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The opinions expressed below are Jon Keller's, not those of WBZ, CBS News or Paramount Global. BOSTON - Oxford University Press has officially dubbed "brain rot" its 2024 word of the year. It's described as that feeling you get after spending hours scrolling through social media. You could say this news has been 170 years in the making. That's how long it's been since Henry David Thoreau sat by Walden Pond and reflected on the spread of brain rot. And now an unholy union of clever tech and cultural dreck have turned that illness into a global plague. Brain rot and social media Experts define brain rot as mental lethargy and cognitive decline caused by too much doomscrolling, zombie scrolling, video gaming and other forms of social media addiction. "In many ways we have abdicated our responsibility as parents because we feel we aren't competent in the digital space," said Dr. Michael Rich of the Digital Wellness Lab at Children's Hospital, author of "The Mediatrician's Guide: A Joyful Approach to Raising Healthy, Smart, Kind Kids in a Screen-Saturated World." He says the issue isn't so much the lure of the web and its seductive algorithms, but kids being left alone, unchallenged, and easily seducible. "First of all, a parent should model the kind of behavior they want to see in their kids," said Rich. "We have to be the change we want to see in our kids. The smartphone, the laptop is a power tool that can do incredible things, we can be all around the world with all kinds of people, and yet we often choose the path of least resistance which is well-paved for us by very sophisticated psychological design in these online programs." Fighting brain rot in kids But for parents willing to fight brain rot, here's the good news. "Kids actually do want our attention, that's one of the most frequent answers I get from kids when I ask them what could your parents do better - pay more attention to me," said Rich. The deck might seem stacked when it comes to the rotting of our kids' brains by social media - unsavvy mom and dad vs. billion-dollar corporations peddling garbage dressed up with slick graphics and addictive technology. But you parents have a secret weapon - you're right there, while Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are not. And as Dr. Rich puts it: "the kids are going to be alright, if we are there with them." Jon Keller is the political analyst for WBZ-TV News. His "Keller @ Large" reports on a wide range of topics are regularly featured during WBZ News at 5 and 6 p.m.
Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the suspect in the fatal shooting of a healthcare executive in New York City, apparently was living a charmed life: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation's top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-old Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy,” and pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties. Now, investigators in New York and Pennsylvania are working to piece together why Mangione may have diverged from this path to make the violent and radical decision to gun down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street. The killing sparked widespread discussions about corporate greed, unfairness in the medical insurance industry and even inspired folk-hero sentiment toward his killer. But Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro sharply refuted that perception after Mangione's arrest on Monday when a customer at a McDonald's restaurant in Pennsylvania spotted Mangione eating and noticed he resembled the shooting suspect in security-camera photos released by New York police. “In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this, he is no hero,” Shapiro said. “The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald’s this morning.” 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 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. Reporters and photographers gathered outside the entrance. 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. Nick Mangione had 37 grandchildren, including Luigi, according to the grandfather's 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, including Catholic organizations, 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. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media by Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” Mangione, who was valedictorian of his elite 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. 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 suggest 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. The children of some of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent residents, including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., have attended 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.” Mangione took a software programming internship after high school at Maryland-based video game studio Firaxis, where he fixed bugs on the hit strategy game Civilization 6, according to a LinkedIn profile. Firaxis' parent company, Take-Two Interactive, said it would not comment on former employees. He more recently worked at the car-buying website TrueCar, but has not worked there since 2023, the head of the Santa Monica, California-based company confirmed to the AP. From January to June 2022, Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. “There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, including surfing, Ryan said. “He went surfing with R.J. once but it didn’t work out because of his back,” Ryan said, but noted that Mangione and Martin often went together to a rock-climbing gym. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. An image posted to a social media account linked to Mangione showed what appeared to be an X-ray of a metal rod and multiple screws inserted into someone's lower spine. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. An X account linked to Mangione includes recent posts about the negative impact of smartphones on children; healthy eating and exercise habits; psychological theories; and a quote from Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti about the dangers of becoming “well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” Mangione likely was motivated by his anger at what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed, according to a law enforcement bulletin obtained by AP. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s handwritten notes and social media posts. He appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown, asserting in his note that he is the “first to face it with such brutal honesty,” the bulletin said. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, the document said. Associated Press reporters Lea Skene in Baltimore; Jennifer Sinco Kelleher in Honolulu; Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; and Michael Kunzelman in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report."Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 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INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The Buffalo Bills quickly responded from giving up a touchdown on a blocked punt, scoring on a 41-yard touchdown on a short pass from quarterback Josh Allen to running back Ty Johnson . The score was Allen's 250th career touchdown pass and the longest play of Johnson's six-year career. Johnson's scoring play came on the fourth play of the drive after the Bills went down 17-7 on the blocked punt. On first-and-10 from the Rams' 41-yard line, Allen faced immediate pressure after the ball was snapped. He faked to the right to wide receiver Khalil Shakir before looking to the left and passing the ball to the nearby Johnson, who was a little more than five yards behind the line of scrimmage. With help from blocks from center Connor McGovern , left guard David Edwards and wide receiver Mack Hollins , Johnson got around defenders to run up the sideline and into the end zone to make it a 17-14 game. Take it to the crib, Ty! 📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/rq3Y0i7VIcAsana (NYSE:ASAN) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Oppenheimer Analyst Says
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Don’t dismiss the Vision Pro just yet. Sure, rumors have been swirling that the company has pretty much halted all production of their flagship spatial computing device, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has some interesting updates. His scoop? Apple and Sony, are reportedly in talks to integrate PlayStation VR2’s Sense controllers with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. This partnership, if realized, could reshape how we think about virtual and mixed reality experiences, seamlessly blending gaming prowess with Apple’s signature design ethos. The Vision Pro, Apple’s first foray into spatial computing, debuted as a device with lofty ambitions. Relying on gaze-and-pinch interactions paired with hand-tracking, its interface felt futuristic yet restrained when stacked against the tactile immersion offered by physical controllers. While its approach works wonders for casual gaming and productivity tasks, the absence of tactile input left a gaping hole in its potential for more dynamic, fast-paced VR gaming. Enter Sony, whose PS VR2 Sense controllers are heralded for their precise tracking, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers. It’s easy to see why Apple would tap into Sony’s expertise to elevate Vision Pro’s gaming and interactive experiences. Gurman, a well-known source of tech scoops, shared that Apple initiated discussions with Sony earlier this year, targeting the seamless integration of the Sense controllers into the Vision Pro ecosystem. The collaboration promises to extend beyond just gaming, allowing users to navigate visionOS interfaces using Sony’s controllers. For Vision Pro, this move is not just a band-aid solution but a strategic decision aimed at capturing a more serious gaming demographic. The absence of robust gaming support has been a sticking point for Vision Pro since its announcement. Adding PS VR2 Sense controllers could be the olive branch Apple extends to hardcore gamers who’ve so far been unimpressed by its current offerings. What’s particularly intriguing is the potential ripple effect this partnership could have on the gaming industry. Sony has been fiercely protective of its PS VR2 ecosystem, even to the extent of not selling its Sense controllers separately. Yet, this exclusivity might soften if Sony and Apple push ahead with making these controllers available through Apple’s sales channels. Imagine walking into an Apple Store, purchasing a PS VR2 Sense controller, and unlocking new gaming experiences on a Vision Pro. It’s a scenario that positions both companies as collaborators rather than competitors—an unusual but potentially brilliant strategy. But could this partnership lead to something even bigger? Some speculate it might pave the way for a broader gaming alliance between Apple and Sony. Such a move would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the gaming industry, especially with Microsoft’s Xbox looming large as the primary rival. While Apple could technically develop its own controllers tailored to the Vision Pro, partnering with Sony allows them to sidestep years of R&D and leverage Sony’s established credibility among gamers. Beyond gaming, this partnership could also enhance Vision Pro’s value proposition for non-gaming applications. The tactile advantages of Sony’s controllers could transform how professionals interact with 3D models, designers manipulate virtual canvases, or filmmakers storyboard immersive scenes. By broadening its use cases, Apple has a shot at making Vision Pro more than a niche device for early adopters or AR enthusiasts. Yet, as with any ambitious endeavor, there are potential roadblocks. Gurman notes that the announcement, initially planned for weeks ago, was delayed—possibly signaling internal hiccups or last-minute refinements. Whether it’s technical integration challenges, supply chain constraints, or plain old corporate hesitance, there’s always a chance this partnership could stall or be scrapped altogether. However, the timing of this rumor feels strategic. Vision Pro’s early reviews have highlighted its groundbreaking potential while pointing out areas where it falls short. Apple knows that it must demonstrate more than technological novelty to justify the $3,500 price tag. Teaming up with Sony to bring richer gaming and interactive experiences could be the shot in the arm Vision Pro needs as it prepares for its full release next year. For now, Apple and Sony remain tight-lipped, but the possibility of this partnership is tantalizing. It paints a picture of a future where Apple’s minimalistic design philosophy meets Sony’s immersive gaming technology, creating an ecosystem that’s not only expansive but compelling. If nothing else, it underscores Apple’s willingness to think beyond its walled garden—a refreshing shift for a company known for keeping things close to its chest. So, will this be the start of a beautiful friendship between Apple and Sony, or just another chapter in the rumor mill? Only time will tell. But for now, the idea of navigating visionOS with a PS VR2 Sense controller is enough to keep tech enthusiasts and gamers alike dreaming of the possibilities. And if this collaboration does take off, maybe it’s time to rethink that Xbox subscription—just saying.
By BASSEM MROUE and ZEINA KARAM BEIRUT (AP) — The head of a Syrian opposition war monitor said early Sunday that President Bashar Assad left the country for an undisclosed location, fleeing ahead of insurgents who said they had entered Damascus after a stunning advance across the country. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for [...]Article content Some things are just a mystery. Recommended Videos A lot of people comment on how low the federal Liberals are in the polls. On Dec. 8, poll aggregator 338Canada.com showed the Conservatives at 43% and Liberals at 22%. That means almost one in four Canadians think voting for the Liberals under Justin Trudeau is worth it. How is that possible? Is it because they are turned off by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre? Fine. Understandable. Vote NDP. Vote Green or Bloc Quebecois. It is popular in Canada to look down our noses at American politics and president-elect Donald Trump is one American so many people across the globe love to hate. But here in Canada, we hate Trudeau more. A recent Spark Advocacy poll gauging Canadian feelings showed 33% approve of Trump, while only 31% approve of Trudeau. This from Canadians! A graph of per-capita Gross Domestic Product, tracking from the mid-1990s, shows the U.S. and Canada tracking companionably together through the economy’s ups and downs, until 2015 when a gap appeared. Since then, the gap has consistently widened. What catastrophic economic upheaval took place in 2015 that continues to exist today? Maybe this is another time when correlation is not causation, but I am just suggesting budgets don’t balance themselves. In August 2021 Trudeau said, “You’ll forgive me if I don’t think about monetary policy.” Canadians can’t afford housing in large communities across the nation, grocery prices are exploding and have for a while now, our dollar is near 70¢ to the American dollar and yet, he is right. Nearly one in four do forgive him. Do they all work for the federal government? You know, the government he expanded in personnel by 42% since 2015, while still managing to contract out work at a high clip? More people doing less work. Does that impact inflation? Many would say it does but don’t ask him. He doesn’t think about it. Foreign direct investment in Canada has cratered. Trudeau’s government has made it harder to keep repeat offenders — using guns in the commission of their crimes — in jail without bail while his answer is to ban more guns in the hands of law-abiding people. Law-abiding people would be more worried if they didn’t know that the result of the gun buy-back so far was $67 million spent and zero guns collected. You can’t make this stuff up. And the Ukrainians should not hold their breaths for incoming. The Liberal record is one long list of outrageous misuse of money — think ArriveCAN app, scandals like WE and SNC-Lavalin, multiple ethics violations, Blackface and Mr. Dressup goes International, buying groceries by cancelling your Disney subscription, having the RCMP carry suitcases for illegals crossing the border, literally dumping refugees on the street in Toronto in the cold, telling veterans they were asking for too much, delayed COVID vaccines because of a secret deal with China and too much more to list here. In the latest mayoral election in Toronto, a dog ran for office. An actual dog named Molly. She didn’t win. In the next federal election, if she runs as a Liberal, she can count on garnering 22% of the vote.
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growth is set to pick up from 1% to 2.4% and 2.6% . The recovery real disposable incomes will stronger consumer demand. Investment will be bolstered by easing financial conditions and the stronger use of funds. The growth of exports will pick up, as demand from Czechia’s main trading partners strengthens. Headline inflation is projected to remain around the 2% target, with core inflation gradually easing. Risks are tilted to the downside, related to geopolitical tensions and a more persistent slowdown of growth in key trading partners, especially Germany. Monetary policy should remain restrictive until underlying inflation pressures subside. Fiscal consolidation should continue in the medium term to rebuild fiscal buffers and prepare for -term spending pressures. Reforming the vocational education and training (VET) system and expanding opportunities for reskilling and upskilling are needed to skill shortages and mismatches, and boost productivity. expanded moderately in the third quarter of , by 0.3% compared to the previous quarter. High frequency indicators suggest continued growth in late mainly driven by private consumption. point to a continuation of the recovery in household consumption. Lower policy interest rates have led to falls in interest rates on new loans, and loan growth to the private sector has stabilised. Consumer price inflation has come down close to the 2% target in 2024, although inflation edged up to 2.8% in October largely due to volatile food prices. Service price inflation has declined more slowly and remains elevated, above 5% in October 2024. The labour market also remains tight. The has edged up and vacancies have fallen. However, labour shortages are still reported in sectors, especially in construction. Nominal wage growth remains strong. Source: of Labour and Social Affairs; and Czech Statistical Office. 1. Contributions to changes in real GDP, actual amount in the first column. 2. Consumer price excluding food and energy. 3. The Maastricht definition of general includes only loans, debt securities, and currency and deposits, with debt face value rather than market value. Source: OECD Economic Outlook 116 database. Soft external demand in key trading partners, especially Germany, is weighing on and exports. While supply chain disruptions continue to ease, -oriented industrial firms perceive insufficient demand from abroad as the main factor limiting production. Import growth (quarter-on-quarter) resumed in 2024, after declining in . With inflation slowing, the Czech National (CNB) reduced the main policy rate (the two-week rate) from 6.75% to 4% between December and November 2024. The projections assume a further gradual easing of monetary policy until a broadly stance of around 3% is reached in the second half of . The fiscal stance is moderately contractionary in 2024 due to the phasing-out of almost energy measures at the end of 2023, as well as a consolidation package mainly focused on revenue measures totalling around 1.2% of GDP, including increases in social security contributions, corporate income tax rates and real estate taxes. The draft budget for foresees some further improvement in the headline budget , but this is largely cyclical. The projections assume a broadly fiscal stance in 2025 and a mildly restrictive stance in 2026 in line with medium-term fiscal plans. Stronger private consumption growth will be supported by the recovery in real disposable incomes and the drawdown of the excess savings of households. Easing financial conditions and the stronger use of structural and recovery and resilience funds will prop up investment growth. Exports will accelerate as demand in key trading partners strengthens. However, import growth will also pick up on the back of increasing domestic demand, resulting in a declining contribution of exports to growth. Headline inflation is projected to remain around the 2% target. Core inflation is expected to ease gradually, helped by a pick-up in productivity growth that mitigates labour cost growth. Risks to the projections are skewed to the downside. An escalation of geopolitical tensions would weigh on foreign demand and could to increased global energy prices and renewed supply chain disruptions. A more persistent economic slowdown in key trading partners, especially Germany, or an increase in trade barriers would weigh on Czechia’s -oriented economy. Monetary policy should remain restrictive to ensure that underlying inflationary pressures are durably contained. The tight labour market and brisk wage growth, together with services prices, call for a continued restrictive monetary policy stance. Consolidation should continue in the medium term to comply with the national and fiscal rules, the disinflationary process, rebuild fiscal buffers and prepare for -term spending pressures. Fiscal measures should be specified to reach the medium-term fiscal targets. Reducing skill shortages and mismatches would boost productivity and requires reforming the VET system to over-specialisation and promoting work-based learning, and expanding opportunities for reskilling and upskilling through flexible, modular high-quality training programmes.
