terminal, during which he was briefed on the final operations in providing this pioneering project with the latest global technology to increase the capacity of storage, packaging, transportation and handling operations. During the visit, His Excellency listened to an explanation from Hamad port project officials about the extent to which these facilities and warehouses contribute to supporting the national economy's growth and enhancing the country's strategic stock of food commodities. MENAFN25122024000067011011ID1109029817 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.India is at the cusp of another historic moment in the exploration of space as the Indian Space Research Organisation launches its maiden mission on SpaDeX. The mission will represent a big stride in advancing India's capabilities in space to the next level of in-space docking technology. Here is everything you need to know about the launch and how to watch it live. PSLV-C60 SpaDeX Mission The SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission will feature two small spacecraft—SDX01 (referred to as "the Chaser") and SDX02 ("the Target"). These twin satellites will attempt to dock in low Earth orbit (LEO), a critical capability that could pave the way for advanced space operations. From missions to the Moon to the establishment of India's own space station, this mission is a stepping stone for future space endeavours. The satellites will be launched aboard ISRO’s trusted workhorse, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), designated PSLV-C60. The launch is scheduled for Today, December 30, 2024, at 9:58 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. How To Watch The PSLV-C60 Launch Live For space enthusiasts who wish to be a part of this historic moment, ISRO will be live-streaming the launch on their official YouTube channel, ISRO Official. The live broadcast will start at 9:30 PM IST, and it will truly be a front-row opportunity for all the viewers worldwide. Besides, ISRO's official website and all social media channels will show the updates and live commentary of the event so that nobody misses any of the action. A Historic Day For India As the countdown begins, it creates excitement among scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts around the world. The SpaDeX mission reflects India's commitment to advancing the frontiers of space science and technology. Mark your calendars, tune into the live stream, and join the millions of others to witness this historic moment in the journey of Indian space exploration. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Technology Science and around the world.

Black Friday has taken on a new meaning this year, with the mega-popular annual shopping event having extended to, well, the entire month. "Black November" is firmly underway right this very moment, with huge discounts from all our favorite retailers live as we speak. We’re already taking advantage of all the major markdowns on offer from big names like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Wayfair, Macy's and more. And lucky us: Tons of retailers have been slashing prices left and right to the lowest we've seen all year (or ) on some of our favorite products and brands. With so many deals active before the Thanksgiving turkey has even hit the oven, it looks like the 2024 holiday shopping season is going to be bigger than ever before, and the sheer number of savings to choose from can definitely seem overwhelming when trying to find the best Black Friday deals to take care of everything (and everyone) on your shopping list. Don't stress, though — we're right here to help you plan your holiday shopping strategy and devise the ideal approach to maximizing your savings while having a little fun along the way. Save over $200 Lowest price ever Lowest price ever Save $2,250 Lowest price ever So, without further ado, here's everything you need to know about Black Friday and how to stretch your dollars for the whole holiday shopping season. We're tracking sales at major retailers as they launch and scanning their pages to bring you the the best deals available right this very moment. Scroll on for all of our top picks. We're seeing savings of up to 75% — sometimes more — on everything from bedding and kitchenware to tech, clothing and beauty. Save big on appliances TVs, laptops, headphones and tablets with new doorbusters dropping every Friday — plus, check out the retailer's for a taste of their expansive selection of deals. The " " marches on today, with 40%-60% off fashionable faves, big-brand home goods and more limited-time specials. You can grab up to 70% off and snag thousands of big sellers at a discount courtesy of the store's Limited-Time Sale, and worthy of some Black Friday-level love. Scoop up major markdowns at the retailer's Black Friday Deal Drop, with discounts on top brands including , , and more. This deals section has a plethora of great offerings: Score up to 50% off clothing, footwear, REI Co-Op brand deals and hiking items. The retailer always offers great deals, including super savings on its house brand and beloved labels like , , and more. The Black Friday Deals have landed at Target, and you can score savings on (up to 40% off), (up to 50% off), (up to 50% off), (up to 50% off) and more. The mega-retailer's feature fab discounts that rival (and often beat) Amazon on vacuums, kitchen appliances, bedding and clothing, to name a few. Plus, are officially here! Save up to 70% on home deals ranging from furniture to bedding to major appliances during the Wayfair Black Friday sale. Enjoy stellar savings on a wide variety of footwear brands at the retailer's Black Friday sale, including , and more, as well as great deals on clothing and accessories from , and other big names. Yahoo's senior tech writer, Rick Broida, dubbed this iPad the , so if you're looking for the cream of the crop, grab it while it's on sale. It boasts up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, a 10.9-inch screen and 64GB storage. Just back in August, the price rose to $327 — so we suggest you snap it up now. "[It] seamlessly pairs with the rest of my Apple devices," . "Build quality is great, as all Apple devices are. ... Charges via USB-C and includes a nice braided charger. Screen is great, speakers are clear and battery is long-lasting." If you're looking to cut the (cable) cord, Amazon's Fire TV Stick is the state-of-the-art 4K streaming sidekick you need. Enjoy content from all of your favorite services (like Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime) with just the touch of a button. And feel free to ask Alexa for movie and TV suggestions if you aren't quite sure what to watch — the smart assistant is built right into the remote! Plus, the stick plugs right into an HDMI port in the back of your TV, so it's nice and tidy. A raved, "The picture quality is stunning. Watching my favorite shows and movies in 4K is like experiencing them for the first time all over again. The colors are vibrant, the details are crisp, and the sound is crystal clear. I've watched some of my favorite movies and TV shows in 4K, and I'm blown away by how immersive the experience is." The latest smartwatch from the Cupertino company features a larger display while somehow being thinner and lighter, advanced health and fitness features and a faster-charging battery. Said , "The battery life is phenomenal, I can literally go 2 days without charging. When I do have to charge it, it’s full in about 30 [minutes]." Ready to do some Apple picking? You don't even have to drive to the orchard — just head over to Amazon and grab this lightweight MacBook Air while it's on sale. Don't be deterred by the fact that this isn't the newest model on the market; it still boasts up to 18 hours of use per charge, a vivid 13.6-inch display and weighs only 2.7 pounds for easy toting. If you've been meaning to upgrade from your snail-like computer, it would be wise to act quickly. Check out our tech editor's roundup of the for additional options. You can snag this behemoth way ahead of holiday movie and NFL playoff season for an incredible $2,250 off now, as part of Samsung's early Holiday Deals. It'll definitely make your current TV look positively ancient with its smart TV features — built-in streaming apps and voice control — plus realistic depth enhancement, 4K resolution, an anti-glare screen, bright details (even in dark scenes) and smooth motion, thanks to Motion Xcelerator Turbo+. Mini LEDs mean you'll even be able to see the little things, like freckles and lashes. These stylish Beats Solo headphones are now 35% off, so you can snag all the signature Beats features for just $130. Expect rich, balanced audio with clear highs and punchy bass that’ll make your playlists pop. They pair seamlessly with Apple devices, offer up to 40 hours of battery life, and are as portable as they are comfortable, making them perfect for life on the go. We can't get over the sale price ($378!) on this shiny 65-inch set from Vizio. The vibrant 4K picture quality is top-notch, and it also includes Dolby Vision HDR, which boasts incredible brightness. In addition to its crisp, clear display, this set comes with the brand's SmartCast, which streams thousands of movies and shows. There's a reason folks are gaga for the latest model of these top-rated earbuds — many reasons, in fact. For starters, they offer rich, crisp sound and superior noise cancellation, allowing you to enjoy music, podcasts, audiobooks and more without outside commotion getting in the way. This model lets you control the volume simply by swiping the stem, and you'll receive four pairs of silicone tips in different sizes for customized comfort. Our tech editor named these " ," saying, "What you get here is even better ANC, a bump in battery life, extra-small ear tips for users with smaller ears and an adaptive-audio mode that adjusts noise-cancellation and transparency modes based on the sounds around you. Meanwhile, Apple's charging case now has a speaker (for use with Find My) and a USB-C port in place of Lightning (the better to match with the USB-C iPhone 15)." As big-screen upgrades go, this Amazon Fire TV hits the sweet spot between premium features and wallet-friendly price. For only $650, you’re getting a massive 65-inch 4K display with Dolby Vision and HDR 10, meaning those binge sessions or movie nights will look crystal clear and vibrant. Throw Alexa into the mix, and it's essentially a smart-home hub masquerading as a TV. Plus, with Amazon regularly sending updates, this deal will actually get better and better over time. If you've been waiting for a deal on the PS5, your time has arrived. Get the 5 Slim for $76 less than MSRP and enjoy all the next-gen gaming goodness in a more compact package. This deal won't last long, and it's not likely to get any cheaper, so if you've been holding out, now's your chance to level up your gaming setup for less. Want big, but not big? This 55-inch screen is the Goldilocks of The Frame lineup. It delivers an impressive 4K experience suited for larger living rooms or entertainment spaces — and at 40% off, it's among the best deals for anyone who doesn't want to go huge with the 85-inch model. Cut back on appliances — and your energy bill! — with this do-it-all helper, which serves up crispy air-fried pizzas, wings and more in a matter of minutes. Capable of cook temps up to 450°F and featuring an auto shut-off function, it includes a variety of accessories — an oven rack, baking pan/drip tray, and air fryer basket — for added value and convenience (read: easier cleaning). Plus, it's cheaper right now at Target than it is at Amazon. Okay, this isn't a kitchen deal , but just think of all of the affordable kitchen gear you'll have access to, thanks to your new Sam's Club membership. This deal knocks the annual price down by 60%, but hurry — the offer ends December 2! I own this multi-use, nonstick beauty, and it just might become your most-utilized piece of , thanks to its thoughtful design. It took the internet by storm a few years ago and quickly became a favorite of home cooks and celebrities alike. ( did a collaboration with the brand, and Oprah has called it "the kitchen magician.") Its ceramic coating is slick and free of PFAS, while the handle smartly doubles as a spoon rest. Speaking of utensils, it comes with a wooden spatula and metal steamer basket that can be used as a colander, and it's oven-safe up to 450°F for added versatility. It's not often on sale, so grab it while it's $55 off (as low as it's ever been). Check out our editor's full for more. (FYI, it also comes in and versions as well as and models — all on sale.) This classic round Dutch oven is what you might think of when you hear the name Le Creuset. It's a staple of the collection, a lifetime piece made of enameled cast iron, polished and finished by hand; the colorful exterior is designed to resist chipping. It retains heat brilliantly. At 6.75 quarts, it's perfect for soups and one-pot meals, like chili. This one also has a wider, shallower profile with more surface area that makes it ideal for browning and searing meats. Have you ever seen a kitchen appliance as lovely as this stunner from Drew Barrymore's home goods line? You won't mind keeping this on your counter while your cozy stews and braises bubble away. It's capacious enough to feed about seven people, and the light-up display is a fun touch. Plus, this sale price is about as low as it gets. Gordon Ramsay approves of this brand, and you know how particular the celebrity chef is. The pans' hybrid construction combines the best qualities of stainless steel, cast iron and nonstick for a one-of-a-kind product that, according to , "is highly versatile and cooks exceptionally well." They're made of aluminum sandwiched between stainless steel for expert heat conduction and distribution, and their nonstick interiors make them a breeze to clean. Plus, the signature hexagonal etching helps encourage browning. With this starter set, you'll get the 12-inch, 10-inch and 8-inch Hybrid pans, plus lids for each. Check out our roundup of the for more. You'll be able to whip up a cuppa with ease using this single-serve brewer from the java experts at Keurig. With push-button convenience, you'll be kicking back with your favorite coffee (or other K-Cup beverage) in minutes, no prep necessary. A generously-sized 36 oz. water reservoir means you won't have to refill every time you brew, and you can make cups back-to-back without any time wasted waiting to reheat. Henckels has been crafting knives for over a century, so the brand knows a thing or two about what makes a quality set. This bestselling set comes with just about every type of blade a home cook could need: a 3-inch paring knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, an 8-inch chef's knife and an 8-inch bread knife. Also included: six 4.5-inch steak knives, a professional honing steel, kitchen shears and a hardwood knife block. Whew! This collection is majorly marked down from its list price of $345, though we've never actually seen it shoot high. Still this deal beats the typical $150 we've seen it going for of late. Check out our roundup of the for more. awarded this snazzy appliance the title of "best air fryer toaster" in her roundup of the . She called it "an expert at multitasking, hitting the sweet spot in our testing for size, price and function," adding, "It has a 12-liter capacity that supports four slices of toast, 1 pound of french fries or a 9-inch pizza, and a 4.5-pound chicken with only the bottom tray in place. It also performs six duties: air frying, baking, toasting, broiling, reheating and roasting, with the option to infuse steam, for different texture preferences and appetites." You'll feel like you have your own personal smoothie shop with this best-in-class blender. Boasting a 2-horsepower motor, it'll effortlessly blitz up ice and frozen fruit, though you could also use it for whizzing up sauces or even grinding up meat. From soup to nuts (as in, homemade nut butters), this workhorse will level up your meal prep like no other — and this is the best price we're seeing. Been lusting after one of these babies? We know the feeling. Well, it's your/our lucky day, since this No. 1 bestseller, in a variety of colors including this pretty "Dried Rose" pink, is down to its lowest price this year. At 5 quarts, this bestseller can hold enough dough to make up to nine dozen cookies at a time (though it won't take up much room in your kitchen). It comes with a beater, dough hook and whisk attachments for making practically any baked good under the sun, and will give your arms a break by doing all of the mixing. Plus, you can let it run while you prep other ingredients. The fact that this versatile appliance (which functions as both a vacuum and mop) is down to its all-time best price is enough for it to warrant a space in our carts. But throw in a Martha Stewart endorsement, and we're tempted to buy two! The queen of all things home recently sang its praises in an unsponsored post, calling it the "best new home appliance." She adds, "The design is simple, the parts easy to clean and anyone can use it ... Rather than sweeping (which raises dust), rather than vacuuming and then mopping, this machine does it all!" Here's a wake-up call: This sale will save you 30% on a top-rated mattress that strikes just the right balance between comfy and supportive. Looking for something a little different? No problem — Casper is offering up to 30% off right now. This set has wowed everyone from Yahoo staffers and thousands of online shoppers to — wait for it — Oprah herself. Yahoo writer awarded these sheets the title of "Best Bamboo Cooling Sheets" in her category rundown and another Yahoo writer, , is also a fan. In her , she writes, "Slipping into bed with Cozy Earth's sheets feels almost like jumping into a pool on a hot summer day." And what does Oprah have to say about the sheets she made famous? When they appeared on her , she said, "Your bed shouldn't be where you sweat the small (or big) stuff," and called the set "the softest ever," saying it "may help regulate body temperature, meaning both chilly sleepers and hot-flashers can get a good night's rest." This small-but-mighty sucker, a viral fave for a while now, targets unsightly spots, minimizes odors and more on both carpets and upholstery in a perfectly portable way. At under 10 pounds, it's on the lighter side for a deep cleaner, and it's versatile enough to use on furniture — even car interiors. Plus, the 15-foot cord is long enough to keep you from having to find a new outlet every five minutes. This set comes with the Little Green, a 3-inch tough stain tool, a HydroRinse self-cleaning hose tool, a spraying crevice tool, a trial size 8-ounce Spot and Stain with Febreze formula and a one-year limited warranty. You can snag it for nearly 35% off, which is just about as low as it usually goes on sale for. Check out our full for more. A top-selling Roomba that's 40% off — its all-time lowest price? We'll take two! This gizmo will zap up all of that dust and debris on your floor while you relax on the sofa — nothing wrong with that. It runs for up to 120 minutes before heading back to its charging dock, and you can even schedule cleanings via the app. Check out our roundup of the for more. Yard in need of some heavy-duty pruning? This small but mighty chainsaw is powerful enough to take down tree branches, yet weighs under 2.5 pounds. Plus, this No. 1 bestseller is cordless for even more convenience, and the on-page coupon brings it down to within a few dollars of its best price yet. One Yahoo editor gave it a try, saying, "While testing the Saker, I first noticed that it was very easy to hold in one hand. I also appreciated the safety features, including a safety lock that must be pressed before the saw activates. This gave me some comfort that it wouldn't just 'go off' if I squeezed it too tight while walking between locations. It's also easier to use than something like pruning shears, which can be heavy and unwieldy and take much longer to get the same job done." Check out our full for more. This brand doesn't go on sale very often, so if you (or someone on your list) has been wishing for a , you'll want to strike while the iron is hot! What we love about this top-seller is the fact that it's highly portable, making it ideal for camping, and the fact that it minimizes smoke for a more enjoyable experience. Here's a veteran luggage brand that's known to last, and this piece is the lowest it's been all year. The smooth telescopic handle is easy to pull up and two easy-access front pockets keep essentials accessible. It also has tons of internal storage and a zippered wet bag for those damp swimsuits you need to pack when heading back from a tropical holiday trip. "I can fit a week's worth of clothes in this bag," . "I like soft-sided luggage because the hard-sided frame limits the amount you can carry. [I] like the four wheels for ease of movement. Using two wheels is good for those rough surfaces. Best of both worlds." Smaller shoulder bags are very in style this year, but sometimes, it's nice to have a crossbody strap to go hands-free. This bag comes with one so you can wear it both ways. Get it in black, brown, burgundy, green or white while it's over 65% off ahead of Black Friday. "Just large enough to comfortably fit my phone, wallet, sunglasses, and e-reader. It's so chic, but still simple enough for everyday use," shared one fashionista. "I haven't used the longer strap yet, because the shoulder strap is the perfect length!" Is it even a Coach Outlet sale without the famous Zip Wristlet? This leather cutie is just the right size for your cards and cash, plus it'll fit your phone, keys and a spare lipstick. Not bad for $26 (the lowest it's been in a long time). It's also available in multiple colors and prints like black, taupe and leopard. With a relaxed, vintage-inspired fit, these denim duds are a true American classic — and great-looking to boot (cut). Save over 50% for Black Friday and thank us later. "The perfect jeans," . "Fabric has just enough stretch to be comfortable in any activity, without becoming 'saggy' throughout the day. Highly recommend!" Sometimes all you need to be happy is a good ol' puffer coat. If you want to wrap yourself up in a sleeping bag without feeling like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, this puffer is key. The snatched waist and pretty pink shade are flattering in all climates. Meet one of the brand's most popular styles. With thousands of five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers, they made our list of the . Yahoo Commerce Editor Saundra Latham packed them for a cruise where she walked over 15,000 steps a day. "They're ultra-cushioned, with a flexible upper that's almost sock-like, so it molds to my foot," she said. These sporty, foamy kicks weigh less than 9 ounces, so take them on your next trip. Certain colors and sizes are 20% off right now, the lowest they've been in 30 days. When Oprah says she likes something, we know it's gonna be good — so it's no surprise that this No. 1 bestselling jacket (aka "The Amazon Coat") has acquired a massive fan base. It graced the media queen's list in 2019 and features a fleece-lined hood, cozy down filling and about a zillion pockets for storing small essentials. It's also much more chic than many puffer coats, and at 45% off, it's down to its best price in years. These waterproof kicks are classics for a reason: They keep feet dry, offer excellent traction even in the slipperiest of conditions and feature a trendy vintage look to . At nearly 70% off (!!), you really can't go wrong. "With this much style and comfort, why wait for a rainy day?" pondered a . "I wear them all the time. They go great with jeans and keep you comfortable all day long! I love the look of the untied laces, and the zipper closure on the side makes them really easy to slip into." Coated in Swarovski crystals, these bestselling hoop earrings sparkle and shimmer from every angle. We love a good yellow gold pavé moment, but the hoops also come in white gold and rose gold if that's more your thing. Wear them on any ole Tuesday to dress up a simple outfit or reserve them for a formal occasion where you want to really wow. Important reminder: It's never too early to be thinking about holiday gifts — grab these stunners while they're on sale for an unreal $15. These sneakers are just what the doctor (or a suitably accredited medical professional) ordered. We're talking about nurses, who routinely work extra long shifts and barely get to sit down. 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'It's Hollywood magic': Filming for a movie in a downtown L.A. high-rise building spurs 911 callsBPSC Protests: 'BJP's double engine in Bihar symbol of double atrocities on youth', says Priyanka Gandhi

