Christmas updates: Pope appeals for peace in world conflictsCalifornia to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sitesphmacao 。

Saint Nick-Mas: 10 Best Nickelodeon Holiday Specials, RankedBethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas Eve during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Pope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome's patience VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony kicks off the 2025 Holy Year. It's a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome. And it will test the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them. This begins the Christmas Eve Mass. The ceremony inaugurates the once-every-25-year tradition of a Jubilee. Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to the theme of hope. Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he'll “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole. Trump said that he will direct the Department of Justice to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated.” Trump was vague on what specific actions he may take. 21 dead as Mozambique erupts in violence after election court ruling MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Violence that engulfed Mozambique after the country’s highest court confirmed ruling party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct. 9 elections has killed at least 21 people, including two police officers. Mozambique Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a news conference in Maputo late Tuesday that a wave of violence and looting was sparked by the court’s announcement a day earlier. He said it was led by mostly youthful supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24% of the vote, second to Chapo, who got 65%. Prosecutors find workers in 'slavery like' conditions at Chinese car company site in Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) — A task force led by Brazilian prosecutors says it has rescued 163 Chinese nationals working in “slavery-like” conditions at a construction site in northeastern Brazil, where Chinese electric vehicle company BYD is building a factory. The Labor Prosecutor’s Office released videos of the dorms where the construction workers were staying, which showed beds with no mattresses and rooms without any place for the workers to store their personal belongings. In a statement issued Monday, the prosecutor’s office said the workers had been hired in China by Jinjian Group, one of the contractors on the site, which is located in Camaçari, a city in the Salvador metropolitan region. NFL players who use platform to share their faith say it's their duty to spread their love of Jesus ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Jake Bates was standing on the turf in his hometown of Houston when asked to reflect on an unlikely journey from learning how to sell bricks to making game-winning kicks for the Detroit Lions. Bates used his platform as an NFL player to spread his love of Jesus. A month later, Bates told The Associated Press it is a duty to share his faith. The NFL is filled with players and coaches who feel the same way, such as Houston's C.J. Stroud, Atlanta's Kirk Cousins, and Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens. Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano HONOLULU (AP) — Lava is erupting from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano for the second straight day. The eruption has stayed within Kilauea’s summit caldera inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and no homes are threatened. Molten rock began spewing out of the volcano before dawn on Monday when fissures opened in the caldera floor and shot lava high into the air. It then oozed across the caldera floor. Scientists expect activity to fluctuate in coming days. The lava paused Monday afternoon but fountains reemerged Tuesday morning. The eruption has occurred in an area that’s been closed to the public since 2007 due to hazards including crater wall instability and rockfalls. Haiti gang attack on journalists covering a hospital reopening leaves 2 dead, several wounded PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association confirms that two reporters were killed and others wounded in a gang attack on the re-opening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas eve attack. The killed journalists were identified as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. An unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which was blamed on the Viv Ansanm gang. Hurricane-force winds bear down on California, latest in stretch of extreme weather LOS ANGELES (AP) — California has been hit hard by extreme weather over the past several weeks. Atmospheric rivers, which are long stretches of wet air that can produce heavy rains, brought a record-setting rainfall before Thanksgiving. A series of atmospheric rivers are producing strong waves and storms near Santa Cruz this week. Thousands were left under evacuation warnings and orders because of a fire around Malibu. Climate change means that strong storms will be responsible for a greater share of the state's yearly precipitation and the periods between those events will be drier. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to 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 Tuesday about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by vendor technology in its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled.

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Setien, known for his attractive possession-based style of football, was expected to bring a fresh approach to Barcelona's gameplay and lead the team to success in Europe. On the other hand, Flick had revitalized Bayern Munich since taking over as head coach, instilling a high-intensity pressing game that proved to be too much for Barcelona to handle.Why Elon Musk said a House Democrat ‘needs to be expelled’ from CongressAwfis Reports Breach Of Insider Trading Norms By Sr Executiveph365 。

In conclusion, Zuo's unique blend of creativity, talent, and self-assurance truly sets him apart as a trendsetter in the world of social media. His 800 facial expressions and his signature "Monkey Zuo" hairstyle serve as a testament to his fearless approach to self-expression and his unwavering commitment to authenticity. As we bid farewell to Zuo, we are left inspired and uplifted by his infectious energy and passion for creativity. It's clear that the world has not seen the last of Zuo and his iconic "Monkey Zuo" hairstyle - we eagerly anticipate what he has in store next.None

The scenes of chaos and preparation unfolding in the Syrian Chinese community serve as a stark reminder of the harsh realities of conflict and displacement. As tensions escalate and violence spreads, ordinary civilians find themselves caught in the crossfire, forced to make difficult choices in order to survive.

For a leader who has been widely criticized for his brutal tactics and human rights abuses, these images offer a stark contrast to the public perception of Assad. In a regime known for its brutality and suppression of dissent, these photos humanize Assad in a way that many may find unsettling. They show him not as a dictator, but as a father, a husband, and a son - engaging in everyday activities with his loved ones.Distinguished guests, entrepreneurs, and experts gathered at the ceremony to witness the official signing and inauguration of the platform. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation as industry leaders shared their insights on the potential impact of barter trading on the economy.

Common Myths About Dental Implants Debunked By Highland Implant CenterThe allegations against Tang Renjian center around suspicions of accepting bribes in exchange for favors and privileges, indicating a flagrant abuse of power and a betrayal of public trust. The news of his arrest has underscored the pressing need for greater accountability and transparency in government operations, especially in sectors as crucial as agriculture.

Towns' versatility was evident in his stat line, as he not only scored from inside and outside the paint but also made his presence felt on the defensive end with timely steals and blocks. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways made him a nightmare for the opposing team to defend against.In conclusion, the analysis of Trump 2.0 nominee cabinet reveals a mix of opportunities and challenges for the administration as it seeks to advance its policy agenda. While the presence of loyalists and experienced individuals may facilitate smoother implementation of policies, the lack of diversity and potential polarizing effects could also pose obstacles to effective governance. As the new cabinet members take on their roles and begin to shape the direction of the administration, it will be crucial for analysts and observers to closely monitor their actions and decisions to assess the impact on American politics and policy.The unfolding saga surrounding the investigation of Prime Minister and others underscores the fragility of democratic institutions and the need for constant vigilance to safeguard against abuse of power. As the nation grapples with the fallout from these revelations, the importance of upholding the principles of accountability and the rule of law cannot be overstated.

As South Korea braces for a period of uncertainty and political upheaval, the international community is closely watching the developments unfolding in the country. The outcome of the resolution to arrest President Yoon will have far-reaching implications for South Korea's democracy and governance. The decision whether to step down or fight to stay in power will be a defining moment in Yoon Suk-yeol's presidency and could shape the future direction of the country.Football clubs ‘alarmed’ by lack of consultation on regulator – Karren Brady

In conclusion, President Biden's announcement to engage with all Syrian groups represents a bold and forward-thinking approach towards addressing the protracted conflict in Syria. By prioritizing inclusivity, dialogue, and diplomacy, the United States has signaled its commitment to working towards a peaceful and sustainable resolution that benefits all Syrians. As the transition process unfolds, the international community will be closely watching to see how this new approach unfolds and whether it paves the way for a brighter future for Syria and its people.

phmacao casino By BILL BARROW, Associated Press PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — Newly married and sworn as a Naval officer, Jimmy Carter left his tiny hometown in 1946 hoping to climb the ranks and see the world. Less than a decade later, the death of his father and namesake, a merchant farmer and local politician who went by “Mr. Earl,” prompted the submariner and his wife, Rosalynn, to return to the rural life of Plains, Georgia, they thought they’d escaped. The lieutenant never would be an admiral. Instead, he became commander in chief. Years after his presidency ended in humbling defeat, he would add a Nobel Peace Prize, awarded not for his White House accomplishments but “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” The life of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, ended Sunday at the age of 100 where it began: Plains, the town of 600 that fueled his political rise, welcomed him after his fall and sustained him during 40 years of service that redefined what it means to be a former president. With the stubborn confidence of an engineer and an optimism rooted in his Baptist faith, Carter described his motivations in politics and beyond in the same way: an almost missionary zeal to solve problems and improve lives. Carter was raised amid racism, abject poverty and hard rural living — realities that shaped both his deliberate politics and emphasis on human rights. “He always felt a responsibility to help people,” said Jill Stuckey, a longtime friend of Carter’s in Plains. “And when he couldn’t make change wherever he was, he decided he had to go higher.” Carter’s path, a mix of happenstance and calculation , pitted moral imperatives against political pragmatism; and it defied typical labels of American politics, especially caricatures of one-term presidents as failures. “We shouldn’t judge presidents by how popular they are in their day. That’s a very narrow way of assessing them,” Carter biographer Jonathan Alter told the Associated Press. “We should judge them by how they changed the country and the world for the better. On that score, Jimmy Carter is not in the first rank of American presidents, but he stands up quite well.” Later in life, Carter conceded that many Americans, even those too young to remember his tenure, judged him ineffective for failing to contain inflation or interest rates, end the energy crisis or quickly bring home American hostages in Iran. He gained admirers instead for his work at The Carter Center — advocating globally for public health, human rights and democracy since 1982 — and the decades he and Rosalynn wore hardhats and swung hammers with Habitat for Humanity. Yet the common view that he was better after the Oval Office than in it annoyed Carter, and his allies relished him living long enough to see historians reassess his presidency. “He doesn’t quite fit in today’s terms” of a left-right, red-blue scoreboard, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who visited the former president multiple times during his own White House bid. At various points in his political career, Carter labeled himself “progressive” or “conservative” — sometimes both at once. His most ambitious health care bill failed — perhaps one of his biggest legislative disappointments — because it didn’t go far enough to suit liberals. Republicans, especially after his 1980 defeat, cast him as a left-wing cartoon. It would be easiest to classify Carter as a centrist, Buttigieg said, “but there’s also something radical about the depth of his commitment to looking after those who are left out of society and out of the economy.” Indeed, Carter’s legacy is stitched with complexities, contradictions and evolutions — personal and political. The self-styled peacemaker was a war-trained Naval Academy graduate who promised Democratic challenger Ted Kennedy that he’d “kick his ass.” But he campaigned with a call to treat everyone with “respect and compassion and with love.” Carter vowed to restore America’s virtue after the shame of Vietnam and Watergate, and his technocratic, good-government approach didn’t suit Republicans who tagged government itself as the problem. It also sometimes put Carter at odds with fellow Democrats. The result still was a notable legislative record, with wins on the environment, education, and mental health care. He dramatically expanded federally protected lands, began deregulating air travel, railroads and trucking, and he put human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy. As a fiscal hawk, Carter added a relative pittance to the national debt, unlike successors from both parties. Carter nonetheless struggled to make his achievements resonate with the electorate he charmed in 1976. Quoting Bob Dylan and grinning enthusiastically, he had promised voters he would “never tell a lie.” Once in Washington, though, he led like a joyless engineer, insisting his ideas would become reality and he’d be rewarded politically if only he could convince enough people with facts and logic. This served him well at Camp David, where he brokered peace between Israel’s Menachem Begin and Epypt’s Anwar Sadat, an experience that later sparked the idea of The Carter Center in Atlanta. Carter’s tenacity helped the center grow to a global force that monitored elections across five continents, enabled his freelance diplomacy and sent public health experts across the developing world. The center’s wins were personal for Carter, who hoped to outlive the last Guinea worm parasite, and nearly did. As president, though, the approach fell short when he urged consumers beleaguered by energy costs to turn down their thermostats. Or when he tried to be the nation’s cheerleader, beseeching Americans to overcome a collective “crisis of confidence.” Republican Ronald Reagan exploited Carter’s lecturing tone with a belittling quip in their lone 1980 debate. “There you go again,” the former Hollywood actor said in response to a wonky answer from the sitting president. “The Great Communicator” outpaced Carter in all but six states. Carter later suggested he “tried to do too much, too soon” and mused that he was incompatible with Washington culture: media figures, lobbyists and Georgetown social elites who looked down on the Georgians and their inner circle as “country come to town.” Carter carefully navigated divides on race and class on his way to the Oval Office. Born Oct. 1, 1924 , Carter was raised in the mostly Black community of Archery, just outside Plains, by a progressive mother and white supremacist father. Their home had no running water or electricity but the future president still grew up with the relative advantages of a locally prominent, land-owning family in a system of Jim Crow segregation. He wrote of President Franklin Roosevelt’s towering presence and his family’s Democratic Party roots, but his father soured on FDR, and Jimmy Carter never campaigned or governed as a New Deal liberal. He offered himself as a small-town peanut farmer with an understated style, carrying his own luggage, bunking with supporters during his first presidential campaign and always using his nickname. And he began his political career in a whites-only Democratic Party. As private citizens, he and Rosalynn supported integration as early as the 1950s and believed it inevitable. Carter refused to join the White Citizens Council in Plains and spoke out in his Baptist church against denying Black people access to worship services. “This is not my house; this is not your house,” he said in a churchwide meeting, reminding fellow parishioners their sanctuary belonged to God. Yet as the appointed chairman of Sumter County schools he never pushed to desegregate, thinking it impractical after the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board decision. And while presidential candidate Carter would hail the 1965 Voting Rights Act, signed by fellow Democrat Lyndon Johnson when Carter was a state senator, there is no record of Carter publicly supporting it at the time. Carter overcame a ballot-stuffing opponent to win his legislative seat, then lost the 1966 governor’s race to an arch-segregationist. He won four years later by avoiding explicit mentions of race and campaigning to the right of his rival, who he mocked as “Cufflinks Carl” — the insult of an ascendant politician who never saw himself as part the establishment. Carter’s rural and small-town coalition in 1970 would match any victorious Republican electoral map in 2024. Once elected, though, Carter shocked his white conservative supporters — and landed on the cover of Time magazine — by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Before making the jump to Washington, Carter befriended the family of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom he’d never sought out as he eyed the governor’s office. Carter lamented his foot-dragging on school integration as a “mistake.” But he also met, conspicuously, with Alabama’s segregationist Gov. George Wallace to accept his primary rival’s endorsement ahead of the 1976 Democratic convention. “He very shrewdly took advantage of his own Southerness,” said Amber Roessner, a University of Tennessee professor and expert on Carter’s campaigns. A coalition of Black voters and white moderate Democrats ultimately made Carter the last Democratic presidential nominee to sweep the Deep South. Then, just as he did in Georgia, he used his power in office to appoint more non-whites than all his predecessors had, combined. He once acknowledged “the secret shame” of white Americans who didn’t fight segregation. But he also told Alter that doing more would have sacrificed his political viability – and thus everything he accomplished in office and after. King’s daughter, Bernice King, described Carter as wisely “strategic” in winning higher offices to enact change. “He was a leader of conscience,” she said in an interview. Rosalynn Carter, who died on Nov. 19 at the age of 96, was identified by both husband and wife as the “more political” of the pair; she sat in on Cabinet meetings and urged him to postpone certain priorities, like pressing the Senate to relinquish control of the Panama Canal. “Let that go until the second term,” she would sometimes say. The president, recalled her former aide Kathy Cade, retorted that he was “going to do what’s right” even if “it might cut short the time I have.” Rosalynn held firm, Cade said: “She’d remind him you have to win to govern.” Carter also was the first president to appoint multiple women as Cabinet officers. Yet by his own telling, his career sprouted from chauvinism in the Carters’ early marriage: He did not consult Rosalynn when deciding to move back to Plains in 1953 or before launching his state Senate bid a decade later. Many years later, he called it “inconceivable” that he didn’t confer with the woman he described as his “full partner,” at home, in government and at The Carter Center. “We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics,” Rosalynn Carter told AP in 2021. So deep was their trust that when Carter remained tethered to the White House in 1980 as 52 Americans were held hostage in Tehran, it was Rosalynn who campaigned on her husband’s behalf. “I just loved it,” she said, despite the bitterness of defeat. Fair or not, the label of a disastrous presidency had leading Democrats keep their distance, at least publicly, for many years, but Carter managed to remain relevant, writing books and weighing in on societal challenges. He lamented widening wealth gaps and the influence of money in politics. He voted for democratic socialist Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in 2016, and later declared that America had devolved from fully functioning democracy to “oligarchy.” Yet looking ahead to 2020, with Sanders running again, Carter warned Democrats not to “move to a very liberal program,” lest they help re-elect President Donald Trump. Carter scolded the Republican for his serial lies and threats to democracy, and chided the U.S. establishment for misunderstanding Trump’s populist appeal. He delighted in yearly convocations with Emory University freshmen, often asking them to guess how much he’d raised in his two general election campaigns. “Zero,” he’d gesture with a smile, explaining the public financing system candidates now avoid so they can raise billions. Carter still remained quite practical in partnering with wealthy corporations and foundations to advance Carter Center programs. Carter recognized that economic woes and the Iran crisis doomed his presidency, but offered no apologies for appointing Paul Volcker as the Federal Reserve chairman whose interest rate hikes would not curb inflation until Reagan’s presidency. He was proud of getting all the hostages home without starting a shooting war, even though Tehran would not free them until Reagan’s Inauguration Day. “Carter didn’t look at it” as a failure, Alter emphasized. “He said, ‘They came home safely.’ And that’s what he wanted.” Well into their 90s, the Carters greeted visitors at Plains’ Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and where he will have his last funeral before being buried on family property alongside Rosalynn . Carter, who made the congregation’s collection plates in his woodworking shop, still garnered headlines there, calling for women’s rights within religious institutions, many of which, he said, “subjugate” women in church and society. Carter was not one to dwell on regrets. “I am at peace with the accomplishments, regret the unrealized goals and utilize my former political position to enhance everything we do,” he wrote around his 90th birthday. The politician who had supposedly hated Washington politics also enjoyed hosting Democratic presidential contenders as public pilgrimages to Plains became advantageous again. Carter sat with Buttigieg for the final time March 1, 2020, hours before the Indiana mayor ended his campaign and endorsed eventual winner Joe Biden. “He asked me how I thought the campaign was going,” Buttigieg said, recalling that Carter flashed his signature grin and nodded along as the young candidate, born a year after Carter left office, “put the best face” on the walloping he endured the day before in South Carolina. Never breaking his smile, the 95-year-old host fired back, “I think you ought to drop out.” “So matter of fact,” Buttigieg said with a laugh. “It was somehow encouraging.” Carter had lived enough, won plenty and lost enough to take the long view. “He talked a lot about coming from nowhere,” Buttigieg said, not just to attain the presidency but to leverage “all of the instruments you have in life” and “make the world more peaceful.” In his farewell address as president, Carter said as much to the country that had embraced and rejected him. “The struggle for human rights overrides all differences of color, nation or language,” he declared. “Those who hunger for freedom, who thirst for human dignity and who suffer for the sake of justice — they are the patriots of this cause.” Carter pledged to remain engaged with and for them as he returned “home to the South where I was born and raised,” home to Plains, where that young lieutenant had indeed become “a fellow citizen of the world.” —- Bill Barrow, based in Atlanta, has covered national politics including multiple presidential campaigns for the AP since 2012.

P.J. West is a veteran professional writer and editor, and his works include two nonfiction books and articles in myriad print and online publications.

