b777 philippine airlines Tired of thinking about what gifts to get everyone this year? chatbots might help, but don’t expect them to do all the work or always give you the right answers. Anyone scouring the internet for is likely going to encounter more conversational iterations of the chatbots that some retailers and e-commerce sites have built to provide shoppers with enhanced customer service. Some companies have integrated models infused with newer technologies, allowing shoppers to seek advice by asking naturally phrased questions like “What’s the best wireless speaker?” Retailers hope consumers use these chatbots, which are typically called shopping assistants — as virtual companions that help them discover or compare products. Prior chatbots were mostly used for task-oriented functions such as helping customers track down online orders or return ones that didn’t meet expectations. , the king of online retail, has said its customers have been questioning — the generative AI- powered shopping assistant it launched this year — for information such as whether a specific coffee maker is easy to clean, or what recommendations it has for a lawn game for a child’s birthday party. And Rufus, which is available for in the U.S. and some other countries, is not the only shopping assistant out there. A select number of Walmart shoppers will have access this year to a similar chatbot the nation’s largest retailer is testing in a few product categories, including toys and electronics. Perplexity AI added something new to the AI chat-shopping world last month by rolling out a feature on its search engine that enables users to ask a question like “What’s the best women’s leather boots?” and then receive specific product results that the San Francisco-based company says are not sponsored. “It has been adopted at pretty incredible scale,” Mike Mallazzo, an analyst and writer at retail research media company Future Commerce, said. Retailers with websites and e-commerce companies started paying more attention to chatbots when use of , an artificial intelligence text chatbot made by the company OpenAI, went mainstream in late 2022, sparking public and business interest in the generative AI technology that powers the tool. Victoria’s Secret, IKEA, Instacart and the Canadian retailer Ssense are among other companies experimenting with chatbots, some of which use technology . Even before the improved chatbots, online retailers were creating product recommendations based on a customer’s prior purchases or search history. Amazon was at the forefront of having recommendations on its platform, so Rufus’ ability to provide some is not particularly groundbreaking. But Rajiv Mehta, the vice president of search and conversational shopping at Amazon, said the company is able to offer more helpful recommendations now by programming Rufus to ask clarifying or follow-up questions. Customers are also using Rufus to look for deals, some of which are personalized, Mehta said. To be sure, are prone to hallucinations, so Rufus and most of the tools like it . Juozas Kaziukenas, founder of e-commerce intelligence firm Marketplace Pulse, wrote in a November blog post that his firm tested Rufus by requesting gaming TV recommendations. The chatbot’s response included products that were not TVs. When asked for the least expensive options, Rufus came back with suggestions that weren’t the cheapest, Kaziukenas said. An Associated Press reporter recently asked Rufus to give some gift recommendations for a brother. The chatbot quickly spit out a few ideas for “thoughtful gifts,” ranging from a T-shirt and a keychain with charms to a bolder suggestion: a multifunctional knife engraved with the phrase “BEST BROTHER EVER.” After a 5-minute written conversation, Rufus offered more tailored suggestions — a few Barcelona soccer jerseys sold by third-party sellers. But it wasn’t able to say which seller offered the lowest price. When asked during another search for a price comparison on a popular skin serum, Rufus showed the product’s pre-discounted price instead of its present one. “Rufus is constantly learning,” Amazon’s Mehta said during an interview. Shop AI, a chatbot that Canadian e-commerce company Shopify launched last year, can also help shoppers discover new products by asking its own questions, such as soliciting details about an intended gift recipient or features the buyer wants to avoid. Shop AI has trouble, however, recommending specific products or identifying the lowest-priced item in a product category. The limitations show the technology is still in its infancy and has a long way to go before it becomes as useful as the retail industry — and many shoppers — wish it could be. To truly transform the shopping experience, shopping assistants will “need to be deeply personalized” and be able — on their own — to remember a customer’s order history, product preferences and purchasing habits, consulting giant McKinsey & Company said in an August report. Amazon has noted that Rufus’ answers are based on information contained in product listings, community Q&As and customer reviews, which would include the that are used to boost or diminish sales for products on its marketplace. The large language model that powers the chatbot was also trained on the company’s entire catalog and some public information on the web, Trishul Chilimbi, an Amazon vice president who oversees AI research, wrote in the electrical engineering magazine IEEE Spectrum in October. But its unclear how Amazon and other companies are weighting different — such as reviews — in their recommendations, or how exactly the shopping assistants come up with them, according to Nicole Greene, an analyst at management consulting firm Gartner. Perplexity AI’s new shopping feature allows users to enter search queries such as “best phone case” and to receive answers derived from various sources, and other retailers, such as Best Buy. also invited retailers to share data about their products and said those that do would have an increased chance of having their items recommended to shoppers. But Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas, suggested in a recent interview with Fortune magazine that he didn’t know how the new shopping feature recommended products to customers. But in an interview with the AP, Chief Business Officer Dmitry Shevelenko pushed back on that characterization, saying Srinivas’ comment “was probably taken out of context.” The context, he said, is that with generative AI technology “You can’t know in advance exactly what the output will be just based off of knowing what the inputs” are from the training materials. Shevelenko said retailers and brands need to know they can’t have their products recommended in Perplexity’s search engine because they’re “jamming key words” into their websites or using different techniques to show up better on search results “The way you show up in an answer is by having a better product and better features,” he said.

