48 progressive farmers flagged off for 7-days interstate training prog SRINAGAR: A group of 48 progressive farmers from Srinagar, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts of Kashmir was on Saturday flagged off for an interstate seven days exposure cum training program to Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana from Agriculture Complex, Lal Mandi Srinagar. The training program has been organised by the Deputy Directorate of Agriculture (Trainings) under NMAET (ATMA) interstate 2024- 25. Joint Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah while interacting with the farmers on the occasion, said that the training program has been organised for making the farmers aware of the latest technologies for commercial farming, real-time trends in farming and cultivation of different agriculture crops on scientific lines. He said, skilled human resource and capacity building of farmers are among the department’s priorities. He impressed upon the progressive farmers to interact with the agriculture scientists, experts, and extension functionaries to get acquainted with up to date methodologies in crop cultivation on scientific lines. He asked the farmers to enhance their technical skills in the field of crop farming and to adopt the advanced technologies after learning from such training/exposure visits. He further said such exposure visits promote cultural exchange among the farmers of different regions. Many Farmers on the occasion said the tour would enhance their knowledge and skills. Some senior officers of the department were also present during the flag-off.poker game tutorial 。

US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems? DALLAS (AP) — Delta and United Airlines have become the most profitable U.S. airlines by targeting premium customers while also winning a significant share of budget travelers. That is squeezing smaller low-fare carriers like Spirit Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday. Some travel industry experts think Spirit’s troubles indicate less-wealthy passengers will have fewer choices and higher prices. Other discount airlines are on better financial footing but also are lagging far behind the full-service airlines when it comes to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most industry experts think Frontier and other so-called ultra-low-cost carriers will fill the vacuum if Spirit shrinks, and that there's still plenty of competition to prevent prices from spiking. Bitcoin ticks closer to $100,000 in extended surge following US elections NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, setting another new high above $99,000 overnight. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Australia rejects Elon Musk's claim that it plans to control access to the internet MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian Cabinet minister has rejected X Corp. owner Elon Musk’s allegation that the government intends to control all Australians' access to the internet through legislation that would ban young children from social media. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Friday that Musk’s criticism was “unsurprising” after the government introduced legislation to Parliament that would fine platforms including X up to $133 million for allowing children under 16 to hold social media accounts. The spat continues months of open hostility between the Australian government and the tech billionaire over regulators’ efforts to reduce public harm from social media. Parliament could pass the legislation as soon as next week. Oil company Phillips 66 faces federal charges related to alleged Clean Water Act violations LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oil company Phillips 66 has been federally indicted in connection with alleged violations of the Clean Water Act in California. The Texas-based company is accused of discharging hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater containing excessive amounts of oil and grease. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment on Thursday. Phillips is charged with two counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act and four counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. An arraignment date has not been set. A spokesperson for the company said it was cooperating with prosecutors. US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment U.S. regulators want a federal judge to break up Google to prevent the company from continuing to squash competition through its dominant search engine after a court found it had maintained an abusive monopoly over the past decade. The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Justice Department calls for Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions designed to prevent Android from favoring its search engine. Regulators also want to ban Google from forging multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. What you need to know about the proposed measures designed to curb Google's search monopoly U.S. regulators are proposing aggressive measures to restore competition to the online search market after a federal judge ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly. The sweeping set of recommendations filed late Wednesday could radically alter Google’s business. Regulators want Google to sell off its industry-leading Chrome web browser. They outlined a range of behavioral measures such as prohibiting Google from using search results to favor its own services such as YouTube, and forcing it to license search index data to its rivals. They're not going as far as to demand Google spin off Android, but are leaving that door open if the remedies don't work. Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it heads for a winning week Stocks gained ground on Wall Street, keeping the market on track for its fifth gain in a row. The S&P 500 was up 0.3% in afternoon trading Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 352 points and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.1%. Retailers had some of the biggest gains. Gap soared after reporting quarterly results that easily beat analysts' estimates. EchoStar fell after DirecTV called of its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. European markets were mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Crude oil prices gained ground. Apple and Google face UK investigation into mobile browser dominance LONDON (AP) — A British watchdog says Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers. The watchdog's report Friday recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year. The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker’s tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. The CMA’s report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers “the clearest or easiest option.” Apple said it disagreed with the findings. German auto supplier Bosch to cut 5,500 jobs in further sign of carmakers' woes FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Germany's technology and services company Bosch is cutting its automotive division workforce by as many as 5,500 jobs in the next several years, in another sign of the headwinds hitting the German and global auto industries. The company cited stagnating global auto sales, too much factory capacity in the auto industry compared to sales prospects and a slower than expected transition to electric-powered, software-controlled vehicles. Some 3,500 of the job reductions would come before the end of 2027 and would hit the part of the company that develops driver assistance and automated driving technologies. About half those job reductions would be at locations in Germany. At least 15 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 15 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 160,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration.