Mohamed Salah’s landmark goal pulls Liverpool clear in Champions League

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By Lawrence Delevingne and Carolina Mandl BOSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - As a money manager, Scott Bessent's years of inconsistent performance have contributed to a nearly 90% decline in his hedge fund's assets. Now, with some clients gone, he is scoring on perhaps his biggest bet yet: President-elect Donald Trump. Bessent spotted what he called an anomaly in the market: that political and market analysts were too negative on what a Trump victory would mean, according to a letter to clients in January seen by Reuters. His Key Square Capital Management put on bets that U.S. stocks and the dollar would gain, helping earn a double-digit percentage profit so far in 2024, with November as its best month, according to a person familiar with the situation. Bessent's even bigger wager is on Trump, the future president. He's been a donor, economic adviser and booster on TV to Trump, and Bessent is now seen as a likely candidate for a top economic role in the administration, such as running the U.S. Treasury Department or leading the White House National Economic Council. Trump has talked Bessent up as “one of the most brilliant men on Wall Street." Details of his fund's performance, reported here for the first time, show a mixed track record in the decade since he launched his own hedge fund firm. Ted Seides, the former president of Protege Partners, an investment firm where Bessent earned strong returns in the late 2000s, told Reuters that Bessent's track record should be taken in the context of macro investing, where big profits can be followed by less attractive returns. So-called macro hedge funds bet on global macroeconomic trends and are not open to retail investors. "If you only look at the part of a track record with lean years, it’s like saying Aaron Judge struck out a lot last year," Seides said, referring the baseball star known for hitting home runs. "But he was just named MVP." Bessent's candidacy in the hotly-contested role of Treasury Secretary or another economic role in the Trump administration has heightened interest in the fund manager. If he were to take a job in the new administration, Key Square could be wound down, sold, or put in "sleep mode," according to the same person. Trump recently floated the idea of appointing Kevin Warsh as Treasury Secretary on the understanding that he could later be Federal Reserve Chairman, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. The report also said Bessent might lead the White House National Economic Council and then become Treasury Secretary after Warsh. Bessent has long been considered a top contender to run Treasury. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump's transition team, said in an email that decisions on personnel "will continue to be announced by him when they are made." BIG START Bessent, who grew up in a small town in South Carolina and went to Yale College before landing on Wall Street, started Key Square in late 2015. The firm quickly raised $4.5 billion - then one of the largest hedge fund launches in history. That included $2 billion from famed macroeconomic investor George Soros, for whom Bessent had helped earn billions of dollars over two stints at Soros Fund Management. Key Square's main fund returns surged 13% in its first year, 2016, according to a second person familiar with the firm. That year, it gained on correctly predicting the British pound's decline around "Brexit," a vote for Britain to leave the European Union, according to the first person familiar with the situation. Later, Key Square made money when Bessent correctly anticipating a U.S. stock and dollar rally when Donald Trump was elected that November, according to the first person. But Key Square lost 7% in 2017, and then lost money or just broke even from 2018 to 2021, according to the second person and performance disclosures from one of its investors, New York City Police Pension Fund. The hedge fund gained double digits in both 2023 and 2024 and is up "double digits" over its history, according to the second person. That uneven performance appears to have scared away some clients. Assets under management shrank from a peak of around $5.1 billion at the end of 2017 to $577 million as of December 2023, while the number of institutional investors fell from 180 in December 2017 to 20 by the end of 2023, according to regulatory disclosures tracked by Convergence Inc. Soros took back most of his capital in 2018, per a previous agreement with Bessent to return the money, according to a third source familiar with the matter. Soros no longer has any money managed by Bessent, according to the third person. The two men have not spoken since 2016, Bessent said in a recent interview with Trump ally Roger Stone. Other large clients who no longer have money with Key Square include Australia's Future Fund, Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners, and the New York City Police and Fire pension funds, according to public records and regulatory disclosures. One large hedge fund allocator told Reuters that they pulled their money several years ago from Key Square because the returns had been “too inconsistent.” Another large Key Square investor withdrew from the hedge fund last year because of Bessent’s support of Trump, according to the second person familiar with the firm. While Key Square's hedge fund assets have declined, it has other business lines that remain strong, including providing investment ideas to other money managers and an advisory business for family offices, foundations and endowments, according to the two people familiar with the firm. It also has plans to launch an ETF, according to a recent securities filing. The University of California redeemed its assets from Key Square amid a broader pull back from using hedge funds, but Bessent has remained "deep source of knowledge for us," chief investment officer, Jagdeep Singh Bachher, told Reuters via email. Another longtime client to stick with Key Square is Brevan Howard Asset Management, the $34 billion macro hedge fund manager co-founded by British billionaire Alan Howard. "Scott is one of the best macro investors in the world," a spokesperson for Brevan Howard said via email. "His understanding of markets, public policy, and the global economy is largely unmatched." Semafor previously reported that selective Key Square performance numbers were being shared around Wall Street chats as Bessent competed for the coveted post of U.S. Treasury Secretary. The report did not reveal the numbers shared. POLITICAL BET Bessent contributed to Trump’s inauguration following his 2016 election win. He was more involved during the 2024 election cycle, serving as an economic adviser to the campaign in addition to being a top fundraiser. Since the election, he has made TV appearances and written opinion pieces in support of Trump's proposed economic agenda. “I was all in for President Trump. I was one of the few Wall Street people backing him,” Bessent recent said in the interview with Stone. In January this year, Bessent predicted a “Trump Rally” in stocks as long as the Republican remained ahead in the election polls. “We are expecting an upward trajectory in the U.S. equity markets,” he wrote in the letter to Key Square clients. “Barring (President Joe) Biden pulling ahead in substantial fashion, all pullbacks should be bought.” (Reporting by Lawrence Delevingne in Boston and Carolina Mandl in New York; editing by Paritosh Bansal, Megan Davies and Deepa Babington)

Syrians poured into streets in celebration on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule . Russian state news agencies were reporting that President Bashar Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow and were given asylum. Russia said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag. Others ransacked the presidential palace and residence. Abu Mohammed al-Golani , a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago leads the biggest rebel faction in Syria and is poised to chart the country’s future. He made his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, at the capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque, and called himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. He said Assad’s fall was “a victory to the Islamic nation.” The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Israel has issued warnings to villages in southern Syria and its forces seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Here's the Latest: The Israeli military said on Sunday it was reinforcing a barrier along its border with Syria as part of its “enhanced preparedness” in the area following the fall of the Assad regime. Israel released images of the construction, which showed bulldozers digging what appeared to be a trench. The army said in a statement that the barrier was named “New East.” Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began building what could be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. Over the weekend, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border with Syria. Russian state news agencies reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum. The agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but had contacted the Kremlin for comment. CAIRO — The Arab League on Sunday condemned Israel for taking advantage of Syrian President Bashar Assad's downfall by moving into more Syrian territory. Hours after Assad’s overthrow, Israel announced it had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights that was established by a cease-fire agreement with Syria in 1974. In a statement, the Arab League said Israel illegally sought to occupy more territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement regarding Syrian territory had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating Israel taking over as a “temporary defensive position.” UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations secretary-general is marking the “fall of the dictatorial regime” in Syria and says the future of the country is “is a matter for the Syrians to determine.” A statement by Antonio Guterres also called for calm and the protection of the rights of all Syrians as well as of diplomatic and consular facilities in Syria. He said there is much work ahead to ensure an “orderly political transition to renewed institutions,” and he called on the international community to ensure that “any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity.” KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine’s top diplomat on Sunday responded to Assad’s ouster by describing him as a “dictator” who relied on Russia to prop up his rule - a reference to the military campaign Moscow has waged in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad’s government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. "Assad has fallen. This has always been and will be the case with all dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him,” foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. In a separate update on the social network, Sybiha said Kyiv was ready to take steps towards restoring relations with Syria, severed months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of the neighboring state. Kyiv broke off diplomatic ties after Damascus in June 2022 recognized Kremlin-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as independent territories, in a move welcomed by Moscow and decried by the West as a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents of five villages and towns in southern Syria to stay inside their homes for their safety. “The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act,” the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman said on X. The military didn’t respond to questions. Earlier, Israel said its troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned their positions. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X that the IDF has been instructed to “seize the buffer zone and control points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights – Jewish and Druze – so that they are not exposed to threats from the other side.” Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. BEIRUT - The leader of the largest insurgent group in Syria visited the Syrian capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque and declared that the victory against President Bashar Assad “is a victory to the Islamic nation.” Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, made his first public appearance and remarks since fighters entered Damascus. He told hundreds of people at the historic mosque that Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” He added that Assad made Syria a base for the illegal amphetamine Captagon that brought cash to Assad’s circles. Al-Sharaa, the leader of the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, said Sunday that the victory was achieved because of “God and the blood of martyrs.” He said that he left Syria 20 years ago and since then his heart has longed for this movement. AMMAN, Jordan — The vast majority of the Jordanian people are welcoming the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the success of the Syrian revolution. “There is no doubt that I felt overwhelming joy at the fall of the Assad regime," said Badi Al-Rafaia, Engineer, union activist and member of the Islamic Action Front. "There is no doubt that we are happy with what happened in Syria, happy with the success of the revolution, happy with the Syrian people getting rid of an oppressor and criminal who treated the Syrian people and made the Syrian state a failed state.” Al-Rafaia said that Jordan is benefiting from what happened in Syria, and "we hope that Jordan will help the revolution succeed and not work against it.” Amman resident Muhab al-Majali said the fall of the Assad regime is “The end of every unjust and tyrannical rule, and more than that, it mortgaged the country and its people to the Iranians, who abandoned it in minutes... I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians.” BERLIN — The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria after the fall of Bashir Assad’s government. “Our teams in Syria, including in Damascus, have been closely monitoring the fast-evolving security and humanitarian situation in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent,” the ICRC’s head of delegation in Syria, Stephan Sakalian, said in a written statement Sunday. The ICRC is “responding wherever possible, with further efforts underway, as hundreds of thousands of people need care and humanitarian assistance,” he said. Sakalian called “on all parties to urgently enable safe and unhindered access for medical and humanitarian workers to reach those in need, to protect civilians, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.” BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government said in a statement Sunday that it “supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue” for Syria “leading to the adoption of a pluralistic constitution that preserves the human and civil rights of Syrians, and supports cultural, ethnic and religious diversity.” The statement from government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi, said that Iraq understands “the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians, and stresses that the security of Syria, the unity of its territories, and the preservation of its independence are of utmost importance, not only for Iraq but also for its connection to the security and stability of the region.” It cautioned against “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, or supporting one party for the benefit of another.” Iraq, which has a close relationship with Iran - once a strong ally of former Syrian President Bashar Assad - has taken in some 2,000 Syrian army soldiers who fled the country amid the advance of armed opposition groups. CAIRO — The head of Yemen’s internationally recognized government welcomed the fall of the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. “It’s a historic moment,” Rashad al-Alimi, who chairs the ruling presidential council, wrote on X platform of Assad’s downfall. “It’s time for the Iranian regime to stop meddling in Yemen, respect its sovereignty and identity.” Al-Alimi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia, was referring to Iran’s support of Houthi rebels who are at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for a decade. DAMASCUS — Families wandered through the high-ceilinged halls of the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday, along with some armed men. Some paused to take family portraits or selfies on the few remaining couches against the backdrop of mosaiced walls, while others walked out with chairs and other items under their arms. On the massive parking lot out front, cars drove in circles honking ecstatically. In central Damascus’ Umayyad Square, drivers passing by also honked jubilantly, while young men piled onto a tank abandoned in the square. But for some the celebration was bittersweet. “I am very happy, but this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of the prison and know where is he is,” said Damascus resident Bassam Masr. “I have been searching for him for two hours - he has been detained for 13 years.” TEL AVIV, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels tore through the country and dramatically ended Assad’s rule on Sunday morning. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a “temporary defensive position.” Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began construction of what could possibly be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in the demilitarized zone called the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF, with around 1,100 peacekeepers from Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Uruguay. After the 1973 Mideast war, the U.N. Secretary Council voted to create UNDOF to patrol a roughly 400 square kilometer (155 square mile) demilitarized zone and maintain the peace there. DAMASCUS, Syria — An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched Sunday's strike. The Israeli military refused to comment on the airport strike. Israel often does not publicly claim responsibility for attacks in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that Israeli warplanes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Syrian army’s Fourth Division and another former military site outside of Damascus Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border between Israel and Syria. Agricultural areas along the border were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest.University of Kashmir’s (KU) performance in the 2024 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) shows concerning trends that merit serious attention from policymakers and educational administrators. Over the past five years, KU has struggled to maintain its competitive edge despite substantial financial resources. While KU secured the 14th position in the newly introduced ‘Top 50 State Public Universities’ category in NIRF 2024, there is more to this achievement than meets the eye. The university has slipped 11 positions in the Overall Ranking and 12 spots in the Top 100 University category compared to the previous year. This decline is particularly worrying for an institution with a 76-year legacy and substantial financial resources. KU’s teaching metrics show modest progress, with a 0.5-point overall gain in Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR). Two factors drove this improvement: Faculty-Student Ratio rose by 0.78 points, while Faculty Quality and Experience increased by 0.14 points. These gains likely reflect recent recruitment efforts, which expanded the teaching staff from 552 to 644 between 2021 and 2024. Despite these positive developments, KU lost ground in other areas: (FRU) sub-parameter. Perhaps the most striking finding is what might be termed the “efficiency gap” in KU’s resource utilization. With an annual FRU of approximately ₹375 crore, KU outspends several better-performing institutions. Yet, this financial advantage has not resulted in proportional improvements in key performance metrics. While KU’s operational expenditure increased by 21.80% over three years (from ₹276 crores to ₹337 crores), its academic expenditure saw only a modest 6.80% rise (from ₹35 crores to ₹37 crores). This disparity raises questions about the institution’s spending priorities and efficiency in resource allocation. The NIRF measures FRU using two main factors: These calculations exclude hostel maintenance and related services. Over the last three years (2020-2023), KU’s spending per student has grown by 23% to ₹3.85 lakh. While day-to-day operational costs per student jumped by nearly 23% to ₹3.46 lakh, academic investments saw a modest 9.31% rise to ₹39,000 per student. But here is the catch: despite spending more overall, KU’s FRU score actually dropped by 1.89 points this year. This drop may reflect reduced spending across several key areas. The numbers become even more concerning when looking at academic spending. As student enrolment grew from 9,380 to 9,730 between 2021 to 2023, academic expenditure per student unexpectedly fell from ₹39,628 to ₹38,970 – a 1.66% decline. This raises important questions about resource allocation: shouldn’t adding 350 more students lead to increased academic investment, not less? KU’s Research and Professional Practice (RPP) score increased by 4.32 points year-over-year. However, this improvement is primarily due to the new Sustainable Developments Goals (SDG) sub-parameter, which inflated the score to 31.25 points. When considering only the original four sub-parameters, KU’s performance actually declined by 0.09 points to 26.84, indicating that the overall increase does not reflect genuine improvement in core research practices. Despite a 1.2-point increase in Publication score, KU’s Quality of Publication score dropped by 0.93 points. Given NIRF’s strong emphasis on RPP scores and its reliance on Scopus and Web of Science databases, KU should incentivize its faculty to publish in these indexed journals rather than predatory ones. A 2021 found that about two-thirds of KU’s social sciences publications appeared in predatory journals, which do not contribute to RPP scores. The focus should shift from quantity to quality in research output. KU scored just 0.50 points in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for 2024. While this, perhaps, reflects a patent from Dr. Shabir Ahmad Parah and his team from the Department of Electronics and Instrumentation Technology, recent patents for and is expected to improve KU’s IPR score in the next NIRF ranking, as these fall outside the current three-year assessment period (2020-2022). KU’s Footprint of Projects and Professional Practice (FPPP) score dropped 0.37 points this year, reflecting sharp declines in both funding and consultancy. Research funding at KU has plummeted by 68% – from ₹40.91 crore for 82 projects in FY 2020-21 to ₹13.25 crore for 84 projects in FY 2022-23. Consultancy projects have seen an even steeper decline of 79%. These figures suggest a significant weakening of the university’s research ecosystem. This decline has broader implications since funded research, which help generate new empirical data, often leads to high-quality publications in prestigious journals. To improve its Research and Professional Practice score, KU must actively pursue diverse funding sources beyond ICSSR to retain intellectual property rights and data usage and focus on converting research projects into impactful publications. The placement figures paint a troubling picture at KU. With less than 15% of its students securing jobs through campus recruitment, KU lags far behind its peer institutions. Anna University, Panjab University, University of Kerala, and Jadavpur University all boast placement rates above 40% – nearly triple KU’s performance. This falls drastically short of UGC’s 2018 ‘Quality Mandate’ target of 50% placement. What makes this even more concerning is that KU ranks second highest in faculty-student ratio among these institutions (excluding PhD scholars), and third highest when including doctoral students. Despite this advantage in teaching resources, the university’s placement outcomes remain disappointingly low. Anna University, operating on about half of KU’s FRU (₹23,000 per student), achieves a 60% placement rate for postgraduates. Even more impressive is Jadavpur University, which manages 68% placement despite spending just ₹20,000 per student – less than half of KU’s investment. Despite higher spending per student, KU’s placement record raises serious questions about how effectively these resources are being used to prepare students for the job market. In a region already grappling with 18% unemployment – more than double the all-India average of 8% – KU’s placement struggles are particularly concerning. While the valley’s limited private sector poses challenges, this alone does not explain the full picture. Other universities in moderately industrialized states, like Odisha, have managed to secure jobs for over 80% of their postgraduates. KU’s low placement rates may be contributing to J&K’s growing educated unemployment crisis. For a premier institution in the region, this calls for an urgent rethinking of how academic programs align with employment opportunities. KU reputation among employers and academics remains a major concern. Scoring just 30.53 out of 100 in perception ratings, KU lags far behind its peers – Panjab University (69.13) and Jadavpur University (86.62). This score, based on feedback from a large category of employers, professionals and academic peers, represents a critical area for improvement if KU aims to climb the rankings. To improve its Perception score KU needs to strategically focusing on key areas. To enhance visibility among employers, KU can strengthen collaboration with industry through partnerships with leading private organizations. Introducing ‘Industry PhD program’ can help aligning doctoral research with industry needs. This will allow KU attract partnerships with companies, offering students valuable industry exposure and improving their job prospects. Regular and deeper interactions with employers and recruiters, regular feedback sessions, and tailored training programs for students can help in aligning KU’s curriculum with industry needs, thereby improving employer and peer perception of KU. Effective communication and branding, including a strong online presence and media engagement, are crucial to positively influence perception of KU among the stakeholders. Lovely Professional University (LPU), established just 18 years ago, has shown remarkable progress in NIRF rankings, jumping from 78th position in 2020 to 27th in 2024. Similarly, SRM Institute of Science & Technology has climbed from 35th to 12th place. Meanwhile, KU’s advancement has been minimal, improving by only three positions over five years before its recent decline. Money does not seem to be the issue. KU’s ₹375 crore budget actually exceeds LPU’s ₹367 crore. The message is clear: it is not about how much you spend, but how effectively you use those resources. As competition within the higher education sector intensifies, KU must not only improve its absolute performance but also keep pace with the rapid advancements of newer, more agile institutions. This requires innovative approaches to education delivery, research output, and stakeholder engagement to reverse the current negative trend in rankings. Despite impressive credentials – 644 experienced faculty members, 1,160 full-time PhD students, and over 540 PhD graduates in three years – Kashmir University’s research standing falls short of expectations. The university’s absence from NIRF’s ‘Top 50 Research Institutions’ list stands in stark contrast to peer institutions like Panjab University, Jadavpur University, and Anna University. This underperformance extends to specific departments. The 50-year-old Law Department fails to crack the ‘Top 30 in Law’, while the 33-year-old School of Business remains outside the Top 100 in Management, lagging behind even relatively new business school at LPU. The research quality at KU’s Law Department and School of Business raises serious concerns. A telling example: The Business School’s publication list on its website consists entirely of works from Notion Press, a self-publishing company. Similarly, three out of four books listed on the Law Department’s website are self-published through the same platform. This reliance on vanity publishing, rather than peer-reviewed academic outlets, not only hurts KU’s NIRF rankings but also damages the academic reputation of these departments. It raises serious questions about research standards and academic rigor at these flagship departments. Strong rankings boost prestige and appeal, while poor performance risks decreased interest, reduced funding (in some cases), and a weakened reputation. This makes the university’s competitiveness and growth contingent on its ranking. Therefore, KU must adopt a strategic approach to improve its rankings and fulfil its potential. First and foremost, KU must develop a ‘comprehensive strategic document’ to guide the university toward academic excellence. It is not merely about increasing spending, but about making targeted investments in priority areas, identifying where immediate interventions are needed, and ensuring that these investments yield optimal outcomes. Without strategic planning, efficient resource utilization, and a culture of academic excellence, even well-funded institutions risk falling behind in the increasingly competitive higher education landscape. KU stands at a critical crossroads. As newer institutions demonstrate remarkable agility in climbing the NIRF rankings, KU must move beyond merely increasing expenditure to implementing strategic reforms. The success of private institutions offers valuable lessons in adaptation and innovation. The performance of private institutions in the NIRF rankings raises some questions. What strategies are these newer institutions employing to achieve such significant improvements? How can provincial universities like KU adapt to the competitive tertiary education landscape? What other factors, apart from financial resources, are contributing to these ranking disparities? For KU, although located in a specific regional and political context, these trends signal an urgent need for strategic planning. The university must identify areas where it lags behind its competitors within SPU category and accordingly frame and implement targeted initiatives to improve its performance across key NIRF parameters. To this end, the following recommendations are crucial: The path forward requires more than incremental changes. KU must transform its approach to education delivery, research output, and stakeholder engagement. In today’s competitive academic landscape, maintaining the status quo is not an option. The university needs decisive action to reverse its ranking decline and ensure sustained progress in academic excellence. This strategic overhaul is challenging but essential for KU to reclaim its position as a leading institution of higher learning.Can Trump end birthright citizenship? The 14th amendment upheld in the US constitution since 1868