Title: Analysis of November Economic Highlights through Value-Added Tax Invoice Data: Efficacy of Policy 'Combination Punch' Evident, Economic Stability and Recovery Momentum Continues to StrengthenTitle: Prime Minister Agrees to Transfer Power to Opposition: Meeting to Coordinate Transfer DetailsIn addition to strengthening their attacking options, the gunner's pursuit of the Brazilian football star also signals a strategic move to enhance their midfield creativity. By injecting fresh talent and innovative playmaking into their midfield, the gunner aims to diversify their attacking approach and keep their opponents guessing.

OpenAI's Sora Launches, Official Website Crashes; Lei Jun: New Car YU

Another key aspect of the economic work for 2025 is the push for greater regional development and balanced growth. The meeting emphasized the importance of promoting development in both urban and rural areas, as well as in different regions of the country. This reflects the government's commitment to reducing regional disparities and ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are more evenly distributed across the population.

In light of these considerations, it is crucial for policymakers to clearly communicate the rationale behind the shift from "water fee" to "water tax" and to ensure that adequate measures are in place to support water conservation efforts. This may include investing in infrastructure for water recycling and reuse, promoting the use of water-saving technologies, and implementing educational campaigns to inform the public about the importance of water conservation.

Cousins Properties Announces Pricing of Senior Notes Offeringt777 。

ATLANTA , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Properties Incorporated (the "Company" or "Cousins") (NYSE: CUZ ) announced today that its operating partnership, Cousins Properties LP (the "Operating Partnership"), has priced an offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2032 at 99.463% of the principal amount. The offering is expected to close on December 17, 2024 , subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Cousins intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund a portion of the purchase price of 601 West 2nd Street, also known as Sail Tower, an 804,000 square foot trophy lifestyle office property in Austin (the "Sail Tower Acquisition"), and the remainder to repay borrowings under its credit facility and for general corporate purposes. In the event the Sail Tower Acquisition is not completed, Cousins will use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including the acquisition and development of office properties, other opportunistic investments and the repayment of debt. The notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company. J.P. Morgan, Truist Securities, US Bancorp, BofA Securities, Morgan Stanley, PNC Capital Markets LLC, TD Securities and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as joint book-running managers. A shelf registration statement relating to these securities is effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. Copies of these documents may be obtained by contacting J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York , 10179, Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, 3rd Floor, telephone collect at 1-212-834-4533; Truist Securities, Inc., Attention: Prospectus Department, 303 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308, telephone: 800-685-4786, or e-mail: [email protected] ; or U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., Attention: High Grade Syndicate, 214 North Tryon Street, 26th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202, or by telephone at: (877) 558-2607. Electronic copies of these documents are also available from the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov . This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell the notes, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. About Cousins Properties Cousins Properties is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT"). The Company, based in Atlanta, GA and acting through the Operating Partnership, primarily invests in Class A office buildings located in high growth Sun Belt markets. Founded in 1958, Cousins creates shareholder value through its extensive expertise in the development, acquisition, leasing, and management of high-quality real estate assets. The Company has a comprehensive strategy in place based on a simple platform, trophy assets, and opportunistic investments. Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are subject to uncertainties and risks, as itemized in Item 1A included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 . These forward-looking statements include information about the Company's possible or assumed future results of the business and the Company's financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and objectives. They also include, among other things, statements regarding subjects that are forward-looking by their nature, such as: guidance and underlying assumptions; business and financial strategy; future debt financings; future acquisitions and dispositions of operating assets or joint venture interests; future acquisitions and dispositions of land, including ground leases; future acquisitions of investments in real estate debt; future development and redevelopment opportunities; future issuances and repurchases of common stock, limited partnership units, or preferred stock; future distributions; projected capital expenditures; market and industry trends; future occupancy or volume and velocity of leasing activity; entry into new markets, changes in existing market concentrations, or exits from existing markets; future changes in interest rates and liquidity of capital markets; and all statements that address operating performance, events, investments, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to creating value for stockholders. Any forward-looking statements are based upon management's beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance, taking into account information that is currently available. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations may change as a result of possible events or factors, not all of which are known. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements due to, but not limited to, the following: the availability and terms of capital and our ability to obtain and maintain financing arrangements on terms favorable to us or at all; the ability to refinance or repay indebtedness as it matures; any changes to our credit rating; the failure of purchase, sale, or other contracts to ultimately close; the failure to achieve anticipated benefits from acquisitions, developments, investments, or dispositions; the effect of common stock or operating partnership unit issuances, including those undertaken on a forward basis, which may negatively affect the market price of our common stock; the availability of buyers and pricing with respect to the disposition of assets; changes in national and local economic conditions, the real estate industry, and the commercial real estate markets in which we operate (including supply and demand changes), particularly in Atlanta , Austin , Tampa , Charlotte , Phoenix , Dallas , and Nashville , including the impact of high unemployment, volatility in the public equity and debt markets, and international economic and other conditions; threatened terrorist attacks or sociopolitical unrest such as political instability, civil unrest, armed hostilities, or political activism, which may result in a disruption of day-to-day building operations; changes to our strategy in regard to our real estate assets may require impairment to be recognized; leasing risks, including the ability to obtain new tenants or renew expiring tenants, the ability to lease newly-developed and/or recently acquired space, the failure of a tenant to commence or complete tenant improvements on schedule or to occupy leased space, and the risk of declining leasing rates; changes in the preferences of our tenants brought about by the desire for co-working arrangements, trends toward utilizing less office space per employee, and the effect of employees working remotely; any adverse change in the financial condition or liquidity of one or more of our tenants or borrowers under our real estate debt investments; volatility in interest rates (including the impact upon the effectiveness of forward interest rate contract arrangements) and insurance rates; inflation; competition from other developers or investors; the risks associated with real estate developments (such as zoning approval, receipt of required permits, construction delays, cost overruns, and leasing risk); supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and increased construction costs; risks associated with security breaches through cyberattacks, cyber intrusions or otherwise, as well as other significant disruptions of our information technology networks and related systems, which support our operations and our buildings; changes in senior management, changes in the Company's board of directors, and the loss of key personnel; the potential liability for uninsured losses, condemnation, or environmental issues; the potential liability for a failure to meet regulatory requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar laws or the impact of any investigation regarding the same; the financial condition and liquidity of, or disputes with, joint venture partners; any failure to comply with debt covenants under debt instruments and credit agreements; any failure to continue to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust or meet regulatory requirements; potential changes to state, local, or federal regulations applicable to our business; material changes in dividend rates on common shares or other securities or the ability to pay those dividends; potential changes to the tax laws impacting real estate investment trusts and real estate in general; risks associated with climate change and severe weather events, as well as the regulatory efforts intended to reduce the effects of climate changes and investor and public perception of our efforts to respond to the same; the impact of newly adopted accounting principles on our accounting policies and on period-to-period comparisons of financial results; risks associated with possible federal, state, local, or property tax audits; and those additional risks and environmental or other factors discussed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company cannot guarantee the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements contained in this press release, and the Company does not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts Roni Imbeaux Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations 404-407-1104 [email protected] SOURCE Cousins PropertiesShould You Donate Your Points and Miles to Charity?