W hen Islamist militants swept into her home town of Aleppo little over a week ago, Rama Alhalabi sheltered indoors as fear engulfed her. Forces loyal to president Bashar al-Assad , who had sought to reassure residents that nothing was happening, suddenly deserted the city. But as the insurgency pushed south, rapidly seizing control of the city of Hama on the road to Damascus, Alhalabi’s fears about life under militia rule have slowly ebbed. Instead they have been replaced by fears that her friends in the army will be abandoned by their commanding officers as Assad’s regime loses its grip. “People in Aleppo are feeling more comfortable now we’re further from the areas under the regime’s control,” said the 29-year-old, while still using a pseudonym in fear Assad could retake the city. “At the same time, I have many friends serving in the army and I don’t want them to get hurt. People with power inside the regime will protect themselves, and they will leave the poor fighters who were forced to join the army to face their awful fate alone. “Things changed insanely fast,” she added. “We can barely believe what’s happening.” As militants spearheaded by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) massed outside the city of Homs and rebel forces said they had entered the vast southern suburbs of the capital, rapid change swept across Syria . The Syrian army declared it had “redeployed,” its forces in two restive provinces south of Damascus in the latest thinly-veiled message of retreat, days after they withdrew from Hama. In under a week, five provincial capitals across the country were suddenly no longer under Assad’s control. “We can hear the bombing nearby, and we are praying, hoping – and waiting,” said Um Ahmad, an elderly native of Homs, sheltering with her husband at home as the fighting drew close enough to be audible. Assad loyalists fled the city, while people who stayed only have a couple of hours’ electricity each day and what goods are left in the shops are unaffordable. Those remaining in Homs waited to see if this might be the end of Assad’s rule, while an insurgent commander told his regime’s forces inside the city that this was their “last chance to defect before it’s too late”. Um Ahmad was consumed by a single thought, that she might finally be able to see her sons again after a decade of separation and exile. “Most people are frightened but they fear the regime’s revenge more than anything else,” she said, as Russian and Syrian airstrikes pummelled the countryside around Homs and Hama. When a popular uprising swept cities across Syria in 2011 calling for Assad to go, it initially looked as if demonstrations could topple another regional autocrat. But the Syrian leader swiftly turned the state’s weapons on his own people to crush dissent. As the uprising slowly morphed into a civil war, Assad freed jihadist prisoners from his fearsome detention system to alter the forces rising up against him, before relying heavily on his allies in Russia and Iran to provide the military muscle he used to reclaim control. The civil war killed over 300,000 people in 10 years of fighting, with some estimates putting the true toll at twice that number. Tens of thousands remain in detention, including 100,000 believed missing or forcibly disappeared in Assad’s prisons since 2011, and subject to what United Nations monitors have described as systematic torture. Over 12 million people have been displaced. Assad kept control of Syria’s major cities for years, as battle lines from the country’s years-long proxy war hardened. HTS ruled over a mountainous pocket in the northwest, cut off from the outside world. The group appeared a dim threat to Assad until they suddenly launched an offensive that saw them take control of Aleppo within days. A few days after insurgents first entered Syria’s second city, the HTS leader known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani strode down the steps of its ancient citadel flanked by fighters among excited crowds. Jolani still retains a $10m bounty on his head from Washington due to the group’s former connections to al-Qaida, but his public appearances and direct communication with his followers have made him the figurehead of the insurgency. Meanwhile Assad has been largely absent, save for images of the Syrian president smiling while seated next to the Iranian foreign minister in Damascus. A statement from the Syrian presidency denied that Assad had fled the country or was making any sudden visit abroad, claiming that he was fulfilling “his national and constitutional duties” in Damascus. “Assad is facing a moment of reckoning... yet he is missing in action at this crucial moment with the future of his regime on the line,” said Fawaz Gerges, professor of international relations at the London School of Economics. “What we have seen is not only a military earthquake but a political one, for Syria and its regional allies. This was unthinkable a year ago. Regardless of what happens in the coming days, weeks and months, I doubt whether Assad could remain at the helm of the Syrian state. “Even though these events are surprising, I don’t think we appreciate just how much the Syrian state capacity has been degraded,” he said. “The army is demoralised, and starving.” Assad appeared to be awaiting salvation as diplomats from Turkey, Russia and Iran convened in Doha to discuss a last-ditch political solution. While both Moscow and Tehran have pledged to support Assad as he attempts to muster a counter-attack, there were few signs that their backing has reached the levels that Syrian forces previously relied on to regain control. Gerges pointed out that the Syrian president who has ruled for almost 25 years is yet to address his forces or his citizens amid the largest challenge to his control of the country for years. “He doesn’t appreciate the gravity of this moment,” he said. “Not only for the lives and wellbeing of his supporters who are putting their lives on the line and are terrified, but his soldiers who have been left alone.” In Daraa and Suwayda to the south of the capital, residents set fire to portraits of Assad that towered over the streets. In Hama, the city where Assad’s father Hafez violently crushed an Islamist rebellion against him in 1982, a group of men decapitated a statue of the former president and dragged the head through the streets behind a truck, the hollow face riddled with bullet holes. Sign up to Observed Analysis and opinion on the week's news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers after newsletter promotion “No one in Hama can think about the future right now, but they are determined that whatever happens, it will undoubtedly be better than living under the Syrian regime they’ve experienced for decades,” said Mohamad Alskaf of the Syrian network for human rights, exiled from Hama. He was watching with joy, he said, as opposition media showed insurgents flinging open the doors of prisons in each city they entered, allowing detainees held in the darkness of state detention facilities to walk free for the first time in years. “These special scenes from Hama, it’s like something from a film,” he said. Adam, a former protest organiser exiled from Damascus who requested to withhold his family name, said he was also overjoyed to see images of political prisoners being liberated, but he feared what Assad might do to hold on to power as insurgents move towards the capital. When the Syrian president deployed the deadly nerve agent sarin against rebel forces in the Damascus suburbs in 2013, Adam recalled that the attack took place six miles away from the balconies of his presidential palace. “This is a regime like no other,” he said. “They would rather burn the country to the ground than leave. It’s an all-or-nothing regime. I expect that they will barricade themselves in Damascus and try to stay, to wait it out, for years, as civilians pay the price.” Those in Aleppo and Hama have been thrust into the newfound uncertainty of life without Assad but under HTS rule. Alhalabi, a member of Aleppo’s Christian community, said she was initially terrified that she would be the target of attacks by the militia. Instead, she said, the past week had surprised her, and local church leaders had sought to reassure their congregations that they would remain unharmed. Ubayda Arnaout, a spokesperson for the political arm of HTS’ nominal authority the Salvation Government said fighters were withdrawing from Aleppo and ceding to civil authorities, who are focused on providing basic security and services. It remains too early, he said, to discuss how they might govern Aleppo with the fighting continuing elsewhere. However, he added, their authority “in its current form won’t govern the newly liberated areas. Aleppo will be governed by its own residents.” Alhalabi felt confident enough to leave her house the day after the insurgents seized control, although she feared airstrikes that targeted the city. But when she drove her relatives to visit another family member at work in a nearby hospital, a band of fighters were gathered outside as she approached, locking eyes with Alhalabi and her passengers. She waved – and they waved back. “They were very kind. They asked me if I wanted to park my car in the hospital garage,” she said. Her fear began to dissipate, and she wanted desperately to believe their rule would remain benign. Shops had begun to reopen, although prices had spiked, and Alhalabi had returned to her routine at a local coffee shop. The militants looked scary enough, she said. “But now I see that they’re not hurting anyone, and they are respectful when you approach them. We imagined that they’d treat us badly,” she added. “But they haven’t terrorised us at all. They were actually very nice– they gave people bread for free.”
Atlanta Special Needs Planning Lawyer Trace Brooks Releases Article on Special Needs Trust Contribution Limits in Georgia 12-13-2024 07:42 PM CET | Politics, Law & Society Press release from: ABNewswire Atlanta special needs planning lawyer Trace Brooks ( https://www.tracebrookslaw.com/how-much-money-can-be-put-in-a-special-needs-trust-in-georgia/ ), of Trace Brooks Law, addresses a pressing question for families in Georgia: "How Much Money Can Be Put in a Special Needs Trust?" Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) are crucial financial tools for families looking to provide for a loved one with disabilities without jeopardizing access to essential government benefits. Trace Brooks provides valuable insights into these trusts, specifically discussing contribution considerations, regulations, and effective practices that families need to manage in Georgia. Special Needs Trusts enable families to set aside funds for disabled individuals without these resources counting as personal assets, which could otherwise disqualify them from government aid such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Atlanta special needs planning lawyer understands the complex aspects of these financial tools, particularly regarding the contribution limits and state-specific regulations governing SNTs in Georgia. This nuanced approach helps ensure that families have access to legal guidance tailored to their unique circumstances. According to Atlanta special needs planning lawyer Trace Brooks, families often wonder if there's a maximum amount they can contribute to an SNT and how these limits impact their loved one's eligibility for essential support services. Trace Brooks explains, "Georgia does not impose a specific state-level maximum contribution limit for Special Needs Trusts. However, contributions must be carefully managed to maintain the beneficiary's eligibility for federal benefits such as Medicaid and SSI." They note that for first-party SNTs funded with the beneficiary's own assets, the funds should ideally be contributed before the beneficiary reaches the age of 65 to avoid potential complications with benefit eligibility. This careful planning allows families to build financial security without risking the support their loved one relies on. For Georgia residents, the firm outlines various types of Special Needs Trusts, each designed to meet different familial and financial needs. Third-party Special Needs Trusts are typically established by a family member, using assets that never belonged to the beneficiary, allowing parents or relatives to provide for a disabled individual's needs as part of their estate planning. First-party Special Needs Trusts are funded by the beneficiary's assets, such as an inheritance or personal injury settlement, and contain a Medicaid repayment provision to cover care costs upon the beneficiary's passing. Pooled Trusts, managed by nonprofits, pool resources from multiple beneficiaries, providing investment advantages for those with fewer assets. Trace Brooks Law emphasizes the importance of correctly managing SNT contributions to avoid disqualifying the beneficiary from receiving Medicaid or SSI. While there is no formal cap on the amount that can be placed in an SNT, distributions must align with federal regulations to maintain eligibility for government programs. Direct cash payments to the beneficiary could jeopardize SSI eligibility, so the trust should instead fund other aspects of their life, such as medical needs not covered by Medicaid, transportation, and personal enrichment activities. Trust distributions are best directed to third-party providers or institutions, which prevents funds from being counted as personal income, thereby preserving eligibility for benefits. When considering the funding sources, Trace Brooks Law advises that any gifts or inheritances be directed to a third-party SNT instead of the beneficiary to protect their access to benefits. Estate documents should explicitly reflect this arrangement, allowing families to manage gifts or inheritances effectively. Special Needs Trusts also offer flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of beneficiaries over time. For individuals with disabilities, circumstances can evolve due to shifts in health, living arrangements, or personal requirements. A well-funded SNT allows families to adjust distributions and other trust terms, providing a steady financial base that responds to their loved one's needs. Trace Brooks Law encourages Georgia families to approach special needs planning with a proactive mindset. Crafting a detailed and legally sound SNT can allow families to secure not only the current well-being but also the future stability of their loved ones with disabilities. This security enables disabled beneficiaries to continue accessing government benefits while enjoying an enriched quality of life supported by the trust. About Trace Brooks Law: Trace Brooks Law is an Atlanta-based legal firm that can provide comprehensive support in special needs planning, including Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) that preserve government benefits while meeting individual financial goals. The firm can guide clients through Georgia's special needs regulations, offering tailored solutions to secure their loved one's future. Trace Brooks Law's commitment to client-centered planning can allow families to trust that their loved ones will receive the resources and support they need, now and in the years to come. Embeds: Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qb-aa4tbcs GMB: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=16944830140697754407 Email and website Email: trace@tracebrookslaw.com Website: https://www.tracebrookslaw.com/ Media Contact Company Name: Trace Brooks Law Contact Person: Trace Brooks Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=atlanta-special-needs-planning-lawyer-trace-brooks-releases-article-on-special-needs-trust-contribution-limits-in-georgia ] Phone: (404) 492-9559 Address:1275 Peachtree St NE #525 City: Atlanta State: Georgia 30309 Country: United States Website: https://www.tracebrookslaw.com/ This release was published on openPR.Romania police raid houses after vote scrapped over 'irregularities'
Garcia's 16 help McNeese beat Illinois State 76-68
Public support has been key for Canada Post workers as they halted mail delivery across the country, but maintaining that support had been getting harder as the strike dragged on, experts say. “As strikes wear on, they become more difficult to sustain, and if the public is not rallying behind you, it can be demoralizing for the union,” said Brock University labour professor Larry Savage. More than 55,000 postal workers have been off the job in a strike that has lasted more than four weeks. However, an end may be in sight. With the two sides seemingly still far apart, federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said on Friday that he's asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to look into whether a negotiated deal is possible before the end of the year. If the board decides it's not possible, MacKinnon is asking that it order workers back on the job and extend the terms of the current collective agreements until May 22, 2025. In the meantime, a commission would examine the dispute and provide recommendations on how new deals can be reached. Canadian Union of Postal Workers negotiator Jim Gallant says on the picket lines, Canada Post workers have been getting the support they need — plus coffee, doughnuts, fried chicken, knitted hats and socks, and even turkeys from citizens. But Savage said he feels overall public opinion has been mixed so far on the strike. “It’s not clear to me that either party is winning the war of public opinion,” he said. “(It) seems like a good chunk of people seem to not care about the strike, but those who do seem evenly split between Canada Post and the union. And I think lots of people are just frustrated and surprised that the strike has lasted this long.” That divide was reflected in a recent Angus Reid poll, though it was conducted during the third week of the work stoppage. The survey of just over 3,000 Canadians found 34 per cent sided with Canada Post and its demands, while 29 per cent stood with the union. The rest were unsure, or didn't support either side. Social media posts reflect the mixed opinions, with some people expressing frustration with the disruption and others proclaiming their support for striking postal workers. Adam King, an assistant professor in the labour studies department at the University of Manitoba, said online discourse doesn’t tell the whole story. “It takes very little effort to post a comment on a story, but it takes much more to show up to a picket line,” he said. On the picket lines King has seen in Winnipeg, “CUPW has received lots of support,” he said, from the labour movement and the public. King and Savage said there’s been a broader trend of higher public support for striking workers in recent years. “The fact that Canada Post isn't a profit-making, billionaire-owned company complicates it a little bit, because it's easier to go after a grocery baron, for example, than Canada Post,” said Savage. But both said even for the public sector, which Canadians historically have had less support for amid labour disputes, the public has been surprisingly onside over the past couple of years. “I think the public has been generally very understanding and receptive of workers' demands coming out of the pandemic,” said King. “I think there was a level of understanding that maybe wasn't there in previous years, that people really do understand that people are in a crunch, union members are in a cost of living squeeze, and they're sympathetic to their demands.” As the Canada Post strike dragged on, "I think there might be maybe some shifts in public opinion, and it might be harder to maintain, especially as the Christmas season approaches,” said King. But for the most part, “I would fit this strike into that longer pattern" of stronger support for striking workers, he said. Gallant said as the strike continued, there has been a lot of pressure on both sides to reach a deal. “We don't want to be the people that ruin Christmas,” he said. Business associations had called for government intervention, saying the strike was harming business owners during the key holiday season. The day the strike started, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke posted on X that Canada Post is an essential service and shouldn’t be allowed to go on strike. But strikes are meant to disrupt “business as usual,” Savage pointed out — the anger of customers and business owners is intended to pressure employers to reach a deal. However, strikes “also risk alienating the public,” added Savage. “The trick is for the union to align its demands with the interests of the public. And that is like ... walking a tightrope,” said Savage. Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, said public support is important for workers during strikes because it not only boosts morale on the picket line, it puts pressure on the employer to come to the table. "I mean, they are really stuck, but there's pressure all the way around. There's pressure on the employer, and there's pressure on the union as well," she said. When a strike goes on for multiple weeks, "it's harder to see the end of the road," said Bruske. Groups within the labour movement like the Canadian Labour Congress try to keep the momentum going through social media, email campaigns and speaking to the media, she said. "Making sure that you maintain that momentum and that public support for the issue is critically important." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” to Parisians, France and the world. Macron spoke in front of 1,500 guests invited to celebrate the restoration of Paris’ 12th-century cathedral which was nearly destroyed by a fire in 2019. They included world leaders like President-elect Donald Trump , U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. Monumental feats of restoration Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework — an area equal to six soccer pitches — were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, resounded for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out cellphones to capture the moment. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which raised nearly half of the €900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration. He last visited in 2021, when the cathedral was cloaked in scaffolding. “It was somber,” he said. “It’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian pastor who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument—it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Historical details enrich the occasion Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Macron's political woes The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to embattled Macron, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. The French president, who has called Notre Dame's reopening “a jolt of hope,” will address the gathering. He had hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership. Macron's presidency now faces its gravest crisis after the government's collapse this week in a historic no-confidence vote that toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The vote followed months of political gridlock after snap elections in June. Calls are now growing louder from opposition forces for Macron to resign. But he vowed Thursday to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, and said he'll name a new prime minister within days. As France struggles with economic woes and social unrest, Notre Dame's rebirth celebrations form a stark contrast. Security is tight for this global event Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. ___ Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Thomas Adamson And John Leicester, The Associated PressKOLLAM: Unlike the previous conferences, the CPM Kollam district conference was highly critical of the state government and the central and state leaders. This may spread to other district conferences also. The shock caused by the heavy defeat in the last parliamentary elections is what prompted the representatives to forget their fear of the leadership and criticise openly. The representatives said that the chief minister grabbing the mic and bending it, insulting the anchor and the party secretary scolding the mic operator, created hatred among the people. The Chief Minister not meeting the media when there are controversies was questioned. Children look in fear at CPM state leaders who bully media workers. There was a demand that the action against EP Jayarajan, who met with BJP leader Prakash Javadekar, should not be limited to removing him from the post of LDF convener. AK Balan was also criticized for controversial remarks like eenampechi (pangolin) and marapatti (palm civet). There were indications that most of the current ministers are incompetent and there was a demand to appoint people with experience as ministers. Warning against sectarianism The state leadership to expected to take a tough stance against sectarianism in the upcoming district assemblies. The exclusion of four district committee members from Karunagapally, where sectarianism is extreme, is a warning. The state leadership is looking forward to whether the Kollam model intervention, where there is no hesitation of dismissal and exclusion if party discipline is violated, will be beneficial. Apart from DYFI district secretary, SFI leader was also included in the district committee. Eight newly elected area secretaries were not considered in the district committee and two women were given a place in the district committee instead.
Why world is paying dearly for absurd 76-day gap between Trump’s win & him taking office...are we now headed for WW3?
By BASSEM MROUE and ZEINA KARAM BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said early Sunday that the government is ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. “I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country,” Jalili said in a video statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. He did not address reports that President Bashar Assad had left the country. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. BEIRUT (AP) — The head of a Syrian opposition war monitor said early Sunday that President Bashar Assad left the country for an undisclosed location, fleeing ahead of insurgents who said they had entered Damascus after a stunning advance across the country. The events suggested that the end of Assad’s regime could be imminent after his bloody 14-year struggle to hold onto control as his country fragmented. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Assad took a flight Sunday from Damascus. State television in Iran, Assad’s main backer in the years of war in Syria, reported that Assad had left the capital. It cited Qatar’s Al Jazeera news network for the information and did not elaborate. There was no immediate statement from the Syrian government. An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported seeing groups of armed residents along the road in the outskirts of the capital and hearing sounds of gunshots. The city’s main police headquarters appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside. Another AP journalist shot footage of an abandoned army checkpoint where uniforms were discarded on the ground under a poster of Assad’s face. Residents of the capital reported hearing gunfire and explosions. Footage broadcast on opposition-linked media showed a tank in one of the capital’s central squares while a small group of people gathered in celebration. Calls of “God is great” rang out from mosques. It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a yearslong siege. The pro-government Sham FM radio reported that the Damascus airport had been evacuated and all flights halted. The insurgents also announced they had entered the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital and “liberated” their prisoners there. The night before, opposition forces took the central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The city stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The government denied rumors that Assad had fled the country. Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Homs without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies withdrew from the city, adding that rebels entered parts of it. The insurgency announced later Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The rebels had already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. The rebels’ moves into Damascus came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The fall of Damascus would leave government forces in control of only two of 14 provincial capitals: Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. 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. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad’s erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday 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. Lebanese border officials closed the main Masnaa border crossing late Saturday, leaving many stuck waiting. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad’s status Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he was performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine . 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. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria . Separately, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser said the Biden administration had no intention of intervening there. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation of a U.N. 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 U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. In a statement, the participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis “that would lead to the end of military activity and protect civilians.” They also agreed on the importance of strengthening international efforts to increase aid to the Syrian people. 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. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. 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-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth-largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites 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. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists.” The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar’s top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. ____ Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria; Abby Sewell in Beirut; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; Josef Federman and Victoria Eastwood in Doha, Qatar; and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.Friday's TransactionsDonald Trump weighed in Saturday in a bitter debate dividing his traditional supporters and tech barrons like Elon Musk, saying that he backs a special visa program that helps highly skilled workers enter the country. "I've always liked the (H1-B) visas, I have always been in favor 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. bbk/nro
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ROB OWEN fought back tears after retaining his tour card with a third-round win over Ricky Evans. The Welshman 40, came from 2-1 down to beat Rapid Ricky 4-2 and set up a clash with Callan Rydz . 2 Rob Owen was visibly emotional after beating Ricky Evans 2 The pair embraced before Owen gave an emotional interview And in doing so he secured his PDC Tour card for the 2025 season. Owen has been working as an Iceland delivery driver since last year - while juggling his life as a darts star. But the world No77, whose nickname is Stack Attack, is now making a name for himself at Ally Pally. He is four wins away from the world title and a £500,000 prize pot. READ MORE IN DARTS Beer we go Darts clash stopped as fan downs whole jug of beer - but then gets kicked out He has already secured £35,000 for reaching the fourth round - and could be seen getting emotional in the wake of his win over Evans. He said: "The last game was the biggest of my life but this really was! Ricky is a fantastic guy and a great player... "Well can I say it now, can I say it? NOW I HAVE RETAINED MY TOUR CARD! COME ON." Owen then went on to reveal he is expected back at work on Monday, but that he will not be going. Most read in Darts baby joy Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan announce she's pregnant with first baby NEIL BY MOUTH Moment Rangers hero says he needs RESCUED on live TV during Motherwell clash GER OUT Moment raging Rangers fans BOO their own players and say 'go away' at Motherwell WELL 2 GERS 2 Shambolic display leaves Clement on brink as horror Christmas week continues CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He added: "It’s massive for me and my family – retaining my Tour card means the world to me and it’s a big relief. "Now I can relax, enjoy myself and when I enjoy myself, I play good darts. 'I'm walking out' - Callan Rydz jokily threatens to storm out of press conference at World Darts "I’m supposed to be back at work at 12.30 tomorrow, but I hope the bosses understand that I’m not there. "I don’t think they have got any choice, but they are pretty good when it comes to me playing darts."