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NEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to: Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCRN)'s sale to Aya Healthcare for $18.61 per share in cash. If you are a Cross Country shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options . EnLink Midstream, LLC (NYSE: ENLC)'s sale to ONEOK, Inc. for 0.1412 shares of ONEOK common stock for each common unit of EnLink. If you are an EnLink shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . Manitex International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTX)'s sale to Tadano Ltd. for $5.80 per share in cash. If you are a Manitex shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options . Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits on behalf of shareholders. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm free of charge to discuss their legal rights and options. Please call Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or email sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com . Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Halper Sadeh LLC Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 sadeh@halpersadeh.com zhalper@halpersadeh.com https://www.halpersadeh.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shareholder-investigation-halper-sadeh-llc-investigates-ccrn-enlc-mntx-on-behalf-of-shareholders-302330624.html SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLP

Marta’s magic helped get the Pride to Saturday’s NWSL title game against the Washington SpiritThe delivery of nanomedicines using gas bubbles has shown itself to be a unique way of transporting cytotoxins to the lungs of cancer patients. The method enables precise and focused treatments, and the local action of the drugs also prevents a range of side-effects. Results from SINTEF's experiments with mice have shown that the impact of this form of medication is very great. Tumors were significantly reduced in size after only 30 days following the start of treatment. The study has recently been published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the method is so promising that the research team has taken out a patent. SINTEF has also signed a licence agreement with a pharmaceutical company. We're very confident that this approach may offer us a new cure for lung cancer." Andreas Åslund, researcher and Project Manager Åslund works at SINTEF's Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine. From a drawback to a benefit It was in many ways something of a coincidence that this technology should end up as a lung cancer medication. Originally, the research team was working to identify a method that would deliver drugs to the brain. This is particularly difficult because the brain is enclosed in a separate membrane called the blood-brain barrier. "We envisage that this method of drug delivery can also be used to treat other lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis, infections and pulmonary emphysema. In other words, methods other than delivering drugs via the bloodstream are required in order to reach brain tumors. The researchers have addressed this problem by manufacturing gas bubbles that enclose the nanocapsules containing the drugs. The bubbles make it possible to use ultrasound to explode the nanocapsules, enabling the drugs to be 'shot' through the blood-brain barrier. So, at what scale are the researchers actually working? This is nanoscale - so small that as many as 100 nanocapsules, containing the drugs and enclosed in their gas bubbles, can sit across the width of a human hair. This being said, the drug itself constitutes only ten per cent of the package. "After a while we discovered that these gas bubbles ended up in the patients' lungs", explains Åslund. "In the first instance, an accumulation of gas bubbles here wasn't what we wanted, but the discovery meant that we could turn the problem upside down and instead exploit the phenomenon to reach tumors in the lungs", he says. Into the capillary network The reason that this medication is so well suited to treatment of the lungs is that it takes place at nanoscale. All intravenous drugs enter the bloodstream and pass through the heart before they reach the lungs, where the vessels develop into what is called the capillary network. Here, the vessels are very narrow and act as a filter for the microbubbles, which explode spontaneously and so deliver the nanoparticles containing the drugs directly into the lung tissue. Because the bubbles burst spontaneously, there is no need to use ultrasound to free the nanoparticles from their capsules in the capillary network. Many years of research The idea for this very specific form of medication emerged in the same department at SINTEF as early as in 2014. A decade of research work has led to many medicinal innovations. These include a drug delivery platform for the treatment of peritoneal cancer, which resulted in the spin-off company NaDeNo. And today, a new cure for lung cancer is on the researchers' agenda. Delivering drugs at nanoscale means that treatment is more gentle on the patient. "Nanomedicines have the benefit of acting very locally", says Åslund. "This makes it possible to treat only the diseased tissue, and also enables us to administer stronger drugs. In so doing, we don't have to worry about the drugs damaging healthy tissue. It also means that the patient will not suffer as many side-effects. It would in fact be very dangerous to administer drugs of this efficacy if the doses weren't so minute", he emphasizes. This technology makes it possible to deliver more than just cancer drugs to the lungs. "We envisage that this method of drug delivery can also be used to treat other lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis, infections and pulmonary emphysema", says Åslund. SINTEF Snipstad, S., et al . (2024). Nanoparticle-loaded microbubbles for treatment of lung cancer. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences . doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106804 .

The Atlanta Falcons have named Amy Ard, the Executive Director of Motherhood Beyond Bars, as their 2024 Inspire Change Changemaker recipient. Ard, as well as Motherhood Beyond Bars Program Director Vanessa Garrett, will serve as honorary captains in next Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. The Inspire Change Changemaker Award recognizes an individual in each NFL team market making a difference in their community with their social justice work. The Changemaker Award focuses specifically on individuals making an impact in the areas of education, economic advancement, police-community relations and criminal justice reform. Each Inspire Change Changemaker is selected by their local NFL team and receives a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a non-profit organization of their choice. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Rebel Wilson Loses Bid To Toss Defamation Suit Filed by ‘The Deb’ Producers

ChatGPT 's Santa Mode is restricted to age groups that might already be questioning Santa Claus's existence. The Santa voice is for ages 13 and up according to a disclaimer. OpenAI debuted the seasonal Santa Mode as part of Thursday's livestream, which also announced vision capabilities for ChatGPT. For ChatGPT Plus and Pro users, when using Advanced Voice Mode, they can select Santa's jolly, booming baritone among the voice options to interact with. OpenAI won't let kids use Santa Mode. But OpenAI has thumbed its nose at the joy of little children everywhere by restricting Santa Mode to teens and adults. How Grinch-y. Jokes aside, there is a reason for this. The 13-and-up age restriction applies to all of ChatGPT, a spokesperson told Mashable. According to OpenAI's terms of use, "You must be at least 13 years old or the minimum age required in your country to consent to use the Services. If you are under 18 you must have your parent or legal guardian’s permission to use the Services." Some kind of age restriction makes sense for use of a technology that might share harmful or inaccurate information. But it also raises the question of what kind of raunchy adult content Santa Mode could get up to. That said, OpenAI has trained ChatGPT to restrict certain adult content and prevent misuse. But the real trick would have been creating a truly kid-safe version of Santa Mode. Of course parents can always use Santa Mode with their kids or a tech-savvy pre-teen could get their parent's permission to chat with Santa. But it kind of takes away from the festive fun, knowing that Santa Mode is almost exclusively a gimmick for adults that are already in on the world's greatest conspiracy. Meanwhile we'll be pushing the limits of Santa Mode to see how "adult" it can be.NonePHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley knew the Eagles season rushing record could be his on Sunday with the type of stellar performance that has become the standard during his first season in Philadelphia. As for the exact moment Barkley hit the milestone, he wasn't sure — until the “MVP!” chants echoed throughout the Linc after a 9-yard run in the fourth quarter . “The records are great, they put a smile on your face,” Barkley said, “but the season is far from over.” Needing 109 yards to break LeSean McCoy's record, Barkley rushed for 124 yards and pushed his season total to 1,623 in a 22-16 victory over Carolina . Barkley needed just 13 games to pass McCoy, who rushed for 1,607 yards in 2013. He also overtook Wilbert Montgomery, who had 1,512 yards in 1978. “I never wrote the goal down to break it,” Barkley said. “You're always aware of it. That's how I train. That's how I operate in the offseason. I want to be great.” Barkley also maintained his pace to break Eric Dickerson’s NFL single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984 with the Los Angeles Rams. “That would be extremely cool to do,” Barkley said. “If it happens, it happens, and not with the mindset of, I'm scared to go try to do it. Whatever it takes to win football games.” Barkley is averaging 124.8 yards per game. At that pace and with one more game to play than Dickerson, he would become the top single-season rusher in NFL history. He needs 483 yards yards over the final four games to top Dickerson’s 40-year-old record. He averaged 6.2 yards on 20 carries against the Panthers to help the Eagles win their ninth straight game. McCoy, who was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame this season, remains the franchise’s rushing leader with 6,792 yards. Referencing his old uniform number, McCoy congratulated Barkley on social media with “a lot of love, coming from 2-5." “Being a fan of Shady's growing up, and seeing the spectacular things he was able to do with the ball in his hand, to be able to have my name mentioned with him definitely means a lot,” Barkley said. Barkley left the New York Giants in the offseason and signed a three-year deal worth $26 million guaranteed to join the Eagles, who made him the highest-paid running back in franchise history. The 27-year-old has been worth every dollar. Barkley is among the favorites for league MVP, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was the only player with better MVP odds entering Sunday. Barkley has a franchise-record nine 100-yard rushing games in a season. Although he was held out of the end zone Sunday, he began the day leading the league with four rushing touchdowns of 25-plus yards. Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, topped 1,000 yards three times in his six seasons with the Giants. He finished with 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022 and rushed for 1,307 yards and 11 scores as a rookie. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, who had been unwilling to spend on elite running backs, pounced on Barkley and the decision was celebrated as a success in Philly from the first game of the season. Barkley rushed for two scores and caught a TD pass in the opener against Green Bay. His three touchdowns were the most by an Eagles player in his debut since Terrell Owens in 2004. Barkley only soared in production and popularity from there, his highlight reel stamped by a reverse leap over the head of a Jacksonville defender last month. He's since vaulted over every running back ahead of him on the Eagles rushing list — and has a chance at NFL history. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

Pritzker CHICAGO — Days after President-elect Donald Trump’s "border czar" said planned mass deportations of undocumented immigrants would begin in Chicago, Gov. JB Pritzker again gave assurances that Illinois would protect all immigrants while also repeatedly saying he shared a desire to deport undocumented people convicted of violent crimes. “Let me be clear up front: Violent criminals who are undocumented and convicted of violent crime should be deported. I do not want them in my state. I do not think they should be in the United States,” Pritzker said Wednesday at an unrelated event in Chicago. The governor said he’d work to protect migrants seeking asylum, documented immigrants and undocumented people who had been living, working and paying taxes in the U.S. for many years. Homan Those remarks echoed his promises last month to shield his state from Trump administration policies he sees as damaging, declaring just after the election: “You come for my people, you come through me.” On Monday, Tom Homan, Trump’s handpicked head of border issues, said at a Northwest Side Republican event that the mass deportations promised by the Trump administration will “start right here in Chicago,” according to news reports. Asked whether he’d work with Homan, Pritzker said he would work “just as I do every day, federal, state and local enforcement, on other matters.” The governor said he would be “open to a dialogue” with Homan as part of the Trump administration but reiterated his belief that Homan doesn’t have the authority to carry out the types of mass deportations Trump has talked about. Trump made concerns about immigration a key issue in his campaign, and while Homan’s position isn’t part of the president-elect’s Senate-confirmed cabinet, he figures to play major role in guiding border policy from the White House. Pritzker criticized Homan for “making a political speech at a political township organization and attacking the people that you’re going to serve shortly.” “When you take on the office of governor, you serve all the people while you’re serving in this position and I would expect that he would do the same in his position,” Pritzker said. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.AP News Summary at 4:08 p.m. EST

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phmacao com NWSL infrastructure is the ‘hardest problem to solve’. Here’s how things stand around the leagueNathan Carter's next chapter after his busiest year to date'I’m definitely not leaving music'

Thanksgiving Eve has fully replaced New Years Eve as the biggest bar night of the year. Having reduced my playing schedule, this is the first Thanksgiving Eve in my 50-year musical career that I have had that night open to go out and hear great music. So, the problem is this: with all of these choices, where should I go? Let’s look at the options. The party starts tonight when Uncle Charlie & The Meatballs take the Copper City Brewing Company stage from 7-9. Tired of arguing politics with your drunk uncle? Stay in town and head to the Celtic Harp for Gridley Paige Naked and Scared at 6 p.m.; Piggy Pat’s for Stage Road from 6-9; Smoking Guns Saloon at 7 p.m. for Grit N Grace and Broken Rule; Lukin’s for Remedy at 9; or One Genny for Soul Injection at 9:30 p.m. If you time it right, maybe you can catch all these great bands. There’s no shortage of great music in the valley either, with Don Pinto & Friends at Heelpath Brewery in Frankfort at 6 p.m., Steve Rigo at Ilion Elks lodge from 6-9 , Rocking Rod at Perri’s Pub in Frankfort beginning at 7 p.m., and the Max Scialdone Band at Fratello’s Pizzeria from 8-11 The party returns to Rome on Wednesday with DIGG and BADDOGG at The Snubbing Post, Mark Macri at DeMatteo’s at 6 p.m. and, for those in a tryptophan-induced mellow jazz mood, ZZ Entertainment with an early 4:30 show at Franca’s Wine Room. OK, where to go now? Let’s head west, where the choices are plentiful, including 7 Hamlets with a 5:30 p.m. show from Second Breakfast, Chasing Neon at Vernon Downs at 6 p.m., Before August playing the Verona VFW at 7 p.m., Anthony Consiglio with a 6 p.m. performance at 3 Bastrds Brewing and, finally, The BOMB returns to rock Nothin’ Fancy at 9 p.m. Or maybe you need a slightly longer drive to work off the huge meal or disappointing football scores. Again, there’s plenty to choose from, including Stan Premo Project at the Sandbar Grill in Bernhards Bay (6 p.m.); Nelson Brothers at the Camden American Legion, (7 p.m.); Fish Creek Rodeo at the Cleveland House (6 p.m.) Florence Hotel — Just Thrown Together (7 p.m.) and SGB Party at the Good Life in Camden. (7 p.m.). Also — I told you there was a lot to choose from — Kevin “K-Dogg” Dundon at The Junction in Alder Creek at 6; Whiskey Creek at Matteson Hotel in Cedarville at 8:30pm; Brian Wagner at Meier’s Creek Brewing in Cazenovia at 6 p.m.; and Terry Mojo Johnson at Nick Stoner Inn in Caroga Lake at 5 p.m. Now let’s hear from the people who claim there’s never anything going on around here.Max Verstappen stripped of Qatar GP pole as F1 stewards dish out penaltyYes, an Italian village is offering $1 homes to Americans following the election

Russell Rises to the Pole in Qatar GPCAMBRIDGE, Ontario, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lystek International (Lystek) is excited to announce the LysteMize Livestock Waste Characterization Study with support from the Department of Natural Resources Canada and Brown and Caldwell . Lystek has been awarded approximately $585,000 from the federal government’s Energy Innovation Program , as part of the Clean Fuels and Industrial Fuel Switching call, to undertake the four-year project. The project will evaluate the suitability of various animal manures and organics from farms in southern Ontario as feedstocks for the LysteMize anaerobic digestion (AD) process to produce renewable energy. Lystek intends to produce a detailed characterization study of biogas yields from a range of animal waste feedstock sources and correspondingly introduce LysteMize low carbon intensity Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) as a clean fuel production pathway for the livestock waste sector. “Brown and Caldwell is very excited about the opportunity to support Lystek in innovation around anaerobic digestion of agricultural lignocellulosic wastes – advancements in this technology will help farmers achieve significant environmental benefits and reduce pollution as well as produce green energy that can reduce the carbon footprint of waste management operations.” – Dr. Kati Bell, Managing Director of Water Strategy, Brown and Caldwell Consulting Lystek’s patented and proven commercial Thermal Chemical Hydrolysis Process, Lystek THP®, uses a proprietary combination of high shear mixing, low-pressure steam (75°C), and alkali addition to hydrolyze organic substrates and make them more amenable to microbial digestion in anaerobic environments. The multi-purpose Lystek THP technology has been proven to enhance AD performance for improved biogas recovery in the process known as LysteMize. LysteMize is the process of anaerobically digesting Lystek THP hydrolyzed residuals. Lystek THP reduces particle sizes, homogenizes feedstocks, and solubilizes recalcitrant organic carbon making organic wastes more amenable to biodegradation. LysteMize also allows for quicker conversion to biogas during AD. Municipal biosolids and organic food waste feedstocks have demonstrated enhanced biogas production and biodegradability with LysteMize. This project extends this proven concept to animal manure feedstocks. Manure samples from over ten cattle, swine, sheep, goat, and poultry farms will be analyzed utilizing a laboratory-scale Lystek THP system and biochemical methane potential (BMP) testing to determine how various livestock waste feedstocks digestion potential transforms using THP technology. In previous LysteMize applications the maximum biogas production has increased by up to 70% - depending on the baseline biodegradability characteristics of a feedstock. LysteMize provides unique benefits for manure management to Canadian livestock farms of varying sizes - making on-farm energy generation through biogas recovery more accessible at smaller scales. Implementing enhanced biogas recovery on farm can reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels, such as diesel or propane, and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in farming operations. Lystek is an innovative clean tech company that can contribute to Canada’s net-zero and renewable energy goals with the application of on-farm LysteMize biogas recovery. “This project is a game-changing extension of Lystek’s proven resource recovery technology suite. We are exceedingly optimistic about the prospect of bringing cost effective and easy to operate solutions to a wider range of users to help build the circular economy and reduce GHG emissions in Canada and abroad.” - Mike Beswick, Executive Vice President, Lystek “I am pleased to see companies like Lystek leading innovation in sustainable agriculture. By supporting their latest project, the Government of Canada is strengthening Canada’s agricultural industry, which stands to benefit from more affordable, widely available, and cleaner fuels. By supporting the work of our farmers and rural industries, this federal government is helping to build a prosperous and low-pollution future for all Canadians. ” - Bryan May, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and to the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and Member of Parliament for Cambridge Preliminary results from the study have been extremely promising. The LysteMize Livestock Waste Characterization Study is expected to finish in 2027 and will provide the knowledge base required to advance the application of Lystek’s LysteMize Digestion technology across the livestock waste sector. About Lystek Lystek International, a division of the Tomlinson Group of Companies, is North America's leading provider of Thermal Hydrolysis solutions for the sustainable management of biosolids and organics, servicing over 60 public and private customers. Lystek THP ® converts biosolids and non-hazardous organic residuals into a high-solids liquid, multi-use product for full cycle resource recovery. These products and processes include LysteMize ® , an application for enhanced digestion and biogas production; LysteCarb ® , an alternative carbon source for BNR systems; and, LysteGro ® , a nutrient-rich Class A biosolids fertilizer. Lystek offers turnkey solutions including technology supply, design-build and installation services, regional processing solutions, and comprehensive LysteGro product management . For more information, please contact: Lystek Head Office – (888) 501-6508 – info@lystek.com

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Matthew Downing threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to lead Elon to a 31-21 season-ending win over North Carolina A&T on Saturday. The game was tied at 7 in the second quarter when the Phoenix turned a fumble recovery into a field goal. That started a string of four-straight scoring possessions. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content.