Social Democrat Marcel Ciolacu and far-right George Simion are the most likely to move on to a run-off on December 8. The first round of presidential elections has begun in Romania, with voters choosing a replacement for the outgoing President Klaus Iohannis. Romanians are choosing between 13 candidates on Sunday, with the top two moving on to a second round of voting on December 8 if no single candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round. That second presidential vote may be between current Social Democratic Party (PSD) Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and the far-right leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), George Simion. By 12:00 GMT, Romania’s central election bureau said the voter turnout was 27 percent. Romanians have until 19:00 GMT to cast their votes. Ciolacu has been leading in the polls with 25 percent compared with Simion, who according to opinion polls holds the support of 15 to 19 percent of the country. Romanian political analyst Cristian Pirvulescu said that the AUR party could get a boost in the parliamentary election slated for December 1 if Simion performs well in the presidential vote, and other right-leaning voters could coalesce around Simion if he reaches the run-off. “Romanian democracy is in danger for the first time since the fall of communism in 1989,” Pirvulescu told the news agency AFP. Ciolacu’s PSD has shaped the country’s politics since 1990, but this election comes at a tumultuous time in the European Union member state amid rising inflation and the ongoing war in neighbouring Ukraine. Simion has been able to tap into an affordability crisis in the country. While inflation is trending downwards from a record 10 percent last year, the far-right candidate has tapped into voter frustrations about economic issues. Inflation is expected to be 5.5 percent by the end of 2024. Simion opposes sending military aid to Ukraine – a country with which Romania shares a 650-kilometre (400-mile) border. Simion, who has repeatedly praised United States President-elect Donald Trump , has tapped into a hard right message that appears to be growing in popularity in both the US and Europe . Borrowing from the Trump playbook, Simion has warned of possible electoral fraud, and has also opposed sending military aid to Ukraine. Simion has also campaigned for unification with Moldova, which has renewed a five-year ban on him entering the country. “We are at a point where Romania can easily divert or slip towards a populist regime because [voter] dissatisfaction is pretty large among a lot of people from all social strata,” Cristian Andrei, a political consultant, told The Associated Press news agency. “And the temptation for any regime, any leader, will be to go on a populist road.”Raju Thodasam Proves Third Time Lucky, Wins on BJP Ticket From ArniWEST LAYFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Trey Kaufman-Renn had 18 points and Myles Colvin and Camden Heide each scored 13 to lead No. 6 Purdue to an 80-45 rout of Marshall on Saturday. Colvin and Heide were making their first starts of the season for Purdue (5-1). Braden Smith, who was averaging 14.6 points, was scoreless on an 0-for-4 shooting day. Smith had a team-high nine assists. Nate Martin led Marshall (3-2) with nine points, playing 24 minutes before fouling out with several minutes left in the game. The Boilermakers shot 55% in the first half to take a 39-24 halftime lead. However, Purdue made only one field goal in the final nine minutes of the first half. Purdue picked up the intensity in the second half, leading by as many as 41 points. The Boilermakers shot 50% for the game and held the Thundering Herd to 30%. No. 10 NORTH CAROLINA 87, HAWAII 69 HONOLULU (AP) — R.J. Davis scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half and No. 10 North Carolina pulled away from Hawaii. Elliot Cadeau had 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting, Seth Trimble scored 11 of his 13 points after halftime and Ian Jackson added 11 for the Tar Heels (3-1). Davis, an All-American guard, moved into fourth place on North Carolina’s all-time career scoring list. He overtook Sam Perkins with his free throw at the 11:59 mark of the first half. Gytis Nemeiksa led Hawaii with 16 points and had 10 rebounds. Akira Jacobs made three 3-pointers and scored 13 points off the bench. Tanner Christensen had 10 points and 10 rebounds and Marcus Green added 10 points for the Rainbow Warriors (4-1). No. 15 MARQUETTE 880, GEORGIA 69 NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — David Joplin scored a career-high 29 points and made six 3-pointers, Chase Ross had 14 points and five steals, and No. 15 Marquette beat Georgia. Joplin scored five straight Marquette points to begin a 12-3 run that Stevie Mitchell capped by banking in a shot with 1:33 remaining for a 78-66 lead. Mitchell made a steal at the other end to help seal it. Ben Gold scored a career-high 14 points and Kam Jones had 10 points and seven assists for Marquette (6-0). Jones was coming off the program’s third triple-double in more than 100 seasons when he had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in 36 minutes against No. 6 Purdue on Tuesday. Gold’s previous high was 12 points at UConn on Feb. 7, 2023, while Joplin’s was 28 at DePaul on Jan. 28, 2023. Blue Cain scored 17 points and Tyrin Lawrence added 15 for Georgia (5-1). Dakota Leffew had 11 and Silas Demary Jr. 10. The Bulldogs turned it over 18 times, leading to 27 points by Marquette. No. 18 CINCINNATI 81, GEORGIA TECH 58 ATLANTA (AP) — Dillon Mitchell had 14 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season, and No. 18 Cincinnati beat Georgia Tech. Jizzle James and Cole Hickman also scored 14 points apiece for the Bearcats (5-0), who passed the first true test of the young season against their first major conference opponent in the Yellow Jackets of the ACC. Naithan George made three 3-pointers while scoring 13 points for Georgia Tech (2-3). Duncan Powell added 10 points, while leading scorer Baye Ndogo finished with just five points. No. 25 ILLINOIS 87, Md-Eastern Shire 40 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Will Riley scored his 19 points in the second half and No. 25 Illinois beat Maryland Eastern Shore. Kylan Boswell added 13 points, Tomislav Ivisic had 11 and Morez Johnson Jr. finished with 10 for the Illini (4-1), who shot 25% (10 for 40) from 3-point range but committed just nine turnovers. Tre White grabbed 11 rebounds and Kasparas Jakucionis seven for Illinois, which outrebounded the Hawks 59-38. Jalen Ware scored 10 points and Christopher Flippin had 10 rebounds for Maryland Eastern Shore (2-6), which had its lowest point total of the season. The team’s previous low came in 102-63 loss to Vanderbilt on Nov. 4.

