234w ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday announced that from December 31, no Afghan nationals will be allowed to stay in Islamabad without a No Objection Certificate (NOC). Speaking to the media during a visit to the ongoing construction of an underpass at F-8, Naqvi reaffirmed the government’s stance on regulating foreign nationals in the capital. “After December 31, anyone from Afghanistan without an NOC will be required to leave Islamabad,” Naqvi said, highlighting the government’s increased vigilance over foreign residents in the city. Addressing the aftermath of the recent protests, Naqvi dismissed claims about numerous fatalities circulating on social media. “There is a lot of noise about bodies in hospitals, but no one is giving specifics. I asked the protesters to provide the name of even one person who died. Their embarrassment is evident as they struggle to name anyone,” he said. The Interior Minister emphasised that a comprehensive report on the protests would soon be submitted to the High Court. Meanwhile, Islamabad appears to be returning to normal after the chaos caused by the protests. “The city is on track, with rapid progress on the F-9 road and underpass,” Naqvi added. Following the visit, the Minister and Punjab Rangers DG, Major General Mohammad Atif bin Akram, toured PIMS Hospital to meet with security personnel injured during the protests. The officials visited the injured officers from Rangers, FC, and the police, praising their bravery. “You are the heroes of the nation,” Naqvi said, commending their courage in thwarting the violent protests. “We are proud of you for maintaining patience and composure in the face of adversity.” The Minister also ensured that the injured personnel would receive the best possible medical treatment. Over 900 PTI workers arrested in three days: IG Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, announced on Wednesday that a total of 954 protesters have been arrested over the past three days, with 610 of those arrests occurring just on Tuesday. The arrests were part of the law enforcement response to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests in the capital. Speaking at a press conference alongside the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, IGP Rizvi reported the seizure of more than 200 vehicles and 39 different types of weapons, including Kalashnikovs, 12-bore guns, and other firearms, from protesters during the demonstration. “We have video evidence showing armed protesters advancing with masks on their faces,” Rizvi stated, highlighting the seriousness of the unrest. Additionally, the IGP revealed that out of 71 individuals reported as injured during the protests, 52 were law enforcement personnel. He further explained that protesters had employed large fans to blow tear gas fumes back towards security forces, intensifying the confrontation. He emphasised that all roads leading to and from Islamabad are open, and routine activities are continuing without disruption. “No one will be allowed to challenge the state’s authority,” he asserted. While containers have been removed, patrolling and security checks will continue at key locations. “Outsiders will not be allowed to stay in Islamabad without security clearance,” Muhammad Ali Randhawa reiterated. He also noted that protesters attacked journalists, prompting authorities to move the media from the area. “Fuel pumps were temporarily shut down due to concerns that they might be set on fire.” Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );MANCHESTER UNITED'S legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson has finally lost his long-standing Champions League record. Real Madrid gaffer Carlo Ancelotti took charge of a record 215th game in Europe 's top-flight - surpassing Ferguson's tally of 214 managed. 5 Sir Alex Ferguson has lost his long-running record for the most games managed in the Champions League 5 Carlo Ancelotti has now managed a record 115 games in Europe's top-flight Ancelotti - who holds the record for most Champions League titles won - has now eclipsed Fergie 's 11-year record. Of Ferguson's 214 European nights, 194 came in the main competition - in other words from the group or beyond. The Scot, now 82, also oversaw eight qualifying ties and 12 European Cup games, winning 115, losing 50 and drawing 49 across the board. Ferguson first triumphed when United won England 's first Treble in 1999 - as the Red Devils surged a late stoppage-time comeback against Bayern. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS BRAVE RU WORLD Man Utd legend Ruud van Nistelrooy set to be named Leicester manager Another came nine years later in Moscow, with a drama-filled penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in 2008. But many would argue that winning the 1983 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with Aberdeen was an even greater achievement. Meanwhile, it was another record breaking night for Ancelotti before kick-off, but he won't be too bothered as his side were comfortably beaten 2-0 at Anfield. The great Italian is the most successful manager in Champions League history , having won the trophy a record five times, and two more as a player. Most read in Champions League BUS BEAST Kilmarnock fan famous for foul-mouthed post-match rants exposed as paedophile SICKO CAGED ScotRail worker caught in vigilante paedo sting at train station jailed CASH VOW Nurse cancels £30k Scots fairytale wedding after 'rose-tinted glasses come off' DOORS CLOSED Major outdoor retailer with 13 Scots branches to shut 2 sites before Christmas 5 Sir Alex Ferguson won the Treble with United in 1999 FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS Ancelotti was also the one to surpass Ferguson's previous record for the most games won as manager in Europe 's most-loved competition. The Madrid boss won his 116th European game against in the group stage against Braga last October. Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs talks about his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson He is also the only manager to take part in six Champions League finals, losing only once in 2005 against Liverpool. Liverpool's statement victory on Wednesday night sees new boss Arne Slot again achieve a feat that Jurgen Klopp never did. Klopp, who quit Anfield in May, NEVER beat the Los Blancos during his nine year spell in charge of Liverpool - including two finals. But Slot managed to overcome the club's voodoo in his first attempt. 5 But it ended up being a rather forgettable night for Ancelotti Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo saw the Reds keep their 100 per cent record in Europe this season. Read more on the Scottish Sun LOOKING UP I'm a four-time world champ but my eyesight is going so I've made crucial change ISLE SAY Stunning home with panoramic views for sale for just £135k - but there's a catch Meanwhile Anfield erupted when Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty at 1-0, and Mo Salah's head went down when he put his own wide . It means Liverpool extend their perfect start at the top of the competition's new 36-team league phase, while holders Madrid suffered their third defeat in five games and now face a battle to qualify. 5

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- First Horizon Corporation (NYSE: FHN or "First Horizon") is pleased to announce the naming of Tyler Craft as Head of Investor Relations, effective January 1, 2025 . Craft will succeed Natalie Flanders as Head of Investor Relations, reporting to Chief Financial Officer Hope Dmuchowski . In this role, he will manage relationships with investors and articulate First Horizon's financial vision and strategy. Currently serving as Director of Transformation - Fintech and Emerging Technology, Craft has been instrumental in advancing the company's fintech initiatives, leading ventures in robotic process automation, artificial intelligence and fraud prevention enhancements. Throughout his 14-year tenure with the organization, he has held numerous positions, played a lead role in the company's 2023 Investor Day and has made key contributions to major integrations. Prior to First Horizon, he was the Director of Product at Capital Bank, leading finance-related functions and overseeing the bank's ALLL and loan valuation modeling, in addition to his involvement in multiple mergers. "Tyler will do an exceptional job leading our investor relations efforts," said Hope Dmuchowski , Chief Financial Officer for First Horizon. "His experience in the financial services industry and tenure with our organization make him an invaluable resource to our investors, executive leadership team and our board of directors as we remain focused on delivering long-term shareholder value." Flanders will join the Risk Organization as Director of Credit & Financial Risk. Dmuchowski commented, "Natalie took on this role at a very critical time and has done an exceptional job over the last 18 months re-engaging with investors and strengthening our investor relations strategy. As she has in each role she has served, Natalie will continue to be a tremendous asset to the organization and in her leadership role within our risk management organization." About First Horizon First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $82.6 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024 , is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN , the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-horizon-names-new-head-of-investor-relations-302317921.html SOURCE First Horizon CorporationTax panel to defend bill at Senate debate today

Soccer-PSV stage dramatic comeback with three late goals to beat ShakhtarPRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — CJ Happy had 18 points in Princeton's 99-63 victory over Nazareth on Wednesday night. Happy had five rebounds for the Tigers (6-3). Peyton Seals scored 16 points while going 5 of 10 from the floor, including 3 for 6 from 3-point range, and 3 for 3 from the line and added five rebounds and five assists. Jack Stanton shot 4 for 5 from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points. Merritt Holly finished with 14 points for the Golden Flyers. Tyler Putney added 11 points for Nazareth. Jaylen Savage finished with 10 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Tension is reportedly brewing within the factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State as the Comrade Austin Agada-led faction that claimed loyalty to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume has accused Governor Hyacinth Alia of leading an alleged plot for the removal of the SGF. Comrade Agada’s faction, in a statement issued by Mr Daniel Ihomun, its state publicity scribe, said Governor Alia had reportedly claimed that he was instrumental to the appointment of Senator Akume as SGF and had allegedly recommended his removal via the governor’s aides. But Mr Ihomun swiftly bruised aside the governor’s alleged claim of being behind the SGF’s appointment by President Bola Tinubu, saying “This is far from the truth. Senator Akume and President Tinubu share a very long relationship and have been political allies for decades (even before the ACN days). “His emergence as SGF can be attributed to the trust Mr President has in Senator Akume, his impressive political profile, the zoning of the position to the North Central region, and the dynamics of party politics. “Therefore, it is misleading to suggest Governor Alia played any role whatsoever in President Tinubu’s appointment of Sen. Dr. George Akume as SGF. But in a reaction, Governor Alia denied calling for the sack of Senator Akume as SGF, stressing that if he wants to call for Akume’s sack, he certainly knows exactly what to do and where to channel his request the same way he channelled his preference and recommendations for him before he was appointed SGF. His Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula said in a reply that, “this rebuttal is necessitated by the mischief-making the rounds in the media sponsored by the SGF’s proxies who are desperate to blackmail the governor and distract him from the unprecedented developmental strides he is doing in the state. “However, it is necessary to throw light on the context surrounding the call for the removal of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). “The group that issued the statement comprises adults and are entitled to express their opinions autonomously. They did not claim to speak on behalf of Governor Alia, nor did they insinuate that their call for action was sanctioned by him. “Moreover, the Governor has consistently maintained a professional decorum and has refrained from going public to accuse the SGF despite the provocations perpetually directed at him by the SGF’s political allies and associates including his wife who is a member of the House of Representatives. “If Governor Alia wants to call for Akume’s sack, he certainly knows exactly what to do and where to channel his request the same way he channelled his preference and recommendations for him before he was appointed SGF. “Nevertheless, the ongoing attacks and public ridicule directed at the Governor from Akume’s circle are regrettable, yet Governor Alia has chosen to respond with restraint rather than retaliatory measures. “The insinuation that Governor Alia orchestrated the call for the SGF’s removal is a misleading narrative that serves only to distract from the real issues at hand. “The Governor remains focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Benue State and will not be swayed by unfounded allegations or attempts at blackmail. Meanwhile, the Agenda’s faction “called on Governor Alia to find ways of reconciling and uniting the party in the state and to shun cheerleaders within and outside his government who are bent on denying the party a united front of developing Benue State by distracting him with an imaginary war, which has kept him punching in the dark, instead of focusing on delivering on his mandate and keeping campaign promises made to the people”.(TNS) — N.C. A&T State University will be the first public university in the state to offer a bachelor's degree in artificial intelligence (AI). While some other North Carolina universities have an artificial intelligence concentration within a computer science degree, A&T will be the only institution to offer the standalone bachelor’s degree. The UNC Board of Governors recently approved the program, and the school hopes to enroll its first students in fall 2025, according to a news release. “Artificial Intelligence and machine learning are increasingly part of everyday life with the potential for profound and far-reaching impact on virtually every facet of society,” said Chancellor James R. Martin II. "Our new bachelor’s degree will prepare students for immediate impact, especially in the critical area of human interaction with AI.” The program will allow students to enroll in one of two concentrations: Advanced AI Systems, offered through the College of Engineering, and Applied AI in the College of Science and Technology. “Our bachelor’s degree will enable our graduates to help create real world solutions to complex global issues and shape a brighter future through science and technology," said Abdellah Ahmidouch, dean of the university's College of Science and Technology. AI has been a quickly growing industry nationally. According to the most recent Hannover Research report on the AI workforce, “The AI labor market in North Carolina is projected to expand more than three times as fast as the overall labor market, creating over 20,000 new jobs.” “It’s nearly impossible to overestimate the impact of AI in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Stephanie Luster-Teasley Pass, dean of the College of Engineering.

Cal didn’t face USC or UCLA this season in its first year away from the Pac-12, but the Bears will play in Southern California, after all. The Bears (6-6, 2-6 ACC) were selected Sunday to play in the LA Bowl against UNLV (10-3, 6-1 Mountain West) on Dec. 18. Kickoff at SoFi Stadium is set for 6 p.m. and the bowl will air on ESPN. In Justin Wilcox’s eighth year leading the program, Cal finished tied for 14th in the 17-team ACC after going 4-0 in non-conference play. The former Pac-12 teams kept the ties to the conference’s bowl games rather than taking on new affiliations in their new conferences, and Cal ended up with the shortest commute possible. The Bears will travel further than the Rebels, though, for a game that could help both teams recruit the Los Angeles area. Cal has never played in the LA Bowl, which only began in 2019. Cal will be the more rested team as UNLV played Friday night in the Mountain West championship game, losing 21-7 on the road to College Football Playoff-bound Boise State. The Golden Bears will look to bounce back from a regular-season finale in which they were , another team headed to the playoff. Sophomore quarterback Fernando Mendoza missed that game with an illness and should be available for the bowl game. Related Articles Dual threat quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams will pose questions for the Bears defense through the air and on the ground after accounting for 26 total touchdowns in 10 games following the departure of starter Matthew Sluka in an NIL dispute. Mendoza may have a chance to pile up yardage as the Rebels are No. 105 nationally allowing 241.2 passing yards per game, but UNLV only allows 109.8 rush yards per game, good for 17th in the FBS, one spot behind the Bears. Perhaps surprisingly, the Bears have only played the Rebels once in the teams’ history, . Cal played in the Independence Bowl last year, . The last time the Bears made consecutive bowl appearances was 2018 and 2019 in Wilcox’s second and third seasons in Berkeley.

Kathmandu, Dec 8: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has presented appointment letters to the newly-appointed commissioners of the National Information Commission (NIC) amid a programme on Sunday. Minister Subba, also the Spokesperson of the government, handed over the appointment letters to Chief Commissioner Dr Suresh Acharya and Commissioners Durga Bhandari and Gagan Bista. Minister Subba also extended best wishes to the new commissioners for their successful tenure. On the occasion, Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Radhika Aryal, expressed her optimism that the new appointees would fully exercise enshrined authority, rights and responsibilities and serve the people.(RSS)MEMPHIS, Tenn. , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- First Horizon Corporation (NYSE: FHN or "First Horizon") is pleased to announce the naming of Tyler Craft as Head of Investor Relations, effective January 1, 2025 . Craft will succeed Natalie Flanders as Head of Investor Relations, reporting to Chief Financial Officer Hope Dmuchowski . In this role, he will manage relationships with investors and articulate First Horizon's financial vision and strategy. Currently serving as Director of Transformation - Fintech and Emerging Technology, Craft has been instrumental in advancing the company's fintech initiatives, leading ventures in robotic process automation, artificial intelligence and fraud prevention enhancements. Throughout his 14-year tenure with the organization, he has held numerous positions, played a lead role in the company's 2023 Investor Day and has made key contributions to major integrations. Prior to First Horizon, he was the Director of Product at Capital Bank, leading finance-related functions and overseeing the bank's ALLL and loan valuation modeling, in addition to his involvement in multiple mergers. "Tyler will do an exceptional job leading our investor relations efforts," said Hope Dmuchowski , Chief Financial Officer for First Horizon. "His experience in the financial services industry and tenure with our organization make him an invaluable resource to our investors, executive leadership team and our board of directors as we remain focused on delivering long-term shareholder value." Flanders will join the Risk Organization as Director of Credit & Financial Risk. Dmuchowski commented, "Natalie took on this role at a very critical time and has done an exceptional job over the last 18 months re-engaging with investors and strengthening our investor relations strategy. As she has in each role she has served, Natalie will continue to be a tremendous asset to the organization and in her leadership role within our risk management organization." About First Horizon First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $82.6 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024 , is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN , the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-horizon-names-new-head-of-investor-relations-302317921.html SOURCE First Horizon Corporation