Syria's president Bashar al-Assad fled Syria as Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus Sunday, triggering celebrations across the country and beyond at the end of his oppressive rule. Russian news agencies late Sunday said Assad and his family were in Moscow. Crowds toured Assad's luxurious home after the rebels declared he had fled, a spectacular end to five decades of brutal Baath party government. The government fell 11 days after the rebels began a surprise advance more than 13 years after Assad's crackdown on anti-government protests ignited Syria's civil war, which had become largely dormant until the rebel push. "This victory, my brothers, is historic for the region," Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) that spearheaded the advance, said in an address at the landmark Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. US President Joe Biden said Assad should be "held accountable" but called the nation's political upheaval a "historic opportunity" for Syrians to rebuild their country. "The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice," Biden said from the White House. Residents cheered in the streets as the rebel factions heralded the departure of "tyrant" Assad, saying: "We declare the city of Damascus free." Celebratory gunfire sounded along with shouts of, "Syria is ours and not the Assad family's". AFP correspondents saw dozens of men, women and children wandering through Assad's modern, spacious home whose rooms had been stripped bare. "I can't believe I'm living this moment," tearful Damascus resident Amer Batha told AFP by phone. "We've been waiting a long time for this day," he said. The rebel factions on Telegram proclaimed the end to "50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and displacement". It is, they said, "the start of a new era for Syria." The foreign ministry of Assad's key backer, Russia, had announced earlier Sunday that Assad had resigned from the presidency and left Syria. The head of war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP: "Assad left Syria via Damascus international airport before the army security forces left" the facility. Later Sunday, a Kremlin source told Russian news agencies that he and his family had arrived in Moscow where they had been granted asylum "on humanitarian grounds". Around the country, people toppled statues of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father and the founder of the repressive system of government he inherited. For the past 50 years in Syria, even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in prison or get one killed. During their advance, the rebels said they had freed prisoners, including on Sunday at the Sednaya facility, notorious for the darkest abuses of Assad's era. UN war crimes investigators urged those taking charge in the country to ensure the "atrocities" committed under Assad's rule are not repeated. Amnesty International called this a "historic opportunity" for those responsible for the abuses in Syria to face justice. The end of Assad's rule came just hours after HTS said it had captured the strategic city of Homs. Homs was the third major city seized by the rebels, who began their advance on November 27, the same day a ceasefire took place in neighbouring Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. Hezbollah had supported Assad during the long civil war but has been severely weakened by Israeli strikes. The group's forces "vacated their positions around Damascus", a source close to the group said Sunday. HTS is rooted in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda but has sought to soften its image in recent years. It remains listed as a terrorist organisation by Western governments. On Sunday afternoon the rebels announced a curfew in the capital until 5:00 am (0200 GMT) Monday. The commander of Syria's US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls much of northeast Syria, hailed the fall of Assad's "authoritarian regime" as "historic". A military council affiliated with the SDF clashed Sunday with Turkish-backed Syrian fighters in Syria's north, leaving 26 fighters from both sides dead, the Observatory said, as the Turkish-backed group launched an offensive on the Manbij area. The Observatory said Israel had struck government security buildings and weapons depots Sunday on the outskirts of Damascus, as well as in the eastern Deir Ezzor province. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the overthrow of Assad was a "historic day in the... Middle East" and the fall of a "central link in Iran's axis of evil". "This is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, Assad's main supporters," he added. The UN envoy for Syria said the country was at "a watershed moment". Turkey, which has historically backed the opposition, called for a "smooth transition". Iran said it expected "friendly" ties with Syria to continue, even as its embassy in Damascus was vandalised. Since the start of the rebel offensive, at least 910 people, mostly combatants but also including 138 civilians, have been killed, the Observatory said. Syria's war has killed more than 500,000 people, and forced half of the population to flee their homes. Millions fled abroad. "I can barely remember Syria," said Reda al-Khedr, who was only five years old when he and his mother escaped Syria's Homs in 2014. "But now we're going to go home to a liberated Syria," he told AFP in Cairo. Liberated, but facing enormous challenges. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday the bloc would help rebuild a Syria that safeguards minorities after Assad's fall. bur-it/jjBy Abby Badach Doyle, NerdWallet It won’t be impossible to buy a house in 2025 — just be prepared to play on hard mode. According to a November 2024 report from ICE Mortgage Technology, the monthly principal and interest payment on an average-priced home is $2,385. While that’s not the highest it’s ever been, it’s still a sharp increase — nearly 80% — from just three years ago. In November 2021, when mortgage rates averaged 3%, the monthly principal and interest on an average-priced home was $1,327 per month. So here’s the key to buying in 2025: Look ahead, not back. Regret won’t help you budget for today’s new normal. And with this year’s election also in the rearview mirror, so is some uncertainty among buyers and sellers that historically slows the market during every presidential election cycle. “People have just been kind of sitting waiting to see what’s going to happen,” says Courtney Johnson Rose, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, an industry group for Black real estate agents. “I’m hopeful that the new year will bring more attention to real estate, more excitement to real estate, and more opportunities for first-time home owners to get in the game.” Preparing to buy a house is a lot like dressing for the weather. It’s easier when the outlook is sunny — but with some planning, you can gear up to face any condition. Here’s what housing market experts are forecasting for the upcoming year. Related Articles Travel scams that can hurt your credit or finances For some FSA dollars, it’s use it or lose it at year’s end A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS. Who are they and why now? Savings rates stay strong despite dips: A 2024 recap and what’s next for 2025 Are religious people more generous than non-religious people? What new study finds First, home prices: We’ll likely see more modest growth in 2025, a change from skyrocketing prices in recent years. After 16 consecutive months of year-over-year price increases, the median existing-home sales price hit $407,200 in October, according to the National Association of Realtors. In 2025, with more supply trickling in to temper price increases, NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun forecasts a median existing-home sales price of $410,700, up just 2% over this year. Next, housing inventory: Demand still outpaces supply. While we don’t expect a return to a buyer’s market, competition should be less cutthroat. Realtor.com forecasts a balanced market in 2025 with an average 4.1-month supply of homes for sale, up from an average 3.7-month supply so far in 2024. That would make 2025 the friendliest market for buyers since 2016, which had an average 4.4-month supply. Finally, mortgage rates: After topping 8% in October 2023, the 30-year mortgage rate has slowly eased into the 6.5%-7% range this year. Rate cuts from the Federal Reserve have helped nudge that downward. Despite earlier optimism, forecasters’ latest consensus is for rates to effectively plateau above 6% throughout 2025. That said, every year has its wild cards. In 2025, it’s still uncertain how President-elect Donald Trump and a Republican-led Congress might shake up regulations and tax policies that affect the U.S. housing market. National forecasts don’t analyze what matters most: Your personal cash flow. To get ready to buy, first meet with a financial advisor or use an online calculator to determine how much house you can afford . You can also get free or low-cost advice from a housing counselor sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Next, look into down payment and closing cost assistance from state housing finance agencies, local governments, nonprofits and mortgage lenders. Your employer or labor union might offer assistance, too. First-time buyers with income below their area median have the most options, but repeat or higher-income borrowers can qualify for some programs as well. “I think that there’s a lot of free money being left out there,” Rose says. Your not-so-secret weapon for buying in 2025 just might be an experienced buyer’s agent. “Anybody can write a contract,” says Sharon Parker, associate broker with Tate & Foss Sotheby’s International Realty in Rye, New Hampshire. “But you need somebody who’s seen the market, the ups and downs, who knows how to get creative because every transaction is different.” Following a settlement with the NAR , buyers can now negotiate their agent’s compensation up front. (Previously, home sellers took on that task.) While new norms are still shaking out, Rose says she hasn’t seen too much drama since the change took effect in August. “So as long as buyers remember that we have to talk about this in the beginning of our relationship, everything typically works out fine,” she says. Finally, it’s time to shop for a mortgage. To get the best interest rate, get a quote with at least three different lenders. You could also delegate the shopping to a mortgage broker, who can compare quotes and even negotiate a lower rate on your behalf. Though brokers charge a fee, their access to more mortgage options and lower rates can often mean net savings overall. With a mortgage preapproval in hand, it’s go time. And you don’t have to wait until spring: If you’re ready to buy now, buyers have less competition and more negotiating power from December through February, so you could snag a deal. “The people who are selling and the people who are buying in the off season are very serious,” Parker says. “They’re not just lookie-loos.” However, lower inventory means fewer choices for buyers. So start your search prepared to compromise — a “good enough” house will still help you build equity. If a down payment or monthly mortgage payment is financially out of reach, there’s no shame in postponing your search to pad your savings. And owning a home isn’t the right lifestyle choice for everyone, with the ongoing commitment of money and time. But once you’re ready to buy — whether for the first time, or to upgrade or downsize — avoid the trap of waiting for a dip in mortgage rates. “Nobody can predict what the market, or the world, is going to do,” Parker says. “There is no better time than right now.” Mortgage rates will always fluctuate, and if they drop significantly, you can refinance. For first-time buyers, homeownership is a major financial glow-up — and the sooner you jump in, the longer you’ll have to build home equity. “Time value of money is really, really critical when it comes to real estate,” Rose says. “So I would always encourage somebody to buy as soon as you can and get the clock ticking.” More From NerdWallet Abby Badach Doyle writes for NerdWallet. Email: abadachdoyle@nerdwallet.com. The article Buying a House in 2025: Your How-To Guide originally appeared on NerdWallet .

Midcoast Youth Center recently announced the appointment of Michael Mallon as its new senior program director. A dynamic figure in the world of competitive snowboarding and free skiing, Mallon brings a wealth of experience, passion and inspiration to the team, the center stated in a prepares release. Mallon has a wealth of knowledge and experience along with a lifelong commitment to youth development. He was most recently the executive director of the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association. His dedication to coaching and mentoring young talent aligns seamlessly with the Midcoast Youth Center’s mission to empower youth through engaging programs and positive community experiences. “We are thrilled to welcome Mike to our leadership team,” said Jamie Dorr, executive director of the Midcoast Youth Center. “His unique perspective and energy will help us create innovative programs that inspire our youth to pursue their passions, overcome challenges and achieve their goals.” In his new role, Mallon will spearhead the development of exciting programs that blend action sports, outdoor education, personal growth and community involvement. His vision includes initiatives that encourage teamwork, resilience and confidence, providing young people with the tools they need to succeed in all areas of life. For more information about the Midcoast Youth Center and upcoming programs, visit midcoastyouth.org . We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve. Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe . Questions? Please see our FAQs . Your commenting screen name has been updated. Send questions/comments to the editors. « Previous Next »

Lisa Simpson once said during an episode of “The Simpsons:” What could be more exciting than the savage ballet that is pro football? On Monday night, the entire Simpsons universe gets to experience it in a way not many could have imagined. The prime-time matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys will also take place at Springfield’s Atoms Stadium as part of “The Simpsons Funday Football” alternate broadcast. The altcast will be streamed on ESPN+, Disney+, and NFL+ (on mobile devices). ESPN and ABC have the main broadcast, while ESPN2 will carry the final “ManningCast” of the regular season. The replay will be available on Disney+ for 30 days. Globally, more than 145 countries will have access to either live or on replay. “We’re such huge football fans, and the Simpsons audience and the football audience, I feel, are like the same audience of just American families and football. And the Simpsons are so much a part of the DNA of the American family and culture that for us to, like, mush them together in this crazy video game, it’s so fun,” said Matt Selman, executive producer of “The Simpsons.” While the game is the focal point, the alternate broadcast, in some ways, will resemble a three-hour episode of “The Simpsons.” It starts with Homer eating too many hot dogs and having a dream while watching football. Homer joins the Cowboys in the dream while Bart teams up with the Bengals. Lisa and Marge will be sideline reporters. “That’s the beginning of the story, and the story continues through the entire game until Homer wakes up from his dream at the end of the game. It is like a complete story, and the NFL game will happen in between. It’s just going to be an amazing presentation with tons of surprises,” said Michael “Spike” Szykowny, ESPN’s VP of edit and animation. This is the second year ESPN has done an alternate broadcast for an NFL game. It used the characters from “Toy Story” for last year’s Sunday morning game from London between the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars. “The Simpsons” has featured many sports-themed episodes during its 35 seasons. Even though “Homer at the Bat” remains the consensus favorite sports episode for many Simpsons fans, there have been football ones such as “Bart Star” and “Lisa The Greek.” There also was a Super Bowl-themed one after Fox’s broadcast of Super Bowl 33 between Denver and Atlanta in 1999. Even though “The Simpsons” remains a staple on Fox’s prime-time schedule, it is part of the Disney family after their acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019. All 35 seasons are on Disney+. The show’s creators have worked with ESPN and the NFL to make sure the look and sound is definitely Simpsonsesque. The theme song is a mash-up of “The Simpsons” opening and “Monday Night Football’s” iconic “Heavy Action.” There have also been pre-recorded skits and bits to use during the broadcast featuring Simpson’s legendary voices Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, and Yeardley Smith. The telecast will be entirely animated, with the players’ movements in sync with what is happening in real-time on the field. That is done through player-tracking data enabled by the NFL’s Next Gen Stats system and Sony’s Beyond Sports Technology. While Next Gen Stats tracks where players are on the field with a tracking chip in the shoulder pads, there is skeletal data tracking and limb tracking data — which uses 29 points per player — to get closer to the player’s movements. The other data tracking will allow Beyond Sports and Disney to add special characters to the game. For example, there might be a play where Lisa catches the ball and goes 30 yards instead of Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins. “Lisa is much smaller than the rest of the players. So, in real life, the ball would go over her head, but now, with data processing, we can take the ball and make it go exactly into her hands. So for the viewer, it still looks believable, and it all makes sense,” said Beyond Sports co-founder Nicolaas Westerhof. The other major challenge is making “The Simpsons” two-dimensional cartoon characters into 3-D simulations. Szykowny and his team worked to make that a reality over the past couple of months. “That’s a big leap of faith for them to say, hey, we trust you to make our characters 3-D and work with it. Our ESPN creative studio team has done a wonderful job,” Szykowny said. Lisa, Krusty, Nelson, Milhouse and Ralph will be with Bart and the Bengals; while Carl, Barney, Lenny and Moe join up with with Homer and the Cowboys. The broadcast will also feature ESPN personalities Stephen A. Smith, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. ESPN’s Drew Carter, Mina Kimes and Dan Orlovsky will call the game from Bristol, Connecticut, and also be animated. They will wear Meta Quest Pro headsets to experience the game from Springfield using VR technology. For Kimes, being part of the broadcast and being an animated Simpsons character is a dream come true. She is a massive fan of the show and has a framed photo of Lisa Simpson — who she said is a personal hero and icon — as part of her backdrop when she makes appearances on ESPN NFL shows from her home in Los Angeles. “I didn’t have any input, and I didn’t see anything beforehand, so I wasn’t sure if it would look like me, but it kind of does, which is very funny,” said Kimes, who drew Simpsons characters when she was a kid. “To see the actual staff turn me into one was a dream.” Even though the Bengals (4-8) and Cowboys (5-7) have struggled this season, Selman thinks both teams have personalities that appeal to “The Simpsons” universe. “We were just so lucky also that the Cowboys are sort of like a Homer Simpson-type team, American team, and Mike McCarthy might be a Homer-type guy, one might imagine,” he said. ”And then you have Joe Burrow on the other side who is a cool young, spiky-haired, blonde bad boy -- he’s like Bart. And that fits our character archetypes so perfectly. “If Homer is mad at Bart and has a hot dog dream while watching ’Monday Night Football’, and then it’s basically McCarthy versus Burrow, Homer versus Bart, and that’s the simple father versus son strangling — Homer strangling Bart dynamic that has been part of the show for 35 years. I don’t know if that would have worked as well if it was like Titans versus Jacksonville. We would have found something. We would have made it work.”PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.225 per outstanding share of Carrier common stock. The dividend will be payable on February 7, 2025 to shareowners of record at the close of business on December 20, 2024 . "Today's 18% dividend increase further demonstrates our commitment to disciplined capital allocation," said Carrier Chairman & CEO David Gitlin . "After successfully executing on our transformation, we remain laser-focused on delivering outsized value for our customers, employees, and shareowners." Carrier Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is committed to creating solutions that matter for people and our planet for generations to come. From the beginning, we've led in inventing new technologies and entirely new industries. Today, we continue to lead because we have a world-class, diverse workforce that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. For more information, visit corporate.carrier.com or follow Carrier on social media at @Carrier . Cautionary Statement : This communication contains statements which, to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" under the securities laws. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide management's current expectations or plans for Carrier's future payment of a dividend, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "expectations," "plans," "strategy," "prospects," "estimate," "project," "target," "anticipate," "will," "should," "see," "guidance," "outlook," "confident," "scenario" and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements relating to future sales, earnings, cash flow, results of operations, uses of cash, share repurchases, tax rates and other measures of financial performance or potential future plans, strategies or transactions of Carrier, Carrier's plans with respect to its indebtedness and other statements that are not historical facts. All forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. For additional information on identifying factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in forward-looking statements, see Carrier's reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Carrier assumes no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. CARR-IR Contact: Media Inquiries Jason Shockley 561-542-0207 Jason.Shockley@carrier.com Investor Relations Michael Rednor 561-365-2020 Michael.Rednor@carrier.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carrier-board-of-directors-announces-an-18-percent-increase-in-quarterly-dividend-to-0-225-per-share-302324348.html SOURCE Carrier Global Corporation

All things being equal, the National Assembly may pass the 2025 budget in the first week of February, a competent source has said. Senate spokesperson, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, hinting on the passage, explained that the joint committee on appropriation of the two chambers of the National Assembly would present their report on the N49.7 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill for consideration and approval on January 31. The fiscal legislation was laid before the joint session of the federal legislature by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, December 18. The red and the green chambers, at their separate plenary sessions on December 19, passed the money bill for second reading after the federal lawmakers debated its general principles. The National Assembly subsequently adjourned plenary to January 14, to enable the legislators to celebrate Christmas and New Year in their various constituencies. The development came barely 24 hours after the president laid the estimates before the National Assembly. President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, had before the upper chamber adjourned plenary on December 18, asked the Committee on Appropriation in the red chamber to work on the budget proposal within four weeks. Akpabio also informed his colleagues that they might be recalled from their holiday if the need arose. Investigation by THISDAY in Abuja, on Sunday, revealed that the leadership of the National Assembly had met and designed a timetable that would enable it pass the budget in the first week of February 2025. A copy of the timetable sent to each of the lawmakers, and sighted by THISDAY, also revealed that the joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriations would meet with Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, on January 7, 2025 at 2pm. The meeting would also be attended by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, among others. The floor would then be opened for the heads of the various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government and their accounting officers to defend their budget estimates before the joint appropriation sub-committees of the federal legislature. The exercise, according to the timetable, would take place from January 8 to January 15, 2025. It revealed that the laying, presentation, and possible approval of the report by the appropriation committee would be on January 31, 2025, and subsequently passed first week in February. Adaramodu, in an interview, said the subcommittees on appropriation had been directed to start engaging the MDAs from January 8. “Full activities on the 2025 Appropriation Bill will commence second week in January. The joint committees of Senate and House of Representatives will start meeting with MDAs on January 7. Final report will be laid on 31st January,” he stated. Sunday Aborisade Follow us on:

Canadians call out Trudeau for post about GST cut on groceries

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Former Namibian first lady Monica Geingos has raised concerns about the Electoral Commission of Namibia's (ECN) handling of the recent elections, following reports of ballot s ... If you are an active subscriber and the article is not showing, please log out and back in. Free access to articles from 12:00.Lea Miller-Tooley hopped off a call to welcome the Baylor women’s basketball team to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, where 80-degree temperatures made it easy for the Bears to settle in on Paradise Island a week before Thanksgiving. About 5,000 miles west of the Caribbean nation, similar climes awaited Maui Invitational men's teams in Hawaii. They’ve often been greeted with leis, the traditional Hawaiian welcome of friendship. College basketball teams and fans look forward to this time of the year. The holiday week tournaments feature buzzworthy matchups and all-day TV coverage, sure, but there is a familiarity about them as they help ward off the November chill. For four decades, these sandy-beach getaways filled with basketball have become a beloved mainstay of the sport itself. “When you see (ESPN’s) ‘Feast Week’ of college basketball on TV, when you see the Battle 4 Atlantis on TV, you know college basketball is back,” said Miller-Tooley, the founder and organizer of the Battle 4 Atlantis men's and women's tournaments. “Because it’s a saturated time of the year with the NFL, college football and the NBA. But when you see these gorgeous events in these beautiful places, you realize, ‘Wow, hoops are back, let’s get excited.’” The Great Alaska Shootout was the trend-setting multiple-team event (MTE) nearly five decades ago. The brainchild of late Alaska-Anchorage coach Bob Rachal sought to raise his program’s profile by bringing in national-power programs, which could take advantage of NCAA rules allowing them to exceed the maximum allotment of regular-season games if they played the three-game tournament outside the contiguous 48 states. The first edition, named the Sea Wolf Classic, saw N.C. State beat Louisville 72-66 for the title on Nov. 26, 1978. The Maui Invitational followed in November 1984, borne from the buzz of NAIA program Chaminade’s shocking upset of top-ranked Virginia and 7-foot-4 star Ralph Sampson in Hawaii two years earlier. Events kept coming, with warm-weather locales getting in on the action. The Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Cancun Challenge in Mexico. The Cayman Islands Classic. The Jamaica Classic. The Myrtle Beach Invitational joining the Charleston Classic in South Carolina. Numerous tournaments in Florida. Some events have faded away like the Puerto Rico Tipoff and the Great Alaska Shootout, the latter in 2017 amid event competition and schools opting for warm-weather locales. Notre Dame takes on Chaminade during the first half of a 2017 game in Lahaina, Hawaii. Marco Garcia, AP File Miller-Tooley’s push to build an MTE for Atlantis began as a December 2010 doubleheader with Georgia Tech beating Richmond and Virginia Tech beating Mississippi State in a prove-it moment for a tournament’s viability. It also required changing NCAA legislation to permit MTEs in the Bahamas. Approval came in March 2011; the first eight-team Atlantis men’s tournament followed in November. That tournament quickly earned marquee status with big-name fields, with Atlantis champions Villanova (2017) and Virginia (2018) later winning that season’s NCAA title. Games run in a ballroom-turned-arena at the resort, where players also check out massive swimming pools, water slides and inner-tube rapids surrounded by palm trees and the Atlantic Ocean. “It’s just the value of getting your passport stamped, that will never get old,” Miller-Tooley said. “Watching some of these kids, this may be their first and last time – and staff and families – that they ever travel outside the United States. ... You can see through these kids’ eyes that it’s really an unbelievable experience.” ACC Network analyst Luke Hancock knows that firsthand. His Louisville team finished second at Atlantis in 2012 and won that year’s later-vacated NCAA title, with Hancock as the Final Four's most outstanding player. “I remember (then-coach Rick Pitino) saying something to the effect of: ‘Some of you guys might never get this opportunity again. We’re staying in this unbelievable place, you’re doing it with people you love,’” Hancock said. “It was a business trip for us there at Thanksgiving, but he definitely had a tone of ‘We’ve got to enjoy this as well.’” Maui offers similar vibes, though 2024 could be a little different as Lahaina recovers from deadly 2023 wildfires that forced the event's relocation last year. North Carolina assistant coach Sean May played for the Tar Heels’ Maui winner in 2004 and was part of UNC’s staff for the 2016 champion, with both teams later winning the NCAA title. May said “you just feel the peacefulness” of the area — even while focusing on games — and savors memories of the team taking a boat out on the Pacific Ocean after title runs under now-retired Hall of Famer Roy Williams. “Teams like us, Dukes, UConns – you want to go to places that are very well-run,” May said. “Maui, Lea Miller with her group at the Battle 4 Atlantis, that’s what drives teams to come back because you know you’re going to get standard A-quality of not only the preparation but the tournament with the way it’s run. Everything is top-notch. And I think that brings guys back year after year.” That’s why Colorado coach Tad Boyle is so excited for the Buffaloes’ first Maui appearance since 2009. “We’ve been trying to get in the tournament since I got here,” said Boyle, now in his 15th season. And of course, that warm-weather setting sure doesn’t hurt. “If you talk about the Marquettes of the world, St. John’s, Providence – they don’t want that cold weather,” said NBA and college TV analyst Terrence Oglesby, who played for Clemson in the 2007 San Juan Invitational in Puerto Rico. “They’re going to have to deal with that all January and February. You might as well get a taste of what the sun feels like.” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo argues a call during the first half of a Nov. 16 game against Bowling Green in East Lansing, Michigan. Mi zzo is making his fourth trip to Maui. Carlos Osorio, Associated Press The men’s Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas, got things rolling last week with No. 11 Tennessee routing No. 13 Baylor for the title. The week ahead could boast matchups befitting the Final Four, with teams having two weeks of action since any opening-night hiccups. “It’s a special kickoff to the college basketball season,” Oglesby said. “It’s just without the rust.” On the women’s side, Atlantis began its fourth eight-team women’s tournament Saturday with No. 16 North Carolina and No. 18 Baylor, while the nearby Baha Mar resort follows with two four-team women’s brackets that include No. 2 UConn, No. 7 LSU, No. 17 Mississippi and No. 20 N.C. State. Then come the men’s headliners. The Maui Invitational turns 40 as it opens Monday back in Lahaina. It features second-ranked and two-time reigning national champion UConn, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 Iowa State and No. 10 North Carolina. The Battle 4 Atlantis opens its 13th men’s tournament Wednesday, topped by No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 16 Indiana and No. 17 Arizona. Michigan State Hall of Famer Tom Izzo is making his fourth trip to Maui, where he debuted as Jud Heathcote’s successor at the 1995 tournament. Izzo's Spartans have twice competed at Atlantis, last in 2021. “They’re important because they give you something in November or December that is exciting,” Izzo said. Any drawbacks? “It’s a 10-hour flight,” he said of Hawaii. Mike Tyson, left, slaps Jake Paul during a weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight bout, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal serves during a training session at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, in Malaga, southern Spain, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Manu Fernandez A fan takes a picture of the moon prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Uruguay and Colombia in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) Santiago Mazzarovich Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 18th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Altaf Qadri Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) fails to pull in a pass against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson) Brynn Anderson Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, top right, scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Nam Y. Huh India's Tilak Varma jumps in the air as he celebrates after scoring a century during the third T20 International cricket match between South Africa and India, at Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Themba Hadebe Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski warms up before facing the Seattle Kraken in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Lindsey Wasson Kansas State players run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Charlie Riedel A fan rapped in an Uruguay flag arrives to the stands for a qualifying soccer match against Colombia for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) Matilde Campodonico People practice folding a giant United States flag before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Julia Demaree Nikhinson Brazil's Marquinhos attempts to stop the sprinklers that were turned on during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela at Monumental stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Ariana Cubillos Georgia's Georges Mikautadze celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League, group B1 soccer match between Georgia and Ukraine at the AdjaraBet Arena in Batumi, Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili) Tamuna Kulumbegashvili Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque, right, attempts to score while Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) keep the puck out of the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Ellen Schmidt Mike Tyson, left, fights Jake Paul during their heavyweight boxing match, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Carolyn Kaster President-elect Donald Trump attends UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Fans argue in stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Israel at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Thursday Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Thibault Camus Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova hits a return against Danielle Collins, of the United States, during a tennis match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Malaga, southern Spain. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Manu Fernandez St. John's guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) falls after driving to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against New Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) Pamela Smith England's Anthony Gordon celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Kin Cheung Katie Taylor, left, lands a right to Amanda Serrano during their undisputed super lightweight title bout, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner, right, tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington, left, on a punt return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Lynne Sladky UConn's Paige Bueckers (5) battles North Carolina's Laila Hull, right, for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) Ben McKeown Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts during the final match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Antonio Calanni Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario misses the third goal during the Nations League soccer match between Italy and France, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Luca Brunoi8ph 。

Unretired two-time Pro Bowl LB Shaquil Barrett signs to resume career with Tampa Bay BuccaneersMen’s basketball: Big 12 grind begins for CU Buffs against No. 3 Iowa State

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( MENAFN - GetNews) In today's fast-paced industrial environment, precision and efficiency are paramount. Whether you're in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, or any other industry that relies on meticulous measurements and rapid processes, having the right tools can make a world of difference. Memory Co., Ltd., a leading supplier of industrial automation solutions, is proud to introduce the Keyence LM-1100 – a cutting-edge laser displacement sensor that redefines the benchmarks of accuracy and performance. Designed to meet the evolving demands of modern industries, the Keyence LM-1100 stands as a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality products that drive operational excellence. The Heart of Precision: The Keyence LM-1100 The Keyence LM-1100 is not just another sensor in the market; it's a game-changer. Engineered with advanced technology and crafted from superior materials, this sensor offers unparalleled precision and reliability. The LM-1100 utilizes state-of-the-art laser technology to measure displacements with an accuracy that is second to none, making it ideal for a wide array of applications ranging from precision machining to automated inspection systems. One of the key highlights of the Keyence LM-1100 is its speed. In industries where time is of the essence, the LM-1100′s rapid measurement capabilities ensure that processes are streamlined and productivity is maximized. Whether you're measuring the thickness of a material, the displacement of a machine part, or monitoring the position of an object in real-time, the LM-1100 delivers results instantaneously, allowing you to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. Designed for User-Friendly Operation At Memory Co., Ltd., we understand that the best technology is only as good as its usability. The Keyence LM-1100 is designed with a user-centric approach, ensuring that even those with minimal technical expertise can operate it with ease. The intuitive interface and straightforward setup process mean that you can deploy the sensor quickly and start reaping its benefits without the need for extensive training or additional resources. Moreover, the LM-1100′s compact design and robust construction make it ideal for use in a variety of environments. Whether you're working in a dusty factory floor or a sterile laboratory, the LM-1100′s durability and versatility ensure that it performs reliably under all conditions. This makes it an invaluable asset for businesses looking to enhance their operational capabilities without compromising on precision or reliability. Competitive Pricing for All Businesses As a leading exporter of industrial automation solutions, Memory Co., Ltd. is committed to making advanced technology accessible to businesses of all sizes. We understand that the cost of equipment can often be a barrier to innovation and growth. Therefore, we offer competitive pricing for both small and large orders of the Keyence LM-1100, ensuring that even startups and SMEs can benefit from this state-of-the-art technology. Our pricing strategy is not just about being affordable; it's about creating value. By offering the Keyence LM-1100 at competitive rates, we're enabling businesses to invest in technology that can significantly improve their operational efficiency and reduce costs over the long term. Whether you're looking to automate a single process or integrate a comprehensive automation system, the Keyence LM-1100 offers an excellent return on investment, helping you achieve your business goals more efficiently. The Power of Precision in Real-World Applications The versatility of the Keyence LM-1100 makes it a valuable tool in a multitude of industries and applications. In manufacturing, for instance, the sensor can be used to measure the thickness of materials, monitor the alignment of machine parts, and ensure the accuracy of finished products. In the automotive industry, the LM-1100 can be employed in quality control processes to detect defects and ensure that components meet stringent specifications. In aerospace, precision is paramount, and the Keyence LM-1100 excels in this area. From measuring the dimensions of aircraft components to ensuring the accuracy of assembly processes, the LM-1100 provides the level of precision needed to meet the rigorous standards of the aerospace industry. Similarly, in the medical field, the sensor can be used in applications that require meticulous attention to detail, such as the manufacturing of medical devices and the inspection of surgical tools. Why Choose Memory Co., Ltd. for Your Keyence LM-1100 Needs? When it comes to choosing a supplier for your Keyence LM-1100 needs, Memory Co., Ltd. stands out for several reasons. Firstly, our extensive experience in the industrial automation sector means that we have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by businesses like yours. We're not just selling products; we're providing solutions tailored to your specific needs. Secondly, our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is unmatched. We ensure that every Keyence LM-1100 we sell is rigorously tested and certified to meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. Our dedicated customer support team is always available to assist you with any queries or issues you may have, ensuring that you get the most out of your investment. Lastly, our global network of distribution channels means that we can provide the Keyence LM-1100 to businesses worldwide. Whether you're located in Europe, Asia, or anywhere else, we're committed to delivering the highest quality products and services to your doorstep. Conclusion: Embrace the Future of Precision with the Keyence LM-1100 In a world where precision and efficiency are key drivers of success, the Keyence LM-1100 represents a significant leap forward in industrial automation technology. With its unparalleled accuracy, rapid measurement capabilities, and user-friendly design, the LM-1100 is poised to revolutionize the way businesses operate. At Memory Co., Ltd. , we're proud to offer this state-of-the-art sensor to our clients. Our commitment to quality, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer service makes us the ideal partner for businesses looking to enhance their operational capabilities. Don't wait to embrace the future of precision; get in touch with us today and discover how the Keyence LM-1100 can transform your business. MENAFN13122024003238003268ID1108991857 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.LSU outlasts UCF 109-102 in triple-OT affair

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, are expecting their first child, the player announced Saturday. Ohtani, who set an MLB record this year before going on to win his first World Series title , made the announcement in a post to Instagram with the caption: "Can't wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!" Earlier this year, he became the first Major League Baseball player to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a single season, solidifying his place in baseball history with the record-setting ball later selling for $4.4 million . That was just a little over a month before the Los Angeles Dodgers would face off with the New York Yankees in the Fall Classic. LA's victory in the series, complete with records set by Freddie Freeman and a historic comeback in the final game, was celebrated with the city's first Dodgers parade since 1988 . It was a whirlwind end to Ohtani's first season with the Dodgers, which started off with a $700 million contract announced in December 2023 — the most lucrative signing of an MLB player in the league's history. Tanaka, a professional basketball player, appeared alongside Ohtani in a post to social media earlier this year after the player revealed just weeks before that he's married . At the time, he didn't say who his spouse was but wrote of her affectionately. "Not only have I begun a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have (begun) a new life with someone from my native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married," he posted to Instagram. Marissa Wenzke is a journalist based in Los Angeles. She has a bachelor's degree in political science from UC Santa Barbara and is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School.

Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP Reminds Investors of Looming Deadline in the Class Action Lawsuit Against ASP Isotopes Inc. (ASPI)

Newmark Arranges $525 Million Refinancing for Flexible Living Apartment Portfolio Operated by SentralNEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies before sentencing. They called the idea “absurd.” The Manhattan district attorney's office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. Those options include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won't include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn't sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday that the only acceptable option to them is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. If anything, the immunity statute should require dropping the case altogether, not merely limiting the judge’s sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump" who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend a jury’s finding that came while he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , a friend of Trump’s, is on trial on corruption charges even as he leads that nation’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. John Fetterman used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of President Joe Biden’s pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty give this year's Heisman Trophy ceremony a different vibe

Ross Stores Inc. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitorsJersey City Born Art Cashin Jr., Veteran Wall Street Executive and Philanthropist, Dies at 83None

Board Approves Dividend of $0.2875 Per Share on the Company's Common Stock NORTH BETHESDA, Md. , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's leading lodging franchisors, announced that its board of directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.2875 per share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable on January 16, 2025 , to shareholders of record on January 2 , 2025. About Choice Hotels® Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. The one to watch in upscale and a leader in midscale and extended stay, Choice® has over 7,500 hotels, representing nearly 635,000 rooms, in 45 countries and territories. A diverse portfolio of 22 brands that range from full-service upper upscale properties to midscale, extended stay and economy enables Choice ® to meet travelers' needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges® rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters discussed in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain, but not necessarily all, of such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "expect," "estimate," "believe," "anticipate," "should," "will," "forecast," "plan," "project," "assume," or similar words of futurity. All statements other than historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current beliefs, assumptions, and expectations regarding future events, which, in turn, are based on information currently available to management. Such statements may relate to projections of the company's revenue, expenses, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, earnings, debt levels, ability to repay outstanding indebtedness, payment of dividends, repurchases of common stock and other financial and operational measures, including the company's occupancy and open hotels, RevPAR, and liquidity, among other matters. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Several factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, changes to general, domestic and foreign economic conditions, including access to liquidity and capital; changes in consumer demand and confidence, including consumer discretionary spending and the demand for travel, transient and group business; the timing and amount of future dividends and share repurchases; future domestic or global outbreaks of epidemics, pandemics or contagious diseases or fear of such outbreaks, and the related impact on the global hospitality industry, particularly but not exclusively the U.S. travel market; changes in law and regulation applicable to the travel, lodging or franchising industries, including with respect to the status of the company's relationship with employees of our franchisees; foreign currency fluctuations; impairments or declines in the value of the company's assets; operating risks common in the travel, lodging or franchising industries; changes to the desirability of our brands as viewed by hotel operators and customers; changes to the terms or termination of our contracts with franchisees and our relationships with our franchisees; our ability to keep pace with improvements in technology utilized for marketing and reservations systems and other operating systems; our ability to grow our franchise system; exposure to risks related to our hotel development, financing and ownership activities; exposures to risks associated with our investments in new businesses; fluctuations in the supply and demand for hotel rooms; our ability to realize anticipated benefits from acquired businesses; impairments or losses relating to acquired businesses; the level of acceptance of alternative growth strategies we may implement; the impact of inflation; cyber security and data breach risks; climate change and sustainability related concerns; ownership and financing activities; hotel closures or financial difficulties of our franchisees; operating risks associated with our international operations; labor shortages; the outcome of litigation; and our ability to effectively manage our indebtedness and secure our indebtedness. These and other risk factors are discussed in detail in the company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and, as applicable, our Quarter Reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. © 2024 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All Rights Reserved View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/choice-hotels-announces-quarterly-cash-dividend-302329442.html SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.

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e psx ( MENAFN - Jordan Times) AMMAN - The Jordanian-Egyptian Fajr Company, Advanced Central gas Company“ProGas,” Tanmia petroleum Company, and Traditional fashion Garments Factory on Wednesday signed agreements to supply Natural gas to the main compressed natural gas (CNG) station project in the Hashemiyah area. The agreements were signed by CEO of Fajr Company Fouad Rashad, CEO of ProGas Fadi Shoubaki and CEO of Tanmia Natural Gas Company Mohamed Tarabili. ProGas and Classic Fashion also signed a separate agreement for the transportation and distribution of gas to the factory, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. During the signing ceremony, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh highlighted the significance of these agreements as part of Jordan's national project to deliver natural gas to various areas and industrial clusters nationwide. He also said that the initiative aims to reduce energy costs for the industrial sector, attract investments, create jobs and boost the national economy. Kharabsheh also announced plans to provide natural gas to industrial zones in Maan's Rawda area, Muwaqqar, Mafraq Development Zone, and other industrial estates. Utilising natural gas in these regions is projected to lower energy costs by around 60 per cent, easing financial pressures on economic sectors, enhancing competitiveness, accessing new markets, and increasing productivity, he added. The project will feature "state-of-the-art" technology and adhere to global standards, including advanced fast-fuelling compressors, distributors, and remote monitoring and control systems for both the main station and transport vehicles. A sub-reduction station will also be installed within the factory premises. The agreements with ProGas represent a "milestone" for Jordan, allowing the company to establish CNG facilities and distribute gas via specialised vehicles to factories not connected to the main gas network. This project, in cooperation with Tanmia Natural Gas Company and Fajr Company, is designed to maximise the economic benefits of natural gas utilisation in the Kingdom. MENAFN18122024000028011005ID1109009874 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

SANTA CLARA – Practicing behind a patchwork line is not how Brock Purdy dreamed of spending his 25th birthday Friday, never mind that he just gifted 49ers linemen a caravan of trucks and sports-utility vehicles on two-year leases. The 49ers are poised to field their most inexperienced offensive line in at least coach Kyle Shanahan’s eight seasons. Monday night’s chore for whoever blocks: protect Purdy and clear lanes for ball carriers Isaac Guerendo and Deebo Samuel against the NFC-leading Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium. Injuries have so thoroughly depleted the Niners (6-9) that 3-of-5 spots could feature linemen making their 49ers’ starting debuts. The only healthy starters are center Jake Brendel and right guard Dominick Puni, who might have to shift to other spots to provide for the best five-man look. Left tackle Trent Williams and his backup, Jaylon More, both went this week on injured reserve, which is where left guard Aaron Banks is expected to land before Monday night’s 5:15 p.m. kickoff. Right tackle Colton McKivitz did not practice Thursday, after being limited by a knee issue, and versatile backup Spencer Burford has been out with a calf injury he sustained as the sub at left tackle in Sunday’s loss at Miami. Offensive linemen Ben Bartch and Jon Feliciano are on injured reserve. Nick Zakelj is expected to make the first start of his career, most likely at left guard. “I know it’s just an amazing opportunity to have,” Zakelj said. “I can’t wait to go grasp it and go out there, fly off the ball and let it loose.” Charlie Heck, poached Wednesday off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, made 21 career starts for the Houston Texans from 2020-23, and Thursday acquisition Matt Hennessy made 22 starts as the Atlanta Falcons’ 2020-22 center. No other linemen have starting experience, including Zakelj, Austen Pleasants, Sebastian Gutierrez, Isaac Alarcon and undrafted rookie center Drake Nugent. If McKivitz is healthy, he’s an option to move to left tackle, where he made spot starts at left tackle in 2021 and ’22 in place of Williams. Burford, unbeknownst until last game, had practiced as the No. 3 left tackle most of the season. LYNCH’S STATE OF FRANCHISE General manager John Lynch, speaking for the first time since Sunday’s official elimination from the playoffs, is in the investigation process of examining the 49ers’ 2024 woes and potential cures. “I can’t believe we’re here, but we are. We have to accept that. We have to learn from that,” Lynch said on KNBR 680-AM. “We can’t just chalk it up to, ‘There were a lot of injuries.’ The team we’re playing, Detroit, they had a lot of injuries but they found a way. We have to look at the root, and we have been looking at the root causes. We’ll fix it.” One obvious issue is the 49ers’ inability to close out games, something that’s carried over from past playoff defeats to this season’s four NFC West defeats. Lynch noted that the absences of All-Pros Williams and Christian McCaffrey factors into that. “But we can’t chalk it up to just that. We have to go deeper,” Lynch said. “There are ways we could have gotten it done. When you have division opponents (down) multiple scores, you have to put people away, and that’s what we didn’t do this year. We have to own that. We have to get to the bottom of why exactly that happened, with every decision we make.” HEALTH CENTER Fullback Kyle Juszczyk did not practice because of illness. Juszczyk has played every game this season after taking a pay cut in the spring. He is aiming for his ninth straight Pro Bowl invitation. Running back Isaac Guerendo participated in a second straight practice and looks on track to make his third career start; he did not play in Sunday’s loss at Miami because of hamstring and foot injuries. Running back David Montgomery (knee) was the only player on the Lions’ active roster not to practice. Cornerback Terrion Arnold (illness) was limited after missing Thursday’s session. Full participants were guard Graham Glasgow (knee), wide receiver Kalif Raymond (foot) and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck). GAMEDAY GUIDE Levi’s Stadium parking lots are to open at 1:45 p.m. Stadium gates open 30 minutes later for club- and suite-ticket holders, with entry for all others starting at 3:15 p.m. Halftime entertainment will feature MIMS and Freedom Williams (from the C+C Music Factory). Tony Lindsay will perform the national anthem.Linda Davis is a retired teacher who expects she will be able to recover some of the Social Security income she hasn’t been receiving if President Joe Biden signs a new bill to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald Linda Davis knew she needed to start planning for her future retirement, so she decided to meet with a financial adviser. That’s when she learned she wouldn’t be able to collect the full amount of Social Security benefits she had earned through part-time work and other odd jobs because of her career as a public school teacher. “I don’t think I would have entered the teaching profession if I had known what I found out later,” said the 75-year-old Portland resident. “I would be guaranteed more money upon retirement if I went into the private sector.” Davis is among the more than 25,000 Mainers — and nearly 3 million teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and other public employees nationwide — who have been prevented from receiving full Social Security benefits because of two laws from the 1970s and ’80s. The Windfall Elimination Provision reduces the benefits available to public employees who don’t pay into Social Security through their government retirement plans, regardless of their contributions through other jobs. The other law, called the Government Pension Offset , decreases payments for surviving spouses if they receive their own government pension. But those restrictions are poised to be eliminated through the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act earlier this month. The bill, co-authored by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is now headed to President Joe Biden for his signature. “It has always bothered me that people who earned these benefits or whose spouses earned these benefits did not have the kind of security in their retirement years that they should have because of the reduced Social Security benefit,” Collins said in a recent interview. Collins has been working on repealing the two provisions for years, having held the first Senate hearing on the proposed policy in 2003 as chair of the Senate Government Affairs Committee and later introducing the Social Security Fairness Act in 2005 with the late Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-CA. Collins credited this year’s success with constituents being more organized in telling their stories, which was key to finally getting the legislation through Congress, she said. The bill also received overwhelming support in the House of Representatives, where it passed 327-75, before getting approved 76-20 in the Senate . In addition to Collins, it was also supported by the other three members of Maine’s Congressional delegation. “Across Maine, firefighters, police officers, teachers and other public servants put the well-being of our communities first; it’s past time they receive the benefits they so rightly have earned,” Sen. Angus King, a co-sponsor of the legislation, said in a written statement following the Senate vote. Maine is among seven states that have state employee pension programs that do not include a Social Security component. As a result, the state is impacted by the two provisions at a higher rate than many others. Meanwhile, in some states, certain public sector employees do contribute to Social Security through their government retirement plans and therefore are not subject to the two provisions. Some public sector employees in Maine still pay into Social Security if they also work or have worked in the private sector. Like anyone else, they can access those benefits at age 62 if they’ve paid in for 10 years, though at a reduced rate. Davis, the retired teacher from Portland, spent about 30 years as an educator. But she also held other jobs — as a secretary, pumping gas, in catering — before her time as a teacher and during summers. Linda Davis expects she will be able to recover some of Social Security income if President Biden repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision. Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald She has a pension from her teaching work, but said it’s “not a livable pension,” so Social Security from her other jobs is an important piece of her retirement. Right now, because of the Windfall Elimination Provision, she gets 40% of what she’s earned in Social Security, or about $350 per month after Medicare is deducted. She also continues to substitute teach to supplement her income. She hopes the new law, if it’s signed by Biden, will not only increase her Social Security but make a difference for other teachers and help to address staffing shortages in education. “There are so many teachers that have part-time jobs,” Davis said. “I would say most teachers do. Why would they enter the teaching profession if they’re going to be punished financially?” Maine schools are currently facing shortages across several areas, said Steve Bailey, executive director of the Maine School Boards Association and Maine School Management Association. As a former teacher, principal and superintendent who also did other work outside the school system, Bailey sees about 30% of the Social Security he should be eligible for, or $340 per month, he said. “People who might have been thinking about coming into education before, they might have said, ‘I can’t risk losing 70% of my pension if I were to leave the private sector,'” he said. “So we view this as a very large recruitment and retention gain for people coming into education. They won’t have to think they’re risking their prior earnings that they had been putting away into Social Security.” Dan Possumato spent 25 years as a civilian employee of the U.S. Army but also worked a variety of private sector jobs over his lifetime and paid into Social Security. Because of the Windfall Elimination Provision, however, he wasn’t able to get all the benefits he was entitled to had he not also worked a federal job with a pension. Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald Dan Possumato, a retired civilian employee of the U.S. Army, said the Windfall Elimination Provision has prevented him from getting about 45% of the Social Security benefits he earned in jobs before and after his government work. The 73-year-old Brunswick resident estimates he’s lost about $93,000 in the 13 years, or $600 per month, since he started drawing Social Security in 2011. Although he also has an Army pension, Possumato said the issue is about fairness. “I worked for this, just like the other people that are drawing more money with the same experience and earnings as myself,” Possumato said. “Why should I be penalized because Congress decided that was an easy target to get more revenue (from Social Security) to someone else? Every time this comes up among my fellow retirees, it’s a sore point.” Vicky Edwards, a retired teacher from Otisfield, has felt the loss of Social Security through the Government Pension Offset, which reduces the survivor benefits available to the spouse of a Social Security recipient — if the surviving spouse has their own government pension. Edwards’ husband died a year and a half into retirement. “He had paid in his entire life and he only got the benefit for a year and a half,” said Edwards, 65. She then learned that the benefits available to her would be reduced by two-thirds the amount of her pension. Other spouses are eligible for between 71% and 100% of their loved one’s benefits, according to the Social Security Administration, whereas the Government Pension Offset can result in the survivor not getting any spousal benefits. Edwards said she didn’t have an exact number for how much she thinks she will get if the law changes, but estimated it would be “more than hundreds of dollars” per month. “That’s a big difference in a retirement budget,” she said. Collins said it was that kind of anecdote that pushed her to change the law. She said opponents argued on the Senate floor that this will move up the date that the Social Security program could become financially unstable. “The Social Security system is not in good financial shape, that’s right, and that is something Congress will have to deal with,” Collins said. “But in the meantime, it’s not fair to continue this inequitable treatment of our school teachers, our firefighters, our police officers and those who have been serving the community.” She said she expects Biden to sign the legislation into law and has been in touch with the White House about the possibility of a signing ceremony. From there, she said, it will take time for the Social Security Administration to recalculate the benefits for everyone affected. The intent is to make the new be retroactive to January 2024, meaning that recipients would see about a year’s worth of back pay that they were previously ineligible for, though Collins said it’s too soon to say when people might receive the retroactive pay. “I am absolutely elated that we have finally passed legislation to fix this problem,” Collins said. “It’s long overdue.” Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors. « Previous

27 Dec 2024 South Korea impeaches second president in a fortnight Ayshah Tull News Correspondent Politicians in South Korea have voted to impeach the acting President Han Duck-soo – less than a fortnight after ousting the previous leader. The move has deepened the country’s political crisis which was triggered earlier this month, when former president Yoon Suk-Yeol briefly imposed martial law. Share on Facebook Share Share on Twitter Tweet Share on WhatsApp Send Share on WhatsApp Send Share on WhatsApp Email Load more share optionsLawmakers edge closer to deal on government funding

Farage: Badenoch must apologise for ‘crazy conspiracy theory’ on Reform numbersNoneWomen's Only Gym Market is Going to Boom | Major Giants Fitness First, FemmeFit, Gold's Gym 12-18-2024 11:48 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Women's Only Gym Market HTF MI recently introduced Global Women's Only Gym Market study with 143+ pages in-depth overview, describing about the Product / Industry Scope and elaborates market outlook and status (2024-2032). The market Study is segmented by key regions which is accelerating the marketization. At present, the market is developing its presence. Some key players from the complete study are Curves, Vivafit, Fit4Females, Shapes Fitness for Women, EnVie Fitness, She's Fit, Fitness First, FemmeFit, Lady of America, Anytime Fitness, Gold's Gym, 30 Minute Hit. Download Sample Report PDF (Including Full TOC, Table & Figures) 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/4310639-women-s-only-gym-global-and-china-top-players-market?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash According to HTF Market Intelligence, the Global Women's Only Gym market is expected to grow from 4 Billion USD in 2024 to 8 Billion USD by 2032, with a CAGR of 10% from 2024 to 2032. The Women's Only Gym market is segmented by Types (Membership-Based, Boutique Studios, Functional Training, Wellness), Application (Fitness, Weight Loss, Strength Training, Wellness) and by Geography (North America, LATAM, West Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Oceania, MEA). Definition: Encompasses fitness centers exclusively designed for women, offering specialized equipment, personal training, and tailored fitness programs. Market expansion is driven by increasing health awareness among women and demand for comfortable, non-intimidating workout environments. Dominating Region: • North America Fastest-Growing Region: • Europe Market Trends: •Online Workouts, Personalized Coaching, Community Engagement Market Drivers: •Women-Centric Fitness Demand, Safety Concerns, Specialized Offerings Market Challenges: •Retention Rates, Competition from Unisex Gyms, Marketing Limitations Have a query? Market an enquiry before purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/4310639-women-s-only-gym-global-and-china-top-players-market?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below: In-depth analysis of Women's Only Gym market segments by Types: Membership-Based, Boutique Studios, Functional Training, Wellness Detailed analysis of Tank Container Shipping market segments by Applications: Fitness, Weight Loss, Strength Training, Wellness Geographically, the detailed analysis of consumption, revenue, market share, and growth rate of the following regions: • The Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, Egypt, etc.) • North America (United States, Mexico & Canada) • South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, etc.) • Europe (Turkey, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) • Asia-Pacific (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia). Buy Now Latest Edition of Women's Only Gym Market Report 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=4310639?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash Women's Only Gym Market Research Objectives: - Focuses on the key manufacturers, to define, pronounce and examine the value, sales volume, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis, and development plans in the next few years. - To share comprehensive information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (opportunities, drivers, growth potential, industry-specific challenges and risks). - To analyze the with respect to individual future prospects, growth trends and their involvement to the total market. - To analyze reasonable developments such as agreements, expansions new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. - To deliberately profile the key players and systematically examine their growth strategies. FIVE FORCES & PESTLE ANALYSIS: In order to better understand market conditions five forces analysis is conducted that includes the Bargaining power of buyers, Bargaining power of suppliers, Threat of new entrants, Threat of substitutes, and Threat of rivalry. • Political (Political policy and stability as well as trade, fiscal, and taxation policies) • Economical (Interest rates, employment or unemployment rates, raw material costs, and foreign exchange rates) • Social (Changing family demographics, education levels, cultural trends, attitude changes, and changes in lifestyles) • Technological (Changes in digital or mobile technology, automation, research, and development) • Legal (Employment legislation, consumer law, health, and safety, international as well as trade regulation and restrictions) • Environmental (Climate, recycling procedures, carbon footprint, waste disposal, and sustainability) Get 10-25% Discount on Immediate purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/request-discount/4310639-women-s-only-gym-global-and-china-top-players-market?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Women's Only Gym Market: Chapter 01 - Women's Only Gym Executive Summary Chapter 02 - Market Overview Chapter 03 - Key Success Factors Chapter 04 - Global Women's Only Gym Market - Pricing Analysis Chapter 05 - Global Women's Only Gym Market Background or History Chapter 06 - Global Women's Only Gym Market Segmentation (e.g. Type, Application) Chapter 07 - Key and Emerging Countries Analysis Worldwide Women's Only Gym Market Chapter 08 - Global Women's Only Gym Market Structure & worth Analysis Chapter 09 - Global Women's Only Gym Market Competitive Analysis & Challenges Chapter 10 - Assumptions and Acronyms Chapter 11 - Women's Only Gym Market Research Methodology Key questions answered • How Global Women's Only Gym Market growth & size is changing in next few years? • Who are the Leading players and what are their futuristic plans in the Global Women's Only Gym market? • What are the key concerns of the 5-forces analysis of the Global Women's Only Gym market? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors? • What are the different prospects and threats faced by the dealers in the Global Women's Only Gym market? Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter-wise sections or region-wise report versions like North America, LATAM, Europe, Japan, Australia or Southeast Asia. Contact Us: Nidhi Bhawsar (PR & Marketing Manager) HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Phone: +15075562445 sales@htfmarketintelligence.com Connect with us on LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter About Author: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting is uniquely positioned to empower and inspire with research and consulting services to empower businesses with growth strategies. We offer services with extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events, and experience that assist in decision-making. This release was published on openPR.

Two Arsenal stars fail auditions in pedestrian performance despite important Ipswich winShare Tweet Share Share Email December 16 – Since its inception in 2021, Slusncoin Exchange has quickly established a strong foothold in the global cryptocurrency trading market, leveraging its advanced technological capabilities and user-centric optimization. Recently, the company announced strategic partnership agreements with several top-tier financial institutions. This milestone marks a pivotal phase in Slusncoin’s global expansion strategy, injecting new momentum into its efforts to build a comprehensive international presence. Strengthening Industry Leadership Through Strategic Alliances The formation of these partnerships reflects Slusncoin’s commitment to continuous growth and innovation. By staying attuned to global market trends, Slusncoin has reinforced its position as an industry leader. Its new partners include globally renowned investment banks, payment platforms, and financial technology enterprises. Through this collaboration, Slusncoin aims to achieve deep integration in technology, capital, and market resources, delivering more efficient, secure, and reliable trading services to its clients. Slusncoin’s cutting-edge technology was a decisive factor in forging these partnerships. The company’s trading system combines advanced blockchain technology with artificial intelligence, enabling precise market analysis and enhanced execution efficiency through intelligent matching algorithms. These technological capabilities have earned high praise from its partners, who recognize the platform’s potential for transformative applications in future financial technology. Expanding Market Reach and Resource Sharing A key highlight of this strategic collaboration is the shared commitment to global market expansion. Slusncoin and its partners plan to jointly explore emerging markets, including Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. As some of the fastest-growing regions in the cryptocurrency sector, these markets demand efficient and secure trading platforms. By collaborating closely with local financial institutions, Slusncoin aims to seamlessly integrate into these markets and provide premium services tailored to the needs of local investors. Investment in Talent and Marketing to Support Growth To support its ambitious expansion strategy, Slusncoin is making significant investments in technology development and marketing. Over the next two years, the company plans to hire more than 2,000 technical and operational professionals to enhance its development capabilities and improve customer support. Additionally, Slusncoin will increase investments in brand promotion and market education, organizing investor education programs and collaborative marketing campaigns to attract new users. Looking Ahead: A Vision for Global Leadership Slusncoin’s global expansion strategy remains on track, with a goal of reaching 15 million users by 2025 and establishing regional offices in major financial hubs worldwide. This strategic collaboration not only strengthens Slusncoin’s market position but also lays a solid foundation for its emergence as a global leader in cryptocurrency trading. With new markets opening up and deeper partnerships on the horizon, the future growth potential of this exchange is boundless. Related Items: Leading Financial Institutions to Accelerate Global Market Expansion , Slusncoin Exchange Announces Strategic Partnerships Share Tweet Share Share Email CommentsAP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:52 p.m. EST

The Chicago Cubs have been linked to power hitting first basemen Pete Alonso in the latest of MLB free agent rumors. As the Chicago Cubs still search for the next big trade to pull off which will hopefully net them an Ace like starting pitcher, rumors now have the Chicago Cubs rumored to be in on former New York Mets slugging first basemen Pete Alonso in an article written by the New York Post Jon Heyman . Heyman wrote speaking of Pete Alonso ’s current market saying: “The Mets still make the most sense even though a gap exists now . After a 48-hour frenzy of 1B signings/trades ( Paul Goldschmidt , Carlos Santana, Josh Naylor, Nathaniel Lowe), potential options include the Giants, Mariners, Rangers and Angels, and possibly the Cubs or Red Sox if they open up 1B via trade. But then, shouldn’t the Mets bring back the NL’s home run leader since 2019 to support their prized $765M pickup, Juan Soto?” Why Pete Alonso wouldn’t make sense for the Chicago Cubs The market for Pete Alonso so far this winter has been a rather quiet one to say the least especially for teams in need of someone to play first base. So far, the New York Mets still seem to have the best chances of being the team most likely to sign Pete Alonso when it’s all said and done, but there could be a team like the Cubs who slide in and sign Alonso. However, for the Cubs signing someone like Pete Alonso for the amount he is seeking which according to some estimates could be as high as $180 million and as long as six years. For a price like that the Chicago Cubs could get a solid number two starting pitcher. Alonso who just turned 30 earlier this month is a really solid ball player and would be a great addition to any ball club. He will hit your team 30+ home runs for a season while driving in over 120 RBI, as well as having the capability of getting on-base consistently with having a career on-base percentage of .339. In 2024 Pete Alonso played in all 162 games, which for Pete Alonso’s whole career he has not played in less than 150 games ever in his career other than shorten 2020 season. Earlier in this off-season USA Today Bob Nightengale linked the Chicago Cubs to signing Pete Alonso this off season writing: “If All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso doesn’t return to the Mets, rival executives believe he will wind up in Seattle or with the Cubs,” Nightengale wrote. Last year for the New York Mets Pete Alonso had pretty much a standard season he would have any other year of his career other than his slugging percentage and OPS numbers dropping slightly. In 162 games Alonso was named an All-Star, had 146 hits, 31 doubles, 34 HRs, 88 RBI, for a slash line of .240/.329/.459 and an OPS and OPS+ of .728 and 123. Solid offensively and decent with his glove, Alonso would be great to have as a member of the Chicago Cubs but given his price and roster construction he just doesn’t fit. No Need on the Roster Currently at first base the Chicago Cubs have Michael Busch manning the right side of the infield with General Manager Jed Hoyer stating earlier this off season that: “We really see Michael as a Gold Glove first baseman,” Hoyer said. “That’s our focus. Can he move around a little bit? Of course. His versatility is great, but he made real strides at first. I thought after the first month of the season, he was fantastic at first. And that’s certainly how we’re seeing him.” Michael Busch, who just turned 27, was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers with Yency Almonte to the Chicago Cubs for Jackson Ferris(minors) and Zyhir Hope (minors). Last year for the Cubs Busch played in 152 games where he had 123 hits, 28 doubles, 2 triples, 21 HRs, 65 RBI, with a slash line of .248/.335/.440 with and OPS and OPS+ of .775 and 118. Over at first base Busch displayed a .996 fielding percentage for the 2024 season as well as a 5 for defensive runs save. Busch’s splits versus lefties and righties are virtually the same which is really good. A .258 average with a .712 OPS against lefties and a .246 average and .788 OPS versus righties. A valuable option to have at first the Cubs declaring Busch the starter now can only boost his confidence and with a full season under his belt now, the third-year infielder looks to take big strides in 2025. The biggest ask for Busch to make this coming season that the Chicago Cubs need him to make is gaining more power. In order for the Cubs to be successful this season they will need to have power come from guys in the lineup like Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki. The acquisition of Kyle Tucker will help give the Cubs most of their power with showing the ability to hit 30 home runs in a season which he has done twice in his career. Seiya Suzuki who hit 21 HRs (same as Busch) last season who like Michael Busch will need to increase both his home run count into the 25-30 range with hitting somewhere near 30 doubles. With first base being already filled and Jed Hoyer giving Michael Busch such a high evaluation of his play at first base, the only other position available for Pete Alonso to have a shot at securing is the designated hitting spot, which is currently occupied by Seiya Suzuki who played in 59 games at the DH spot last season. That role will only seem to expand further in 2025 since Kyle Tucker will get the bulk of the reps out in rightfield with Suzuki only seeing some time out there. Now there have been rumors started by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic the Chicago Cubs could look to trade Seiya Suzuki and teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be interested. Trading Seiya Suzuki would not be advisable for the Chicago Cubs to do especially with them recently trading away outfielder Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees. Trading Seiya away would only further deplete the Cubs of their outfield depth and a key part of their lineup, who according to FanGraphs projects Suzuki to be the Cubs three-hole hitter come 2025. In the end would signing a player like Pete Alonso be great for the Cubs? Yes, it would be fantastic, and I can only imagine how many home runs he would hit in the hot summer months in Chicago, but the money and years needed to obtain a talented player such as Pete Alonso is could better be spent to signing a top tier starting pitcher, or more importantly getting a contract extension done with newly acquired Chicago Cub Kyle Tucker. This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.Haptic Technology Market to Reach US$ 30.5 Billion by 2034, Advancing at a CAGR of 10.5% | TMR StudyNone

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Apple on Wednesday hit out at Meta Platforms, saying its numerous requests to access the iPhone maker's software tools to its devices could impact users' privacy and security, underscoring the intense rivalry between the two tech giants. Under the European Union's landmark Digital Markets Act that took effect last year, Apple must allow rivals and app developers to inter-operate with its own services or risk a fine of as much as 10% of its global annual turnover. Meta has made 15 interoperability requests thus far, more than any other company, for potentially far-reaching access to Apple's technology stack that could affect users' privacy and security, the latter said in a report. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Chris Reese)

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ps3 philippines price Florida State is set to host Florida on Saturday evening in the 68th meeting between the in-state rivals. The Gators and Seminoles have played every year since 1958, except for 2020 when leagues around the nation adjusted their schedules to include conference-only games in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Florida leads the series with a 37-28-2 record, but modern games have favored Florida State. The Seminoles are riding a two-game winning streak and have come out on top in nine of 13 games since 2010. Seven of those wins have come by at least two possessions. But this year's "Sunshine Showdown" tells the story of two programs headed in opposite directions, especially when considering preseason expectations. Florida coach Billy Napier entered the year on one of the hottest seats in college football , and a relatively lackluster start did not do much to help his case. Since the administration reaffirmed its faith in Napier, though, the Gators have ripped off two straight SEC wins against ranked opponents. In Week 13 they downed Ole Miss 24-17, snapping a six-game losing streak against top-10 teams. Florida State, on the other hand, entered the year as a top-10 team fresh off a 2023 campaign in which it finished the regular season 12-0 and won the ACC championship. The Seminoles dropped their season opener against Georgia Tech and have been in a spiral since, with a 2-9 record and just one win against an FBS opponent. How to watch Florida vs. Florida State live Date : Saturday, Nov. 30 | Time : 7 p.m. ET Location : Doak Campbell Stadium -- Tallahassee, Florida TV: ESPN 2 | Live stream: fubo (Try for free) Florida vs. Florida State: Need to know Freshmen in the spotlight: For the first time in series history, both Florida and Florida State will start freshmen quarterbacks in Saturday's game. DJ Lagway , the No. 1 signal caller in the class of 2024, has been a mainstay in the Gators' rotation all year, but he took the starting job when incumbent Graham Mertz suffered an ACL injury on Oct. 12 against Tennessee . Lagway has given Florida fans plenty to be excited about during his time on the field. He's thrown for 1,477 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 105 yards thus far. His arm talent is apparent any time he uncorks a deep ball, but his accuracy on long throws is impressive for a quarterback this early into his collegiate career. Florida State was put into its own tough quarterback situation in October when DJ Uiagelelei injured his throwing hand. The Seminoles have tried a couple different options in the wake of Uiagalelei's setback, which led to freshman Luke Kromenhoek earning his first career start in Week 13 against Charleston Southern . Kromenhoek completed 13 of his 20 passes for 2019 yards and three touchdowns in the win. A lot on the line for Florida State: Florida State is far from bowl contention at this point, but the Seminoles still have plenty to play for -- even beyond bragging rights against a top in-state rival. The Seminoles have a chance to avoid losing 10 games for the first time since 1974 and just the third time in program history. Florida State snapped a six-game losing streak in Week 13's win against Charleston Southern, so the Seminoles are on the right track. They have already become the third FBS team since 1998 to win their conference and then finish last in that same conference the following season. Florida State is also the first ACC program to take sole possession of 17th place in the expanded league. Florida can improve postseason stock: Florida already secured bowl eligibility by beating Ole Miss, but Saturday is a prime opportunity to notch another win and improve its standing in the bowl bidding process. The Gators have not won seven games since 2020, when they went 8-4 and made it to the Cotton Bowl under former coach Dan Mullen. They also haven't had a winning record under Napier, so improving to 7-5 in the regular season will ensure that Florida finishes above .500 for the first time in four years. Florida vs. Florida State prediction, picks Florida has been on a tear recently, but really the Gators have been better than their record indicates all year. Key to the late-season turnaround is a defense that, despite some mounting injuries -- especially in the secondary -- has vastly improved in short order. The Gators held two really good offenses under 20 points in their last two wins against LSU and Ole Miss. Now they face a Florida State offense that has averaged a woeful 11 points per game against FBS opponents. The Seminoles have eclipsed the 20-point mark just twice this season, and one of those was in a recent win against Charleston Southern. Florida should be able to pick its score and cover the line on sports betting apps . Pick: Florida -16.5 (-110) All sports betting odds via BetMGM Sportsbook . Check out the latest BetMGM promo to get in the game. SportsLine's proven computer model is calling for multiple outright upsets in Week 14 of college football . Visit SportsLine now to see them all , plus get spread picks for every game from the model that simulates each game 10,000 times.