Lopetegui came into the game under pressure following some poor displays from the Hammers in recent weeks but they earned a hard-fought victory to end the Magpies’ three-game winning spell. Despite a promising opening from the hosts, Tomas Soucek headed West Ham in front before Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s first goal for the club after the break wrapped up victory. Lopetegui was pleased with his side’s display following a “tough match”. He said: “I am happy for the three points and am very happy against a good team like Newcastle, who have good players and a fantastic coach. “I think today was a tough match and we were able to compete as a team. “I think we deserved to win. Today they had many moments in the first half, but I think the second half we deserved to win and we are happy because you have to do these kind of matches against this type of team if you want to overcome them.” Newcastle started brightly and had plenty of chances in the first half especially, but the visitors responded after the break by retaining possession well. The win eases the pressure on Lopetegui, whose West Ham side face Arsenal on Saturday, and he believes the victory is an important feeling for his players. He said: “I think the only thing that is under our control is to play football, to improve, to defend well, to convince the players we are able to do better. “Today we did, but I think the only thing we can do is to do the things that are under our control, not today but every day. “So we had to keep with this mentality, but above all let me say we are happy for the players because they need this kind of feeling as a team to believe that we are able to do well as a team, to put the best for each player of the team.” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted defeat was a missed opportunity for his side. The Magpies missed a series of chances in the first half, including efforts from Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff, before Alexander Isak blasted a chance off target. Anthony Gordon also rolled an effort just wide of the post after the break and Isak headed wide of goal. Three points could have seen Newcastle move into the top six and Howe admitted his side need to learn from the match. “Yes, massive because the league is so tight that a couple of wins and the whole picture looks very different,” Howe said. “We’ll kick ourselves tonight because we knew the opportunity we had, a home game, Monday night, a great moment for us potentially in our season, so we have to learn from that and come back stronger.”AP Business SummaryBrief at 3:04 p.m. EST

Players allege Oregon State coach used same tactics in Australia

Salamanca punches ticket to state title gameROME (AP) — In 2020, it was a run to the Champions League quarterfinals just as Bergamo was becoming the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic . Last season, it was an upset victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final to end the German club’s European-record unbeaten run at 51 games. Atalanta keeps on surprising and its latest exploit was moving atop Serie A following a 3-1 win at Parma on Saturday for its seventh straight win in the Italian league. And to think that coach Gian Piero Gasperini considered leaving Atalanta toward the end of last season. Now, Gasperini has the chance to guide “La Dea” (The Goddess), as the team is nicknamed, to its first ever Italian league title. There’s a long way to go, though, and it should be noted that Atalanta is level on points with second-place Inter Milan, which routed Hellas Verona 5-0 earlier, and that Napoli has a chance to reclaim the lead when it hosts Roma on Sunday. Also Saturday, AC Milan and Juventus drew 0-0 at the San Siro in a match with few chances from both sides. Milan produced one shot on goal and Juventus created two. Gasperini’s attack-first tactics have produced a league-best 34 goals Atalanta's Mateo Retegui scored his league-leading 12th goal of the season, Ederson made it 2-0 before the break and Europa League final hero Ademola Lookman restored the two-goal advantage after Matteo Cancellieri had pulled one back for Parma. Retegui’s fourth headed goal of the season put him atop that category across Europe’s five major leagues, according to Opta, while Lookman volleyed in a cross from Juan Cuadrado after having two goals disallowed. Gasperini was sent off midway through the second half for protests. But he was smiling in the stands at the final whistle. Atalanta's 34 goals are the most in Italy, and trail only Barcelona (42), Bayern Munich (36) and Paris Saint-Germain (36) across Europe's top five leagues. Atalanta has won two and drawn two in the Champions League this season. Thuram scores 2 in Inter's rout of Verona Marcus Thuram scored twice for defending champion Inter at Verona. Inter was missing top striker Lautaro Martinez, who was out sick. But five goals in the first half made Lautaro’s absence a non-issue. Joaquin Correa opened the scoring 17 minutes in, Thuram then scored twice before more goals from Stefan de Vrij and Yann Aurel Bisseck. Correa nearly added another in second-half stoppage time but his effort hit the woodwork. Inter's only loss across all competitions this season was a derby defeat to Milan in September. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Andrew Dampf, The Associated Press

NonePsst — in case you didn't know, Amazon has a "Most Wished For" section chock-full of both viral and on-the-rise products users have added to their own wishlists and registries. Here are just a few picks we have our eyes on: 1. A handy portable car vacuum if your toddler's favorite game is to throw their Cheerios all over the backseat and then grind them into the cushions and floorboards on their way out of the car. 🙃 It comes with three detailing attachments (a flathead, extendable, and brush nozzle attachment). You also get a carrying bag, filter brush, and spare HEPA filter. Plug it into the 12V aux outlet in your car and the 16-foot cord will give you enough slack needed to clean the entire vehicle! Promising review: "Yes, it is not as powerful as my vacuum cleaner in the house; however, it cleaned out all the garbage, which I accumulated over the past autumn and winter, in the car. At the end of October, my husband and I went to the ocean, and as we tried to be neat — the sand was still in the car. Finally, I got rid of it! Now my beauty again is clean, as on the first day, when I bought her!" — Julia Bright Price : $37.90+ (available in two colors and two styles) 2. An outdoor rocking papasan chair I can only assume is the gateway to the best nap you've ever taken in your life. Promising review : "The color — beautiful! fabric — soft but durable for outside weather. Inside or outside chair and so comfortable you can absolutely curl right up with a blanket and fall asleep. It’s gorgeous but a small hassle putting it together. Once together — my favorite outside chair!" — Leslie Albano Price : $199.99 (available in three colors) 3. A lidded charcuterie board sure to make you the envy of any potluck!!! When they're not making wow-worthy assortments, though, reviewers also use it to store cut-up fruit and veg for the week. Promising review : "I bought these for a party and it was so easy to prep them and pop them into the fridge with the lid on. Same goes for staring leftovers afterward. It was also great to use for fresh fruit we cut up to enjoy all weekend. Looks lovely and is solid quality. " — AmJam Price : $28.34 . 4. Eos' Shea Butter Vanilla Cashmere body lotion — an affordable pick that TikTokers are also tripping over themselves to get as they swear it moisturizes and smells as good as much more expensive options from brands like Philosophy and Bath & Body Works. Promising review: "Heaven sent for your skin; heavenly scent to enjoy. This feels absolutely amazing going on. Gets absorbed quickly, for a lotion rich with oil. Doesn't leave a greasy feeling, as long as you give it a minute or two to fully absorb. The scent is, for me anyway, like aromatherapy. It smells like an iced sugar cookie, and is a great base layer for fragrance. Very relaxing. " — Dragonheart Jo Price : $8.98 5. A pair of Beckham Hotel Collection pillows because you haven't replaced yours in ohhh, three or four years? If they have sweat marks and unexplained stains... they're a lost cause, boo. Promising review : "I’ve been on the hunt to buy a down pillow like the ones I slept on at the top-rated Loews Hotel in Philly. This is that pillow! I’ve bought pillows online many times but nothing compared. This is the first pillow I’ve ever bought that didn’t hurt my neck or make me regret spending the money. I will absolutely be ordering another set! Absolutely the comfiest pillow, you won’t regret it. I never write reviews but just had to because I know the search for pillows is difficult when you can’t feel them. I promise you won’t regret it! " — Amazon Customer Price : $59.99+ (available in two sizes; clip the coupon for 20% off this price!) 6. A long-handled weed puller that allows you to rip up unruly plants without bending, pulling, or kneeling — something your bad back says no to anyways. Based in Oregon, Grampa's Gardenware Co. is a family-run small business dedicated to helping you while gardening. Promising review: “Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim, given my husband, and I bought our first house and knew nothing about caring for a yard, and boy, has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard, and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weed was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun, but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get.” — JG Price : $39.99 7. A veggie chopper so you can dice up an onion without fear of losing a digit. Yes, I've watched Gordon Ramsay YouTube explainers on how to do it with a knife, but there's a disconnect between my head and my hand, okay?? Fullstar is a small business established in 2017 that specializes in kitchen gadgets. Check out a TikTok of their veggie chopper in action. Promising review: "This is the best of its kind. It cuts great and is very sturdy — I had been using a lesser model. I even cubed chicken breasts today plus cauliflower, onions, and more. I was a chef for 30 years and I love this so much I had to review straight away! " — david fasnacht Price : $29.99 (available in four colors) 8. A portable "washing machine" sure to come in handy if you have any camping or backpacking trips on the horizon. The bag weighs just 5 ounces and packs down to pocket-size, but it'll give you a machine-quality wash nonetheless! Promising review : "I recently took this bag with me to Morocco for a two-week trip. I wanted to pack lightly since I knew I would be moving around the country almost every day. I ended up taking a small carry-on with this included. This bag was great! So easy to use, and really cleaned clothing well . Everyone else in my group used it as well and were so impressed by how easy and well it worked. It was so helpful for us to wash our clothes after we got stranded after an earthquake in a place with no power. I will be taking this with me on all future vacations, no matter where ." — Amazon Customer Price : $55+ (available in two colors) 9. A NutriBullet baby food maker so you can not only meal prep for yourself every week, but your kiddos too. What's included: One 200-watt motor base, one blending blade, one 32-ounce batch bowl with lid, one 12-ounce short cup with handles and re-sealable lid, six storage cups with date ring lids and storage tray, one silicone freezer tray with lid, and a recipe book Promising review: "Wow this thing is amazing! So nice to have a way to make homemade baby food. The little freezer tray freezes them to perfectly pop out and into one of the fridge containers. I can pre-make, then freeze, pop them out, put them in a baggie, and get out the flavor I want when I'm ready . 10/10 WOULD RECOMMEND!!! So easy to clean and use. I adore this thing!" — Shayla Hudson Price : $49.99 10. A fast-acting ChomChom pet hair remover roller ready to put your regular old lint roller to shame. Forget ripping off sheets till you run out — this collects everything in a neat little compartment you simply empty out. Promising review: "I have a golden retriever and the shedding is out of control. My fabric sofa is constantly covered in hair and I finally decided to try this after reading an article about popular TikTok products. The reviews do not lie, this thing works magic!! I wish I had taken a before and after picture because the difference is noticeable. I watched the video tutorial before I tried it to ensure I was using it properly and everything he says is true, you do really have to put your arm to work with vigorous back-and-forth movement! However, I find it's a great arm workout and it works wonders." — Joanne Ertel Price : $19.99+ (available in three colors) 11. And a dog-grooming vacuum so you can give your pup a salon-worthy grooming right at home and save yourself some $$$ Promising review : "I have a Great Pyrenees. If you know, you know (send help). This photo is after about 20 minutes, mainly focusing on her bum area. She still has a bunch left, but holy cow am I impressed!! This little thing is AMAZING. And it’s a lot quieter than I expected. My girl is still a little timid with it but she will get used to it in no time. The only thing I wish is that it was slightly bigger. I obviously have a very large dog with a LOT of fur, so I had to stop to empty it several times. But that being said, it’s still fantastic!" — Amazon Customer Price : $69.99 12. A roll-on sunscreen sponge if you can't stannnnnd greasy hands — especially when you're surrounded by sand. Just fill it up with your SPF of choice and use the roller ball to easily apply it. It's so simple that kids can even get in on the action. Reviewers recommend using a more watery sunscreen; if your preferred sunscreen is quite thick, this may not work for you. And JSYK, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says most adults need about an ounce (the equivalent of a shot glass) of sunscreen to cover their face and body adequately. Promising review: "Not just for kids. I told all my friends it's awesome. Pricey, but better than wasting expensive sunscreen in globs. This makes the sun screening process much less messy and not as much of a drudgery. They even have replacement pads available so the ergonomic container can be reused indefinitely . Consider one to keep at home and one packed to travel. MAKES A GREAT GIFT FOR KIDS. They can almost apply sunscreen on their own with little assistance." — Bette Henry Price : $13.58 (available in seven colors and a two-pack) 13. A smudge-proof, transfer-proof lip stain masque that goes on blue and then peels off to reveal a natural matte shade that lasts for up to 10 hours! Promising reviews: "I didn’t know what to expect when I received this product, but I have to say I am pleasantly surprised! I absolutely love it! I put it on as soon as it arrived. I kept it on for almost a minute, and when I wiped it off with a damp cotton ball, the color was beautiful . It’s true to its word about the 12-hour stay power. I put a little lip balm over it and enjoyed eating, drinking, and talking. It didn’t come off! Do you like lip stains? Get this product! It’s a keeper. I will be ordering all of the shades." — Brandy Price : $17+ (available in 30 shades) 14. COSRX's Snail Mucin Repairing Essence which addresses dullness and dehydration with — yes 😌 — 96% snail sludge that's harvested in a *100%* ethical and environmentally friendly way. Thanks for sharing the goods, friends! 🐌 Here's what BuzzFeeder Emma Lord has to say: "I use this on my skin and definitely have noticed results! While it didn't help kick my all of stubborn pre-period hormonal acne, it has done *wonders* with reducing redness on my face, particularly around my nose, and in dealing with my pores. Since I started using it, my primer and foundation goes on a whole lot smoother, and I'm struggling a whole lot less to cover my pores. After using it a few weeks, I read the advice of one reviewer to put this on when your face is slightly moist from washing , rub it in, let it dry, and then put your moisturizer on top of it — I've found that it's what got me the best results!" Promising review : "So I have been using this for a month and I have to say — AMAZING . It really has helped my dark spots, which are also tied to my hormones. So the fact that it lightens them and keeps them from getting dark again during my period is a testament to the power of this stuff. Plus, this stuff just keeps going!! One pump is enough for my face, or two for my face and neck. Because of this it will last! It works amazingly well and considering how much you get, this is an amazing product. I highly recommend it." — JH Price : $16.75 15. Solar-powered light-up flowers sure to add some whimsy to any outdoor space. And since they're cordless, you don't have to worry about being in proximity of an outlet. Promising review: "I’ll be purchasing more of these lights! They are unique and very pretty. Bright white color! Reminds me of fireflies floating around!"— Dooleydoes Price : $16.98 for a pack of two 16. A gorgeous ceramic-coated cookware set if your $5 Ikea pots and pans gave you exactly the performance you paid for, so it's time for an upgrade. What's included: 1.5 qt. saucepan with lid, 2 qt. saucepan with lid, 3 qt. saucepan with lid, 5-quart stock pot with lid, 7.5-quart steamer basket, 8-quart stock pot with lid, 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan Promising review : "This set is amazing and well worth the price. These are enamel glazed and have not chipped, peeled or scratched. They heat evenly. No need for cooking spray when making eggs. I cannot express how satisfied I am with this purchase ." — ARH Price : $299.99+ (available in two styles and nine colors) 17. A Hatch Baby alarm clock — with a sleep training setting and soothing white noise — if you love your little one more than anything in the world, but you could both stand to get some additional shut-eye. The clock and nightlight can be controlled anywhere via an app on your smartphone. As far as sleep training goes, it allows you to program colors and sounds to let your little know when it's time to go to bed vs. wake up. Promising review : "I was having trouble sleep training my baby and this has been a game changer! There are different sounds you can change it to and you can also change the lights. The versatility is amazing. It also displays the time, which is very helpful. The size is great to give a nice ambiance to the room. Very easy to change the volume. You can change the sound setting with just a tap! Works miracles for helping your little ones sleep better at night ." — Jasmine Freeman Price : $59.99 18. A plug-in insect trap that can contend with mosquitoes, gnats, moths, and fruit flies because if they're not eating you alive, they're messing with your plants and produce and you won't stand for it!!!! Promising review : "This really works for us! We live in the country, LOTS of little bugs where we are. Originally bought this to catch the houseflies that have been really bad the last two summers. And while this has helped with that, the majority of bugs it catches have been little things following the light into the house at night, little grass bugs, MOSQUITOES, little flying things, and so on. It works SO well, I have been changing the little sticky thing every two weeks or so, which seems like a lot, but it gets full of bugs! Definitely would recommend if you are out in the country like me!" — Cait Keene Price : $19.97 19. A Barbie-pink collapsible wagon with more uses than you can count on your fingers. Bring it to the beach, use it to lug groceries, let your toddler take a cat nap in it when you're at Costco... the list goes on. Promising review : "My wife and I are really enjoying not having to pull our backs out while bringing in groceries. We'll be taking this to the farmers market and the beach. Also comes in handy hauling chicken feed and pet foods. Overall, it performs as needed, very easy to handle even on our rural property's terrain, very well built and comfortable to pull. " — HistoryBuff1974 Price : $149.99 (also available in six other colors) 20. An under-sink organizer so you can make the absolute most of your cabinet space. Use it to store claw clips, extra bottles of shampoo, or whatever else desperately needs a home. Promising review : "Whoever designed under-the-sink cabinets needs a stern talking to. Thankfully, organizers like this exist! They seem small, but they hold a LOT. I was able to fit everything under my sink in them, with enough cabinet room left over to declutter my counter! While they’re by no means high-end, they are sturdy and very well-made. They slide in and out smoothly, and make organization a breeze. My husband saw the finished product and immediately wanted a set for himself!" — LadyLoLinda Price : $24.99 (also available as a set of two) 21. An internet-beloved Ninja Creami if your favorite foods are ice cream, gelato, smoothie bowls, milkshakes, and sorbets. 😊 Whether or not you want to amp up their nutritional value with protein powder is entirely up to you! See it in action on TikTok here . Promising review: "I bought this to make sorbets and dairy-free treats. This is the best machine, and you will use it after summer. All you need is a can of fruit, and it whips up the best sorbet! This is better than any sorbet I have found except in Mikonos. The possibilities are endless with this machine. I love that you can add candy or fruits to make your own blizzards. Everyone in the family loves it and requests their own. Recipe book included is easy to follow and no hard to find ingredients. You do have to freeze the base for 24 hours, but it’s worth the wait. Definitely order extra pints because it’s so easy to make you will want to make extra flavors." — Krista Price: $199 (available with two different pint sizes) 22. A stainless-steel Owala water bottle so you can stay hydrated whether you're a Pilates devotee, CrossFitter, or just love a leisurely hot girl walk. It has a built-in straw and an open spout so you can sip or chug. Check out the Owala FreeSip water bottle on TikTok ! Promising review: "This is the second one I have purchased. I love this water bottle for the ease of drinking. The built-in sipping feature is a game changer, and I appreciate being able to close the top and keep the mouthpiece clean, unlike bottles with exposed straws. Don't ever change the design! " — Jill Price : $22.99+ (available in 16 colors and 4 sizes) 23. Anua's Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil which goes after blackheads and general congestion so aggressively, some reviewers even say you they can see 👀 the dirt and dead skin get flushed out. Promising review : "WOW GUYS!!!! This pore-cleansing oil is AMAZING!!! My cousin told me about how it went viral on TikTok, so I thought I would try it, and it’s been working wonders. I have tried so many face washes and nose strips, but with this, my blackheads and pores are shrinking tremendously. It also smells good and makes my skin very soft. I use it right after I get out of the shower while my pores are still warm and opened up — then I rub circles with two squirts of the oil on my face for about a minute and rinse it off. This is a miracle worker!!! Goodbye blackheads!!" — SK Price : $17.69 24. A Simple Modern tumbler if you're looking for an option that will keep your drink cold for hours on end and don't really care about the name brand. 🤷‍♀️ It also comes in a bunch of pretty pastels, sooo it's really a no-brainer. Many reviewers said they find themselves drinking more water when they have a straw, and the fact that it's so dang cute doesn't hurt either! BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes says, "I finally decided to hop on board the hype train for these big tumblers and am already obsessed with my Simple Modern one! I opted for the mint green color and it's as pretty as I'd hoped in person. The fact that this has both a straw and a handle means I end up carrying it around with me and drinking WAY more water than I did before. BTW! I highly recommend getting straw covers to protect against dust and germs — as pictured above, I got cute cloud ones (like these ), and they work perfectly!" Promising review : "If you have been wanting a Stanley cup, believe me, save yourself some money and get this cup! You will end up with a better cup than the Stanley! I have dropped/tipped over this cup a couple of times and only a couple of drops of water come out. If I did that to my Stanley, water got everywhere! And this cup keeps the water so cold. And if you purchase silicone straw toppers, it keeps the water even colder! Also, it fits in my car cup holder, and my Stanley really didn’t . Love this cup!" — Amazon Customer Price : $26.99+ (available in two sizes and 43 colors; also available in a style without the handle ) 25. An eight-tier plant stand with built-in grow lights so you don't have to pick which of your babies gets access to your one and only sunny windowsill. Promising review : "Plants are happy for the light they get indoors and it looks great... building was a little confusing for me, but if I can build it, anyone can because I’m clueless when it comes to hardware. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️" — Ozzi Price : $95.98 26. An all-in-one K-beauty balm that does the work of a lip balm ✅ , eye cream ✅ , neck cream ✅ , primer ✅ , and face mist ✅ ! Man, I love a multi-use product that not only saves me time... but saves me MONEY. Promising review: "Okay! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly, this stick is life-changing!! ! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me, will def try the others!" — Kristy Price : $22.99 (available in six styles) 27. A pair of magnetic fridge shelves you can slap to the side of your fridge and not have to think about again. It's a great option for renters since you don't have to go drilling any holes or YouTubing any videos on how to use a stud finder. Promising review : "I highly recommend this product! We struggled with finding the best place to keep my husband’s many, many spices and seasonings and we didn’t want something that sits on the counter as we are already short on counter space. I also didn’t want something that hung on the wall above the stove as it would get greasy and gross from cooking splatter. These magnetic shelves are the perfect solution, fit plenty of containers without worry of any falling out, and the magnets are very strong but not so strong that I feel it’s damaging my fridge. They’re also very easy to remove/clean when needed and reposition if necessary. Highly recommend." — Michelle N. Price : $21.99+ (available in sets of two, four, and six and in 14 colors) 28. Catrice's "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener — a hyaluronic acid-enriched color-adaptive formula that neutralizes bluish under-eye shadows and dark circles. Tap it on with your finger or a sponge and you'll suddenly look like you slept a full eight hours! The color adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone. Check out a TikTok of the brightener in action. Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." — Monica T. Price : $6 (available in two shades) 29. Sol de Janeiro's Brazilian Bum Jet Set — the most cost-effective way to try out the brand's viral bum bum cream, moisturizing shower gel, and body fragrance mist. The beloved trio brings your at-home pampering to the next level with exfoliating mango- and banana-derived acids, firming guaraná extract, and moisturizing fermented sugar. Promising review : "This is a great product for people who want to dip their toe into Sol De Janerio products like me! I always see this all over my social media and was wanting to try it without clearing my bank account. The lotion is long lasting and very moisturizing! I love to carry the mini perfume in my school bag wherever I go! Lastly, the body gel is a nice touch to an everything shower." — Lea Price : $30 (available in three scents) 30. Some 100% bio-based face wipes , as they're just the ticket if BeautyTok has convinced you to ditch regular towels which — even when freshly laundered — can harbor acne-causing bacteria. These are 100% USDA-certified bio-based, meaning they're made entirely from plant-based materials and better for the environment than your regular disposable wipes. Clean Skin Club is a small business that launched in 2019 to create innovative natural skincare products. Promising reviews : " Starting in my 30s, I had developed some acne, and not just around that time of month . I read your bath towels can develop bacteria every few days if they're not washed, and so putting that on your face can cause acne. That's why I bought these towels! I use them after my skincare routine on my face, and then again, to clean up our sink (yay for double use)! They have cleaned up my skin significantly , and I highly recommend these!" — Jaclyn O "I’ve dealt with mild acne and terrible scarring since I was in 8th grade. I’m 30 now. I haven’t had one pimple since I’ve switched to using these. I use the same towel for about 3–4 days, which is 6–8 uses, so it’s not even necessary to use a new one every day / every use. They’re really wonderful." — Dami Price : $17.05 for a pack of 50 (also available in other pack sizes) 31. And a daisy choker if you're always on the hunt for delicate but unique jewelry. PS: It's handmade! The necklace comes from SmileBelle , a small California-based jewelry maker. Promising review : "It’s a very pretty, simple necklace. I love it!! I’ve worn it every day since I bought it which has been for about a week now, and I can officially say it’s durable and great quality. No weird green stains on my skin. I also have a bad habit of sleeping and showering in my jewelry, and it’s withstood all of that so far." — Tracy Price : $9.99 Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.Menendez Brothers Won’t Be Free By Christmas; Siblings’ Resentencing Hearing Pushed To 2025

Lopetegui came into the game under pressure following some poor displays from the Hammers in recent weeks but they earned a hard-fought victory to end the Magpies’ three-game winning spell. Despite a promising opening from the hosts, Tomas Soucek headed West Ham in front before Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s first goal for the club after the break wrapped up victory. Lopetegui was pleased with his side’s display following a “tough match”. He said: “I am happy for the three points and am very happy against a good team like Newcastle, who have good players and a fantastic coach. “I think today was a tough match and we were able to compete as a team. “I think we deserved to win. Today they had many moments in the first half, but I think the second half we deserved to win and we are happy because you have to do these kind of matches against this type of team if you want to overcome them.” Newcastle started brightly and had plenty of chances in the first half especially, but the visitors responded after the break by retaining possession well. The win eases the pressure on Lopetegui, whose West Ham side face Arsenal on Saturday, and he believes the victory is an important feeling for his players. He said: “I think the only thing that is under our control is to play football, to improve, to defend well, to convince the players we are able to do better. “Today we did, but I think the only thing we can do is to do the things that are under our control, not today but every day. “So we had to keep with this mentality, but above all let me say we are happy for the players because they need this kind of feeling as a team to believe that we are able to do well as a team, to put the best for each player of the team.” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted defeat was a missed opportunity for his side. The Magpies missed a series of chances in the first half, including efforts from Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff, before Alexander Isak blasted a chance off target. Anthony Gordon also rolled an effort just wide of the post after the break and Isak headed wide of goal. Three points could have seen Newcastle move into the top six and Howe admitted his side need to learn from the match. “Yes, massive because the league is so tight that a couple of wins and the whole picture looks very different,” Howe said. “We’ll kick ourselves tonight because we knew the opportunity we had, a home game, Monday night, a great moment for us potentially in our season, so we have to learn from that and come back stronger.”

Lindsay Whalen returns to Lynx as assistant coach; Eric Thibault hired as associate head coachThe new treasury secretary faces a gruelling job A t last , white smoke has emerged from Mar-a-Lago. Two and a half weeks after the election and more than a week since it first seemed as if an announcement about a choice of treasury secretary was coming, Donald Trump has finally made his decision. On November 22nd the campaign said that Scott Bessent, a hedge-fund titan, would command 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue. Both the appointment of Mr Bessent, and the manner in which he was picked, offer clues about economic policy during a second Trump term. Discover more What Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders get wrong about credit cards Forget interest rates. Rewards are the real problem Computers unleashed economic growth. Will artificial intelligence? Two years after ChatGPT-3.5 arrived, progress has been slower than expected Should investors just give up on stocks outside America? No, but it is getting a lot harder to keep the faith Is China really a nation of slackers? A new survey raises the question Donald Trump’s gas war is about to begin It could annoy some of his most loyal supporters Interactive Burgernomics Our Big Mac index shows how burger prices differ across borders Using patty-power parity to think about exchange rates

phmacao app Beirut: Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital Damascus and with the government forced to deny rumours that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the country. The lightning rebel advance suggests that Assad’s government could fall within the next week, US and other Western officials said. A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria, on Saturday. Credit: AP Since the rebels’ sweep into Aleppo a week ago, government defences have crumbled at a dizzying speed as insurgents seized a string of major cities and rose up in places where the rebellion had long seemed over. The twin threats to the strategically vital city of Homs and the capital, Damascus, now pose an existential danger to the Assad dynasty’s five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer, Iran. The rebels’ moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of the southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaeda and is considered a terrorist organisation by the US and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad’s government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country’s long-running civil war, the government now has control of only four of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Homs, Latakia and Tartus. People arrive at the Jordanian side of the border as others wait in their cars, after a ban on crossings into Syria, on December 7, 2024 in Jaber, Jordan. Credit: Getty Images The UN’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition”. Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad’s chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people”. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria’s border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Loading Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told the Associated Press, and those still open had run out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle [in Damascus] or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018 when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a years-long siege. The UN said it was moving non-critical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad: Backed by Russia and Iran – both of which are bogged down in separate conflicts. Credit: Saudi Press Agency/AP Assad rumours Syria’s state media denied social media rumours that President Assad had left the country, saying he was performing his duties in Damascus. Assad has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad’s forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that the US should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a UN resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with UN-supervised elections. A Syrian opposition fighter holds a rocket launcher in front of the provincial government office. Credit: AP Foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit on Saturday to discuss the situation. No details were immediately available. The insurgents’ march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. An insurgent commander, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaeda, ditching hardline officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani. Credit: Al Jazeera Syria’s military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began on November 27, during which rebel fighters captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama, the country’s fourth-largest city. Opposition activists said insurgents entered Palmyra on Friday, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites, that had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra, including the main Baath City, activists said. Loading The Syrian Observatory said government troops had withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and were sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle loomed. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian Army said in a statement that it had carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists”. The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area”, apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar’s top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticised Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there was a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. AP, Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. World politics Syria Bashar al-Assad Syria United Nations Most Viewed in World Loading

The recently released Tamil film ' Thiru Manickam ', starring Samuthirakani in the lead role, is currently running in theaters and has garnered attention for its engaging storyline. Following its theatrical release, the movie is set to stream on ZEE5 starting January 31, 2024. Additionally, it will be available on OTTPlay Premium for viewers who prefer digital platforms. 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 Produced under the banner of GPRK Cinemas by GP Ravi Kumar, Chinta Gopala Krishna Reddy, and Raja Senthil, 'Thiru Manickam' features cinematography by M. Sukumar and music by Vishal Chandrasekar. SP Raja Sethupathi handles the film’s editing, ensuring a seamless narrative flow. Written and directed by Nanda Periyasamy, 'Thiru Manickam' is a family drama that delves into themes of morality, love, and human relationships. The star-studded cast includes notable actors such as Ananya, Bharathiraja, Thambi Ramaiah, Karunakaran, Chaams, Vadivukarasi, and Ilavarasu. Samuthirakani plays the titular character, a righteous and loving family man who runs a lottery ticket shop near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border. The story unfolds when an elderly, impoverished man visits the shop, chooses lottery tickets, and reserves them while he returns home to fetch money. However, his financial struggles prevent him from coming back. Later, one of the tickets he selected wins a massive jackpot. Faced with a moral dilemma, the shopkeeper believes the prize belongs to the old man. However, his family pressures him to claim the winnings for themselves, leading to a compelling narrative about integrity and familial bonds. With its engaging premise and strong performances, Thiru Manickam has become a notable addition to Tamil cinema. Fans of family dramas can look forward to its OTT release on ZEE5, which ensures accessibility for a broader audience. For further updates on films, OTT releases, and entertainment news, stay tuned to OTTplay Premium for the latest in one click.

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Share this Story : MacDougall: Ottawa, the crown jewel of the 51st state? Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Opinion Columnists MacDougall: Ottawa, the crown jewel of the 51st state? If Canada ever were swallowed by the U.S., at least Ottawa would compare well to Albany, Phoenix and Tallahassee. And just think of the transit funds we could access. Author of the article: Andrew MacDougall Published Dec 12, 2024 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 3 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. This screenshot from Donald Trump's Truth Social account shows the president-elect standing beside a Canadian flag. Is that Ottawa just behind the mountain? THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Article content Sometimes the key to a successful life is choosing the right frame for your current circumstance. Article content Article content Too slow or weak to keep up with the competition in a sprint? Go for a longer distance. Not the brightest student? Aim to be valedictorian at summer school. Not as fancy or interesting a capital as Paris, London, Washington D.C., Rome or Tokyo? Become a U.S. state capital and compete against Montgomery, Ala. instead! Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content Will Ottawa become the new Phoenix? Or Denver? Well, if incoming president Donald Trump has his way, we just might. Trump is starting to fall in love with his own joke about Canada becoming the 51st state. And we all know what happens when that happens. Yes, the fine people of Ottawa could well be next in line to have bundles of paper towels hurled at them by the Leader of the Free World after the next ice storm paralyzes our streets. “It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada,” Trump posted to his platform Truth Social. “I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all!” he added. And you know what? Thinking for a minute, I kind of ... like Ottawa’s chances in a race with Albany or Springfield. They are certainly better odds than winning a best-capital competition with our G7 brethren. Trump didn’t quite say it, but a subtext of his message was to “Make Ottawa Great Again.” The Parliament Buildings might be creaking and undergoing a major (and expensive) facelift, but they still compare well to the state capitols in places like Albany, Phoenix and Tallahassee. We might not have a Louvre, or a Smithsonian, or a British Museum, but our Canadian War Museum would absolutely slay the Texas Military Forces Museum in Austin. We don’t have a Michelin-star restaurant, but neither does Juneau, Alaska. (I was going to suggest Boise, Idaho, but it turns out they do have a Michelin-starred restaurant. Sigh.) Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Which isn’t to say joining the Governors Association would be smooth sailing. For one, places like St. John’s, Quebec City and Regina would be in possession of some very beautiful but redundant office space. Their voices would undoubtedly diminish in the great Canadian consolidation. But Montreal and Vancouver aren’t capitals now and they already compete against other major global cities, so they wouldn’t even notice (or care) if their status were to slightly change. The upside of joining the American family, on the other hand, could be enormous, at least for Ottawa. The 613 might have a toy train system that always breaks down and stations that smell like sewage, but access to funds from the U.S. Federal Transit Administration could be just the tonic the beleaguered LRT needs to cement itself as a legitimate transit option. And our population heft at the governors’ table would ensure that Sean Duffy, the incoming head of the U.S. Department of Transportation, would need to keep us sweet. Likewise his counterparts at the Department of Defense, as we would be the front line of the defence against any Russkie invasion. It’s time to think big, people. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content OK, fine. Canada isn’t going to become the 51st state and Ottawa isn’t about to join the ranks of Frankfort, Ky. But sometimes the absurdity of circumstance can provoke a useful shift of perspective. Why should it take Trump cracking wise about Canada becoming a state for us to start talking about smashing our many interprovincial barriers to trade? Why isn’t Ottawa a more serious global capital, with all of the accoutrements of serious state capitals? Why don’t we try to punch above our weight in a world that’s looking for more than a weak prime minister moaning about how Kamala Harris lost the election? If we don’t want to be the butt of a joke, a good first start is to stop acting like one. Andrew MacDougall is a London-based communications consultant and ex-director of communications to former prime minister Stephen Harper. Recommended from Editorial MacDougall: The loss of the CBC would hit Ottawa harder than most cities MacDougall: Even the city of Ottawa may not be safe for the Liberals Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : MacDougall: Ottawa, the crown jewel of the 51st state? Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. 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RAMALLAH: Namaa Charity of Kuwait’s Social Reform Society opened a new camp to house 200 families affected by rain in north Gaza on Thursday, in cooperation with Palestine’s Wafaa Capacity Building and Microfinance. In a statement to KUNA, Wafaa chairman Muhaisen Atawneh said the camp comes as an immediate response to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the strip, as thousands of displaced Palestinians are in need of shelter after their tents were damaged by rain. The camp will shelter families that were forcefully displaced by Zionist forces, said Atawneh, adding that the camp is fully equipped with essential items and water supplies. This project is part of Namaa’s “Be Their Support” campaign to provide winter essentials to Gaza residents, Syrian refugees and Yemen, he noted. Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, a symbolic gesture rejected by the United States and Zionist entity. The resolution - adopted by a vote of 158-9, with 13 abstentions - urges “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire,” and “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” - wording similar to a text vetoed by Washington in the Security Council last month. At that time, Washington used its veto power on the Council - as it has before - to protect its ally, which has been at war with Hamas. It has insisted on the idea of making a ceasefire conditional on the release of all hostages in Gaza, saying otherwise that Hamas has no incentive to free those in captivity. Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood repeated that position Wednesday, saying it would be “shameful and wrong” to adopt the text. Ahead of the vote, Zionist UN envoy Danny Danon said: “The resolutions before the assembly today are beyond logic. (...) The vote today is not a vote for compassion. It is a vote for complicity.” The General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council, which has been largely paralyzed on hot-button issues such as Gaza and Ukraine due to internal politics, and this time is no different. The resolution, which is non-binding, demands “immediate access” to widespread humanitarian aid for the citizens of Gaza, especially in the besieged north of the territory. Dozens of representatives of UN member states addressed the Assembly before the vote to offer their support to the Palestinians. “Gaza doesn’t exist anymore. It is destroyed,” said Slovenia’s UN envoy Samuel Zbogar. “History is the harshest critic of inaction.” — Agencies

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Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck is looking to solidify his NFL draft stock. Heading into the season, Beck was considered a potential contender for the No. 1 pick. has Beck slipping out of the first round in his latest mock draft. The good news is Beck has appeared to fix the turnover issues after throwing in his first nine outings of 2024. reported that Beck is currently viewed as an early Day 2 selection in the 2025 NFL draft. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.LOS ANGELES — Right-hander Dustin May, sidelined by injuries since May 2023, agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $2,135,000 ahead of Friday's tender deadline. A member of the Dodgers' 2020 World Series championship team, May has been limited to 20 starts since then. He had Tommy John surgery on May 12, 2021, 11 days after leaving a start at Milwaukee in the second inning following a 94.3 mph fastball to Billy McKinney. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said May felt a shooting sensation on a curveball earlier in the plate appearance. May returned to the Dodgers on Aug. 20, 2022, then left a start against Minnesota on May 17, 2023, after the first inning, when his fastball velocity dropped about 2 mph below his season average. May had Tommy John surgery for the second time that July 18. Expected to return during the second half of the 2024 season, May had surgery this July to repair a tear in his esophagus. May is 12-9 with a 3.10 ERA in 34 starts and 12 relief appearances over five seasons with the Dodgers. He is eligible for free agency after the 2025 World Series.NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes fell Thursday following some potentially discouraging data on the economy . The S&P 500 slipped 0.5% for its fourth loss in the last six days. It’s a pause for the index, which has been rallying toward one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 234 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.7% from its record set the day before. A report early in the morning said more U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than expected. A separate update, meanwhile, showed that inflation at the wholesale level, before it reaches U.S. consumers, was hotter last month than economists expected. Neither report points to imminent disaster, but they dilute one of the hopes that’s driven the S&P 500 to 57 all-time highs so far this year : Inflation is slowing enough to convince the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates, while the economy is remaining solid enough to stay out of a recession. Of the two reports, the weaker update on the job market may be the bigger deal for the market, according to Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley. A surge in egg prices may have been behind the worse-than-expected inflation numbers. “One week doesn’t negate what has been a relatively steady stream of solid labor market data, but the Fed is primed to be sensitive to any signs of a softening jobs picture,” he said. Traders are widely expecting the Fed will ease its main interest rate at its meeting next week. If they’re correct, it would be a third straight cut by the Fed after it began lowering rates in September from a two-decade high. It’s hoping to support a slowing job market after getting inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. Lower rates would give a boost to the economy and to prices for investments, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. A cut next week would have the Fed following other central banks, which lowered rates on Thursday. The European Central Bank cut rates by a quarter of a percentage point, as many investors expected, and the Swiss National Bank cut its policy rate by a steeper half of a percentage point. Following its decision, Switzerland’s central bank pointed to uncertainty about how U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s victory will affect economic policies, as well as about where politics in Europe is heading. Trump has talked up tariffs and other policies that could upend global trade. He rang the bell marking the start of trading at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday to chants of “USA.” On Wall Street, Adobe fell 13.7% and was one of the heaviest weights on the market despite reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company gave forecasts for profit and revenue in its upcoming fiscal year that fell a bit shy of analysts’. Warner Bros. Discovery soared 15.4% after unveiling a new corporate structure that separates its streaming business and film studios from its traditional television business. CEO David Zaslav said the move “enhances our flexibility with potential future strategic opportunities,” raising speculation about a spinoff or sale. Kroger rose 3.2% after saying it would get back to buying back its own stock now that its attempt to merge with Albertsons is off . Kroger’s board approved a program to repurchase up to $7.5 billion of its stock, replacing an existing $1 billion authorization. All told, the S&P 500 fell 32.94 points to 6,051.25. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 234.55 to 43,914.12, and the Nasdaq composite sank 132.05 to 19,902.84. In stock markets abroad, European indexes held relatively steady following the European Central Bank’s cut to rates. Asian markets were stronger. Indexes rose 1.2% in Hong Kong and 0.8% in Shanghai as leaders met in Beijing to set economic plans and targets for the coming year. South Korea’s Kospi rose 1.6% for its third straight gain of at least 1%, as it pulls back following last week’s political turmoil where its president briefly declared martial law. In the bond market, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to 4.33% from 4.27% late Wednesday. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

Former Bulldog defensive coordinator Nick Toth isn’t returning to Fresno State and will remain at Air Force, where he oversees the defense. Toth wrote on : “Despite what is circulating on social media. I am fired up to be coaching at the United States Air Force Academy and have not taken another coaching job. Go Falcons!” Reports circulated Wednesday night that Toth would replace Fresno State defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. According to The Barkboard, new head coach Matt Entz is interviewing candidates for his staff, but nobody has been hired. Toth spent five seasons at Fresno State (2012-2016) under Tim DeRuyter, four of which were as defensive coordinator. Related Story: Josiah Freeman Enters Transfer Portal Fresno State junior wide receiver Josiah Freeman entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, making him the 16th Bulldog to signal their intentions to exit the program. Freeman wrote on : “Thank you, Red Wave, for an incredible journey. I’m grateful to the coaching staff for believing in me and giving a small-town kid a chance to chase his dreams.” Freeman spent three seasons at Fresno State (2022-2024) and was predicted to be a playmaker but was plagued with injuries. He only played four games in 2024, making eight catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Related Story: Phoenix Jackson Commits to Auburn Linebacker Phoenix Jackson said on Wednesday that he has left Fresno to join Auburn. He played four seasons at Fresno State, (2021-2024) recording 101 total tackles, five sacks, and three interceptions. Related Story: Cam Lockridge Declares for NFL Draft Senior cornerback Cam Lockridge declared to enter the 2025 NFL Draft on Tuesday. He has no remaining eligibility. He announced via : “First off, I want to thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to play the sport I love. I want to thank my family for the support they provided throughout this journey. I’d like to thank Reedley College, the University of Hawai’i, and Fresno State for the opportunity to earn my degree as well display my talent on the field.” Lockridge concluded, “Finally, I’d like to thank my mother for giving me life. Without her, none of this would be possible. Even though God called her name, and she is no longer with us on earth, her presence is felt by many. She is my reason why I haven’t given up on my dream to play in the NFL.” This comes after he missed the last three regular season games after a series of disgruntled social media posts that the coaches called “personal stuff.” Lockridge was named to the All-Mountain West conference first team. He’s ranked No. 1 (MW) & No. 6 in the FBS in passes defended (7 passes broken up); No. 1 (MW) & No. 2 (FBS) in interceptions (5); and No. 7 (MW) in fumbles recovered.Our high sports photos, like the ones above, put you in the middle of the action. Check them out by clicking anywhere in the collage to open the photo gallery. Don’t forget to share the gallery with friends and family. These photos are available for purchase in a variety of sizes and finishes – click the blue “GET PHOTO” link below any photo to see available options and make a purchase. Lehighvalleylive.com subscribers can also get free print-quality digital downloads of any image. Note : We are trying to make these galleries available as quickly as possible. The gallery may not be in its final form. If you only see a few photos, you are likely seeing an early version and more images will be added later. Please return and refresh the page to see additions. RECOMMENDED • lehighvalleylive .com Walmart just slashed $1,000 off this massive 75′′ Sony TV in an unreal Cyber Monday deal Dec. 1, 2024, 5:45 p.m. How to watch Phillipsburg football play for its first group championship Dec. 3, 2024, 2:45 p.m. Mobile users : For the best experience downloading high-resolution images (free and available to subscribers only) or making photo purchases, visit this page from a desktop or laptop computer. The lehighvalleylive.com high school sports newsletter is appearing in mailboxes weekly. Sign up now ! Follow us on social: Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram

Atlanta (6-7) at Las Vegas (2-11) Monday, 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN BetMGM NFL Odds: Falcons by 4 Series record: Falcons lead 8-7 Against the spread: Falcons 5-8, Raiders 5-8 Last meeting: Falcons beat Raiders 43-6 in Atlanta on Nov. 29, 2020. Last week: Falcons lost to Vikings 42-21; Raiders lost to Buccaneers 28-13 Falcons offense: overall (8), rush (12), pass (2), scoring (19) Falcons defense: overall (23), rush (17), pass (25), scoring (25) Raiders offense: overall (25), rush (32), pass (16), scoring (31) Raiders defense: overall (15), rush (14), pass (15), scoring (30) Turnover differential: Falcons minus-9; Raiders minus-17 Falcons player to watch OLB Arnold Ebiketie has been a key to Atlanta's suddenly improved pass rush. Ebiketie has three sacks in the past two games, giving him four for the season. Overall, the Falcons have had nine sacks in the past two games. They almost doubled their NFL-low total of 10 through their first 11 games. Raiders player to watch Whoever plays quarterback. Aidan O'Connell injured his left knee Sunday at Tampa Bay, so his availability is unknown. O'Connell is not a mobile quarterback, so if he plays, he likely wouldn't be as limited as a more athletic player at that position. If Desmond Ridder gets the call, he'll face the team where he started 13 games last season. Key matchup Falcons QB Kirk Cousins vs. Raiders defense. Cousins has been intercepted the past four games, and he has been picked off six times combined the past two weeks. Las Vegas' best hope in forcing Cousins into even more mistakes is pressuring, and the Raiders have nine sacks over the past two weeks. They also had two interceptions against the Bucs. Key injuries Falcons: Rookie RB Jase McClellan was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. The sixth-round pick earlier had missed time with a foot problem and had only 13 carries for 32 yards. RB Carlos Washington Jr. was signed to the active roster from the practice squad as depth behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. ... ILB Troy Andersen (knee) and WR Casey Washington (concussion) did not practice on Thursday. Raiders: RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) is expected to be activated after missing the past three games. CB Nate Hobbs (ankle) hasn't played since Nov. 3 at Cincinnati. Series notes The Falcons have won the past five meetings. ... Their 37-point victory in the most recent matchup in 2020 was the most lopsided game in the series' history. ... That game also was the second highest-scoring game by the winning team, behind the then-Oakland Raiders' 50-19 victory in 1979. Stats and stuff Falcons WR Drake London needs only two catches to pass Calvin Ridley (217) for the most receptions in the first three seasons with Atlanta. ... London has 75 receptions for 866 yards and six touchdowns this season. ... Cousins has an unhealthy ratio of 17 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions. ... The Raiders' Brock Bowers has caught 87 passes to set an NFL rookie record tight ends record. Sam LaPorta had 86 last season for the Detroit Lions. Bowers also is 67 yards from becoming the third rookie tight end with 1,000 yards, joining Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts in 2021 and the Chicago Bears' Mike Ditka in 1961. ... DE Maxx Crosby is half a sack from becoming the third Raiders player since 1982 with 60 for his career. The other two are Greg Townsend (107 1/2) and Howie Long (84). ... LB Robert Spillane is one of seven players this season with at least 100 tackles, an interception and a sack. ... Las Vegas has committed 4.86 penalties per game since coach Antonio Pierce took over at midseason last season, best in the league. ... The Raiders have had at least one sack in 31 consecutive games, the third-longest active streak behind the Baltimore Ravens with 51 and Philadelphia Eagles with 41. Las Vegas has nine combined in the past two games, tied for best in the league with the Falcons. Fantasy tip Raiders RB Sincere McCormick has secured the starting job, and he has averaged at least 5.2 yards per carry in each of his past three games. His rushing total keeps increasing, with McCormick gaining 78 yards against the Bucs. Especially given the uncertainty at quarterback, expect the Raiders to rely on McCormick. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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phmacao login Artificial intelligence tools and apps have become more integral to daily life (albeit with questions of what AI actually means and how ‘intelligent’ these systems actually are). As we use such technology more often, we need to mindful of their hidden risks. Research shows that 70 percent of users interact with AI without fully understanding the dangers of sharing personal information. A recent study identified nine key privacy harms, including data misuse, manipulation, and unauthorized sharing. Even more concerning, 38 percent of users unknowingly reveal sensitive details, putting themselves at risk of identity theft and fraud. How should consumers respond? To address such concerns, the firm TRG Datacenters has developed some advice aimed to assist users to protect their privacy while using AI tools. Beware of Social Media Trends Trends such as “Describe your personality based on what you know about me” may seem fun, but they can encourage you to share sensitive data like your birthdate, hobbies, or workplace. This information could be pieced together for identity theft or account recovery scams: • Safer: “What might a December birthday suggest about someone’s personality?” • Risky: “I was born on December 15th and love cycling—what does that say about me?” Do Not Share Identifiable Personal Data Providing details like your birthdate, favourite colour, or workplace can help cybercriminals bypass security measures. Frame your queries more broadly: • Safer: “What are traits of someone born in late autumn?” • Risky: “I was born on November 15th—what does that say about me?” Avoid Disclosing Sensitive Information About Your Children Nearly 48 percent of parents unintentionally share sensitive details such as their child’s name, school, or routine. This information can be exploited to target children or compromise their privacy: • Safer: “What are fun activities for young children on weekends?” • Risky: “What can I plan for my 8-year-old at XYZ School this weekend?” Never Share Financial Details According to government data, 32 percent of identity theft cases stem from online data sharing, including financial information. Avoid sharing exact numbers or patterns: • Safer: “What are the best strategies for saving for a vacation?” • Risky: “I save $500 per month. How much should I allocate to a trip?” Refrain From Sharing Personal Health Information Health data is frequently exploited in breaches, with over 80% of healthcare breaches linked to digital platform vulnerabilities. Avoid sharing personal medical histories or genetic risks: • Safer: “What are common symptoms of [condition]?” • Risky: “My family has a history of [condition]; am I at risk?” How to Stay Safe • Think Before You Share: Avoid combining identifiable details in queries (e.g., name, birthdate, and workplace). • Use Privacy-Safe Tools: Choose platforms with strong privacy features like “data deletion after sessions.” • Stick to Reputable Platforms: Ensure compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, or similar data protection laws. • Monitor for Breaches: Tools like HaveIBeenPwned can alert you to exposed data. Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.None

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There's more than just school pride and bragging rights to all that bellyaching over who might be in and who might be out of college football 's first 12-team playoff. Try the more than $115 million that will be spread across the conferences at the end of the season, all depending on who gets in and which teams go the farthest. According to the College Football Playoff website , the 12 teams simply making the bracket earn their conferences $4 million each. Another $4 million goes to conferences whose teams get into the quarterfinals. Then, there's $6 million more for teams that make the semifinals and another $6 million for those who play for the title. Most of this bonanza comes courtesy of ESPN, which is forking over $1.3 billion a year to televise the new postseason. A lot of that money is already earmarked — more goes to the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference than the Big 12 or Atlantic Coast — but a lot is up for grabs in the 11 games that will play out between the opening round on Dec. 20 and the final on Jan. 20. In all, the teams that make the title game will bring $20 million to their conferences, all of which distribute that money, along with billions in TV revenue and other sources, in different ways. In fiscal 2022-23, the Big Ten, for instance, reported revenue of nearly $880 million and distributed about $60.5 million to most of its members. The massive stakes might help explain the unabashed lobbying coming from some corners of the football world, as the tension grows in advance of Sunday's final rankings, which will set the bracket. Earlier this week, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark lit into the selection committee, which doesn't have a single team higher than 15 in the rankings. That does two things: It positions the Big 12 as a one-bid league, and also threatens to makes its champion — either Arizona State or Iowa State — the fifth-best among conference titlists that get automatic bids. Only the top four of those get byes, which could cost the Big 12 a spot in the quarterfinals — or $4 million. “The committee continues to show time and time again that they are paying attention to logos versus resumes,” Yormark said this week, while slamming the idea of teams with two losses in his conference being ranked worse than teams with three in the SEC. The ACC is also staring at a one-bid season with only No. 8 SMU inside the cut line of this week's projected bracket. Miami's loss last week all but bumped the Hurricanes out of the playoffs, a snub that ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said left him “incredibly shocked and disappointed." “As we look ahead to the final rankings, we hope the committee will reconsider and put a deserving Miami in the field," Phillips said in a statement. The lobbying and bickering filters down to the campuses that feel the impact. And, of course, to social media. One of the most entertaining episodes came earlier this week when athletic directors at Iowa State and SMU went back and forth about whose team was more deserving. There are a few stray millions that the selection committee cannot really influence, including a $3 million payment to conferences that make the playoff. In a reminder that all these kids are going to school, after all, the conferences get $300,000 per football team that meets academic requirements to participate in the postseason. (That's basically everyone). Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent is a credible, safe choice for US Treasury secretary -- and one that is likely positive for markets -- observers said Saturday following President-elect Donald Trump's highly anticipated nomination. His selection came after competition for the top economic job spilled into the open last weekend, with the world's richest man Elon Musk throwing his support instead behind Trump's transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick. Lutnick has since been named commerce secretary to lead Trump's tariff and trade agenda, and Bessent's nomination days later appears to be uncontroversial for now. "Scott Bessent is a credible, mainstream pick for Treasury Secretary," said Jason Furman, a professor at Harvard University and former top White House economic adviser. "I could see previous administrations as having chosen him," Furman, a former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, told AFP. But a key difference is that Bessent, 62, has had to adopt and defend views on topics like tariffs, in a way "he never would have in pursuit of the job for a previous Republican administration." Tariffs are a key part of Trump's economic agenda, with the Republican president-elect vowing sweeping duties on allies and adversaries alike. In an opinion piece published earlier this month on Fox News, Bessent defended the potential use of tariffs as a means to raise revenue for the government, protect strategic US industries and negotiate with trading partners. He would be one of the first openly gay Cabinet officials if confirmed by the Senate, and the first at the helm of the Treasury Department. Jens Nordvig, chief executive of data and analytics firm Exante Data who has worked with Bessent, drew a contrast between his demeanor and that of other Trump supporters. While some Trump allies have a tendency towards "general sweeping statements," Bessent is an "analytical thinker, and he communicates accordingly," Nordvig told AFP. He counts Bessent among his early clients. "I would expect his messaging to be very focused, to get his key points across, without any unnecessary flamboyance or gusto," Nordvig added of the Wall Street veteran. Calling Bessent a "safe choice," Brookings senior fellow in economic studies David Wessel told AFP: "He will be an adult in the room for the Trump administration." Besides Bessent, others seen as top contenders for Treasury chief in recent days included former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh, Apollo Global Management chief executive Marc Rowan, and Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty. It remains to be seen if Bessent will be a big influence "moderating some of the administration's more aggressive trade policy" or simply be a spokesman, Wessel said. He does not have much experience in dealing with Congress either, and this would be important next year as the Trump administration works to raise the debt ceiling and effort a tax bill to deliver on his economic promises. Bessent would also have to grapple with the country's debt burden, with debt borrowed at much lower interest rates previously and Trump's plans estimated to add trillions over time. In an open letter published Saturday, Nordvig called for "thoughtful leadership" at the Treasury, saying a realistic approach to tax cuts and bond issuance was needed. He also sounded a hopeful note, saying Bessent would work to reduce extreme risks for markets. Krishna Guha, vice chairman of Evercore ISI, believes Bessent's nomination "will be well received by financial markets," given his deep understanding of markets and macro conditions. Guha also warned of the risk of bond yields spiking and "pushing up mortgage rates and tanking the housing market, while also causing stocks to sell off." In his past administration, Trump has viewed the stock market as a gauge of his success. bys/md Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.AP Business SummaryBrief at 5:00 p.m. EST

Trump endorses H-1B visa for skilled foreign workers Despite backing H-1B visa programme, President-elect vows to deport undocumented immigrants President-elect Donald Trump has publicly endorsed the H-1B worker visa programme, aligning himself with tech magnate Elon Musk and sparking a contentious debate among his supporters over highly skilled foreign workers’ entry into the United States. "I’ve always liked the (H1-B) visas, I have always been in favour of the visas, that’s why we have them" at Trump-owned facilities, the president-elect told the New York Post in his first public comments on the matter since it flared up this week. An angry back-and-forth, largely between Silicon Valley’s Musk and traditional anti-immigration Trump backers, has erupted in fiery fashion, with Musk even vowing to "go to war" over the issue. Trump’s insistent calls for sharp curbs on immigration were central to his election victory in November over President Joe Biden. He has vowed to deport all undocumented immigrants and limit legal immigration. But tech entrepreneurs like Tesla’s Musk -- as well as Vivek Ramaswamy, who with Musk is to co-chair a government cost-cutting panel under Trump -- say the United States produces too few highly skilled graduates, and they fervently champion the H1-B program. Musk, who himself migrated from South Africa on an H1-B, posted Thursday on his X platform that luring elite engineering talent from abroad was "essential for America to keep winning." Adding acrimony to the debate was a post from Ramaswamy, the son of immigrants from India, who deplored an "American culture" that he said venerates mediocrity, adding that the United States risks having "our asses handed to us by China." That angered several prominent conservatives who were backing Trump long before Musk noisily joined their cause this year, going on to pump more than $250 million into the Republican’s campaign. "Looking forward to the inevitable divorce between President Trump and Big Tech," said Laura Loomer, a far-right MAGA figure known for her conspiracy theories, who often flew with Trump on his campaign plane. "We have to protect President Trump from the technocrats." She and others said Trump should be promoting American workers and further limiting immigration. Musk, who had already infuriated some Republicans after leading an online campaign that helped tank a bipartisan budget deal last week, fired back at his critics. Posting on X, the social media site he owns, he warned of a "MAGA civil war." Musk bluntly swore at one critic, adding that "I will go to war on this issue." That, in turn, drew a volley from Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who wrote on the Gettr platform that the H1-B program brings in migrants who are essentially "indentured servants" working for less than American citizens would. In a striking jab at Trump’s close friend Musk, Bannon called the Tesla CEO a "toddler." Some of Trump’s original backers say they fear he is falling under the sway of big donors from the tech world like Musk and drifting away from his campaign promises. It was not immediately clear whether Trump’s remarks might soothe the intraparty strife, which has exposed just how contentious changing the immigration system might be once he takes office in January. Brazil witnesses 'alarming rise' in climate disasters: study 'Tragic incident': Putin apologises to Aliyev over Azerbaijan plane crash Donald Trump asks US Supreme Court to pause law threatening TikTok ban US homelessness rose by record 18% in latest annual data

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Northern California was under a rare and brief tsunami warning alert Thursday that tested local emergency notification systems after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook part of the state. The National Weather Service canceled its alert after roughly an hour and before the tsunami was expected to arrive. In that hour, some cities and counties ordered evacuations while others relied on social media and text messages to inform people of the warning. Some people headed for higher ground, while others drove to the beach to get a better view. People took to social media to figure out why a warning was issued and then canceled so quickly, and how the NWS determines when to send alerts. Here are answers to more questions. What exactly is a tsunami? The word for tsunami comes from the Japanese characters for harbor and wave. It’s a series of extremely long waves set in motion when energy from an earthquake causes the ocean floor to suddenly rise or fall, according to the National Weather Service . RELATED COVERAGE USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus Alternative healer gets 10 years in UK prison for death of woman at slap therapy workshop In California’s ‘earthquake country,’ a 7.0 temblor prompts confusion and a tsunami warning How common are they in California? Since 1800, California’s shores have been struck by more than 150 tsunamis, most of them minor, according to the California Geological Survey. Phones buzzed Thursday when the National Weather Service issued its warning just minutes after the quake struck west of Ferndale, a small city in coastal Humboldt County. It read in part: “You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now.” Why was there an alert if there wasn’t a large tsunami? The National Weather Service Bay Area posted on the social platform X early Friday that the region doesn’t get tsunami alerts often and “there are lot of questions, frustration, and even some anger” about Thursday’s event. A warning alert is the most serious of four tsunami alerts, including a watch alert for a possible tsunami and an advisory alert telling people to stay out of the water and away from the shore. The last time California received a warning alert was 2011 when an earthquake in Japan caused about $100 million in damages along the California coast. Basically, a distant, offshore earthquake or other trigger event gives scientists more time to analyze data and confirm that a large tsunami was generated before sounding a warning. But Thursday’s earthquake was local and close to the coast, forcing a hasty high-level alert in order to give people the maximum time to prepare as tsunami waves can travel very fast, up to 500 mph (800 kph) in the deep ocean, the NWS wrote. “By the time we actually observe it, it may be too late, because it’s right there in our back doors,” said Dalton Behringer, a meteorologist with NWS Bay Area, on Friday. Scientists used the time Thursday to monitor buoys and get more information on the earthquake itself, he said. They canceled the alert after seeing little sea-level change and determining the quake was a strike-slip type of temblor that shifts more horizontally and is less prone to cause tsunamis, he said. “These things happen so infrequently for us, I think it just caught a lot of people off-guard,” he said. How did Northern California respond? Authorities in Eureka, the biggest city in Humboldt County, sent texts and went door-to-door to order businesses in high-risk areas to evacuate, said City Manager Miles Slattery. He said only a small portion of the city was at risk, and Thursday’s test run showed evacuees need to work on leaving by foot, rather than by car. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the commuter light-rail system known as BART stopped traffic in all directions through the underwater tunnel between San Francisco and Oakland for nearly an hour, and the San Francisco Zoo’s visitors were evacuated. Responses varied as fire and police in Berkeley evacuated certain areas of the city while in San Francisco, officials sent alerts and messages on social media telling residents to stay away from water, beaches, harbors, marina docks, and piers. “Move at least one block inland,” said the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management. Emergency personnel in vehicles with public address systems also went to make sure no one was on beaches and other low-lying areas. But some critics said San Francisco should have sounded its loud emergency sirens, which have been off-line since 2019 for repairs. In San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco, officials considered but decided against sounding its tsunami warning sirens after receiving more comprehensive information from the NWS that any tsunami would affect coastlines north of the Golden Gate Bridge, said Michelle Durand, a spokesperson for the county. Fire and police cleared the beaches while emergency personnel gathered to monitor the situation, she said, which “prioritized both public safety and the prevention of unnecessary panic.”