Check out a full Iowa scouting report that examines the Hawkeyes' offensive and defensive statistics and more ahead of their game against Nebraska. * * * Record: 7-4 Offensive yards per play: 5.7 (73rd nationally) Defensive yards per play: 5.0 (34th) Turnover margin: +11 (T-8th) Penalty yards per game: 29.7 (3rd) New Big Ten, same Iowa. The Hawkeyes have continued to play solid football in Kirk Ferentz's 26th season at the helm, hanging their hat on playing defense and running the football. They lost to the two currently ranked teams they've played and had a couple unexpected road shortcomings, but remain 5-1 at home with a number of decisive victories in conference play. Type: Run-heavy Coordinator: Tim Lester Letting go of Brian Ferentz and bringing in Lester in the offseason has paid dividends for the Hawkeyes already. The Iowa offense has returned to being a respectable unit, its 29.4 points per game ranking 55th nationally. Even with inconsistent health and quality at quarterback, an outstanding ground game has helped lead the team to some blowout wins. Type: 4-2-5 Coordinator: Phil Parker After fielding top-five units the past two years, Parker's defense has seen a slight drop. The Hawkeyes allow 17.7 points per game, fifth in the Big Ten and 12th nationally. Of course, that's still a pretty good number from the accomplished Iowa coordinator, but Michigan State and UCLA were able to break through enough for wins despite not having inspiring offensive attacks. Kaleb Johnson, running back: The nation's second-leading rusher behind Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, no Big Ten back has been in the same realm of total production as Johnson has in 2024. He's already broken Iowa's single-season rushing touchdown record and is third on the program's list for yards on the ground in a season. Jay Higgins, linebacker: Leads Iowa in total tackles (106), interceptions (4) and forced fumbles (2), while ranking third on the team in pass breakups (5). The fifth-year linebacker has done a bit of everything for the Hawkeyes. "Their players are waving at our guys — ‘Hey, have a good Christmas!’ — that was painful. That was really painful. So I don’t doubt that our guys will be ready. But their guys will be ready. It really just comes down to football." — Nebraska coach Matt Rhule on the team's loss to Iowa in 2023 "This back is fantastic, he makes people miss, and he can burst and go the distance... [Iowa's] doing a really good job, and they’ve run some people off the field just by running the football down their throat." — Nebraska coach Matt Rhule on Iowa's run game "First start as our quarterback... He played with a lot of poise, good awareness out there, made the plays we were hoping we'd make and made good decisions most importantly and protected the football." — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz on quarterback Jackson Stratton's performance against Maryland 227: Pass attempts by Iowa this year, the least in the Big Ten. Michigan is next with 50 more. 14: Iowa's increase in points per game from last season to this one — from 15.4 to 29.4. 24: Punts downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line by Iowa, the most in the Big Ten. Aug. 31 Illinois State, W 40-0 Sept. 7 Iowa State, L 20-19 Sept. 14 Troy, W 38-21 Sept. 21 at Minnesota, W 31-14 Oct. 5 at Ohio State, L 35-7 Oct. 12 Washington, W 40-16 Oct. 19 at Michigan State, L 32-20 Oct. 26 Northwestern, W 40-14 Nov. 2 Wisconsin, W 42-10 Nov. 8 at UCLA, L 20-17 Nov. 23 at Maryland, W 29-13 Nov. 29 Nebraska Get local news delivered to your inbox!A culturally significant carved dhulu (tree), taken from Country more than a century ago will return to Australia, instilling optimism in the Gamilaraay people who are its custodians. or signup to continue reading The tree , which was taken from a ceremonial ground, near Boggabri NSW in the early 20th century, has been held in the Swiss Museum der Kulturen Basel's collection for 85 years. Gamilaraay elder Greg Bulingha Griffiths said the tree and its carvings are significant to his people. "The carvings on the tree represent parts of our lore and customs, and about who we are as a people," he told AAP. Mr Griffiths said the return of the tree will mean Gamilaraay people can reconnect to their old people, and the lores and customs represented in its carvings. "It's incredible for me to even think about," he said. "All the things that our forefathers had to endure, contact, colonisation, all the things in our history. "Now we're going to bring back a significant item ... and it can only be inspiring to our people to know that these things can happen." Discussions about the tree's repatriation began in 2022 after Bundjalung, Gamilaraay and Muruwari man and director of the Wominjeka Djeembana Indigenous Research Lab at Monash University Professor Brian Martin saw it at Museum der Kulturen Basel. Mr Griffiths and his nephew Wayne Griffiths have travelled to Switzerland, where the tree will be handed over to them in a ceremony on Thursday. The tree is being returned with the assistance of Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Return of Cultural Heritage Program. "Basel has been really receptive to letting us have it back, and we know that's a hard gig or a hard choice to make for museums to return stuff," Greg Griffiths said. "Them being open to it even happening and AIATSIS's work to get all the logistics done, it's been pretty overwhelming." Representatives of the Gamilaraay people have carved a new tree as a gift for the museum. Wayne Griffiths said he hopes more museums will get on board to return cultural heritage items to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country. He said the return of this tree to Gamilaraay people will mean younger generations will be able to learn about the cultural practices, contained in its carvings. "There's this optimism around our children and the younger generation having more access to this culturally significant piece," he said. "It'll be back on homeland, our kids will get to see it ... when you leave something behind for the next generation it's always a better world in the end." 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. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementBengals optimistic heading into new month, meeting vs. Steelers

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Climate change: Nigerian researcher leverages AI for biodiversity conservationThe Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages , from English to Japanese. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” said Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, “Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early.” NORAD’s annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . The tradition continues regardless of government shutdowns, such as the one in 2018 , and this year . Here’s how it began and why the phones keep ringing. The origin story is Hollywood-esque It started with a child’s accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy’s mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot (18-by-24 meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” Is the origin story humbug? Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup’s story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy’s call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child’s call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. “When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,’” Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. “People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” A rare addition to Santa’s story NORAD’s tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa’s story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada —- known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That’s when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org , that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, mountain standard time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women's basketball league launching this winter, signed LSU star guard Flau'jae Johnson to a name, image and likeness deal. Johnson is the second college player to ink an agreement with Unrivaled, following UConn's Paige Bueckers. They won't be participating in the upcoming inaugural season, but Johnson and Bueckers will have equity stakes in the league. Unrivaled dropped a video on social media Thursday showing Johnson -- who also has a burgeoning rap career -- performing a song while wearing a shirt that reads, "The Future is Unrivaled." The deal will see Johnson create additional promotional content for the league. Johnson, 21, was a freshman on the LSU team that won the 2023 national championship. Now in her junior year, Johnson is averaging career highs of 22.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game through 10 games for the No. 5 Tigers (10-0). She ranks eighth in Division I in scoring. Johnson has career averages of 14.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in 82 career appearances (80 starts) for LSU. --Field Level Media

A bigger majority also means that individual members of Congress from either party have less leverage they can use to water down the President’s policy requests Beginning in January 2025, Republicans in Washington will achieve what’s commonly known as a governing ‘trifecta’: control over the executive branch via the president, combined with majorities for their party in both the House and the Senate. You might think that a trifecta, which is also referred to as ‘unified government’ by political scientists, is a clear recipe for legislative success. In theory, when political parties have unified control over the House, the Senate and the presidency, there should be less conflict between them. Because these politicians are part of the same political party and have the same broad goals, it seems like they should be able to get their agenda approved, and the opposing minority party can do little to stop them. But not all trifectas are created equal, and not all are dominant. Research shows that political gridlock can still happen even under a unified government for reasons that are likely to be on full display when Republicans assume leadership of Congress and the presidency. A unified government will make President Donald Trump’s ability to enact his agenda much easier than if, for example, Democrats controlled the US House, as they did during the second half of his first term, from 2021-2022. But tight margins in both congressional chambers mean that, even with a trifecta, it won’t be a cakewalk. Trump will be the sixth consecutive President with a trifecta on Day 1 of his presidency. But history – and simple math – show that presidents with trifectas have an easier time passing partisan legislation with bigger majorities. Bigger majorities mean majority-party defections won’t easily sink controversial or partisan legislation. A bigger majority also means that individual members of Congress from either party have less leverage they can use to water down the president’s policy requests. Trump also held a trifecta during the beginning of his first term in office; in particular, a big Republican majority in the House, which passed major legislation with relative ease and put pressure on their Senate colleagues to comply. Trump signed a major tax reform package in 2017 that was the signature legislative achievement of his first term. But Trump will have a much smaller advantage when he takes office for the second time. Every president since Bill Clinton has entered office with a trifecta, but Trump’s seat advantage in the House on Day 1 will be the smallest of all of them after all the votes are counted. Trump’s relatively small advantage in the Senate also may put in jeopardy his already controversial proposed cabinet nominations. In addition to the nearly guaranteed opposition from Democrats in Congress, Trump and other Republican leaders can expect continuing internal divisions within their own party. In a closely divided House or Senate, there are plenty of tools that Democrats, even as the minority party, can use to stymie Trump’s agenda. This most notably includes the filibuster, which would force Republicans to garner 60 votes for any non-budgetary legislation Trump might wish to pass. But even dominant legislative trifectas, again like the one former president Barack Obama enjoyed when he took office in 2009, can’t prevent divisions within political parties, as different politicians jockey for control of the party’s agenda. Despite entering office with a 17-vote advantage in the Senate, Obama’s signature legislative achievement – the Affordable Care Act, also sometimes known as Obamacare – had to be watered down significantly to win a simple majority after backlash from conservative Democrats. Obama’s trifecta was bigger in size; but in a polarised America, a large majority also means an ideologically diverse one. If Republican infighting in the most recent Congress repeats itself, Trump is likely to face similar pushback from members of his own party in his second term. For the past two years, the Republican-led House has been repeatedly riven by leadership struggles and an often aimless legislative agenda, thanks to a lack of cooperation from the party’s far-right flank. This group of lawmakers will largely remain in the next Congress and will be large enough to stall any party-line vote that Speaker Mike Johnson hopes to pass. The potential for continued chaos – especially with a passable legislative agenda on the line – is monumental. If the past is any indication, even a task as fundamental as passing a budget could be challenging, much less major reform to policy areas such as immigration. Despite Congress’ reputation as a polarised partisan body, members of Congress ultimately serve multiple masters. The Republican divisions in the current Congress reflect the competing pressures of national party leaders in Washington and the local politics of each member’s district, which often cut against what party leaders want. For example, some Republicans represent heavily Republican districts and will be happy to go along with Trump’s agenda, regardless of how extreme it is. Others represent districts won by President Joe Biden in 2020 and might be more inclined to moderate their positions to keep their seats in 2026 and beyond. Trump has also made life difficult for himself by using Congress, as many incoming administrations do, as a hiring pool for his incoming administration. He has said he would nominate three Republican House members elected for the next Congress to high-level posts in his administration, knocking Johnson’s seat advantage down to the low single digits. The Conversation (Charlie Hunt is Assistant Professor of Political Science, Boise State University)Global Hospice Care Market Set For 11.5% Growth, Reaching $7.31 Billion By 2028

By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. Related Articles House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be different

Notable quotes by Jimmy CarterUnited Kingdom Telecom Operators Country Report 2024: Total Telecom and pay-TV Service Revenue in the UK to Grow at a CAGR of 2.1%, Driven by Revenue Growth in Mobile Data, Fixed Broadband and pay-TVHow co-writing a book threatened the Carters’ marriageTOKYO — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan have announced plans to work toward a merger that would form the world’s third-largest automaker by sales, as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors Corp. also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Automakers in Japan have lagged behind their big rivals in electric vehicles and are trying to cut costs and make up for lost time as newcomers like China’s BYD and EV market leader Tesla devour market share. Honda’s president, Toshihiro Mibe, said Honda and Nissan will attempt to unify their operations under a joint holding company. Honda will lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. They aim to have a formal merger agreement by June and to complete the deal and list the holding company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by August 2026, he said. No dollar value was given and the formal talks are just starting, Mibe said. There are “points that need to be studied and discussed,” he said. “Frankly speaking, the possibility of this not being implemented is not zero.” A merger could result in a behemoth worth more than $50 billion based on the market capitalization of all three automakers. Together, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi would gain scale to compete with Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germany’s Volkswagen AG. Toyota has technology partnerships with Japan’s Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month, with unconfirmed reports saying Taiwan iPhone maker Foxconn was seeking to tie up with Nissan by buying shares from the Japan’s company’s other alliance partner, Renault SA of France. Nissan’s CEO Makoto Uchida said Foxconn had not directly approach his company. He also acknowledged that Nissan’s situation was “severe.” Even after a merger Toyota, which rolled out 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, would remain the leading Japanese automaker. If they join, the three smaller companies would make about 8 million vehicles. In 2023, Honda made 4 million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over 1 million. “We have come to the realization that in order for both parties to be leaders in this mobility transformation, it is necessary to make a more bold change than a collaboration in specific areas,” Mibe said. Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi earlier agreed to share components for electric vehicles like batteries and to jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to electrification. Nissan has struggled following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon. Speaking Monday to reporters in Tokyo via a video link, Ghosn derided the planned merger as a “desperate move.” From Nissan, Honda could get truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn’t have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions, told The Associated Press. Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybrid powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said. But the company said in November that it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global work force, and reducing its global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million). It recently reshuffled its management and Uchida, its chief executive, took a 50% pay cut while acknowledging responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes. “We anticipate that if this integration comes to fruition, we will be able to deliver even greater value to a wider customer base,” Uchida said. Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan’s credit outlook to “negative,” citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion). Nissan’s share price also had fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. On Monday, its Tokyo-traded shares gained 1.6%. They jumped more than 20% after news of the possible merger broke last week. Honda’s shares surged 3.8%. Honda’s net profit slipped nearly 20% in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as its sales suffered in China. The merger reflects an industry-wide trend toward consolidation. At a routine briefing Monday, Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said he would not comment on details of the automakers’ plans, but said Japanese companies need to stay competitive in the fast changing market. “As the business environment surrounding the automobile industry largely changes, with competitiveness in storage batteries and software is increasingly important, we expect measures needed to survive international competition will be taken,” Hayashi said.

COLLEGE BOWLLARAMIE – Cathedral Home is aiming to fund the launch of a Crisis Text Line for all Wyoming residents, through an official partnership with Crisis Text Line, a nationwide nonprofit. The service would provide Wyoming residents with free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention through a team of trained crisis counselors, especially improving mental health access for rural communities or those concerned with the stigma associated with seeking help, according to a news release. Currently, there is no other entity in Wyoming partnered with Crisis Text Line. “Cathedral Home places a high priority on continually identifying mental health gaps throughout the state, and we recognize that this new channel of care could immediately and effectively expand mental health access to so many,” said Nicole Hauser, executive director of Cathedral Home, in the release. “There is currently no other organization in Wyoming partnered with Crisis Text Line, and we are committed to ensuring families in Wyoming have access to this option of care and connection to additional resources.” Crisis Text Line is a nonprofit that partners to provide free mental health support and crisis intervention through texting. A community of trained crisis counselors quickly respond to texts live, helping those reaching out stay safe and calm using effective active listening and suggesting referrals – all through text message on a secure platform. The organization champions equity in mental well-being and aims to support people of every race, ethnicity, political affiliation, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status, and other diverse backgrounds. “Cathedral Home is a leader in youth mental health in Wyoming. We see more than ever that youth need increased mental health support,” said Hauser. “Launching this service would give Wyoming youth a way to express their needs and realize that it is OK to seek out support.” Along with the benefit of free, immediate crisis care for any resident in the state, the partnership would also provide statewide data on gaps in mental health care and unaddressed needs that families in Wyoming are experiencing. This data would help Wyoming agencies like Cathedral Home identify how to best support communities and individuals. Last year alone, Cathedral Home (CHC) preventative programs, which include the Laramie Youth Crisis Center, the Resource Center and Community Counseling, collectively served 584 individuals. These programs have seen increases over the past five years, including a 279% increase in families seeking support from the Resource Center, and the launch of Community Counseling services for the broader community in the fall of 2022, due to an access gap in Albany County for counseling services. Preventative programs are all aimed at helping clients build protective factors, enhance life skills, and further develop self-sufficiency. Cathedral Home’s goal is to fund the initial commitment of the Crisis Text Line partnership for three full years, at a total funding need of $19,500. Helping to fund the launch of the Crisis Text Line partnership will include a Cathedral Home Giving Tuesday campaign, where community members will be encouraged to contribute to “something big for Wyoming.” Cathedral Home relies on philanthropic partnerships and advocates to impact program reach and accessibility. Community members can contribute to the launch of the Crisis Text Line for Wyoming through the Cathedral Home website, under Giving, indicating Crisis Text Line funding in a gift. More information about the Crisis Text Line service can be found at crisistextline.org . More information about Cathedral Home can be found at cathedralhome.org . Cathedral Home is a youth services organization in Laramie, partnering with Wyoming youth and families through comprehensive mental health care. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.