Midfielders:1. Excessive Pressure: Applying too much pressure during a massage can cause serious damage to the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, leading to pain, numbness, and, in extreme cases, paralysis.In conclusion, Barcelona's rumored interest in signing Son Heung-min demonstrates their intent to reinforce their squad and capitalize on the commercial opportunities presented by the Asian market. If a deal is successfully negotiated, it could prove to be a significant step forward for Barcelona in their quest for success both on and off the pitch. Only time will tell whether this transfer rumor becomes a reality, but the potential benefits for Barcelona make it a move worth considering.

NW_FG Akers 21, 9:31. ILL_Laughery 30 run (Olano kick), 8:12. NW_D.Turner 13 interception return (Akers kick), 2:14. ILL_Altmyer 1 run (Olano kick), 13:21. ILL_Laughery 64 run (Olano kick), 14:15. ILL_Altmyer 43 run (Olano kick), 10:08. NW_FG Akers 34, 5:35. NW_Henning 11 pass from Lausch (Akers kick), 1:34. ILL_Laughery 31 run (Olano kick), 12:15. ILL_FG Olano 24, 11:06. NW_Gordon 15 pass from Lausch (Lang pass from Lausch), 1:00. RUSHING_Illinois, Laughery 12-172, McCray 11-46, Altmyer 4-20, Valentine 7-16, Anderson 1-4, (Team) 2-(minus 3). Northwestern, Porter 12-53, Komolafe 8-32, Lausch 5-22, Himon 3-21, Boe 1-0. PASSING_Illinois, Altmyer 9-16-2-127. Northwestern, Lausch 26-50-2-293, Boe 3-11-1-33. RECEIVING_Illinois, Franklin 3-54, P.Bryant 3-27, Dixon 1-38, McCray 1-5, Arkin 1-3. Northwestern, Henning 10-119, Gordon 7-54, C.Johnson 3-38, Eligon 2-35, Kirtz 2-25, Wagner 2-24, Porter 1-25, Himon 1-4, Arthurs 1-2. MISSED FIELD GOALS_Northwestern, Akers 44.

As a smooth-talking media and political pundit, Colman Domingo ’s Muncie Daniels is used to commenting on politics and the news — not becoming the news — in The Madness . However, his fate will quickly change for the worse when we meet him in the new series. When the CNN personality discovers the dead body of a white supremacist in the woods near where he’s staying in the Poconos, he winds up in the crosshairs of law enforcement and possibly framed for murder — and even his lawyer friend Kwesi (Deon Cole) warns the silver-tongued Muncie, “You’re not going to be able to talk your way out of this.... They are going to pin all this on you.” In this paranoia-inducing Netflix thriller, Daniels finds himself in the middle of a sprawling conspiracy that delves into the darkest corners of society and explores the intersections between the wealthy and powerful, the alt-right, and other fringe movements. “[The series] is examining the climate we’re in right now,” Domingo teased to TV Insider. “Who sows those seeds of disinformation? Who’s puppeteering all of this?” ‘Euphoria’ Star Colman Domingo Explains Season 3 Delay To clear his name, Muncie must figure out whether to trust FBI agent Franco Quiñones (John Ortiz) and reconnect with his working-class, activist roots in Philadelphia while reuniting with his family, which includes teenage son Demetrius (Thaddeus J. Mixson), estranged wife Elena (Marsha Stephanie Blake), and daughter Kallie (Gabrielle Graham) from a previous relationship. “He’s trying to solve a crime,” creator Stephen Belber previews, “but at the same time he’s trying to solve something inside of himself.” To find out what else we should know about the new thrill ride, we spoke to The Color Purple and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom star Colman Domingo — who played Victor Strand on Fear the Walking Dead for eight seasons, won an Emmy for Euphoria , and was nominated for a 2024 Oscar for the civil rights drama Rustin — about the bind in which Muncie finds himself in The Madness , the similarities he shares with the character, and the resonance of a story that speaks to our age of online disinformation and conspiracy theories. Why were you drawn to this series and this character? What about it made you say yes to it? Colman Domingo: There’s so much about it that is raising questions about who are we in America right now. What do you believe in? And what are you believing? What’s being fed to you? These are questions that I have deep in my heart, and the series is bringing out those thoughts I have in the back of my head. Like who is manipulating all of us? I do believe there’s people feeding the public misinformation, but it benefits people with money, power, and position. Are there similarities you share with Muncie? Wildly enough, he’s from my neighborhood, from West Philly. He’s a college professor. So am I. There’s a lot of similarities. He’s a public-facing person. Even some of his ideology, where he believes that if you just get people at the table to sit and have a civil conversation, things will get better. I do believe that. I actively do that in my life. And I thought, “Oh, I understand Muncie. I understand what he’s trying to do.” But then the series takes him on another journey to actually go more full-throttle and understand all the dynamics he’s been espousing but not really having to get in the mud with. Is Muncie’s journey in the series a metaphor for how we’re all trying to make sense of this firehose of facts and information, along with disinformation, conspiracy-mongering, and lies that are coming at us 24/7? Yeah. It’s your modern-day North By Northwest, your modern-day Three Days of the Condor. He’s an everyman who has to go on this journey that he’s not ready to go on. He didn’t even know he’s been preparing for it. He was just living his best life, has a great position at CNN, and has been studying jujitsu for his own health. But he didn’t know that he’d need all that to go down the rabbit hole for real. What’s Muncie’s relationship like with his estranged wife, son Demetrius, and his older daughter Kallie from another relationship? All of it is precarious. What’s going on between he and his wife, we made it a gray area. Maybe they both started out as young activists, and the other one moved into celebrity, and the other one is a college professor, and they’re just not meeting [each other] where they used to be. It was more about having a crisis of faith in each other. Then with his daughter [Kallie], he made choices when he was younger, in a relationship he was in before he went to an Ivy League school. So he’s sort of been a deadbeat dad in that way. Then with his younger son, he’s sort of an absentee father. He believes he’s doing the best that he can by providing financially and showing up when he can. But I think he’s been a bit selfish. So this whole crisis is helping him examine not only who he is, but who has he been—and not been—to his family. Now he’s got to do some relationship repair; at the same time, he’s trying to advocate and save his own life and protect his family. Has he lost himself a bit over the years in pursuit of success and ambition? More from this section I think so. But I think if you asked Muncie, he wouldn’t say that. I think he believed, no, it’s okay to change. It’s OK to have access and agency. But I think at some point he didn’t realize even in the position that he had, he was just all talk. He was just a talking head. He wasn’t actually doing anything but adding to the noise of the media circuit business. In the crisis that he goes through, how does his family help him to survive? I think he didn’t realize how much he needed them. When we meet him, he’s in a place of stasis. He’s been trying to write this book for years. So he decided to go to the Pocono mountains to try and start writing something. Then he goes on this journey. I think it’s a beautiful hero’s journey. He didn’t know he needed all these things. He didn’t know he needed a heart. He didn’t know he needed a brain...It is ‘no place like home.’ But he realized that his home was attached to other things like celebrity, clothing, and having access. But all of that became more superficial than he even imagined. Amanda Matlovich / Netflix Muncie was a housing activist in his youth, and he reconnects with his West Philly roots and the people in his life from that time. How does he change during the course of the series? I think it’s about helping him to bridge the two parts of himself. It’s one of the first arguments that my character has with the fantastic Eisa Davis, who plays Renee, while hosting a show on CNN. And it’s at the core of the problem. For me, it’s a question of, “What’s the best way?” He’s like, “I am Black and I don’t have to actually be out on the streets anymore. I have more access here on television where I can affect a lot of more people.” And so for me, it’s raising the question of, “Is that right or is that wrong? Or is there a balance of both?” How do race and systemic racism factor into the story of a Black man who gets blamed for the death of a white supremacist? How do you think that will be eye-opening for some viewers? Race plays into it a great deal. Muncie is someone who is probably very adept at code-switching [adjusting one’s style of speech, appearance, and expression to conform to a given community and reduce the potential for discrimination]. When you have celebrity and access, you live more in a bubble where you’re probably not perceived in certain ways. But when all of that goes away, once Muncie has to let go of his Range Rover, his Tom Ford suits, and his position at CNN, he’s perceived as just another ordinary Black man on the street. So even when he goes into that New York shop and changes into a T-shirt, baseball cap, and hoodie [to disguise himself], he’s trying to normalize. Before, he believed was a bit more elevated in some way. I love the question that [his estranged wife] Elena asked him: “What were you doing going over to this white man’s house out in the woods? You felt like you had the privilege to do that? You have to always be careful. You don’t know what’s on the other side. You’re a Black man in America.” He forgot for a moment. What does the title, The Madness , refer to? I think it’s about the madness that we’re all living in when it comes to the 24-hour news cycle and trying to download and sift through information. It’s maddening! And also, I think the madness is also internal, that internal struggle of like, “Who are you, and what do you believe in? Who is real, and who is not?” I think that’s the madness. The Madness , Series Premiere, Thursday, November 28, Netflix More Headlines: ‘The Price Is Right’ Player Injures Hand Before Punch-A-Bunch Win — See Drew Carey’s Reaction Colman Domingo Details Why ‘The Madness’ Is a Drama for Today’s Era of Media Feeding Frenzies ‘DWTS’ Season 33 Finalist Chandler Kinney Reveals What She Would Have Changed About Her Journey Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: How to Watch, New Floats, Who’s Performing & More! ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Blame Ryan Seacrest After Contestant’s Epic FailA coroner has welcomed requirements to fit new vehicles with reversing sensors following the tragic death of a toddler at Wangaratta. or signup to continue reading The 16-month-old girl was run over by her father at their rural property on February 25 last year. The site was under construction and was in disarray. The father believed the girl was about 10 to 20 metres away while he unloaded materials from his utility. He had checked for toys and other items nearby, got into his vehicle about 9.30am, and accidentally ran over her. She was unresponsive and her highly distressed parents rushed her to Wangaratta hospital in another vehicle. Her father believed she was still breathing but despite CPR being performed by hospital staff, the girl died. Police attended the family's property and found loud music was playing from the utility and a generator was also creating noise. The utility did not have a reversing camera or sensors and the rear mirror was poor and did not show the ground near the vehicle. The father wasn't charged. Coroner Audrey Jamieson said, unfortunately, such incidents weren't uncommon. There were 25 such deaths recorded from 2012 to 2023 in Victoria. There are 41 incidents each year in Victoria where children are run over and injured or killed. The one to five age bracket was the most common for deaths, and the majority of those killed were aged one. SUVs and large utilities were overrepresented and there was a spike in low-speed runover deaths last year. The child who died at Wangaratta was one of six killed in the state in 2023. The coroner noted it was unclear how she came to be behind the vehicle but noted obstructed vision and loud noises prevented her father from being aware of her presence. New Australian design rules, which will require new cars to have at least two reverse safety features including sensors, cameras or vibration system, will come into effect in November 2025. The coroner noted it could take some time before all Victorian cars had such features given the average age of vehicles on the road was about 11 years. Kidsafe Victoria is also working on a low-speed runover prevention strategy. "I sincerely hope that the strategy is fruitful, and that Victoria will see a reduction in these tragic deaths," coroner Jamieson said. "The forthcoming requirement for new vehicles to be fitted with reversing sensors and/or cameras will hopefully aid to reduce the frequency of these deaths. "However, I also acknowledge the risk that drivers may become blase and become excessively reliant on these technologies. "It is therefore imperative that these standards are combined, so as to magnify their effect, with public education on the danger of low-speed runovers, particularly in domestic settings." The coroner said the death was a tragic accident and gave her condolences to the girl's parents. 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. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. 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As U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher looked ahead to the next Women’s World Cup in 2027, she calculated what that would look like at her age. Now 36, she already has a World Cup title and won an Olympic gold medal this year in France. She considered the mental, physical and emotional toll of a new cycle and decided it was time to step away . “Honestly, I think I’ve been somebody that has given everything I’ve had to this team. I don’t do anything halfway. It’s kind of, if you can give 100% to it, then keep going,” she said. “With that in mind, I kind of just felt like this was the right time coming off of the Olympics, having the year that we had, entering into a new cycle, a new stage for this team.” Naeher is the latest veteran to announce she’s stepping down from the national team as the next generation takes over under coach Emma Hayes. Among those who have wrapped up their soccer careers in the past couple of years include World Cup winners Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Kelley O’Hara and Ali Krieger. Naeher will be with the team for two more matches in the coming week. The Americans play England at Wembley Stadium on Saturday and then the Netherlands in The Hague on Tuesday. RELATED COVERAGE US defender Carter-Vickers scores own goal with no-look pass for Celtic in Champions League Red Star Belgrade and Sturm Graz end 4-game losing runs in Champions League Red Star’s on-loan forward Silas scores against his parent club Stuttgart in Champions League Naeher said she’s excited about the next generation of goalkeepers. In addition to Naeher, Mandy Haught of the Utah Royals and Phallon Tullis-Joyce of Manchester United are on the roster for the upcoming matches. Other goalkeepers who have been on recent rosters include Casey Murphy and Jane Campbell. “I think the beauty of goalkeeping is that it’s not really a one-size-fits-all kind of position,” she said. “The more that you can understand — that’s going to be the challenge any young goalkeeper coming up, is really taking the time to understand what your strengths are and make them really, really elite and separate yourself.” Naeher spoke on Wednesday from London after announcing her retirement on social media Monday . Naeher made her senior debut with the national team in 2014 and was a backup to Hope Solo at the 2015 World Cup, which the United States won. She became the team’s regular starter following the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and was on the squad that repeated as World Cup winners in 2019. Naeher won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 before the U.S. earned gold this year in Paris. She made a key one-handed save in stoppage time to preserve the Americans’ 1-0 victory over Brazil in the Olympic final. For her career, Naeher has appeared 113 games with 110 starts, 88 wins and 68 shutouts. She had four shutouts over the course of the Olympic tournament in France. While she’s leaving the national team, she’ll play one more year for her club team, the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League. “I hope that I can be remembered as a good teammate, as a competitor, as somebody that was looked on as someone that could be relied upon on the field and supported those players around me,” she said. “I think it’s just been a really special team to be a part of. And I’m very proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the years.” ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerDENVER — Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colorado, refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenet Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family's home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note was left behind. The gravesite of JonBenet Ramsey is covered with flowers Jan. 8, 1997, at St. James Episcopal Cemetery in Marietta, Ga. Andy Sharp, Atlanta Journal-Constitution JonBenet was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of JonBenet's killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series "Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey." People are also reading... In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenet, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. "What I can tell you though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come in to detectives," he said. The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the "media circus" surrounding the case. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack A police officer sits in her cruiser Jan. 3, 1997, outside the home in which 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered Dec. 26, 1996, in Boulder, Colo. David Zalubowski, Associated Press Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenet's clothing that pointed to the involvement of an "unexplained third party" in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys "victims of this crime." John Ramsey continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado's governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he advocated for several items that were not prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn't been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be "consumed" if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review ended but police continue to work through and evaluate a "lengthy list of recommendations" from the panel. True crime's popularity brings real change for defendants and society. It's not all good How The Monkees ended up with an FBI File | Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles podcast Stay up-to-date on what's happening

Police deny sitting on evidence as Netflix doc brings renewed attention to JonBenet Ramsey's killingFor organizations relying on Cisco switches running the NX-OS system, swift action is imperative to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability. Cisco has released a security advisory detailing the vulnerability and providing guidance on how to address the issue through software updates and configuration changes. It is crucial for network administrators to apply these patches promptly and review their network configurations to prevent unauthorized access.

In the world of football, the transfer market is always buzzing with excitement and speculation. Clubs are constantly on the lookout for talented players to bolster their squads and achieve success on the pitch. One phenomenon that has become increasingly common in recent years is the so-called "reverse poaching" or "reverse headhunting," where smaller teams seek to lure top talents away from bigger clubs.Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be differentThe case of the murder of the CEO of Mei Insurance has taken a significant turn as the suspect has been apprehended. The news of the high-profile crime has shocked the community and raised questions about the safety and security of individuals in positions of power.

Rural Residents in Sichuan Province Complain about Bumpy Village Roads, Urging for Repairs to Ease Difficulties in TravelIn response to the concerns raised, the German Railway Freight Company has reiterated that the layoffs are a necessary step to ensure the company's competitiveness and sustainability in a challenging industry environment. The company has committed to working closely with employees, unions, and other stakeholders to minimize the impact of the layoffs and help affected employees navigate this period of transition.

The decision to prohibit the sale of DJI and Da-Jiang drones in the U.S. marks a significant escalation in the ongoing battle over the control and regulation of emerging technologies. It underscores the need for governments to be vigilant in assessing the potential risks associated with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and other advanced technologies that could be exploited for malicious purposes.