Is Washington positioned for long-term success in the Big Ten? We aren't convinced, for a variety of reasons.Qatar tribune Tribune News Network Doha Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Human Resources Department has been honoured with the prestigious Best Wellbeing Programme Award at the CIPD Middle East People Awards 2024, held recently at The Ritz-Carlton in Dubai. This achievement marks a historic milestone, as HMC becomes the first organisation from Qatar to receive this distinguished recognition, underscoring its commitment to creating a healthy and empowering workplace environment for its employees. The award acknowledges HMC’s innovative and holistic Employee Wellbeing and Wellness Framework, which integrates mental and physical health support, financial wellbeing initiatives, employee support programmes, and social health initiatives. This comprehensive approach has played a pivotal role in transforming workplace wellness across Qatar’s largest healthcare provider and beyond. Established in October 2021, under the visionary guidance of Fatima Haidar H. Abdulla, chief of Business Services, the Employee Wellbeing and Wellness Section was founded with a clear mission: to create a holistic and healthy workplace environment that prioritises the overall wellbeing of employees. Speaking about this achievement, Mona Al Homaiddi, acting chief human resources officer, shared: “Winning this award reflects the dedication and collaborative efforts of our wellbeing team, who have worked tirelessly to build programmes that support and empower our employees. This recognition is not just a milestone for HMC but also a testament to our leadership in workplace wellness across the region.” Husameldin Ali Rudwan, acting executive director of Employee Wellbeing, Engagement and Performance Management, added: “This award is a stepping stone for our continued journey to enhance employee wellness. Through our programmes, we aim to create a healthier workplace environment that impacts not only our staff but also the broader healthcare community. We are proud to lead the way in shaping the future of workplace wellbeing in Qatar.” HMC’s award-winning wellbeing programmes have also expanded beyond the corporation, supporting over 42,000 employees across HMC the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC). These programmes have become a model of excellence, addressing diverse aspects of employee wellbeing through structured initiatives such as health education, mental health support, and employee engagement programmes. As part of its vision, HMC aims to further enhance its wellbeing initiatives by incorporating advanced technologies, evidence-based interventions, and global collaborations. These efforts align with HMC’s Healthcare Strategy 2024-2030, National Health Strategy 2024-2030, and Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and reinforce HMC’s role as a leader in workplace health and wellness. This award is not only a recognition of HMC’s relentless efforts but also an inspiration to continue striving for excellence, ensuring a healthier, happier, and more productive environment for healthcare professionals across Qatar. Copy 25/12/2024 10Bowser scores 16, Furman takes down South Carolina State 68-64

Defense fund established by supporters of suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione nears $200K'Drone sightings' prompt worries, but these theories could explain what's happening

The NFL won the head-to-head battle for viewers with the College Football Playoff. Front Office Sports, citing figures from Nielsen, reported Tuesday that the Kansas City Chiefs' 27-19 win over the Houston Texans on Saturday averaged 15.5 million viewers on NBC, more than double the average of 6.4 million people who watched Penn State defeat SMU 38-10 on TNT Sports in the same time frame. The Baltimore Ravens' 34-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers drew an average of 15.4 million for Fox Sports, while 8.6 million viewers tuned in to see Texas defeat Clemson 38-24in the College Football Playoff on TNT. The CFP games returned stronger ratings when they weren't matched up against an NFL game, however. Ohio State's 42-17 victory over Tennessee, played in primetime on Saturday night, averaged 14.3 million viewers on ESPN. The network also saw strong ratings for Notre Dame's 27-17 win over Indiana on Friday night with an average of 13.4 million. All four first-round CFP games were played at campus sites. They averaged 10.6 million viewers overall, per Front Office Sports, which noted that figure exceeded the ratings for all but four college football broadcasts this season. --Field Level Media

Ottawa firefighters quell Donald Street apartment fire

By Kanishka Singh (Reuters) - The Canadian government condemned China on Tuesday for taking steps against two Canadian institutions and 20 people involved in human rights issues concerning the Uyghurs and Tibet. China announced the measures, which included asset freezes and bans on entry, on Sunday. Its targets included the Canada-based Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and the Canada-Tibet Committee, China's foreign ministry said. "Global Affairs Canada expresses solidarity with the members of the Canadian Tibet Committee and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and condemns the decision by the Chinese Government to punish them for speaking out for human rights," the Canadian government said in a statement. The Canadian statement urged China to respect its obligations under international law while also urging Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in China due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Rights groups accuse Beijing of widespread abuses of Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority that numbers around 10 million in the western region of Xinjiang, including the mass use of forced labour in camps. Beijing denies any abuses. China seized control of Tibet in 1950 in what it describes as a "peaceful liberation" from feudalistic serfdom. International human rights groups and exiles, however, have routinely condemned what they call China's oppressive rule in Tibetan areas. "The Government of Canada will not tolerate any threats, acts of violence or harassment of people in Canada or their family and friends because of their political opinions or to silence dissenting viewpoints," the Canadian government said. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Richard Chang)Elton John and David Furnish's Relationship TimelineHeavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights