mnl168 apk download U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a reception at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) after being named TIME's "Person of the Year" for the second time, Dec. 12, in New York City. AFP-Yonhap U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has said that Pyongyang's involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine is a "very complicating" factor, while boasting about his personal ties with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump made the remarks in an interview with U.S. magazine TIME published Thursday as he commented on issues related to Russia's war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East. "When North Korea gets involved, that's another element that's a very complicating factor," Trump said during the interview with the magazine that chose him as the 2024 TIME Person of the Year. "And I know Kim Jong Un, I get along very well with Kim Jong Un. I'm probably the only one he's ever really dealt with. When you think about it, I am the only one he's ever dealt with," he added. Asked if he will abandon Ukraine, Trump said, "I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you're going to reach an agreement is not to abandon." Speculation has lingered that after Trump takes office on Jan. 20, he could seek to revive his personal diplomacy with Kim. But it remains uncertain whether Pyongyang could accede to diplomatic feelers from Washington amid its deepening military alignment with Moscow. (Yonhap)

Kieran Tierney is back fit and available for selection for Arsenal against Sporting Lisbon. The Premier League side flew out to Portugal on Monday ahead of their Champions League match tomorrow night. And among the travelling squad was former Celtic defender Tierney. London to Lisbon. ✈️ Champions League football returns tomorrow ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/oOhGLN9WSA — Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 25, 2024 Tierney has been out injured since June when he suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Scotland at Euro 2024. He hasn't featured for Arsenal since the Community Shield in 2023. However, the full-back, 26, is in contention to play against Sporting on Tuesday night. Tierney trained with his team-mates in London before the flight to Portugal and Mikel Arteta is confident the Scotland internationalist is ready to make an impact. Read more: Chris Sutton delivers Celtic vs Rangers quip over Roy Keane viral clip Fans urge Celtic to REFUSE Hearts tickets over allocation “Everybody in the squad is fully fit and available to start the game,” said Arteta. “We have Kieran Tierney after a long injury, it’s great news that he’s back, he’s been training with the team and he’s at the level to participate.” Arteta had said of Tierney last month: "I think he’s quite close, he looks good, really sharp. "He hasn’t trained with the team yet, hopefully, he can do that in the next week or two."National Mourning For 7 Days To Honour Manmohan Singh: Sources

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1 2 Lucknow: As a part of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD)'s membership drive commemorating Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh 's birth anniversary, a membership ceremony was held in the Rajajipuram on Tuesday. The event, presided over by RLD educationist Mayank Trivedi and coordinated by the party's state general secretary Chandrakant Awasthi, saw senior national leader Anil Dubey welcome Neeraj Tiwari and hundreds of his associates into the RLD fold. Dubey emphasized the party's commitment to strengthening social harmony under the leadership of RLD president and Union minister Jayant Chaudhary . Dubey highlighted Chaudhary's initiatives aimed at empowering farmers and youth. The event was also addressed by national secretary Vijay Srivastava, state president of the trade cell Rohit Agrawal, state president of the Professional Forum Ambuj Patel, state general secretary Manoj Singh Chauhan, and leaders including Rama Tiwari, Preeti Srivastava, and Vivek Pandey. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .Empowering educators: UoG-HEC collaborative workshop concludes

THE 10 Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army reiterated that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a nonpartisan organization and will not meddle in the affairs of politicians. During the Yearend Media Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by the 10ID at Camp Gen. Manuel T. Yan Sr. in Mawab, Davao de Oro on December 22, 2024, Major Gen. Allan Hambala said the Armed Forces is tasked with the mission they are given. "We at the armed forces, we just focus on our mandate, unsay mandato namo, naa mi mission gihatag sa amoa, we just focus on that. Leave the politicians to talk about politics. We remain nonpartisan," Hambala said. The 10ID commander also revealed that during that day President Bongbong Marcos Jr. and wife, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, were in Samal, Davao del Norte, thus he could not mingle with the media for long. President Marcos visited Davao Region on Dec. 22 reportedly to distribute land titles and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (Cocroms) to more than 9,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries in Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and Davao Oriental. Meanwhile, Maj. Ruben Gadut, 10ID Division Public Affairs Office OIC chief, said in an interview at the sideline of the event that they had successfully dismantled a unit of insurgents in North Central Mindanao Committee, which resulted in the dissolution of the Guerilla Front 57 during the second quarter. "That's why we are now only confronting the 'remnants' of this unit, which was 21 in total during that time, but now they are down to 12," Gadut said. He also reported their achievements in making five local government units in Bukidnon, namely: San Fernando, Kadingilan, Damulog, Dangkagan, and the latest, Kibawe, as insurgency-free. Cotabato LGU in Soccsksargen also declared insurgency-free recently. CEA

US senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be 'shot down, if necessary' TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — A U.S. Bruce Shipkowski, The Associated Press Dec 12, 2024 4:15 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Feb. 1, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — A U.S. senator has called for mysterious drones spotted flying at night over sensitive areas in New Jersey and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region to be “shot down, if necessary,” even as it remains unclear who owns the unmanned aircraft. “We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday, as concerns about the drones spread across Capitol Hill. People in the New York region are also concerned that the drones may be sharing airspace with commercial airlines, he said, demanding more transparency from the Biden administration. The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels. “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby said, echoing statements from the Pentagon and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh has said they are not U.S. military drones. In a joint statement issued Thursday afternoon, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said they and their federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, “continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.” The agencies said they have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and that reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. “There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space,” according to the statement. The drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security. The number of sightings has increased in recent days, though officials say many of the objects seen may have been planes rather than drones. It’s also possible that a single drone has been reported more than once. The worry stems partly from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights switched off. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey appeared to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said he was frustrated by the lack of transparency, saying it could help spread fear and misinformation. “We should know what’s going on over our skies,” he said Thursday. John Duesler, president of the Pennsylvania Drone Association, said witnesses may be confused about what they are seeing, especially in the dark, and noted it’s hard to know the size of the drones or how close they might be. “There are certainly big drones, such as agricultural drones, but typically they are not the type you see flying around in urban or suburban spaces,” Duesler said Thursday. Duesler said the drones — and those flying them — likely cannot evade detection. “They will leave a radio frequency footprint, they all leave a signature," he said. "We will find out what kind of drones they were, who was flying them and where they were flying them.” Fantasia, a Morris County Republican, was among several lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the sightings from the New York City area across New Jersey and westward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia. It is unknown at this time whether the sightings are related. Duesler said the public wants to know what's going on. “I hope (the government agencies) will come out with more information about this to ease our fears. But this could just be the acts of rogue drone operators, it’s not an ‘invasion’ as some reports have called it,” Duesler said. “I am concerned about this it but not alarmed by it.” ___ Associated Press reporters Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and reporter Darlene Superville and videojournalists Serkan Gurbuz and Nathan Ellgren in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. Bruce Shipkowski, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Science News Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX's Starbase site into a Texas city Dec 12, 2024 5:10 PM Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX's Starbase site into a Texas city Dec 12, 2024 4:02 PM Drone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictions Dec 12, 2024 3:30 PMThe Flyers coughed up a 3-0 lead Monday night en route to a 5-4 shootout loss to the Golden Knights at the Wells Fargo Center. They relinquished a 4-3 edge in the third period when Tanner Pearson scored with 8:05 minutes left. Vegas won the game with a tally from Jack Eichel in the skills competition. Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov and Owen Tippett came up empty in the shootout for the Flyers. The Flyers had a power play in overtime but couldn't convert. Michkov, Morgan Frost, Sean Couturier and Emil Andrae all found the back of the net for the Flyers. Andrae's marker was the first of his NHL career and gave the Flyers what appeared to be a commanding 3-0 lead just 28 seconds into the second period. But the Golden Knights turned it on and the Flyers weren't very good in the second period. John Tortorella's club saw overtime for the sixth time in the last nine games. It dropped to 3-2 in the shootout. Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers and their rivals in the NHL from NBC Sports Philadelphia. The Flyers (9-10-3) went 2-2-1 on their homestand. They've earned at least a point in 10 of their last 15 games (8-5-2) after starting the season 1-5-1. The Golden Knights (14-6-2) were without some key pieces in William Karlsson (personal reasons), Mark Stone (lower body) and Alex Pietrangelo (upper body). The Flyers open the 2025 portion of their schedule when they visit Vegas on Jan. 2 • Ivan Fedotov made 26 saves on 30 shots. He denied one of two attempts in the shootout. The Golden Knights got after him with 19 shots in the second period, scoring three goals to whittle the Flyers' lead down to 4-3 at intermission. The 6-foot-7 netminder wasn't quick playing the puck behind his net when Eichel got Vegas on the board. Under five minutes later, Scott Laughton had a turnover in the offensive zone that sprung the Golden Knights the other way on their second goal. Ivan Barbashev finished the sequence to make it 3-2. After the Flyers pushed their lead back to two, Couturier was whistled for hooking and Pavel Dorofeyev scored just five seconds into Vegas' power play. Fedotov has given up four goals in each of his last two starts. He has faced a lot of shots, 67 in total. Golden Knights goalie Ilya Samsonov entered 11-2-0 with a 2.52 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in his career against the Flyers. The 11 wins are his most against any club. He stopped 32 of the Flyers' 36 shots Monday night. • Andrae and Rasmus Ristolainen were each a plus-3 and very effective together. • Tortorella was mostly pleased with Frost's defensive effort last Saturday, the center's first game back from a stretch of four healthy scratches in five games. But the head coach wanted to see Frost's offense come to life. And he got his wish Monday night. Frost opened the game's scoring by redirecting a Ristolainen shot 8:51 minutes into the action. It was his second goal in 18 games. From there, you could see his confidence spike. He picked up an assist on Michkov's goal, which restored some order for the Flyers in the second period, cushioning their lead back to 4-2. For Michkov, it was his eighth goal and 17th point in 20 games. The helper gave Frost his second multi-point game of the season. The 25-year-old has overcome slow starts in the past . We'll see if Monday night's output gets him going. • Over four minutes into the third period, Garnet Hathaway had a painful blocked shot and immediately went up the tunnel. He appeared to be shaking his hand. The 33-year-old winger returned to the bench about four minutes later. • Jamie Drysdale (upper body) was out for a seventh straight game and Samuel Ersson (lower body) missed his sixth game in a row. Both players are considered day to day. A post shared by Jordan Hall (@jhall_nbcs) • In conjunction with the league-wide initiative , the Flyers held their annual Hockey Fights Cancer night. To bring awareness to all of those impacted by cancer, players wore white and lavender jerseys to the arena. Fans can bid on those jerseys here at FlyersCharities.com . A post shared by Jordan Hall (@jhall_nbcs) • The Flyers, amid a stretch of four games in six days, head to Nashville, Tennessee for a matchup Wednesday with the Predators (8 p.m. ET/NBCSP+). Subscribe anywhere you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts | Youtube Music | Spotify | Stitcher | Simplecast | RSS | Watch on YouTube

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THE NFL revealed their TV ratings entering Week 12 - and the Kansas City Chiefs lead the way. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have passed the Dallas Cowboys as the NFL 's top TV team. After 11 weeks of game action, the NFL is averaging 17.5 million viewers per game, per the league on X . The number excludes international games on NFL Network and exclusive streaming broadcasts on Peacock and ESPN+. The 17.5 million figure is the most through NFL's Week 11 since 2015. After Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills , the Chiefs extended its lead over the Cowboys as the league's No. 1 TV team. Read More on NFL The Chiefs-Bills matchup had the most TV viewers of the season (31.14 million). Before the game, Kansas City was unbeaten with a 9-0 record. The Chiefs have been part of four of the top five most-watched games through 11. The Cowboys have only been involved in one of those games, as their matchup against the Baltimore Ravens drew 27.3 million viewers. Most read in American Football Dallas has still been a popular team, even in the two blowout losses since quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending torn hamstring injury in Week 9. On Monday Night Football , in Week 11, ESPN received 17 million viewers for the Houston Texans ' 34-10 victory over the Cowboys. The game was the most-watched Week 11 MNF broadcast since 2006. And last week, CBS's broadcast of the Philadelphia Eagles ' 34-6 win over Dallas drew 24.61 million viewers. Overall, the NFL's TV ratings have increased despite the election season occurring in the first two months of the league campaign. In 2016, NFL ratings dropped eight percent from the previous year. And this season, ratings remained stable after looking at the NFL's major TV windows in the two weeks before and after the November 5 election. The two weeks before Election Day saw primetime games average 18.48 million viewers, per Nielsen data cited weekly by Sports Media Watch. In the two weeks after Election Day, those same windows averaged 18.18 million viewers. Neither Kansas City nor the Cowboys will have a primetime game in Week 12. Read More on The US Sun However, both will have stand-alone games in Week 13. CBS will air the Dallas-Washington Commanders game on Thanksgiving , while the Chiefs will take on the Las Vegas Raiders as part of Amazon Prime's Black Friday Football matchup.And single people are more likely to use mobility tools compared to those who are married, according to researchers from University College London (UCL) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Researchers looked at information from a group of more than 12,000 adults in England aged 50 to 89 who were tracked over a 13-year period. At the start of the study, 8,225 adults had no mobility difficulty and did not use mobility assistive products (MAPs). Some 2,480 were deemed to have “unmet need” and 1,375 were using mobility aids. During the follow-up period, there were 2,313 “transitions” where people went from having no mobility issues to needing some help with getting around. And 1,274 people started to use mobility aids. Compared with men, women were 49% more likely to transition from not needing mobility aids to needing to use them, according to the study which has been published in The Lancet Public Health. But were 21% less likely to go on to use mobility aids when they needed them. The authors said their study showed “barriers to access” for women. For both men and women, with every year that passed during the study period the need for mobility aids increased. People who were older, less educated, less wealthy or reported being disabled were more likely to “transition from no need to unmet need, and from unmet need to use”, the authors said, with this indicating a “higher prevalence of mobility limitations and MAP need overall among these groups”. They added: “Finally, marital or partnership status was not associated with transitioning to unmet need; however, single people were more likely to transition from unmet need to use compared with married or partnered people.” Jamie Danemayer, first author of the study from UCL Computer Science and UCL’s Global Disability Innovation Hub, said: “Our analysis suggests that there is a clear gender gap in access to mobility aids. “Though our data didn’t ascertain the reason why participants weren’t using mobility aids, other research tells us that women are often more likely than men to face obstacles such as cost barriers as a result of well-documented income disparities between genders. “Many mobility aids are designed for men rather than women, which we think may be a factor. “Using mobility aids can also make a disability visible, which can impact the safety and stigma experienced by women, in particular. “There’s a critical need for further research to identify and break down the barriers preventing women from accessing mobility aids that would improve their quality of life.” Professor Cathy Holloway, also from UCL, added: “Not having access to mobility aids when a person needs one can have a big impact on their independence, well-being and quality of life. “Our analysis suggests that women, in particular, regardless of other factors such as education and employment status, are not getting the support that they need.” Professor Shereen Hussein, senior author of the study and lead of the social care group at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “The research provides compelling evidence of gender disparities in accessing assistive technology, suggesting that cost, design bias, and social stigma are likely to disproportionally affect women. “This underscores the need for inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches in the design, production and inclusivity of assistive technologies.”

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Born on 26 September 1932 in Gah, a village in the Punjab province of undivided India (now in Pakistan), Dr Manmohan Singh embarked on an extraordinary journey that significantly shaped India's economic and political landscape. From humble beginnings, his intellectual brilliance and unwavering dedication propelled him into the global spotlight as an economist and statesman. Academic excellence Dr Singh completed his matriculation at Punjab University in 1948. He pursued a bachelor’s degree in economics from Panjab University in 1952, followed by a master’s degree in 1954. His academic excellence earned him a scholarship to the University of Cambridge, where he achieved first-class honours in the Economic Tripos in 1957. He later obtained a DPhil in economics from Nuffield College, Oxford University, in 1962, with a thesis critically examining India’s trade policies. Early professional career Dr Singh began his career in academia, teaching at Panjab University and the Delhi School of Economics. His expertise soon extended to international organisations, including a stint at the UNCTAD Secretariat and later as secretary-general of the South Commission in Geneva (1987–1990). Within India’s administrative machinery, Dr Singh held several pivotal roles: Economic adviser, Ministry of Commerce (1972) Chief economic adviser, Ministry of Finance (1972–1976) Governor, Reserve Bank of India (1982–1985) Deputy chairman, Planning Commission These roles honed his understanding of India’s economic challenges and opportunities, laying the groundwork for transformative policy decisions. Finance minister (1991–1996) In 1991, amidst a severe economic crisis, Dr Singh was appointed finance minister in Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao’s government. Tasked with averting a financial collapse, he introduced sweeping reforms that opened India’s economy to global markets. Key reforms included dismantling the Licence Raj, liberalising trade policies, and championing fiscal discipline. His landmark 1991 Budget speech, quoting Victor Hugo, “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come,” heralded a new era of economic growth and resilience for India. Prime minister (2004–2014) In 2004, Dr Singh became India’s 14th prime minister, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for two consecutive terms. Known for his quiet determination and intellectual depth, his leadership emphasised inclusive development and social empowerment. Key initiatives during his tenure included: National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA): Generating employment for millions in rural India Right to Information Act (RTI): Enhancing government accountability Civil Nuclear Agreement with the United States: Cementing India’s position on the global stage Dr Singh’s calm yet decisive leadership helped India weather the global financial crisis of 2008, ensuring economic stability while fostering sustained growth. Parliamentary career Dr Singh’s parliamentary career spanned decades, including five terms representing Assam in the Rajya Sabha before shifting to Rajasthan in 2019. He served as leader of the opposition (1998–2004) and was a key figure in parliamentary proceedings, despite never contesting a Lok Sabha election. Accolades and global recognition Dr Singh’s contributions earned him numerous awards, including: Padma Vibhushan (1987) Euromoney Award for Finance Minister of the Year (1993) Asiamoney Award for Finance Minister of the Year (1993, 1994) Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award (1995) He was also conferred honorary doctorates by prestigious institutions, including Cambridge and Oxford, recognising his scholarly achievements and global impact. A legacy that endures Dr Manmohan Singh’s tenure as a policymaker and leader was marked by a rare combination of intellect, integrity, and vision. Survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and their three daughters, his legacy as an economist, statesman, and reformer continues to inspire future generations. Stay tuned to our live blog for more updates

mnl168 app download for android apk Tories urge PM to reject Netanyahu arrest warrant and alter ‘nonsensical’ stanceLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Juan Sebastian Gorosito scored 21 points as Ball State beat Bellarmine 86-82 on Saturday. Gorosito added three steals for the Cardinals (4-6). Mickey Pearson Jr. added 18 points while going 3 of 6 and 12 of 12 from the free-throw line and he also had three steals. Jermahri Hill shot 6 for 9 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 1 of 3 from the free-throw line to finish with 14 points. The Knights (3-8) were led in scoring by Billy Smith, who finished with 33 points. Bellarmine also got 18 points, six rebounds and two steals from Dylan Branson. Gorosito scored 12 points in the first half for Ball State, who led 47-42 at the break. Hill's jump shot with 16:02 remaining in the second half gave Ball State the lead for good at 52-50. NEXT UP Up next for Ball State is a Saturday matchup with Evansville at home, and Bellarmine visits Wyoming on Thursday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set a record on biggest day for online shopping

Published 5:07 pm Friday, November 22, 2024 By Jim Gazzolo At least for one day, the Cowboys found paradise to their liking. McNeese State opened play at the Paradise Jam Invitational in the U.S. Virgin Islands Friday by outgunning hot-shooting Illinois State, 76-68. The win moves McNeese State into the winners’ bracket where they will play Longwood, an 89-81 victory over Alabama-Birmingham earlier in the day. The two will meet Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Lake Charles time at the University of the Virgin Islands. ISU (3-2) will take on UAB Saturday. Senior Javohn Garcia, splitting his time between the point and shooting guard positions, led McNeese (3-2) with 16 points and seven rebounds, but it was the bench that was the difference. “Very proud of JG after a tough first half,” said McNeese head coach Will Wade. “In the second half he was tremendous.” Garcia had just three points in the opening half, hitting only one of his five shots. The Cowboy subs outscored the Redbird extras 27-13 with Sincere Parker leading the way with 13 points and DJ Richards adding 10. Of their 23 points, 19 of them came during the first half. “You have to be ready when you go in,” said Parker. “I have to do a good job seeing the game when I’m on the bench and knowing what I can do to fix things.” Brandon Murray also added 13 points while Christian Shumate finished with nine and seven rebounds for the Cowboys. “We got a lot of contributions from a lot of guys,” said Wade. “Some of our guys played better today, some of our guys will play better on Sunday. That is something you need in these tournaments.” McNeese played solid defense against an ISU team that made 20 of 40 threes in its last game. Hounding the Redbird shooters the Cowboys forced ISU into missing 15 of their 26 shots from long range. ISU also missed on 8 of 21 free throws. That helped keep them from making any real run down the stretch. The Cowboys made 20 of 26 from the free-throw line and 8 of 20 on 3-point attempts. “We were able to do that better in the second half,” said Wade. “There are still a lot of things we have to clean up but we are working on that.” The Cowboys pulled away in the second and grabbed a 62-47 lead with 11:40 remaining after two Bryant Selebangue free throws ended an 8-0 run. The Redbirds tried to claw back into the game and had the lead down to six (72-66) with 31 seconds remaining. However, Garcia and Richards hit two free throws each from there to kill any upset chances. Sophomore Ty Pence led six ISU players who scored in double digits with 14 points while Mal Poindexter finished with 13. McNeese came out shooting strong, hitting six threes in the first half to grab a 43-36 lead. The Redbirds had come into the game with the reputation of being a great shooting team from long range. The two teams played things close for the first 10 minutes then Richards got hot for the Cowboys. He went on a personal 8-0 run over a 1:31 span to give McNeese a 25-18 lead. Richards hit two threes and two free throws during that time. After the Redbirds closed the gap to two at 25-23, the Cowboys went on a 12-3 run to lead 37-26 with 3:56 left. Omar Cooper’s steal and 3-point play capped off the run. “We were able to get some stops there,” said Wade. “When we got stops and didn’t foul we were able to get our pace going.” The lead grew to 15 (43-28) with 2:08 left before the break on Parker’s running layup. However, Ty Pence scored the final eight points on two threes of his own and a pair of free throws to bring ISU to within seven to start the second half. “That was a good win against a good team from the Missouri Valley,” said Wade.

NoneWASHINGTON (AP) — Marcus Dockery scored 27 points as Howard beat UNC Wilmington 88-83 on Saturday. Dockery added seven assists for the Bison (5-6). Blake Harper scored 18 points while shooting 5 for 11 (3 for 4 from 3-point range) and 5 of 8 from the free-throw line and added seven rebounds. Joshua Strong had 18 points and shot 4 of 7 from the field, including 4 for 6 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 6 from the line. The Seahawks (7-3) were led by Khamari McGriff, who recorded 34 points. Sean Moore added 13 points for UNC Wilmington. Harlan Obioha had 12 points. Howard used a 12-2 second-half run to erase a four-point deficit and take the lead at 82-76 with 2:14 remaining in the half before finishing off the victory. Harper scored 12 second-half points. Howard takes on Drexel at home on Tuesday, and UNC Wilmington hosts FGCU on Wednesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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Trump will keep US in AI lead: OpenAI’s AltmanThe PWHL has received more than 25 proposals for expansion, as the league looks at the possibility of adding two teams as early as next season. The six-team league is in the process of issuing requests for proposals, both for markets the league has targeted and others where groups have approached the PWHL to express interest in having a team, according to the PWHL's senior vice president of business operations, Amy Scheer. The level of interest since the league opened to expansion proposals less than a month ago has kept Scheer busy booking meetings with interested groups. "We need to do a lot of learning about the markets and how we would be supported there, and what does the model look like," she said in an interview with CBC Sports. "Our fact-finding mission is fun, and we'll continue until we feel we've got all the information we need." The PWHL will launch its second season on Saturday with the Toronto Sceptres hosting the Boston Fleet at 2 p.m. ET at Coca-Cola Coliseum. The game will be streamed on CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem, and CBC Sports App. Media, youth hockey systems, geography and economic opportunity are among some of the factors the PWHL is considering when evaluating potential expansion markets. (PWHL) It will be the first of 90 games this season, including 17 Saturday games that will be broadcast by CBC Sports . In addition to Toronto and Boston, the league also has teams in Ottawa, Montreal, Minnesota and the New York area, all of which are owned by the Walter Group, led by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner, Mark Walter. Vancouver, Quebec City among PWHL stops on North American tour But the possibility of buying into the league has come up often in the conversations Scheer has been having. "They've all asked, will you get to that point where we can buy the team or we can invest in the league?" Scheer said. "That's for the Walter Group to decide. For now, our marching orders are to go and explore what expansion could look like. I don't know what the future holds." Talent pool deep enough for more teams The first season saw the league break attendance records in both Canada and the U.S., en route to handing out the first Walter Cup championship trophy to the Minnesota Frost in May. At the same time, interest in women's sport across the globe has soared, as have valuations of professional women's sport franchises in North America. That, combined with a belief that there is enough talent on the ice to support an extra two teams, convinced the league to look at the possibility of expansion. When rosters are finalized later this week, there will be lots of talented players without a spot. They'll have limited options in North America, since the PWHL doesn't have a development league. Edmonton to host PWHL neutral site game between Toronto, Ottawa on Feb. 16 While expansion seems certain at some point, next season isn't set in stone at this point. "We just don't know until we have the conversation and really learn more about the markets that are interested," Jayna Hefford, the league's senior vice president of hockey operations, told CBC Sports. WATCH | A storyline for each of the 6 Canadian PWHL teams, ahead of the regular season: 1 storyline for each Canadian PWHL team heading into the season 7 days ago Duration 7:30 Host Anastasia Bucsis is joined by women's hockey insider Karissa Donkin to preview the 2nd season of the Professional Women's Hockey League. The league will play nine games in neutral sites across North America this season, all of which could be test runs for the viability and interest in women's hockey in those cities. In Canada, stops on the "PWHL Takeover Tour" include Vancouver, Edmonton and Quebec City. Six American NHL markets will also host games, including Buffalo, Seattle, Raleigh, N.C., Denver, St. Louis and Detroit, which also hosted a PWHL game last season. The league has built a weighted evaluation model for expansion with a checklist of seven to 10 items, ranging from economic opportunity to youth hockey, demographics, geography and media size, to consider when evaluating each potential expansion city's proposal. From linemates to lifemates, PWHL stars Poulin and Stacey navigate marriage and career There are NHL markets vying for a team, but Scheer said the league isn't limiting itself to cities that already have an NHL team. "We don't want to put any guardrails on where we may or may not go," she said. "I think it's important to listen to the merits of each market and how they might meet some of the criteria that we have. Who knows? You could be pleasantly surprised, so why put a wall up?" Demand for merchandise 'underestimated' Since she started in her job almost exactly a year ago, Scheer feels like she hasn't stopped sprinting. One of the first things she did was press pause on adopting team names and logos. Scheer felt they weren't ready to settle on branding yet. The league ultimately hired a New York-based company to help develop brands for each of the six teams, and unveiled the new team names and logos in September. "You can't just come out and say here's the name of the team with none of those supporting materials," Scheer said. "You just need to do things the right way." The PWHL unveiled new jerseys from Bauer earlier this month. (Bauer/PWHL) When the league launched team merchandise branded simply with city names last year, Scheer admitted they had no idea what to expect. Jerseys were sold out for some teams online throughout the season, and lines to get merchandise in arenas could be long. "We 100 per cent underestimated the demand," Scheer said. When they launched the new names and logos in September, merchandise sales broke records from the last season. Those records were broken again when the league launched new Bauer jerseys earlier this month. An attempt to jump-start scoring: A deeper look at the PWHL's new 'no escape' rule Now, Scheer's job is to make sure the league doesn't encounter the same hiccups with availability as last season. "There's the potential, if the pace continues, that we could sell out of our jerseys by March," Scheer said. "That's something that we're looking at now: how do we start planning to not be sold out by March? Can we get them in from overseas?" U.K. firm hired to shop international broadcast rights The league is also looking at the possibility of an outdoor game in the future, and staging games in Europe, where the league feels its popularity is growing. According to Scheer, people from 88 different countries outside Canada and the United States watched PWHL games on YouTube last season. One of the goals of the league was to attract the best talent from across the world, and the PWHL will have more European players this season than last. With that in mind, the league hired a U.K.-based agency to shop its international broadcast rights. "We think there's absolutely the ability to play games abroad and to grow abroad," Scheer said. After preseason action last week in Toronto and Montreal, all six teams in the PWHL are in the process of finalizing their rosters. Waivers open on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET, and teams must have their rosters set on Wednesday by 5 p.m. ET, ahead of Saturday's regular-season opener.

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Jet.AI has launched an agentic artificial intelligence (AI) model that helps customers select and book private jets. Dubbed “Ava,” the AI model can be contacted via phone or text and it provides real-time aircraft availability, pricing and guidance to help customers select the right jet for their journey, the private aviation and AI company said in a Tuesday (Dec. 24) press release . “The launch of our agentic AI model marks a new era in private jet booking, providing customers with a helpful solution while minimizing costs from our end,” Jet.AI Founder, Executive Chairman and Director Mike Winston said in the release. Together with the launch of the AI model, Jet.AI has made updates to its private jet booking app, CharterGPT, according to the release. The updates include enhanced push notifications that help customers stay up to date with changes to their travel reservations, and carbon tracking and offsetting that enables customers to make eco-conscious decisions, the release said. Another update is deep linking for trip sheets, in which Ava provides a link that opens the CharterGPT app and makes it easy for travelers to access the trip they discussed with the AI model, per the release. “Because of the high dollar price and unique aspects of private travel, we are committed to having a human in the loop,” Winston said in the release. “But the later in the booking process that happens, the better our productivity. In all our tests, Ava has been a champion, always poised, well informed and on point.” Agentic AI is positioned to take the capabilities of an automated software program to the next phase — a request-action architecture — by conducting business operations from start to finish without need for human intervention, PYMNTS reported in February. Intuit said in September that it will continue rolling out agentic AI capabilities throughout 2025. The company said that it will add these capabilities across its platforms and products — including Intuit TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks and Mailchimp — and that they will work on behalf of consumers and businesses while offering access to human tax and bookkeeping experts whenever needed. “Agentic AI represents a transformative leap in technology, with the potential to unlock unprecedented levels of efficiency for our customers, human experts and developers,” Intuit Chief Technology Officer Alex Balazs said in a Sept. 25 press release.or the first time ever, there will be two games on , both available . The first game features the traveling to , followed by the visiting the . Adding to the excitement, during the halftime show of the second game. It would have been fitting for to take the stage at halftime of the first game, but it's likely she'd prefer to on Travis Kelce. By then, her , which has , will be over. Jason Kelce's Christmas Gift Plan for Taylor and Travis On the holiday front, has everyone talking with his idea for a Christmas gift for his brother . During an appearance on , the former NFL star joked about making a as a sentimental gift for the couple. He admitted that it's not easy to shop for people who so he's considering something made with . Kelce's lighthearted suggestion drew laughs and even a trend prediction from Kimmel, who joked that millions of fans, could soon be wearing their own in honor of . While Jason has the gift, his playful approach has captured the imagination of fans. The idea of a handmade gift resonates with many and shows that even for celebrities, thoughtfulness goes a long way. Whether or not the makes it under the tree, Jason's sentimentality is clear, and the moment added another layer of charm to his . If Swift does this and shares it on a social network, you can be sure that the will make it a trend, a new holiday trend. Justin Trudeau Joins Taylor Swift's Star-Studded Eras Tour Taylor Swift, who wraps up her today before heading to Vancouver to wrap up her , made headlines last night by getting to dance at her concert. Trudeau joins a long list of celebrities from all walks of life who have attended her shows, and among politicians, he is perhaps second only to in importance. The tour, which includes more than , will officially wrap up the first weekend of December in With her schedule cleared, Swift will have time to attend the final four weeks of the and possibly join Travis Kelce for playoff games as the Chiefs look primed for another

Former Kentucky WR Dane Key set for transfer to NebraskaSEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks rode their dominant defense to a big win over a division rival to vault into first place in the NFC West. No, it isn’t 2013. These are the 2024 Seahawks, who, after struggling mightily against the run earlier this season, held the visiting Arizona Cardinals to 49 rushing yards in Sunday's 16-6 victory . The defensive line kept Kyler Murray under consistent pressure thanks to a dominant performance from Leonard Williams, the secondary flew around to smack away passes, and safety Coby Bryant scored on a 69-yard pick-6. Sunday's defensive performance was reminiscent of the Seahawks of a decade ago and a promising sign that first-year coach Mike Macdonald’s system is starting to click. Macdonald, who coordinated Baltimore's NFL-best defense last year, was leading one of the worst rush defenses in the league earlier this season. But Seattle consistently stuffed the Cardinals, who came in as the fifth-best running team in the league at 149.4 yards per game. “Three games in a row now we played pretty decent on defense,” Macdonald said. “There is an expectation and standard here throughout the course of our Seahawks history that we’re trying to live up to and build on. So that’s the idea.” At 6-5, the Seahawks drew even with the Cardinals in the tightly bunched division. The teams play each other again in two weeks at Arizona. Last month's trade for linebacker Ernest Jones IV has clearly paid off. Seattle hasn't allowed a running back to rush for more than 79 yards since its Week 8 loss to Buffalo, which was Jones' first game in a Seahawks uniform. He has led the team in tackles in every game he's played and has helped resurrect the run defense. The Seahawks' run game continues to underperform. Seattle got 65 yards on the ground Sunday, with the Cardinals holding Kenneth Walker III to 41 yards on 16 attempts. Zach Charbonnet had 22 yards on six carries. Walker hasn’t topped 100 yards since Week 1. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb needs to think of something different to get the running backs involved. Williams single-handedly disrupted the Cardinals with 2 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and one pass defensed. “I thought he was dominant,” Macdonald said. “I knew he played great and then I looked at the stat line and he played out of his mind.” The Seahawks finished with five sacks, seven quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and six pass deflections against the Cardinals, shutting down a team that had averaged 29.3 points over its previous three games. Geno Smith finished with 254 yards passing and a touchdown, but he threw another momentum-stalling interception. Smith was picked off on a third-and-6 play on the Arizona 18-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter, ending an 11-play, 73-yard drive. Smith has an NFL-most 12 interceptions this season, more than in either of his previous two seasons as the Seahawks' full-time starter. “That was a huge drive for us. ... Obviously made a terrible mistake down there, something I got to clean up,” Smith said. “But it was a big drive. We wanted to put the game ahead at least two scores.” The offensive line has contributed to the problem. Guard Anthony Bradford left with an ankle injury, and the line struggled to protect Smith, who was sacked five times. Macdonald said Bradford is expected to miss next week's game. 77 — Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the team with six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, marking the fourth consecutive game that Smith-Njigba has led the team in receptions. He topped 100 yards receiving in the previous two games. “He’s getting open,” Smith said. “He’s catching the ball. He’s doing a great job in the screen game. All-around great player. I just think the way that teams are playing us coverage-wise, I feel like it’s the ultimate sign of respect.” The Seahawks play at the struggling New York Jets on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria falloutSEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks rode their dominant defense to a big win over a division rival to vault into first place in the NFC West. No, it isn’t 2013. These are the 2024 Seahawks, who, after struggling mightily against the run earlier this season, held the visiting Arizona Cardinals to 49 rushing yards in Sunday's 16-6 victory . The defensive line kept Kyler Murray under consistent pressure thanks to a dominant performance from Leonard Williams, the secondary flew around to smack away passes, and safety Coby Bryant scored on a 69-yard pick-6. Sunday's defensive performance was reminiscent of the Seahawks of a decade ago and a promising sign that first-year coach Mike Macdonald’s system is starting to click. Macdonald, who coordinated Baltimore's NFL-best defense last year, was leading one of the worst rush defenses in the league earlier this season. But Seattle consistently stuffed the Cardinals, who came in as the fifth-best running team in the league at 149.4 yards per game. “Three games in a row now we played pretty decent on defense,” Macdonald said. “There is an expectation and standard here throughout the course of our Seahawks history that we’re trying to live up to and build on. So that’s the idea.” At 6-5, the Seahawks drew even with the Cardinals in the tightly bunched division. The teams play each other again in two weeks at Arizona. Last month's trade for linebacker Ernest Jones IV has clearly paid off. Seattle hasn't allowed a running back to rush for more than 79 yards since its Week 8 loss to Buffalo, which was Jones' first game in a Seahawks uniform. He has led the team in tackles in every game he's played and has helped resurrect the run defense. The Seahawks' run game continues to underperform. Seattle got 65 yards on the ground Sunday, with the Cardinals holding Kenneth Walker III to 41 yards on 16 attempts. Zach Charbonnet had 22 yards on six carries. Walker hasn’t topped 100 yards since Week 1. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb needs to think of something different to get the running backs involved. Williams single-handedly disrupted the Cardinals with 2 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and one pass defensed. “I thought he was dominant,” Macdonald said. “I knew he played great and then I looked at the stat line and he played out of his mind.” The Seahawks finished with five sacks, seven quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and six pass deflections against the Cardinals, shutting down a team that had averaged 29.3 points over its previous three games. Geno Smith finished with 254 yards passing and a touchdown, but he threw another momentum-stalling interception. Smith was picked off on a third-and-6 play on the Arizona 18-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter, ending an 11-play, 73-yard drive. Smith has an NFL-most 12 interceptions this season, more than in either of his previous two seasons as the Seahawks' full-time starter. “That was a huge drive for us. ... Obviously made a terrible mistake down there, something I got to clean up,” Smith said. “But it was a big drive. We wanted to put the game ahead at least two scores.” The offensive line has contributed to the problem. Guard Anthony Bradford left with an ankle injury, and the line struggled to protect Smith, who was sacked five times. Macdonald said Bradford is expected to miss next week's game. 77 — Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the team with six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, marking the fourth consecutive game that Smith-Njigba has led the team in receptions. He topped 100 yards receiving in the previous two games. “He’s getting open,” Smith said. “He’s catching the ball. He’s doing a great job in the screen game. All-around great player. I just think the way that teams are playing us coverage-wise, I feel like it’s the ultimate sign of respect.” The Seahawks play at the struggling New York Jets on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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