QB Josh Allen and coach Sean McDermott deserve credit in Bills latest AFC East-clinching season
Barclays PLC Buys 26,315 Shares of First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FMBH)Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back C.J. Baskerville called foul on Arkansas Razorbacks Fernando Carmona over an allegedly "dirty" play during the Liberty Bowl on Friday. Baskerville made the claim in a post on X on Saturday. He accused Carmona of stepping on the back of his ankle after a play and shared two videos as proof. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Nov. 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas: Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive safety C.J. Baskerville (9) is honored on senior day before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. (Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images) "There’s no denying that Arkansas played a great game last night, I am not taking that away from them. But #55 Fernando Carmona blatantly stepping on my ankle and pressing down on it on purpose is straight up dirty," Baskerville wrote on X. "Proceeds to say "got your b**** a***." Do better." Carmona, who is listed at 322 pounds, didn’t immediately respond to Baskerville’s post. The incident in question occurred in the fourth quarter of Arkansas’ 39-26 win over Texas Tech. Sept. 21, 2024; Auburn, Alabama: Arkansas Razorbacks offensive lineman Fernando Carmona (55) celebrates with fans after the Razorbacks beat the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. (John Reed-Imagn Images) MIAMI'S CAM WARD OPTS OUT OF BOWL GAME IN 2ND HALF AFTER SETTING TD RECORD, IGNITES SOCIAL MEDIA DEBATE Baskerville led the Red Raiders with 10 total tackles, and he had one pass deflection in the game. The senior wrapped up his 2024 season with 52 total tackles and four interceptions on the season. The defense got to Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green twice. Green managed to avoid most of the pressure and was 11-of-21 with 341 passing yards and two touchdown passes. The Razorbacks finished the season 7-6 and are on a three-game bowl winning streak under head coach Sam Pittman. Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (10) runs the ball against Texas Tech defensive back C.J. Baskerville (9) during the second half of the Liberty Bowl NCAA college football game on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Red Raiders fell to 8-5 on the year. The team’s own three-game bowl winning streak was snapped with the defeat. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter .
NEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lument Finance Trust, Inc. (NYSE: LFT ) ("LFT" or the "Company") announced the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.08 per share of common stock with respect to the fourth quarter of 2024. The Company also announced the declaration of a one-time special cash dividend of $0.09 per share of common stock due to real estate investment trust tax considerations. These dividends are payable on January 15, 2025 , to common stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 31, 2024 . The Company also announced the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.4921875 per share of 7.875% Cumulative Redeemable Series A Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable on January 15, 2025 to preferred stockholders of record as of the close of business January 2, 2025 . About LFT LFT is a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, financing and managing a portfolio of commercial real estate debt investments. The Company primarily invests in transitional floating rate commercial mortgage loans with an emphasis on middle-market multi-family assets. LFT is externally managed and advised by Lument Investment Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Additional Information and Where to Find It Investors, security holders and other interested persons may find additional information regarding the Company at the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov/ or the Company website www.lumentfinancetrust.com or by directing requests to: Lument Finance Trust, 230 Park Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10169, Attention: Investor Relations. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-looking statements by use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "plan," "continue," "intend," "should," "may," "will," "seek," "would," "could," or similar expressions or other comparable terms, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of its future performance, taking into account all information currently available to the Company on the date of this press release or the date on which such statements are first made. Actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this press release and should consider carefully the factors described in Part I, Item IA "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 , which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov , and in other current or periodic filings with the SEC, when evaluating these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the Company's control. Except as required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lument-finance-trust-inc-declares-quarterly-cash-dividends-for-its-common-and-preferred-stock-and-announces-special-cash-dividend-distribution-302330846.html SOURCE Lument Finance Trust
Expect stocks to climb as Thanksgiving approachesBuccaneers are back to .500 and in position to control their playoff hopes down the stretch
IIT-Jodhpur gets CII’s Grand Jury awardRetailers anticipating big Cyber Monday after record Black Friday sales
QB Josh Allen and coach Sean McDermott deserve credit in Bills latest AFC East-clinching season
The Prime Minister insisted the UK will back Ukraine “for as long as it takes” as he made a speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, but for the first time acknowledged the conflict could move towards a negotiated end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has in recent weeks suggested he is open to a possible ceasefire with Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Kyiv and its European allies meanwhile fear the advent of Donald Trump’s return to the White House could result in American aid being halted. President-elect Trump has said he would prefer to move towards a peace deal, and has claimed he could end the conflict on “day one” of his time in power. As he attempts to strike up a good relationship with the incoming president, Sir Keir revealed he had told Mr Trump the UK “will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come”. In his speech at London’s Guildhall, the Prime Minister said there is “no question it is right we support Ukraine”, as the UK’s aid to Kyiv is “deeply in our self-interest”. Allowing Russia to win the war would mean “other autocrats would believe they can follow Putin’s example,” he warned. Sir Keir added: “So we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defence for as long as it takes. “To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence, and right to choose their own future.” Mr Zelensky told Sky News over the weekend he would be open to speaking with Mr Putin, but branded the Russian president a “terrorist”. He also suggested Ukrainian territory under his control should be taken under the “Nato umbrella” to try to stop the “hot stage” of the war with Russia. In a banquet speech focused on foreign affairs, the Prime Minister said it was “plain wrong” to suggest the UK must choose between its allies, adding: “I reject it utterly. “(Clement) Attlee did not choose between allies. (Winston) Churchill did not choose. “The national interest demands that we work with both.” Sir Keir said the UK and the US were “intertwined” when it came to commerce, technology and security. The Prime Minister added: “That’s why, when President Trump graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower, I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come.” He also repeated his commitment to “rebuild our ties with Europe” and insisted he was right to try to build closer links with China. “It is remarkable that until I met President Xi last month there had been no face-to-face meeting between British and Chinese leaders for six years,” the Prime Minister said. “We can’t simply look the other way. We need to engage. To co-operate, to compete and to challenge on growth, on security concerns, on climate as well as addressing our differences in a full and frank way on issues like Hong Kong, human rights, and sanctions on our parliamentarians,” he added. The Prime Minister said he wants Britain’s role in the world to be that of “a constant and responsible actor in turbulent times”. He added: “To be the soundest ally and to be determined, always, in everything we do. “Every exchange we have with other nations, every agreement we enter into to deliver for the British people and show, beyond doubt, that Britain is back.” Ahead of Sir Keir’s speech, Lord Mayor Alastair King urged the Prime Minister and his Government to loosen regulations on the City of London to help it maintain its competitive edge. In an echo of Sir Keir’s commitment to drive the UK’s economic growth, the Lord Mayor said: “The idealist will dream of growth, but the pragmatist understands that our most effective machinery to drive growth is here in the City, in the hands of some of the brightest and most committed people that you will find anywhere in the world.”EPA grant could fund multi-million dollar 'recreation and resiliency' hub in ButteDelaware judge reaffirms ruling that invalidated massive Tesla pay package for Elon MuskA recent study that recommended toxic chemicals in black plastic products be immediately thrown away included a math error that significantly overstated the risks of contamination, but its authors are standing by their conclusions and warn against using such products. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere , experts from the nonprofit Toxic-Free Future said they detected flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in 85% of 203 items made of black plastic including kitchen utensils , take-out containers, children's toys and hair accessories. In a blog post, Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada, explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. (Dreamstime/TNS) The study initially said the potential exposure to chemicals found in one of the kitchen utensils approached the minimum levels the Environmental Protection Agency deemed a health risk. But in an update to the study, the authors say they made an error in their calculations and the real levels were "an order of magnitude lower" than the EPA's thresholds. The error was discovered by Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada. In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. Though Schwarcz said the risks outlined in the study aren't enough for him to discard his black plastic kitchen items if he had them, he agreed with the authors that flame retardants shouldn't be in these products in the first place. "The math error does not impact the study's findings, conclusions or recommendations," said Megan Liu, a co-author of the study who is the science and policy manager for Toxic-Free Future . She added that any traces of flame retardants or toxic chemicals in cooking utensils should be concerning for the public. Flame retardants are getting into commonly used items because black-colored products are being made from recycled electronic waste, such as discarded television sets and computers, that frequently contain the additives. When they're heated, the flame retardants and other toxic chemicals can migrate out. If you're wondering whether your old black plastic spoon or other utensils are a part of this group, Liu shared some more guidance. It's nearly impossible to know whether a black plastic product is contaminated. That's because these products that include recycled e-waste don't disclose a detailed list of all ingredients and contaminants in the product. Liu said it's also unclear how many types of flame retardants are in these black plastic products. Some of the products that researchers tested in this recent study "had up to nine different harmful chemicals and harmful flame retardants in them," she said. Anytime you're looking for the type of recycled plastic a product is made of you're going to look for a number within the chasing arrows (that form a triangle) logo. Recycling symbols are numbered 1 to 7 and we commonly associate the numbers with what we can toss in our blue recycling bins. The 1 through 7 numbers stand for, respectively, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or Styrofoam, and miscellaneous plastics (including polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass and nylon). The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, which is labeled with the number 6, said Liu. There isn't a definitive timeline of when recycled electronic-waste started to be incorporated into black plastic products specifically, but e-waste started to get recycled in the early 2000s, Liu said. The way computers, cellphones, stereos, printers and copiers were being disposed of previously was to simply add them to a landfill without reusing salvageable parts. But as the National Conference of State Legislatures notes, electronics production required a significant amount of resources that could be recovered through recycling. Recovering resources such as metals, plastics and glass through recycling used a fraction of the energy needed to mine new materials. However, the study pointed out that flame retardants and other chemical contaminates have been detected in and near e-waste recycling facilities, in indoor air and dust at formal e-waste recycling facilities in Canada, China, Spain and the U.S. It also noted contamination in soil samples surrounding e-waste recycling sites in China and Vietnam. The safest nontoxic material options for kitchen utensil are wood and stainless steel. The 20th century brought airplanes, radio, television, the internet, and plastic. Lots of plastic. That plastic is now showing up on shorelines, forming islands in oceans, and generating mountains of translucent trash on land. Around 700 species of animals in the sea have been found to interact with plastic daily. Companies across every industry face pressure to reduce the amount of plastic they produce. Seventy-two percent of the world's largest have made voluntary commitments to reduce their plastic waste, according to a Duke University analysis. One industry, in particular, has greatly benefited from advancements in single-use plastic technology: the medical industry. Only in recent years have businesses and academics in the field begun to talk about minimizing their impact on our environment like beverage manufacturers and other consumer goods-producing businesses. Medical Technology Schools analyzed academic studies published in the National Library of Medicine , the American Medical Association , and news reports to shed light on the medical community's use of plastics through history, their environmental problems, and proposed solutions to reduce their impact. And the impact can be significant. A single hospital patient generates nearly 34 pounds of waste a day —as much as a quarter of it is plastic. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the problem. The pandemic pushed hospital capacity to the brink and led to a massive increase in personal protective equipment and medical supply usage. Medical-grade masks and other protective equipment like face shields, made mostly of nonrenewable plastics, were in high demand. In 2020, the World Health Organization estimated that the international need for PPE manufacturing would boost 40% to address the public health crisis. Hospitals needed an estimated 89 million masks, 76 million gloves, and 1.6 million goggles every month of the pandemic. To date, nearly 677 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, each requiring their own plastic syringe, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan estimated that the U.S. would produce a year's worth of medical waste in just two months due to the pandemic. The World Economic Forum warned that the COVID-19 crisis threatened to " stall and even reverse progress " to reduce large plastic waste. It's a challenge researchers acknowledge today as they search for solutions. Plastics introduced an era of ultraconvenience to the world. It makes our clothes. It's made bike helmets and airbags possible. And it's a cheap material to produce, meaning it's cheap for consumers too. Almost as importantly, it's durable and incredibly easy to make into complex shapes—a trait that helped plastics invented in the mid-20th century quickly replace more expensive metal and wooden goods. That adoption extended to the medical field, where the single-use nature of plastics represented a move toward more hygienic tools for physicians and hospitals. But it wasn't plastic's sanitary qualities that the industry first latched onto. Like so many other technical advancements, convenience and cost were the initial driving factors. That they were more conducive to creating a sterile environment for patients was a benefit that health care began to tout closer to the end of the 20th century. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, replaced glass bottles previously used to hold IV solution and replaced rubber tubing used throughout hospital settings. Plastic has also become the go-to material for making syringes and catheters. Plastic products are generally made from chemicals derived from the oil and natural gas refining process. Chemists use those byproducts to create synthetic materials with malleable and durable chemical structures. The low cost of these materials has helped medical device-makers support better health outcomes for communities across the U.S. since the 1900s. No longer was health care priced at rates only the elite could afford—it was accessible to a much larger swath of the public. In the last decade, the U.S., in particular, has emerged as a massive market for medical plastics. The country generally accounts for nearly half of the global market for medical devices. Plastic's durability is not only a benefit but a detriment to the environment, as the material can take many years to deteriorate when it enters landfills or trashes oceans. Estimates vary widely, but scientists ballpark that depending on the kind of plastic and the environment in which it decomposes, it could take dozens to thousands of years to break down entirely. COVID-19, which remains a burden for health care systems, isn't the only force raising the stakes for a health care industry pressured to reduce reliance on plastics or find ways to reuse them. Global annual production of plastic has doubled in the last two decades , according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As the U.S. looks toward the future, its aging population is another factor that could exacerbate the rate at which medical plastics end up in landfills. People require more medical care as they age, and aging baby boomers are expected to place increased demand on the medical device industry. At the same time, governments are under pressure to lower health care costs, which have become unaffordable even for those insured . As recently as 2021, researchers lamented a lack of data on efforts to recycle medical plastics. Around 350 hospitals participate in Practice Greenhealth's Environmental Excellence Awards . Practice Greenhealth is an organization working to help hospitals increase their sustainability. It's one of the few sources of hospital sustainability data, and its roster of participating hospitals represents a small fraction of the more than 6,000 hospitals operating in the U.S. To meet the need to reduce plastic waste generation, some hospitals are moving away from using plastic in certain applications. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center replaced health care workers' disposable plastic isolation gowns with reusable cloth gowns at its hospitals in the last decade, saving money and preventing literal tons of medical waste. It also implemented a process for sterilizing and incinerating the boxes that hold used needles, allowing them to be reassembled and reused in a health care setting. Recycling plastic medical waste is complicated by the potential for contamination and the need to separate contaminated and noncontaminated waste; once separated, they can be broken down with heat or treated with chemicals and reprocessed. However, using chemical methods to break down and dispose of plastics has drawbacks. Over 200 nongovernmental organizations signed a letter in 2023 urging the Biden administration to end federal support for methods like these, arguing they generate toxic pollutants. The Vinyl Council of Australia is working with hospitals to recover used materials made of PVC . The materials are broken down into tiny pieces, washed and heated at high temperatures, and remade into things used outside medical settings. In the U.S. and Europe, there's the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, a coalition of companies working in the health care device space that includes DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic. In 2021, the HPRC, advised by professionals at Kaiser Permanente and other health systems, rolled out a medical waste recycling pilot project with hopes of scaling it across more hospitals. Story editing by Ashleigh Graf. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Medical Technology Schools and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!