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NEW YORK , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Girl Scouts of the USA has received a $30 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help more girls across the country build confidence, understand their worth, and strengthen character traits that will help them thrive. Expanding character development programs and increasing the number of girls who have access to them is being made possible through Character Development Through Youth Programs, a Lilly Endowment initiative designed to help youth-serving organizations create, test, implement and sustain strategies that support character development in the young people they serve in chapters and affiliates throughout the nation. Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is one of eight organizations being funded through the initiative. Through its 111 Girl Scout councils and USA Girl Scouts Overseas, Girl Scouts offers a fun and safe environment where girls gain the skills necessary to navigate life with purpose and joy, explore their interests, discover their strengths, and grow in character. GSUSA's grant-funded efforts include improving access to Girl Scouts, removing barriers to participation, and supporting the cultural competency needed to serve all girls equitably. Through a variety of experiences and leadership development programming, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves and strengthen their own personal character development. "We are grateful for Lilly Endowment's generosity and the commitment to helping Girl Scouts amplify our character-building programs to further our reach and impact across the country," said Bonnie Barczykowski , CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. "This support will help us accelerate and deliver on our mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place." "From the earliest days of its grantmaking, the Endowment has supported projects to encourage character development, especially among young people," said Ted Maple , the Endowment's vice president for education and youth programs. "We are heartened by the thoughtful and strategic approaches these youth-serving organizations are taking to support children and youth in developing character traits that will be important for them in their future roles as individuals, family members and citizens." About Lilly Endowment Inc. Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis -based, private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although gifts of stock remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. The Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. About Girl Scouts of the USA Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. Join us , volunteer , reconnect , or donate. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/girl-scouts-receives-30m-grant-from-lilly-endowment-inc-to-support-character-development-initiatives-that-will-help-girls-thrive-302326625.html SOURCE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE U.S.A.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — There’s plenty of concern and second-guessing to unpack from how the Bills unraveled on defense, special teams and clock management in their loss to the Los Angeles Rams to wonder whether it was premature labeling Buffalo as Super Bowl contenders only a week earlier. But first, the good news. There’s very little wrong with Buffalo’s Josh Allen-led offense after the quarterback strengthened his NFL MVP case. A week after a four-TD performance that included the statistical anomaly of him scoring two touchdowns on the same play in a 35-10 win over San Francisco, Allen became the NFL’s first player to throw and rush for three scores apiece in 44-42 loss to Los Angeles on Sunday . That Allen's latest superhuman-like effort ended in defeat is what’s troubling for the five-time defending AFC East champions (10-3) in their bid to dispel questions of finding ways to fall short in the playoffs in each of the past five years. Buffalo’s defense had few answers in stopping the Rams’ dynamic attack while allowing a season-high 457 yards. Worse still, the Bills allowed Los Angeles to go 11 of 15 on third down for a 73.3 conversion percentage — the third highest allowed by Buffalo and worst since allowing Miami's 75% conversion rate in 1986. If that’s not bad enough, the Bills lost for the first time in 39 games in which they scored at least 42 points, while becoming the NFL’s second team to lose when scoring 42 or more and not committing a turnover. Special teams didn’t help. Aside from allowing a blocked punt to be returned for a touchdown, the Bills couldn’t muster an attempt to block the Rams’ final punt from midfield with 7 seconds left because they only had nine players on the field. As coach Sean McDermott concluded after finally addressing reporters more than an hour after the game ended: “I thought we lost two of the three phases today.” He failed to mention yet another clock management misstep. Rather than have Allen spike the ball to stop the clock after a failed quarterback keeper from the Rams 1 with 62 seconds remaining, McDermott called timeout. That left Buffalo with two timeouts and essentially relying on the slim chances of recovering an onside kick after Allen scored on his next attempt. McDermott defended his decision by saying he feared too much time would elapse before the Bills aligned for another snap. And yet, it would not have matched the 45 seconds the Rams ran off on their final possession after Buffalo used its final two timeouts. Together, these are the types of miscues that have haunted the Bills in their recent playoff losses. The bright side is the loss to the Rams didn’t end the Bills’ season, though they fell two games behind Kansas City (12-1) in the race for the AFC’s top seed . And perhaps, the loss can be chalked up to a team riding a little too high off a playoff-clinching win and having to travel across the country to face a Rams team in the thick of its divisional race. If that’s so, the Bills have a chance to address their flaws — and doubters — by how they respond in what still stands as a juicy showdown at the NFC-leading Detroit Lions (12-1) on Sunday. “They’re the top dog in football right now,” Allen said, looking ahead to Detroit. “We have to have a good week, learn from this one, and put it behind us.” What’s working Scoring. The Bills topped 30 points for a team-record seventh consecutive game and ninth time this season. Buffalo entered the day ranked second in the NFL averaging 30.5 points per outing, behind Detroit (32.1). What needs help Run defense. Though the Rams averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, they stuck with it in finishing with 137 yards, helping them enjoy a 17-minute edge in time of possession. Stock up Allen. If not for him, the Bills wouldn't have been in position to nearly overcome a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit. His 424 yards (342 passing and 82 rushing) accounted for all but 21 yards of Buffalo's total offense. Stock down With so many options, perhaps the focus falls on special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley. This is the second time in 13 months special teams personnel management became an issue. Buffalo was flagged for having too many men as time expired, providing Wil Lutz a second chance to hit a decisive field goal in sealing Denver's 24-22 win last season . Injuries Starting CB Rasul Douglas was sidelined by a knee injury. ... DE Casey Toohill injured his ribs. Key number 80-1-1 — The Bills' record when scoring 38 or more points, including a 38-38 tie with Denver in 1960. Next steps Facing Detroit represents Buffalo's final major test before closing the season with two games against New England and hosting the New York Jets. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl John Wawrow, The Associated Press

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Who Rick Tocchet is Choosing for Vancouver Canucks Starting Goalie Post-Holiday BreakProminent Manatee and Sarasota homebuilder and philanthropist Carlos Beruff has donated $1 million to New College of Florida for the school’s baseball field and complex. The gift, from Carlos and wife Janelle Beruff, will go toward what will be called the Beruff Family Field of Dreams, according to a late Friday afternoon statement from New College. The field will be at the corner of U.S. 41 and University Parkway, just past the entrance to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and, the release states, will be one “of the most visible athletic landmarks in the area.” “Carlos Beruff has long been a champion for the people of Sarasota and Manatee counties, and his belief in the transformative power of education and athletics aligns perfectly with the mission of New College,” New College President Richard Corcoran says in the release. “This field will be more than just a home for our baseball team; it will be a legacy space where the values of determination, intellectual curiosity and academic excellence intersect with athletic achievement. Beruff has held several visible roles in the Sarasota-Bradeton community, including several from gubernatorial appointments. He was on the boards of State College of Florida in Bradenton, the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. A Republican, in 2016 Beruff ran to unseat Sen. Marco Rubio in a primary. In 2017, then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott appointed Beruf to chair the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. The son of Cuban refugees, Beurff was born in Miami and has supported education causes and talked publicly about overcoming his poor childhood. He founded Medallion Home in 1984. “My family is forever grateful for the opportunities that literally Make America Great for anyone who works hard and believes in the American dream,” Beruff says in the statement. “We believe having a world-class liberal arts institution in our own backyard elevates the quality of life for everyone while providing opportunities for our leaders of tomorrow. “This is not the first time I have given to New College, nor will it be my last,” he adds. “Many of our business and political leaders would not have had the opportunity to get a college education without athletic scholarships, so we believe that expanding New College to offer those [athletic scholarships] will help solidify its future. This field represents new possibilities and a commitment to the American Dream — not only for the student-athletes that will play on it but also for everyone who gets to experience it.” New College launched its intercollegiate athletics program — the Mighty Banyans — in 2023. Over the past 20 months, the school has established 12 teams, joined the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and earned membership in the Sun Conference. The baseball team, which currently plays its home games at IMG Academy in Bradenton, won 20 games in its inaugural season. The Beruff Family Field of Dreams will provide a permanent home for the team, the college says. Architectural designs for the ballpark are currently in progress. A construction timeline will be announced in 2025.

Chasing those childhood summer feels? From reinvigorated motels to bush cabins laced with luxury, here are some of our favourite nostalgia-inducing spots across the state. MOTEL MAGIC Sunnymead Hotel, Aireys Inlet Why If the bright-yellow Billy Buttons and kangaroo paw plantings swaying in the breeze don’t win you over, the sunshine-shaded rooms of this retro motel in Aireys Inlet, an hour-and-45-minute drive from Melbourne, will. This 20-room motel is also home to a boutique day spa (with an ochre-toned steam room, communal bathhouse and treatment menu); a restaurant, Santara, which serves up “sunny hour” $12 cocktails and chicken-salted crispy oyster mushrooms from Friday through Tuesday; and a pool that’s studded with loungers and yellow umbrellas. Plan in advance and order a continental “breakfast bag” featuring local sourdough, butter, jam and juices. In the cooler months, a fire pit blazes. Rooms from $150. See sunnymeadhotel.com.au Nearby Pick up a new beach read at Great Escape Books . Sandy Gully Beach is a 10-minute walk away. A 30-minute drive up the road, farming social enterprise and cafe Common Ground Project offers pastries and scenic vistas; the hub of Lorne – with its beach and eateries – is 25 minutes in the other direction. Holbrook Motel, Holbrook Why The ideal stopover for Melbourne-Sydney road trips, the recently renovated Holbrook Motel is a small-town gem. Just 40 minutes north of the Victorian border, 18 meticulously refreshed (and generously sized) rooms are anchored by king beds, blue-tiled showers with shampoo scented with native botanicals, and a patio overlooking a central pool. Your undercover parking spot features a bucket with a squeegee: a thoughtful addition that makes clearing the bugs collected on the Hume that little bit easier. Rooms – including one accessible – from $130. See holbrookmotel.com.au Nearby Famous for its 90-metre landbound submarine, HMAS Otway, Holbrook is also home to two ripper second-hand bookstores and the National Pottery Museum . Order locally reared steak at the Holbrook Hotel , just down the road. Soak in the view from the Yambla View “Wambariga” Lookout. River Drive Motel, Tarwin Lower Credit: Nicky Cawood Why This five-room boutique motel in Tarwin Lower, on the way to Wilsons Prom, packs a punch for its size. The one-acre property enjoys gardens shaded by established trees, big hooded barbecues and the quintessential summer song of string tennis games. It’s all about the family here, so grab a cruiser (and helmet) or a game from the garden shed and head down to the beach, or settle in and cook up with the full kitchen and minibar. It’s all style in the rooms, with angular timber detailing, dark shades of blue and green (and bubblegum pink retro bathroom tiles), and eclectic modern art on the walls. Rooms from $320. See riverdrivemotel.com.au Nearby Swim at Walkerville South Beach. Grab dinner at the Riverview Pub . Pick up produce at Flock, Stock & Basil ’s Saturday farmgate shop. Cast a line from one of Tarwin’s many wooden fishing platforms along the Tarwin River Boardwalk. Pick up a one-of-a-kind handmade mug at Valley Plains Pottery . PUB LIFE The Victoria, Rutherglen Credit: By George Photography Why Transformed over two years by a Corowa local and her husband, this 1894 pub in Rutherglen – a three-hour drive from Melbourne – is now a decadent High Country hotel with a fire-inspired restaurant turning out venison tartare and flame-licked scotch fillet. Generous rooms (including eight more by mid-2025) sport king-size beds, brass fixtures, sitting areas and – in some – soaking tubs. History oozes from the original double-hung windows, bounces between walls covered with custom pony-patterned wallpaper, and echoes beneath the heritage-listed four-metre ceilings. Sit out on the guest-only verandah, wrapped with a replica of the original wrought iron balustrade, and you’ll be transported to yesteryear. Rooms from $245. See victoriahotelrutherglen.com.au Nearby Experience Rutherglen’s wine bounty at female-owned Stanton & Killeen . Explore the heritage facades now home to a candle shop, eateries (including Grace. ) and boutiques. Pick up an e-bike from Rutherglen Radler and cycle around to see them all. Portarlington Grand Hotel, Portarlington Why This 18-room beachside hotel an hour-and-45-minute drive from Melbourne has been a part of Portarlington since 1888, once a resting place for weary travellers – whether visiting by ship or horsedrawn buggy. Now a boutique hotel, it features sumptuous wood-toned interiors, custom Australian-made furniture and dramatic carpet fashioned with William Morris art. Grand Bay rooms enjoy harbour views from private balconies, but all have generous bathrooms and minibars stocked with Geelong-based Love Tea and Sideroads coffee. Indulge in bowls of Portarlington mussels and play giant Jenga on the lawn (which was once a drive-through bottleshop). Rooms – including two accessible – from $255. See portarlingtongrandhotel.com.au Nearby Jump on a Portarlington Mussel Tours boat for a seafood journey or visit in January for the annual mussel festival. Grab potato and broccolini pizza at Staple Eatery . Visit the historic Portarlington flour mill. Bunyip Hotel Cavendish, Cavendish Why Currently hosting guests from Thursday through Sunday, this country hotel a 31⁄2-hour drive west of Melbourne is a powerhouse of good food and regional hospitality. The head chef shears sheep on his days off and the hotel celebrates produce – from flowers to eggs to cured meats – from hyper-local suppliers. (The owners’ other business recycles plastic farm refuse, such as bale wraps and discarded drip lines, so they walk the regional talk.) Three rooms share communal bathrooms, which feature vintage meat safes as cabinetry, and an 11am checkout. Add an affordable five-course dinner onto your stay: it’s well worth it. Rooms from $120. bunyiphotelcavendish.com Nearby Wander Settlers Walk to go (way) back in time, or skip rocks along the Wannon River. Buy stamps, fishing bait and a coffee at Bridge Cafe . Time your visit to co-ordinate with local festivals in April (Red Gum Festival) and November (Fleece & Flower Show). CAMPING OUT Bright Discovery Park, Bright Why Wake up to birdsong and spot roaming wild deer at this family-run caravan park on the banks of the Ovens River in Bright, a 31⁄2-hour drive north-east of Melbourne. Newly built cabins enjoy rain shower heads, four-burner gas cooking, gas fireplaces and personal patios (perfect for a game of Sequence). Kids bounce off the kanga pad in the gated playground or ride on bikes beneath snow gums, but you’ll feel like a kid with a game of tennis or a song around the brick-and-steel campfire. The owners planted garden beds stocked with rosemary, mint, oregano and lettuces; take what you need to elevate your dinner. Campsites from $34. Cabins – including one accessible – from $153. See discoveryholidayparks.com.au Nearby Buy locally made cheese at The Peak Artisan Cheesemakers . Wander alongside baby emus at Red Stag Deer & Emu Farm . Pick up gems at the monthly Bright Farmers Market. Soak in the view from Sullivans Lookout. Anywhere, Parks Victoria Credit: Tourism Victoria Why Grab the tent and pack the ute: from December 30 until June 30, 2025, travellers can enjoy free access to 131 normally paid campsites across the state with Parks Victoria. Loading That includes dog-friendly camping at designated sites at Banksia Bluff campground, beach-access camping at Blanket Bay, and camping closer to the inner city, including at picturesque Lake Eildon. Further afield, top spots to take advantage of include hike-camping in Alpine National Park (for experienced, self-sufficient campers – and even those with horses through the Bogong High Plains) and Tidal Bluff, a 484-site-strong campground at Wilsons Prom. Bookings are essential to manage demand and access. Some campsites have access to hot showers and shelters, but many do not; research and plan accordingly. See parks.vic.gov.au The writer travelled as a guest of some properties; other travel was self-funded. How we travel Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Top 10s Travel tips Family holidays Road trips Riley Wilson is a desk editor at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, and the creator of the Greater Good newsletter. Connect via email . Most viewed on Traveller Loading