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Manmohan Singh: technocrat who became India's accidental PMThe first day of the fourth Test at the MCG was attended by 87,242 people — the highest ever in the history of India-Australia Tests in Australia. The only other instance that comes close is the famous 2001 Test at the Eden Gardens, although there are no official figures available for that game. In that sense, it was a historic moment in the India-Australia Test rivalry and the crowd certainly wasn’t disappointed. ET Year-end Special Reads Corporate Kalesh: Top family disputes of India Inc in 2024 The world of business lost these eminent people in 2024 Fast, faster, fastest: How 2024 put more speed into your shopping Jasprit Bumrah opened the match with a spectacular first. He made the 19-year-old Australian debutant, Sam Konstas, look like a walking wicket in his first three overs. However, the teenager changed his approach and started playing unconventional shots. Three ramp shots, resulting in two fours and a six, turned the tide and injected the match with much-needed energy. Konstas took the attack to the Indians by taking on the hitherto unplayable Bumrah. Konstas kept attacking for as long as he batted and the scoring rate at one point was over five an over. “You think of the modern day and a more adventurous incarnation of Virender Sehwag. That’s what Sam Konstas is. There will be days when it’ll not come off and he’ll not look nice. But on other days he will set the tone,” said Justin Langer, former Australia opener and coach. Konstas liveed and died by the sword. His confrontation with Virat Kohli further added to the drama. By the time Konstas (60 off 65 balls, 6x4, 2x6) was finally out to Ravindra Jadeja, he had provided Australia a strong platform. Konstas’ dismissal was followed by two-and-a-half hours of attritional cricket. Australia focussed on consolidation, while India adopted a patient, waiting strategy. Bumrah picked up Usman Khwaja to a loose shot to bring Steve Smith to the crease. What followed was a quintessential Test partnership be tween Marnus Labuschagne and Smith — 83 off 127 balls. Though they were beaten many times, their resilience never wavered. That’s what Test cricket is all about, batting through adversity. It was the partnership that gave Australia control. However, just as it seemed India were running out of ideas, Labuschagne made a costly mistake. A smart catch from Kohli, almost against the run of play, gave India a much-needed breakthrough. Interestingly, a section of the Australian fans weren’t unhappy with Labuschagne’s dismissal, knowing that Travis Head was the next batter. Head’s been in sublime form in this series. With back-to-back hundreds, he’s been a constant thorn in India’s side. With the second new ball still some time away, the stage was set for Head to take charge. An hour of aggressive play could take the game away from India. 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Bumrah bowled the delivery of the day, which pitched on off and deviated just enough to clip the top of off stump. Head, playing inside the line, couldn’t anticipate the movement. That moment of brilliance brought India back into the game. Bumrah followed it up with the wicket of Mitch Marsh and then Akash Deep used the second new ball to remove Alex Carey to make sure India did not end the day too behind.In all, it was a fascinating day of cricket that lived up to the billing. It showcased the impulsive brilliance of Konstas, the dogged determination of Labuschagne and Smith, and the genius of Bumrah. While Australia might feel marginally ahead, India knows that with the second new ball just a few overs old, a good first hour will square things up. On a good batting deck, it will be India’s batting that will need to stand up. With Shubman Gill dropped for lack of overseas runs, the all-rounders will need to step up and make it count. 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Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders financially are protected against potential injuries in Saturday's Alamo Bowl against BYU, according to Colorado coach Deion Sanders. The coach confirmed Monday that the school has taken out record disability insurance policies for the two players, who are both projected top-five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. "We happen to have two players that are probably gonna be the first two picks of the NFL Draft," Sanders said at a press conference in San Antonio. "And they have received, I think, the highest number of coverage that has ever been covered in college football. ... It far exceeds anyone (who) has ever played this game of college football." High-caliber players such as Sanders and Hunter typically skip non-playoff bowl games rather than risking injury and potential lost income as top draft selections. The No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft is in line for a four-year deal worth about $40 million. A spokesman for Colorado's athletic department confirmed to Front Office Sports that several Buffaloes players are insured for the game, but he did not provide specific costs or benefits. No. 23 Colorado (9-3) meets No. 17 BYU (10-2) at the Alamodome on Saturday. Shedeur Sanders has completed 74.2 percent of his passes this season for 3,926 yards with 35 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Hunter, the team's two-way star, won the Heisman earlier this month. He has 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a wide receiver and four interceptions, 11 passes defensed and 31 tackles as a cornerback. --Field Level MediaUnion Chief Justice attends ASEAN Chief Justices Council’s 11th Meeting in PhilippinesIllawarra basketball stalwart Bob Cannon takes great delight in being the oldest registered player in NSW. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading The 82-year-old has no plans to slow down. Cannon is playing the game he loves more now than in years. Last month, Cannon enjoyed a successful campaign at the 2024 Pan Pacific Masters Games. He was part of the Myths and Legends team, which won a gold medal in the 80+ years and a silver in the 75+ age group in basketball. Cannon played 10 games during the Pan Pacific Games from November 3 to 10. "It was a tough schedule, but I loved every minute," he said. "I'm at my happiest when I'm playing basketball." Despite usually being one of the oldest players on the team, Cannon is one of the fittest and is often seen after a game doing a few line sprints to keep his fitness up, putting his much younger teammates to shame. Cannon, who was born in West Sydney but has lived in the Illawarra for the past twenty-plus years, started his basketball Masters' campaign in Bankstown in 1994. Over the years, he has had some speed humps, most notably a knee replacement and, more recently, a shoulder replacement. Cannon is now fighting fit. His current weekly routine involves veterans basketball on Sunday and Wednesday, Walking basketball on Wednesday and social men's basketball on Thursday. The latter has no age restriction, meaning Cannon can and often does play against players as young as 18. Last year, Cannon and his Illawarra Walking Basketball team won the state title in Hills District. The achievement came 10 years after Cannon first played in an Australian Masters' basketball tournament in 2013. That same year, he coached Australian women for 60+ years to a gold medal at the World Masters in Italy. Cannon has also played in several World Masters Games, including those held in the Philippines, Guam, New Zealand and the USA. He also represented Australia at the 2017 FIMBA Basketball World Championships in Italy, finishing sixth out of 18 teams participating. Cannon also had the honour of being the Australian flag bearer. He was also the Australian flag bearer in 2019 in Finland and was part of the first Australian side to win a medal after the team finished fourth out of the 10 competing teams. Cannon represented Australia again in 2023 in Argentina. He is preparing to play for his country again when Australia heads to Switzerland in 2025. Other team members hail from Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. One of the players, Frank Tomasi, currently living in Perth, originally lived in Wollongong and recalls helping his father install the original backboard supports at the Snakepit basketball courts (now called courts 3 and 4) around 1965. Australian Basketball Hall of Fame member Adrian Hurley OAM is the coach of Australia's 80+ team heading to Switzerland. Hurley has previously been the head coach of the Australian Boomers, in charge of the Illawarra Hawks NBL team in 1980, and a Perth Wildcats championship-winning coach. Bob advised the 80+ years team will get together for a training camp in Wollongong with coach Adrian Hurley around mid-May next year in preparation for the 2025 Switzerland FIMBA Basketball World Championships. "It's exciting. I can't wait to play for Australia again," Cannon said. Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure. Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure. More from Basketball Newsletters & Alerts DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. 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Manmohan Singh: The reformist who mastered the art of wielding delegated authoritySecond Quarter FSU_FG Fitzgerald 24, 13:42. FSU_A.Williams 4 pass from Kromenhoek (Fitzgerald kick), 4:09. FSU_C.Holmes 3 run (Fitzgerald kick), :26. Third Quarter FSU_J.Douglas 71 pass from Kromenhoek (Fitzgerald kick), 14:50. FSU_H.Williams 10 pass from Kromenhoek (Fitzgerald kick), 7:50. Fourth Quarter FSU_FG Weinberg 21, 14:55. FSU_C.Holmes 18 run (Fitzgerald kick), 5:27. CHSO_Sauers 7 pass from K.Jackson (Montgomery kick), :59. A_43,711. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING_Charleston Southern, Ison 13-28, Gordon 1-12, K.Jackson 5-10, Hawkins 2-9, Greenwade 5-6, Bishop 3-(minus 8). Florida St., Davis 9-39, C.Holmes 3-38, Toafili 6-33, Kromenhoek 8-31, Singleton 4-21, Glenn 2-10, T.Jackson 1-2, McCoy 1-1. PASSING_Charleston Southern, K.Jackson 22-32-1-218. Florida St., Kromenhoek 13-20-0-209, Glenn 3-3-0-31. RECEIVING_Charleston Southern, Taylor 5-41, Rhone 3-60, Jennings 3-29, Kindell 3-29, Sauers 3-16, Highsmith 1-25, Ison 1-7, J.Scott 1-6, Gordon 1-3, Dawson 1-2. Florida St., J.Douglas 3-82, L.Thomas 2-36, H.Williams 2-35, Gibson 2-14, A.Williams 2-11, Danzy 1-38, Williamson 1-13, McCoy 1-10, Benson 1-4, Singleton 1-(minus 3). MISSED FIELD GOALS_Charleston Southern, Montgomery 48, Montgomery 41.

WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Report: NFL warns players of burglary rings targeting pro athletes

Percentages: FG .421, FT .875. 3-Point Goals: 12-28, .429 (Zilinskas 5-10, Dudukovich 2-4, Walker 2-5, Brown 1-2, Craig 1-3, Millender 1-3, Rutland 0-1). Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: 2. Blocked Shots: None. Turnovers: 8 (Brown 2, Millender 2, Dudukovich, Goode, Walker, Zilinskas). Steals: 5 (Goode 2, Garner, Millender, Walker). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .456, FT .788. 3-Point Goals: 5-25, .200 (Riley 3-11, Bryant 1-2, Ford 1-4, Lee 0-1, Smith 0-1, Colon 0-2, Downey 0-4). Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 4 (Moodie 3, Lee). Turnovers: 8 (Ford 4, Greer 2, Crosby, Moodie). Steals: 4 (Ford 2, Bryant, Lee). Technical Fouls: None. A_320 (6,000).Amazon Invests Another $4B In AI Firm Anthropic

By TravelPulse (TNS) While 2024 was a year that brought about significant, continued post-pandemic recovery for the travel industry, it was also a period of time marked by instability in some locations around the world. From attacks on the rail lines during the Paris Olympics to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, not to mention the war in Ukraine, the global travel realm in 2024 was fraught with challenges. It is against this backdrop that the international security and medical services provider Global Guardian recently released its 2025 Global Risk Map. Published annually, the map is meant to help travelers better understand the current global risk landscape. In order to develop its guidance, experts at Global Guardian assess a long list of country-specific security risk factors and indicators, including crime, health, natural disasters, infrastructure, political stability, civil unrest and terrorism. For 2025, Global Guardian’s assessment results underscore the reality that disruption globally and domestically continues to increase, and now more than ever travelers need to be prepared when exploring the world. As part of the latest assessment, Global Guardian highlighted a handful of specific global regions that are at particular risk of destabilization over the next year and beyond. Here’s a closer look at those regions, along with insights from Global Guardian CEO Dale Buckner, who recently spoke with TravelPulse at length about the risks travelers may face in 2025. Here are the regions at risk of destabilization in 2025: Israel’s existential battle against Iran is set to continue into 2025, says the Global Guardian report. “In July 2024, Israel assassinated Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) safehouse in Tehran, and Iran has pledged revenge,” the report explains. “This comes as Iran and its web of regional proxies took their war on Israel out of the shadows and into the open following October 7, 2023, with seven live fronts.” Global Guardian also predicts that Israel’s regional war will shift from Gaza to the West Bank and Lebanon in the year ahead, heightening tensions with Hezbollah, while Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean will persist. The report adds that as “we enter 2025, Israel may assess that its strategic window to prevent a nuclear Iran is rapidly closing and choose to act.” The ongoing civil war in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is also of concern, according to Global Guardian’s risk analysis. The conflict “has created a dire humanitarian situation with ethnically motivated violence on the rise,” says the report. Some of the areas of concern in the Latin American region include Venezuela and Mexico, according to Global Guardian. The risk in Venezuela is tied to the country’s long-standing territorial dispute with neighboring Guyana, says the report. “Since 2019, the U.S. Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel from U.S. Embassy Caracas and suspended all operations,” explains Buckner. “Violent crimes, such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking, are common in Venezuela. Shortages of gasoline, electricity, water, medicine, and medical supplies continue throughout much of Venezuela. Simply put, Venezuela is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Western travelers and should be avoided.” In Mexico, meanwhile, the problems include drug cartel-related violence and theft, among other issues, says the report. Mexico recently inaugurated its first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and like her predecessors she will face challenges “reining in cartel violence, corruption, extortion, theft and kidnapping,” says the report. “As such, security continues to be a top concern in Mexico’ ” says the report, which categorizes Mexico as “high risk” when it comes to travel for 2025. Countries classified as high risk experience regular conflict, criminal activity or civil unrest — and have not effectively managed those risks. The Global Guardian report also suggests there may be heightened risks in Mexico now that Donald Trump has been reelected U.S. president. “Bilateral relations between the U.S. and Mexico could dramatically deteriorate. Trump has promised a mass deportation operation, which could sour relations between the U.S. and Mexico, increasing risks to businesses operating in Mexico,” the report adds. Asked to comment on Mexico’s high-risk designation, Buckner stressed that the situation in the country is extremely nuanced, adding that it’s a vast oversimplification to call the entire country high risk. “There are pockets of Mexico that are wildly safe and wonderful to visit and people shouldn’t hesitate to go,” Buckner told TravelPulse. “And there are also pockets that are unsafe and dangerous.” The good news, added Buckner, is that Mexico’s new president is focusing a great deal of effort and energy on addressing the problems surrounding drug cartels, which are the source of a great deal of the risk. Buckner was quick to add however, that as long as there’s demand for drugs, the drug cartel situation is likely to remain problematic. “The U.S. is driving the drug demand — we consume more drugs then the rest of the world,” explained Buckner. “It’s really overly simplified to paint Mexico as the bad guy, because if there wasn’t demand, we wouldn’t need the supply. But the demand is real and violence comes with that.” Representatives for Global Nexus, a government and public affairs consultancy that advises travel and tourism companies and interests in Southern Mexico, told TravelPulse that while drug-related violence has been known to occur, it involves members of the drug cartel targeting each other, they’re not targeting tourists. “There is an ongoing battle between small drug vendors who use the beach to sell product to tourists hanging out on the beach,” explained Ruben Olmos, Global Nexus president and CEO, in reference to the Quintana Roo region, which is popular with tourists. “There have been cases where gunfire has been exchanged between these groups. They are targeting themselves. They are fighting over ‘This is my beach’ and they initiate a shootout.” However, added Olmos, that the U.S. State Department’s risk categorization for Quintana Roo (which is separate from the Global Guardian risk assessment) has not changed. Located on the State Department’s Mexico page, the risk assessment for Quintana Roo remains in the “Exercise Increased Caution” category, which is below the top risk categories of “Do Not Travel” and “Reconsider Travel.” The Exercise Increased Caution designation means “Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security,” explains the State Department’s website. Olmos also pointed out that Mexico is the only country that has a map on the U.S. State Department website that covers every single state in the country, providing details for travelers about which states are safest. In June 2024, thousands of young people took to the streets in Kenya to protest a controversial tax bill. The protesters were met with heavy-handed policing, including the use of live fire and mass arrests, says the Global Guardian risk report. Despite the local security response, protests continued. The success and tenacity of the Kenyan movement has triggered similar protests or dissent in other countries including Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, and Nigeria, says Global Guardian. That is just a portion of the risk Global Guardian sees for Sub-Saharan Africa over the course of 2025. “With multiple conflicts escalating across the continent, aging leaders leaving behind unclear successions, and entrenched regimes with dissipating legitimacy, Sub-Saharan Africa now looks much like the North African and Arab world in the early 2010s,” says the report. “While the dynamic unfolding in Africa might not yet merit the label of “African Spring,” a significant change to the continent’s political status quo is coming.” Several countries received an extreme or high-risk designation on the new Global Guardian risk map for 2025, including more than a few that are popular with leisure travelers or tourists. Extreme risk countries are those that Global Guardian says are “actively engaged in conflict, while also experiencing severe criminal activity and civil unrest.These countries are insecure; state institutions are too weak to manage militant groups or large-scale disasters.” They include Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Lebanon, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Ukraine, West Bank, Gaza and Yemen. The current list of high-risk countries, which are countries that experience regular conflict, criminal activity or civil unrest and have not effectively managed those risks, includes Bangladesh, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Libya, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Uganda, Venezuela Officials from the Jamaica Tourist Board provided a statement to TravelPulse in response to Global Guardian’s designation of the country. “Last month, Global Guardian, a private security provider, released its 2025 Global Risk Map, which included Jamaica, amongst other destinations,” said the Tourist Board. “It is important to note that the crime rate against visitors is notably low at 0.01% and the majority of Jamaica’s tourism product remains unaffected.” The country’s tourism officials added that Jamaica has welcomed 3 million visitors this year and boasts a high repeat visitor rate of 42%. “The island is consistently ranked among the top destinations for international travel and visitors continue to come with confidence to enjoy all that Jamaica has to offer,” the statement adds. When it comes to Jamaica, Buckner offered similar comments to those of Mexico, noting that the situation is impacted by drug-related violence and the experience on the ground is nuanced and cannot be painted with a broad brush. “In the same vein as Mexico — Jamaica can be a wonderful place to visit,” says Buckner. “There are pockets of beauty and low crime and as long as you are careful, it’s a very low threat.” Buckner, a retired Army colonel, maintains that the world is indeed a more risky place heading into 2025. The challenges in the Middle East and Ukraine are at the forefront of the instability, but are hardly the only cause for concern. “Israel has now gone to Gaza and cleaned out Hamas, they’re now moving north into Lebanon, and we are convinced Israel will strike Iran,” Buckner said during an interview that took place prior to Israel’s strike on Iran. “If that occurs you are going to see violence across the Middle East.” “But there are over 100 conflicts across the globe,” continues Buckner. When you combine that reality with other challenges the world is currently grappling with, including the destabilizing influences of climate change, there are plenty of risks for travelers to bear in mind when planning a journey for the coming year. He wraps up by offering a few tips for travelers, a check-list of sorts, to work through when planning or considering travel to a specific country in 2025: — If you don’t know who to call or how you are going to negotiate if someone is kidnapped, you shouldn’t go there. — Consumers need to read the fine print on travel insurance because it does not cover war zones, terrorism or natural disasters, says Buckner. And travelers are often surprised and find out too late that these types of events are not covered. — If you get stuck or stranded, if you don’t know who you are going to call to get you out of that situation, know what organizations locally or internationally are available to help you. ©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Red Bull brings wrong rear wing to Las Vegas in mistake that could stall Verstappen's title chances LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen is suddenly in jeopardy of being denied a fourth consecutive Formula 1 title Saturday night. Red Bull apparently brought the wrong rear wing to Las Vegas and GPS data showed its two cars to be significantly slower on the straights than both McLaren and Mercedes, which led both practice sessions. Red Bull says it doesn’t have a replacement rear wing in Las Vegas to fix the issue and little chance of getting two flown in from England ahead of the race. Caitlin Clark to join Cincinnati bid for 16th National Women's Soccer League team WNBA star Caitlin Clark has joined Cincinnati’s bid for an expansion National Women’s Soccer League team. Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati is heading the group vying to bring a women’s pro team to the city. The club issued a statement confirming Clark had joined the bid group. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league plans to announce the league’s 16th team by the end of the year. The league's 15th team will begin play in 2026 in Boston. Aaron Judge won't be bothered if Juan Soto gets bigger contract from Yankees than his $360M deal NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge won’t be bothered if Juan Soto gets a bigger deal from the New York Yankees than the captain’s $360 million, nine-year contract. Speaking a day after he was a unanimous winner of his second MVP, Judge says “It ain’t my money” and adds "that’s never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most.” Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks in his first season with the Yankees, then became a free agent at age 26. In a 'Final Four-type weekend,' two top-6 clashes put women's college basketball focus on West Coast LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two games featuring four powerhouse teams has put the focus in women's college basketball on the West Coast this weekend. JuJu Watkins and No. 3 Southern California host Hannah Hidalgo and No. 6 Notre Dame on Saturday. Top-ranked South Carolina visits Lauren Betts and fifth-ranked UCLA on Sunday. Both games are nationally televised and the arenas are expected to be packed. WNBA scouts will be on hand to check out some of the nation's top talent. Two teams will come away with their first losses of the season. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb calls it “a Final Four-type weekend.” A documentary featuring Watkins will air on NBC ahead of USC's game, which leads into the Army-Notre Dame football game. Noodles and wine are the secret ingredients for a strange new twist in China's doping saga Blame it on the noodles. That's what one Chinese official suggested when anti-doping leaders were looking for answers for the doping scandal that cast a shadow over this year's Olympic swim meet. Earlier this year, reports that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned heart medication emerged. None were sanctioned because Chinese authorities determined the swimmers were contaminated by traces of the drug spread about a hotel kitchen. In a strange twist, the leader of China's anti-doping agency suggested this case could have been similar to one in which criminals were responsible for tainting noodles that were later eaten by another Chinese athlete who also tested positive for the drug. Athletes see climate change as threatening their sports and their health. Some are speaking up BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Pragnya Mohan has been a professional triathlete for nearly a decade, but summers in her native India are now so hot that she can’t train there anymore. And she worries about a day when heat around the world kills her sport entirely. She was among athletes who spoke at the United Nations climate summit in Azerbaijan about the threat global warming poses to them, to fans and to sport itself. They described how extreme weather is making training and competing difficult or impossible. With billions of fans worldwide, some athletes and leagues are trying to get more people to care, and act, on climate change.