Losing weight and having a lean physique is a desire for many, nevertheless, for most, it stays just that — a dream. Have you ever wondered why? Why do some people seem to lose weight effortlessly, while others fight their entire lives? Why don't healthy nutrition and everyday exercise always produce the expected results? If you've heard that it's due to metabolism or a slow metabolic rate, you're half correct. But have you considered why your body's metabolism is sluggish in the first place? Diabetes, thyroid problems, a sedentary lifestyle, stress and other hormonal disorders are common causes of slow metabolism. However, there is a cause that frequently goes unnoticed: low mitochondrial levels. Mitochondria are the cells' energy powerhouses, transforming food into energy. When your mitochondria levels are inadequate, your body's capacity to effectively burn fat suffers, leaving you with obstinate body weight and a slew of other health issues. Is there no solution? Fortunately, nature provides an answer. Enter Mitolyn , a novel nutritional supplement that can target the underlying reason for excess body weight: low mitochondrial levels. Mitolyn has received some notice for its potential to address this hidden element, and user reviews are nothing short of inspiring. Mitolyn's claims of dramatic weight loss and apparent health improvements pique interest. In this in-depth Mitolyn review, you’re going to learn more about its ingredients, possible advantages, and potential to help you figure out if it's the solution you're looking for. Continue reading to uncover more about Mitolyn and its potential. Supplement Description Type: Fat-burning product Total Count: 60 capsules per bottle Produced For: 18+ Men and women with extra body fat Health Advantages: Serving Direction: Swallow 1-2 capsules every day with a full glass of cold water Manufacturing Standards: Cost: $59 onwards ( Official Website ) Refund: 90-day money-back guarantee Mitolyn - What Is It? Mitolyn is more than simply a weight loss pill; it's a groundbreaking composition that can help maximize your body's metabolic capabilities. It goes beyond the typical weight loss promises by addressing a basic factor that is frequently overlooked: the condition of your mitochondria. These microscopic yet important structures are the cells' powerhouses, transforming food into energy. When mitochondrial levels are low, your body struggles to burn calories efficiently, resulting in obstinate weight gain and low levels of energy. Mitolyn distinguishes itself with a distinctive blend of six exotic nutrients and botanicals carefully selected to help promote healthy mitochondrial activity. This one-of-a-kind mixture is based on scientific study, so each ingredient works together to help boost your metabolism and energy levels. Unlike generic supplements, Mitolyn's natural formula emphasizes sustainability and long-term benefits while minimizing the possibility of negative side effects. Mitolyn is made from 100% natural components and plant-based minerals, so it has no GMOs, additives, or dangerous stimulants. It comes in the form of an easy-to-take capsule, making your daily routine more convenient and simple. The formula is non-addictive, so consumers can start and stop without worrying about reliance. Mitolyn is made in an FDA-registered and GMP-certified facility, ensuring adequate levels of quality and safety. This dedication to perfection has made it a popular choice for people seeking long-term weight loss and better overall health. Mitolyn is more than just a supplement; it's a lifestyle update that can allow you to take control of your weight reduction journey and live a better, more active life. Get started with Mitolyn today! Importance Of Healthy Mitochondria Levels Mitochondria, sometimes known as the "powerhouses of the cell," play an important part in maintaining a healthy weight. When their function is disrupted, a series of issues arise, making weight management difficult. One of the most serious concerns associated with damaged mitochondria is the body's inability to burn fat efficiently. Mitochondria turn stored calories and fat into energy. When these tiny structures are damaged, fat oxidation decreases, resulting in persistent weight gain that nutrition and physical activity alone cannot reverse. Low mitochondrial levels also result in lower energy generation, which has a direct impact on physical activity. Individuals with poor mitochondrial health frequently feel fatigued, making it harder to maintain a vigorous routine or engage in regular workouts. This lack of mobility exacerbates weight growth, resulting in an endless cycle. Furthermore, damaged mitochondria cause hormonal abnormalities since they regulate metabolic hormones. Disruptions in these hormones can cause increased hunger, poor satiety, and a tendency to retain fat rather than burn it. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are two additional problems linked with mitochondrial dysfunction. These factors not only impede metabolism but also encourage the storage of visceral fat, raising the risk of obesity-related illnesses. Without addressing these underlying causes, maintaining a healthy body weight is extremely impossible. How Does Mitolyn Work? Mitolyn is a science-backed, novel approach to weight loss that targets a primary reason that most fat management treatments overlook: low mitochondrial levels. These little powerhouses within your cells play an important part in your body's capacity to burn fat, generate energy, and maintain overall health. But how does Mitolyn do this? Mitolyn's success is based on its capacity to support and possibly increase the activity of mitochondria. Mitochondria transform the food you ingest into energy, known as ATP. This energy powers everything, from muscular contraction to brain activity. Low mitochondrial levels reduce energy generation, delay fat burning and cause undesirable weight gain. Mitolyn works to rejuvenate these cellular powerhouses, potentially helping your body burn fat more efficiently and produce the energy it requires to survive. Mitolyn is a holistic health supplement that does more than just help you lose weight. It can help promote cholesterol balance and may improve circulation, both of which benefit heart health. The mixture can also improve immune function, allowing your body to fight off infections more efficiently. It may help improve skin, liver and digestive health, possibly resulting in a more vibrant and energetic lifestyle. Chronic stress is a silent impediment to successful weight management. Mitolyn contains substances that may help control stress hormones, boost mood and promote mental clarity. Mitolyn can help promote the smoothest possible weight loss path by addressing both physical and mental well-being. Researchers discovered that decreased mitochondrial levels are a common cause in obese people. Mitolyn builds on this discovery by addressing the cellular basis of energy and fat metabolism. It's a comprehensive program designed to help you accomplish not only weight loss but also total energy and wellness. Click here to check out the official website for Mitolyn >>> What Do The Customers Say? — Mitolyn Reviews Customers who have tried Mitolyn have shared remarkable transformation tales, emphasizing the product's effectiveness in helping them meet their weight loss goals. Some customers report significant weight loss, generally in the 30-40 pound range, which they struggled to attain with traditional approaches. The most frequently claimed effects include increased energy, enhanced metabolism, and greater confidence in their appearance. One common topic in evaluations is the desire to better one's lifestyle. Customers frequently report feeling more active and capable of participating in daily tasks that were earlier laborious. Mitolyn appears to help more than just weight loss — it helps improve general well-being. Many purchasers prefer multi-bottle bundles, particularly the six-bottle option, because they allow for more consistent use and provide better value. This demonstrates users' belief in Mitolyn's capacity to produce long-term outcomes. Some customers even say that Mitolyn re-energized their metabolism after years of stagnation, allowing them to burn stubborn belly fat and break through painful weight plateaus. Overall, consumers feel empowered and driven, with Mitolyn playing a key role in their quest for better health and happiness. Composition Of Mitolyn Mitolyn is unique in terms of formulation. It is created using plant-based compounds, vitamins, and minerals. After a thorough research and examination, here are some of the main Mitolyn ingredients: Rhodiola is a potent adaptogen known for its potential ability to battle both physical and mental stress, making it a crucial element in Mitolyn. Stress frequently disturbs the body's metabolism, resulting in weight gain and energy depletion. Rhodiola works by improving mitochondrial activity, increasing energy output, and promoting fat metabolism . It also can regulate cortisol levels, which reduces stress-induced cravings and impulsive eating. Rhodiola may also boost endurance and stamina, allowing you to perform better throughout the exercise. This powerful herb keeps your body in peak condition for effective weight management by addressing both mental and physical pressures. Amla, commonly referred to as Indian gooseberry, is a high-antioxidant, vitamin C-rich superfood. This superfruit promotes healthy metabolism by lowering oxidative stress in mitochondria, allowing them to function more efficiently. Amla improves digestion and detoxification, which are essential for a healthy weight. Its anti-inflammatory qualities contribute to the reduction of chronic inflammation, which is frequently associated with persistent fat storage. Furthermore, Amla promotes greater absorption of nutrients, ensuring that your body receives the necessary components for energy production. Amla is an important ingredient in Mitolyn's weight loss recipe because of its capacity to potentially enhance metabolic health as well as cell function. Schisandra is a multi-purpose herb that promotes mitochondrial health by increasing energy output and decreasing weariness. It is well-known for its adaptogenic characteristics, which aid in the body's ability to cope with stress, a typical obstacle to weight loss. Schisandra also improves liver function by assisting in the detoxification processes required for proper metabolism. Its strong antioxidant concentration prevents oxidative stress and maintains mitochondrial integrity. Furthermore, Schisandra regulates blood sugar levels, lowering cravings and encouraging consistent energy. This substance keeps your body energized and concentrated during your weight-loss journey. Get Mitolyn now while it's on sale - limited time only! Maqui Berry contains a high concentration of antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, which shield mitochondria from oxidative stress. This superfruit improves fat metabolism by promoting healthy production of energy at the cellular level . Maqui Berry's anti-inflammatory characteristics also help to promote healthy metabolism, lowering the danger of fat storage caused by chronic inflammation. Furthermore, its capacity to regulate blood sugar levels reduces spikes and crashes, which aids in the control of appetite and cravings. Maqui Berry, with its numerous metabolic benefits, is an important component of Mitolyn's composition. Haematococcus is best recognized for its high levels of astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that promotes mitochondrial function. Astaxanthin protects mitochondria from oxidative damage , resulting in maximum energy generation and fat-burning capacity. This component also improves cardiovascular health by supporting healthy blood flow, which is required for nutrient delivery and waste disposal at the cellular level. Haematococcus decreases inflammation, which is a major contributor to metabolic slowing and weight gain. Its unique capacity to increase cellular energy makes it an essential component of Mitolyn, helping to promote efficient fat metabolism and general health. Theobroma cacao, sometimes known as the "food of the gods," is an organic source of flavonoids and magnesium, each of which improves mitochondrial function. It stimulates energy generation by boosting blood flow to cells, ensuring that mitochondria receive vital nutrients. Theobroma Cacao also offers mood-enhancing qualities , lowering stress and preventing emotional eating. Its ability to regulate blood sugar levels reduces insulin surges that cause fat storage. Theobroma Cacao enhances Mitolyn's weight management strategy by promoting metabolic health as well as emotional well-being. Mitolyn Pricing, Availability, And Offers Mitolyn is a low-cost weight loss supplement that can help anyone battling with excess fat. To ensure quality and genuineness, the manufacturers offer it exclusively through the official website . This removes intermediaries, lowers costs and prevents phony goods from reaching the market. Customers who purchase directly receive real Mitolyn with guaranteed quality, safe payment options, and exclusive savings and multi-bottle bundles for long-term benefits. Let’s understand its pricing structure: Mitolyn provides adjustable packages to meet various demands and weight loss goals. The single-bottle option is suitable for first-time users who want to evaluate the supplement's efficacy. 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Customers can simply contact the support team by emailing Contact@mitolyn.com or calling 1800-390-6035. This simple approach assures that everyone can enjoy Mitolyn's benefits with total confidence, making it a trustworthy and customer-focused weight loss option. You won't find a better deal on Mitolyn anywhere else! Free Bonuses With Mitolyn Fat Burner When users purchase three or six bottles of Mitolyn, they get free access to their bonus items. These are eBooks worth $100+, but you get them for free with Mitolyn. Here are these eBooks are about: The 1-Day Kickstart Detox is a strong guide that will reset your body and prepare it for successful weight loss. This ebook, packed with simple recipes and natural detox strategies, will help you remove toxins, minimize bloating, and raise your energy levels in just 24 hours. It works well with Mitolyn, ensuring that your body is in optimal condition to get the benefits of the supplement. 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It's more than just a quick fix; it's a tool for individuals who want to adopt a long-term commitment to health and fitness. While it can potentially produce great effects for many people, it is critical to control expectations and recognize that it works best when combined with regularity and a healthy lifestyle. Mitolyn is designed for people who want to invest in their long-term health rather than take shortcuts. If you're weary of irritating weight loss plateaus and need a scientifically proven boost, Mitolyn could be the game changer you've been looking for. (LIMITED STOCK) Click Here to Buy Mitolyn at a Special Discounted Price Today!Dallas (5-8) at Carolina (3-10) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, FOX. BetMGM Odds: Panthers by 3. Against the spread: Cowboys 4-9, Panthers 6-7. Series record: Cowboys lead 11-3. Last meeting: Cowboys beat Panthers 33-10 on Nov. 19, 2023 in Carolina. Last week: Cowboys lost to Bengals 27-20; Panthers lost to Eagles 22-16. Cowboys offense: overall (20), rush (28), pass (11), scoring (21) Cowboys defense: overall (25), rush (30), pass (22), scoring (31) Panthers offense: overall (30), rush (22), pass (27), scoring (28) Panthers defense: overall (31), rush (32), pass (12), scoring (32) Turnover differential: Cowboys minus-8; Panthers minus-5. Panthers edge rusher Micah Parsons vs. Panthers offensive line. Parsons seems to be getting better as the season progresses and will be a tough matchup for Carolina's offensive line regardless of where he lines up. Parsons has 3 1/2 sacks over his past three games. WR Adam Thielen. The veteran wide receiver was Bryce Young's favorite option last season and is finally developing into that again this season after battling back from a hamstring injury that left him on injured reserve. Thielen has 17 catches on 21 targets for 201 yards and a touchdown over the past two games. When the Panthers need a first down on fourth down, the pass is almost always going to Thielen. Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle vs. NFL's worst run defense. Dowdle has had the first two 100-yard outings of his career the past two weeks, resetting his career best both times. The undrafted fifth-year player on an expiring contract had 131 yards in the loss to the Bengals. Since taking over as the lead back at the start of November, Dowdle is averaging 16 carries and 81 yards with a touchdown rushing and another receiving. On Sunday, he will face the league’s 32nd-ranked run defense. Carolina allowed Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley to run for 124 yards last week and Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving to run for a career-high 152 yards the week before that. The Panthers are allowing more than 170 yards per game on the ground and 4.97 yards per carry. Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown was set for season-ending surgery on the right knee he injured in the fourth quarter of the loss to the Bengals. The second-year player from Texas missed all of his rookie season after tearing a ligament in his left knee in a preseason game. ... DE DeMarcus Lawrence, who hasn’t played since Week 4, is close to returning from a foot injury. With the playoff hopes all but gone, the question remains whether to press the 32-year-old into action. Lawrence is on an expiring contract. ... Rookie C Cooper Beebe sustained a concussion against Cincinnati.. ... The Panthers are hoping to get WR Jalen Coker back on the field this week after he has missed the past three games with a quad injury. ... Also, No. 1 CB Jaycee Horn has been playing with a groin injury, and that could be problematic against CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys are 7-2 against the Panthers since losing a wild-card game at Carolina 29-10 during the 2003 season, the first of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells’ four years leading Dallas. The Cowboys are 4-2 on the road this season, including victories over playoff contenders Pittsburgh and Washington. ... QB Cooper Rush is 2-3 filling in for Dak Prescott, who is out for the season after surgery for a torn hamstring. Assuming Rush starts, this will be his longest stint as Prescott’s replacement. He went 4-1 in 2022 after Prescott broke the thumb on his throwing hand in the opener. ... Dowdle’s 7.3-yard average per carry on 18 attempts against the Bengals was the highest for a Dallas back since Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.9 per carry at Philadelphia in 2018. ... WR CeeDee Lamb has just one 100-yard receiving game this season after finishing with eight in his breakout 2023 All-Pro season. But Lamb has five other games with at least 89 yards. He has reached 1,000 scrimmage yards in each of his first five seasons, the fifth receiver to do that. ... S Malik Hooker’s interception of Joe Burrow was his second of the season. He has seven interceptions in his four Dallas seasons. He also had seven in four years with Indianapolis, where he spent four injury-filled years as a 2017 first-round draft pick. ... The Panthers have endured six straight seasons with at least 10 losses. ... Carolina’s past five games have come down to the last possession. ... Panthers 1,000-yard RB Chuba Hubbard needs one rushing touchdown to pass Stephen Davis for fifth in team history. He is also 9 rushing yards away from reaching 3,000 for his career. ... Rookie WR Xavier Legette had three drops last week vs. the Eagles, including one for a potential go-ahead score in the final minute. ... OLB Jadeveon Clowney is tied for 11th in sacks among active NFL players. ... The Panthers have 15 sacks in the past four games. Carolina’s improved pass rush has coincided with OLB D.J. Wonnum getting on the field after missing the first nine games of the season on injured reserve. Chuba Hubbard is expected to see the overwhelming majority of carries for the Panthers, who are now thin at the position. Miles Sanders and Jonathon Brooks are on injured reserve and Raheem Blackshear is working through a chest injury. That leaves Mike Boone as the Hubbard's backup. NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
After a sprawling hacking campaign exposed the communications of an unknown number of Americans, U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications. To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom companies — such as Verizon and AT&T — that were targeted. The advice includes one tip we can all put into practice with our phones: “Ensure that traffic is end-to-end encrypted to the maximum extent possible.” End-to-end encryption, also known as E2EE, means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is garble that can't be unscrambled without the key. Law enforcement officials had until now resisted this type of encryption because it means the technology companies themselves won't be able to look at the messages, nor respond to law enforcement requests to turn the data over. Here's a look at various ways ordinary consumers can use end-to-end encryption: Officials said the hackers targeted the metadata of a large number of customers, including information on the dates, times and recipients of calls and texts. They also managed to see the content from texts from a much smaller number of victims. If you're an iPhone user, information in text messages that you send to someone else who also has an iPhone will be encrypted end-to-end. Just look for the blue text bubbles, which indicate that they are encrypted iMessages. The same goes for Android users sending texts through Google Messages. There will be a lock next to the timestamp on each message to indicate the encryption is on. But there's a weakness. When iPhone and Android users text each other, the messages are encrypted only using Rich Communication Services, an industry standard for instant messaging that replaces the older SMS and MMS standards. Apple has noted that RCS messages “aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third party reading them while they’re sent between devices.” Samsung, which sells Android smartphones, has also hinted at the issue in a footnote at the bottom of a press release last month on RCS, saying, “Encryption only available for Android to Android communication.” To avoid getting caught out when trading texts, experts recommend using encrypted messaging apps. Privacy advocates are big fans of Signal, which applies end-to-end encryption to all messages and voice calls. The independent nonprofit group behind the app promises never to sell, rent or lease customer data and has made its source code publicly available so that it can be audited by anyone to examine it “for security and correctness.” Signal's encryption protocol is so reputable that it has been integrated into rival WhatsApp, so users will enjoy the same level of security protection as Signal, which has a much smaller user base. End-to-end encryption is also the default mode for Facebook Messenger, which like WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms. Telegram is an app that can be used for one-on-one conversations, group chats and broadcast “channels" but contrary to popular perception, it doesn't turn on end-to-end encryption by default. Users have to switch on the option. And it doesn’t work with group chats. Cybersecurity experts have warned people against using Telegram for private communications and pointed out that only its opt-in ‘secret chat’ feature is encrypted from end-to-end. The app also has a reputation for being a haven for scammers and criminal activity, highlighted by founder and CEO Pavel Durov's arrest in France. Instead of using your phone to make calls through a wireless cellular network, you can make voice calls with Signal and WhatsApp. Both apps encrypt calls with the same technology that they use to encrypt messages. There are other options. If you have an iPhone you can use Facetime for calls, while Android owners can use the Google Fi service, which are both end-to-end encrypted. The only catch with all these options is that, as with using the chat services to send messages, the person on the other end will also have to have the app installed. WhatsApp and Signal users can customize their privacy preferences in the settings, including hiding an IP address during calls to prevent your general location from being guessed. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns
After a sprawling hacking campaign exposed the communications of an unknown number of Americans, U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications. To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom companies — such as Verizon and AT&T — that were targeted. The advice includes one tip we can all put into practice with our phones: “Ensure that traffic is end-to-end encrypted to the maximum extent possible.” End-to-end encryption, also known as E2EE, means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is garble that can't be unscrambled without the key. Law enforcement officials had until now resisted this type of encryption because it means the technology companies themselves won't be able to look at the messages, nor respond to law enforcement requests to turn the data over. Here's a look at various ways ordinary consumers can use end-to-end encryption: Texting Officials said the hackers targeted the metadata of a large number of customers, including information on the dates, times and recipients of calls and texts. They also managed to see the content from texts from a much smaller number of victims. If you're an iPhone user, information in text messages that you send to someone else who also has an iPhone will be encrypted end-to-end. Just look for the blue text bubbles, which indicate that they are encrypted iMessages. The same goes for Android users sending texts through Google Messages. There will be a lock next to the timestamp on each message to indicate the encryption is on. But there's a weakness. When iPhone and Android users text each other, the messages are encrypted only using Rich Communication Services, an industry standard for instant messaging that replaces the older SMS and MMS standards. Apple has noted that RCS messages “aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third party reading them while they’re sent between devices.” Samsung, which sells Android smartphones, has also hinted at the issue in a footnote at the bottom of a press release last month on RCS, saying, “Encryption only available for Android to Android communication.” Chat apps To avoid getting caught out when trading texts, experts recommend using encrypted messaging apps. Privacy advocates are big fans of Signal, which applies end-to-end encryption to all messages and voice calls. The independent nonprofit group behind the app promises never to sell, rent or lease customer data and has made its source code publicly available so that it can be audited by anyone to examine it “for security and correctness.” Signal's encryption protocol is so reputable that it has been integrated into rival WhatsApp, so users will enjoy the same level of security protection as Signal, which has a much smaller user base. End-to-end encryption is also the default mode for Facebook Messenger, which like WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms. What about Telegram? Telegram is an app that can be used for one-on-one conversations, group chats and broadcast “channels" but contrary to popular perception, it doesn't turn on end-to-end encryption by default. Users have to switch on the option. And it doesn’t work with group chats. Cybersecurity experts have warned people against using Telegram for private communications and pointed out that only its opt-in ‘secret chat’ feature is encrypted from end-to-end. The app also has a reputation for being a haven for scammers and criminal activity, highlighted by founder and CEO Pavel Durov's arrest in France. Making calls Instead of using your phone to make calls through a wireless cellular network, you can make voice calls with Signal and WhatsApp. Both apps encrypt calls with the same technology that they use to encrypt messages. There are other options. If you have an iPhone you can use Facetime for calls, while Android owners can use the Google Fi service, which are both end-to-end encrypted. The only catch with all these options is that, as with using the chat services to send messages, the person on the other end will also have to have the app installed. WhatsApp and Signal users can customize their privacy preferences in the settings, including hiding an IP address during calls to prevent your general location from being guessed. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Buccaneers are back to .500 and in position to control their playoff hopes down the stretch
Devcon Summit gathers 700 young techiesDecember's full cold moon: What to know
Finally, the moment that fans had been eagerly anticipating had arrived – Zhang Zuo had made his way to Xiao Hua's barber shop. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as whispers and murmurs filled the air. This was no ordinary visit; it was a meeting of two worlds, a convergence of celebrity and everyday life.