INDIANAPOLIS , Dec. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere, Jr. , issued the following statement today concerning the passing of former President Jimmy Carter : "President Carter was a Legionnaire, a distinguished Navy veteran and a devout Christian. His commitment to human rights and community service was respected worldwide. He lived longer than any president in American history and made the most of his post-presidential years by strongly advocating for world peace and improving the lives of the disadvantaged. His energy, integrity and humility were admired by people across the political spectrum. President Carter's wife, Rosalynn, was a leader in mental health awareness. They will both be missed. Our condolences to the entire Carter family and the many lives that they have touched, especially in their home state of Georgia ." During an address to The American Legion's 1980 national convention, President Carter described his vision for America on the world stage. "We do not maintain our power in order to seize power from others. Our goal is to strengthen our own freedom and the freedom of others, to advance the dignity of the individual and the right of all people to justice, to a good life, and to a future secure from tyranny. In choosing our course in the world, America's strength serves American values," he said. About The American Legion The American Legion , the nation's largest veterans organization, is dedicated to the motto of "Veterans Strengthening America." Chartered by Congress in 1919, The American Legion is committed to mentoring youth and sponsoring wholesome community programs, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security and continued devotion to service members and veterans. It has made suicide prevention its top priority through its Be the One mission . Nearly 1.6 million members in more than 12,000 posts across the nation and regions overseas serve their communities with a devotion to mutual helpfulness. Media contact: John Raughter , [email protected] , 317.630.1350 SOURCE The American Legion

But on Thursday, Trump's attempt to act with impunity showed a crack as Matt Gaetz , his choice for attorney general, withdrew from consideration. Trump had named Gaetz, a Florida congressman, to be the country's top law enforcement official even though he was widely disliked by his colleagues, has little legal experience and was accused of having sex with an underage girl, an allegation he denied. After being plagued by investigations during his first presidency, Trump wanted a devoted ally in charge of the Justice Department during his second. However, it was never obvious that Gaetz could win enough support from lawmakers to get confirmed. Now the question is whether Gaetz was uniquely unpalatable, or if Trump's other picks might exceed his party's willingness to overlook concerns that would have sunk nominees in a prior political era. The next test will likely be Pete Hegseth, who Trump wants to lead the Pentagon despite an allegation of sexual assault that he's denied. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the controversy over Gaetz would have little bearing on Trump’s choices for other positions. “One at a time,” he said. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, suggested otherwise, claiming “the dominoes are falling.” “The drip drip of evidence and truth is going to eventually doom some others,” he said. Trump's election victory was a sign that there may not be many red lines left in American politics. He won the presidential race despite authoritarian, racist and misogynist rhetoric, not to mention years of lies about election fraud and his role in sparking the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was also criminally convicted of falsifying business records to pay hush money, and he was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case. Empowered by voters who looked past his misconduct and saw him as a powerful agent of change, Trump has shown no deference to Washington norms while working to fill his second administration . Although some of his personnel choices have extensive experience in the areas they've been chosen to lead, others are personal friends and Fox News personalities who have impressed and flattered Trump over the years. Several have faced allegations involving sexual misconduct . Hegseth, an Army veteran and Fox News host, is facing the most scrutiny after Gaetz. Once Trump announced Hegseth as his nominee for Pentagon chief, allegations emerged that he sexually assaulted a woman in California in 2017. The woman said he took her phone, blocked the door to the hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a police report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. However, he paid the woman a confidential settlement in 2023. Hegseth's lawyer said the payment was made to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. Trump’s choice for secretary of health and human services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has faced allegations of misconduct too. A woman who babysat for him and his second wife told Vanity Fair magazine that Kennedy groped her in the late 1990s, when she was 23. Kennedy did not deny the allegation and texted an apology to the woman after the article was published. That isn't the only hurdle for Kennedy; he's spent years spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines, raising fears about making him a top health official in the new administration. Linda McMahon, chosen by Trump to be education secretary, is fighting a lawsuit connected to her former company, World Wrestling Entertainment. She’s accused of knowingly enabling sexual exploitation of children by an employee as early as the 1980s, and she denies the allegations. Tulsi Gabbard is another person who could face a difficult confirmation battle, but for very different reasons. The former Democratic representative from Hawaii has been a vocal Trump ally, and he chose her to be national intelligence director. But there's grave concern by lawmakers and national security officials over Gabbard’s history of echoing Russian propaganda. Critics said she would endanger relationships with U.S. allies. Gaetz was investigated by federal law enforcement for sex trafficking, but the case was closed without charges and Republicans have blocked the release of a related report from the House Ethics Committee. However, some allegations leaked out, including that Gaetz paid women for sex. One of the women testified to the committee that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl, according to a lawyer for the woman. As Gaetz met with senators this week, it became clear that he would face stubborn resistance from lawmakers who were concerned about his behavior and believed he was unqualified to run the Justice Department. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction,” Gaetz wrote on social media when announcing his withdrawal. Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, said he believed there were four to six members of the caucus who would have voted against Gaetz, likely dooming his nomination, and “the math got too hard.” He said some of the issues and allegations around Gaetz were “maybe beyond the pale." “I think there were just too many things, it was like a leaky dike, and you know, it broke," Braun said. Trump thanked Gaetz in a post on Truth Social, his social media website, without addressing the substance of the allegations against him. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves and Lisa Macaro contributed from Washington. Jill Colvin in New York and Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also contributed.

What's Going On With New Horizon Stock Monday?"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.As the motion picture version of “Wicked” continues to have its moment, a soundbite from the movie has gone viral. During the scene Ariana Grande sings “Popular” with her co-star Cynthia Erivo, Grande sings, “Did they have brains or knowledge? Don’t make me laugh. They were...” After Erivo answers, “Popular?” Grande screams, “Right!” And the way in which Grande says that single world has captured a good number of social media users. Now, Grande is talking about how the moment came to be. In fact, the actress admits she doesn’t even remember doing it and heard it for the first time while listening to the live recording at the studio. “The first time I heard this was when I was listening to the live take from on set in the (studio),” Grande wrote in a video she shared on TikTok, “before I had even seen the movie.” Grande admitted she even “scared myself” hearing the recording for the first time. “I called Jon (Wicked’s director) immediately giggling for the record,” Grande continued. “I absolutely do not remember doing this.” In the comments, fans loved hearing the backstory of how the viral moment came to be. “The best creative decision of the entire film and it wasn’t even intentional,” a commenter wrote. ariana’s popular = the best popular “The way ‘RIGHT’ has me in a chokehold,” another added. “This was insane. I screamed in the theater,” a fan shared. Grande has called playing the role of Glinda as her dream role . “Loved seeing ‘Wicked’ again... amazing production! Made me realize again how badly I want 2 play Glinda at some point in my life,” she wrote in a 2011 tweet.

At least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank around the city of Tulkarem on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including three people it said were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a second somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Tuesday. The ministry reported three of the dead were killed by airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. An Associated Press photojournalist captured images of Israeli forces detonating an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israel has carried out several large-scale raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. While airstrikes were once rare in the West Bank, they have grown more common since the outbreak of war as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they aim to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. SAYDNAYA, Syria — A large crowd of Syrians gathered near a historic monastery in Saydnaya on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. Tuesday's celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and an infamous prison , where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood beneath the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.” Earlier in the afternoon, pilgrims visited the historic Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, believed to be built in the sixth century. In Homs, a similarly grand Christmas tree was illuminated as security officers patrolled the area to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering, according to Syria’s state media. UNITED NATIONS -- Recent attacks on hospitals in North Gaza, where Israel is carrying out an offensive, are having a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians still in the area, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed deep concern at reports that the Israeli military entered the Indonesian Hospital on Tuesday, forcing its evacuation. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, also expressed deep concern at attacks reported in recent days in and around the two other hospitals in North Gaza that are minimally functioning – Al Awda and Kamal Adwan. OCHA said the Israeli siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and parts of Jaballiya in North Gaza continued for a 79th day on Tuesday, and while the U.N. and its partners have made 52 attempts to coordinate humanitarian access to besieged areas in December 48 were rejected by Israel. While four missions were approved, OCHA said the U.N. and its partners faced impediments as a result of Israeli military operations and “none of the U.N.-coordinated attempts to access the area have been fully facilitated.” Throughout the Gaza Strip, OCHA said that Israeli authorities facilitated just 40% of requests for humanitarian movements requiring their approval in December. WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because of a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.Bad Axe: Wisconsin wary of rival Minnesota with bowl bid in peril

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US stocks climbed Thursday after market superstar Nvidia and another round of companies said they're making even fatter profits than expected. Nvidia rose just 0.5% after beating analysts' estimates for profit and revenue again, but it was still the strongest force pulling the S&P 500 up, the reports. It also gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that topped most analysts' expectations due to voracious demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. How Nvidia's stock performs has more impact than any other because it's grown into Wall Street's most valuable company at roughly $3.6 trillion. The frenzy around AI is sweeping up other stocks, and Snowflake jumped 32.7% after reporting stronger results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company, whose platform helps customers get a better view of all their silos of data and use AI, also reported stronger revenue growth than expected. BJ'S Wholesale Club rose 8.3% after likewise delivering a bigger profit than expected. That may help calm worries about how resilient US shoppers can remain, given high prices across the economy and still-high interest rates. Nearly 90% of the stocks in the S&P 500 ended up rising Thursday, and the gains were even bigger among smaller companies. The Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks jumped a market-leading 1.7%. Google's parent company, Alphabet, helped keep indexes in check. It fell 4.7% after US regulators asked a judge to break up the tech giant by forcing it to sell its industry-leading . (More stories.)Vail Resorts Reports Fiscal 2025 First Quarter and Season Pass Sales Results, and Announces 2025 Capital Plan

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The decision to equip schools in Beijing with intelligent firefighting facilities and monitoring devices underscores the city's commitment to prioritizing the safety and security of students and educational staff. By leveraging technology to enhance fire safety measures, schools will be better prepared to mitigate risks, respond effectively to emergencies, and protect lives and property.

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In conclusion, the 82nd Golden Globe Awards promises to be a night to remember, with three standout individuals receiving double nominations and Netflix poised to emerge as the big winner of the evening. Stay tuned for more updates as we countdown to the star-studded event and celebrate the best in film and television.

In the latest escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine, both sides have reported military strikes and successful operations against each other. The conflict, centered around the contested regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, has seen a significant increase in violence in recent weeks.

A look back at 2024 in photosInfluencer Dominique Brown dies at 34 as shocking claim emergesNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The right frame can freeze a moment in time, creating meaning for the masses from a fist pump over a bloodied ear , a bridge crumbled by a ship , towns shredded by nature , and a victory sealed with an on-field kiss . In 2024, photographers across the U.S. captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election , to hurricanes and fires that ravaged communities, to campus protests over the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The gallery from The Associated Press illustrates a new chapter of political history — the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump , the moment President Joe Biden announced he would no longer run again , the campaign sprint by Vice President Kamala Harris in Biden’s place, and the raw emotion from voters during a grueling contest ultimately won by Trump . Hurricanes whipped through the country with devastating imagery, leaving a path of wreckage and death from Florida to Appalachia . After Hurricane Helene , Lake Lure in North Carolina was shown in a jarring photo covered in shards of debris thick enough to hide the surface of the water. Hurricane Milton ripped apart the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. The scale of destruction experienced in some corners of the country in 2024 was hard to capture and might have been harder to fathom. That was the case when a container ship slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse and crumple around the vessel, killing construction workers on the bridge. As flames torched the landscape in California , another image captured firefighters and sheriff’s deputies pushing a vintage car away from a burning home. Elsewhere in California , one photo is aglow with bright orange flames, broken up only by the subtle features of an animal running through them. But hope also persevered in the face of devastation. In Helene’s aftermath , an image from Crystal River, Florida, shows Dustin Holmes holding hands with his girlfriend, Hailey Morgan, as they sloshed through floodwaters with her 4- and 7-year-old children to return to their flooded home. And in Manasota Key, Florida, a family was lit up by the glow of flashlights as they walked to check on their home damaged by Milton. Other photos from 2024 also grabbed the darkness and shadows to emphasize light: among them, a rocket liftoff and a total solar eclipse . And, yes, eclipse glasses were back in style for a shared moment of skygazing. But many other photos delivered a blast of color, from the spectrum of the northern lights across a Maine sky to a crew of workers wading into the deep-red of a Massachusetts cranberry bog . And, once again, Taylor Swift captured the country’s attention, even as a part of the crowd. She rushed down from the stands to kiss her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, after the Chiefs won the AFC Championship , en route to another Super Bowl win.

Taylor Swift's reaction to Matty Healy's 'gross' behavior after Azealia Banks outburst

A naked man running from police after allegedly hacking his 15-year-old brother to death with an axe was arrested Thursday on a high school football field while a scrimmage game was in progress, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. William Garcia was attending a dance recital at Newbury Park High School when 24-year-old Zuberi Sharp was taken into custody. “We were in the performance and all of the sudden there’s going to be a delay in the performance because they’re on a lockdown,” William Garcia told NBC Los Angeles . "All we thought is that there’s a streaker on the campus." Sharp, authorities said Friday, is the son of convicted murderer Calvin Sharp, who is serving life without parole , plus two additional life terms, for killing a 6-year-old in August 2007 with a meat cleaver. It remains unclear what led up to Thursday’s brutal attack. Police and firefighters responded around 8 p.m. that night to a home near the school after a 911 call from a woman screaming that her child had been murdered, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Ken Truitt told reporters. The teenage victim, Sharp’s brother Zayde Keohouho, had been attacked with an axe and died on the way to the hospital, according to Truitt. “I will confirm that the deceased is our grandson, Zayde, who was 15 years old,” his grandfather, Gary Keohouho, said in a statement on Friday night. “We appreciate the outpouring of love, aloha, support and prayers from friends and ohanas in this wonderful community.” Calvin Sharp, who is now 45, is presently incarcerated after his conviction for murdering his ex-girlfriend’s son, Sev’n Molina, and attempting to kill his ex-girlfriend and her neighbor with a cleaver when they tried to stop him. Roughly 27 at the time, Calvin Sharp told investigators he had received messages from XM Satellite Radio to stab Sev’n to death, along with his mom, Sandra Ruiz. Zuberi Sharp and Sev’n Molina attended the same preschool, according to the Los Angeles Times . Former Deputy District Attorney Maeve Fox, who a decade-and-a-half ago prosecuted Calvin Sharp, said Zuberi Sharp’s arrest took her by complete surprise. “As soon as I saw the news this morning, I thought: You gotta be kidding me,” she told the Times . Sharp, who does not yet have an attorney listed in court filings, was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held without bail, according to jail records. He is scheduled for arraignment on Monday.Moreover, Jack Ma's speech also touched upon the significance of inclusive development and sustainable growth. He emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive in the digital economy, thereby promoting a more inclusive and equitable society. By championing inclusive development, Jack Ma sent a strong message about the need for businesses to prioritize social responsibility and contribute towards building a more sustainable and balanced economy.

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The story first came to light when rumors circulated about a woman of educated background living among the villagers in a humble abode on the outskirts of the village. Referred to as the "lost scholar" by some, her presence in the rural community stirred up a mix of sympathy, suspicion, and intrigue. Questions arose regarding the woman's identity, her reasons for seeking shelter in such a remote location, and the truth behind her elusive past.

Mrs Hinch makes heartbreaking confession about grief and anxiety 'taking over' and admits she just 'wants her dad' back as she prepares to welcome third child Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By JORDAN BECK FOR MAILONLINE Published: 19:32, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 20:05, 7 December 2024 e-mail 2 View comments Sophie Hinchcliffe has admitted that she 'just wants her dad' - eight months on from his sudden death. The social media star, 34, who is better known to her millions of Instagram followers as cleaning fanatic Mrs Hinch , lost her dad Alan in April and took to Instagram on Friday to reflect. In a candid Story post, the influencer - who is expecting her third child - shared a collection of worries that tend to give her 'anxiety' before she goes to bed each night. One of those noted that her health anxiety is the 'worst' it has ever been and that she needed to book an injection appointment. But the most heartbreaking confession was that she is struggling with grief as she admitted she just wanted her dad back with her. Surrounded by two white hearts, she wrote: 'I just want my dad' Sophie Hinchcliffe has admitted that she 'just wants her dad' - eight months on from his sudden death The social media star, 34, who is better known to her millions of Instagram followers as cleaning fanatic Mrs Hinch , lost her dad in April (pictured in 2018 at her wedding) She added: 'I need 2024 to end, but I also don't want 2024 to end. 'Grief takes over your life!' Sophie is married to Jamie Hinchliffe and the pair have Ronnie, four, and three-year-old Lennie with him. The pair are currently expecting their third baby and amongst her other worries were that she needed to find the time to buy more newborn outfits. She added: 'When should I pack my hospital bag? 'Do I still have my hospital bag?' Other revelations from Sophie included that she 'hates' that her dog is ageing, and she needs to prepare for her grandmother's upcoming birthday The viral sensation - who has made appearances on This Morning and Loose Women since finding fame and is also known for her close friendship with Stacey Solomon - is also starting to panic about Christmas. Other concerns included just how she was going to fit time in to do her present shopping, on top of her busy career as a content creator on social media. Sophie is also frantic about making sure the health of her children is looked after with various appointments, but in her next slide, she urged fans to 'keep going' despite their struggles Mrs Hinch announced she and husband Jamie are expecting their third son, just two months after opening up about her ongoing grief following the sudden death of dad Alan Other concerns included just how she was going to fit time in to do her present shopping, on top of her busy career as a content creator on social media. Sophie is also frantic about making sure the health of her children is looked after with various appointments, but in her next slide, she urged fans to 'keep going' despite their struggles. Read More Mrs Hinch vows to keep her father's 'dream' going in heartbreaking post after announcing his sudden death She said: 'So just a reminder that no one really has all their s*** together! 'We are all here the ONCE, so technically we are all winging it, we're all learning, sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding. 'But we get up and we go again and that's what matters most. 'So keep going. And if no one's told you today...you're doing amazing' It comes after Sophie took to Instagram in emotional post as sons Ronnie, five, and Lennie, three, painted the news of the new arrival on a wall in their home. Mrs Hinch joked there would be more 'carnage' ahead by adding another boy to her brood, before showcasing her blossoming bump. Slipping into skin-tight black workout gear she lovingly cradled her tummy while posing with a huge smile in front of her bedroom mirror. Mrs Hinch then shared in a gushing post and said she was convinced her third son was a gift from her father in heaven. Writing: 'Heaven was too far to visit, so you sent us a special gift from up above. I have no doubt you sent him to us Dad, to fill our hearts with so much love'. 'Ronnie and Lennies Baby Brother. Our Baby Boy No.3.Joining us in 2025. 3 Musketeers. The cleaning influencer, real name Sophie Hinchcliffe, took to Instagram with an emotional post as sons Ronnie, five, and Lennie, three, painted the news of the arrival on a wall Before joking: ' Bring on the absolute carnage boys'. BFF Stacey Solomon rushed to the comments writing: 'I love you. And I’m so so happy for this beautiful blessing on all of you. Dad must be beaming'. While Molly-Mae Hague said: 'Oh my goodness. I am so so so happy for you'. Michelle Visage wrote: 'CONGRATS TO YOU ALL' alongside EastEnders' Danielle Harold who added: 'So beautiful Congratulations to you all'. Charlotte Dawson also commented: 'Soooo happy for you all'. Instagram This Morning Loose Women Share or comment on this article: Mrs Hinch makes heartbreaking confession about grief and anxiety 'taking over' and admits she just 'wants her dad' back as she prepares to welcome third child e-mail Add comment

Top Performers One97 Communications Godrej Properties UPL Muthoot Finance Coromandel International AU Small Finance Bank Ipca Labs Dixon Technologies (India) Ajanta Pharma MRFAs the season unfolds, one thing remains certain - fans can expect more twists and turns, more moments of brilliance and heartbreak, as the battle for glory and survival in La Liga rages on. The stakes are high, the tension palpable, and the drama unparalleled - making every match a spectacle not to be missed in the enthralling tapestry of Spanish football.