The curtain of the indoor sports of the highly Obasa Games 2024 will draw to a close on Friday at the indoor sports hall of the Soccer Temple, Agege Stadium. The one-week competition showcased the best of chess, scrabble, table tennis, and boxing from the budding talents of both male and female U-15 and U-19 categories. The young players locked horns with each other in their different games from the preliminary stages, culminating in the knock-out and with a grand finale today to reveal the winners. The local organising chairman, Abdulganiu Obasa, reiterated and recognised the abundance of talent in Nigeria as the event heads into the grand finale with high expectations. Related News “The past four days have been a testament to the fact that Nigeria is indeed blessed with budding talents. We have seen raw and untapped talents during this event. “The event is also laden with emotion from participants who could not qualify in each different rounds across boxing, table tennis, chess and scrabble. I witnessed participants who shed tears after losing to their opponents,” he said. “I’m very impressed with the level of talent on display from boxing, table tennis, chess and scrabble. “I am very excited watching the young ones putting in their very best, and I am very sure that Friday, being the final day, will be fascinating, not only for the players but also for the spectators,” he concluded.mnl168 free 100 apk 。

ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. He was 100 years old . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday afternoon, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. The center said he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. A moderate Democrat, Carter ran for president in 1976 as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter said. Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiate cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to eradicate guinea worm infections as one of many health initiatives. Swinging hammers into their 90s, the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians revisit his presidency and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief" and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America's dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. Emphasizing human rights , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise" speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter's diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. married fellow Plains native Rosalynn Smith in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and they soon turned their ambitions to politics . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After a 2015 cancer diagnosis, Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” he said. “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Contributors include former AP staffer Alex Sanz in Atlanta.Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. This image provided by FinaMill shows the FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder Set. The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. This image provided by Pull Start Fire shows the matchless fire igniter in use. Made of 89% recycled materials, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. This image provided by Souper Cubes shows No Mess Utensils held upright on pot edges. The No Mess Utensil lives up to its name. The utensils, a serving spoon and a ladle, have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot. The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. This image provided by FeatherSnap shows a female cardinal bird perched on a FeatherSnap Wi-Fi Solar Powered Camera Smart Bird Feeder. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. This image provided by FUJIFILM North America Corporation and FUJIFILM Corporation Tokyo shows a smartphone printer. Fujifilm Instax's Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the printer with film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. Fujifilm's Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. This image provided by easyplant shows a Marxii Calathea plant in a small, beige, self-watering pot. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. This image provided by Nama shows the M1 plant-based milk maker. If you've got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid unnecessary ingredients like sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. This image provided by QelviQ shows a wine bottle chiller. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses "smart" technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. This image provided by Uncommon Goods shows a 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set. Uncommon Good's 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A team that previously boycotted at least one match against the San Jose State women's volleyball program will again be faced with the decision whether to play the school , this time in the Mountain West Conference semifinals with a shot at the NCAA Tournament on the line. Five schools forfeited matches in the regular season against San Jose State, which carried a No. 2 seed into the conference tournament in Las Vegas. Among those schools: No. 3 Utah State and No. 6 Boise State, who will face off Wednesday with the winner scheduled to play the Spartans in the semifinals on Friday. Wyoming, Nevada and Southern Utah — which is not a Mountain West member — also canceled regular-season matches, all without explicitly saying why they were forfeiting. Nevada players cited fairness in women’s sports as a reason to boycott their match, while political figures from Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Nevada suggested the cancellations center around protecting women’s sports. In a lawsuit filed against the NCAA , plaintiffs cited unspecified reports asserting there was a transgender player on the San Jose State volleyball team, even naming her. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity and through school officials has declined an interview request. A judge on Monday rejected a request made by nine current conference players to block the San Jose State player from competing in the tournament on grounds that she is transgender. That ruling was upheld Tuesday by an appeals court. “The team looks forward to starting Mountain West Conference tournament competition on Friday,” San Jose State said in a statement issued after the appeals court decision. “The university maintains an unwavering commitment to the participation, safety and privacy of all students at San Jose State and ensuring they are able to compete in an inclusive, fair and respectful environment.” Chris Kutz, a Boise State athletics spokesman, said in an email the university would not “comment on potential matchups at this time.” Story continues below video Doug Hoffman, an Aggies athletics spokesman, said in an email Utah State is reviewing the court’s order. “Right now, our women’s volleyball program is focused on the game this Wednesday, and we’ll be cheering them on,” Hoffman wrote. San Jose State, which had a first-round bye, would be sent directly to the conference title game if Utah State or Boise State were to forfeit again. If the Spartans make the title game, it's likely the opponent would not forfeit. They would face top-seeded Colorado State, No. 4 Fresno State or No. 5 San Diego State — all teams that played the Spartans this season. The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sportsCanucks provide update on Hughes, Petterson‘Political hushpuppi’ – Wike blasts ex-CUPP spokesman, Ugochinyere over comment on PDP crisis

Alarm grew in France on Friday over the fate of a prominent French-Algerian novelist detained in the country of his birth, with his publisher urging his immediate release and President Emmanuel Macron closely following the case. Boualem Sansal, a major figure in francophone modern literature, is known for his strong stances against both authoritarianism and Islamism as well as being a forthright campaigner on freedom of expression issues. His detention by Algeria comes against a background of tensions between France and its former colony which have also appear to have spread to the literary world. The 75-year-old writer, granted French nationality this year, was on Saturday arrested at Algiers airport after returning from France, according to several media reports including the Marianne weekly. The Gallimard publishing house, which has published his work for a quarter of a century, in a statement expressed "its very deep concern following the arrest of the writer by the Algerian security services", calling for his "immediate release". There has been no confirmation from the Algerian authorities of his arrest and no other details about his situation. Macron is "very concerned by the disappearance" of Sansal, said a French presidential official, asking not to be named. "State services are mobilised to clarify his situation," the official said, adding that "the president expresses his unwavering attachment to the freedom of a great writer and intellectual." A relative latecomer to writing, Sansal turned to novels in 1999 and has tackled subjects including the horrific 1990s civil war between authorities and Islamists. His books are not banned in Algeria but he is a controversial figure, particularly since making a visit to Israel in 2014. Sansal's hatred of Islamism has not been confined to Algeria and he has also warned of a creeping Islamisation in France, a stance that has made him a favoured author of prominent figures on the right and far-right. Prominent politicians from this side of the political spectrum rushed to echo Macron's expression of concern for the writer. Centre-right former premier and candidate in 2027 presidential elections Edouard Philippe wrote on X that Sansal "embodies everything we cherish: the call for reason, freedom and humanism against censorship, corruption and Islamism." Far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen, another possible 2027 contender, said: "This freedom fighter and courageous opponent of Islamism has reportedly been arrested by the Algerian regime. This is an unacceptable situation." In 2015, Sansal won the Grand Prix du Roman of the French Academy, the guardians of the French language, for his book "2084: The End of the World", a dystopian novel inspired by George Orwell's "Nineteen-Eighty Four" and set in an Islamist totalitarian world in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. His publisher said that Sansal's novels and essays "exposed the obscurantisms of all kinds which are tragically affecting the way of the world." The concerns about his reported arrest come as another prominent French-Algerian writer Kamel Daoud is under attack over his novel "Houris", which won France's top literary prize, the Goncourt. A woman has claimed the book was based on her story of surviving 1990s Islamist massacres and used without her consent. She alleged on Algerian television that Daoud used the story she confidentially recounted to a therapist -- who is now his wife -- during treatment. His publisher has denied the claims. The controversies are taking place in a tense diplomatic context between France and Algeria, after Macron renewed French support for Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara during a landmark visit to the kingdom last month. Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is de facto controlled for the most part by Morocco. But it is claimed by the Sahrawi separatists of the Polisario Front, who are demanding a self-determination referendum and are supported by Algiers. Daoud meanwhile has called for Sansal's release, writing in the right-wing Le Figaro: "I sincerely hope that my friend Boualem will return to us very soon", while expressing his bafflement in the face of the "imprudence" that Sansal allegedly showed in going to Algeria. dax-vl-sjw/givQB Daniel Jones disagrees with the Giants' decision to bench him and says he wants to playSave articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Back when he lived in Newtown, Alan Jones had a wall covered in photographs of himself with the Pick and Stick crew. There were football players, political allies, celebrities and billionaires; the “Moses of the airwaves” had cultivated a powerful fellowship over his first 20-odd years on air, and still had half his radio career to run. Yet even then, some in his orbit had misgivings about getting too close to Jones. “The last place you wanted to end up was on his wall,” said one. Being close to Jones was, as one former staffer put it, “an exhausting thing”. It was like being smiled upon by a capricious emperor. The anointed ones, who ranged from sports stars to musicians to prime ministers and premiers, were graced with favours and largesse. But they had to pay homage or risk it all. Jones’ warning that a failure to respond to a request would “be the end of our friendship”, was ominous indeed. This patronage was one of myriad ways Jones transformed himself from an everyday shock jock into The Man Who Ran Sydney. In the era when talkback was king and he had a 20 per cent audience share, he used his intellect, charisma and money to exploit the platform like no one else. “His power isn’t explained by the size of his audience,” says Chris Masters, author of Jonestown . “It’s explained more by how he used it as leverage to advocate for his own interests and the interests of his powerful mates.” For decades, power protected Jones. He bullied his staff, bulldozed elected officials, and was perceived to favour handsome young men. Few were game to challenge him. Those who did paid the price. Jones was a man “drunk on power”, said one former staffer, and he “did not know when to stop”. But his grip loosened as society changed and Jones refused to change with it, as advertisers became reluctant to align themselves with his increasingly fringe views, and as movements such as #MeToo put the anatomy of power under the microscope. Power protected Alan Jones, seen here departing after giving evidence during the inquiry into Cash for Comment. Credit: Brendan Esposito Last year, Jones faced his own reckoning. The Herald’s chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont revealed allegations that he had used his power for sexual gratification, by groping and indecently assaulting young men, including one of his producers, without their consent. One of the men, who has since died, alleged that he “forces himself on young men and uses his power in a predatory way”. Another man, an employee, says he was groped by Jones. “He knew I wasn’t gay so it was about power dynamics,” he said. Police investigated. This week, Jones was charged with 26 offences involving nine alleged victims. He says he is innocent. The charges are before the courts. When one family contacted police a few years ago to raise allegations that Jones had indecently touched a relative, the officers were blunt. It would be the word of a social colossus against that of an ordinary person. Jones was not, the family recalled one of them saying, “Joe Blow from Bunnings”. Talkback radio used to be the only way ordinary people could speak directly to politicians, even if the microphone was controlled by the host. It was a win-win; listeners on so-called Struggle Street could get their problems addressed, politicians could talk directly to the people, and broadcasters were the powerbroker in the middle. “Forget the press gallery,” prime minister Paul Keating once said. “If you educate [broadcaster] John Laws, you educate Australia.” Articulate, relentless, merciless Jones outclassed all his rivals when he first fired up on air in 1985. He was an unlikely success story; a cross between a priest and a schoolmaster, who would sermonise and patronise in a voice so grating he was nicknamed The Parrot. Yet listeners loved it. “He played all the tabloid tricks,” says Masters. “Flatter your public, tell them ‘my listeners are my best researchers’. He ended up generating a kind of cultist following.” He slept three hours a day and seemed to devote the remaining 21 to work. He’d insist that his office reply to every letter. He’d often dictate them himself to his typist. In 1999, he wrote 3000 letters to government in eight months, the Herald learnt under freedom of information laws. Almost 140 of those were to the prime minister, premier, and a handful of ministers. He expected recipients to reply promptly. Failure to do so risked an on-air dressing down. Premiers and prime ministers would put a staff member in charge of responding within 24 hours. They were dubbed the Minister for Alan Jones. Alan Jones was a prolific correspondent with prime ministers, premiers and government ministers. Credit: Dallas Kilponen The line between policy and personal blurred. Once, he was pulled over by NSW Police highway patrol on a trip to Canberra and didn’t realise he was crossing two lanes of the Hume to get to the kerb. He was almost hit by a truck. The next day, he wrote to then-police minister Paul Whelan, attempting to get the “cowboy” officer sacked. “I’m sick and tired of defending the police force when it’s peopled by yahoos like this,” he wrote. He would text politicians at all hours, furiously criticising their decisions and offering unsolicited advice about how those decisions would end in disaster. Once, he flamed a senior NSW minister for what he described as unforgivable ignorance. “Who the f--- do you think you are?” the radio broadcaster told the elected member of parliament. A response that pleased him could lead to benevolence. Another letter, obtained by The Guardian under a similar FOI request 20 years later, involved a back-and-forth with then-Coalition sports minister Stuart Ayres about a sailing issue. Jones approved of Ayres’ actions. “That’s why you are a very good minister,” he wrote. “Is everything OK in the electorate? Yell out if I can help. With best wishes, Alan.” Many argue Jones, himself a failed political candidate for the Liberal Party, was only able to hold so much power because politicians surrendered it to him. Yet those who resisted grovelling found themselves in a bind. “It wasn’t that the ministers lacked courage,” said one former senior NSW Coalition minister. “It’s that you couldn’t convince a cabinet or party room to stand up to him too.” Taking on Jones about one thing meant the broadcaster would attack everything else that minister tried to do. “It subverted your ability to do other things,” he said. “It wasn’t worth the fight.” When Coalition premier Mike Baird backflipped on his plan to shut down greyhound racing after a sustained campaign by Jones, he was photographed arriving at Jones’ apartment at Circular Quay for a dinner of humble pie to win back support. Jones told his listeners the next day that the government would receive “full marks” from him if it reversed the ban. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott with broadcaster Alan Jones after he addressed a rally in Canberra. Credit: Andrew Meares Jones would frequently shower praise on his long-time friend Tony Abbott: the broadcaster was one of two speakers at an event last year marking 10 years since Abbott became prime minister. When Abbott was in the top job, Jones would send him a weekly missive with about 30 dot points, offering advice, warnings, and tips on who was white-anting him, said one person close to him. Staff heard him dictate a sign-off: “Go for the jugular, Tony.” Abbott denies the story. “Mr Abbott ran his own political strategy and famously wrote his own speeches and personally signed off his own media releases,” said a spokesman. Politicians found their own ways of managing him. “There were certain techniques that worked with Alan, like going into the studio in person,” the former minister said. “It was harder for him to be mean to you if you were right in front of him. Colleagues used to say they would take a young male staffer with them [to put Jones in a good mood], like a burnt offering. Writing him a handwritten note; he’d write to you, and what I learnt was that you had to write back yourself, and give him answers to keep him [from speaking about the issue on radio].” The aim was to keep their issue off-air, said the politician. Being lauded could be as dangerous as being rubbished. “If you got praised by him, it was probably because you leaked to him, so your colleagues would be suspicious – and generally rightly so. Alan never did anything without a reason.” Jones might have left politicians so intimidated that they couldn’t sleep before an interview, but no one was more attuned to the vagaries of his mood than those who worked for him. The former teacher and rugby union coach was an exacting boss. One producer remembers sitting in the car park before work in the wee hours of the morning, wondering if he could face it all again that day. “I don’t think he ever said hello to me in all the years I worked for him,” he said. “Every day started with incredible tension.” For their first six months, Jones would put a new producer to a kind of loyalty test involving verbal abuse and the rubbishing of their work. “It was routine humiliation,” said one. Once, when Jones was dissatisfied with the performance of his staff, he made them write to the finance department to say they didn’t deserve to be paid for their day’s work. Another time, Jones found some faxes that had not been replied to, and made staff cancel leave to write back. Alan Jones was a money spinner who called the shots at the stations that employed him. Credit: Nick Moir “The way he blew up at people was a craft,” said another former producer, who – like many people interviewed for this story – spoke on the condition of anonymity because he still feared Jones’ impact on his career. “He never swore, but it was an articulate spray that was like being lashed by lightning. It was personal, it was cruel, it was demeaning. But it wasn’t someone losing control. The sprays were directed at staff, at salespeople, at CEOs. There was no one at 2GB that Jones felt he couldn’t stand over.” Jones was the station’s money-spinner. “What he wanted, he got,” says Mike Carlton, who worked with Jones at 2UE before the breakfast presenter jumped ship to 2GB. “He would just send in his manager, ‘Alan wants this, Alan wants this done’, and management would cave because they were desperate to keep him on side.” Working for Jones was intense. Yet Jones kept staff loyal, partly with occasional explosions of generosity. A Christmas card with $500 inside. Tickets to Wimbledon. A lavish dinner. There was also the sense that, beyond the bullying, the program was doing some good. “A lot of the stuff he pointed out related to stupid government policy, and a lot of it ended up benefiting people who deserved a result,” said a former producer. “That’s where it gets a little bit tricky; without an aggressive champion, they would never have got the result they deserved.” Many wondered what drove him so relentlessly. It wasn’t money for its own sake; those close to him estimate he has given away millions over the years. He would pay friends’ children’s school fees, give them money to buy their first property, cover their health bills. He still pays for the reunions of school football teams he coached in the 1960s. “He’d give it to people who were broke, who needed money for legal fees,” said one person who worked with Jones. He would also allow people to stay in his opulent homes, in Sydney, the Southern Highlands, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The guest list raised eyebrows; one former producer recalls dropping some briefs over and meeting the “procession of [male] athletes who would stay there”, he says. “Many of them were emotionally needy; quite a few had come from broken homes, and didn’t have supportive family relationships. There was a bit of a theme going through that. Part of it was he didn’t want to be alone.” Jones’ sexuality was scuttlebutt for decades, raised publicly only in double entendre. Jones never commented, not even after being arrested in a London public toilet – that was also a gay beat – for “outraging public decency” (he was cleared). He once told this masthead’s David Leser that he didn’t “believe people should be asked to [comment] in relation to their private lives”. But many, like Masters, believe Jones’ sexuality may be key to understanding his accumulation of power. He grew up in Queensland when homosexuality was illegal, and moved in worlds in which it was spurned, such as schoolboys’ boarding houses when he was a teacher, and rugby union when he was a coach. “There were good reasons for him to don the mask,” says Masters. “We’ve seen this in other powerful men from that era, the power base was built around them as a protective screen. It’s the manipulations – where to go, who you know, who can pull strings – that keeps you safe.” As his power grew, Jones became complacent. His staff and his acolytes were afraid to challenge him. He didn’t verify information he’d been given before presenting it on air, and got things wrong. The end began with his 2012 attacks on Julia Gillard – who stood opposite his good friend Abbott in the parliamentary chamber – when he said she should be tied in a chaff bag and dumped at sea. Within a week of The Sunday Telegraph reporting Jones’ comments to a Young Liberal dinner that Gillard’s father, who had passed away not long before, had “died of shame”, around 70 advertisers backed away from his show and Mercedes-Benz confiscated Jones’ $250,000 sponsored car. Jones apologising for his remarks about Julia Gillard's father dying of shame in 2012. Credit: Dean Sewell The editor who published The Sunday Telegraph ’s story, Neil Breen – who is now a television reporter for Nine, owner of this masthead – paid the price for challenging Jones. “From that day on, it always had an effect on my career,” he said. It angered some of Jones’ supporters at News Limited. It prompted Jones to run interference when Breen worked in radio. It disrupted relationships that still haven’t recovered. “You were just up against forces,” he said. “He was a significant foe.” Jones’ final, self-inflicted blow came in 2019, when he told then-prime minister Scott Morrison to “shove a sock” down the throat of New Zealand’s then-prime minister, Jacinda Ardern. The condemnation was swift and significant, and advertisers – whose business covered his $4 million salary – fled. Jones was already on thin ice due to his alliances with fringe politicians such as then-MP Craig Kelly, and a mammoth defamation payout for blaming a family for the deadly Grantham floods. He resigned from 2GB in 2021. Without his platform, Jones’ power rapidly dwindled. Even if he had stayed on air, his influence may not have protected him from the indecent assault allegations. Over the past decade, abuse of power accusations have all but ended the careers of other once-untouchable men even if they are eventually cleared, like the late cardinal George Pell. The world has changed. Power is a less effective cocoon. While speaking up still requires enormous courage, victims are no longer stigmatised. Where allegations of predatory behaviour were once stifled, police now take so-called silent crimes seriously. Where stars were once allowed to behave as they wanted as long as they brought in money, companies must now actively protect their workers. “There’s been a very important shift in how we operate as a society,” says academic and former journalist Catharine Lumby, who once had a piece critiquing Jones pulled when she wrote for The Bulletin , which was owned by Jones’ good friend Kerry Packer. “The avenues of survivors of assault and harassment are more educated; there’s been a sea change in attitudes.” Those who knew Jones say he would have stayed in front of a microphone until he died if he could have, holding on to the power that kept him safe and the busyness that kept him from introspection. The haunted, brilliant, flawed man “was scared of what came next”, says a former staffer. “He didn’t want any time to look in the mirror. He wanted to fill every day so there was no time for self-reflection.” Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter .

CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — Darryl Simmons II scored 19 points to help Gardner-Webb defeat SE Louisiana 73-69 on Tuesday. Simmons shot 7 for 13 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line for the Runnin' Bulldogs (3-3). Pharell Boyogueno scored 15 points while going 6 of 13 (3 for 7 from 3-point range) and added seven rebounds and four steals. Anthony Selden shot 6 of 10 from the field and 3 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points. Jeremy Elyzee led the Lions (2-4) in scoring, finishing with 22 points, three steals and two blocks. Sam Hines Jr. added 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Jakevion Buckley finished with 11 points, four assists and three steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks ranged from bomb threats to swatting, in which attackers initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses. The tactic has become a popular one in recent years. “In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action,” Leavitt said. Among those targeted were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations, Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Susie Wiles, Trump's incoming chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General whom Trump has chosen as Gaetz's replacement, were also targeted, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity amid the ongoing investigation. Wiles and Bondi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FBI said in a statement that it was “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees" and was "working with our law enforcement partners. We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.” Stefanik's office said that, on Wednesday morning, she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. "New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism," her office said in a statement. “We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7." The New York State Police said a team was dispatched to sweep Stefanik’s home on Wednesday morning in response to the bomb threat but did not locate any explosive devices. A spokesman for the agency directed further questions to the FBI. Zeldin said in a social media post that he and his family had been threatened. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts “A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message,” he wrote on X. “My family and I were not home at the time and are safe. We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops.” Police in Suffolk County, Long Island said emergency officers responded to a bomb threat Wednesday morning at an address listed in public records as Zeldin’s home and were checking the property. In Florida, meanwhile, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said in an advisory posted on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9 a.m. this morning.” While a family member resides at the address, they said "former Congressman Gaetz is NOT a resident. The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.” Gaetz was Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration amid allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by disturbing and unprecedented violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The U.S. Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing. Public figures across the political spectrum have been targeted in recent years by hoax bomb threats and false reports of shootings at their homes. The judges overseeing the civil fraud case against Trump in New York and the criminal election interference case against him in Washington, D.C. were both targeted earlier this year. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who recently abandoned the two criminal cases he brought against Trump, was also the subject of a fake emergency call on Christmas Day last year. Earlier this year, schools, government buildings and the homes of city officials in Springfield, Ohio received a string of hoax bomb threats after Trump falsely accused members of Springfield’s Haitian community of abducting and eating cats and dogs. And in 2022, a slew of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide were targeted with dozens of bomb threats with the vast majority arriving during the celebration of Black History Month. The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Wednesday that, “Anytime a Member of Congress is the victim of a 'swatting' incident, we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners. To protect ongoing investigations and to minimize the risk of copy-cats, we cannot provide more details at this time.” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the threats “dangerous and unhinged.” “This year, there was not just one but TWO assassination attempts on President Trump. Now some of his Cabinet nominees and their families are facing bomb threats,” he wrote on X. “It is not who we are in America.”None

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rising toward records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% and was on track to top its all-time high set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 81 points, or 0.2%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.5% higher, with less than an hour remaining in trading. Stock markets abroad were down, but mostly only modestly, after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada's main index edged down by just 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. General Motors sank 8.2%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.9%. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support to the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the overall economy and prices for investments, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed's last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. Unlike tariffs in Trump's first term, his proposal from Monday night would affect products across the board. Trump’s tariff talk came almost immediately after U.S. stocks rose Monday amid excitement about his pick for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent. The hope was the hedge-fund manager could steer Trump away from policies that balloon the U.S. government deficit, which is how much more it spends than it takes in through taxes and other revenue. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another set of mixed profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates instituted by the Fed to get inflation under control. Kohl’s tumbled 17.6% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.7% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. J.M. Smucker jumped 5.4% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500 after topping analysts' expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 2.8% for Amazon and 2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. In the bond market, Treasury yields rose following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.30% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It's since dipped back toward $91,600, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

Edifier Scoops 5 Honours At Prestigious Visual Grand Prix 2025

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes meanwhile carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt . Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, and Aamer Madhani in Washington, contributed. Find more of AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-warBitcoin's wild ride toward $100,000

Himachal Pradesh Government To Remove Gutkha, Liquor Ads From State Buses

Nutrient profiling systems use algorithms to simplify picking healthy groceriesHyderabad -based space technology start-up TakeMe2Space is gearing up to launch India's first artificial intelligence (AI) lab in space. The project, dubbed 'Modular Orbital Infrastructure - Technology Demonstrator' (MOI-TD), will be launched on ISRO's PSLV C60 mission in mid-December. It is an innovative initiative that could revolutionize space research by allowing real-time data processing in orbit. AI lab to enhance data processing efficiency The MOI-TD aims to solve the inefficiencies associated with existing space data processing techniques. Satellites produce petabytes of data every day, with as much as 40% being unusable (due to cloud cover, etc). This data is sent back to Earth for processing. But, with MOI-TD, it will be processed in space itself and relevant insights delivered, cutting down cost and latency of transmission by a lot. User access and applications of the AI lab Users will be able to access the satellite platform via OrbitLab, a web-based console. From here, they can upload AI models for applications ranging from environmental monitoring and deforestation tracking to greenhouse gas emission detection, maritime activity observation, and custom Earth observation use cases. The satellite-as-a-service platform has already bagged its first research partners - a Malaysian university and a group of 9th and 10th graders from an Indian school. A step toward building data centers in space The launch of MOI-TD is viewed as a major step toward creating data centers in space. Although the current mission is geared toward Earth observation applications, the technology could easily support a variety of applications, just like existing cloud computing services. All testing and evaluation of the MOI-TD platform were done by IN-SPACe Technical Center, a government agency regulating private sector space activities.

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump threatened the United States's closest neighbours with big tariffs this week, in a move that has reminded many of the unpredictable tactics the president-elect deployed during his first tenure in the White House. Trump said Monday he would use an executive order to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods coming from Canada and Mexico until the two countries stop drugs and migrants from illegally crossing the U.S. border. The announcement, made on Truth Social, brought swift responses from officials and industry in both countries who are bracing for chaos during Trump's second tenure. He has long used the threat of import taxes to pressure other countries to do his bidding, saying this summer that "the most beautiful word in the dictionary is 'tariff.'" It's unlikely the move would violate the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which was negotiated during the first Trump administration. Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U. S. relations and the executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, said the president can impose tariffs under his national security powers. This type of duty has a time limit and can only be made permanent through Congressional approval, but for Trump, national security powers are like a "get out of jail free card," Dawson said. "This is exactly what happened in the last Trump administration," Dawson said. "Everyone said, 'Well, that is ridiculous. Canada is the U.S.'s best security partner. What do you mean our steel and aluminum imports are somehow a source of insecurity?'" But within the global trade system, she said, no country challenges another's right to define their own national security imperatives. Trump's first administration demonstrated how vulnerable Canada is to America's whims when the former president scrapped the North American Free Trade Agreement. The U.S. is Canada's closest neighbour and largest trading partner. More than 77 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S. Negotiation of CUSMA, commonly dubbed "the new NAFTA," was a key test for Ottawa following Trump's first victory. The trilateral agreement is up for review in 2026 and experts suspect this week's tariff announcement is a negotiating tactic. Scott Bessent, Trump's pick for treasury secretary, said in a recent op-ed that tariffs are "a useful tool for achieving the president's foreign policy objectives." "Whether it is getting allies to spend more on their own defence, opening foreign markets to U.S. exports, securing co-operation on ending illegal immigration and interdicting fentanyl trafficking, or deterring military aggression, tariffs can play a central role." During the initial CUSMA negotiations in 2018, Trump floated the idea of a 25 per cent tariff on the Canadian auto sector — something that would have been crippling for the industry on both sides of the border. It was never implemented. At the time, he did use his national security powers to impose a 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent tariff on aluminum imports, casting fear of an all-out trade war that would threaten the global economy. The day after announcing those levies, Trump posted on social media "trade wars are good, and easy to win." Former U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer recounted in his book that the duties sent an "unmistakable signal that business as usual was over." "The Trump administration was willing to ruffle diplomatic feathers to advance its trade agenda." It led to a legendary clash between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump at the G7 in Quebec. Trudeau said Canada would impose retaliatory measures, saying the argument that tariffs on steel and aluminum were a matter of national security was "kind of insulting." Trump took to social media, where, in a flurry of posts he called Trudeau "very dishonest and weak." Canada and other countries brought their own duties against the U.S. in response. They targeted products for political, rather than economic, reasons. Canada hit yogurt with a 10 per cent duty. Most of the product impacted came from one plant in Wisconsin, the home state of then-Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. The European Union, Mexico and Canada all targeted U.S. whiskey products with tariffs, in a clear signal to then Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his home state of Kentucky’s bourbon industry. Ultimately, Canada and Mexico were able to negotiate exemptions. Carlo Dade, the director of trade and trade infrastructure at the Canada West Foundation, said Trump is returning to the White House with more experience and a plan. But he suspects Americans will not like the blow to their bank accounts. Trump’s new across-the-board tariff strategy would not only disrupt global supply chains, it would also cause a major shakeup to the American economy. It's unclear if Trump will go through with them, or for how long, after campaigning on making life more affordable and increasing the energy market. "I think it will be short-term," Dade said. "The U.S. can only inflict damage on itself for so long." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press

Riding a 6-game win streak, the Eagles head to Hollywood again for a rematch with the young RamsSAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — As bitcoin reached historic highs, surpassing $100,000 for the first tim e, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele was triumphant on Thursday about his big bet on the cryptocurrency. The adoption of bitcoin — which has been legal tender in the Central American nation since 2021 — never quite matched the president’s enthusiasm, but the value of the government’s reported investment now stands at more than $600 million. Bitcoin has rallied mightily since Donald Trump’s election victory last month, exceeding the $100,000 mark on Wednesday night, just hours after the president-elect said he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to be the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Just two years ago, bitcoin’s volatile value fell below $17,000. Bitcoin fell back below the $100,000 by Thursday afternoon, sitting just above $99,000 by 3 p.m. E.T. Bukele on Thursday blamed his beleaguered political opposition for causing many Salvadorans to miss out on the bonanza. There were street protests when the Congress made bitcoin legal tender in June 2021, though that move was not the only motivation for the protesters. The tiny Central American country has long used the dollar as currency, but Bukele promised bitcoin would provide new opportunities for El Salvador’s unbanked and cut out money transfer services from the remittances Salvadorans abroad send home. The government offered $30 in bitcoin to those who signed up for digital wallets. Many did so, but quickly cashed out the cryptocurrency. “It’s important to emphasize that not only did the opposition err resoundingly with bitcoin, but rather, differently from other issues (where they have also been wrong), this time their opposition affected many,” Bukele wrote on Facebook. Bukele drew an “impressive” comment from Elon Musk on the social media platform X Thursday. El Salvador’s former Central Bank President Carlos Acevedo pointed out on Thursday that while there has been a gain, it remains an unrealized one until the government’s bitcoin is sold. That said, he credited Bukele’s administration with doing well on the bitcoin move, especially in light of Trump’s election. Acevedo said “the markets’ optimism that a Trump administration will be friendly with the markets and particularly with bitcoin” explained its sustained rally over the past month. But the cryptocurrency’s volatility was a persistent risk, he said. “The average Salvadoran doesn’t use bitcoin, but obviously there are Salvadorans with economic resources who even before had already invested in bitcoin, but it is a small group,” Acevedo said. Esteban Escamilla, a worker in a clothing store in Santa Tecla, outside the capital San Salvador, said he had cashed out the original $30 of bitcoin offered in 2021. “I don’t use bitcoin because I don’t have (money) to invest and speculate with, but I know it has gone up a lot,” he said, recognizing that he would have more money now if he had kept it in bitcoin. Josefa Torres, 45, said as she was doing her grocery shopping that she didn’t have any bitcoin either. “I took out the money and used it for household expenses,” she said. At the conclusion of meetings between the International Monetary Fund and El Salvador’s government in August, the IMF issued a statement that mentioned the country’s bitcoin holdings. “While many of the risks have not yet materialized, there is joint recognition that further efforts are needed to enhance transparency and mitigate potential fiscal and financial stability risks from the Bitcoin project,” the IMf said.

Partisan link still rules the gameLondon: The UK will end a tax exemption for private schools on Wednesday, the centre-left Labour government has announced, in a move set to raise over £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) for public education . ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for After years of worsening educational inequalities, from January 1, private schools will have to pay 20 percent value added tax on tuition fees, which will be used to fund thousands of new teachers and improve standards in state schools. "It's time things are done differently", finance minister Rachel Reeves said in a statement on Sunday. The funding will "go towards our state schools where 94 percent of this country's children are educated", she said. The policy was promised by Labour in its election campaign and officially laid out in its inaugural budget in October. 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Tuition fees in private schools already average £18,000 a year, according to the Independent Schools Council, which represents private schools. That figure is set to rise, with the government estimating that tuition fees will increase by around 10 percent, with schools taking on part of the additional cost. "High and rising standards cannot just be for families who can afford them," said education secretary Bridget Phillipson. Opponents of the reform say state school enrolment will explode if the private sector is lost, increasing the cost to the government. But studies contradict this. The Institute for Fiscal Studies calculated that the number of children in state schools will actually fall by 2030 due to a projected population decline. Several research centres also point out that the disparity between private and state schools widened sharply under the 14-year Conservative rule. The Labour government won a landslide election in July promising to boost economic growth and improve public services. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