Joe Rogan fans divided after Anthony Jeselnik roasts them in new Netflix specialFootball fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating this match, as it promises to be a spectacle of skill, determination, and passion. Real Madrid will be looking to come away with a positive result on the road, while Atalanta will be hoping to cause an upset and continue their impressive Champions League campaign.Brazilian Congressional Committee Votes for Bill to Ban Abortion
Mamadashvili himself has remained positive in the face of this setback, expressing his gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received from fans and colleagues. In a statement released by his team, Mamadashvili thanked everyone for their well-wishes and assured them that he would do everything in his power to recover from the injury and come back stronger than ever.In conclusion, the recent fire at Alibaba's cloud computing data center has not impacted their cloud services, thanks to the company's advanced infrastructure, stringent security measures, and proactive response protocols. Customers can rest assured that their data and applications remain secure and accessible, underscoring Alibaba's dedication to providing reliable and resilient cloud services.
This bold move by the Syrian embassy in Russia has not only strained diplomatic relations between the two countries but has also raised concerns about the future of their alliance. Russia has been a key ally of the Syrian government, providing military support and strategic assistance in the ongoing civil war in Syria. However, this unexpected display of support for the opposition has put a strain on their partnership.
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Flag football scours nation with talent camps to uncover next wave of starsThe future of the Democratic Party: Prospective new DNC chair weighs inATLANTA — The University System of Georgia has hit an all-time high for student enrollment this fall. Nearly 365,000 students are enrolled at the system’s 26 public colleges and universities, an increase of more than 20,000, or 5.9%, compared to last fall, Angela Bell, the system’s vice chancellor for research and policy analysis, told the Board of Regents Tuesday. The enrollment growth since the pandemic year of 2020 has been most dramatic among out-of-state students, Bell said. Out-of-state enrollment has increased by 27% since the pandemic year of 2020. “Students are looking to the South for a number of reasons, whether it be winning football or the weather,” she said. Bell said another reason for enrollment growth in the university system is that Georgia remained open for business during the pandemic while other states shut down. Other highlights of Bell’s report included a huge 53.5% increase in dual enrollment students since 2020. The university system also has become increasingly diverse in recent years. While enrollment among white students declined from 47% in 2020 to 42% this fall, enrollment among Latino students has grown from 10% to 12%, and Asian enrollment is up from 11% to 14%. Enrollment among Black students has held steady at 25%. In other business Tuesday, board members unanimously approved a series of policy changes aimed at basing student admission and faculty hiring decisions on merit. Among other things, the changes prohibit requiring prospective students or professors to submit “diversity statements,” typically one or two pages that outline how the applicant plans to advance the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). “These (policies) all make clear the employees and students are evaluated on their merits, not on any ideological tests,” board Chairman Harold Reynolds said. While encouraging individual freedom of expression, the policy changes assert that the university system “shall remain neutral on social and political issues unless such an issue is directly related to the institution’s core mission.” “Our mission is education — not politics,” system Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. The board also voted to authorize a $25 million renovation and expansion of Georgia Tech’s basketball facilities. The project will be funded by the Georgia Tech Athletic Association.
Samsung Electronics announced a change in leadership for its memory and foundry chip divisions. The South Korean tech giant appointed Jun Young-hyun as co-CEO and head of the memory chip arm, while Han Jin-man will become the president and head of the company's foundry business. Samsung Electronics on Wednesday announced changes in the leadership of its memory and foundry chip divisions, as the company faces intense competition in the semiconductor space. 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are The South Korean tech giant appointed Jun Young-hyun as co-CEO and head of the memory chip arm, while Han Jin-man will become the president and head of the company's foundry business. Shares of the tech giant fell 3%. The company's stock has been on a steady decline amid investors worries that it is falling behind competitors such as SK Hynix in building advanced chips. Last month, Jun, who has been overseeing the semiconductor division since May, issued a rare apology after the company posted disappointing third-quarter profit guidance. "Samsung appears to be pursuing an operational change while maintaining stability as it has made no significant change in top management, in our view," Citi analysts wrote in a note following the reshuffle. Money Report Donald Trump selects Kevin Hassett to lead National Economic Council China's industrial profits fall by 10% in October as deflation worries linger "We expect Samsung to overcome business uncertainty through YH Jun's leadership," the analysts said. Also on CNBC We knew Best Buy's quarter and guide would be weak. Here's our plan for the stock We're making another trim of a stock under pressure to protect hard-fought profits Wall Street is bullish on one retail stock while raising concerns about another
Tube drivers are handed inflation-busting pay hikes - after Sadiq Khan caved in to union barons' demands to stop London Underground strikesJoe Biden warns Israel 'retains the right to self defense' in ceasefire announcementColorado Rep. Lauren Boebert quickly deleted a Cameo account she had made just a day or two prior after realizing that the sale of personalized videos from a sitting congresswoman may violate House rules. Boebert, who was just re-elected to a third term in her home state after moving to a different district, created her account over the weekend. "It's your girl from Colorado, Lauren Boebert," said Boebert in a video posted to Cameo on Saturday. "I am so excited to be joining another platform where I can connect directly with supporters from all over the world." "Whether you or someone you know needs an America First pep talk. if you want to surprise friends or family with a message for a special day, or if you just want to know my thoughts on whatever's on your mind, Cameo is the place to connect with me," Boebert said in the video. "You can book a video now on my Cameo profile, and I will be seeing you and talking with you soon." She listed herself as an "influencer" and a "political commentator", failing to mention her position as an elected representative on her page. She also charged up to $250 for personalized videos. Video options included birthday wishes, pep talks and answering questions. "Not your typical Republican politician. Jesus loving, Constitutionalist, America first, freedom fighter," read her description. According to congressional ethics experts, Boeberts' attempt to profit off of Cameo may have been in violation of House ethics rules which prevent active representatives from being paid to make speeches and limit their income outside of their position. "Until they provide some sort of formal guidance, the expectation is that members would probably be allowed to sign up for it," said Aaron Scherb, senior director of legislative affairs at Common Cause, adding, "It seems like it could potentially violate the ban on honoraria, but it's untested." Boebert's former colleagues, Matt Gaetz and George Santos, have both also created Cameo accounts and have been collecting income from similar personalized messages. Originally published by Latin Times.
Assessing CVB Financial: Insights From 5 Financial Analysts
Controversial Andrew Tate ‘War Room’ Videos Leaked By HackersNEW YORK — A number of President-elect Donald Trump ‘s most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks,” Trump’s transition team said Wednesday. The FBI said it was investigating. “Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The attacks ranged from bomb threats to swatting, in which attackers initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses, she said. The tactic has become a popular one in recent years. Leavitt said law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted and Trump and his transition team are grateful. Among those targeted were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations ; Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general ; Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whom Trump chose to lead the Department of Labor, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Law enforcement officials are also looking into whether Susie Wiles, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general whom Trump has chosen as Gaetz’s replacement, and other incoming administration officials were also victims — as well as how each was targeted, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity as the investigation continues. Wiles and Bondi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FBI said in a statement that it was “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees” and was investigating with its law enforcement partners. White House spokesperson Saloni Sharma said President Joe Biden had been briefed and the White House is in touch with federal law enforcement and Trump’s transition team. Biden “continues to monitor the situation closely,” Sharma said, adding the president and his administration “condemn threats of political violence.” Stefanik’s office said that, on Wednesday morning, she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. Police swept Stefanik’s home on Wednesday morning in response to the bomb threat but did not locate any explosive devices, New York State Police said. Zeldin said in a social media post that he and his family had also been threatened. “A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message,” he wrote on X . “My family and I were not home at the time and are safe.” In Florida, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area” Wednesday. While a family member resides at the address, the office said, Gaetz “is NOT a resident.” No threatening devices were found. Gaetz was Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration after allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations ended with no charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by disturbing and unprecedented violence. In July, a {a}gunman opened fire{/a} at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump’s West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing. Trump was also the subject of an Iranian murder-for-hire plot , with a man saying he had been tasked with planning the assassination of the Republican president-elect. Also this week, authorities arrested a man they say posted videos on social media threatening to kill Trump, according to court documents. In one video posted on Nov. 13, Manuel Tamayo-Torres threatened to shoot the former president while holding what appeared to be an AR-15 style rifle, authorities said Among the other videos he posted was one from an arena in Glendale, Arizona on Aug. 23, the same day Trump held a campaign rally there, according to court papers. An attorney for Tamayo-Torres did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Public figures across the political spectrum have been targeted in recent years by hoax bomb threats and false reports of shootings at their homes. About a year ago the FBI responded to an uptick in such incidents at the homes of public officials, state capitols and courthouses across the country around the holidays. Many were locked down and evacuated in early January after receiving bomb threats. No explosives were found and no one was hurt. Some of those targeted last year were Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The judges overseeing the civil fraud case against Trump in New York and the criminal election interference case against him in Washington were both targeted earlier this year. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who recently abandoned the two criminal cases he brought against Trump, was also the subject of a fake emergency call on Christmas Day last year. Earlier this year, schools, government buildings and the homes of city officials in Springfield, Ohio, received a string of hoax bomb threats after Trump falsely accused members of Springfield’s Haitian community of abducting and eating cats and dogs. And in 2022, a slew of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide were targeted with dozens of bomb threats, with the vast majority arriving during the celebration of Black History Month. The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Wednesday that anytime a member of Congress is the victim of a swatting’ incident, “we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners.” The force declined to provide further details, in part to “minimize the risk of copy-cats.” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the threats “dangerous and unhinged.” “This year, there was not just one but TWO assassination attempts on President Trump,” he wrote on X . “Now some of his Cabinet nominees and their families are facing bomb threats.” He added: “It is not who we are in America.”Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes were both victims of home burglaries in Kansas City, Missouri last month. The two Kansas City Chiefs stars were targets of what the FBI is believed to be an international crime syndicate. The crime syndicate, which is believed to have originated out of South America, is likely targeting the homes of professional athletes . The South American criminals reportedly use social media and home listings to break into player houses, when they are believed to be empty - usually on game days or road trips. The NFL believes that the crime syndicate is specifically targeting the homes of professional athletes. NBA players have been targeted, too. "It's legit," one source familiar with the situation told NFL.com . "It's a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they've focused on NBA and NFL players, and it's all over the country." Michael Owens/Getty Images Kelce reportedly had about $20,000 in cash stolen from his home. Mahomes, meanwhile, had some valuable items taken, as well. However, the three-time Super Bowl-winning tight end is believed to be "very upset" about losing one "very special" item. Kelce's first Super Bowl jersey was reportedly among the items taken from his home. He is reportedly quite mad about it. "Travis is going to set a new alarm system not to be a target of a possible burglary as he is doing some work in the house and will have more of Taylor's stuff in there, too," a source told the U.S. Sun . The source added: "That first Super Bowl shirt is essential from him. It's a reminder of one of the biggest achievements in his career and life so far, and he hopes to get it back." "For the luxury items, he knows that it will be very complicated to find them and have them back." "It (expletive) him off." PATRICK T. FALLON/Getty Images The Chiefs beat the 49ers, 31-20, in Super Bowl LIV in Miami, Florida. It was the first championship win for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Co. Kansas City has gone on to win two more Super Bowls, taking down the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII and the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Hopefully, Kelce will be getting his first Super Bowl jersey back soon. The Chiefs, 10-1 on the year, are set to take on the Raiders in a rare Black Friday NFL game. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. E.T. on Amazon Prime.
As your clients inevitably ask about portfolio positioning for Trump’s second term, new insights from the Charles Schwab Impact 2024 conference offer crucial talking points for managing expectations and avoiding common investment pitfalls, InvestmentNews reports . “Be really careful about extrapolation around election narratives,” warns Liz Ann Sonders, Schwab’s chief investment strategist, providing advisors with a powerful historical example: While many professionals confidently steered clients toward energy stocks during Trump’s first term, expecting sector-wide gains, energy actually plummeted over 40%, significantly underperforming all other sectors. For advisors fielding questions about small-cap allocations—particularly given recent market enthusiasm—Sonders recommends a more nuanced client discussion. Rather than broad small-cap exposure, consider explaining to clients the stark reality that approximately 40% of Russell 2000 companies are unprofitable. Instead, suggest more selective approaches, such as funds tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which applies stricter quality criteria. When discussing Trump’s proposed policies with clients, Schwab’s chief global investment strategist Jeff Kleintop suggests framing the proposed 26% tariff rate as a negotiating position rather than a certainty. However, advisors should prepare clients for potential inflationary impacts if significant tariffs are implemented. Fixed income discussions require particular attention, according to Kathy Jones, Schwab’s chief fixed income strategist. Consider warning clients that proposed immigration policies could reduce the labor force by 8% or more, potentially driving up labor costs and inflation. This may lead to higher-than-expected terminal rates—possibly 3.5% to 4% rather than the previously anticipated 2.75%. Bottom line for advisors: Help clients avoid making investment decisions based on political headlines. Instead, focus client conversations on fundamental economic factors, detailed market analysis, and their long-term financial plans. Remember that during Trump’s first term, it was broader economic conditions, not policy predictions, that ultimately drove market performance. Consider scheduling portfolio reviews with clients now to address these concerns proactively and adjust strategies as needed. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
By Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald (TNS) MIAMI — As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche . Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara told the Miami Herald, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body,” the North Miami woman and former high school math teacher said. Lara, an avid runner and gym goer, couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” the 50-year-old mom said. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. This first procedure was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lara’s rehab was at at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, part of a partnership between Jackson Health System and UHealth. Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke , with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System, the device implanted in Lara’s chest, could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a UHealth neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system. The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger. I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand,” she told the Miami Herald in September. Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivitism therapy program, and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Lara learned about the device through an online group for stroke survivors and contacted the company to inquire. She then connected them with her Jackson medical team. Now a year later, the device is available to Jackson patients. So far, four patients have received the implant at Jackson. Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors can usually recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years from their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10-15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression . For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history, including concurrent forms of brain stimulation, current diathermy treatment, previous brain surgery, depression, respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, and cardiac abnormalities. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is “covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.” To learn more about the device, visit vivistim.com. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Giants QB Tommy DeVito has a sore throwing arm after loss to Bucs