In the midst of uncertainty and doubt, one thing remained clear – the need for compassion, understanding, and unity in the face of adversity. As the villagers rallied together in search of answers, they found strength in their shared humanity and a common desire to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic presence of the lost female master's graduate. Only time will tell what the outcome of this mysterious incident will be, but one thing is certain – the bonds of community and resilience within the village will endure, guiding them towards a resolution that honors both truth and compassion.Goalkeeper:

In the nine matches he has played so far this season, Till has accumulated a total of 292 minutes on the pitch. While he is yet to find the back of the net or provide an assist, his performances have not gone unnoticed. His dynamic style of play and ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates have set him apart as a player to watch in the future.

In conclusion, the final batch of new car declarations for this year has brought several heavyweight models to the forefront, showcasing the diversity and innovation of the automotive industry. As manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of design and technology, consumers can look forward to an exciting array of vehicles that cater to their preferences and demands. The future of the automotive industry is bright, with these new models leading the way towards a more sustainable and advanced automotive landscape.On the global front, China's deepening integration into the world economy has played a significant role in shaping its economic landscape in 2024. The country's active participation in international trade, investment, and infrastructure projects, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, has expanded its global influence and connectivity. This has not only driven export growth but also facilitated the transfer of technology, knowledge, and resources, supporting China's economic development.

Bayern Munich's young sensation Till has been making waves in the football world in the current season. The 19-year-old prodigy has shown promising signs of potential, despite his lack of goals and assists in the first nine matches of the season.Mr. Zhang, the owner of a furniture factory in a small town, has been in the industry for over two decades. Over the years, he accumulated a wealth of experience in woodworking and furniture production. However, he also faced a growing challenge of dealing with the mounting piles of wood waste and straw generated during the manufacturing process. Determined to find a sustainable solution, Mr. Zhang embarked on a journey of exploration and innovation.Low-temperature burns, also known as scalds, occur when the skin comes into contact with substances or surfaces that are below the boiling point of water. While we often associate burns with heat sources like fire or hot objects, it is important to remember that burns can also occur at lower temperatures. In the case of a hot water bottle, the temperature of the water inside may not be enough to cause immediate pain or redness but can still lead to damage to the skin if left in contact for a prolonged period.

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Here are some quick-hitting notes from the availability: » Virginia Tech had four quarterbacks going through drills during the open portion of practice. Pop Watson and Davi Belfort were getting the first reps, followed by walk-ons Jackson Sigler and Ben Locklear . Kyron Drones and Collin Schlee were not on the practice field while in “treatment protocol,” according to Hokies coach Brent Pry . Pry and Bowen both said they are preparing four quarterbacks this week. Drones and Schlee will likely go back and forth between treatment and the practice field, while Watson and Belfort get the bulk of the on-field reps. “We’re preparing multiple guys to play, we’re preparing four guys to play right now. And I was impressed with the young guys today at practice,” Bowen said Tuesday. “We’ve got a lot of growth to do in that room. We’ll see where we get to from a health standpoint by the time we reach Saturday, but it’s certainly a challenge getting that many guys ready to play. There are only so many reps at practice, but I don’t view it as a challenge in a negative way but in a positive way with opportunities and we can kind of shape a game plan around what people’s strengths are and have multiple versions of that and see where we get by Saturday.” » Watson appeared in two games in 2023 and made two appearances this season before playing for three quarters last weekend at Duke. Pry said Watson gained “good film” by being thrown into the fire for the first time at Tech. He completed 12 of 25 passes for 146 yards and one interception, and he was credited with minus-4 rushing yards because of being sacked seven times. Watson, with the game experience, will have a better understanding of what he needs in the game plan. “You’ve got to think, he’s played sparingly here and there, a lot of it being mop-up time last year. A little bit this year. To see him in live action when the game’s on the line and you’re in the flow of the game, you’ve got the full game plan at your disposal when you’re playing quarterback,” Bowen said. “I thought it was good to see him and his confidence in that. I didn’t think the moment was too big. Then I think now you go down from that, that’s a big piece of it. You don’t find that out about a quarterback until you get in the game. Then the next piece of it is, OK, well where is our process in the decision-making and that stays true in the game. And those are the things that certainly I think need to get a lot better to play winning football on offense at the quarterback position.” » Belfort has spent most of the season serving as the scout team quarterback. Defensive players have raved about Belfort’s speed and what he’s brought to preparing the starting defense for the opposing quarterbacks. Belfort has moved up to No. 2 quarterback this week and will need to be ready in case Watson has to exit the game and both Drones and Schlee aren’t available. “He’s really improved his speed. Davi’s very conscientious. Good decision-maker. Still coming along in a lot of ways, he’s a young guy. But Davi puts in the work. He’s prepared. He’s prepared like a starter all year,” Bowen said. “We have the quarterbacks go through, if you’re not the two guys, there’s a lot of time invested in that position during the week. Way more above and beyond what the normal required hours are in meetings and things like that. And what Davi’s done, what we have those young quarterbacks do, they do scouting reports every week on the opponent to really keep them in the game, to teach them how to watch film. Both myself and Coach Crist, that’s a crucial part of their development. It’s not just seeing the film and understanding the defense and understanding the game plan. It’s understanding how to do those things. You don’t do those things at that level in high school. So he’s done that all year, as well as Pop, as well as Jackson and Ben, and I think that’s kept them in the flow. I think he does a really good job of, although not getting the reps, of going through the mental process as though he’s going to play. And I think that makes it easy when you’re getting some reps in practice, whether that be with the twos or the threes, it makes that transition a little bit easier.” » Keli Lawson rotated between Will and Star linebacker in last weekend’s game at Duke. He had five tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss while backing up Caleb Woodson at Will and Keonta Jenkins at Star. Lawson played at Star during the 2022 season before moving to Will and playing inside the box during the 2023 campaign. Jenkins and Kaleb Spencer had been the primary Star linebackers through 10 weeks. “He can cover a lot of ground. We joke he can reach the Lane Stadium lights from the practice field with his arms as long as he is,” Quinn said of Lawson. “He covers a lot of ground when you bring him on a pressure. He is deceptively fast and, as long as he is, he’s able to stay off blocks a lot of times. He’s got such a great wingspan that when he gets into windows of throws and things like that, he does a really nice job. But is it nice having long, tall guys that can run. Obviously we’ve tried to recruit those kind of guys to the position if you look at him, Keonta, Gabe Williams and the body types. That’s the type of guys we want to play with.” » Jenkins delivered what could have been a potential game-altering play with less than two minutes remaining against the Blue Devils. Jenkins punched the ball out of Star Thomas' grasp, and defensive end Cole Nelson recovered it to give the Hokies a chance to potentially tie the game in the final minutes. "When I caused the fumble, it kind of surprised me. I seen the ball, I seen it laying on the ground, I for sure thought it was a scoop-and-score. That’s what I was hoping," Jenkins said. "That’s kind of what I wanted. I was disappointed in anything else. But we got the ball and got our offense a chance to go out there and score. I was happy that I made a play, but I really wish it was a scoop-and-score to win the game." » Tailback Bhayshul Tuten originally injured his left ankle late in the Hokies’ win over Georgia Tech and aggravated the injury two weeks later against Clemson. The setbacks derailed Tuten’s special season that had vaulted him into consideration for All-America status. He could have opted out for the remainder of the season and turned his attention to a professional career, but elected to finish out the season with the Hokies. “Just finishing with my guys. Since winter we’ve been grinding out to finish the season strong, and that’s my goal to stick by my brothers and not give up so early because of a little bang up,” Tuten said. “I’ve got time to heal after the season, so I’d rather finish out the last couple of games for the year and take a couple of weeks off to get healthy.” » Tuten rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown last week at Duke to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. He became the 19th player in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. “Definitely a big achievement. I didn’t get to hit it last year, so coming in with the year I’ve had this year, definitely a great feeling,” Tuten said. “That’s a team goal for the offense. The O-line did their thing. It’s not just a goal for me, but it’s a goal for everyone. When I accomplished that goal, it’s a team effort.” » Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw has shifted focus to defense in recent weeks. The Graham High School product arrived at Tech as a slot receiver and he served as Jaylin Lane ’s primary backup last season, but he fell on the depth chart behind Lane, Ayden Greene and Takye Heath this season. Turner-Bradshaw was seen warming up with the defensive backs prior to last weekend’s game at Duke. “We started messing with it a few weeks back. You know, like all these skill guys, if it’s not working out on one side, you want to give them a shot on the other,” Pry said at his Tuesday press conference. “Right now, he’s embraced it. He’s giving it a go. He’s got great speed and quickness. It’s hard, whether you’re covering the receiver in the slot or out to the big field. You need a really good skill set to do that, and he has that, as far as speed and quickness. So we’ll give him a shot at it and see where it goes.” » Freshman Quentin Reddish did not play for the first time since the season opener. Pry said Reddish was injured and it came down to a “pregame decision” for him to not play. Reddish wore No. 25 for the game. Reddish’s injury meant Devin Alves got his most extensive playing time as the third safety. He primarily played at field safety with Jaylen Jones dealing with an undisclosed injury. “He dressed for the game and the medical staff didn’t feel good about him going, so he didn’t play at all,” Pry said of Reddish. “Devin got some snaps, did a nice job in pass coverage. Got a couple guys on the ground in perimeter tackling. We didn’t ask him to do much down in the box, but I thought from a coverage standpoint he did fine.”

Britain's leader Keir Starmer makes his first trip to the Gulf as prime minister from Sunday, seeking to attract investment from the region's oil-rich states, Downing Street announced. Starmer will first visit the United Arab Emirates and then travel to Saudi Arabia, before stopping off in Cyprus on his way back to London on Tuesday in a bid "to build closer ties and drive long term UK growth". The trip to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh comes as his Labour government pursues a free-trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council's six nations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. "There is huge untapped potential in this region, which is why, while here, I will be making the case to accelerate progress on the Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement," Starmer said in a statement released Saturday. The meetings will also aim to "deepen our research and development collaboration" and partner on projects in areas including defence and artificial intelligence, Starmer added. The British leader will land in the UAE on Sunday evening, ahead of Monday morning talks with its president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Later Monday, Starmer will fly to Saudi Arabia to meet Riyadh's de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who last week hosted French President Emmanuel Macron. A Downing Street press release called the UAE and Saudi "some of the UK's most vital modern-day partners". The regional tour will end on Tuesday with Starmer meeting President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia, the first bilateral talks between the leaders of Britain and Cyprus in over five decades. Starmer is also due to address British troops stationed in Cyprus. Labour has staked its credibility on a promise to get Britain's sluggish economy firing again. It says a GCC agreement could boost bilateral trade, currently accounting for £55 billion ($70 bn) of UK trade, by 16 percent, "potentially adding an extra £8.6 billion a year in the long run". It hopes a deal would see Gulf sovereign wealth funds invest in a range of sectors, including energy and infrastructure, while also opening up lucrative markets to British firms. Starmer's trip comes after Britain last week rolled out the diplomatic red carpet for Qatar's emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani who enjoyed a state visit to the UK. Starmer discussed trade with the royal during talks in Downing Street that coincided with Qatar announcing it will invest £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in British climate technologies. Discussing regional conflicts is expected to be "high up the agenda", including the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon and renewed unrest in Syria. Starmer will also be looking to repair relations between the UK and UAE that soured under the previous Conservative government after an Abu Dhabi-backed bid to buy the Telegraph newspaper failed. The Gulf visit will be Starmer's 15th international trip since he entered Number 10 on July 5. Opponents have criticised the amount of time he has spent out of the country but allies insist the trips have been vital to get to know other world leaders. Starmer, 61, has been insisting in capitals that "Britain is back on the world stage" following rancour over its departure from the European Union. pdh/aks/jjNone