Edifier continues to establish its reputation as a premier audio brand by winning multiple awards at the esteemed Visual Grand Prix ( VGP ) 2025 in Japan , showcasing its dedication to innovation and excellence in audio technology . RICHMOND, BC , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japanese VGP Awards, often dubbed the "Oscar in the Audio Industry," are the largest and most credible audio-visual honors in Asia , organized annually by Ongen Publishing Co. Ltd. since 1987. These awards aggregate evaluations from numerous countries, providing consumers with trustworthy guidance for their audio and visual purchases. Edifier's accolades at the VGP Awards underscore its significant contributions and innovation in the audio sector, solidifying its reputation as a leading brand in the industry. Stanley Wen , Edifier's CTO, expressed his pleasure upon receiving awards at the VGP 2025. "These awards provide the recognition that underscores Edifier's commitment to product development and its mission to provide high-quality, exceptional audio products to consumers. Edifier is humbled to be acknowledged yet again at the prestigious VGP awards. This is a reflection of our dedication to excellence in audio innovation." The Edifier M60 was a Special Prize Winner and Gold Award Winner. The M60 is a compact 2.0 desktop speaker optimized for high-resolution audio reproduction, making it an ideal enhancement for any desktop setup. Boasting a total output power of 66W (RMS), it delivers impressive sound quality through its 1" silk dome tweeter and 3" long-throw aluminium diaphragm mid-low drivers, all wrapped in a sleek design that complements modern aesthetics. The Comfo C (EDF200161) open-ear clip-on design earbuds were a Gold Award Winner. Each earbud features a three-axis sensor, allowing flexible use in either ear for added convenience. Weighing just 5.8 grams each, the design accommodates various ear shapes and sizes, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit for all users. Additionally, the 12mm dynamic driver with a titanium-coated composite diaphragm delivers dynamic, detailed, and powerful sound, enhancing the overall listening experience. Another Gold Award Winner was the W800BT Pro . The Edifier W800BT Pro headphones offer a premium listening experience with hybrid active noise cancelling technology and Hi-Res audio support. They feature AI call noise cancellation, and with an impressive 45 hours of playtime on a single charge and fast charging capabilities, these foldable over-ear headphones provide both convenience and comfort. Also recognized was the Edifier MR3 2.0 monitor speaker system which boasts Hi-Res audio certification and a flat frequency response ranging from 52Hz to 40kHz, delivering a robust 18W x 2 (RMS) total power output. With their advanced acoustic design, precise tuning, and high-quality craftsmanship, the MR3 speakers are an ideal choice for home studios, video editing, and everyday listening. The final Award Winner was the NeoDots True Wireless earbuds. The NeoDots integrate Hybrid driver units (BA and 10mm dynamic drivers), digital signal processing, and active crossover. This combination provides superior, balanced sound with high resolution and low distortion, achieving an impressive noise cancellation depth of up to -48dB. With Bluetooth V5.4 for enhanced connectivity, the NeoDots support multipoint connection, allowing seamless switching between music, videos, and calls across two devices simultaneously, making them a versatile choice for any user. The VGP awards celebrate outstanding products that significantly impact the industry with innovative technology and design, highlighting Edifier's ongoing development and expansion of its product offerings. With registered international trademarks in over 70 countries and a globally diverse workforce supported by distribution partners and resellers, Edifier continues to strengthen its presence in the audio market worldwide. About Edifier: Edifier specializes in premium sound systems that showcase technological innovation and design elegance, delivering outstanding audio experiences through a wide range of headphones, speakers, and music systems, for personal entertainment and professional excellence. Established in May 1996 in Beijing , Edifier is the brainchild of a small group of enterprising music lovers. Over the past 25 years, Edifier has been guided by the "passion for sound" principle, which helped the brand emerge as a world-class designer and manufacturer of award-winning sound systems. Today, Edifier serves audio lovers worldwide through its distributors in over 70 countries, with operations in North America , South America , Europe , the Middle East , and Asia Pacific . More information about Edifier is available online at www.edifier.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/edifier-scoops-5-honours-at-prestigious-visual-grand-prix-2025-302317109.html SOURCE EdifierWaterford Whisky distillery closes as it fails to raise fresh funding

mnl168 free 100 no deposit 2021 The Nigerian All-Share Index (ASI) delivered an impressive performance on December 13, 2024, surging by 617.69 points to close at 99,378.28—a 0.63% gain. This milestone marks another step toward the anticipated 100,000-point threshold. Trading activity was brisk, with 534 million shares changing hands, a 9% uptick compared to the previous session. Market capitalization also climbed higher, breaking into the N60 trillion territory and settling at N60.2 trillion, supported by 8,464 recorded transactions. Related Stories Nigerian All-Share Index gains 250 points as TANTALIZER tops gainers, DAARCOMM leads losers Aradel: From NASD dominance to NGX triumph The gainers’ chart was dominated by CAVERTON, IKEJAHOTEL, and ARADEL, all advancing by the daily maximum of 10.00%, showcasing investor confidence in these equities. On the flip side, AUSTINLAZ led the laggards with a 10.00% drop, followed by ABCTRANS, which declined by 8.00%, signaling mixed sentiment across the board. In terms of trading volume, JAPAULGOLD and ETRANZACT stood out as the most traded stocks, drawing significant investor interest and contributing to the day’s robust market turnover. Market Summary Current ASI: 99,378.06 points Previous ASI: 98,760.59 points Day Change: +0.65% Year-to-Date Performance: +32.91% Volume Traded: 544.2 million shares Deals: 8,464 Top 5 gainers CAVERTON: up 10.00% to N1.98 IKEJAHOTEL: up 10.00% to N8.80 ARADEL: up 10.00% to N550.00 AFRIPRUD: up 9.87% to N17.25 GOLDBREW: up 9.64% to N8.64 Top 5 losers AUSTINLAZ: down 10.00% to N1.62 ABCTRANS: down 8.00% to N1.15 ROYALEX: down 7.69% to N0.60 NSLTECH: down 5.26% to N0.54 TIP: down 4.26% to N2.25 Trading volume On December 13, 2024, the Nigerian equities market saw a notable 9% boost in trading volume, with 544.2 million shares exchanged, surpassing the previous session’s activity. JAPAULGOLD led the pack as the most actively traded stock, with an impressive 71.7 million shares exchanged. ETRANZACT followed closely with 70.6 million shares traded. TANTALIZER secured third place with 57.2 million shares. FCMB contributed 33 million shares to the day’s volume. UNIVINSURE rounded out the top five, recording 27 million shares. Trading value In terms of trading value, heavyweight stocks dominated: DANGCEM led with transactions worth a staggering N3.2 billion. ARADEL ranked second, attracting N781.8 million in trades, reflecting strong investor interest. OANDO and ZENITHBANK were also notable contributors, recording N732.2 million and N622.3 million, respectively. FBNH completed the top five, generating a trading value of N550.9 million. SWOOT and FUGAZ The SWOOT stocks, representing companies with market capitalizations above N1 trillion, had mixed performances: ARADEL led with a 10% gain. OANDO followed, appreciating by 7.66%. While other stocks in the category stalled. Among the FUGAZ stocks (FBNH, UBA, GTCO, ACCESSCORP, and ZENITHBANK): UBA, ACCESSCORP, and ZENITHBANK posted gains of 1.06%, 0.62%, and 0.57%, respectively. GTCO slipped into the red, shedding 0.09%. FBNH remained flat, closing with no price movement. Outlook The All-Share Index surged past the 99,000-threshold, driven by positive price movements in mid- and large-cap stocks. This bullish momentum sets the stage for a potential rally towards the much-anticipated 100,000-point mark. With strong investor confidence and robust performance across key sectors, the Nigerian equities market is poised to sustain its upward trajectory in the near term.

NEW YORK , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global seafood market size is estimated to grow by USD 150.04 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.55% during the forecast period. Rising consumer awareness about healthy nutrition is driving market growth, with a trend towards growth of online retailing in seafood industry. However, depletion of sea species poses a challenge. Key market players include Aker BioMarine ASA, Austevoll Seafood ASA, Clifton Sea Food Co., Cooke Aquaculture Inc., Djibah Seafood SARL, Grayton Seafood Co. LLC, Kangamiut Seafood AS, Kings Seafood Group, Lee Fish , Lee Fishing Company, Marel Group, Mida Food Distributors Inc., Motor City Seafood Co., Mowi ASA, Nueva Pescanova SL, Pacific Seafood Group, Phillips Foods Inc., Seattle Fish Co., The Deep Seafood Co., and Trident Seafoods Corp.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver The seafood industry is a significant source of protein for consumers worldwide. With increasing awareness of health benefits, per capita consumption of seafood continues to rise. Price remains a key factor, with fresh and frozen options available for various budgets. Tourism and hospitality sectors heavily rely on seafood for culinary experimentation and value-added fish products. 3D printing technology and product innovation are trends shaping the industry, offering personalized textures, flavors, and appearances. Alternative protein sources and seafood substitutes are gaining popularity due to ethical concerns and environmental impact. Lean fish like cod, salmon, tuna, tilapia, and crustaceans like shrimps, lobster, and crab, are popular choices. Certifications from organizations like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Marine Stewardship Council ensure sustainability and traceability. Brexit and the EU transition period may impact seafood imports and exports. Health advantages of seafood, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, make it a crucial component of a balanced diet. Administrative authorities and seafood farmers work towards addressing environmental issues and ethical concerns, such as the use of anabolic steroids and toxic chemicals. Consumers prefer lean, sustainable, and ethically sourced seafood, driving demand for certified products. Seafood cuisines and restaurants offer diverse culinary applications, with pork-based foods facing competition. The global growth of e-commerce has been driven by the widespread availability of the Internet and the convenience it offers. In 2020, e-commerce sales in the US accounted for 21.3% of total retail sales, up from 15.8% in 2019. This trend is fueled by the ease of shopping, product discovery, and attractive pricing and personalized offers. For seafood suppliers, online retailing presents new opportunities to expand sales, reach broader markets, and enhance customer relationships and profitability. Manufacturers and distributors can increase their product visibility across regions by establishing an online presence. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The seafood industry faces several challenges in providing high-quality, sustainable, and affordable protein sources for consumers. Price volatility, driven by factors like tourism and hospitality trends, impacts the industry. Innovation through 3D printing technology and culinary experimentation offers solutions. Product personalization, focusing on texture, flavor, and appearance, is a growing trend. Alternative protein sources and seafood substitutes, like plant-based options, address ethical concerns and environmental impact. Lean fish like cod, salmon, tuna, tilapia, shrimps, lobster, and crab offer health advantages with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Sustainability through aquaculture techniques, certifications, and traceability initiatives is crucial. Brexit and the EU transition period impact seafood imports and exports. Organized retailers and food businesses cater to diverse diets, including pescetarian foods and vegetarian alternatives. Ensuring a balanced diet, seafood cuisines, and restaurants continue to innovate, while addressing concerns over anabolic steroids and toxic chemicals in fish. Administrative authorities and seafood farmers work together to address environmental issues and fishing activity. Per capita consumption remains high, with convenience seafood items gaining popularity. Pork-based foods face competition as heart benefits of fish are increasingly recognized. The depletion of fish stocks due to overfishing is a significant concern for both the ocean ecosystem and the livelihoods of millions of people. Overfishing occurs when the number of fish taken exceeds their ability to reproduce, leading to a decrease in the exploitable portion of the stock. This not only hinders the stock's maximal productive capability but also negatively impacts the ocean ecosystem. Furthermore, overfishing affects the social and economic well-being of coastal communities who depend on seafood as their primary source of protein and income. With billions of people relying on fishing for their livelihoods, it is crucial to address this issue and ensure sustainable fishing practices to maintain a healthy and productive ocean ecosystem. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This seafood market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Fish 1.2 Crustacean 1.3 Mollusca 1.4 Others 2.1 Offline 2.2 Online 3.1 APAC 3.2 North America 3.3 South America 3.4 Europe 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Fish- The global seafood market experienced significant growth in 2023, with the fish segment leading the way. The expanding preference for fish as a high-protein alternative to meat is a key factor fueling this growth. The number of meat eaters is on the rise, and consumers are increasingly aware of the health benefits of fish, which includes omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins like D and B2 (riboflavin). The American Heart Association recommends incorporating fish into one's diet at least twice a week. Consequently, fish is the most preferred type of seafood, driving the growth of the fish segment and the global seafood market as a whole. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The seafood industry is a significant source of protein for consumers worldwide, providing a wide range of flavors, textures, and appearances. Seafood is a staple in tourism and hospitality industries, enhancing culinary experimentation and product innovation. The price of seafood can vary greatly depending on the species, availability, and location. 3D printing technology is being explored to create seafood substitutes, offering alternative protein sources for ethical and environmental concerns. Lean fish like cod, salmon, and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and offer health advantages for a balanced diet. Sustainability is a priority in the seafood industry, with organizations like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Marine Stewardship Council promoting sustainable aquaculture techniques. Shrimps and other seafood items have numerous culinary applications, and value-added fish products cater to personalized preferences. The industry continues to innovate, addressing concerns of ethical sourcing, environmental impact, and consumer demand for new and exciting flavors. Market Research Overview The seafood industry is a significant source of protein for consumers around the world. With the growing awareness of health benefits associated with a balanced diet, the demand for seafood continues to rise. Seafood offers unique textures, flavors, and appearances that make it a popular choice for culinary experimentation and product innovation. However, the industry faces challenges such as price volatility, ethical concerns, and environmental impact. The use of 3D printing technology and alternative protein sources like plant-based seafood substitutes is gaining popularity to address these challenges. Sustainability is a key focus area, with certifications from organizations like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Marine Stewardship Council ensuring responsible farming practices. Seafood is a staple in tourism and hospitality industries, with shrimps, salmon, tuna, cod, tilapia, lobster, and crab being popular choices. Fresh and frozen seafood items are available, catering to different consumer preferences and convenience. Brexit and the transition period of the European Union (EU) have impacted the seafood industry, with administrative authorities and organized retail operators implementing traceability initiatives to maintain transparency. Seafood cuisines and restaurants offer a wide range of dishes, from traditional pescetarian foods to vegetarian diet options. However, concerns over anabolic steroids and toxic chemicals in seafood production persist, highlighting the need for stricter regulations. Lean fish like cod and salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, making them a healthy addition to a balanced diet. Fatty fish like tuna are also known for their heart benefits, particularly DHA, which is essential for brain health. Aquaculture techniques have evolved to ensure sustainable farming practices, with a focus on reducing the environmental impact of fishing activity. Per capita consumption of seafood varies globally, with some countries consuming more than others. In conclusion, the seafood industry offers a rich source of protein and unique culinary experiences. However, it faces challenges related to price, ethics, and sustainability. Innovations in technology, product development, and farming practices are essential to meet the evolving demands of consumers while minimizing the impact on the environment. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Fish Crustacean Mollusca Others Distribution Channel Offline Online Geography APAC North America South America Europe Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioMontgomery's 21 lead Southern Miss past Alabama State 81-64JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia's decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different — and the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Thursday. The award — and the glitzy festival itself — is a sign of Saudi Arabia's commitment to shaping a new film industry. “My heart is attached to cinema and art; I have always dreamed of a moment like this,” Dakheelallah, who still works a 9-5 job, told The Associated Press before the awards ceremony. “I used to work in voluntary films and help my friends in the field, but this is my first big role in a film.” The reopening of cinemas in 2018 marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy that had instituted the ban 35 years before, under the influence of ultraconservative religious authorities. It has since invested heavily in a native film industry by building theaters and launching programs to support local filmmakers through grants and training. The Red Sea International Film Festival was launched just a year later, part of an attempt to expand Saudi influence into films, gaming, sports and other cultural fields. Activists have decried the investments as whitewashing the kingdom’s human rights record as it tightly controls speech and remains one of the world’s top executioners. With FIFA awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia this week, Lina al-Hathloul, a Saudi activist with the London-based rights group ALQST, said Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman “has really managed to create this bubble where people only see entertainment and they don’t see the reality on the ground.” These efforts are part of Vision 2030, an ambitious reform plan unveiled in 2016 to ease the economy's dependence on oil. As part of it, Saudi Arabia plans to construct 350 cinemas with over 2,500 movie screens — by this past April, across 22 cities, it already had 66 cinemas showing movies from the local film industry, as well as Hollywood and Bollywood. (The Red Sea International Film Festival attracts a host of talent from the latter industries, with Viola Davis and Priyanka Chopra Jonas also picking up awards Thursday.) The country's General Entertainment Authority last month opened Al Hisn Studios on the outskirts of Riyadh. As one of the largest such production hubs in the Middle East, it not only includes several film studios but also a production village with workshops for carpentry, blacksmithing and fashion tailoring. “These facilities, when they exist, will stimulate filmmakers,” said Saudi actor Mohammed Elshehri. “Today, no writer or director has an excuse to imagine and say, ‘I cannot implement my imagination.’” The facilities are one part of the equation — the content itself is another. One of the major players in transforming Saudi filmmaking has been Telfaz11, a media company founded in 2011 that began as a YouTube channel and quickly became a trailblazer. Producing high-quality digital content such as short films, comedy sketches and series, Telfaz11 offered fresh perspectives on Saudi and regional issues. In 2020, Telfaz11 signed a partnership with Netflix to produce original content for the streaming giant. The result has been movies that demonstrate an evolution on the storytelling level, tackling topics that were once off-limits and sensitive to the public like secret nightlife in “Mandoob” (“Night Courier”) and changing social norms in “Naga.” “I think we tell our stories in a very simple way, and that’s what reaches the world,” Elshehri says of the changing shift. “When you tell your story in a natural way without any affectation, it will reach every person.” But the films were not without their critics, drawing mixed reaction. Social media discoursed ranged from pleasure that Saudi film were tackling such topics to anger over how the films reflected conservative society. As Hana Al-Omair, a Saudi writer and director, points out, there are still many stories left untold. “We certainly have a long time ahead of us before we can tell the Saudi narrative as it should be,” she said, acknowledging that there are still barriers and rampant censorship. “The Goat Life,” a Malayalam-language movie about an Indian man forced to work without pay in Saudi Arabia, is not available on Netflix's platform in the country. Movies that explore political topics or LGBTQ+ stories are essentially out of the question. Even “My Driver and I,” featured at the Red Sea festival alongside 11 other Saudi feature-length films, was initially too controversial. It centers on a Sudanese man in Jeddah, living away from his own daughter, who feels responsible for the girl he drives as her parents are absent. It was initially blocked from being made because of the relationship between the girl and the driver, filmmaker Ahd Kamel has said, even though it's not a romantic relationship. Now in 2024, the film is a success story — a symbol of the Saudi film industry's evolution as well as the growing role of women like Kamel behind the camera and Dakheelallah in front of it. “I see the change in Saudi cinema, a very beautiful change and it is moving at a wonderful speed. In my opinion, we do not need to rush,” Dakheelallah said. “We need to guide the truth of the artistic movement that is happening in Saudi Arabia.” Baraa Anwer, The Associated Press

Meanwhile, French champions Paris Saint-Germain find themselves in an even more precarious position, according to Opta's projections. The Parisian outfit, led by the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, are forecasted to finish in a lowly 24th place in the final Champions League standings. Despite their star-studded lineup and domestic dominance, PSG have often struggled to translate their success onto the European stage. Thomas Tuchel's side will need to overcome their past shortcomings and produce consistent performances to avoid an early exit from the competition.

The year 2024 has proven to be a landmark year for the gaming industry, with a plethora of outstanding titles released that have captivated gamers worldwide. Among these exceptional creations, the XGP games have stood out as shining examples of innovation, creativity, and excellence. Recently, foreign media outlets have taken notice of the exceptional quality of XGP games, with many of them receiving nominations for prestigious awards, including The Game Awards (TGA).Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

In conclusion, the collaboration between PepsiCo and "Black Myth: Wukong" promises to be a groundbreaking partnership that brings together two iconic brands in a celebration of Chinese mythology, gaming, and storytelling. The teaser trailer has offered a tantalizing glimpse into the dark and immersive world of the game, leaving fans eager for more. With the promise of a gourd gift box on the horizon, the anticipation and excitement surrounding this collaboration continue to grow. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as we await the arrival of the gourd gift box and the launch of this epic partnership.Global Biodigester Market Set For 7.0% Growth, Reaching $36.34 Billion By 2028In the war-torn land of Syria, amidst the chaos and devastation, a heartwarming story of assistance and compassion emerged. It all began when a Syrian-Chinese business owner, Mr. Zhang, found himself faced with a critical decision that would not only impact his own life but also the lives of four lodgers staying at his guesthouse. The escalating conflict in the region had reached a dangerous level, and it was clear that immediate action was required to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

The recent escalation of hostilities in Manbij can be traced back to the shifting alliances and power dynamics in northern Syria. The Kurdish forces, primarily led by the People's Protection Units (YPG) and its political wing, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), have been key players in the complex web of conflicts in the region. The Kurds have been fighting both the Assad regime and various opposition groups, seeking to carve out an autonomous region in northern Syria known as Rojava.One of the key features of Sora is its ability to synthesize audio-visual content in a coherent and natural manner. By leveraging state-of-the-art deep learning techniques, Sora can intelligently combine audio and visual elements to create compelling videos that tell a coherent and engaging story. This advanced level of content synthesis opens up a wide range of possibilities for users, enabling them to create professional-looking videos with ease and efficiency.