Conditions in abandoned mine are too dangerous for crew searching for Pennsylvania woman UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — An abandoned coal mine is too unstable and unsafe for rescuers looking for a 64-year-old Pennsylvania woman who may have been swallowed by a sinkhole. Authorities said Wednesday that the crumbling mine was complicating efforts and endangering the workers searching for Elizabeth Pollard. A state police spokesperson says the integrity of the mine has been compromised and that rescuers are reassessing their tactics to avoid putting themselves in danger. The search began early Tuesday, when Pollard’s family called police to say she had not been seen since going out Monday evening to look for her cat. WWE is seeking a bigger stage and Netflix, pushing for more live events, is providing it WWE will perform on a stage next month that could be vastly larger than its current home on cable television when it makes its “Raw” debut on Netflix. The sports entertainment company is moving to a platform with about 283 million subscribers worldwide as it departs its current home on the USA Network, which averaged 688,000 viewers in prime-time last year, according to the Nielsen company. For Netflix, onboarding the WWE is part of strategic move to air more live events on the heels of a hugely successful fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul that was viewed by more than 60 million people. Michigan court upholds light sentence for woman who killed dad in dispute over ride DETROIT (AP) — The Michigan Court of Appeals has declined to overturn a light jail sentence for a young woman who killed her father by burning him with a dangerous powder. Prosecutors said Megan Imirowicz was upset when her father couldn’t drive her to a hair appointment before her 18th birthday party. Imirowicz was sentenced to only a year in jail in 2023. She actually spent more than a year in custody because she was locked up before trial and while awaiting her punishment in suburban Detroit. Sumo wrestlers bring 1,500 years of tradition to London as the sport has an international moment LONDON (AP) — London’s Royal Albert Hall is preparing to host a different kind of spectacle: Sumo wrestling. Wrestlers put on an exhibition of heavyweight grappling to promote a tournament scheduled for next October. It marks only the second time an elite five-day tournament will be held outside Japan. The first was held in 1991 at the same venue. Organizers are hoping to whip up the kind of excitement that was generated three decades ago, when the deeply ritualistic sport attracted sell-out crowds and a national television audience. The end of an Eras tour approaches, marking a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to an end after the popstar performed more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years. Since launching the tour in 2023, Swift has shattered sales and attendance records. It's even created such an economic boom that the Federal Reserve took note. But for many who attended the concerts, and the millions more who eagerly watched on their screens, the tour also became a beacon of joy. It's become a chance not only to appreciate Swift’s expansive music career, but also celebrate the yearslong journey fans have taken with her. Jury revisits key videos in NYC subway chokehold death trial NEW YORK (AP) — Jurors have asked to review police and bystander video at the heart of the New York City chokehold manslaughter case against Daniel Penny. The request came during a second day of deliberations Wednesday. The jury asked for a second look at videos captured by the body cameras of officers who responded to the subway car where Penny grabbed hold of Jordan Neely in May 2023. Neely's agitated behavior and remarks were frightening passengers. Jurors also asked to revisit Penny's interview with detectives and a bystander's video of much of the roughly six-minute restraint. And the jury also requested to rehear part of a city medical examiner’s testimony. Penny's lawyers say his actions were justified. Relatives hunt for the missing after Guinea stadium crush amid fears official death toll is too low CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Kambaly Kouroumah was searching a local morgue for his teenage brother, Adama, who died after chaos erupted at a soccer game in southern Guinea’s Nzerekore city. Adama, 15, was among 56 people that officials said were killed in Sunday's crush, although rights groups reported a death toll nearly three times higher. Local media, rights groups and witnesses say security forces used tear gas to respond after fans began to throw stones to protest a referee's decision during the soccer game that was organized in honor of Guinea's junta leader, Col. Mamadi Doumbouya. Many of the dead were crushed as they tried to escape through the stadium gates, videos showed. Power shortages in Ecuador are melting away the future of a small town’s ice-cream industry SALCEDO, Ecuador (AP) — Ice-cream production in this quiet Ecuadorian town began in the mid-20th century in a convent for Franciscan nuns. The nuns sold their creamy popsicles in town to gather funds for the poor. But the people of Salcedo saw a business opportunity and began experimenting with new flavors and techniques, establishing a thriving popsicle industry that has made their small town famous among ice-cream lovers. But now, the South American nation is struggling with a relentless wave of power cuts that threaten the future of Salcedo’s ice-cream industry, melting away its dreams of a more prosperous future. Senegalese artisans in the spotlight as they exhibit for the first time at a prestigious art event DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — For the artistic and cultural elites of the West African nation of Senegal, the monthlong Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Arts is a celebratory moment. But it wasn’t until this year that the local artisans in the Soumbedioune crafts market, just off the Corniche and at the doorstep on the Medina working-class neighborhood, realized what the Biennale was. Craftsmanship is deeply rooted in the country’s culture, but its role has declined in recent years. As living costs rise, many Senegalese opt for cheaper, Chinese-imported products. And those that can afford it buy Western clothes and furniture to mark their social status. Eminem's mother Debbie Nelson, whose rocky relationship fueled the rapper's lyrics, dies at age 69 Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem whose rocky relationship with her son was known widely through his song lyrics, has died. She was 69. Eminem’s longtime representative Dennis Dennehy confirmed Nelson’s death in an email on Tuesday. He did not provide a cause of death, although Nelson had battled lung cancer. Nelson’s fraught relationship with her son, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, has been no secret since the Detroit rapper became a star. Nelson brought and settled two defamation lawsuits over Eminem’s statements about her in magazines and on radio talk shows. In her 2008 book, “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem,” she attempted to set the record straight.Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Celtic legend John Hartson once had a punch-up with football bad boy turned Hollywood hardman Vinnie Jones - to see which of them was the hardest. The ex-Celtic striker, nicknamed Big Bag John, traded blows with the Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch and Mean Machine star in London. The Welshman became a fans' favourite during a five-year stay at Celtic Park between 2001 and 2006, which saw him produce many battling displays and score a screamer against Liverpool on route to the 2003 UEFA Cup Final. And he once showed he was just as much of a handful off the park as he battled it out with fellow Welsh international Vinnie Jones. The fight was brought up this month by retired attacker Terry Gibson. (Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images.) Speaking on the Undr The Cosh podcast, he said: "Vinnie Jones and John Hartson, best of mates, had a proper fight to see who was the hardest." Host Chris Brown said: "That's a fight I'd like to watch. Hartson and Vinnie Jones." Gibson, who had spells with Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City, added: "They ended up challenging each other to see who was the hardest and having a scrap in the street." When asked if the brawl stemmed from an argument the 61-year-old, who also played for Manchester United and was teammates with Jones at Wimbledon, replied: "No, just to see who was the hardest." The fight was covered by our sister paper The Mirror at the time, while Hartson was...After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff
A stroke changed a teacher’s life. How a new electrical device is helping her move
Adventures on special teams made the Washington-Dallas showdown a clumsy affair, yet Joe Davis and Greg Olsen saw to it that the broadcast of the chaotic finish was pure gold. After Terry McLaurin weaved his way past five defenders for an 86-yard touchdown catch from Jayden Daniels to cut the Cowboys lead to 27-26 with 21 seconds left, Fox's No. 2 broadcast crew captured the chaos before admonishing the audience not to count on anything as a certainty on this helter-skelter afternoon. "Lightning strikes twice in Washington!" Davis shouted in an homage to Daniels' 52-yard Hail Mary to Noah Brown that stunned the Bears last month. "They dropped 11 guys in coverage," Olsen marveled. "If they just tackle him inbounds the game is over. I don't even know what to say. I'm absolutely speechless." Not for long he wasn't. Olsen quickly cautioned the audience that "Automatic" Austin Siebert had already missed an extra point along with a field goal Sunday in his return from a right hip injury. "Before anyone in Washington gets too fired up, remember, we've seen a missed PAT already," Olsen said. "Yeah, you hold your breath with anything special teams-related on this day," Davis agreed. After all, this was the first game in NFL history to feature two kickoff returns for touchdowns, two errant extra points and a blocked punt. In the 41-point fourth quarter that erased the game's snoozer status, Washington allowed KaVontae Turpin's 99-yard kickoff return for a score. Earlier, the Cowboys missed a field goal and saw another one blocked along with a punt. Sure enough, the snap was low ... the hold was better ... "It is no good!" Davis hollered. "And the worst special teams day in history has a fitting finish!" Actually, no. More ruckus remained. Siebert's onside kick bounced twice in front of safety Juanyeh Thomas, who gathered it in and returned it 43 yards for Dallas' second kickoff return for a touchdown. If Thomas takes a knee short of the goal line, he effectively seals the Cowboys' win. Instead, the score, while pushing Dallas' lead to 34-26, also left enough time for Daniels and the Commanders for a shot at yet another miracle touchdown. Austin Ekeler returned the kickoff to the Washington 36 and after a short gain, Daniels' Hail Mary was intercepted by Israel Mukuamu as time expired. And that's how what Davis called the "worst special teams day in NFL history" came to an end. "What a wild special teams moment of blocked punts, kicks, kickoff returns, blocked field goals," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. In keeping with the not-so-special-teams theme, there were several foibles in the kicking game across the NFL in Week 12, where the Broncos gave up a 34-yard pass completion on a fake punt that Denver coach Sean Payton swore the team saw coming — and not as it was unfolding, either, but five days earlier. "We met Tuesday as a staff. It wasn't a matter of if, it was when they were going to run a fake punt," Payton said. "You're struggling as a team like this, we had it on the keys to victory, so credit them, they executed it." Thanks to AJ Cole's 34-yard pass to linebacker Divine Deablo that set up a second-quarter field goal, the reeling Raiders took a 13-9 advantage into the locker room, just their second halftime lead of the season. In the second half, the Raiders succumbed to surging rookie QB Bo Nix and veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton in their 29-19 loss. That's seven straight losses for the Raiders, their longest skid in a decade. The Broncos (7-5), who blew a chance to beat the Chiefs in Week 10 when their 35-yard field goal try was blocked as time ran out, also allowed a 59-yard kickoff return that led to Las Vegas' only touchdown Sunday. The Texans (7-5) lost for the third time in four games after Ka'imi Fairbairn shanked a 28-yard field goal try that would have tied the Titans just after the two-minute warning. Like the Broncos, the Vikings (9-2) overcame a special teams blunder and escaped Soldier Field with a 30-27 overtime win against the Bears after allowing Chicago (4-7) to recover an onside kick with 21 seconds left. Caleb Williams followed with a 27-yard pass to D.J. Moore to set up Cairo Santos' tying 48-yard field goal as the fourth-quarter clock hit zeros. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Feddersen's 17 help North Dakota State defeat West Georgia 73-61Brazil stocks lower at close of trade; Bovespa down 1.59%Affinity Bancshares director Roberts sells $15,114 in stock
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Is President Trump prepared for President Xi? President-elect and his possible cabinet have to prepare for China The global power chess board is experiencing extraordinary changes. Old players are tumbling, and new ones are emerging. Once upon a time, US had the unchallenged and unparalleled power to define rules of global power chessboard. Thus, right after presidential elections in US, the world started preparing for new president. There was usually a race to connect with the new possible administration of the President-elect. It was considered a success to talk to president-elect. The lobbyists tried to exploit the opportunity up to maximum, and Washington became the lobbyists’ gala place. However, the paradigm started to shift in recent times. The world is not showing enthusiasm to connect with possible cabinet and president-elect, which was a common practice 20 years ago. However, situation for China is entirely different. Now, the President-elect and his possible cabinet have to prepare for China. Whether someone likes it or not, China is becoming a new rule-setter, or at least a player of equal weight to US, to set rules of global power chess board. This is not an exaggerated assumption or rhetoric; it is based on facts and data. China is fast becoming centre of global trade and economy. Countries and regions are eagerly signing free trade and economic partnerships with China. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is one of the most prominent example in recent times. The RCEP members account for 30pc of population and 30pc of global GDP ($29.7 trillion). It is considered largest trade bloc in history. On the other hand, China signed agreements with Arab countries, Gulf Cooperation Organisation, Latin American countries, African countries, etc. It is also strengthening cooperation at BRICS and SCO, among others. Besides, China International Import Expo (CIIE) was launched to strengthen trade links with the world. CIIE has been designed to promote rule-based, win-win cooperation and create opportunities for the world. Moreover, China has offered tariff-free entry into Chinese market to all the least developed countries. By doing so, China is on its way to becoming centre of global trade and ambit of global economy. China is home to many global initiatives in the fields of economy, security and diplomacy, such as BRI, GDI, GSI and GCI. First, China launched BRI to contribute to and satisfy economic and development needs of the world. Due to openness and inclusiveness in decision-making and implementation, it has become largest economic, trade, connectivity and investment program in human history, with 153 countries and 32 international organisations. The Global Security Initiative (GSI) has been built on four pillars: common, comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable security. It is helping the world combat new security challenges and secure sustainable peace without compromising dignity and sovereignty of countries. Second, Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank was introduced to achieve goals of a people-centric financial system, which must not be exploitative. It has become second-largest global bank with 109 members after World Bank. Third, China has accelerated its efforts to invest in global common goods, such as environment, free trade routes, poverty alleviation and sustainable food security. The Global Development Initiative (GDI), which was built on a vision of shared prosperity, is emerging as one of biggest common good provider initiatives. Fourth, China has emerged as leader of Fourth Industrial Revolution by strengthening its innovation and technological development base. No one can afford or dare to ignore China. Despite all propaganda and sanctions, many CEOs of leading tech companies visited China in 2023, including Bill Gates, co-founder of US tech giant Microsoft; Elon Musk, co-founder of electric vehicle front-runner Tesla; Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple and Cristiano Amon, CEO of Qualcomm. They are all in a race to build and strengthen their relationship with China. Fifth, China is home to a huge population and, in economic terms, a huge consumer market. President Xi has launched a drive to modernise Chinese economy, society and governance system. Modernisation is expected to initiate class shuffling, and almost 1,000 million people will change the class. It will create a trillion-dollar new economy. Thus, no country or bloc can ignore Chinese market, rather they will be in a race to build partnerships with China. These initiatives and strengths have made China centre of economic activity, trade, technology and hope for sustainable peace. People are keen to watch China, its policies and refine their policies to benefit from the opportunities. Plenary sessions of Central Committee of Communist Party of China attract a wide audience and media coverage. The world watches it closely because, as the centre of global trade, technology and economy, decisions at the session will have implications for global economy, trade and development. The world considers the session sets the tone for Chinese economy, society, and international economic and diplomatic engagements. People also listen to and thoroughly analyse President Xi’s and other Chinese leaders’ speeches. The importance of President Xi’s speech can be judged by its online viewership and traditional media coverage. For example, in 2021, President Xi’s speech at UN was the most viewed speech on social media and received worldwide coverage. This clearly indicates China’s importance has been enhanced, and the world considers President Xi’s speech a global tone-setter. The question is whether President Trump understands new dynamics or is ready to deal with President Xi. A bird’s-eye view of proposed cabinet and other nominees shows he neither comprehended nor prepared for President Xi. The President-elect and his team still live in the past. They think US can do anything and dictate anything to anyone. Unfortunately, most of his potential cabinet candidates are hoaxes and China bashers. They want to pick a trade and sanction war with China. They are exploring options to strengthen sanctions and CHIPS and Science Act because they believe these actions will assist American economy. Further, there are clear signs President Trump will revert back to his first-term anti-China policy. He believes his anti-China policy helped US. The above-discussed facts and data indicate US come out of past and understand the world has changed. The US is no longer in a position of strength to dictate its terms. The world is looking to China for economic and trade linkages to fulfil its growth and development goals. The President-elect and his team should try to comprehend new dynamics and realities. This will help US steer the relationship in right direction. Otherwise, the relationship may further deteriorate, which would be bad news for US, China, and the world. Moreover, US economic situation and rising debt do not allow it to engage in trade or sanction war, which will further deteriorate American economy, and inflation, inequality and poverty continue to rise.Korea IT Times celebrates its 20th anniversary with Insightful columns from local and international thought leaders. Following contributions from experts from all walks of life in July , August , September , and October , the column will continue in November and December. By Columnist Byoung Min Im Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy consisting of 13 states, three federations, and direct territories, and the Malay Peninsula and Borneo Island region is divided by the South China Sea. Its land borders are Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei, and its maritime borders are Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, but the federal government is in Putrajaya, and it is connected to Singapore about 700 meters across from Malaysia's Johor State, making it a treasure trove that can create a new Singapore in Malaysia. This crucial region in Malaysia connects the world from Northeast Asia to South Asia. Malaysia has had a Western culture of Britain since the 18th century, and in August 1957, it regained its territory ultimately from Britain and became independent. Since independence, Malaysia has recorded the best economy in Asia. The Malaysian government system is close to the British constitutional monarchy and Westminster system, and the legal system is based on British law and the United States. Malaysia has had a continuous GDP growth rate for about 50 years. As a country with an average growth rate of 6.5%, the Malaysian economy has traditionally depended on natural resources. Still, recently, various industries such as advanced science, tourism, trade, and medicine have grown rapidly, and it has a good image worldwide. It is a country that processes everything with rational thinking, and its religion is Islam. Still, it is a country that embraces freedom of religion, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity, under the constitution. If we go back in history, it is a place with a long history of mankind, with records of human settlements forming on present-day Malaysia about 40,000 years ago. Islam was introduced to Malaysia by Arab merchants around the 14th century. In the early 15th century, the first independent state on the Malay Peninsula, the Malacca Sultanate, was established in the current Malacca region. It was a very important region at the time in terms of geography, economy, and military, and it greatly prospered as an international trading port. Singapore was a state of Malaysia in 1963, known as Negeri Singapura. However, the Singapore government had many conflicts with the Malaysian government; the most significant reason was racial issues. If you look at Singapore alone, the population is primarily Chinese, but the Malays are the majority in Malaysia. Lee Kuan Yew, the prime minister of Singapore at the time, criticized the then-Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, who favored and favored the Malays. This led to racial riots in Singapore in 1964, and after much friction, the Malaysian government effectively expelled Singapore, and Singapore voluntarily withdrew under pressure from the government. After that, Singapore separated from Malaysia and became independent in August 1965. The two countries seemed to have a somewhat good relationship through exchanges, but in reality, there was a grudge that was difficult to wash away, and in 2002, there was even a war between the two countries. Now, Malaysia should not be conscious of the small territory of Singapore and should create a new Singapore that the next generation wants in the new Malaysian state of Johor. Here are six ways the new Malaysia can outperform today's Singapore. Today, Singapore is one of the world's most developed and prosperous economies, with various revenue sources that contribute significantly to its economic growth. Singapore's primary revenue sources are First trade and export ports and logistics. Singapore is one of the busiest ports in the world, and its revenue from serving as a major global shipping and logistics hub accounts for about 8% of Singapore's GDP. Malaysia is building a new quantum AI silicon belt and port in Johor. Second, Singapore exports a wide range of goods, including electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, refined petroleum products, and food. This is also something Malaysia can build in Johor, a more extensive and more competitive state than Singapore. Third, Singapore is a global financial hub that attracts companies and investors worldwide with financial services. The financial services sector also accounts for a significant portion of the country's GDP, with numerous multinational banks, investment firms, and foreign financial institutions, including banking, insurance, asset management, and investment services. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) regulates the financial markets to ensure stability and innovation in banking, fintech, and capital markets. Malaysia also has the best economic credit record in Asia, with honesty and integrity, following the British and American systems. Malaysia is trustworthy because of its trustworthiness. Fourth, Singapore is said to have a highly developed manufacturing sector, with major industries including electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical. However, the Singapore government has problems with high prices, such as selling real estate land lease rights. It also generates significant corporate tax revenue thanks to its status as a business-friendly tax haven for government revenue (taxes and duties). The vast and nature-friendly Malaysian state of Johor is a competitive and attractive place for pharmaceutical and biotechnology, as it has cheap land compared to expensive Singapore. Fifth, In the oil and energy sector, Singapore is one of the world's leading crude oil refiners and is a center for energy trading, with numerous oil and gas companies contributing to exports and revenues. Recently, the energy sector, including natural gas and renewable energy, is striving to become a leader in sustainable energy. This is possible because Korea and Malaysia can actively cooperate in the most advanced technologies in the oil refining and shipping ports sectors. Sixth, It is famous for its national wealth funds, the Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and Temasek Holdings. These funds manage national savings and investments to generate revenue for the government, contributing to Singapore's long-term economic stability. These funds are used to become a global leader in technology and innovation. However, the Malaysian government is also investing heavily in research and development (R&D) and is striving to position itself as a hub for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, fintech, and green technology. Malaysia's technology sector is growing rapidly, and companies in various digital fields, such as software AI, quantum computers, and semiconductors, are expanding their businesses. The young brains produced in Malaysia every year can outpace Singapore. Frankly, historically speaking, if Malaysia is the main, Singapore is the sub. The next generation of young Malaysians can make a new leap forward centered on the state of Johor in Malaysia. Johor means “jewel.” The entire state area is about 20,000 square kilometers, and the population is about 3 million. While Singaporeans enjoy shopping in Johor Bahru on weekends, the development of communication technology allows smartphone communication anytime and anywhere. Now, Johor is an administratively very important place in Malaysia, and it should not just act as a hinterland for Singapore, but should become a center that leads Malaysia, with a population of about 30 million, as a leader. The next generation of Malaysians will be able to make a leap forward because Johor is like a “jewel.”