First Horizon EVP Jeff Fleming sells $165,716 in stockOne week into a new Syria, rebels aim for normalcy and Syrians vow not to be silent again DAMASCUS (AP) — A transformation has started to take place in the week since the unexpected overthrow of Syria’s President Bashar Assad. Suddenly in charge, the rebels have been met with a mix of excitement, grief and hope. And so far the transition has been surprisingly smooth. Reports of reprisals, revenge killings and sectarian violence are minimal, looting and destruction has been quickly contained. But there are a million ways it could go wrong. Syria is broken and isolated after five decades of Assad family rule. Families have been torn apart by war, former prisoners are traumatized, and tens of thousands of detainees remain missing. The economy is wrecked, poverty is widespread, inflation and unemployment are high. Corruption seeps through daily life. Christians in Syria mark country's transformation with tears as UN envoy urges an end to sanctions DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — In churches across long-stifled Syria, Christians have marked the first Sunday services since Bashar Assad’s ouster in an air of transformation. Some were in tears, others clasped their hands in prayer. The U.N. envoy for Syria is calling for a quick end to Western sanctions as the country’s new leaders and regional and global powers discuss the way forward. The Syrian government has been under sanctions by the United States, the European Union and others for years as a result of Assad’s brutal response to what began as peaceful anti-government protests in 2011 and spiraled into civil war. US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says BOSTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy advanced drone-tracking technology following weeks of reported drone sightings in parts of New York and New Jersey that have stirred fear and bewilderment. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to use the technology to track drones back to their landing spots. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference or a public safety threat. But because they can’t say with certainty who's responsible for the drones, leaders of both parties are demanding better technology and powers to tackle the issue. The GOP stoked fears of noncitizens voting. Cases in Ohio show how rhetoric and reality diverge AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Ohio's Republican secretary of state and attorney general sought to reassure voters before the November election that the state's elections were being vigorously protected against the possibility of immigrants voting illegally. That push coincided with a national Republican messaging strategy warning that potentially thousands of ineligible voters would be voting. The officials' efforts in Ohio led to charges against just six noncitizens in a state with 8 million registered voters. That outcome and the stories of some of those now facing charges show the gap both in Ohio and across the United States between the rhetoric about noncitizen voting and the reality that it's rare and not part of a coordinated scheme to throw elections. Storms across US bring heavy snow, dangerous ice and a tornado in California OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Inclement weather has plagued areas of the U.S. in the first half of the weekend, with dangerous conditions including heavy snow, a major ice storm and unusual tornado activity. An ice storm beginning Friday created treacherous driving conditions across Iowa and eastern Nebraska. More than 33 inches of snow was reported near Orchard Park, New York, which is often a landing point for lake-effect snow. On Saturday, a tornado touched down in Scotts Valley, California, causing damage and several injuries. In San Francisco, a storm damaged trees and roofs and prompted a tornado warning, which was a first for a city that has not experienced a tornado since 2005. After a 15-year pause in executions, Indiana prepares to put to death a man who killed 4 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana officials are preparing to execute the state’s first death row inmate in 15 years. Joseph Corcoran was convicted in 1999 in the fatal shootings of his brother and three other men, including his sister’s fiancé. If Corcoran is put to death as scheduled Wednesday it will be the state’s first execution since 2009. Corcoran's attorneys have asked a federal court to stay his execution, arguing it would be unconstitutional because he has a serious mental illness. Indiana officials have refused to discuss how they obtained the sedative used for lethal injection. No media witnesses will be permitted under state law. Israel will close its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions as Palestinian death toll nears 45,000 DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel says it will close its embassy in Ireland as relations deteriorate over the war in Gaza, where Palestinian medical officials say new Israeli airstrikes have killed over 46 people including children. Israel's decision to close the embassy came in response to what Israel’s foreign minister has described as Ireland's “extreme anti-Israel policies.” Ireland earlier announced that it would recognize a Palestinian state. And the Irish cabinet last week decided to formally intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The Palestinian death toll in the war is approaching 45,000. South Korean leaders seek calm after Yoon is impeached SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s opposition leader has offered to work with the government to ease the political tumult, a day after the opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over a short-lived attempt to impose martial law. Liberal Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, whose party holds a majority in the National Assembly, urged the Constitutional Court to rule swiftly on Yoon’s impeachment and proposed a special council for policy cooperation between the government and parliament. Yoon’s powers have been suspended until the court decides whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. If Yoon is dismissed, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days. Small businesses say cautious shoppers are seeking 'cozy' and 'festive' this holiday season With a late Thanksgiving, the holiday shopping season is five days shorter than last year, and owners of small retail shops say that people have been quick to snap up holiday décor early, along with gifts for others and themselves. Cozy items like sweaters are popular so far. Businesses are also holding special events to get shoppers in the door. But there’s little sense of the freewheeling spending that occurred during the pandemic. Overall, The National Retail Federation predicts retail sales in November and December will rise between 2.5% and 3.5% compared with same period a year ago. Pope Francis makes 1st papal visit to France's Corsica awash in expressions of popular piety AJACCIO, Corsica (AP) — Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica on Sunday called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious and civic society. The one-day visit to Corsica’s capital Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon, on Sunday is one of the briefest of his papacy beyond Italy’s borders, just about nine hours on the ground, including a 40-minute visit with French President Emmanuel Macron. It is the first papal visit ever to the island, which Genoa ceded to France in 1768 and is located closer to the Italian mainland than France.234win com8888 。

The expanded Big Ten is poised to be a major player in this season's College Football Playoff. The 18-team conference had three of the top-four teams in the AP poll this week — No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Penn State. A one-loss Indiana team is ranked 10th but is still very much a contender to make the playoff, given how many Southeastern Conference teams have three defeats or more. Indiana's rise has been perhaps the Big Ten's biggest story this season. Much of the spotlight was on newcomers Oregon, Southern California, UCLA and Washington, but aside from the top-ranked Ducks, that foursome has struggled to impress. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers won their first 10 games under new coach Curt Cignetti before losing at Ohio State last weekend. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 back in October, and if the Buckeyes beat rival Michigan this weekend, they'll earn a rematch with the Ducks for the Big Ten title. And it's entirely possible another matchup between those two teams awaits in the CFP. Dillon Gabriel has quarterbacked Oregon to an unbeaten record, throwing for 3,066 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games. But don't overlook Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and his 21 rushing TDs, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been a big part of Indiana's improvement. Penn State's Abdul Carter has eight sacks and two forced fumbles and could be one of the top edge rushers drafted this year. Oregon (11-0, 8-0), Ohio State (10-1, 7-1), Penn State (10-1, 7-1), Indiana (10-1, 7-1), Illinois (8-3, 5-3), Iowa (7-4, 5-3), Michigan (6-5, 4-4), Minnesota (6-5, 4-4), Washington (6-5, 4-4), Southern California (6-5, 4-5), Nebraska (6-5, 3-5) and Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) have already reached the six-win mark for bowl eligibility. Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) and Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5) can join them. There may not be many firings in general at the top level of college football. The prospect of sharing revenue with athletes in the future might lead schools to be more judicious about shedding one coach and hiring a new one. Who should be most worried in the Big Ten? Well, Lincoln Riley is struggling to stay above .500 in his third season at USC. Purdue is 1-10, but coach Ryan Walters is only in his second season. Maryland's Mike Locksley has been there six years and his Terrapins are 4-7, but this was his first real step backward after guiding the team to three straight bowl wins. Cignetti has shown it is possible for a coaching change to push a previously moribund program to some impressive heights in a short amount of time — but the improvement has been more incremental at Michigan State following Jonathan Smith's arrival. Sherrone Moore wasn't a completely unknown commodity at Michigan after he won some massive games in place of a suspended Jim Harbaugh last year. But in his first season completely at the helm, the Wolverines have declined significantly following their national title a season ago. The Big Ten is home to one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country in Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. He has 52 catches for 899 yards and nine touchdowns. Highly touted quarterback Dylan Raiola has teamed up with fellow freshman Jacory Barney (49 catches) to lead Nebraska to bowl eligibility. Ohio State is on track to land the Big Ten's top class, according to 247 Sports, but the big news recently was quarterback Bryce Underwood flipping from LSU to Michigan. If the Wolverines do in fact keep Underwood in his home state, that would be a big development for Moore. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Dear Eric: We live on a lake and love hosting our great-nieces and nephews on school breaks and the entire family on vacations. My husband and I have no children. Our niece’s families are dear to us. Our 11-year-old great-nephew has been gaming now for about a year. When he comes to visit, instead of reading or playing cards or board games with us, he wants to disappear with his video games. We feel vacated. How do we navigate this with his parents who think his being on a video gaming team at school is awesome and I think it is a bad omen? What is a fair place of compromise and balance? — Game Off Dear Game Off: Let his parents parent their child. The other night I re-watched the movie “Network” from 1977. In it, a character in his 60s dismisses a character played by Faye Dunaway by saying, “She’s the television generation. She learned life from Bugs Bunny. The only reality she knows is what comes to her over her TV set.” Every generation has anxieties about the ways that technology is changing social interactions or altering the minds of the generations below. While some of those concerns are valid, those of Faye Dunaway’s generation (now in their 70s and 80s) would argue that they’ve managed to stay quite well-rounded, despite TV. In moderation, video games have been shown to improve a child’s cognitive function and working memory. While your great-nephew’s gaming might not be your choice, it’s important that you not seek to undermine the research and thinking that his parents have done about it. What you’re really yearning for is a sense of togetherness as a family, so try talking to your niece and her spouse about group activities you can plan to meet your great-nephew where he is. Dear Eric: I eat at a local restaurant a couple times a week and tend to get one of three meals. This one waitress asks me what I want to eat, but then interrupts me to make guesses or tell me my choice. I just put my head down and nod yes or no to the guesses. It’s frustrating, but not life-threatening. She enjoys it. I hate it. However, if I were to say something, it would force her to make the choice of being herself, doing something she likes doing, or appeasing me so I can order the way I want to order. I don’t know if this is a big enough problem to have a “high road.” The answer will not change my life. She can easily change, and I can easily suffer. The question is who gets to be themselves? — Speaking Up Dear Speaking Up: I worked in the service industry for more than a decade. I loved it. I loved seeing regulars, meeting new people and carrying a lot of beverages in my hands at one time. The whole bit. I also loved knowing what people wanted, but I would always ask and confirm. That’s part of the job. She may think you’re a regular who likes to be known in this way. So, informing her that that’s not the case won’t be keeping her from being herself. It will be helping her to do her job better. You may not have the kind of temperament that easily or comfortably course-corrects in social situations. That’s just fine. But know you won’t be causing her suffering by saying something like, “I’ve already decided on my meal. Let’s skip the guessing today and I’ll just tell you.” This also clears the path for the two of you to talk about something else, if you want. Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Journalist with the Times of India since August 2004, Shailvee Sharda writes on Health, Culture and Politics. Having covered the length and breadth of UP, she brings stories that define elements like human survival and its struggle, faiths, perceptions and thought processes that govern the decision making in everyday life, during big events such as an election, tangible and non-tangible cultural legacy and the cost and economics of well-being. She keenly follows stories that celebrate hope and life in general. Read More 10 ways to use pumpkin seeds 7 things that boys learn from their moms 10 Indian breakfast dishes loved across the world How to grow onion and garlic on your kitchen window Kid-friendly wildlife experiences in India How to make Chicken Chili Pakora at home 10 types of South-Indian rice dishes and how to make them 10 most beautiful offbeat places for solo travel in India (2025) Persimmon: Nutrients, health benefits of this vibrant orange colored fruit 8 animals that have more than 2 eyes

elifesra/iStock via Getty Images CFO strategy VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF ( NASDAQ: CFO ) was listed on 07/01/2014 and tracks the Nasdaq Victory US Large Cap 500 Long/Cash Volatility Weighted Index. It has a portfolio of 500 stocks, a 30-day SEC yield of 1.25% and a Quantitative Risk & Value (QRV) provides you with risk indicators and data-driven, time-tested strategies. Get started with a two-week free trial now. Fred Piard, PhD. is a quantitative analyst and IT professional with over 30 years of experience working in technology. He is the author of three books and has been investing in data-driven systematic strategies since 2010. Quantitative Risk & Value Learn more Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of KO either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

It's the festive season—a time for family, togetherness, and the joy of giving. But imagine this: it's Christmas Eve, and you're driving with loved ones to see sparkling lights or deliver gifts, only to have the dreaded check engine light flicker on. Such an unexpected disruption can easily cast a shadow on the holiday cheer. This very scenario echoes the experience that inspired Mr. Jin, the founder of VDIAGTOOL , to create tools that ensure no journey, whether a holiday trip or a routine errand, is derailed by car troubles. Where It All Began The spark for VDIAGTOOL ignited in 2015. Mr. Jin was preparing for a delightful spring outing with his family when car troubles unexpectedly put their plans on hold. Hours of waiting for a mechanic dampened the day, leaving him thinking there had to be a better way. When a friend later recounted a similar experience, it clicked: Why can't drivers handle car diagnostics on their own? Fueled by this vision, Mr. Jin began a journey to turn frustration into innovation. He assembled a team of mechanics worldwide who has over 20 years of hands-on experience average. Step by step, they achieved milestones, bringing the vision of empowering drivers to life. Building a Vision VDIAGTOOL set out with a clear mission: simplify car diagnostics, testing, and maintenance for everyone. Catering to DIY enthusiasts and professional technicians alike, the brand combines affordability with intuitive design. Whether it's an amateur checking their car's health or a seasoned mechanic fine-tuning a vehicle, VDIAGTOOL tools are designed to make the process efficient and hassle-free. From Concept to Creation True to Mr. Jin's philosophy, "We are customers first, then merchants," VDIAGTOOL's journey began with a deep understanding of user needs. The first product—a code reader—was crafted to balance simplicity and functionality. Over time, the team expanded its offerings, overcoming challenges through open collaboration and persistence. Each product, from automotive diagnostic tools to battery testers and circuit testers—all engineered for quality, reliability, and innovation. A Glimpse at Our Milestones Throughout its history, VDIAGTOOL has built a diverse product lineup, including: Battery Service Tools : The BT500 and BT300, which deliver precise battery diagnostics for professionals and enthusiasts. Circuit Testers : The V500/500Pro and V200Pro, designed for effective troubleshooting of electrical systems. Code Readers : The VD30Pro and VD10, enabling seamless engine code reading and clearing for drivers and technicians. Introducing the VD70S As we celebrate our progress, we're thrilled to unveil the VD70S —Building on the success of the VD70 and VD70 Lite.The VD70S is the artwork of the dedication and expertise of our 200+ technicians and mechanics. Their passion and hard work have driven every innovation, enabling the release of this cutting-edge scanner tablet. This relentless pursuit of excellence continues to push boundaries, bringing easy, accessible car repair to families worldwide. With its advanced connectivity and upgraded features, the VD70S represents the pinnacle of our efforts to combine innovation with reliability. Spreading Joy Worldwide Unti l to day, VDIAGTOOL has grown to a team of over 200 engineers worldwide, with numerous patents and intellectual property under its belt and available in over 50 countries. Our mission is simple: to create user-friendly, affordable tools that make car repairs easy and accessible , j ust like the guiding star of the holiday season, our tools provide drivers everywhere with peace of mind, and ensuring every journey is as smooth as possible. Your Trusted Holiday Companion This Christmas Holidays season and beyond, VDIAGTOOL is here to keep your travels safe and joyful. Whether it's a Christmas road trip or a daily commute, let us light the way, ensuring you and your loved ones arrive safely and happily wherever the road leads. Happy Holidays from VDIAGTOOL—Your Trusted Partner in Every Journey! For more information, please visit https://www.vdiagtool.com/ For Purchase, please visit https://vdiagtools.com/ ABOUT VDIAGTOOL Established in 2018 by a team of industry experts with over 20 years of experience in automotive repair and maintenance, VDIAGTOOL is dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of automotive diagnostic and maintenance tools, as well as testing equipment. Make automotive diagnostics, maintenance and testing easier, affordable and more efficient. Media Contact: Full company name: VDIAGTOOL Company website: www.vdiagtool.com Name: Jerry Chen Email id: Support@vdiagtool.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vdiagtool-makes-car-diagnostics-great-again-302331963.html SOURCE VDIAGTOOL Technology Co, Ltd