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NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the monthly jobs report , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs , including for goods coming from China . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris , where the government is battling over the budget. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.Pep Guardiola hits out at Gary Neville and Gary Lineker with Man City boss 'desperate'mnl168 free 68 。

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. stock rises Tuesday, outperforms marketA 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO. Musk also wanted the job, according to emails revealed as part of the court case, but grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence , or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI's board in early 2018. Musk didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration. —————————— The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.None

AP Business SummaryBrief at 3:48 p.m. ESTKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Taylor Swift once raved about the sweet potato casserole served at a New York City restaurant and now that recipe pops up every now and again at Thanksgiving. The holidays encourage many of us to try new recipes. Social media right now is flooded with recipes for appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Anyone making that cornbread casserole from TikTok? While we might not get to share a Thanksgiving feast with Swift — is your name Blake Lively? — or other celebrities beloved by Kansas City, we can eat like them. So here’s the recipe for that casserole Swift loved so much, and favorite family side dish recipes from Donna Kelce and Eric Stonestreet. Enjoy. Travis Kelce's mother, Donna Kelce, seen here last year at her son's music festival, dined on a cheesesteak made by actor Bradley Cooper at QVC festivities in Las Vegas this week. (Emily Curiel/Kansas City Star/TNS) If we tried to guess how many holiday dinner rolls Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce, have scarfed over the years, would it be in the hundreds? Thousands? Their mom has spoken often about the batches of holiday crescent rolls she has baked over the years. Based on the recipe that won the 1969 Pillsbury Bake-Off, Pillsbury’s Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs , they’re now known as Mama Kelce’s Dinner Rolls. They blend the crescent roll pastry with marshmallows, cinnamon and sugar. Dinner roll or dessert? We bet they didn’t last long enough in front of Travis and Jason for that debate. Ingredients Rolls •1/4 cup granulated sugar •2 tablespoons Pillsbury Best all-purpose flour •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon •2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count) •16 large marshmallows •1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted Glaze •1/2 cup powdered sugar •1/2 teaspoon vanilla •2-3 teaspoons milk •1/4 cup chopped nuts Directions Make the rolls 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 16 medium muffin cups with nonstick baking spray. 2. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon. 3. Separate the dough into 16 triangles. For each roll, dip 1 marshmallow into melted butter; roll in the sugar mixture. Place marshmallow on the shortest side of a triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side and rolling to opposite point. Completely cover the marshmallow with the dough; firmly pinch edges to seal. Dip 1 end in remaining butter; place butter side down in muffin cup. 4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. 5. When done, remove from the oven and let the puffs cool in the pan for 1 minute. Remove rolls from muffin cups; place on cooling racks set over waxed paper. Make the glaze and assemble In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve warm. Eric Stonestreet attends 'Eric Stonestreet visits The SiriusXM Hollywood Studios in Los Angeles' at SiriusXM Studios on Oct. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM/TNS) Thanksgiving is one of the “Modern Family” star’s favorite holidays. Three years ago, as part of a campaign honoring hometown heroes , he shared one of his favorite recipe with McCormick Spices: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Butternut Squash . This recipe serves eight. Ingredients •1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved •1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes •1 tablespoon olive oil •1/2 teaspoon garlic powder •1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves •1/2 teaspoon salt •1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper •5 slices bacon, chopped •1 shallot, finely chopped •1/2 cup dried cranberries •1/4 cup balsamic vinegar •1 teaspoon whole grain mustard •1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional) •1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, (optional) Directions 1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Spray large shallow baking pan with no stick cooking spray; set aside. Place Brussels sprouts and squash in large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper; toss to coat evenly. Spread in single layer on prepared pan. 2. Roast 16 to 18 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring halfway through cooking. 3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in medium skillet on medium heat about 6 minutes or until crispy. Remove using slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Add shallot to same skillet; cook and stir 2 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Stir in cranberries, vinegar and mustard until well blended. Transfer mixture to small bowl; set aside. 4. Arrange roasted Brussels sprouts and squash on serving platter. Drizzle with cranberry balsamic glaze and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cooked bacon, toasted pecans, and crumbled blue cheese, if desired. Serve immediately. Donna Kelce, left, mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce watched the game with pop superstar Taylor Swift, center, during the first-half on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. (Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star/TNS) Swift gushed about the sweet potato casserole served at Del Frisco’s Grille in New York City, a dish crowned with a crunchy candied pecan and oatmeal crumble. “I’ve never enjoyed anything with the word casserole in it ever before, but it’s basically sweet potatoes with this brown sugary crust,” she told InStyle. ”Oh my God, it’s amazing.” The media rushed to find the recipe, which Parade has published this Thanksgiving season . “Similar to T. Swift herself, we think this recipe is a mastermind, especially if you’ve been asked to bring the sweet potato side dish to this year’s Thanksgiving feast. It seriously begs the question: who needs pumpkin pie?” the magazine writes. Ingredients •4 lbs sweet potatoes •1⁄3 cup oats •12 oz unsalted butter, divided •1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar •1⁄2 cup toasted pecans •1⁄2 cup granulated sugar •1 tsp kosher salt •2 tsp vanilla extract •4 large eggs, beaten Directions Preheat oven to 375°F. 1. Scrub sweet potatoes. Pierce each several times with a fork and wrap tightly in foil. Place on a sheet pan. Bake 90 minutes or until tender. Set aside until cool enough to handle. 2. Meanwhile, place oats in a food processor; process 1 minute. Add 4 oz butter, brown sugar and pecans; pulse five times to combine. Spread mixture on a baking sheet; bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven, crumble. Bake 5 minutes or until golden brown. 3. Melt remaining 8 oz butter. Remove skin from cooled sweet potatoes. In a large bowl, whisk sweet potatoes, melted butter, granulated sugar and remaining ingredients until slightly lumpy. Transfer to a greased baking dish, smoothing surface evenly. Top with oat mixture. Bake 12 minutes or until heated through. Make-ahead tips •Sweet potato filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. Prepare the sweet potato filling, cool, place in a casserole dish and keep refrigerated. •Oat-pecan crust can also be made up to 2 days ahead. Make the crust according to recipe directions, cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Sprinkle over the sweet potato filling just before baking. With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.

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Syrian government services come to a 'complete halt' as state workers stay homeThe viral “Superman” TikTok challenge has become a significant safety hazard, with at least 19 children and teens sustaining injuries severe enough to require hospital treatment in Israel. In recent days, numerous cases of injuries have been reported, ranging from fractures and bruises to loss of consciousness. “It was terrifying – they threw me really high, I fell, didn’t respond, and immediately fainted,” said Noa, a 12-year-old girl who suffered a concussion from a fall and lost consciousness. She underwent a series of medical tests at Schneider Children’s Medical Center. @moas.hemliga5 Suparman! #trend #suparman #strong ♬ Watch mee - Sensei The “Superman” challenge is a dangerous social media trend . In this challenge, a group of children or teens lifts a participant into the air, mimicking the iconic comic book superhero. The group then tosses the participant upward, expecting them to land safely on their feet or back. However, the challenge often spirals out of control, resulting in falls from significant heights and severe injuries such as fractures, concussions and loss of consciousness. Noa, 12, speaking from her hospital bed where she was undergoing medical tests, recounted her experience. “I feel better now, but it was so scary. My two friends and I decided to try the challenge, and then more girls joined in. At first, I was one of the people throwing others, but then it was my turn to be tossed. The first time, they couldn’t lift me. The second time, they tried to throw me, but I don’t remember anything from when I hit my head to when I was in the ambulance. My friend told me they threw me really high, I fell, didn’t respond, and immediately fainted. My teacher called an ambulance, and my mom arrived quickly.” 1 View gallery ( Photo: TikTok ) After undergoing extensive tests, Noa shared an important message for other children considering trying the dangerous challenge. “At the hospital, they ran tests on me. I vomited, and in the end, they told me I had a concussion. If I had known this would happen, I never would have participated. It was so painful, and it’s just not worth it. I want to tell kids that it may look fun to be tossed in the air, but it’s really dangerous. It could have ended much worse. Don’t just think about the fun – it’s not worth the risk.” 'The kids tossed her really high, and it ended badly' Noa’s mother added: “Noa doesn’t even have TikTok, so I didn’t realize she could be exposed to things like this. Her teacher called me and said she had lost consciousness and was rolling her eyes. The kids tossed her really high, and it ended badly. I was terrified when I got the call. When I arrived at the school, Noa wasn’t talking, she was confused, and the ambulance was already there. She was talking nonsense and didn’t remember anything. Only after vomiting twice did she start coming back to herself, but she was still in a difficult state. Just a week earlier, one of Noa’s friends broke her arm doing the same challenge, yet the kids continued. It terrifies me. This is very dangerous, and kids are exposed to these things even if they don’t have direct access to TikTok.” 'Avoid imitating trends that pose ran actual danger to your life' Dr. Dana Zinger-Harel, a senior physician in the emergency department at Schneider Children’s Medical Center, part of the Clalit Health Services network, warned against such dangerous trends. “In recent days, we’ve been seeing case after case of teens injured while attempting the ‘Superman’ TikTok challenge. Just today, five children arrived at our department with injuries from this challenge. Most of the injuries were cuts and bruises, but one 12-year-old girl arrived after falling on her head and losing consciousness. She is currently under observation and receiving treatment. I urge parents and children – avoid imitating trends that pose an actual danger to your life. Protect your health; it’s not worth it.” @majawarna tredje hjulet #fridasuperman ♬ Watch mee - Sensei Schneider Children’s Medical Center is not the only hospital treating injuries linked to the challenge. Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba reported treating three injured individuals within two days due to the “Superman” challenge. One suffered a serious head injury with suspected brain hemorrhaging, another sustained a fracture, and the third had a significant head injury. Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv Similarly, in recent days, three teens were rushed to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv with mild to moderate injuries resulting from the challenge. Dr. Neta Cohen, head of pediatric trauma services at Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital, part of Ichilov Medical Center, explained: “In recent days, we’ve witnessed numerous injuries in our pediatric emergency department caused by dangerous challenges on TikTok, including the ‘Superman’ challenge. We’ve seen cases involving falls, back injuries and even a limb fracture. Additional hospitals have reported head and facial injuries. What may appear simple in the videos carries significant risks when performed in reality. We urge parents and teens to avoid these dangerous challenges.” The emergency department at Safra Children’s Hospital at Sheba Medical Center also reported receiving four children, aged 10 to 16, on the same day after attempting the “Superman” challenge. “Yesterday, several children arrived after performing the ‘Superman’ TikTok challenge, with mild to moderate injuries such as upper-body fractures and cuts. All were treated professionally and discharged home with follow-up instructions. This is an extremely dangerous challenge that can lead to head trauma and far more severe injuries,” according to Dr. Keren Galron, a senior specialist at Safra’s emergency department. >

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Inside chilling case of 'The Man of Many Faces' as victim breaks her silence with six haunting words‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Reboot Set Ahead of Show’s 25th Anniversary

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation,” he wrote. Setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to maximize daylight during summer months, but has long been subject to scrutiny. Daylight saving time was first adopted as a wartime measure in 1942. Lawmakers have occasionally proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill named the , had proposed making daylight saving time permanent. The measure was , whom Trump has tapped to helm the State Department. “Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said as the Senate voted in favor of the measure. Health experts have said that lawmakers have it backward and that standard time should be made permanent. , including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said that it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology. do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do, the date that clocks are changed varies, creating a complicated tapestry of changing time differences. Arizona and Hawaii don't change their clocks at all.Aussie coach receives support from unlikely source as pressure rises

Analysis: Getting benched may have been best thing that happened to Bryce Young, Anthony RichardsonWith Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s slopes now open, its management is placing confidence in a standout season for snow-savvy athletes amid the uncertainty of La Niña’s impact these next months. In October, the resort to positive outcomes that the upcoming cooling of the Pacific Ocean’s surface, a recurring once every few years, could produce for ski season on Mount Mackenzie. “La Niña typically brings colder and wetter conditions to our region, which translates to above-average snowfall across all elevations at the resort,” said Mike Verwey, the resort’s mountain operations director. “Fresh snow provides an ideal base for creating softer, perfectly groomed corduroy, which makes for easier carving and smoother riding.” Compared with Mount Mackenzie’s average annual snowfall, La Niña’s presence during the 2010-11, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2021-22 seasons often meant between 100 and 200 extra centimetres of snow from November to April, according to the resort’s data. Anticipating colder temperatures and more precipitation, Verwey envisions more consistent skiing and snowboarding conditions for the season that give athletes a “long window of opportunity” to traverse the mountain’s 1,713-metre vertical drop. “In preparation for this, we've expanded our snow removal team and fleet to efficiently manage increased snow accumulation at the base areas,” he said. The resort’s arsenal for smoothing out extra heavy snowfall has added staff and grown to 10 Prinoth snow groomers, which all use GPS visualization. Four are specialized for steep terrain. Verwey said the fleet has been re-stationed higher up the mountain to ensure vehicles can reach all areas quickly. The resort has also invested more in parking infrastructure, by paving the main lot, adding parking spaces and improving shuttle drop-off areas, to help reduce backlog when visitors arrive. Verwey added that the resort’s snow canons can artificially pad the stretch of the first gondola from top to bottom as necessary, “allowing us to maintain our full vertical drop and provide reliable snow coverage throughout the season.” When athletes hit the slopes, they may notice improved glade skiing trails in the Ripper zone along Salley Alley, the Simmer Down extension, Chopper and Big Woody thanks to recent blasting and grading work, Verwey said. “Our renowned glade skiing areas will also benefit from consistent snow top-ups.” Last winter, the resort its opening by a into December 2023 due to “unseasonably low snowfall” that November, calling it a “dynamic situation” that “continues to evolve as weather patterns change.” Across B.C., provincial government cited “very low” and often “extremely low” snowpack levels this year between Jan. 1 and May 1, averaging 62 per cent of normal levels. During November and December 2023, temperatures hung “well above normal” while precipitation fell “well below normal,” with four snow stations in the Upper Columbia snow basins all-time lows. But Verwey noted that despite drier-than-average conditions that season, “fantastic” storm cycles still ensured a steady stream of quality skiing and snowboarding. “Thanks to our varied terrain, elevation, and different slope aspects, we were able to adapt to changing conditions better than many other resorts in the region,” he said, adding he expects “favourable snow coverage” and higher attendance this season “given the excitement around the forecasted La Niña conditions.” Visitors can follow the resort’s website, , and social media for frequent real-time updates on weather patterns and snowfall. “As a business that relies heavily on weather patterns, we must embrace what comes our way and make plans to ensure we continue to offer the best possible product,” Verwey concluded. “We remain cautiously optimistic, as the La Niña snow will help us to deliver exceptional skiing from top to bottom.”

Holiday shopping for Gen Zs and Alphas can be quite the adventure! Teens and tweens are perpetually ahead of the curve with their ever-evolving tastes and interests, which makes finding the perfect present a tricky task for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, and more. To hit the mark, though, you’ll do well to consider anything that’s Taylor Swift-coded , tech gadgets that keep them connected, trendy fashion or beauty items that let them express their unique style and personality, or complex craft kits and subscription boxes that can help fuel their imagination and awaken their creative spirits. As a mom of three very young Gen Alphas, I’m always trying to figure out exactly which games, toys, and trinkets will win them over, but the tween and teen set (Gen Z’s youngest are 12 years old right now) is even more impossible to please. Best Gifts for Tweens and Teens So, we’ve done some of the heavy lifting to bring you a list of 20 gifts guaranteed to have all the 10-somethings in your life flooding you with MAJOR aura points (i.e. your coolness is essentially off the charts). Bic BODYMARK Temporary Tattoo Markers Bic BODYMARK Temporary Tattoo Markers Amazon/Bic Price: $20, instead of $35 Okay, so we’re not saying that your teens should be inking up with reckless abandon, but if they want to flex some rebellion in their not-quite-an-adult-yet years, then these skin-safe markers might do the trick (I mean, remember how obsessed we all were with Milky Pen scribbles all over our arms and hands back in the early aughts?). With a variety of vibrant colors and tip types, teens 13 years old+ can draw freestyle or use the enclosed BODYMARK stencils to create eye-catching designs that showcase their unique sense of self, what they love, and what they stand for. BONNYCO Pink Cinema Light Box with 400 Letters & Emojis & 2 Markers BONNYCO Pink Cinema Light Box Amazon/BONNYCO Price: $28, instead of $40 Any gift that gives your tweenager a voice will have them heart-eyesing for days — quite literally, too, when emojis are involved. Prep it with a very special message and then put it under the tree, and come Christmas, they’ll be lit up with excitement. FlashCatch Light Up Football FlashCatch Light Up Football Amazon/FlashCatch Price: $28, instead of $35 Even though it gets dark at like 5 p.m. these days, your little baller can still keep their game in play with this glow-in-the-dark, professional-level football. They’ll need to pump it up before it’s ready to go (pump isn’t included), but the box come with a spare set of batteries and over 30 hours of run-time, so no one needs to retire too early. Stanley x Barbie Icon 30-Ounce Quencher Stanley x Barbie Icon 30-Ounce Quencher Stanley/Mattel/Barbie Price: $50 If you’re shopping for a mini Barbie with a certifiable water bottle obsession, then you have to add to their growing collection with this best-selling hot pink Stanley Quencher. With a high-gloss “Barbie” signature in brush script and the doll’s unmistakable high-pony silhouette near the handle, this easy-to-hold sipper will be in hand everywhere they’re going. HASAKEE Q9 Drone HASAKEE Q9 Drone in Blue and Green HASAKEE Price: $40, instead of $50 This drone isn’t just about flying; it’s about creating a neon light show in the sky with its vibrant green and blue LEDs. It’s super easy to use, even for beginners, and it’s built to withstand all those inevitable crashes (bound to happen if you have a boy in between the ages of 8 and 12). Trust me, this drone will keep your young adventurer entertained for hours with its cool tricks and double flight time. CrunchLabs Subscription Box CrunchLabs Subscription Box CrunchLabs Price: starting from $25 per box (if paying annually for 12 months) You really can’t get a more “fire” gift than a subscription box straight from the mind of a real-life former NASA engineer. With a CrunchLabs Build Box subscription , your budding builder will get a cool new STEM project (like a disc launcher, coin spinner, or trip wire) that they can create, play with and learn from — via Mark Rober’s fun video guide. Plus, every box comes with a chance to win a Platinum Ticket to go to CrunchLabs and meet Rober himself. #Totalfankid approved. TOSY Flying Disc TOSY Flying Disc TOSY Price: $28, instead of $36 Some kids just cannot stay inside, and this TOSY light-up frisbee (basically) was made exclusively for them. The disc glows with bright, built-in LED lights, and it packs up to 90 minutes of air time. Your ultimate “W” in the gift-giving department might even convince your kiddo to commission a Christmas or New Year’s Eve throw challenge for the whole family... That’s the goal, right?! Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera Fujifilm Price: $79 What Polaroid had on lock in the 90s and 2000s is now being finessed for a new generation in Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera . This shutterbug-satisfying snapster — available in five pretty pastel colorways — prints out high-quality, 2-inch x 3-inch INSTAX mini instant photos in approximately five seconds. But, let’s be honest, it’s the built-in “selfie” mirror on the lens that’s just the total cherry on top. Bose New SoundLink Flex 2nd Gen Portable Bluetooth Speaker Bose New SoundLink Flex 2nd Gen Portable Bluetooth Speaker Bose Price: $119, instead of $149 Looking for a no-brainer gift idea for any music-loving 10 to 19-year-old? We got you! With up to 20 hours of battery life, they can jam out all day long without missing a beat. Its portable, waterproof, and dust-proof design means they can take their tunes anywhere — whether they’re having a sleepover party with friends or chilling at the beach or the park with their crew (when it’s finally nice outside again). And before you ask, YES, they can even charge their phone from the speaker, so they’ll never have to worry about their favorite Spotlfy playlist cutting out. UGG Ultra Mini Platform UGG Ultra Mini Platform UGG/Kids Foot Locker Price: $130 UGG boots are as much on the radar of our mini-mes as they are for us, so if you really want to earn yourself a “best gift giver of ALL time” superlative this season, going with a trendy pair of sheepskin slip-ons will help you do it. Featuring a unique asymmetrical design and super-cushy midsole, the fur-lined platforms — available in best-selling UGG colorways — are all they need to slay the day. Sorry, we just had... Even more gifts that hit different with this discerning crowd e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil for $8 SUSSED The Wacky ‘What Would You Do?’ Card Game for $13, instead of $15 Flipslide Game — Electronic Handheld Game for $15, instead of $18 MAREE Star Pimple Patches for Face for $16 Pretty Me Wall Collage Kit for $20, instead of $25 SCRIB3D P1 3D Printing Pen with Display for $37 BAGGU Medium Nylon Crescent Bag for $52 Beats Solo 3 — Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones for $95, instead of $200 LoveShackFancy Oran Weekender for $295 PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (Slim) for $374, instead of $450 The Best Gift Guides of 2024 12 expensive gifts that are so worth it, you actually won’t feel bad buying them for yourself or loved ones 20 unique gifts your girlfriend will actually love and use 21 white elephant gifts you can buy last minute on Amazon 15 coworker gift ideas for your next office holiday party 20 unique gifts for the boyfriend who has everything Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips .

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mnl168 free bonus codes Tensions escalated on December 7 as Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of engaging in propaganda, misinformation, and efforts to stir unrest in a bid to influence the outcome of Ghana’s ongoing elections. At a press briefing, Gyamfi strongly claimed that the NPP was aware of its impending defeat and, in response, had resorted to spreading falsehoods and provoking violence. “The NPP knows they are losing this election,” Gyamfi asserted. “And out of desperation, they have decided to resort to lies, propaganda, and inciting their hooligans to cause mayhem.” His statements came amid reports of escalating tensions at certain polling stations, which raised alarms about potential election-related violence. Despite these reports, Gyamfi called for calm, urging voters to remain focused on exercising their democratic rights. “We urge all Ghanaians to ignore the lies of the NPP and continue to exercise their civic duty by voting peacefully,” he appealed, reaffirming the NDC’s commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process. Gyamfi’s remarks were a direct response to growing concerns about unrest and potential electoral malpractice as Ghana’s crucial elections neared their final stages. His call for peace underscored the importance of unity and a non-violent approach in safeguarding the nation’s democratic integrity.Day after dyer situation, MC inspects site for CETP

For Henderson, however, the result was not a disappointment, but rather a source of newfound optimism. "Before the game, I genuinely believed that we could beat Manchester City," the Liverpool captain revealed. "I saw the determination in my teammates' eyes, felt the energy on the pitch, and knew that we had what it takes to come out on top."Kaduna gov unveils 10 roads to improve connectivityLagos hails Supreme Court ruling on lottery regulationsTitle: Controversy Arises Over Medical Responsibility as Husband of Woman Pregnant with Nonuplets Claims $40,000 Cost to Reduce 7 Fetuses

Now that the shine and allure of being the 'new fad' and government subsidies are starting to wear off - along with a marketplace full of super-saturated competition and robust supply - EVs simply aren't selling. That was the topic of a new FT report that claims the auto industry’s shift toward EVs, once seen as essential, is now facing serious challenges. It cites for example that Northvolt, Europe’s top battery producer, filed for bankruptcy last week, casting doubt on the region’s industrial strategy. Additionally, Stellantis announced the closure of its UK van plant, risking 1,100 jobs, while Volkswagen and Ford also warned of significant job cuts and plant closures due to weaker-than-expected EV demand. And as we noted earlier this week, GM is taking a $5 billion charge to reorganize its Chinese business. Now the U.S. risks falling further behind in its green transition as EV adoption lags and President-elect Trump’s plans to cut subsidies threaten progress. While President Biden aims for EVs to make up half of new car sales by 2030, they accounted for just 10% last year, according to FT . And carmakers have scaled back production plans, with U.S. EV output expected to drop by 50% and European plans by 29% next year, according to Bernstein. By 2025, EV market share is projected to reach 23% in Europe and 13% in the U.S. FT reported that the slow growth of EV adoption globally stems from high upfront costs, concerns about range and charging infrastructure, and fading energy price advantages due to geopolitical tensions. Rising interest rates have further increased leasing costs. In Europe, EV prices have climbed from €40,000 in 2020 to €45,000 today, far above the €20,000 many consumers are willing to pay. Meanwhile, inconsistent government subsidies have led to uneven adoption, with Germany and France cutting incentives, prompting concerns about declining EV sales and job losses in the auto industry. China, by contrast, has successfully integrated its EV strategy, leveraging state-backed initiatives, subsidies, and a robust supply chain to dominate the market. More than half of new cars sold in China are now EVs or plug-in hybrids, aided by competitive pricing and innovative in-car technology. Europe, constrained by free-market principles, cannot match China’s state-driven model and has resorted to imposing tariffs on Chinese EV imports. Despite setbacks, automakers in Europe remain optimistic, planning affordable EV models under €25,000 to meet stricter emissions targets, aiming to balance cost reduction with growing consumer interest in electric technology. Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska concluded: “The EV production forecast for 2025 has seemingly only gone one way — down.” By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Stellantis CEO Resignation Sends Shockwaves Through U.S. Auto Industry Ruble's Plunge Signals Trouble for Russian Economy AI's Energy Appetite Sparks Global Power Grid Concerns Read this article on OilPrice.comAmidst global uncertainties and economic headwinds, China stood out as a beacon of stability and resilience. Through strategic planning and decisive decision-making, China remained committed to its path of economic reform and opening-up, embracing a proactive approach to addressing both domestic and international challenges. This proactive stance not only bolstered confidence within the domestic market but also enhanced China's role as a global economic powerhouse.

London, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pixalate, the market-leading ad fraud protection, privacy, and compliance analytics platform, today released the Q3 2024 United Kingdom Seller Trust Index for Web, Mobile, and Connected TV (CTV) to rank programmatic ad sellers across desktop and mobile web , mobile apps , and CTV . The first-of-its-kind rankings, using SupplyChain Object (SCO) data, offer a comprehensive view of programmatic ad sellers based on quality across the advertising supply chain, as measured by Pixalate. Pixalate’s Seller Trust Indexes feature country-level seller ratings in 140+ countries for 580+ sellers. The rankings are based on an analysis of over 50 billion monthly programmatic advertising impressions from Q3 2024. Top Programmatic Web Ad Sellers in the United Kingdom (Q3 2024) See more in the Web Seller Trust Index . Top Programmatic Mobile Ad Sellers in the United Kingdom (Q3 2024) See more in the Mobile Seller Trust Index . Top Programmatic CTV Ad Sellers in the United Kingdom (Q3 2024) Amazon Fire TV Samsung Smart TV See more in the CTV Seller Trust Index . Pixalate’s Seller Trust Indexes provide a full view of the ad supply chain ecosystem. In doing so, the Indexes aim to foster economic fairness, encourage competition, and highlight the full range of sellers available to buyers, including each sellers’ relative strengths and weaknesses in each country. Explore all of Pixalate’s Seller Trust Indexes: Web Seller Trust Index Mobile Seller Trust Index CTV Seller Trust Index About Pixalate Pixalate is a global platform specializing in privacy compliance, ad fraud prevention, and digital ad supply chain data intelligence. Founded in 2012, Pixalate is trusted by regulators, data researchers, advertisers, publishers, ad tech platforms, and financial analysts across the Connected TV (CTV), mobile app, and website ecosystems. Pixalate is accredited by the MRC for the detection and filtration of Sophisticated Invalid Traffic (SIVT). pixalate.com Disclaimer The content of this press release, and the Seller Trust Indexes (collectively, the "Indexes"), reflect Pixalate's opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes may be useful to the digital media industry. As cited in the Indexes, the ratings and rankings in the Indexes are based on a number of metrics and Pixalate's opinions regarding the relative performance of each seller with respect to the metrics. The data is derived from buy-side, predominantly open auction, programmatic advertising transactions, as measured by Pixalate. The Indexes examine global advertising activity. Any insights shared are grounded in Pixalate's proprietary technology and analytics, which Pixalate is continuously evaluating and updating. Any references to outside sources in the Indexes and herein should not be construed as endorsements. Pixalate's opinions are just that, opinions, which means that they are neither facts nor guarantees; and neither this press release nor the Indexes are intended to impugn the standing or reputation of any person, entity or app. Per the MRC , “'Fraud' is not intended to represent fraud as defined in various laws, statutes and ordinances or as conventionally used in U.S. Court or other legal proceedings, but rather a custom definition strictly for advertising measurement purposes. Also per the MRC , “‘Invalid Traffic’ is defined generally as traffic that does not meet certain ad serving quality or completeness criteria, or otherwise does not represent legitimate ad traffic that should be included in measurement counts. Among the reasons why ad traffic may be deemed invalid is it is a result of non-human traffic (spiders, bots, etc.), or activity designed to produce fraudulent traffic.”The murder of the CEO, known for his visionary leadership and dedication to the company, had cast a dark shadow over the insurance industry. The motive behind the crime had remained unclear until now, leaving many to speculate and theorize about the possible reasons behind such a heinous act.Fans around the world are eagerly following the action in La Liga, with each result having the potential to shape the destiny of the title race. The competition is fierce, the stakes are high, and the drama is guaranteed as the race for the championship reaches its thrilling conclusion.

In conclusion, while the practice of accepting payment for membership in professional organizations may seem like a quick and easy way to generate revenue, it comes with significant risks and drawbacks. Professional organizations should carefully consider the implications of tying membership to a monetary transaction and the potential impact it may have on their integrity, credibility, and mission. Ultimately, the focus should be on maintaining high standards of excellence, promoting inclusivity, and fostering a strong sense of community among members, rather than simply allowing anyone who can pay to join.

During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump pitched an idea to quickly reduce the number of tents on the nation’s streets: Offer up other places for people to camp. He’d start with a big plot of land. Then his team would hire social workers, psychiatrists and other medical staff which together could “create tent cities where the homeless can be relocated,” he said last year in a video . Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Politicians could face fines as the deadline for general election posters to be taken down has now passed. The requirement to remove posters is seven days after polling day, but many have been spotted across the country. Advertisement Both successful and unsuccessful candidates could face a fine of €150 per poster. Fianna Fáil's Catherine Ardagh has encouraged people to report any remaining posters to politicians, who can be reached via email or social media. Some social media users have noticed that general election posters are still up in their area and have called for them to be taken down, while others have urged those out taking them down to be careful as the country still feels the effects of Storm Darragh . @cardagh Congrats on your election. 👍 When the bad weather passes can you ask your team to remove any stay posters they may have missed including this one on Sarsfield Road, Inchicore, opposite Cleary’s Pub please? Thank you. pic.twitter.com/Of7izeRBsM Advertisement — Pat Kiernan (@PatKiernan1) December 7, 2024 God help those out taking down the last election posters this evening. At least for smaller parties and independents, it’s done by volunteers after a day’s work, which is all very well in summer. But mid winter and #StormDarragh approaching... I hope no one gets hurt... #GE24 pic.twitter.com/ppo7haiKjX — A Kildare woman (@Petra_C) December 6, 2024 Candidates can put up posters 30 days before the polling date, or from the date that the ministerial polling day order, whichever is the shortest period. On polling day, people cannot display posters or campaign for a candidate or party within 50 metres of a polling station. Failure to remove election posters within seven days after the polling date is an offence.

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Title: A 90s Young Man from Shenyang Resigns for Love and Sells Ice Cream in WuhanIn the end, the man's self-discipline challenge may have ended in apparent failure, but it was not without valuable lessons and insights. His journey served as a poignant reminder of the significance of self-awareness, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity. Through his struggles and perseverance, he demonstrated that true self-discipline goes beyond mere actions; it requires a willingness to confront our deepest fears and limitations, to embrace vulnerability, and to emerge stronger and more empowered on the other side.

The decision to increase gold reserves is seen as a strategic move by the People's Bank of China to hedge against risks in the global financial market. Gold is often considered a safe-haven asset that can provide stability and security in times of economic uncertainty. By increasing its gold reserves, the central bank is taking proactive steps to safeguard the country's financial stability.Billionaires have seen their combined wealth shoot up 121 percent over the past decade to $14 trillion, Swiss bank UBS said Thursday, with tech billionaires' coffers filling the fastest. Switzerland's biggest bank, which is among the world's largest wealth managers, said the number of dollar billionaires increased from 1,757 to 2,682 over the past 10 years, peaking in 2021 with 2,686. The 10th edition of UBS's annual Billionaire Ambitions report, which tracks the wealth of the world's richest people, found that billionaires have comfortably outperformed global equity markets over the past decade. The report documents "the growth and investment of great wealth, as well as how it's being preserved for future generations and used to have a positive effect on society", said Benjamin Cavalli, head of strategic clients at UBS global wealth management. Between 2015 and 2024, total billionaire wealth increased by 121 percent from $6.3 trillion to $14.0 trillion -- while the MSCI AC World Index of global equities rose 73 percent. The wealth of tech billionaires increased the fastest, followed by that of industrialists. Worldwide, tech billionaires' wealth tripled from $788.9 billion in 2015 to $2.4 trillion in 2024. "In earlier years, the new billionaires commercialised e-commerce, social media and digital payments; more recently they engineered the generative AI boom, while also developing cyber-security, fintech, 3D printing and robotics," UBS said. The report found that since 2020, the global growth trend had slowed due to declines among China's billionaires. From 2015 to 2020, billionaire wealth grew globally at an annual rate of 10 percent, but growth has plunged to one percent since 2020. Chinese billionaire wealth more than doubled from 2015 to 2020, rising from $887.3 billion to $2.1 trillion, but has since fallen back to $1.8 trillion. However, North American billionaire wealth has risen 58.5 percent to $6.1 trillion since 2020, "led by industrials and tech billionaires". Meanwhile billionaires are relocating more frequently, with 176 having moved country since 2020, with Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and the United States being popular destinations. In 2024, some 268 people became billionaires for the first time, with 60 percent of them entrepreneurs. "The year's new billionaires were mainly self-made," said UBS. The report said U.S. billionaires accrued the greatest gains in 2024, reinforcing the country's place as the world's main centre for billionaire entrepreneurs. Their wealth rose 27.6 percent to $5.8 trillion, or more than 40 percent of billionaire wealth worldwide. Billionaires' wealth from mainland China and Hong Kong fell 16.8 percent to $1.8 trillion, with the number of billionaires dropping from 588 to 501. Indian billionaires' wealth increased 42.1 percent to $905.6 billion, while their number grew from 153 to 185. Western Europe’s total billionaire wealth rose 16.0 percent to $2.7 trillion -- partly due to a 24 percent increase in Swiss billionaires. UAE billionaires' aggregate wealth rose 39.5 percent to $138.7 billion. UBS said billionaires faced an "uncertain world" over the next 10 years, due to high geopolitical tensions, trade barriers and governments with mounting spending requirements. Billionaires will therefore need to rely on their previous distinctive traits: "smart risk-taking, business focus and determination". "Risk-taking billionaires are likely to be at the forefront of creating two technology-related industries of the future already taking shape: generative AI and renewables/electrification," UBS predicted. And more flexible wealth planning will be needed as billionaire families move country and spread around the world. The heirs and philanthropic causes of baby boom billionaires are set to inherit an estimated $6.3 trillion over the next 15 years, UBS said.

On his way out the door and just before the holidays, President Joe Biden has presented some 42,000 federal workers with a generous gift: a five-year contract that protects their right to work from home for at least part of the week. This is the endgame to a saga that has been playing out for most of Biden’s tenure: the tension between the administration’s goal of improving public services and its habit of catering to public-service unions. It would be an exaggeration to say that public dissatisfaction with government services played a major role in President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. But the incoming administration’s fixation with government efficiency, however misguided, will certainly play a role going forward. No controversy surrounded federal workers going remote in 2020, during the pandemic, and as Biden was inaugurated in January 2021. But over the next few months, vaccines became widely available, and Americans returned to tourism, business travel and office work. By March 1, 2022, when Biden delivered the State of the Union, the clear desire was to return to normal. “It’s time for America to get back to work and fill our great downtowns again with people,” Biden said. “The vast majority of federal workers will once again work in person.” Yet it never happened. The White House issued various directives, and every political appointee I know was routinely in the office (and routinely complaining about the absence of so many civil servants making their jobs harder). But despite this widespread discontent among his own appointees, Biden never got the workers back. One reason is that civil servants overwhelmingly view the return-to-office push as a bad-faith political stunt designed to assuage critics in Congress or provide economic benefits to cities. The belief that regular presence in an office is beneficial, expressed by many managers in the private sector, doesn’t have much traction. The larger issue is that return-to-work policies need to be bargained collectively with the unions representing federal workers. The job of union leaders is to win concessions for their members, so they argue that requiring an in-office presence is burdensome and pointless. That lets them maximize financial concessions or whatever else in exchange for going to in-person work. Biden officials generally treated this collective bargaining situation as an external constraint on their ability to manage the federal workforce. But the president’s own appointees controlled the National Labor Relations Board. It’s of course appropriate that a dramatic shift in working conditions should be subject to collective bargaining. But we all lived through the pandemic and saw what happened: Employers made a dramatic shift to remote work as a result of a public health emergency. The idea that this should have also created a new bargaining chit for public-sector unions doesn’t make sense. If the White House really couldn’t persuade the NLRB to treat this more sensibly, it could have tried to work with Congress to make a statutory change to require common-sense policies. But the Biden administration didn’t do that, either. The president told the public he was going to bring federal workers back and then didn’t, because of deference to labor unions. Under Trump, America is going to get the polar-opposite approach to remote work. Instead of policies that balance the collaborative benefits of time in office with the recruiting and retention benefits of flexibility, the new regime doesn’t really care about public-sector performance and wants to purge the “deep state” of professionalism and perceived political enemies. To that end, being as strict as possible — in the hope that career civil servants will quit — will serve Trump’s ends. That’s unfortunate. The option of working remotely at least some of the time has real value to both workers and employers. Pretending that Zoom doesn’t exist would be absurd. Prudent members of Congress should push back against efforts, already apparent among the president-elect’s allies, to use return-to-work as a hammer to destroy state capacity. For Democrats, there will always be some friction between serving the public’s interest in efficient government services and its own interest in accommodating its supporters in public unions. These interests are not often aligned. Successful Democratic presidents, such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, were especially attentive to the ways in which teachers unions could be impediments to improving public education, and made a point of standing up to them. Biden — and Biden-era Democrats — generally prioritized coalition management over such concerns. That’s why they made COVID-era work policies permanent as a giveaway to civil-service unions. It’s a decision Democrats will come to regret, as Trump now wields the very real shortcomings of the status quo as a pretext for dismantling systems that Americans very much need. Yglesias writes for Bloomberg Opinion. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

The authorities in Zhengzhou have taken swift action after receiving reports of customers falling ill in various bathing centers across the city. Inspections have been carried out to check for any potential sources of carbon monoxide leakage, such as faulty heating systems, ventilation issues, or improperly maintained equipment. Measures have also been implemented to ensure the safety of customers and prevent any further incidents from occurring.

In his younger years, Booker was a force to be reckoned with. His intelligence and creativity set him apart from his peers, and his determination knew no bounds. With dreams of changing the world and making a name for himself, he poured his heart and soul into every endeavor. Whether it was academics, sports, or extracurricular activities, Booker always strived for excellence.The incident highlights the challenges faced by Wang Sicong, who is known for his flamboyant lifestyle and investments in various industries. His holding company, which has interests in gaming, entertainment, and technology sectors, has come under scrutiny for its financial operations and debt obligations.The impact of this shift to "water taxes" is felt by different groups in society. Firstly, consumers face increased financial burdens as water bills rise due to higher tax rates. For low-income households, this can have a significant impact on their disposable income, placing pressure on already stretched budgets. On the other hand, businesses also feel the pinch of higher water taxes, which can impact their bottom line and potentially lead to increased costs for consumers.