13th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth (AMMY) meeting, related meetings heldA snowball fight at Kidd Brewer Stadium ? There were elements of that Saturday in Boone, North Carolina, when JMU football stood in the tunnel waiting to enter the field in its game against Appalachian State . In a snowy stadium, fans standing by the visitors tunnel hurled snowballs and other objects at the Dukes while they stood in the tunnel. The players had pads and helmets on, but not everyone in the tunnel did. JMU football coach Bob Chesney said even after coming out of the tunnel before the game, snowballs kept falling. He thought there were a few instances during the game. @SunBelt when do your officials plan on stopping the snowballs being thrown on the field at JMU players lined up for the snap? The warning should have been made at the beginning of the game with a penalty for this. pic.twitter.com/4vPADFgAf9 "I thought at one point on the PAT, a snowball hit our long snapper," Chesney said. "It's just what they're doing and who they are and it's exciting." JMU and Appalachian State have developed a rivalry since the Dukes moved to the Sun Belt. In 2022 — during the Dukes' transition year before they were officially part of FBS — JMU came back to win after being down 28-3. In 2023, the Mountaineers beat the Dukes at home in overtime with College GameDay in town. It was JMU's first game at Kidd Brewer Stadium since that comeback win two years ago. The Dukes were greeted with snowballs, among other projectiles. Chesney said he appreciated the fanfare, but was concerned for his staff members who had to go back and forth through the tunnel without protection. "You didn't love going up and down the ramp with ice (thrown) at you," Chesney said. "Especially with coaches and everybody else in there without helmets on. "I think they need to do a little bit of a better job of making sure they protected those people." Those staff members included JMU coaches, support staff and athletic trainers among others. At one point, Chesney's son was out there as well. I mean ... is this not a penalty? Kind of insane the Sun Belt threatened JMU fans for throwing streamers with penalties yet this goes unnoticed https://t.co/w3A1D744Uq As of Monday, Chesney hadn't received official word from the Sun Belt about what happened. He has not heard anything from JMU athletic director Mark Roan, either. "It was interesting coming up through that tunnel," Chesney said, "the unprotected areas with the ice being thrown over, that was an interesting moment, especially with the coaches and our trainers and everybody else. "It was not the greatest situation, but I think we all survived. I thought they could have done a better job, especially with the security people watching them. I think there could have been a little more done to protect those people, especially without the helmets on." Savannah Reger (804) 649-6772 sreger@timesdispatch.com @SavannahReger17 on X Get local news delivered to your inbox!The Twins have tendered contracts or agreed to terms with all of their arbitration-eligible players — a group of 11 — that includes some of their top names ahead of Friday night’s 7 p.m. deadline. ADVERTISEMENT Pitchers Griffin Jax, Jhoan Duran, Bailey Ober and Joe Ryan were tendered contracts for the 2025 season, as were catcher Ryan Jeffers, infielder Royce Lewis, outfielder Trevor Larnach and utilityman Willi Castro. The Twins will need to come to contract terms with those players later this offseason to avoid arbitration. They’ve already done so with a trio of relievers, agreeing with Brock Stewart, Michael Tonkin and Justin Topa. Alex Kirilloff was also eligible for arbitration, but the first baseman/outfielder retired earlier this offseason due to an injury history that plagued him throughout the course of his major league career. The Twins made two roster moves earlier in the week as well, adding prospects Marco Raya and Travis Adams to the 40-man roster to protect them ahead of next month’s Rule 5 Draft. ADVERTISEMENT ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
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DALLAS (AP) — More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated , conspiracy theories still swirl and any new glimpse into the fateful day of Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas continues to fascinate . President-elect Donald Trump promised during his reelection campaign that he would declassify all of the remaining government records surrounding the assassination if he returned to office. He made a similar pledge during his first term, but ultimately bended to appeals from the CIA and FBI to keep some documents withheld. At this point, only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released, and those who have studied the records released so far say that even if the remaining files are declassified, the public shouldn't anticipate any earth-shattering revelations. “Anybody waiting for a smoking gun that’s going to turn this case upside down will be sorely disappointed,” said Gerald Posner, author of “Case Closed,” which concludes that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Friday's 61st anniversary is expected to be marked with a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. in Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy's motorcade was passing through when he was fatally shot. And throughout this week there have been events marking the anniversary. When Air Force One carrying Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas , they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they had gone to Texas on political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald and, two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that hasn't quelled a web of alternative theories over the decades. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection of over 5 million records was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had boasted that he'd allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files have continued to be released during President Joe Biden's administration, some still remain unseen. The documents released over the last few years offer details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Mark S. Zaid, a national security attorney in Washington, said what's been released so far has contributed to the understanding of the time period, giving “a great picture” of what was happening during the Cold War and the activities of the CIA. Posner estimates that there are still about 3,000 to 4,000 documents in the collection that haven’t yet been fully released. Of those documents, some are still completely redacted while others just have small redactions, like someone's Social Security number. There are about 500 documents where all the information is redacted, Posner said, and those include Oswald's and Ruby’s tax returns. “If you have been following it, as I have and others have, you sort of are zeroed in on the pages you think might provide some additional information for history,” Posner said. Trump's transition team hasn’t responded to questions this week about his plans when he takes office. From the start, there were those who believed there had to be more to the story than just Oswald acting alone, said Stephen Fagin, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the building where Oswald made his sniper's perch. “People want to make sense of this and they want to find the solution that fits the crime," said Fagin, who said that while there are lingering questions, law enforcement made “a pretty compelling case” against Oswald. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said his interest in the assassination dates back to the event itself, when he was a child. “It just seemed so fantastical that one very disturbed individual could end up pulling off the crime of the century," Sabato said. “But the more I studied it, the more I realized that is a very possible, maybe even probable in my view, hypothesis.”Defiant Adani says committed to compliance after US indictment
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Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers, accused of domestic violence, cleared to practice and playLEDUC COUNTY, ALTA. — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is looking for ways to encourage pipeline companies to boost capacity and increase Alberta's oil and gas export volumes to the U.S. But Smith says her government is not interested in directly subsidizing a cross-border pipeline project, preferring instead to find ways to "de-risk" a potential private sector investment. Canada's main oil-and-gas producing province is keen to expand its pipeline access to the U.S. in the wake of Donald Trump's presidential election victory. In his first presidential term, Trump supported TC Energy Corp.'s Keystone XL pipeline project, which would have carried oil from Alberta to the U.S. but was scuttled when President Joe Biden revoked its permit on environmental grounds. TC Energy is no longer the owner of the Keystone pipeline network, having spun it off into a separate company called South Bow Corp., but some industry watchers have questioned whether the project could be revived. Smith says there are many ways to boost Alberta's oil and gas exports to the U.S., including expanding the capacity of existing pipelines. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:TRP; TSX:SOBO) The Canadian Press
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Cameron Huefner scored 20 points as Sam Houston beat Dallas 111-65 on Saturday. Huefner added eight rebounds for the Bearkats (7-6). Lamar Wilkerson went 7 of 13 from the field (3 for 8 from 3-point range) to add 17 points. Dorian Finister shot 5 for 11 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points. Thomas Fleming led the Crusaders in scoring, finishing with 16 points. Dallas also got 15 points from Johny Olmsted. Chandler Holmes finished with 13 points. Sam Houston took the lead with 16:32 remaining in the first half and did not give it up. The score was 50-34 at halftime, with Huefner racking up 11 points. Sam Houston extended its lead to 91-53 during the second half, fueled by a 17-2 scoring run. Erik Taylor scored a team-high 10 points in the second half for the Bearkats. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .NoneJim Montgomery named new head coach of the St. Louis Blues
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An orphaned well sits in a field near Red Deer, Alta., on May 24, 2023. GEOFF ROBINS/Getty Images The oil and gas sector in Alberta spent close to $770-million to clean up inactive wells in 2023, but the industry is not doing anywhere near enough to address the full scale of environmental liabilities around the province, according to one expert. Combined with the cash from the government’s site-rehabilitation program and the industry-funded Orphan Well Association, spending on cleaning up inactive wells surpassed $1-billion in 2023. But that massive outlay barely made a dent, reducing the number of inactive wells in the province by only about 5 per cent, according to the Alberta Energy Regulator ’s annual liability monitoring report released Thursday. The oil and gas sector in Alberta is required to spend a certain amount each year on cleaning up inactive wells and pipelines. Last year, the AER set that number at $700-million. But the scale of environmental liabilities in the province dwarfs the spending quota set by the AER, says Martin Olszynski, an associate professor and Chair in Energy, Resources and Sustainability at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. The AER has attached a $33.3-billion price tag to the cost of cleaning up the province’s hundreds of thousands of oil and gas wells, but Prof. Olszynski believes that number is off by a huge margin. Indeed, internal AER documents suggest the province’s environmental liability could be nearly triple the estimate the agency announced earlier this year. Those documents pegged the total cost of well cleanup to be about $88-billion. Prof. Olszynski said the industry isn’t spending enough to tackle the problem, and would like the AER to force the sector’s hand. “The point is the AER has no plan to get that money for those liabilities from profitable companies,” Prof. Olszynski said. He pointed to Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., which has about 20,000 of Alberta’s 80,000 inactive wells. The company is making “making money hand over fist” right now, he said, “but when are you ever going to be able to start chipping away at that massive liability they have?” Prof. Olszynski would instead like to see the AER require that a company put enough money aside to cover reclamation costs when it is issued a well licence. And he would like the regulator to institute a time limit on how long companies have to clean up a well once it is no longer active. “It can’t just be applied against when your company is distressed, because that’s just backwards. That’s counterproductive. You’re just going to spiral out those companies into more distress, and then they’re not paying their taxes or not paying their vendors, and it becomes essentially a zero-sum game between unpaid vendors, service providers, municipalities and landowners,” he said. “This isn’t rocket science.” While the vast majority of oil and gas companies met spending requirements in 2023 set by the AER, 54 of them didn’t. Mostly smaller companies, they represented a mere $5-million in missed quotas. Anita Lewis, the regulator’s senior adviser of liability management, said companies that don’t meet their cleanup obligations and other regulatory requirements are monitored through a licensee management program. It will take compliance action that can include anything from a warning letter to having the Orphan Well Association step in and take over management of their sites. However, she said the AER doesn’t share data on how many of the small companies that are failing to meet their cleanup quotas are also deemed at high risk of struggling to meet their financial obligations. Such companies have a total of about $2-billion of environmental liabilities on their books. The remainder is held by companies deemed to have low or medium financial risks. Editor’s note: This article previously included a headline that incorrectly referred to orphan wells. This version has been updated to refer to inactive wells.
President-elect Donald Trump has filled the key posts for his second term in office, prioritizing loyalty to him after he felt bruised and hampered by internal squabbling during his first term. Some of his choices could face difficult confirmation fights in the Senate, even with Republicans in control, and one candidate has already withdrawn from consideration. Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz was Trump's initial pick for attorney general, but he ultimately withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation he was embroiled in. Here's a look at Trump's choices: Trump would turn a former critic into an ally as the nation's top diplomat. Rubio , 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate before the slot went to JD Vance. Rubio is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His selection punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator once called a “con man" during his own unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. Hegseth , 44, was a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends Weekend” and had been a contributor with the network since 2014. He developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, deploying to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011 and earning two Bronze Stars. He lacks senior military and national security experience and would oversee global crises ranging from Europe to the Middle East. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report recently made public. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and has denied any wrongdoing. Bessent , 62, is a former money manager for George Soros , a big Democratic donor, and an advocate for deficit reduction . He founded the hedge fund Key Square Capital Management after having worked on and off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, Bessent would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. Gabbard, 43, is a former Democratic House member from Hawaii who has been accused of echoing Russian propaganda. She unsuccessfully sought the party’s 2020 presidential nomination and left the party in 2022. Gabbard endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him. Gabbard has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades and deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. If confirmed she would come to the role as an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, spent several years in top national security and intelligence positions. Bondi , 59, was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist , Bondi also has served with the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-allied group that has helped lay the groundwork for his future administration. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush-money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appeared on Fox News and has been critical of the criminal cases against him. The Republican U.S. House member narrowly lost her reelection bid on Nov. 5 but had received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, Chavez-DeRemer would oversee the department's workforce and budget and put forth priorities that affect workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of a few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act that would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and penalize companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws in more than half the states. Lutnick heads the brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and is a cryptocurrency enthusiast. He is co-chair of Trump's transition operation, charged along with Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration, with helping the president-elect fill key jobs in his second administration. As secretary, Lutnick would play a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. He would oversee a sprawling Cabinet department whose oversight ranges from funding new computer chip factories and imposing trade restrictions to releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. Noem is a well-known conservative who used her two terms as South Dakota's governor to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions like other states, instead declaring South Dakota “open for business.” More recently, Noem faced sharp criticism for writing in her memoir about shooting and killing her dog. She is set to lead a department crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda as well as other missions. Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Ratcliffe , a former U.S. House member from Texas, was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump’s first term. He led U.S. government’s spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. If confirmed, Ratcliffe will have held the highest intelligence positions in the U.S. Kennedy , 70, ran for president as a Democrat, then as an independent before he dropped out and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 during his own presidential campaign. Kennedy's nomination alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Rollins , 52, is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for Trump's second administration. She is a Texas attorney who was Trump's domestic policy adviser and director of his office of American innovation during his first term. Rollins previously was an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry , who also served in Trump's first term. Rollins also ran the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years , sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential campaign, but was acquitted by the Senate. Collins also served in the armed forces himself. He is a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. The North Dakota governor , 68, is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump after he dropped out of the running. Burgum then became a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice in part because of his executive experience and business savvy. He also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump said Burgum would chair a new National Energy Council and have a seat on the National Security Council, which would be a first for the Interior secretary. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Wright is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. He also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. Wright said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. McMahon, a billionaire professional wrestling mogul , would make a return appearance in a second Trump administration. She led the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 in Trump’s first term and twice ran unsuccessfully in Connecticut as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University. She has expressed support for charter schools and school choice. Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI" and "we will do so while protecting access to clean air and water.” Trump often attacked the Biden administration’s promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referred to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often said his administration would “drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Greer is a partner at King & Spalding, a Washington law firm. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be responsible for negotiating directly with foreign governments on trade deals and disputes, as well as memberships in international trade bodies such as the World Trade Organization. He previously was chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, who was the trade representative in Trump's first term. Wiles , 67, was a senior adviser to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. She has a background in Florida politics , helping Ron DeSantis win his first race for Florida governor. Six years later, she was key to Trump’s defeat of him in the 2024 Republican primary. Wiles’ hire was Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration considering her close relationship with him. Wiles is said to have earned Trump’s trust in part by guiding what was the most disciplined of Trump’s three presidential campaigns. Waltz is a three-term Republican congressman from east-central Florida. A former Army Green Beret , he served multiple tours in Afghanistan and worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Hassett, 62, is a major advocate of tax cuts who was chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers in the first Trump term. In the new role as chairman of the National Economic Council, Trump said Hassett will play an important role in helping American families recover from inflation as well as in renewing and improving tax cuts Trump enacted in 2017, many of which are set to expire after 2025. Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. He led the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Trump's first administration. Democrats have criticized Homan for defending Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings in the first term, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Vought, 48, held the position during Trump’s first presidency. He the founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought also was closely involved with Project 2025 , a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that Trump tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump’s priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump’s first term. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump’s policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation’s economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people living illegally in the U.S. Scavino was an adviser in all three of the president-elect's campaigns and was described by the transition team as one of “Trump’s longest serving and most trusted aides." He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino previously ran Trump’s social media profile in the White House. Blair was political director for Trump’s 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and an assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump’s economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump’s 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Leavitt , 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. McGinley was Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and they were golfing at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Kellogg , 80, is a highly decorated retired three-star general and one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for Trump's second term. He has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues and served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence . Kellogg also was chief of staff of the National Security Council under Trump and stepped in as an acting national security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned the post. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests. Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Huckabee has rejected a Palestinian homeland in territory occupied by Israel. His daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary in Trump's first term. Stefanik, 40, is a U.S. representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders dating to his first impeachment trial. She was elected chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021, the third-highest position in House leadership, after then-Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after she publicly criticized Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. A former acting attorney general during Trump's first administration and tight end on the University of Iowa football team, Whitaker , 55, has a background in law enforcement but not in foreign policy. A fierce Trump localist, Whitaker, is also a former U.S. attorney in Iowa and served as acting attorney general between November 2018 and February 2019 without Senate confirmation, until William Barr was confirmed for the role. That was when special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference was drawing to a close. Whitaker also faced questions about his past business dealings, including his ties to an invention-promotion company that was accused of misleading consumers. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. Oz , 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime TV talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz’s bid for elected office. Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor on Fox News. Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative after cardiac arrest, state should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Bhattacharya , 56, is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. As head of the NIH, the leading medical research agency in the United States, Trump said Bhattacharya would work with Kennedy Jr. to direct U.S. medical research and make important discoveries that will improve health and save lives. Bhattacharya is professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and was one of three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 open letter maintaining that lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic were causing irreparable harm. Gaetz, 42, withdrew from consideration to become the top law enforcement officer of the United States amid fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed by the Senate. In choosing Gaetz, Trump had passed over more established lawyers whose names had been floated as possible contenders for the job. Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump announced him on Nov. 13. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating an allegation that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old. Gaetz has denied wrongdoing. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Farnoush Amiri, Lolita C. Baldor, Jill Colvin, Matthew Daly, Edith M. Lederer, Adriana Gomez Licon, Lisa Mascaro, Chris Megerian, Michelle L. Price, Will Weissert and Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
“The Ultimatum” just returned for its third season with a twist that even the producers didn’t see coming. In the first episode, viewers were introduced to six couples who were ready to start the challenging experiment. For those who aren’t familiar with the show, the Netflix dating series follows couples at a crossroads: one person has issued the other an ultimatum to either marry them or break up. Before each contestant makes a decision, they must split from their original partner and select another cast member to date during a three-week trial period. When those three weeks end, the original couples reunite before revealing in the finale if they want to get engaged or end their relationship. During Seasons 1 and 2, some contestants quit early on in the experiment — one couple left to tackle their issues and another had a surprise proposal . In Season 3 of “The Ultimatum” — which released five episodes on Dec. 4 — the trend continued. After the six couples met, selected different partners and moved in together, the show unexpectedly announced in Episode 4 that four contestants had left. “Earlier in the day, Dave, Vanessa, Micah and Chanel secretly met off camera,” a title card informed viewers. “That evening, surveillance cameras captured them packing.” Footage then showed Vanessa Hattaway and Dave Adams, who had been dating for three years prior to signing up for “The Ultimatum,” and Micah Hardeman and Chanel Watkins, who had been together for two-and-a-half years, gathering their belongings in their separate apartments. “Dave, Vanessa, Micah and Chanel quickly departed, abruptly ending their experience,” the next title card said. The four contestants were not shown again. While Chanel and Dave chose to re-couple with each other, Micah selected Mariah Zernik and Vanessa partnered with Nick Tramontin. Following Micah and Vanessa’s departures, Mariah and Nick had to continue the rest of their three-week trial alone. Mariah told the cameras, “I had just come home from the mall, and Micah’s not here. His stuff was gone and the book he lent me was gone so I’m confused as to why he left and didn’t say a word.” Nick shared a similar experience. “I came back to the apartment and I’m alone,” he said. “Vanessa packed up her things and left. There was no goodbye.” After the episodes were released, Micah, Chanel, Vanessa and Dave cryptically addressed their time on the show and why they exited the experiment early on social media. Dave uploaded an Instagram post that showed his cast photo on one slide and the same photo on a second slide engulfed in flames. “How it looked on @ultimatumnetflix vs. how it felt. Season 3 out now,” he captioned the snap and included a grimacing face emoji and flame. When one social media user commented that Dave was wrong for leaving, he replied, “Beg to differ.” Vanessa also shared her cast photo on Instagram and reacted to fans beneath the post. In response to one viewer who disagreed with Vanessa choosing to leave, she wrote, “Aw I know I just had to do what was best for my mental health.” She added, “You’re only seeing 1%.” The same user responded and said Vanessa owed Nick an apology for how she left. Vanessa commented, “You don’t know what happened behind scenes I have nothing to apologize for.” Vanessa told multiple fans that she will possibly share more after the reunion airs. Chanel and Micah uploaded a joint post to Instagram that featured a series of sweet snaps of them holding hands and posing together. One fan commented and asked why the couple quit. “Whew! Long story you only seen 1% of it all there’s so much more to it but it’s not our story to tell...” Chanel answered. Micah spoke about on the show on his Instagram story. He shared a photo of him staring at Chanel when she chose to re-couple with Dave. “When you’re contemplating crashing out,” he captioned the snap and included two crying-laughing emoji. He also added Kendrick Lamar’s song “tv off” to the post. “The Ultimatum” creator Chris Coelen, whose production company Kinetic Content is also behind “Love Is Blind,” addressed the surprising exits in an interview with Variety . He said that after the contestants re-coupled and moved in together, showrunner Stephanie Boyriven called him and said Dave and Chanel told producers they were unsure they wanted to complete the experiment. “Then they snuck around. As a group, they secretly met. And listen, they’re adults. We don’t put restrictions on what people do or don’t do,” Coelen said. “But the expectation from the other participants is, ‘We’re going to be in trial marriages. Let’s actually do that, and not go hang out with our original partner.’” The creator shared, “The next call I got was that Micah was gone and didn’t have a conversation with anyone.” Coelen then spoke to Dave, Vanessa and Chanel and informed them, “‘We support whatever you want to do,’” he said. Coelen said it was apparent that the three did not want to stay. “We’re committed to supporting the participants and to being very transparent with them about what the experience is and that it can be very challenging,” he continued. “And if they are wanting to really commit to it and lean into it, then we are there with them the entire way, and if they aren’t, we’re also there with them the entire way.” He also explained why the show did not pair Nick and Mariah together. “I don’t feel like that would have been legitimate. The whole point of the dating week is for them to really choose — themselves — someone that they think has the qualities of someone that they could potentially marry, and then be in a trial marriage,” Coelen said. He confirmed that Dave and Vanessa participated in the reunion, which will stream Dec. 18, but revealed Chanel and Micah did attend. TODAY.com has reached out to Kinectic Content and Vanessa, Dave, Chanel and Micah for comment.