HARRISBURG, PA — Governor Josh Shapiro authorized a series of legislative measures into law on Monday, signing seven bills that address a range of significant topics, from memorializing fallen heroes to enhancing consumer protections and modernizing local governance. Each new law signals progress in key areas affecting Pennsylvania residents, with far-reaching implications for public safety, economic activity, and civic recognition. The legislation includes House Bills 71, 1210, 1304, 1850, 2177, 2426, and Senate Bill 155. These new Acts address issues like honoring Gold Star families, protecting victims of abuse, improving emergency services, revising municipal accounting practices, updating motorcycle inspection rules, banning license plate flipping devices, and expanding consumer protections for motorcyclists. House Bill 71 , now Act No. 145 of 2024, underscores Pennsylvania’s commitment to honoring military sacrifice. The law authorizes the construction of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on the State Capitol grounds. Sponsored by the Woody Williams Foundation, the monument will recognize Gold Star families who have lost loved ones in military service. Its design reflects core themes of homeland, family, patriotism, sacrifice, and legacy. By creating a space for memory and education, the monument offers a lasting tribute to fallen heroes and their families, while fostering greater public understanding of their sacrifice. Act No. 146 of 2024, originating from House Bill 1210 , enhances protections for victims of domestic violence by allowing judges to explicitly prohibit defendants from harming the victim’s pets. This addition to Pennsylvania’s Protection From Abuse Act addresses an often-overlooked aspect of domestic abuse, where abusers harm pets as a tactic of intimidation. This law empowers courts to address this specific threat, ensuring victims can seek safety without fear for their animals. By recognizing the connection between pet welfare and victim safety, the bill represents a critical evolution in domestic violence protections. House Bill 1304 , now Act No. 147 of 2024, brings sweeping updates to Pennsylvania’s emergency 911 communication system. The legislation promotes the transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911), which enables advanced digital capabilities like text, video, and data sharing. It outlines provisions for surcharge collection, fund distribution, and coordinated operations across counties. By modernizing the state’s emergency response infrastructure, Act 147 enhances public safety and creates a system better equipped to handle evolving technological needs and emergencies in real time. House Bill 1850 , signed as Act No. 148 of 2024, introduces changes to accounting practices in second-class townships. Specifically, it clarifies that advertisements are required only during the initial vote to replace elected auditors with certified public accountants (CPAs). Subsequent CPA reappointments no longer require additional public notices. This measure reduces administrative burdens while maintaining transparency, ensuring that municipalities can efficiently manage their transitions between accounting professionals without undue procedural hurdles. Act No. 149 of 2024, stemming from HB 2177 , simplifies safety inspection rules for motorcycles in Pennsylvania. Previously restricted to inspections between March and October, PennDOT-certified stations may now perform these inspections year-round. This change aligns safety protocols with motorcycle operation and sales, which occur throughout the calendar year. By eliminating this restriction, the law promotes road safety while offering greater convenience for motorcycle owners. House Bill 2426 , now Act No. 150 of 2024, closes a loophole in state vehicle laws by explicitly prohibiting license plate flipping devices. These mechanisms, which allow drivers to conceal or alter license plates, can enable illegal activities such as toll evasion and reckless driving. The new law ensures accountability on the road, making it clear that the use of such devices is unacceptable. This commonsense measure strengthens enforcement efforts and reinforces the principle that all drivers must adhere to traffic laws and identification requirements. Senate Bill 155 , enacted as Act No. 151 of 2024, expands Pennsylvania’s Automobile Lemon Law to include motorcycles. Previously covering only cars, the legislation ensures that motorcyclists receive the same consumer protections against defects that significantly impair use, value, or safety. These protections apply during the first year of ownership or the duration of the warranty, offering critical recourse for buyers. By addressing an oversight in existing consumer protections, this law aligns motorcycle purchasers with the safeguards already afforded to car buyers. The bills signed into law reflect a commitment to practical governance and the enhancement of public welfare. “These new laws address real needs in our communities, from public safety to consumer protection and more.” Gov. Shapiro’s administration repeatedly emphasized bipartisan collaboration in advancing these measures, reinforcing Pennsylvania’s ability to tackle diverse challenges. With laws now in place to honor military families, safeguard victims of abuse, modernize emergency systems, improve local governance, and protect motorcycle buyers, Pennsylvania stands poised to implement these initiatives for the benefit of its citizens. These Acts collectively represent a step forward in fostering safer, stronger, and more equitable communities across the Commonwealth. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .

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SAN DIEGO, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins LLP reminds investors that a class action was filed on behalf of all persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Marqeta, Inc. (NASDAQ: MQ) securities between August 7, 2024 and November 4, 2024. Marqeta creates digital payment technology for innovation leaders. For more information, submit a form , email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003. The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that Marqeta, Inc. (MQ) Failed to Disclose the Impact of Regulatory Scrutiny on its Business Prospects According to the complaint, during the class period, defendants failed to disclose that Marqeta understated the regulatory challenges affecting its business outlook and therefore, would have to cut its guidance for the fourth quarter of 2024. The complaint alleges that on November 4, 2024, Marqeta announced third quarter 2024 financial results and revised its fourth quarter projections to "reflect[] several changes that became apparent over the last few months with regards to the heightened scrutiny of the banking environment and specific customer program changes." The complaint further alleges that Marqeta's CEO and CFO actually knew of the heightened regulatory scrutiny affecting the Company's business from the beginning of the year, which they revealed in connection with the November 4 announcement. On this news, Marqeta’s stock price fell $2.53 per share, or 42.5%, to close at $3.42 per share on November 5, 2024. What Now: You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Marqeta, Inc. Shareholders who want to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their application to the court by February 7, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here . All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. About Robbins LLP: A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. To be notified if a class action against Marqeta, Inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/53e69218-456a-4e86-81b7-b14619b1f825Injuries pile up, 49ers uncertain QB Brock Purdy can return Sunday234win legit 。

As news of the shooting spread, tributes poured in for John Smith from across the business world. Colleagues, clients, and industry partners expressed their condolences and shared stories of Smith's impact on their lives and careers. Many described him as a visionary leader who was dedicated to his company and his employees, and who had a passion for making a difference in the world.President Murmu graces 'Sahitya Aaj Tak' event; lyricist Gulzar fetedMinisters must explain where ‘missing’ £41m will be spent – Labour

In the fiercely competitive landscape of the English Premier League, the title race this season has been nothing short of exhilarating, with four teams standing out as serious contenders. Among them, reigning champions Manchester City have asserted their dominance and shown that they are a force to be reckoned with as they seek to defend their crown.NEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lowey Dannenberg P.C., a preeminent law firm in obtaining redress for consumers and investors, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit against Dentsply Sirona Inc. (“Dentsply Sirona,” “Dentsply,” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: XRAY) for violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired Dentsply Sirona common stock between December 1, 2022 and November 6 2024, inclusive (the “Class Period”). On November 26, 2024, a complaint was filed against the Company and certain of its current and former officers, alleging that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Dentsply targeted low-income people who did not have access to good oral hygiene education, a dentist, or dental insurance, which often meant patients signing up for Byte had underlying dental issues that would have made them ineligible for treatment; (2) the push for Byte growth and sales commissions caused sales employees to sell to contraindicated patients; (3) as a result of the above, the Byte patient onboarding workflow did not provide adequate assurance that contraindicated patients did not enter treatment; (4) before and during the Class Period, reports of Byte patient injuries were pouring in; (5) Dentsply knew that its Byte aligners were causing severe patient injuries for years but did little to investigate those injuries or notify the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”); (6) Dentsply had no systems in place to notify the FDA of these injuries, which the Company is required to do within 30 days of learning of a problem; (7) the FDA had received a sharp uptick in reports of serious injuries from Byte patients; (8) as a result of the above, Dentsply materially overstated the goodwill value of Byte; (9) as a result of the above, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When investors learned the truth, Dentsply Sirona’s common stock declined precipitously, injuring investors. If you suffered a loss of more than $100,000 in Dentsply Sirona’s securities, and wish to participate, or learn more, click here , or please contact our attorneys at (914) 733-7256 or via email to Andrea Farah (afarah@lowey.com) or Vincent R. Cappucci Jr. (vcappucci@lowey.com). Any investor who wishes to serve as Lead Plaintiff must act before January 27, 2024 . About Lowey Dannenberg Lowey Dannenberg is a national firm representing institutional and individual investors, who suffered financial losses resulting from corporate fraud and malfeasance in violation of federal securities and antitrust laws. The firm has significant experience in prosecuting multi-million-dollar lawsuits and has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of its clients. Contact : Lowey Dannenberg P.C. 44 South Broadway, Suite 1100 White Plains, NY 10601 Tel: (914) 733-7234 Email: investigations@lowey.com SOURCE : Lowey Dannenberg P.C.

Mobile Clinic Market Is Booming Worldwide 2024-2031 12-21-2024 05:16 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Coherent Market Insights Mobile Clinic Market Trends Overview 2024-2031: A new Report by Coherent Market Insights, titled "Mobile Clinic Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2024-2031," offers a comprehensive analysis of the industry, which comprises insights on the Mobile Clinic market analysis. The report also includes competitor and regional analysis, and contemporary advancements in the market. This report has a complete table of contents, figures, tables, and charts, as well as insightful analysis. The Mobile Clinic market has been growing significantly in recent years, driven by a number of key factors, such as increasing demand for its products, expanding customer base, and technological advancements. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Mobile Clinic market, including market size, trends, drivers and constraints, Competitive Aspects, and prospects for future growth. Purchase Now Up to 45% Discount on This Premium Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/promo/buynow/101870 The purpose of the market research study is to thoroughly investigate the industry in order to gain knowledge of the industry and its economic potential. As a result, the client has a complete knowledge of the market and business from past, present, and prospective aspects enabling them to allocate resources and investing money wisely. Scope of the Mobile Clinic Market: The Mobile Clinic market is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate during the forecast period, between 2024 and 2031. In 2021, the market is growing at a steady rate, and with the rising adoption of strategies by key players, the market is expected to rise over the projected horizon. Geographical Landscape of the Mobile Clinic market: The Mobile Clinic Market report provides information about the market area, which is further subdivided into sub-regions and countries/regions. In addition to the market share in each country and sub-region, this chapter of this report also contains information on profit opportunities. » North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico) » Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy) » Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia) » Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia) » Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa) This report offers actionable growth insights and an extensive study comprising secondary research, primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and competitors, validation, and triangulation with the Coherent Market Insights regional database. Experts have detailed primary records with the market players across the value chain in all regions and industry experts to obtain qualitative and quantitative insights. Trends and Opportunities of the Mobile Clinic Market: The Mobile Clinic market has seen several trends in recent years, and understanding these trends is crucial to stay ahead of the competition. This report also presents several opportunities for players in the market. The increasing demand for Mobile Clinic in various industries presents several growth opportunities for players in the market. Key Benefits for Stakeholders: ⏩ The study includes a comprehensive analysis of current Mobile Clinic Market trends, estimations, and market size dynamics from 2024 to 2031 in order to identify the most potential prospects. ⏩ The five forces study by Porter underlines the role of buyers and suppliers in aiding stakeholders in making profitable business decisions and expanding their supplier-buyer network. ⏩ In-depth research, as well as market size and segmentation, can assist you in identifying current Mobile Clinic Market opportunities. ⏩ The largest countries in each area are mapped based on their market revenue contribution. ⏩ The Mobile Clinic Market research report provides an in-depth analysis of the top competitors in the Mobile Clinic Market. 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FAQ's Q.1 What are the main factors influencing the Mobile Clinic market? Q.2 Which companies are the major sources in this industry? Q.3 What are the market's opportunities, risks, and general structure? Q.4 Which of the top Mobile Clinic Market companies compare in terms of sales, revenue, and prices? Q.5 Which businesses serve as the Mobile Clinic market's distributors, traders, and dealers? Q.6 How are market types and applications and deals, revenue, and value explored? Q.7 What does a business area's assessment of agreements, income, and value implicate? Author of this marketing PR: Alice Mutum is a seasoned senior content editor at Coherent Market Insights, leveraging extensive expertise gained from her previous role as a content writer. With seven years in content development, Alice masterfully employs SEO best practices and cutting-edge digital marketing strategies to craft high-ranking, impactful content. As an editor, she meticulously ensures flawless grammar and punctuation, precise data accuracy, and perfect alignment with audience needs in every research report. Alice's dedication to excellence and her strategic approach to content make her an invaluable asset in the world of market insights. 📌Contact Us: Mr. Shah Coherent Market Insights Pvt. Ltd, 📞U.S.: +1-206-701-6702 📞U.K.: +44-020-8133-4027 📞AUS: +61-2-4786-0457 📞INDIA: +91-848-285-0837 ✉ Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com About Us: Coherent Market Insights is a global market intelligence and consulting organization focused on assisting our plethora of clients achieve transformational growth by helping them make critical business decisions. We are headquartered in India, having sales office at global financial capital in the U.S. and sales consultants in United Kingdom and Japan. Our client base includes players from across various business verticals in over 57 countries worldwide. We create value for clients through our highly reliable and accurate reports. We are also committed in playing a leading role in offering insights in various sectors post-COVID-19 and continue to deliver measurable, sustainable results for our clients. This release was published on openPR.It is important to note that pardoning criminals is a sensitive and complex issue that requires careful consideration and evaluation. While some may argue that pardons should be reserved for only the most deserving cases, others may advocate for a more lenient approach that prioritizes forgiveness and compassion. Balancing these competing interests will be a challenge for the White House, but seeking input from the public can help ensure that a wide range of perspectives are taken into account.

It all started when the local farming community noticed mysterious incidents of missing vegetables in their fields. After setting up surveillance cameras, they were shocked to discover that the culprit was none other than a small, mischievous potato. This potato, unlike any other, was endowed with intelligence and curiosity far beyond its kin.

Artificial intelligence is all the rage these days, and it's making its way into gaming in a big way. Sony and Microsoft have only recently started implementing AI and machine learning into their consoles, with features like the PS5 Pro's PSSR, but PC hardware manufacturer Nvidia has been at it for much longer. The company brought a paradigm shift in PC gaming with its machine learning-based DLSS, and in a recent tour, showed me its ambitions with AI for the future of video games. At a press tour in Bangalore, Nvidia gave me a look at various generative AI-powered demos for gaming and content creation. Most of these demos had already been showcased at various industry conferences before, like Computex, but this was my first time getting hands-on with them. The demos, running on what Nvidia calls RTX AI PCs, included various experiences that use existing and new LLMs (Large Language Models) and run locally on Nvidia's RTX graphics cards. The entire suite of features makes up what's being called Nvidia ACE, a facilitator for the creation and deployment of digital humans in interactive media. These demos all use slightly different technologies to aid content creation and gaming in various ways. In one demo, I talked to an in-game NPC directly to guide me contextually through its progression system while another application makes it easy to search for documents and files on your system much faster than possible on vanilla Windows. One demo assists you with generative AI for creating images in a digital environment, while another is an extension of ChatGPT molded with an AI NPC. It's a lot to take in, so I chose to focus on what matters most to me: gaming. AI NPCs are the hot new thing that Nvidia wants to focus on, and we're starting to see their first real-world implementations in existing and upcoming games. At the event, I talked to an AI NPC in Amazing Seasun Games' multiplayer title Mecha BREAK. Put simply, you can talk to Martel, the in-game mechanic in charge of your mech suits, using natural language. Ask Martel about the objective for the next mission, and she will answer promptly. Ask her what the fastest mech armor in your inventory is, and she will bring it up ready for further customization, which you can direct with voice commands. Sure, you'll have to stick to lore-accurate terms when engaging with her, but it's a pretty cool demo. Is that a feature I see myself using any time soon? No, not after the excitement wears down after the first couple of prompts. While these demos look cool, gamers care more about practicality. I'd much rather use the input mechanics I'm familiar with, like a mouse and keyboard, to customize my in-game character and experience, than rely on an NPC with whom I have to talk. If I need any assistance, I'm more than happy to head to the internet where I'll find plenty of helpful guides and forums where the answers I'm looking for aren't fine-tuned by game creators to suit their needs. Perfect World Games' Legends tech demo was a similar experience. In it, you speak to Yun Ni, a member of a jungle tribe. You can talk to Yun Ni naturally and she can see and recognize objects from the real world using the webcam on your computer. While there is no game surrounding the demo itself, it is impressive how its developers have utilized GPT 4 within a container with a set amount of instructions governing the world Yun Ni inhabits. Ask her about the best cars from Tesla and she'll reply, "What's a car?" How would she know? She lives in a jungle. Hold up an object she might recognize, like a knife, and she'll get excited to talk about its applications in the jungle. Well, she seems to be excited by her replies, but I can't tell if she really is by her voice. She sounds the same as those text-to-speech auto-narrated TikTok videos, so you can guess how lifeless her voice must be. The same goes for Mecha BREAK's Martel, though I keep asking myself why I should care about any of this. There is a short delay between your command/inquiry and Yun Ni's answer as the demo sends data to GPT4 servers. While you're only waiting for a couple of seconds, it's enough to remind you that all of this is exactly what it appears to be: a gimmick. Microsoft also showed off a demo of its Copilot AI assisting gamers inside Minecraft earlier this year, though we've yet to see the feature ship in the current build of the game. There's an argument to be made about how the new wave of AI NPCs, who you primarily interact with using voice input, can be beneficial in the accessibility space. We're not at the point where games are interactive enough to be navigated through using only natural language voice inputs, but Nvidia ACE is paving the way for that future. One could also argue that while these features won't be of use, or be adopted by hardcore gamers, they may reach the casual masses on lower-end hardware. Speaking of hardware, Nvidia's technical product marketing manager John Gillooly tells us that all of these models are running locally on the hardware. We can confirm the same as we interacted with each demo on systems that were not connected to the internet, except for Legends, and they were using consumer hardware like the RTX 4080. The only cost? VRAM. We weren't given specific numbers, but don't count on holding long, meaningful conversations with these NPCs on an RTX 4050. Surprisingly, one demo that was curiously absent from the event was Project G-Assist. Nvidia demoed the AI assistant at Computex earlier this year in its prototype phase, but I didn't see it in action. For those unaware, G-Assist is an AI-powered chatbox that is fed information about your system's specs and the game you're playing. It works similarly to Microsoft's Copilot for gaming, where users can ask questions about the game and get contextual answers. G-Assist will also help gamers optimize their systems with minimal steps, and the closest I saw at the event was ChatRTX. ChatRTX is a local tool that lets you pick any of the publicly available LLMs and personalize them for your system. This includes Llama 2, Mistral 7B, CLIP, and more. Essentially, you can build a personal chatbot that has access to your system, and you can interact with it to find documents and photos and retrieve critical system information. It's a localized version of what Apple is advertising with its big AI makeover on iPhone with Apple Intelligence, except you can customize it to your heart's content. While they're all impressive on their own, what's missing is a sense of coherency. With Microsoft also promising several context-aware AI features in its upcoming PCs and OS releases, why should I care about Nvidia's promises? If most of these features are only available on Nvidia GPUs, will developers integrate them well enough into their projects and leave AMD/Intel users in the dust? There are a lot of questions surrounding the future of AI in gaming and general computing, and every company has a slightly different answer. But even if the hardware and software manufacturers can get together to figure out their goals and present a unified vision to the end gamer, will the consumers even care? At the end of the day, I just want to use my PC to play games and I want my hardware to do one thing: run them well. I do that to avoid talking to people in the real world, and I'm not going to start talking to video game characters. At least not until they start to feel more like a human, and that's probably going to take a while.

Rocket Lab Successfully Deploys Satellite for Synspective, Caps Off Year with 60% Increase in Launches YoYFederico Di Marco was a standout performer for Inter Milan in their match against Napoli. The Italian full-back impressed with his dynamic displays both defensively and offensively, providing stability at the back while also creating opportunities in attack. Di Marco's work rate and versatility were on full display, cementing his place in the Best XI of Round 15.

One of the most highly anticipated matchups was between Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, two teams known for their attacking prowess and technical skills. Both clubs were neck and neck in the Group F standings, making their encounter a crucial one in determining who would advance to the next round of the competition.4. Frequency and Duration: While regular massages can be beneficial for overall health and well-being, it is essential to strike a balance and not overdo it. Excessive or frequent massages may lead to overstimulation of the body's systems, resulting in adverse effects.

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Long-time Cupertino City Councilmember Liang Chao is the city’s new mayor, with Councilmember Kitty Moore now serving as vice mayor after winning unanimous approval by their colleagues. Unlike nearby cities like Sunnyvale where residents vote for the next mayor, Cupertino’s top leadership positions are decided every year by the council. Chao succeeds Sheila Mohan while Moore takes the torch from Councilmember J.R Fruen. Both Mohan and Fruen will continue to serve on the council until 2026. At the special meeting Thursday, the council also welcomed former planning commissioner Ray Wang, who recently won the second council seat over former mayor Rod Sinks with just 64 votes. Moore, who ran for reelection, secured the first with 25.14% of the vote. Wang takes the spot of outgoing Councilmember Hung Wei to round out the five-member council. Addressing the council and residents Thursday, Chao said she is hopeful that she, Wang and Moore can restore the city’s democratic process — which Chao asserted was recently undermined by a lack of transparency and community engagement. “This is the leadership I pledge to you, one rooted in understanding, collaboration and respect,” Chao said. “I will ensure we put residents first. The council makes decisions based on residents’ input and that city staff follow the council’s direction without undue influence from outside special interests.” As mayor for the next year, Chao can expect to lead the council through affordable housing expansion, a budget deficit following the loss of millions in sales tax dollars from Apple and oversight of the construction at The Rise, a massive mixed-use development that is expected to be completed in the upcoming decade on the site of the old Vallco mall. Chao, who first joined the council in 2018, served as vice mayor in 2019 and 2021. During her tenure, Chao has been a part of council decisions including the launch of a city-wide shuttle service and oversaw the closing of the Cupertino-based Lehigh Cement plant and the environmental cleanup of Vallco. Chao and Moore have both been openly critical towards council approval of the large-scale project, The Rise, mostly for the environmental and congestion issues the development could cause in the city. Both have also been backed by 2014 resident group Better Cupertino, which has focused on what they call a “balanced growth approach to the city and the regional housing crisis” and has historically scrutinized The Rise’s development. Chao said Thursday she believes every resident supports housing, “as long as high-density projects are located in someone else’s neighborhood.” Chao also said she is confident that most residents would oppose a project that would bring thousands of workers and more congestion into the city. Chao and Moore were also the subject of controversy last year when an independent investigation and report by a civil grand jury accused the two of poor treatment towards city staff and bypassing councilmember protocols. Both were removed from their committee assignments, but later reinstated following the city decision to require additional training for councilmembers on council governance and staff communication.Ludhiana: The police arrested a youth on charges of harassing a married woman while she and her sisters were walking through a market. The youth allegedly arrived on a bike, snatched her dupatta, and touched her inappropriately before fleeing. After the woman reported the incident to the police, they arrested the accused. We also published the following articles recently Woman harassed outside police station in S Delhi, video goes viral A disturbing video capturing the alleged harassment of a 45-year-old woman outside a Delhi police station has sparked outrage and police intervention. The incident, which occurred Tuesday night outside Sangam Vihar Police Station, involved the victim being physically assaulted by two to three women identified as her neighbors. Police responded to the victim's distress call and registered a case. Cop suspended for harassing woman in Muzaffarpur A 55-year-old police officer, Mohammad Balal Khan, has been suspended and is currently a fugitive after allegedly propositioning a 35-year-old woman in Bihar's Samastipur district. Khan allegedly offered to drop charges against the woman, accused of sharing private photos, in exchange for sexual favors. Husband murders woman in Perumbavoor, arrested In a tragic incident in Perumbavoor, Kerala, a 39-year-old woman was murdered by her 51-year-old husband. The accused, Shiba Bahadur Chhetri, slit his wife's throat at a restaurant where she worked. Citing marital discord and an alleged affair, Chhetri surrendered to police after the crime. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .

Politico writer has Bluesky account briefly suspended, receives graphic insults for post about MuskNone

Conor McGregor issues shock 120-word statement vowing to appeal his sex assault courtroom defeat but admitting 'mistakes' and 'regrets': Shamed MMA star addresses cheating on 'the woman I love most in the world'Tiger Woods said he will not compete at the annual Hero World Challenge. Jane Barlow | Getty Images The golf world will wait at least a little bit longer to see Tiger Woods. The 15-time major champion announced Monday evening that he will not compete in the Hero World Challenge , the event he hosts annually in the Bahamas, as he continues to recover from microdiscectomy surgery on September 13. “I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete this year at the Hero World Challenge, but always look forward to being tournament host and spending the week with @HeroMotoCorp,” he posted on social media on Monday evening. “Excited to welcome our exemptions @JustinThomas34, @JDayGolf and @NickDunlap62 into the field.” The Hero, scheduled for the first week in December, attracts the golf world’s attention annually for its proximity to Woods. Tiger serves as tournament host and has used the event as a staging ground for various competitive reboots over the last decade. Monday’s news indicates he is still recovering from the back surgery that sidelined him on September 13, the sixth procedure to his spine since the fusion surgery that breathed new life into his competitive career in the late 2010s. Woods said in September that he hoped the latest surgery — a minimally invasive procedure to remove a herniated disc and the associated pressure on the nerves — would alleviate the “back spasms and pain” he was experiencing throughout much of the 2024 season. “I look forward to tackling the rehab and preparing myself to return to normal life activities, including golf,” he said in a statement then. His withdrawal from the field might arrive as a disappointment to golf fans, but it is hardly a surprise. Woods is still just 10 weeks removed from the surgery, and the spinal torque required of the golf swing demands a slow rehab process. He missed two months with a similar injury prior to his car accident in 2021 — a timeline that likely wouldn’t be shortened to allow Woods a start in a limited-field event. Woods has played sparingly in recent years, but he has earned a regular presence on the PGA Tour’s December schedule. He returned to the Hero and competed in 2023, and has played each of the last several years in the annual PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie. Woods has still not announced his intentions for the PNC, but he would be able to compete in that event from the comfort of a golf cart, a luxury not afforded at the Hero. In either case, though, golf fans won’t have to wait long to hear from the man himself. Tiger will still be in attendance at the Hero World Challenge, and will give his annual press conference in his role as tournament host. I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete this year at the Hero World Challenge, but always look forward to being tournament host and spending the week with @HeroMotoCorp . Excited to welcome our exemptions @JustinThomas34 , @JDayGolf and @NickDunlap62 into the field. Latest In News Golf.com Editor James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.

Arborist Management Software Market Is Likely to Enjoy Remarkable Growth | Arborgold, TreePlotter, SingleOpsOn Nov. 20, 25-year-old Moses Brown signed with his seventh NBA team. An undrafted free agent in 2019, Brown has been waived, cut, demoted, and traded by his fair share of NBA teams as he tries to carve out a career, but after three appearances with the Indiana Pacers, he might have found a landing spot. The Pacers, in a desperate bid to bolster their frontcourt after losing James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson for the season, signed Brown, who has averaged seven points and three rebounds this season. © Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images In the Pacers' 115-103 win over the Washington Wizards, starting center Myles Turner got into early foul trouble, so Brown, always ready, subbed in and offered a quick 11 points in the first quarter. He would go on to finish with 15 points and four rebounds in just 12 minutes of action and was easily Indiana's best bench player in the contest. "As soon as Myles got the second [foul], I think [James Johnson] looked at me. It was like, yo, be ready. And TJ [McConnel] looked at me like, be ready," said Brown after the game. "I got really excited. I just went out there and did what I had to do." The Pacers are a disappointing 7-10 on the season and are 8th in the Eastern Conference after making the Conference Finals last year. For the most part, Indiana looks uninspired and devoid of energy, so having a player like Brown who remains ready at all times will be a key to jumpstarting the offense. Related: Which Pacers' Star Did Rick Carlisle Applaud? The Pacers' next game will come without rest, as they play the second half of a back-to-back tonight against the injury-ravaged New Orleans Pelicans. Related: What's at Stake in Pacers vs. Pelicans?

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Title: Incremental Funding on the Horizon as CSI A-Series Products Continue to Expand1. Using Fuel-Burning Appliances Indoors: Fuel-burning appliances such as gas stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, and space heaters can produce carbon monoxide if not properly vented. Using these appliances in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces can lead to a buildup of CO gas, increasing the risk of poisoning.

Syrian government forces withdraw from central city of Homs as insurgent offensive acceleratesRiver Hawks' second-half rally falls shortTUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Aden Holloway established career highs of 26 points and eight 3-pointers to help No. 5 Alabama roll to a 105-82 nonconference men's basketball victory over South Dakota State on Sunday. Freshman Labaron Philon had the best game of his young career with 21 points and six assists for the Crimson Tide (11-2). Mark Sears had 20 points, including 6-for-14 3-point shooting. Grant Nelson added 17 points and eight rebounds and scored the game's first eight points. ADVERTISEMENT Alabama coach Nate Oats has sometimes been critical of his squad's defensive effort and the second half against the Jackrabbits will provide more fuel for that concern. Alabama did connect on a season-best 19 3-point shots but also attempted 55 long-range shots (34.5 percent). The Tide also saw South Dakota State put up 49 points in the second half to keep the score relatively competitive. Alabama claimed a fifth straight win with its third 100-plus point performance of the season. South Dakota State (9-6) was led by Washington State transfer Oscar Cluff, who had 21 points and 15 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. The Jackrabbits connected on 11-for-26 3-point shooting (42.3 percent), with guard Isaac Lindsey scoring 11 points, including 3-for-6 on 3-point tries. After Nelson's personal 8-0 run to open the game, South Dakota State pulled with 16-14 on a shot by William Whorton with 11:45 to play in the opening half. But Alabama then broke the game open, going on a 24-3 run culminating in a Holloway 3-pointer to give the Tide a 40-17 edge with 7:37 left in the opening half. South Dakota State trailed 57-33 at halftime, but played a much more competitive second half offensively by connecting on 17 of 33 shots (51.5 percent). Alabama will open 2025 with a home game against No. 12 Oklahoma on Saturday. South Dakota State will host Summit League opponent Denver on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENT ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .None

Three Heroes Aurora, known for their strategic investment approach and commitment to delivering positive returns for their clients, is considering allocating their idle funds towards the purchase of medium and low-risk financial products. This decision is rooted in their desire to diversify their investment portfolio, mitigate risk, and potentially generate sustainable returns over the long term.None

As tensions within the alliance continue to simmer, it is clear that the issue of defense spending and burden-sharing will remain a contentious and divisive issue for NATO members. The rift between the United States and its allies over financial contributions threatens to undermine the unity and solidarity of the alliance, potentially weakening NATO's ability to effectively deter threats and respond to security challenges in an increasingly uncertain world.

Wall Street's holiday cheer ended abruptly on Friday, with all three main benchmarks closing lower in a broad-based sell-off affecting even tech and growth stocks that had driven markets higher through much of the shortened trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 333.59 points, or 0.8%, to 42,992.21. The blue-chip index had been down more than 500 points earlier Friday. The S&P 500 lost 1.1%, and the Nasdaq dropped nearly 300 points, or 1.1%. The blue-chip Dow had fallen more than 500 points, or 1.2%, earlier Friday. Getty Images Despite Friday's travails, all three indexes finished weekly gains. The sell-off thwarted the seasonal Santa Claus rally, in which stocks traditionally rise during the last five sessions of December and the first two of January. Since 1969, the S&P 500 has climbed 1.3% on average, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac. "If nothing else, today is a reminder that just because a Santa Claus rally is a statistical likelihood, it is far from guaranteed," said... ReutersTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Luke Kromenhoek threw for 209 yards and tossed three touchdown passes as Florida State halted a six-game losing streak and routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday. Kromenhoek completed 13 of 20 passes in his first college start, including a 71-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Khi Douglas, as the Seminoles (2-9) won for the first time since Sept. 21. The true freshman also connected with Amaree Williams for a 4-yard TD and Hykeem Williams for a 10-yard TD. Florida State had the nation’s lowest scoring offense at 13.3 points. The Seminoles hadn’t scored more than 21 points or surpassed the 300-yard mark in 2024. But Florida State overwhelmed FCS Charleston Southern (1-11), accumulating 415 offensive yards. Kaleb Jackson completed 22 of 32 passes for 218 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown pass to Landon Sauers, and an interception for the Buccaneers. The takeaway Charleston Southern: While the Buccaneers found some success through the air, they couldn’t sustain drives and managed just 57 rushing yards on 29 carries. Florida State: The Seminoles picked up a season-best 176 rushing yards, scoring 17 points in the second quarter and 14 points in the third quarter to take control. Up next Charleston Southern’s season is over. Florida State plays host to Florida on Nov. 30. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Colimerio has 15, Queens defeats VMI 81-78

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Josh Hoover threw for 252 yards and a touchdown and JP Richardson had 149 all-purpose yards and a 38-yard touchdown reception to lead TCU over Arizona 49-28 on Saturday. On the first play from scrimmage, Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita was intercepted by Bud Clark. TCU scored five plays later on Trent Battle’s 4-yard run. The Horned Frogs scored touchdowns on five straight drives, going at least 75 yards on nine or more plays on three of the possessions. TCU (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) drove 75 yards in 12 plays in the final 1:55 of the first half to take a 21-13 lead on Savion Williams’ 20-yard run. Hoover completed five passes on the drive, including gains of 24, 19, and 24 yards to set up Williams’ score with 20 seconds left in the half. The Horned Frogs took the second-half kickoff and drove 76 yards in nine plays to build a 28-13 lead on Battle’s 1-yard run. Richardson’s 33-yard punt return to the Arizona 34 set up a third touchdown in three possessions. He caught a short pass over the middle from Hoover and raced untouched 38 yards for the score and a 35-13 lead. Richardson led TCU with six catches for 107 yards. Four TCU running backs scored a touchdown, including Williams, who rushed for 80 yards and two scores. Battle also rushed for 28 yards and two scores. Fifita was 29 of 44 for 284 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Arizona (4-7, 2-6). Tetairoa McMillan made nine catches for 115 yards. Scoop and score Arizona defensive lineman Sterling Lane II picked up a fumble from TCU backup quarterback Ken Seals with just over a minute left in the game and ran it 70 yards for a touchdown to cap the scoring. Nipped in the Bud Clark leads the Horned Frogs with three interceptions, including one in each of the past two games. He is tied for fifth-most in the Big 12. The takeaway Arizona: The Wildcats, who started the season in the AP Top 25 poll, will not be bowl eligible this season with a game remaining under first-year coach Brent Brennan. A year ago under coach Jedd Fisch, who is now at Washington, Arizona advanced to the Alamo Bowl for the first time since 2017. TCU: The Horned Frogs, who became bowl eligible two weeks ago, won their third consecutive game at Amon Carter Stadium after losing two in a row to UCF and Houston. TCU has won four of its past five, the only blemish a 37-34 last-second loss at Baylor. Up next TCU: At Cincinnati on Saturday. Arizona: Hosts Arizona State on Saturday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and