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Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. 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.” Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game for the 49ers with a shoulder injury SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn’t improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Coach Kyle Shanahan said star defensive end Nick Bosa also will miss the game with injuries to his left hip and oblique. Left tackle Trent Williams is questionable with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision. Red Bull brings wrong rear wing to Las Vegas in mistake that could stall Verstappen's title chances LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen is suddenly in jeopardy of being denied a fourth consecutive Formula 1 title Saturday night. Red Bull apparently brought the wrong rear wing to Las Vegas and GPS data showed its two cars to be significantly slower on the straights than both McLaren and Mercedes, which led both practice sessions. Red Bull says it doesn’t have a replacement rear wing in Las Vegas to fix the issue and little chance of getting two flown in from England ahead of the race. Lawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probe PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A lawyer for former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller says the 22-year-old sat for a long interview with the NCAA amid an investigation into unusual gambling activity. But neither the lawyer nor federal law enforcement officials on Friday would confirm reports that a federal probe is now under way. Lawyer Jason Bologna says Miller cooperated because he hopes to play again. Miller was released last month after transferring to Virginia Tech. Temple President John Fry says the Philadelphia school has not been asked for any information from federal law enforcement officials. Caitlin Clark to join Cincinnati bid for 16th National Women's Soccer League team WNBA star Caitlin Clark has joined Cincinnati’s bid for an expansion National Women’s Soccer League team. Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati is heading the group vying to bring a women’s pro team to the city. The club issued a statement confirming Clark had joined the bid group. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league plans to announce the league’s 16th team by the end of the year. The league's 15th team will begin play in 2026 in Boston. 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. Aaron Judge won't be bothered if Juan Soto gets bigger contract from Yankees than his $360M deal NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge won’t be bothered if Juan Soto gets a bigger deal from the New York Yankees than the captain’s $360 million, nine-year contract. Speaking a day after he was a unanimous winner of his second MVP, Judge says “It ain’t my money” and adds "that’s never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most.” Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks in his first season with the Yankees, then became a free agent at age 26.Gary Neville aims playful dig at Pep Guardiola after Salford draw struggling Man City in FA CupNoneConsumers in the United States scoured the internet for online deals as they looked to take advantage of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon with Cyber Monday. Even though e-commerce is now part and parcel of many people's regular routines and the holiday shopping season, Cyber Monday — a term coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation — has become the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created to fuel it. Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopping, expected consumers to spend $13.2 billion Monday — a record, and 6.1% more than last year. That would make it the biggest shopping day for e-commerce for the season — and the year. Online spending was expected to peak between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday night, per Adobe — reaching an estimated $15.7 million spent every minute. For several major retailers, a Cyber Monday sale is a dayslong event that began over the Thanksgiving weekend. An Amazon Prime delivery person lifts packages while making a stop Nov. 28, 2023, in Denver. Amazon kicked off its sales event right after midnight Pacific time on Saturday. Target's two days of discount offers on its website and app began overnight Sunday. Walmart rolled out its Cyber Monday offers for Walmart+ members Sunday afternoon and opened it up to all customers three hours later, at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Consumer spending for Cyber Week — the five major shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday — provides a strong indication of how much shoppers are willing to spend for the holidays. Many U.S. consumers continue to experience sticker shock after the period of post-pandemic inflation, which left prices for many goods and services higher than they were three years ago. But retail sales nonetheless remain strong, and the economy kept growing at a healthy pace. At the same time, credit card debt and delinquencies are rising. More shoppers than ever are also on track to use "buy now, pay later" plans this holiday season, which allows them to delay payments on holiday decor, gifts and other items. Many economists also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs next year on foreign goods coming into the United States would lead to higher prices on everything from food to clothing to automobiles. A FedEx delivery person carries a package from a truck Nov. 17, 2022, in Denver. The National Retail Federation expects holiday shoppers to spend more this year both in stores and online than last year. But the pace of spending growth will slow slightly, the trade group said, growing 2.5% to 3.5% — compared to 3.9% in 2023. A clear sense of consumer spending patterns during the holiday season won't emerge until the government releases sales data for the period, but some preliminary data from other sources shows some encouraging signs for retailers. Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, noted that discounts from Thanksgiving onward "exceeded expectations" and online spending throughout Cyber Week is on track to cross a record $40 billion mark combined. U.S. shoppers spent $10.8 billion online on Black Friday, a 10.2% increase over last year, according to Adobe Analytics. That's also more than double what consumers spent in 2017, when Black Friday pulled in about $5 billion in online sales. Consumers also spent a record $6.1 billion online on Thanksgiving Day, Adobe said. Meanwhile, software company Salesforce, which also tracks online shopping, estimated that Black Friday online sales totaled $17.5 billion in the U.S. and $74.4 billion globally. Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks in-person and online spending, reported that overall Black Friday sales excluding automotive rose 3.4% from a year ago. A United Parcel Service driver sorts deliveries July 15, 2023, on New York's Upper West Side. E-commerce platform Shopify said its merchants raked in a record $5 billion in sales worldwide on Black Friday. At its peak, sales reached $4.6 million per minute — with top categories by volume including clothing, cosmetics and fitness products, according to the Canadian company. Toys, electronics, home goods, self-care and beauty categories were among the key drivers of holiday spending on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to Adobe. "Hot products" included Lego sets, espresso machines, fitness trackers, makeup and skin care. Other data showed physical stores saw fewer customers on Black Friday, underscoring how the huge crowds that were once synonymous with the day after Thanksgiving are now more than happy to shop from the comfort of their homes. RetailNext, which measures real-time foot traffic in stores, said its early data showed store traffic on Friday was down 3.2% in the U.S. compared to last year, with the biggest dip happening in the Midwest. Sensormatic Solutions, which also tracks store traffic, said its preliminary analysis showed retail store traffic on Black Friday was down 8.2% compared to 2023. Grant Gustafson, head of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic Solutions, noted that in-store traffic was getting spread across multiple days since many retailers offered generous discounts before and after Black Friday. "Some of the extended Black Friday promotions really ended up leading to a little bit of a softer day-of traffic than expected," Gustafson said. In 2024, staying small on purpose seems to be paying off big for small businesses. They're keeping operations small and targeting niche, highly specialized customers. And some business owners find this strategy results in more time, energy, and money to intentionally capitalize on unique, small cap opportunities. The data tells the story of growth in small businesses for the year. According to NEXT , the Small Business Administration (SBA) reports awarding 38,000 SBA 7(a) loans under $150,000: double the amount they awarded in 2020. Here are the related small-business trends paying off in 2024. Commercial real estate agent Ryan Beckenhauer of Market Real Estate in Boulder, Colorado, has noticed that small businesses are growing smaller, and that their office and warehouse spaces are starting to reflect that as they shop for business space. In commercial real estate, many small business owners gravitate toward industrial condos and other flexible spaces. These are small-scale industrial spaces with a 90:10 or 80:20 split of warehouse to office. "More individuals are leveraging skills acquired at larger organizations to venture out on their own," explains Beckenhauer. And he goes on to say that they don't need a large commercial space as they make that leap to start a business. His clients include engineers, consultants, builders and other tradespeople. Beckenhauer's clients like the flexibility of being out of an office and being close to their inventory and workshop space. "The clients want to see and touch the finishes," he says. Small business owners both rent or buy these spaces. But he's seeing his clients opt to own industrial condos to stabilize costs due to rent increases in Boulder. And because these spaces are smaller, it can be easier for new buyers to qualify for financing. Mariana Alvarez, owner of Controller Works , an online bookkeeping and advisory firm, has noticed that small business owners outsource financial support services because they don't want to increase headcount. "Outsourcing gives them the possibility of having access to the knowledge and the skills of a CFO without having to pay for the salary," she says. "They don't have to manage or deal with the workload, employment taxes , and all that comes with it," says Alvarez. Additionally, many small business owners in fields like construction are family-owned, and this makes it easier for business owners to hand off delicate financial work to a trusted person with financial experience. Every small business has recurring tasks that can benefit from some level of artificial intelligence automation . And Alvarez sees a lot of value in using AI for small business bookkeeping. She explains that you can automate the data entry on Quickbooks. "When you create rules, as long as you create the rules correctly, it pretty much does itself," says Alvarez. From there, you can lean on financial experts to help you analyze the data and make more informed decisions. She uses AI as a background resource when guiding her accounting clients. "I believe that we still need the human-to-human interaction that comes with more perspective for financial analysis," she explains. According to the SBA , 77% of consumers feel that human interaction is still required for a positive customer experience. People turn to small businesses every day for a human experience. According to Arvind Rongala, CEO of Edstellar , small business workers can show up for their customers but still use AI for routine tasks like customer queries. "This balance allows companies to scale their operations without losing the personal touch that makes them unique. It's important to remember that AI isn't there to replace the human element—it's there to enhance it," he says. "By really focusing on one very small weakness that Amazon has, I've been able to carve out a successful business by offering something different," says Lou Harvey owner of Tank Retailer , a retailer of commercial water and fuel tanks. "When you read our customer reviews, many of them actually mention me by name because of how much we focus on customer service and go the extra mile." One of Harvey's most successful business strategies this year has been to lean into his small, niche market and offer the kind of customer experience that large retailers like Amazon don't. "Any small weaknesses that Amazon has (however small those weaknesses may be) needs to become a strength of a smaller business focusing on a niche market," says Harvey. Harvey has his company's customer service phone number front and center on the website to help earn customer trust. "I prominently feature our phone number, and a real person always answers the phone (usually it's me)," says Harvey. Lucie Voves, CEO and founder of Church Hill Classics , an online, woman-owned diploma framing company that uses sustainable materials, has noticed an uptick in customers seeking services from a business on a mission. "This year, we've seen a growing inclination for consumers to actively seek out and support small businesses owned by women and minorities," says Voves. When consumers shop small, they choose to make their dollars count. "Customers are fueled by a desire to promote social impact through purchasing power," says Voves. Long gone are the days of online retailers "building it and they will come." In 2024 we've seen more small businesses than ever turn to social commerce to sell directly on social media platforms like Instagram Shopping , Facebook Marketplace , and TikTok . Small business owners are turning toward influencers, social media ads, and organic content to target their customers. Mike Vannelli of Envy Creative creates online ads for businesses, and he has seen his clients succeed on TikTok of late. "I've seen businesses, especially in retail, use TikTok's short-form video format to make their products go viral. Think of it as word-of-mouth marketing on steroids," says Vannelli. He uses the platform's algorithm to push a company's content to the right audiences, and it works because TikTok loves storytelling. "I know small brands that use behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, and even playful challenges that tap into trends to humanize their products and build trust," explains Vannelli. To stand out on TikTok, he says, smaller brands need to embrace authenticity and emotional connection. Show your team, share your journey, and involve your community in content creation. This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Who is Lucas Kinney? The British jihadist who is now at the very heart of new Syrian regime By NEIL SEARS Published: 22:31, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 22:47, 9 December 2024 e-mail View comments A British convert may have found himself at the heart of Syria 's rebel ruling force after impressing leaders with his communications skills. Lucas Kinney, from Surrey, became a key player of the extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham after proving his worth over social media in a hard-hitting social media campaign. Kinney gained extra notoriety for his online videos because as well as carrying an AK-47 over his shoulder, he had a toothbrush amid the ammo. Viewers joked 'don't forget your toothbrush'. He was the first white British convert known to have joined the jihad in Syria, the only one in the now triumphant group. But there is some doubt about whether he has survived the vicious fighting and his parents back hom in London last night have refused to comment on his whereabouts. Kinney was born in Hammersmith, west London, the son of American Patrick Kinney, now 68 and living in Florida , and British mother Deborah, now 62. Patrick worked with Steven Spielberg on films including Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade and Empire of the Sun. A British convert may have found himself at the heart of Syria 's rebel ruling force after impressing leaders with his communications skills. Lucas Kinney (pictured here age 13) became a key player of the extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Kinney gained extra notoriety for his online videos because as well as carrying an AK-47 over his shoulder, he had a toothbrush amid the ammo. Viewers joked 'don't forget your toothbrush'. Pictured: A still from online propaganda video showing Kinney after he joined Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Kinney's parents divorced when he was at a catholic primary school in Surrey, and his mother, now Deborah Phipps, lives with her second husband in the West Country. Kinney received Holy Communion as a teenage Catholic and talked of becoming a priest while at private school. But he started going to a mosque - then travelled to the Middle East to take up a Kalashnikov against dictator Bashar al-Assad, boasting about it in propaganda videos. The group he joined in 2013 was an offshoot of Osama bin Laden's feared Al Qaeda, the Nusra Front. It changed its name to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - which on Sunday entered Damascus in triumph as hated Assad fled. Kinney's stepfather, who lives in a honeyed stone cottage on the west country, refused to speak to the Daily Mail about the jihadi convert. But Kinney - who had taken the nom de guerre Abu Basir al-Britani - was last reported to be living in the countryside in Idlib province, north west Syria, in 2018, with a wife and two children. If still alive, he is 35. Kinney's parents divorced when he was at a catholic primary school in Surrey, and his mother, now Deborah Phipps, lives with her second husband in the West Country. This image is from Kinney's old social media account Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2015, Mrs Phipps told of her fears he could be killed by an RAF drone strike or Russian bombardment, saying: 'Lucas is a target. I'm glad he's associated with Al Qaeda rather than Islamic State, but obviously I worry. 'On Mother's Day last year I spoke to his father and he told me he thought our son was dead because there was a picture of him on the internet lying on a bed in Syria and you couldn't tell if he was alive. 'We found out he had been struck by a mortar so his arm basically was hanging off. He had to have a big operation and said he wouldn't be able to fight for 18 months.' She went on: 'I don't get anything for months, then an email, and think, 'Well, at least he's still alive'. 'We just want him home. If he's done something wrong I'd like him to accept the consequences.' After attending a Catholic primary in Surrey, Kinney lived in Cairo, where his stepfather was working, attending the elite private Modern English School. He grew his hair long, dyed it red, played electric guitar in a rock band called Hannah's Got Herpes - and posted pictures of scantily clad girls on Facebook. Kinney - who had taken the nom de guerre Abu Basir al-Britani - was last reported to be living in the countryside in Idlib province, north west Syria, in 2018, with a wife and two children. If still alive, he is 35. This image is another still from a propaganda video Kinney began Middle Eastern Studies with Arabic at Leeds University in 2009 but dropped out after a year. He went to live with his father in Vienna, and there appears to have been radicalised. Mrs Phipps said: 'I don't think he became involved in Islam at university. He liked drinking and smoking and girls, all things they can't do. Read More EXCLUSIVE: British son of Hollywood movie director, 26, is revealed as bloodthirsty star of al-Qaeda propaganda videos after converting from Catholicism and smuggling himself to Syria 'When Lucas went to Vienna - that was where everything changed. 'We used to talk on Skype so we could see him - he had a beard and the robes. 'His father said, 'His religion is very important to him'.' Then Mrs Phipps suddenly heard from her son in Syria, saying of his emails: 'He kept using koranic phrases. and wants everyone to convert. Special Branch has been in touch of course.' In 2016, Kinney was considering volunteering for a suicide mission, telling a western journalist: 'My dream is to make martyrdom operation. God willing.' Two years later however he was reported to still be in Idlib, but with his wife and two children. There were so many Britons there Jaffa Cakes, Maltesers, Smarties and Rolos were stocked in shops. Whether they have kept him alive for the victory he sacrificed his life in the west for remains to be seen. Syria London Share or comment on this article: Who is Lucas Kinney? The British jihadist who is now at the very heart of new Syrian regime e-mail Add commentChecking in with Bachelor Nation favorites during the holidaysIt's been one month since the U.S. presidential election. And while Republicans and President-elect Donald Trump have been busy setting up a new White House administration, Democrats have spent the past four weeks trying to diagnose why they lost and how to move forward as a party. One person who thinks he has an answer to that is Ben Wikler, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. He's now running to become the new chairman of the national Democratic National Comittee because he says it's time to reassess what matters most to voters. RELATED STORY | DNC chair slams Bernie Sanders' criticism of Democratic Party "There's clearly a lot that we need to learn about what just happened, but one thing that jumps out is that a lot of voters who were taking it on the chin with high prices — frustrated by those prices — weren't hearing from either campaign and were voting for change," Wikler told Scripps News. "Well those voters, I think that we have a chance to reach out to them and say 'look, Democrats actually want to fight for an economy that works for working people and Trump wants to give multi-trillion tax cuts to billionaires at your expense. And that is a message we know can win because it's won downballot, it won in 2018, and it won in 2006 when George W. Bush tried to privatize social security." Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is currently hearing a potentially landmark case on gender affirming care for minors — which has been a big point for Democrats to campaign on. But a Scripps News/YouGov poll released early this year showed that more Americans support than oppose laws aimed at restricting transgender care for minors. RELATED STORY | Scripps News poll: Americans largely support restricting trans rights Wikler told Scripps News that if he were to be named chair of the DNC, it's a no-brainer that he'd support American's right to make their own private medical decisions without worrying about government intervention. "Republicans want to talk about trans issues and go on the attack against trans people because that is their way of trying to divide the public," he said. "People do disagree about this. Republicans want to focus on that disagreement and use attacks on trans people in order to distract folks from the big legislation that they are planning right now — which is a multi-trillion dollar tax cut for billionaires." "Democrats are always going to fight for people to have their basic personal freedom," Wikler continued. "And at the same time, we're going to fight against those who want to dismantle the federal government and the programs like social security and medicare and medicaid that people rely on for their their basic needs and health care." You can watch Scripps News' full interview with Ben Wikler in the video player above.

PATEL: How To Fix Big Tech’s Favorite Broken Immigration Policy

Houston's Al-Shaair apologizes for hit on Jacksonville's Lawrence that led to concussion HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair took to X to apologize to Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence after his violent blow to the quarterback’s facemask led to him being carted off the field with a concussion. Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win on Sunday. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback. In the long post, Al-Shaair says "To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening.” Jets are sticking with struggling Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers will remain the New York Jets’ starting quarterback despite speculation the team could bench him in what has been a disappointing season. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said during a video call that he still believes Rodgers, who turned 41 on Monday, gives the Jets their best chance to win. Rodgers was 21 of 39 for 185 yards and touchdown passes to Davante Adams and Isaiah Davis but also had an interception returned 92 yards for a touchdown by Leonard Williams in the Jets’ 26-21 loss to Seattle on Sunday. Hall of Famer Randy Moss reveals he's 'battling something' internal and asks for prayers Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss revealed he’s dealing with a health issue and asked fans to pray for him and his family. The 47-year-old ESPN football analyst made the announcement on Instagram from the set of the network’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” show. He directed his message to men and urged them to get checkups and bloodwork done, without specifying for any particular illness. Moss explained why he’s been wearing tinted sunglasses, saying, “I’m battling something, man, and it’s something internal, your boy is going to get through it.” College playoff bracket offers last dress rehearsal and one more chance to see where the SEC stands The next set of College Football Playoff rankings will be released Tuesday night under heavy scrutiny before the final bracket is set on Sunday. It will be one last chance to see just how much the selection committee loves the Southeastern Conference. The best gauge will be whether Miami, which suffered its second loss over the weekend, is placed behind any or all three SEC teams with three losses — Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina, all of which are coming off wins. Whatever happens, the SEC is likely to have at least five teams in the 12-team field when the final bracket comes out. Mollie Marcoux Samaan stepping down as LPGA commissioner after 3 1/2 years of record prize money Mollie Marcoux Samaan is leaving after more than three years as LPGA commissioner. In a surprise announcement Monday, Marcoux Samaan says she will step down in January, just three weeks before the LPGA starts its 75th season. Liz Moore is the chief legal and technology officer. She'll be serving as interim commissioner until a search committee can find a permanent replacement. Marcoux Samaan was the athletic director at Princeton when she took over the LPGA in May 2021. Prize money has soared during her tenure. She also has faced criticism for the LPGA not gaining in popularity during a rise in women's sports. Kansas holds off Auburn for No. 1 in AP Top 25 as SEC grabs 3 of top 4 spots; UConn slides to No. 25 Kansas continues to hold the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. Auburn is pushing the Jayhawks in the latest poll after winning the Maui Invitational and checked in at No. 2. Two-time reigning national champion UConn nearly fell out entirely after an 0-3 week at Maui, falling from No. 2 to 25th. The Southeastern Conference had three of the top four teams with No. 3 Tennessee and No. 4 Kentucky behind the Tigers. The poll featured six new teams, headlined by No. 13 Oregon, No. 16 Memphis and No. 18 Pittsburgh. TCU, Duke climb into top 10, Notre Dame drops in women's AP Top 25; UCLA and UConn remain 1-2 TCU has its best ranking ever in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll after a convincing win over Notre Dame. The Horned Frogs jumped eight spots to No. 9, the first time the school has ever been in the top 10. The Fighting Irish, who were third last week, fell seven spots to 10th after losses to TCU and Utah. UCLA remained No. 1, followed by UConn, South Carolina, Texas and LSU. USC, Maryland and Duke are next. USC QB Miller Moss enters transfer portal after losing starting job to Jayden Maiava LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California quarterback Miller Moss is entering the transfer portal after losing the Trojans’ starting job last month. Moss started the Trojans’ bowl victory last season and their first nine games this season before coach Lincoln Riley replaced him with Jayden Maiava in early November. Moss signed with USC before Riley arrived at the school. Moss also stayed after Caleb Williams transferred from Oklahoma to rejoin Riley, and he served as Williams’ backup for two seasons before getting his chance to play with six touchdown passes in last year’s Holiday Bowl. Michael Andretti's Formula 1 dream comes to bittersweet fruition without his involvement Michael Andretti has been sidelined from his namesake motorsports organization and won’t have any role with the Formula 1 program he spent the last four years desperately trying to launch. His effort to get a program partnered with General Motors into F1 was approved last week, a month after he stepped aside from his teams. F1’s decision to expand its grid for Cadillac F1 came amidst a federal antitrust investigation into why Liberty Media refused to admit Andretti Global and after Andretti partners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter claimed controlling interest of the fledgling effort. Ryan Poles to remain Bears general manager and lead search for new head coach LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears president Kevin Warren said Ryan Poles will remain the general manager and serve as the point person in the search for a head coach to replace the fired Matt Eberflus. He says Poles will have the “final say” if the two have differing opinions on who should get the job. Chicago had never fired a coach during a season. But a six-game losing streak marked by questionable coaching decisions spurred the founding NFL franchise to change course. The Bears let Eberflus go Friday and replaced him on an interim basis with offensive coordinator Thomas Brown.

The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on the founder of Georgia’s ruling political party, which has steered the country away from a pro-Western stance and towards Russia, US officials said. The US State and Treasury departments said they hit Georgian Dream party founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili with penalties “for undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation”, according to a statement. The designation of Mr Ivanishvili is the latest in a series of sanctions the US has placed on Georgian politicians and others this year. Those sanctions include freezes on assets and properties those targeted may have in US jurisdictions or that might enter US jurisdictions as well as travel bans on the targets and members of their families. “We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including its ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures,” the State Department said in a statement. “The United States is committed to promoting accountability for those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia.” Mr Ivanishvili is a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia and served briefly as Georgia’s prime minister. In 2012, he founded Georgian Dream, Georgia’s longtime ruling party. Critics have accused Georgian Dream of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted towards Moscow. The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBT+ rights, prompting the European Union to suspend Georgia’s membership application process indefinitely. In October, Georgian Dream won another term in a divisive parliamentary election that has led to more mass protests. Last month, the country’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced a four-year suspension of talks on Georgia’s bid to join the European Union, fuelling further public outrage.

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