Police arrested a 26-year-old man on Monday in the Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO after they say a Pennsylvania McDonald's worker alerted authorities to a customer who resembled the suspected gunman. The suspect, identified by police as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, had a gun believed to be the one used in Wednesday’s attack on Brian Thompson , as well as writings expressing anger at corporate America, police said. Here are some of the latest developments in the ongoing investigation: Mangione was taken into custody at around 9:15 a.m. after police received a tip that he was eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh, police said. People are also reading... Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on gun charges and will eventually be extradited to New York to face charges in connection with Thompson’s death, said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. In addition to a three-page, handwritten document that suggests he harbored “ill will toward corporate America,” Kenny said Mangione also had a ghost gun , a type of weapon that can be assembled at home and is difficult to trace. Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. Officers also found a suppressor, “consistent with the weapon used in the murder,” the commissioner said. He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the shooter and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, Tisch said. Kenny said Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and that his last known address is in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mangione, who was valedictorian of his Maryland prep school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a university spokesman told The Associated Press on Monday. He learned to code in high school and helped start a club at Penn for people interested in gaming and game design, according to a 2018 story in Penn Today, a campus publication. His social media posts also suggest that he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. They also show him taking part in a 2019 program at Stanford University, and in photos with family and friends at the Jersey Shore and in Hawaii, San Diego, Puerto Rico, and other destinations. The Gilman School, from which Mangione graduated in 2016, is one of Baltimore’s elite prep schools. Some of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent people, including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., have had children attend the school. Its alumni include sportswriter Frank Deford and former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington. In his valedictory speech, Luigi Mangione described his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things,” according to a post on the school website. He praised their collective inventiveness and pioneering mindset. Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather Nick Mangione, who died in 2008, was a successful real estate developer. One of his best-known projects was Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. The father of 10 children, Nick Mangione prepared his five sons — including Luigi Mangione’s father, Louis Mangione — to help manage the family business, according to a 2003 Washington Post report. The Mangione family also purchased Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore in 1986. On Monday, Baltimore County police officers blocked off an entrance to the property, which public records link to Luigi Mangione’s parents. A swarm of reporters and photographers gathered outside the entrance. Luigi Mangione is one of 37 grandchildren of Nick Mangione, according to his obituary. Luigi Mangione's grandparents donated to charities through the Mangione Family Foundation, according to a statement from Loyola University commemorating Nick Mangione’s wife’s death in 2023. They donated to various causes ranging from Catholic organizations to colleges and the arts. One of Luigi Mangione’s cousins is Republican Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione. A spokesman for the lawmaker's office confirmed the relationship Monday. Police said the person who killed Thompson left a hostel on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 5:41 a.m. on Wednesday. Just 11 minutes later, he was seen on surveillance video walking back and forth in front of the New York Hilton Midtown, wearing a distinctive backpack. At 6:44 a.m., he shot Thompson at a side entrance to the hotel, fled on foot, then climbed aboard a bicycle and within four minutes had entered Central Park. Another security camera recorded the gunman leaving the park near the American Museum of Natural History at 6:56 a.m. still on the bicycle but without the backpack. After getting in a taxi, he headed north to a bus terminal near the George Washington Bridge, arriving at around 7:30 a.m. From there, the trail of video evidence runs cold. Police have not located video of the suspected shooter exiting the building, leading them to believe he likely took a bus out of town. Police said they are still investigating the path the suspect took to Pennsylvania. “This just happened this morning," Kenny said. "We’ll be working, backtracking his steps from New York to Altoona, Pennsylvania,” Kenny said. Associated Press reporters Lea Skene in Baltimore and Cedar Attanasio in New York contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.The Miami Dolphins held onto their slim playoff hopes Sunday after surviving a 32-26 overtime win over the New York Jets . The Dolphins (6-7) entered the week with an 11 percent chance to make the postseason, and picking up their fourth win in five weeks after a 2-6 start keeps those hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Jets (3-10) were officially eliminated from the postseason with the loss. They extended their playoff drought to 14 seasons, the longest such drought of any team in the NFL , MLB , NBA and NHL . Advertisement New York’s offense moved at one of the highest rates all season, posting a season-high 402 total offensive yards. The Jets scored on five straight drives and did not punt until the fourth quarter. However, Miami was able to lead two scoring drives off the back of a Tyreek Hill touchdown reception and a game-tying 52-yard Jason Sanders field goal to send the game to overtime. . @AaronRodgers12 to @tae15adams CLASSIC TD!!! #NYJvsMIA on CBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/16PssHpjr0 — New York Jets (@nyjets) December 8, 2024 From there, Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins marched down the field undeterred against a defense that came into the game missing defensive cornerstones like cornerback Sauce Gardner and linebacker C.J. Mosley . Tight end Jonnu Smith — who entered overtime without a catch on the day — caught three passes for a combined 44 yards, including the game-winning 10-yard touchdown reception. Aaron Rodgers (27-for-39, 339 yards, one TD) posted his first 300-yard passing game since December 2021. The 34-game streak without a 300-yard game was the longest active streak in the NFL among starting quarterbacks. Tagovailoa (33-for-47, 331 yards, two TD) posted his third straight game with at least 300 passing yards and multiple passing touchdowns. The game-winner 🏈 📺: #NYJvsMIA on @NFLonCBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/p3XezuWxIO — Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 8, 2024 Jets finally met their expectations — until they didn’t This game was a tale of two versions of the Jets. There was the version the Jets have been missing all season, an offense firing on all cylinders with Rodgers connecting with his star wide receivers — Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams — and getting adequate support from the running game. The Jets made it to the red zone on five drives in a row to start the game and didn’t punt until the fourth quarter, and they scored on all five of those drives. Advertisement The Jets went into the fourth quarter with a 23-15 lead — and then it felt like they started to lose some momentum. The offense stagnated with back-to-back three-and-outs to open the quarter. The defense struggled — beset by bad penalties — and the Dolphins tied the game up on a nine-play, 60-yard drive capped off by a 4-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Hill. Rodgers got the ball back with 4:25 remaining — which is not unfamiliar territory. Rodgers had gotten the ball late in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead five times this season and the Jets lost all five games. He brought the Jets down the field and completed a 14-yard pass to Adams who, for some reason, went out of bounds rather than tried to run the clock out. Anders Carlson converted the 42-yard field goal. The Jets felt good. And then they allowed a 35-yard kick return on the ensuing kickoff. Then the Dolphins worked their way up the field and tied it up with a field goal, won the coin toss in overtime and quickly worked their way up the field to win the game on a touchdown pass to Smith. New York never forced Miami to a third down during their overtime drive, and four of Miami’s seven overtime passes went for at least 10 yards. — Zack Rosenblatt, Jets beat writer Jets passing attack bounces back too late in season Rodgers completed his first 300-yard game since December of 2021 and both Adams and Wilson were stellar (combined for 16 catches on 21 targets for 223 yards and a touchdown). But it ultimately didn’t matter and the Jets lost in the most Jets fashion imaginable — officially eliminating themselves from playoff contention for the 14th straight year. They were eliminated in Miami last year too. — Rosenblatt Required reading (Photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)

Travis Kelce's anger spotted by Taylor Swift fans as he misses final Eras Tour showNext U.S. ambassador Hoekstra 'easier to do business' with: former envoy OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly welcomed president-elect Donald Trump's pick for the next U.S. ambassador in Ottawa, a former longtime Michigan congressional representative who voted for NAFTA and later wavered on new free trade deals. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press Nov 21, 2024 2:50 PM Nov 21, 2024 3:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is welcoming president-elect Donald Trump's pick for the next U.S. ambassador in Ottawa. Pete Hoekstra appears at a Donald Trump presidential campaign event in Freeland, Mich., May 1, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Paul Sancya OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly welcomed president-elect Donald Trump's pick for the next U.S. ambassador in Ottawa, a former longtime Michigan congressional representative who voted for NAFTA and later wavered on new free trade deals. Joly said at a news conference on Thursday at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., that she takes it as a good sign that Trump endorsed the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free-trade deal when he announced Pete Hoekstra as his next envoy to Canada. She also posted on social media Thursday that Canada looks forward to working with Hoekstra to strengthen bilateral ties and advance shared priorities "as close allies and neighbours." The minister was in Washington to talk trade and security with U.S. senators from both parties. Her meeting schedule included top Republican senators Lindsey Graham, Rick Scott and Lisa Murkowski. Following this trip, Joly is headed to the Halifax International Security Forum, where she said she will be meeting with more U.S. lawmakers, including Sen. James Risch from Idaho. Hoekstra will still have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, but his early nomination is being taken as a good sign by several former diplomats. Former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson, who has met with Hoekstra before, said he's someone Canada can work with. "He's not from the (WWE) or Fox News. He's an ambassador in the Netherlands previously ... and he's from Michigan, so somebody who understands Canada," Robertson said. "He's well suited to the posting and I think it'll be easier to do business with somebody who has his depth of experience." Canada's ambassador in Washington, Kirsten Hillman, also congratulated Hoekstra on the nomination, posting on social media she looks forward to working with him to make the bilateral relationship "even stronger." Hoekstra was a nine-term border-state lawmaker and holds high esteem in Trump's world. His long career in politics left a wake of stunning headlines, including for a 2012 Super Bowl ad critics and even some Republicans slammed as blatantly racist. He was Trump's chosen chairman for the Michigan GOP during a power struggle between two pro-Trump camps. He spoke at Trump rallies in the swing state during the campaign and earned high praise from the president-elect. "This guy, Hoekstra — he's unbelievable," Trump said at a February rally in Waterford Township, Mich. "Everything he did in Congress, he was incredible, and then he was an unbelievable ambassador." In his first term as president, Trump tapped Hoekstra to serve as U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands, where he was at one point embroiled in a political interference scandal for hosting a fundraiser at the U.S. Embassy with members of the far-right party Forum for Democracy. In a 2019 public talk organized by a Dutch news magazine, he said it's "not an unrealistic ask" that every member of NATO meets the target of spending the equivalent of two per cent of GDP on defence by 2024 — something Trump has railed about, and something Canada will not do until at least 2032. At an event in Ottawa last month, Trump's former ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft said his administration would expect Canada to meet that target much sooner than 2032. Hoekstra was a representative for Michigan from 1993 until 2011 and chaired the powerful House Intelligence Committee. In 2019, Trump floated him as a possible pick for national intelligence director. Not long after he was first elected, he voted in favour of the NAFTA trade deal in 1993 — something he called at the time a simple choice yet also the "toughest decision I have had to face in my first 11 months in office," according to Michigan newspaper reports from the time. By 2003, he was opposed to inking free-trade deals, including two proposed with Singapore and Chile, saying that NAFTA led to manufacturers in Michigan to "shift production to Canada and Mexico." Nearly a decade later, in 2011, he singled out NAFTA as something that had "come to symbolize what Americans believe is unfair trade." In the early 2000s, he was one of a number of Michigan lawmakers from both parties raising ire over Toronto shipping its trash into his state. "Michigan is better than taking Canadian trash," he was quoted saying in 2004 in the local Michigan newspaper the Ludington Daily News. The next year he co-signed a letter advocating for a bill that would clamp down on "foreign municipal solid waste" entering his state, according to an Associated Press report from the time. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? 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APP decries abuse of power, corruptionNew 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire gunsA burden has been lifted off Lora Wood’s shoulders. Lora Wood was one of 39 people who had non-violent convictions pardoned by President Joe Biden on Dec. 12, 2024. For 20 years, the 39-year-old Maxwell, Nebraska resident has been living under the pall of having been convicted of a felony. That limited her career opportunities. It also made her unable to own a firearm, which, as a livestock farmer, created difficulty at times. Wood was one of 39 people who had their non-violent convictions pardoned by U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday. Biden also commuted the sentences of close to 1,500 people. Wood’s pardon stems from 2004, when she pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Wood said when she was 19, she got involved with the wrong guy. Wood served one year in federal prison in Illinois and four years under supervised release as part of her plea agreement. Today, Wood said she's happy; living with her husband, Jeremy, and two children. She works as a graphic designer for Pro Printing and Graphics — a printing company owned by her mother-in-law in North Platte — and spends time on the farm. Having been clean for 20 years, Wood remains active in the community. She volunteers helping animals through Paws-itive Partners Humane Society in North Platte. With the humane society, she has organized pet food fundraisers, including Woofstock, an event where people can come with their dogs to a carnival-like atmosphere. She also works with therapy dogs. Wood began applying for a pardon five years ago. As part of her application process, the Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed her, her family and her employers both present and past. When she got the call on Wednesday, she was moved to tears. “I was really excited,” she said. “This has been one of those things where you don’t have any information. It just came out of the blue.” In a press release, the White House noted Wood’s steady employment and volunteer service. The White House added Wood has been praised for her work ethic and devotion to her children. Although it does not expunge Wood’s conviction, she believes the pardon will give her better job opportunities and access to a firearm, which she said would come in handy if she needs to put down a sick pig at her and her husband’s farm. “Trying to put down a pig without a gun is a very difficult process,” Wood said. “We have to call neighbors to do it for us.” She also said the pardon would allow her to visit nursing homes to help comfort residents with a therapy dog. Wood said her drug conviction prevented her from doing that. Wood is thankful her pardon will now allow her to put a dark chapter of her past behind her. “It’s definitely lifted a burden off my shoulders,” she said. “I can move forward and basically never have to think about it again.” A few snowflakes rest on a hand rail at the Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens in Omaha on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. Watie White prepares to hang the portraits he drew for an exhibit inside the carriage house at the Joslyn Castle in Omaha on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Watie White poses for a portrait holding some potraits he drew that will hang in an exhibit inside the carriage house at the Joslyn Castle in Omaha on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Creighton's Pop Isaacs (2) goes up for a 3-pointer s head coach Greg McDermott motions in the background during the second half of a men's college basketball game against Kansas at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Creighton players react as they are unveiled on the NCAA Volleyball Tournament bracket during a watch party at DJ's Dugout in Omaha on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. Creighton's Jackson McAndrew (23) and Fedor Žugić (7) take a selfie with fans after defeating Kansas, 76-63, at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Heat to send Thomas Bryant to Pacers; move clears tax space, could lead to standard deal for Dru SmithCarter George makes Canada's world junior teamWASHINGTON -- Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning "things do change." A look at some of the issues covered: Trump has threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn't believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won't be paying more as they shop. "I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow," Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich." He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. "All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field," Trump said. He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. "Honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump's role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: "I have the absolute right. I'm the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I'm the president. But I'm not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who had investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee," Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, "No," and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. "I want her to do what she wants to do," he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, "I'm not looking to go back into the past." Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. "I think you have to do it," he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end "birthright" citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens - although such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, "I want to work something out," indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not "want to be breaking up families" of mixed legal status, "so the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." ___ Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report. The video in the player above is from a previous report.

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Steelers' Cam Heyward Seriously Gaining Momentum In Defensive Player Of The Year Race

FOBI AI Inc. Announces Proposed Private Placement And BCSC OrderThe U.S. House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence has released its report on artificial intelligence following nearly a year of meetings and discussions with over 100 experts in the field. The task force, which included 12 Democrats and 12 Republicans, was charged with compiling a comprehensive "road map" for Congress to implement safeguards against artificial intelligence misuse and boost the development of artificial intelligence technology in the United States. "Artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance the lives of Americans, but it also poses serious threats – from fraud and identity theft to election integrity and more," said Colorado’s Democratic U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, who sat on the task force. "After months of bipartisan collaboration, I’m proud to help release this report which will serve as a blueprint for Congress to enact policies that help harness the potential of this emerging technology while ensuring strong guardrails and consumer protections,” Pettersen said. “This report is an important step toward ensuring Congress meets the moment and the United States remains a global leader in AI." The 253-page report includes 66 key findings and 85 recommendations but does not propose any specific legislative measures. The task force adopted seven guiding principles when compiling the report that include: The task force investigated the use of AI in 15 areas, including government use, data privacy, national security, and intellectual property. Government Use The report encourages the federal government and Congress to be "wary" of algorithm-informed decision-making in government affairs. In addition, task force members recommended adopting AI standards for federal government use and improving cybersecurity of federal systems to protect against AI's negative impacts. "Irresponsible or improper use [of AI] fosters risks to individual privacy, security, and the fair and equal treatment of all citizens by their government," the report stated. Federal Preemption of State Law Several states, including Colorado, have passed legislation related to AI. According to the task force, the federal government can use these state-level statutes as a tool to "accomplish various objectives." However, "federal preemption presents complex legal and policy issues that should be considered." The report found that federal preemption has both positive and negative aspects and that it can allow states to be subject to certain limits on regulation. The task force recommended the federal government study the laws, rules, and regulations in each state when it comes to AI in different industries. Data Privacy "As AI systems amass and analyze vast amounts of data, there are increasing risks of private information being accessed without authorization," the report stated. "Thoughtful and effective data privacy policies and protections will support consumer confidence in the responsible development and deployment of AI systems." Currently, Americans have very few avenues for recourse if their privacy is negatively impacted by AI, but federal privacy laws have the potential to increase the effectiveness of state laws related to AI and data privacy. The task force recommended exploring ways to promote access to data in "privacy-enhanced" ways while ensuring any privacy laws that come out of Congress are "generally applicable and technology-neutral" to cover all forms of AI, current and future. National Security With many countries, including US adversaries, incorporating AI technology into their military programs, it's crucial for the American military to have a thorough understanding of different AI systems and implement them in its defense strategy, the report stated. The report called for expanded AI training within the Department of Defense continued oversight of autonomous weapons policies, and international collaboration with American allies on developing AI for military use. Research, Development, and Standards The task force recommends that Congress implement an open research environment in which research processes and data are accessible to all entities to maintain the U.S.'s status as a leader in AI research and development. The report found that further investments in AI research and development will increase competitiveness with American adversaries such as China and expand access to and adoption of AI technology among Americans. The report also called for promoting public-private partnerships for AI research and development and implementing standards for the evaluation and testing of AI technology. Civil Rights & Civil Liberties "AI models, and software systems more generally, can produce misleading or inaccurate outputs" that can deprive Americans of their basic rights, the report stated. The task force found that the federal government must understand the potential harm misleading or inaccurate AI systems can pose to mitigate potential rights violations. The report recommended always having a human available to identify and remedy potential flaws when AI is being used in "highly consequential" decisions and informing users when AI is being used in situations where decisions are being made to protect against discrimination. Education and Workforce According to the report, the U.S. has a "significant gap" in its workforce of AI-literate professionals, which is only growing. "Educating and training American learners in AI topics will be critical to continued U.S. leadership in AI technology and for America’s economic and national security," the report stated. As AI becomes increasingly common in the workplace, the task force recommended that the government invest in K-12 STEM and AI education to promote AI literacy and broaden pathways to the AI workforce. At the same time, the government should monitor labor laws and worker protections to ensure workers are not being taken advantage of when it comes to AI adoption in the workplace. Intellectual Property Generative AI has sparked widespread debates about intellectual property rights for creatives such as artists, musicians, and designers. "Generative AI poses a unique challenge to the creative community," the report stated, adding that creators are often unaware AI developers are using their work. The report recommends clarifying IP laws, regulations, and agency activity to better inform the legal community about what is and isn't legal and counter the increasing use of deepfakes to harm others. Content Authenticity When tackling inauthentic content such as deepfakes, the task force recommended a "risk-based, multipronged approach" in which the responsibilities of AI developers, content producers, and content distributors are clearly outlined. While the report found that synthetic content "has many beneficial uses," it can also harm individuals and create a sense of distrust among users. The report recommended ensuring victims of harmful synthetic content have access to tools and resources they may need for support. Open & Closed Systems The report also discussed open and closed AI systems. In an open system, an AI model's underlying code and data are publicly accessible. They can be built upon, while a closed system is only available to the developers. The report found that open models encourage innovation and competition among AI developers and that "limited evidence" exists that open models should be restricted. Despite this, the task force recommended the federal government continue monitoring open-source models for potential risks. Energy Usage & Data Centers The electrical grid has been significantly impacted by the advancement of AI technology, particularly due to large data centers with high energy demands. While the report found AI to be "critical" to U.S. economic interests and national security, it poses a multitude of challenges to the country's energy sector. "Planning properly now for new power generation and transmission is critical for AI innovation and adoption," the report stated, adding that AI itself can play a role in modernizing America's energy sector. Small Business Many small businesses lack the understanding and financial resources to implement AI, the report found. Providing them with education and resources to improve AI literacy is essential in order to help small businesses thrive, the task force stated, advocating for the federal government to reduce "compliance burdens" for small businesses that operate with the assistance of AI. Agriculture According to the report, AI technology has the potential to change the agriculture industry, increasing food availability, lowering food prices, and encouraging economic growth. Because many agricultural communities lack reliable internet connection, AI adoption in the agriculture industry has been slow, the report stated. However, increased AI use by the USDA could help provide more agriculture programs to American communities and reduce costs for farmers and ranchers. The report recommended the federal government direct the USDA to "better utilize" AI in program delivery and continue to explore how AI technology could help land managers improve forest health. Health Care AI has the potential to make significant improvements to the American healthcare system by improving diagnostic accuracy, streamlining operations. speeding up drug development and automating routine tasks, the report found. However, there currently aren't any uniform standards for medical data when it comes to AI, which makes it difficult for advancements to be made. The task force recommended the government "maintain robust support" for medical research related to AI and create incentives and guidance to encourage risk management of AI technologies in the healthcare sector, as well as developing uniform standards for liability related to AI issues. Financial Services According to the report, the financial services industry has been using AI technology for decades. "The ideal environment for continued growth would allow AI innovation to thrive while protecting consumers and maintaining market integrity," the task force wrote. "By focusing on fostering innovation, enhancing customer experiences, and ensuring financial inclusion, AI can significantly improve the financial sector's efficiency and accessibility." While AI has the potential to expand access to financial products and services, smaller firms may be at a disadvantage due to financial barriers to adopting AI. The report recommends fostering an environment where financial services firms can "responsibly" adopt AI technology and encourage industry regulators to gain a better understanding of AI while suggesting a "principles-based" regulatory approach. 'I don't want a future where China's leading on AI': Pettersen on the role AI plays in US government In an interview with Colorado Politics , Pettersen said the United States is in a race against China when it comes to crafting AI policy, and she's afraid China could win. "I really worry about areas like this where we need to be leading the way globally and making sure that China is not the one doing that,” Pettersen said. “I don’t want a future where China’s leading on AI. It needs to be the United States, and we have to come together in Congress to bring comprehensive, pragmatic, bipartisan solutions. It cannot matter (which party) has the majority. This needs to continue to be a bipartisan effort." Pettersen said she is confident artificial intelligence will remain a priority in the Trump administration but admitted that the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence faced some obstacles due to a "dysfunctional congress" and election season. However, she and other Colorado members of Congress agree that federal legislation on artificial intelligence is far more effective than "patchwork" measures passed at the state level. AI legislation in Colorado During the 2024 legislative session, Colorado passed a first-of-its-kind law that aims to address "algorithmic discrimination", defined in statute as any condition in which AI increases the risk of "unlawful differential treatment" that then "disfavors" an individual or group of people on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, race, religion, veteran status, English proficiency and other classes protected by state laws. Gov. Jared Polis has tasked Attorney General Phil Weiser with creating audit policies and identifying high-risk artificial intelligence practices to ensure the law is effectively implemented. The measure's prime sponsor, Sen. Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, has promised to amend it during the 2025 legislative session to minimize any unintended consequences. Thelma Grimes contributed to this story.Caricom remains committed to decisive leadership, says outgoing chairman