Paris Hilton is ageing backwards au naturel. The 43-year-old reality star and DJ claimed on the Zach Sang Show on Friday that she is “working on” ageing in reverse without the help of any cosmetic features. “I feel really proud that I’m all natural,” she told host, 31. “I’ve stayed out of the sun. I’ve never done any Botox, injectables, no surgery, nothing.” The Paris in Love star explained that she has maintained her youthful glow thanks to her mum Kathy Hilton’s skincare advice. Paris Hilton says she has never had surgery or Botox and fillers. The socialite says her mum gave her a skincare routine from age 8. “My mum told me when I was 8 years old, ‘Paris, stay out of the sun,’” she recalled. “And then she taught me this amazing 10-step skincare routine. So I’ve literally been doing that since [I was] 8.” Paris with her mum Kathy Hilton and sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild in 2023. Picture: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images Paris also noted she built an incredible in-home spa called the Sliving Spa. It features “the most epic” LED light therapy, offers Hydrafacials and cryotherapy, and hosts a hyperbaric chamber. She previously called her spa “the Fountain of Youth” while speaking to People . Paris has been maintaining that she has never gone under the knife or gotten injections for years. In 2015, the Simple Life star claimed to New You magazine that she’s never had cosmetic surgery. Paris attends the Grammy Awards in 2023. Picture: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images The star at the 2006 American Music Awards in LA. Picture: Mark Mainz/Getty Images “I even asked my dermatologist if I should do [Botox], and he’s like ‘I refuse to do it to you ... your skin is so perfect. I will not do it to you until you need it, and I don’t know if you ever will,’” she told the publication. She noted that she’s not against cosmetic procedures — they’re not just for her. In 2018, Paris reaffirmed her anti-ageing secret while speaking to Page Six, telling us, “Stay out of the sun and always keep your skin hydrated.” In June of that year, the Stars Are Blind singer came out with a skincare line called ProD.N.A, which she said contained “all the ingredients that have worked to keep [her] skin healthy and looking great.” Paris and Nicole Richie in circa 2004 at the height of their Simple Life reality TV fame. Picture: Peter Kramer/Getty Images The duo reunite at New York Magazine's Vulture Festival on November 17 in LA. Picture: Amy Sussman/Getty Images The brand appears to be defunct, as its Instagram page has not been active since 2020 and the products don’t appear to be purchasable through the provided links. However, Paris released a press release last week, revealing that her lifestyle company 11:11 Media is teaming up with beauty industry leader Guthy-Renker to create a joint company called 11:11 Beauty. “Now with 11:11 Beauty, partnering with Guthy-Renker has allowed me to bring my vision for beauty and wellness to life, blending cutting-edge technology with transformative results,” she said in the release. “The past couple of years have been a journey of passion and innovation and I can’t wait for the world to experience our first collection that will be unveiled Spring 2025.” This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission More Coverage CCTV shows Liam’s tragic final moments Steve Helling and Katherine Donlevy - New York Post Kanye accused of ‘forcefully gagging’ model Eileen Reslen - Page Six Originally published as Paris Hilton claims she’s still never had Botox or fillers: ‘I’m all natural’ Celebrity Life Don't miss out on the headlines from Celebrity Life. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Celebrity Life ‘Pig’: Cher blasts famous director Cher has hit back at a famed director after he once labelled her the most difficult actor to work with in Hollywood. Read more Hook Ups & Break Ups Elle’s shock reason for split from billionaire Supermodel Elle Macpherson says a controversial decision she made in her life marked the end of her marriage to billionaire Jeffrey Soffer. Read more

Trump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretaries

As we look ahead to December, there are indications that oil prices may continue to fall. OPEC and its allies, including Russia, have been discussing potential production cuts to address the oversupply of oil and stabilize prices. However, reaching a consensus on the necessary reductions has proven to be a challenging task, leading to doubts about whether the proposed cuts will be sufficient to support prices.Nebraska 44, Wisconsin 25Colimerio has 15, Queens defeats VMI 81-78

So mark your calendars for June or July next year, because the Xiaomi YU7 is coming soon and is ready to make a splash. Get ready to experience the future of driving with this innovative and cutting-edge SUV from Xiaomi. Stay tuned for more updates and be prepared to be amazed by the Xiaomi YU7's full reveal.

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.

Furthermore, the digitalization of the banking industry has made the loan application and approval process quicker and more convenient for customers. With the availability of online platforms and mobile apps, borrowers can now easily submit their applications, upload required documents, and track the progress of their loans in real-time. This seamless digital experience has not only streamlined the lending process but also improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.Murtough's appointment as Sporting Director was seen as a step towards rejuvenating the club's fortunes and bringing in fresh perspectives to the decision-making process. However, with Manchester United struggling to find consistency on the field and failing to challenge for major trophies, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of the appointment.

In conclusion, the case of Cao Cao wielding a Gatling gun through AI modification highlights the complex interplay between historical representation, technological innovation, and copyright protection. By critically examining the boundaries of artistic expression, historical accuracy, and intellectual property rights, we can promote a nuanced understanding of the ethical and legal implications involved in blending AI technology with historical narratives. As creators and consumers of content, it is crucial to engage in informed and reflective discourse on these issues to foster a responsible and respectful approach to creative expression in the digital age.Unai Emery feels confidence returning after Aston Villa end winless run

Technical Program Manager Interview Preparation Course Launched by Interview Kickstart - FAANG TPM Experts Share Interview Prep SecretsI can’t sugarcoat how progressives feel at the close of 2024: rough. President-elect Donald Trump won back the White House with a campaign that was bigoted and fascist. And from President Joe Biden’s backing of Israel’s ghastly war in Gaza to his ill-fated decision to seek reelection, progressives aren’t celebrating his tenure, either. The next few years will see an onslaught of challenges. If you look closely, you’ll see signs people aren’t just going to roll over and accept it. Here are five that caught my eye. The American public has had it with economic elites. Union activity has been on an upswing for a few years, with union petition filings in 2024 significantly up over 2023. After a successful national strike in 2023, the United Auto Workers won an election in Tennessee this year, a significant breakthrough in the traditionally anti-union South. And more Amazon warehouse workers and drivers are pushing to join. Meanwhile, communities in places such as Wisconsin fought back against a private-equity takeover of nursing care. And nationally, widespread anger exploded over the greed of health insurance companies. Trump likes to play a populist on TV. But if he moves to slash workers’ rights, cut taxes for CEOs and erode access to health care, he’ll have a fight. The movement for a ceasefire in Gaza drew support from a vast, diverse coalition of young people — with additional support from faith communities, unions, environmentalists and others who’d previously stayed “in their lane.” They haven’t succeeded yet. But they’ve won broad, bipartisan public support for a ceasefire, an arms embargo on Israel and, more generally, foreign policy informed by human rights. Democratic politicians, in particular, won’t be able to avoid this issue. Temperatures continue to rise. Natural disasters worsen, and our leaders fail us on climate. The Biden administration’s signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, is unleashing record investments in green jobs, fueling unprecedented growth in renewable power. Meanwhile, Indigenous-led efforts are quietly reintroducing species to their natural habitats. The more local support initiatives such as these win, the harder they’ll be to reverse. One of the worst moments of the 2024 campaign was the ridiculous slander of Haitian Americans in Springfield, Ohio, by Trump, and other right-wingers. Springfield natives turned out to support their Haitian neighbors. Locals flocked to Haitian restaurants, churches and community centers to show their solidarity. The lesson is that, while hardline immigration measures can attract support in the abstract, people feel differently when they realize members of their communities could be affected. Progressives should defend their immigrant neighbors without apology. They may win some unlikely allies if they stand up for what’s right. Forget “red states” and “blue states” — there’s support for progressive ideas in all 50 states. Just look at the election. Several conservative states passed ballot measures to raise the minimum wage, guarantee paid leave, protect abortion access and liberalize marijuana laws. Once you filter out the noise around candidates and ask people about progressive policies directly, even “red state” voters tend to support them. The key is to make candidates run on those policies — without watering them down. Our politics are a mess. But the U.S. isn’t lost — only our leaders are. When Americans organize around our common decency, it will be a lot harder for bullies such as Trump to walk over us. Certo is the communications director of the Institute for Policy Studies. He wrote this for InsideSources.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!234win 777 login app 。

After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles

'ADP schemes approved only for Karachi UCs governed by PPP or its allies'

Jimmy Carter dies at 100: Several world leaders and US politicians mourned the demise of former US President Jimmy Carter. He played a key role in brokering peace between Israel and Egypt and also received Nobel Peace Prize for his work. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has paid tribute to the former US president and said that he has left a legacy of “compassion, kindness, empathy, and hard work”. Here's how other leaders and US politicians have reacted. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN "Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian. Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well." US VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS "President Jimmy Carter was guided by a deep and abiding faith — in God, in America, and in humanity. Jimmy Carter’s life is a testament to the power of service — as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, the 76th Governor of Georgia, and the 39th President of the United States. He reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency and compassion." US PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP "The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude. Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers." EGYPT PRESIDENT ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISI "In this moment of sorrow, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of former American President Jimmy Carter, as well as to the President and the people of the United States of America. His significant role in achieving the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel will remain etched in the annals of history, and his humanitarian work exemplifies a lofty standard of love, peace, and brotherhood. His enduring legacy ensures that he will be remembered as one of the world's most prominent leaders in service to humanity." US SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN "Throughout decades of public service, President Carter embodied integrity, compassion, and a commitment to advancing the freedom, security, and welfare of others. He channeled that spirit in his foreign policy, from negotiating the return of the Panama Canal to its host nation, to developing arms control agreements with the Soviet Union. And he brought it to his every exchange and conversation, from heads of state to ordinary citizens. President Carter also showed us what can be achieved through tireless and principled diplomacy, mediating a landmark deal with Israel and Egypt that helped forge peace between two nations that had spent decades at war. His efforts are an important reminder of what’s possible, especially amidst renewed conflict and suffering in the region." CANADA PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU “Jimmy Carter’s legacy is one of compassion, kindness, empathy, and hard work. He served others both at home and around the world his entire life — and he loved doing it. He was always thoughtful and generous with his advice to me. My deepest condolences to the Carter family, his many loved ones, and the American people who are mourning a former President and a lifelong humanitarian. May his selfless service continue to inspire us all for years to come.” PANAMA PRESIDENT JOSE RAUL MULINO "I offer my condolences to the family and to the people and Government of the United States on the death of former President Jimmy Carter. His stint in the White House was marked by difficult times, and were crucial for Panama in negotiating and signing the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1977, which transferred the (Panama) Canal into Panamanian hands and made our country truly sovereign. May his soul rest in peace.” VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO "The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela regrets the death of former President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter, and extends its most sincere condolences to his family and friends. Former President Carter was a man of proven commitment to peace and dialogue. His contributions to global politics and his dedication to peace have left an indelible mark on the world." FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON “Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter has been a steadfast advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and has tirelessly fought for peace. France sends its heartfelt thoughts to his family and to the American people.” AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE “President Carter rose from humble beginnings to leave a remarkable legacy. Beyond being elected to the Presidency or being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Jimmy Carter's legacy is best measured in lives changed, saved and uplifted.”(BPT) - Consumers are facing increasing costs on virtually every purchase these days and auto insurance is no exception. While skyrocketing costs of this auto-related expense can be attributed to everything from parts replacement to service — even health costs as a result of accidents — consumers can better manage these increases with thoughtful study and attention to detail. Some of the common causes for higher insurance rates are Inflation, car accidents, extreme weather conditions such as hail, hurricanes and wind, along with increased vehicle theft claims. Mercury Insurance has partnered with financial literacy influencer Sam Jarman to highlight specific ways consumers can address these rising costs. "Your car is the second biggest expense for most people, right behind your home, and car insurance is a big part of that," said Jarman. "Checking rates and coverage with your Mercury Insurance agent makes sense along with choosing a car with low maintenance costs." According to Consumer Price Index data released earlier this year, car insurance rates are up almost 21% year-over-year for the 12 months which ended in February. The last time car insurance rates rose that much on an annual basis was 1976. Here are some auto insurance statistics recently released from Forbes : "Our goal is to help our customers get the best rates possible because we know that every dollar counts." said Justin Yoshizawa, Director, Product Management, State. "We encourage consumers to build a close relationship with their agent and discuss what discounts they may be eligible to receive. The answer might be surprising." Mercury offers the following tips for lowering your insurance costs: Review your deductibles with your insurance agent – It is recommended that you review your coverage and deductible with your Mercury agent at least once a year. Their wisdom and experience can help you make wise decisions regarding your insurance. Explore car insurance discounts – In addition to bundling your home and auto insurance, Mercury offers discounts for multi-car, good drivers, good students and auto pay. Your agent may have additional discounts to offer. Let Your Insurer Track Your Driving – Most insurers offer discounts for customers who install telematics. This technology allows your insurance company to collect information regarding your mileage and driving habits. This can also provide valuable information regarding your driving as well as saving you money. Drive a safe car with low repair costs – According to Bankrate , some of the cheapest cars to insure are the Subaru Outback, Honda CR-V and Honda Pilot. Also, look for cars with lower repair costs such as the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius and Tesla Model 3. Doing some research before you purchase a vehicle can save you money over the length of ownership. Install an anti-theft device on your car – Drivers may receive an additional discount on your auto insurance if you install an anti-theft device on your car. Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs – You can get a fast and easy quote from your Mercury Insurance agent. To receive a quote, you can reach us at 844-514-2893. To learn more about common types of auto insurance discounts, visit https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/resources/auto/understanding-types-of-auto-insurance-discounts.html . For more information on your auto insurance, you can reference the Insurance Information Institute .King and PM honour former US president Jimmy Carter after his death aged 100