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We all love the occasional DIY project, but did you know some DIY projects can cause more harm than good? While some DIY mistakes are harmless, others can cause injury or costly repairs. In fact, some pros have told us they often see people spending more money to fix a mistake than it would have cost to hire a professional in the first place. Here’s a look at some home projects you should never do yourself: 1. Plumbing While you can DIY a clogged drain or faucet replacement, you should leave more complicated plumbing work to the pros. Home plumbing systems run on a complicated ecosystem of flow, gravity, venting and air pressure to send everything where it’s supposed to go. It takes an expert eye to add onto or try to repair that system. And if water damage gets out of control — as it can very easily — you can rack up a lot of repair bills quickly. People are also reading... Consider leaving complicated plumbing work to the pros. Adobe Stock 2. Electrical Never attempt to do electrical work yourself. You can either injure yourself or you could cause a fire. Even for the smallest electrical jobs, I would encourage you to bring in a professional. Most electrical jobs require specific training and certification and many larger ones require that permits be pulled as well. Even if you do the job correctly, the lack of a permit could come up during an inspection when it’s time to sell the house. 3. Gas appliances Natural gas is an incredibly useful tool; it also can pose one of the most hazardous home problems. Stay away from any projects that involve gas lines, such as repairs on your gas appliances, and leave that work to qualified professionals. 4. Structural work If your project involves structural work, like moving a load-bearing wall, you always want to bring in a contractor. That is not something you want to do yourself because you could damage your home and put your family at risk. Quite often, even an experienced contractor will turn to a structural engineer to be sure they know they’re doing it correctly. Roofing experts have the training to perform a dangerous job safely. Adobe Stock 5. Roofing Roofing projects are inherently dangerous, and professionals use a variety of tools and training to prevent slips and falls while they’re on top of your home. You’re putting yourself at risk if you try to do this yourself. Also, roofing work is important and delicate. Even a small leak can cause a lot of water damage. 6. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning You also should leave HVAC work to the pros. These are some of the most intricate systems in your home, and even minor errors can lead to catastrophic results. For example, air conditioning refrigerant is dangerous to handle, and the work involved with ductwork is very intricate. All this is best left to a professional. Are scented candles bad for you? Here's what the science says Turning dusty attic treasures into cash can yield millions for some and disappointment for others Make your house a homeWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump, making the announcement on his Truth Social account, said, “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80-year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The administration has begun urging Ukraine to and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of those as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more before Biden leaves office in less than two months. The U.S. has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. Trump has criticized the billions the Biden administration has spent in supporting Ukraine and has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is designed to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Trump's , U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg featured in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington 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 local news delivered to your inbox!
In Pictures: Jimmy Carter continued campaigning long after leaving powerPresident-elect Donald Trump has filled the key posts for his second term in office, prioritizing loyalty to him after he felt bruised and hampered by internal squabbling during his first term. Some of his choices could face difficult confirmation fights in the Senate, even with Republicans in control, and one candidate has already withdrawn from consideration. Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz was Trump's initial pick for attorney general, but he ultimately withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation he was embroiled in. Here's a look at Trump's choices: Trump would turn a former critic into an ally as the nation's top diplomat. Rubio , 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate before the slot went to JD Vance. Rubio is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His selection punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator once called a “con man" during his own unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. Hegseth , 44, was a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends Weekend” and had been a contributor with the network since 2014. He developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, deploying to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011 and earning two Bronze Stars. He lacks senior military and national security experience and would oversee global crises ranging from Europe to the Middle East. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report recently made public. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and has denied any wrongdoing. Bessent , 62, is a former money manager for George Soros , a big Democratic donor, and an advocate for deficit reduction . He founded the hedge fund Key Square Capital Management after having worked on and off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, Bessent would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. Gabbard, 43, is a former Democratic House member from Hawaii who has been accused of echoing Russian propaganda. She unsuccessfully sought the party’s 2020 presidential nomination and left the party in 2022. Gabbard endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him. Gabbard has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades and deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. If confirmed she would come to the role as an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, spent several years in top national security and intelligence positions. Bondi , 59, was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist , Bondi also has served with the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-allied group that has helped lay the groundwork for his future administration. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush-money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appeared on Fox News and has been critical of the criminal cases against him. The Republican U.S. House member narrowly lost her reelection bid on Nov. 5 but had received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, Chavez-DeRemer would oversee the department's workforce and budget and put forth priorities that affect workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of a few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act that would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and penalize companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws in more than half the states. Lutnick heads the brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and is a cryptocurrency enthusiast. He is co-chair of Trump's transition operation, charged along with Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration, with helping the president-elect fill key jobs in his second administration. As secretary, Lutnick would play a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. He would oversee a sprawling Cabinet department whose oversight ranges from funding new computer chip factories and imposing trade restrictions to releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. Noem is a well-known conservative who used her two terms as South Dakota's governor to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions like other states, instead declaring South Dakota “open for business.” More recently, Noem faced sharp criticism for writing in her memoir about shooting and killing her dog. She is set to lead a department crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda as well as other missions. Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Ratcliffe , a former U.S. House member from Texas, was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump’s first term. He led U.S. government’s spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. If confirmed, Ratcliffe will have held the highest intelligence positions in the U.S. Kennedy , 70, ran for president as a Democrat, then as an independent before he dropped out and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 during his own presidential campaign. Kennedy's nomination alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Rollins , 52, is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for Trump's second administration. She is a Texas attorney who was Trump's domestic policy adviser and director of his office of American innovation during his first term. Rollins previously was an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry , who also served in Trump's first term. Rollins also ran the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years , sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential campaign, but was acquitted by the Senate. Collins also served in the armed forces himself. He is a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. The North Dakota governor , 68, is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump after he dropped out of the running. Burgum then became a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice in part because of his executive experience and business savvy. He also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump said Burgum would chair a new National Energy Council and have a seat on the National Security Council, which would be a first for the Interior secretary. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Wright is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. He also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. Wright said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. McMahon, a billionaire professional wrestling mogul , would make a return appearance in a second Trump administration. She led the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 in Trump’s first term and twice ran unsuccessfully in Connecticut as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University. She has expressed support for charter schools and school choice. Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI" and "we will do so while protecting access to clean air and water.” Trump often attacked the Biden administration’s promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referred to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often said his administration would “drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Greer is a partner at King & Spalding, a Washington law firm. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be responsible for negotiating directly with foreign governments on trade deals and disputes, as well as memberships in international trade bodies such as the World Trade Organization. He previously was chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, who was the trade representative in Trump's first term. Wiles , 67, was a senior adviser to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. She has a background in Florida politics , helping Ron DeSantis win his first race for Florida governor. Six years later, she was key to Trump’s defeat of him in the 2024 Republican primary. Wiles’ hire was Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration considering her close relationship with him. Wiles is said to have earned Trump’s trust in part by guiding what was the most disciplined of Trump’s three presidential campaigns. Waltz is a three-term Republican congressman from east-central Florida. A former Army Green Beret , he served multiple tours in Afghanistan and worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Hassett, 62, is a major advocate of tax cuts who was chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers in the first Trump term. In the new role as chairman of the National Economic Council, Trump said Hassett will play an important role in helping American families recover from inflation as well as in renewing and improving tax cuts Trump enacted in 2017, many of which are set to expire after 2025. Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. He led the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Trump's first administration. Democrats have criticized Homan for defending Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings in the first term, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Vought, 48, held the position during Trump’s first presidency. He the founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought also was closely involved with Project 2025 , a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that Trump tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump’s priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump’s first term. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump’s policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation’s economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people living illegally in the U.S. Scavino was an adviser in all three of the president-elect's campaigns and was described by the transition team as one of “Trump’s longest serving and most trusted aides." He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino previously ran Trump’s social media profile in the White House. Blair was political director for Trump’s 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and an assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump’s economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump’s 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Leavitt , 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. McGinley was Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and they were golfing at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Kellogg , 80, is a highly decorated retired three-star general and one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for Trump's second term. He has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues and served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence . Kellogg also was chief of staff of the National Security Council under Trump and stepped in as an acting national security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned the post. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests. Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Huckabee has rejected a Palestinian homeland in territory occupied by Israel. His daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary in Trump's first term. Stefanik, 40, is a U.S. representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders dating to his first impeachment trial. She was elected chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021, the third-highest position in House leadership, after then-Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after she publicly criticized Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. A former acting attorney general during Trump's first administration and tight end on the University of Iowa football team, Whitaker , 55, has a background in law enforcement but not in foreign policy. A fierce Trump localist, Whitaker, is also a former U.S. attorney in Iowa and served as acting attorney general between November 2018 and February 2019 without Senate confirmation, until William Barr was confirmed for the role. That was when special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference was drawing to a close. Whitaker also faced questions about his past business dealings, including his ties to an invention-promotion company that was accused of misleading consumers. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. Oz , 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime TV talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz’s bid for elected office. Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor on Fox News. Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative after cardiac arrest, state should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Bhattacharya , 56, is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. As head of the NIH, the leading medical research agency in the United States, Trump said Bhattacharya would work with Kennedy Jr. to direct U.S. medical research and make important discoveries that will improve health and save lives. Bhattacharya is professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and was one of three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 open letter maintaining that lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic were causing irreparable harm. Gaetz, 42, withdrew from consideration to become the top law enforcement officer of the United States amid fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed by the Senate. In choosing Gaetz, Trump had passed over more established lawyers whose names had been floated as possible contenders for the job. Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump announced him on Nov. 13. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating an allegation that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old. Gaetz has denied wrongdoing. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Farnoush Amiri, Lolita C. Baldor, Jill Colvin, Matthew Daly, Edith M. Lederer, Adriana Gomez Licon, Lisa Mascaro, Chris Megerian, Michelle L. Price, Will Weissert and Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
HAMBURG, N.Y. — The American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer Hoops for Hope Tournament is set to tip off at Hilbert College in Hamburg on Friday Dec. 27 and Saturday 28. The event will raise money to support cancer research in Western New York. The tournament features several top high school basketball teams, including the State-ranked Class AA teams Bishop Timon-St. Jude (#4) and Health Sciences (#9). Also competing are Pioneer Central, a Class A Honorable Mention team from Yorkshire, NY, and Section V Class AAA powerhouse Fairport High School. The first day of competition will feature two semifinal matchups. Pioneer Central will face off against Health Sciences, followed by Bishop Timon-St. Jude taking on Fairport. Saturday will finish the tournament with the Consolation game at 2 p.m. and the Championship game at 4 p.m. The Hoops for Hope Tournament is the first event in the region to benefit the Coaches vs. Cancer program during the high school season. "It's a big event, it's great to get kids involved with something that's bigger than just playing the game of basketball," Joe Lavere, American Cancer Society development manager said. "We want to get kids in and teach them that while they're playing basketball they love, they're also helping a great cause." The Coaches vs. Cancer program, in partnership with the National Association of Basketball Coaches, has been working with coaches, players, and fans nationwide for over 25 years. Their efforts have raised funds for cancer research, education, and patient support, helping save lives across the country. For more information on how to get involved in the fight against cancer or to donate, visit coachesvscancer.org or contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.
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NBC will honor John Madden on Thanksgiving by taking the original Madden Cruiser on one last road tripThe AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . DENVER (AP) — Travis Hunter made a pair of proclamations Thursday: He’s for sure entering the NFL draft after this season, but not until he sees Colorado all the way through the College Football Playoff — if the Buffaloes make it there. The first was already a given for the draft-eligible junior who plays both receiver and cornerback. The second is a risk-reward play for a projected high first-round pick who averages around 120 snaps a game. In years past, it took two extra postseason wins to capture a national title. Now, it could take up to four additional contests. That’s more of a chance to shine, but also more chance for an injury. “I don’t think nobody will opt out because you’re showing NFL teams that you’re more focused on something else, other than the team goal,” Hunter said of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. “So I don’t think players are going to opt out of the playoffs.” Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders chatted Thursday in a set of Zoom calls about turning around the program at Colorado (from 4-8 last season to bowl eligibility), chasing a Big 12 title, turning pro — Hunter acknowledged he will “for sure” — and, of course, the Heisman race, where Hunter is currently the odds-on favorite in an award each wants to see the other win. RELATED COVERAGE Coach Spencer Danielson says 12th-ranked Boise State must seize moment and respect 2-win Wyoming No. 12 Boise State heads to Wyoming hoping to maintain No. 4 seed in College Football Playoff No. 4 Penn State tries to keep playoff picture out of focus in prep for tough trip to Minnesota “He’s deserving of it, and if it’s between me and him, I want him to get it,” said Sanders, whose 16th-ranked Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 16 CFP ) travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face Kansas (4-6, 3-4) this weekend. “He does a lot of amazing things that have never been done before.” Countered Hunter: “I know he wants me to win it, but I also want him to win as bad as I want to win it.” Hunter is a generational talent shining on both sides of the ball. As a receiver, he has 74 catches for 911 yards and nine touchdowns. On defense, he has picked off three passes, even though teams are reluctant to throw his direction. Like he did in high school and now in college, he believes he can do both on the next level. But he understands the trepidation of the NFL team that picks him. “They don’t want their top pick to go down too early,” Hunter said. “I like when people tell me I can’t do it, because they just motivate me to continue to do what I want to do.” Sanders is turning in a stellar season as well with 27 touchdown passes, one away from tying Sefo Liufau for the most in a single season in program history. He’s projected to be one of the first QBs off the draft board. The future certainly looks bright at Colorado thanks to the legacies Sanders and Hunter under coach Deion Sanders. But that’s a point to ponder later. “I can’t think too much forward past Saturday,” Shedeur Sanders cracked. “The main thing is winning the Big 12 championship. That’s the main thing we’re focused on.” ___ 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-footballTrue freshman Luke Kromenhoek threw three touchdown passes and Caziah Holmes ran for two more as host Florida State routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, Fla. The Seminoles (2-9) convincingly snapped a six-game losing streak and ensured that the Buccaneers (1-11) would finish theirs on a 10-game skid. Florida State has not had much to celebrate during one of its worst seasons in program history. But on Saturday, the Seminoles overcame a rough start and put together one of their more complete efforts of the season. Florida State had not scored more than 21 points in a game prior to Saturday's contest and its 175 rushing yards more than doubled its average (80.5 per game) this season. No single runner had over 40 yards, but seven rushers combined for that output on 34 attempts. The Seminoles entered the game ranked 130th out of 133 FBS teams in rushing offense. Holmes, a senior, finished with three carries for 38 yards, including touchdown runs of 3 and 18 yards. Kromenhoek gave Florida State a sliver of hope for its quarterback future as he completed 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and no interceptions. He threw TD passes for Amaree Williams, Ja'Khi Douglas and Hykeem Williams. The highlight was a 71-yard touchdown pass to Douglas on the first play from scrimmage of the second half to put the Seminoles ahead 24-0. Douglas finished with 82 yards receiving on three catches, and 10 different Florida State players caught passes for 240 total yards. The Seminoles went 6 of 10 on third downs after averaging only a 25 percent conversion rate all season. Their defense held Charleston Southern to 275 total yards (57 rushing) and forced two turnovers. Florida State was unable to hang on to the shutout, however, as Bucs quarterback Kaleb Jackson found Landon Sauers for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Jackson completed 22 of 32 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Bucs defense recorded three sacks led by Davion Williams, who had eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. The Seminoles will conclude their season next Saturday at home against rival Florida. --Field Level Media
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Irish Times voter panel: ‘The political version of Black Friday’ and a ‘baffling’ chat with Paschal DonohoeAvior Wealth Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Globant S.A. ( NYSE:GLOB – Free Report ) by 29.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,571 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock after selling 664 shares during the quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Globant were worth $311,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Investidor Profissional Gestao de Recursos Ltda. boosted its holdings in shares of Globant by 109.8% in the 3rd quarter. Investidor Profissional Gestao de Recursos Ltda. now owns 39,595 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock valued at $7,845,000 after buying an additional 20,725 shares in the last quarter. TrinityPoint Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Globant during the third quarter valued at approximately $208,000. Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Globant by 30.4% in the third quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 13,468 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock valued at $2,669,000 after acquiring an additional 3,142 shares in the last quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc grew its holdings in Globant by 26.1% in the third quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 8,269 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock worth $1,638,000 after purchasing an additional 1,711 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its position in shares of Globant by 18.0% during the third quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 6,334 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock worth $1,255,000 after purchasing an additional 965 shares in the last quarter. 91.60% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Globant Stock Performance Shares of NYSE GLOB opened at $229.28 on Friday. Globant S.A. has a 1 year low of $151.68 and a 1 year high of $251.50. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $210.11 and its 200 day moving average price is $191.90. The company has a market capitalization of $9.88 billion, a PE ratio of 58.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 1.39. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Globant About Globant ( Free Report ) Globant SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides technology services worldwide. It provides digital solutions comprising blockchain, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence, digital experience and performance, code, Internet of Things, metaverse, and engineering and testing; and enterprise technology solutions and services, such as Agile organization, Cultural Hacking, process optimization services, as well as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, Oracle, SalesForce, SAP, and ServiceNow technology solutions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Globant Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Globant and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .4 Stars for the Unabomber: 'Person of interest' in CEO slaying reviewed killer's manifesto
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Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones has been hit with a big fine on Saturday following their first loss of the 2024 NFL season. In Week 11, the Chiefs traveled north for a battle against the AFC's second-placed team, the Buffalo Bills. However, they left New York with a 30-21 loss, ending their nine-game winning streak to start the season. At one point in the game, Jones was attempting to bring down Buffalo running back Ty Johnson near the 50-yard line. However, the former Mississippi State Bulldogs star grabbed ahold of Johnson's facemask, turning his head hard to the left. The officials wound up missing the call, and the facemask went unpunished at first. But on Saturday, the NFL fined Jones $11,255 for the play. here is the sick part about this no call the refs BLATANTLY MISS this face mask but next Saturday the NFL will go and FINE Chris Jones I’ll guess either $11,255 or $16,883 disgusting the NFL will not call it right but still get a money grab joke pic.twitter.com/tAvGWdUcqa Fines from Bills-Chiefs game A.J. Epenesa $15,400 for hip drop tackle Chris Jones $11,255 for face mask Patrick Mahomes $14,069 for “violent gesture” Jones wasn't the only player from the Chiefs vs. Bills game that was hit with a punishment. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes was fined $14,069 for a violent gesture, and Buffalo defensive end A.J. Epenesa was fined $15,400 for a hip-drop tackle. In the loss, Jones finished with five tackles and a tackle for loss. However, along with the rest of his team, he failed to bring down Bills quarterback Josh Allen for a sack. © Denny Medley-Imagn Images So far this season, Jones isn't necessarily having the same impact he has had in previous years. The five-time All-Pro has tallied 24 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble. He is on pace to have his worst statistical season since his rookie year back in 2016. Still, Kansas City sits in first place in the AFC going into Week 12, where they will face the Carolina Panthers. Related: NFL Slaps Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes With Punishment After First Loss of Season