Civil disobedience from 16th: PTIBangkok Airways Leads AAPA 69th Assembly of Presidents with Focus on Asia Pacific Aviation’s FutureWith Black Friday sales in full swing, there are still plenty of terrific deals to take advantage of. It’s the perfect time to shop for expensive electronics, including TV’s. Until Cyber Monday, you’ll be able to snag a high-end TV at a nice discount. Several top brands are offering huge deals on their best models. We’re seeing fantastic discounts on Samsung, LG, Sony and Hisense TVs. Whether you want a big-screen TV or something smaller for casual viewing, there are many options to consider getting during this sale event. Last updated on Nov. 30, 2024, at 2 a.m. ET. In this article: Samsung 55-Inch Class QLED 4K The Frame Series Smart TV , LG 77-Inch Class OLED B4 Series Smart TV and Hisense U6 Series 65-Inches ULED 4K Smart TV . The cool thing about this smart TV is that it features an Art mode you can enable, which displays modern and classic art pieces whenever you’re not watching. The color volume is fantastic, the matte film reduces light glare and the frame is customizable with multiple color bezel options. If you’re looking for an affordable 4K smart TV, this 65-inch LED model won’t disappoint. Motion Xcelerator reduces blur and lag, and object tracking delivers impressive 3D surround sound. It supports HDR and Mega Contrast to minimize the difference between light and dark areas. This Roku TV offers a sharp 4K resolution and supports HDR10+ technology, which enhances color, contrast and brightness. The home screen is customizable with shortcuts to your favorite apps, and the voice remote lets you effortlessly search for paid and free content. Are you looking for a solid TV for casual viewing? This 40-inch Amazon Fire TV has plenty to offer. The Fire TV platform provides quick access to live TV, video games and music, and the remote has a dedicated Alexa button for launching apps, searching for content and controlling smart devices on your network. This TV boasts Quantum Dot technology for reproducing stunning visuals and bright colors. When mounted, its AirSlim design allows it to blend seamlessly with your wall. The advanced processor automatically transforms non-UHD content into 4K and improves sound. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better TV for your home entertainment hub than this 77-inch LG smart TV. OLED technology produces accurate colors and deep blacks, and the a8 AI processor automatically fine-tunes the picture quality based on what you’re watching. Plus, it features NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium and VRR for improved gaming. This high-end smart TV boasts advanced OLED HDR+ technology, which enhances image brightness and clarity. Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Lite produce excellent sound quality, and the 144-hertz refresh rate delivers ultrasmooth motion for gaming and live sports. Plus, the smart Tizen OS offers streaming and gaming access. If you want a cheap smart TV for a smaller room in your home, this 42-inch Insignia Fire TV is the one for you. It’s a full HD TV with a 1080p resolution and a built-in Fire TV interface for streaming content from apps such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+. The Alexa voice remote makes it easy to find your favorite movies. This Hisense 65-inch TV features advanced Mini-LED technology for reproducing dark blacks and vibrant colors. Dolby Vision delivers superior picture quality, and the dedicated game mode provides a variable refresh rate for smooth gaming. The voice remote is convenient for finding content, and the smart TV interface is intuitive. If you have the space in your home for this massive TV, you’ll love the cinematic experience it offers. QLED technology delivers dazzling visuals and rich colors, and HDR Pro+ boosts contrast, brightness and clarity no matter what you watch. It has an integrated Google TV interface and is compatible with Alexa. Amazon Fire TV 43-Inch 4-Series 4K UHD Smart TV 38% OFF Amazon Fire TV 65-Inch Omni QLED Series 4K UHD Smart TV 25% OFF Amazon Fire TV 50-Inch Omni Series 4K UHD Smart TV 31% OFF Sony 75-Inch 4K Ultra HD Google TV Bravia TV 28% OFF Samsung 55-Inch Class QLED 4K Q80D Series Quantum HDR+ Smart TV 33% OFF LG 86-Inch Class UHD Smart TV 23% OFF LG 55-Inch Class QNED85T Series LED Smart TV 13% OFF Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Once thriving, now fading: The silent decline of the Anglo-Indian community at Ponmalai Railway Colonyhttps://arab.news/jjmre BEIRUT: An Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center on Sunday killed a soldier and wounded 18 others, the Lebanese military said, with the caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, calling the attack “a direct bloody message rejecting all efforts to reach a ceasefire.” The attack came as top EU diplomat Josep Borrell called for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war while on a visit to Lebanon. According to the Lebanese Army Command, the first adjutant, Diab Mohammed Jaafar, was killed when Israel targeted Al-Amariyeh checkpoint on the road between Tyre and the town of Naqoura. In a statement, Mikati said: “Israel’s messages rejecting a solution are ongoing, and just as it turned against the US-French call for a ceasefire in September, here it is once again responding with Lebanese blood, blatantly rejecting the solution that is being discussed.” Israeli airstrikes on Saturday pounded central Beirut, killing at least 20 people and wounding 66, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. He called on “the countries of the world and the relevant international institutions to assume their responsibilities on the issue.” Mikati’s condemnation came amid growing concerns that the Israeli military is trying to solidify its westward incursion in the coastal town of Al-Bayada, located between Tyre and Naqoura, while facing strong resistance from the eastern side of the border area in its positions in Khiyam. Israeli forces are trying to encircle the South Litani area from both sides. Hezbollah said it “targeted a gathering of the enemy army s forces east of the city of Khiyam with a salvo of rockets,” and “a gathering of Israeli forces at the Metula site (Israel’s outlet toward Khiyam) was targeted with a volley of rockets followed by an aerial attack with a squadron of assault drones ... hitting its targets accurately.” The Israeli military said Hezbollah launched 160 projectiles toward Israel on Sunday. Sirens sounded across northern and central Israel, reaching Tel Aviv at successive intervals, forcing thousands of Israelis to head toward shelters. Footage from central Israel showed extensive material damage and fires. The Israeli military issued further warnings to residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs to evacuate, targeting Bourj Al-Barajneh and Hadath. Former Israeli minister Benny Gantz claimed that the Lebanese government “is leaving Hezbollah unchecked,” adding: “It is time to act against its assets forcefully.” These developments came during a round of discussions conducted by Borrell, high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, in Beirut with Mikati and Speaker Nabih Berry. In a statement, Borrell stressed the need for exerting pressure on Israel and Hezbollah to accept the US proposal for a ceasefire. Borrell emphasized that “the situation in the Middle East, particularly here in Beirut, presents a significant challenge to the international community. The international community cannot remain inactive in the face of these events. The absence of peace in the Middle East has reached an intolerable level, and people are dying under bombardment.” He added that two months on from his last visit to Beirut, he now views Lebanon as on the verge of collapse due to the conflict, which has led to the devastation of numerous villages, as well as airstrikes aimed at Beirut and Baalbek. He also reiterated that “the human cost is exceedingly high.” Borrell said Israeli airstrikes had claimed the lives of over 3,500 people in Lebanon, a figure three times greater than the casualties recorded in 2006. The only viable path forward, Borrell said, is an immediate ceasefire and the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701. Borrell praised the UNIFIL forces and confirmed the EU’s readiness to allocate €200 million ($208.3 million) to the Lebanese Armed Forces. He emphasized the Lebanese need to “assume their political responsibilities by electing a president and putting an end to this prolonged power vacuum that has exceeded two years.” Borrell said a ceasefire proposal for Gaza is pending Israeli government approval, and “we, as the international community, need to work to ensure the respect of international law, as we see famine being used as a weapon of war through international law violations, the complete siege imposed on Gaza and the number of people that are dying in Lebanon.” He added that in his view the decisions of the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, for Israel’s activities in Gaza were not politically motivated and had been made under international law, which applied to everyone. “We strongly support the court,” he said.GTA 6 release date: Despite disappointment over the delay of GTA 6's second trailer, some fans have revisited the first trailer for additional clues about the game. One such fan, Reddit user u/-Huskii, drew attention to the water physics showcased in the trailer, calling them "incredible." In a post, u/-Huskii shared close-ups of several scenes from the trailer, emphasizing the game's water effects, along with shots of cars and ATVs on the beach. GTA 6: Scenes That Captured Fans' Attention The highlighted footage (via Sportskeeda) includes scenes like the opening shot, a bridge leading to what could be the game's version of the Florida Keys, and a beach scene. These images have left fans excited about the potential realism of the water physics in GTA 6. Also read: GTA 6 fans disappointed by Rockstar's latest announcement, hoping for major reveal this thursday Other users on Reddit joined the discussion. u/ Sm0key16 admitted to having missed these subtle details during their first viewing. Meanwhile, u/Midgeti pointed out the scene with boats moving past a dock, speculating that the water physics in GTA 6 would represent a significant improvement over what was seen in GTA 5. Another fan, u/DifficultEgg326, questioned how diving would be incorporated into the game, given the advanced water physics. Also read: GTA 6 secures ‘Most Wanted Game' title at Golden Joystick Awards; Rockstar promises exciting updates ahead Anticipation Builds for the Second Trailer Fans like u/xander540 and u/AhmedFawziz44 expressed particular interest in a second GIF from u/-Huskii's post, which featured an area that might be inspired by the Florida Keys. Their comments reflect growing anticipation for the game's details. Despite this enthusiasm, some users reminded others to temper their expectations as they await further updates. Fans are particularly eager for the release of GTA 6's second trailer, though it remains uncertain when that will happen. Also read: GTA 6 rumoured to receive major PS5 Pro enhancements with new PSSR 2.0 technology update- All details GTA 6 is confirmed for release in Fall 2025, as per Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company. While fans had hoped for additional updates, the first trailer, released in December 2023, remains the only official preview of the game. What We Know About GTA 6 So Far The game's setting will be a fictional state called Leonida, which includes Rockstar's version of Miami, named Vice City. The trailer's water physics stood out as one of its key highlights, and the reactions to u/-Huskii's post demonstrate that fans are impressed and excited for what's to come.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik has admitted that the “shouty behaviour” seen in the Dáil has “impacted on people’s behaviour” when canvassers knock on their door. In an interview with the Irish Mirror, the Dublin Bay South candidate said that she has had several “unpleasant” incidents on the doorsteps where people have “shouted” at her. She also conceded that her seat in the battleground constituency is not safe and she will not take anything “for granted”. READ MORE: Simon Harris says it's 'entirely possible' there will be Irish unity in his lifetime READ MORE: Disability worker 'shaken and upset' after exchange with Simon Harris in Cork Ms Bacik was in several high-profile fraught exchanges with independent TDs in the last Dáil. This included a scrap with Kerry candidate Michael Healy Rae over the infamous Leinster House bikeshed. During the argument, Ms Bacik told him to “shut up”. The Labour leader has repeatedly stated that she was surprised when she moved from the Seanad to the Dáil by the “adversarial” nature of the debate in the Lower House. Ms Bacik told the Irish Mirror that the manner in which politicians speak to each other is now impacting how voters speak to politicians. “Most people on doors are really civil, really polite, really respectful,” she explained. “I love canvassing. It's my favourite thing in an election campaign. Every hour I'm not out knocking on a door, I am twitching. “But certainly, the sort of discourteous shouty behaviour that we've seen in the Dáil, I think does have an impact. I think it's true. “It does have an impact on people's behaviour. People see it as a kind of threshold of decency in politics. “Occasionally, over the last few days, I have had people shout at me in the doors. It has been really unpleasant. “[About] the most random things. Random is probably the wrong word, things that matter to people personally but may not be... “Immigration, okay, that’s not random, clearly. That’s something that people have [concerns about]. “But things that are very particular to individuals. One person about football, this sort of thing. “It's disrespectful, it’s discourteous. I think it's sad to see that level of rudeness creeping in anywhere. “It's certainly very much a trend, as we all know, on social media, where the comments can be posted anonymously, “It's always disheartening to see people being rude on the doors.” Asked by the Irish Mirror if her seat was safe, Ms Bacik said, “No, not at all”. She continued: “I'll be standing on my track record. I was only elected for the first time three years ago, but I've been really working very, very hard in the community. “Certainly, we're getting very positive responses on the doors, but we are absolutely fighting as it's a very crowded field this time. “Dublin Bay South is being talked of as one of the more crowded battleground constituencies. We're very conscious of that, so we are absolutely fighting for the seat.” Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .

AP News Summary at 6:42 p.m. ESTShop Page Six editors’ top holiday gift picks for 2024

Qatar ranked first in key global governance indicators in the region for 2024 issued by the World Bank. The National Planning Council explained, in a post on its X account, that Qatar came in first place in the political stability indicators with a rate of 84.36 %, and the rule of law with a rate of 80.19 %. The Council attributed improvement in Qatar's position in global governance indicators to the state's efforts to enhance the axes of the global governance index and within the framework of effectively achieving sustainable development. According to the 2023 data issued by the World Bank, Qatar scored 81.13 % in the regulatory quality index, 85.85 % in the government effectiveness index, and 22.55 in the participation and accountability index. The National Planning Council pointed out that these indicators are an important measuring tool that reflects the governments' commitment to achieving the principles of good governance. Related Story Qatar joins Global Coalition for Digital Safety Sheikha Moza attends Arab Global Scholars annual gathering

J&K L-G extends terms of two V-Cs, ‘bypassing’ consultation with CM AbdullahLANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game with 21 seconds left after Washington’s Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin connected on an 86-yard touchdown, Dallas’ Juanyeh Thomas returned the ensuing onside kick attempt for a touchdown, and the Cowboys pulled out a 34-26 victory Sunday that extended the Commanders’ skid to three games. Seibert, who missed the previous two games with a right hip injury, was wide left on the point-after attempt following a low snap. Thomas then took the kick back 43 yards as the Cowboys (4-7) ended their losing streak at five in improbable fashion. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Sindh govt announces holidays on Dec 25, 26 Notification says holiday was announced on December 26 for Christian employees for Christmas KARACHI: The Sindh government on Friday announced a public holiday in all government offices on December 25 on account of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s birth anniversary, a Geo News report said. A notification was also issued by the provincial government in this regard, wherein a holiday was announced on December 26 for Christian employees in connection with Christmas. The founder of Pakistan’s birth anniversary is celebrated by the nation with great enthusiasm and devotion. The day will dawn with gun salutes in the federal and provincial capitals after which a graceful changing of the guards’ ceremony will be held at the Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum in Karachi. Official ceremonies and events will be scheduled throughout the country to pay tribute to the Quaid’s life, political struggles, and significant role in the creation of Pakistan. Special programmes have been arranged by various social, political, and non-governmental organisations and forums across the country.

JonBenét Ramsey case gets renewed attention 28 years after her murderIn 2010, Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, then 25 years old, left her two young children to her parents’ care in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija to seek proverbial greener pastures abroad. After initially landing in Malaysia, she moved to Indonesia on advice of her Filipino recruiters. Upon arrival in Yogyakarta, Indonesia she was detained after authorities uncovered 2.6 kilos of heroin with an estimated worth of $500,000 hidden in the inner lining of what she thought to be an empty suitcase given by her recruiter. She was sentenced to death in October 2014 and scheduled for execution in April 2015, but this verdict was stayed due to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s no-execution policy. While attending an ASEAN summit in Malaysia, President Benigno S. Aquino III appealed to President Joko Widodo for a stay in her execution. Fortunately, President Widodo acceded, despite his decision to allow the execution of other convicted foreigners. During the Duterte administration, the Philippine government took the position that it would not interfere with the Indonesian government’s stand on Mary Jane’s case. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s administration took the cudgels for Mary Jane. During his first foreign trip in the early days of the Marcos presidency, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo brought up with his Indonesian counterpart the possible grant of clemency. Last Nov. 11, a breakthrough emerged as the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Correction stated that “the transfer of prisoner” is being eyed as an option for Veloso, in line with the Philippine government’s request and as part of “constructive diplomacy” being taken by both sides. From a broader perspective, Mary Jane Veloso’s story mirrors the Filipino diaspora. Since the early seventies, tens of thousands of Filipinos have ventured to seek employment and better opportunities abroad. While many have prospered and elevated their families’ status, many have also fared badly and have been forced to return home to start anew. The government has not been remiss in continually promoting their well-being through agencies such as the Commission for Filipinos Overseas (CFO), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). According to a perceptive observer: “It is the billions of dollars of cumulative financial contributions sent to loved ones by these brave sacrificing souls that has kept the Philippine economy afloat.” Mary Jane’s sons have carried on with their schooling; the elder has finished high school and the younger is still enrolled. She will turn 40 years old on January 10, 2025. Many Filipinos certainly share the hope expressed by her family and DFA senior officials for a Christmas or New Year homecoming. Many more continue to aspire for a gentler, kinder life that would enable them to live a life of decent comfort. As of 2023, the number of poor Filipinos ranged from 16.3 million to 17.7 million, respectively, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Social Weather Stations (SWS) report on self-rated poverty. Stunting, or being small in size for their age, is still highly prevalent among the youngest Filipino children. The Philippines ranks fifth highest in Asia-Pacific in terms of having the highest number of stunted children. Mary Jane Veloso’s long-awaited homecoming will hopefully signal the dawning of a new, more hopeful era for Filipino women, children and families.

Dec. 12—The Trinity boys basketball team strapped in Thursday against Susquehanna Township — but not necessarily in the way the Shamrocks hoped for. It was a rollercoaster ride on Lawrence Kostelac Jr. court. Trinity fenced in the Indians for 21 first-half points and rode 8-0 and 10-0 runs for a 12-point halftime lead. Once the teams exited the locker room, Township jerked the Shamrocks off the rails, erupting for 53-point second-half explosion. Despite the turbulence, Trinity bore down to tough out a 76-74 barnburner. Senior Owen Schlager piloted the Shamrocks through the storminess, piling up 31 points while converting six straight foul shots in the final 30 seconds of regulation. "It was really just a team effort," Schlager said. "We all came together at the end. Halftime was a 12-point lead, so obviously, going into the half, we were very happy with ourselves. Offensive rebounding, we put an emphasis on that, and I think we cleaned that up. But they ended up hitting shots in the second. We can't let them get back in the game like that, so we'll take the win, but we got a lot to improve." Much of the Shamrocks' turbulent tendencies were self-inflicted. Trinity (4-2, 2-0 Mid-Penn Capital) lost the turnover battle, coughing up the ball 15 times, and succumbed to early foul trouble with three starters — Reece Brown, Dre Steele and Liam Sexton — all logging limited first-half minutes. The 'Rocks resorted to a tender approach in the second half, which allowed Township (1-3, 0-2) to turn on the afterburners. Alfonso Burnett and Mekhi Slappy each recorded 14 of their team-high 19 points across the last 16 minutes, flipping a 33-21 halftime deficit into a 52-45 third-quarter hole and into a 74-72 decision with 10.9 seconds remaining. "In the second half, we came out soft on defense, and I think we were tentative because of the foul trouble," Trinity head coach Larry Kostelac Jr. said. "... And the bottom line is, (Township) took advantage of that. They are skilled athletes. They are very good players. They have four or five guys that can score the ball, and they scored. And they were scoring at that rim." If the Indians weren't cashing in at the cup, they continued to draw contact. The visitors took 21 turns at the charity stripe and banked 15 attempts. Between the free throws and the points in the paint, Township trimmed the Trinity advantage to five with 2:30 left, to four at the one-minute mark, to three with 30 seconds to play and threatened with a pair before four Schlager foul shots. "Imagine if we stayed out of foul trouble, what we could've gotten," Kostelac said. "And so it was a good team win. I thought Owen obviously did what a Division I player does at the end of the game. He got the ball in his hands, he gets fouled, he gets on the line and makes it. That's why he's a Division I player. A lot of kids can't do that." The late-game heroics weren't the only instance where Schlager saved the Shamrocks. With Township slicing the Trinity lead to four early in the second quarter, the Siena College commit skied to six points amid the 'Rocks' 10-0 rampage. Steele stepped up in the second half, scoring 12 of his 17 points. Brown also emerged, ripping off eight tallies in the fourth to reach 10. "It took a while in the summer (for us to click), but once we got it going, it was really good," Schlager said. "Obviously you have those ups and downs, so just having everyone contribute, it's just a great thing, and shows us that these kids can do what we want them to do. And if they can contribute on that level every night, that would be great for us." Thursday's triumph completed a six-game slate in 14 days for Trinity. The turnovers, the fouls and the attrition were the product of the long and windy road. Some stretches followed the path. Some ventured off course. But in the end, the Shamrocks strapped in. "It shows our potential," Schlager said. "We were really locked in, the whole team was. We wanted to come to the game, hold them, and when we scored, we wanted to blow them out. That didn't happen, but it shows the potential where we can get to. And if we keep working with each other, keep on practicing, we'll end up in a pretty good spot." Christian Eby is a sports reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com . You can contact him at ceby@cumberlink.com and follow him on Twitter at: @eby_sports (c)2024 The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.) Visit The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.) at www.cumberlink.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.As AI systems become increasingly integral to devices such as smartphones, autonomous vehicles, and data centres, the use of gold has surged due to its unparalleled properties, according to the World Gold Council report. Gold demand in the electronics sector peaked in 2010 at 328 tons but gradually declined to 249 tons by 2023. Recent quarters, however, have shown a modest recovery, driven in part by the expansion of AI-enabled devices. As manufacturers strive to meet the technological demands of AI, gold’s unique properties ensure its continued relevance in high-performance electronic applications. Gold’s exceptional electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion make it indispensable in advanced hardware components, ensuring high-speed data processing, minimal energy loss, and long-lasting performance. The healthcare and financial sectors, among others, are heavily investing in AI to boost innovation and efficiency, further amplifying gold’s demand. As these industries expand their reliance on AI, gold’s role in delivering reliable and efficient electronic components is becoming more prominent. From processors to sensors, gold remains a critical material for enabling AI-driven technology. As per the WGC report, the rising cost of gold, which recently surpassed Rs 72,056 per 10 grams (USD 2,700 per ounce), poses significant challenges for manufacturers. During previous price surges, like those between 2001 and 2011, industries responded by substituting gold with alternatives such as silver or copper and adopting thrifting techniques to reduce usage. Yet, most of the “easy” reductions have already been implemented, leaving little room for further cost-saving measures without compromising performance. Despite technological shifts in areas like LED production–where gold-free mini-LEDs are gaining ground–the growing complexity of AI systems is likely to sustain demand for gold. Beyond AI, gold’s versatility underpins its significance in other industries. In healthcare, it is used in therapeutic devices and as a key component in diagnostics and experimental drug delivery systems. In aerospace, gold protects sensitive satellite and spacecraft components from extreme temperatures and radiation. Additionally, in clean energy technologies, gold serves as a chemical catalyst in processes like hydrogen production and carbon dioxide transformation. (ANI)

Utah Hockey Club bring 3-game losing streak into matchup with the Penguins