The FBI released a Thursday after 14 North Koreans were indicted for fraud and theft against U.S. companies and nonprofits, according to an . The bounty? $5 million. It’s a small sum compared to the $88 million the alleged criminals stole during their six-year . The 14 conspirators were nationals of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea posing as American information technology workers. They worked for the DPRK-controlled companies Yanbian Silverstar and Volasys Silverstar, which are located in China and Russia, respectively. The Department of Justice has accused 14 North Korean nationals of conspiring to use false identities to get IT jobs with U.S. companies and siphon money back to their home country, in violation of US, Yid Info reported. — Apex World News (@apexworldnews) The IT workers would steal American identities in order to obtain remote employment from U.S. companies. Some of the workers had orders to earn at least $10,000 per month. To pad their incomes more, they would also resort to extortion. The IT workers would steal sensitive company information and threaten to leak it unless the employer agreed to make an extortion payment. “To prop up its brutal regime, the directs IT workers to gain employment through fraud, steal sensitive information from U.S. companies, and siphon money back to the DPRK,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “This indictment of 14 North Korean nationals exposes their alleged sanctions evasion and should serve as a warning to companies around the globe — be on alert for this malicious activity by the DPRK regime,” Monaco said. A federal court in St. Louis, Missouri, indicted the workers on Wednesday. The indictment was the most recent move against the conspirators in a two-year effort to disrupt this particular group, which is just one of many. In January seized $320,000 from the group, then another $444,800 in July. Prior to that, the FBI seized $1.5 million, along with 29 of the group’s internet domains used during their alleged schemes. All 14 North Koreans were charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to commit identity theft, according to the FBI release. Eight conspirators are charged with aggravated identity theft. They each face a maximum penalty of 27 years in prison if they are ultimately convicted. We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. .

Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs reportw777 。

ESTERO, Fla. (AP) — Al Green scored 19 points and Sean Newman Jr. added seven in the overtime as Louisiana Tech knocked off Southern Illinois 85-79 in a first-round contest at the Gulf Coast Showcase on Monday night. Green had three steals for the Bulldogs (5-0). Kaden Cooper scored 18 points and added 12 rebounds and four steals. Amaree Abram went 8 of 13 from the field to finish with 18 points, while adding six steals. Kennard Davis led the way for the Salukis (2-4) with 16 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Southern Illinois also got 15 points and eight rebounds from Jarrett Hensley. Ali Abdou Dibba also had 12 points and two steals. Cooper scored 12 points in the first half and Louisiana Tech went into the break trailing 31-27. Abram's 16-point second half helped Louisiana Tech close out the six-point victory. NEXT UP These two teams both play Tuesday in the six-team, round-robin tournament. Louisiana Tech squares off against Richmond and Southern Illinois faces Eastern Kentucky. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 6, 2024-- DWS Municipal Income Trust (KTF) (the “Fund”) announced today its regular November monthly distribution. Details are as follows: Declaration – 12/06/2024 Ex-Date – 12/18/2024 Record – 12/18/2024 Payable – 12/30/2024 Fund Ticker Distribution Per Share Prior Distribution Per Share DWS Municipal Income Trust KTF $0.0610 $0.0610 The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net investment income each year through its regular monthly distributions and to distribute any realized capital gains at least annually. In addition, in any monthly period, to maintain its declared per common share distribution amount, the Fund may distribute more or less than its net investment income during the period. In the event the Fund distributes more than its net investment income during any yearly period, such distributions may also include realized gains and/or a return of capital. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce the Fund’s net asset value. It is estimated that a portion of the Fund’s December distribution consists of a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of a shareholder’s investment is paid back to the shareholder. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect a fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.” Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of its monthly distribution. As required by Federal securities laws, the Fund will issue a notice to its common shareholders in connection with its monthly distribution that contains information about the amount and estimated sources of the distribution and other related information. The final determination of the source and tax status of all distributions paid in 2024 will be made after the end of 2024 and will be provided on Form 1099-DIV. Important Information DWS Municipal Income Trust. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Municipal securities are subject to the risk that litigation, legislation or other political events, local business or economic conditions or the bankruptcy of the issuer could have a significant effect on an issuer’s ability to make payments of principal and/or interest. The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds, and there may be less information available on the financial condition of issuers of municipal securities than for public corporations. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Leverage results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any gains or losses. Although the Fund seeks income that is exempt from federal income taxes, a portion of the Fund’s distributions may be subject to federal, state and local taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. There is a one-time public offering and once issued, shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the open market through a stock exchange. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to the net asset value. The price of a fund’s shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the fund. Therefore, the fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below or above net asset value. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction. Certain statements contained in this release may be forward-looking in nature. These include all statements relating to plans, expectations, and other statements that are not historical facts and typically use words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” ”estimated” and similar expressions. Such statements represent management’s current beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements. Management does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements: (i) the effects of adverse changes in market and economic conditions; (ii) legal and regulatory developments; and (iii) other additional risks and uncertainties, including public health crises (including the pandemic spread of viruses), war, terrorism, trade disputes and related geopolitical events. War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in US and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments. NOT FDIC/ NCUA INSURED • MAY LOSE VALUE • NO BANK GUARANTEE NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY DWS Distributors, Inc. 222 South Riverside Plaza Chicago, IL 60606-5808 www.dws.com Tel (800) 621-1148 © 2024 DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA. All rights reserved. The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services. (R-103920 -1) (12/24) View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206189075/en/ CONTACT: For additional information: DWS Press Office (212) 454-4500 Shareholder Account Information (800) 294-4366 DWS Closed-End Funds (800) 349-4281 KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: DWS Distributors, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/06/2024 04:35 PM/DISC: 12/06/2024 04:36 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206189075/enPrice Over Earnings Overview: Core Molding Technologies

EQTEC (LON:EQT) Sets New 12-Month Low – Should You Sell?

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Green had three steals for the Bulldogs (5-0). Kaden Cooper scored 18 points and added 12 rebounds and four steals. Amaree Abram went 8 of 13 from the field to finish with 18 points, while adding six steals. Kennard Davis led the way for the Salukis (2-4) with 16 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Southern Illinois also got 15 points and eight rebounds from Jarrett Hensley. Ali Abdou Dibba also had 12 points and two steals. Cooper scored 12 points in the first half and Louisiana Tech went into the break trailing 31-27. Abram's 16-point second half helped Louisiana Tech close out the six-point victory. NEXT UP These two teams both play Tuesday in the six-team, round-robin tournament. Louisiana Tech squares off against Richmond and Southern Illinois faces Eastern Kentucky. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Salem University, Lokoja, has announced that 41 out of its 499 graduating students will be awarded first-class degrees at the institution’s combined convocation ceremony for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 sets, scheduled for Friday, November 29, 2024. This announcement was made by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alewo Akubo, during a pre-convocation press briefing in Lokoja on Monday. The graduates are from seven colleges of the university: the College of Management and Social Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, College of Humanities, College of Education, College of Communication and Information Technology, College of Law, and the Postgraduate School. Akubo also revealed that the institution’s eighth college, the College of Basic Health and Medical Sciences, had recently been accredited and will commence operations soon. Akubo emphasised that Salem University had consistently produced graduates who contributed significantly to the development of Kogi State, Nigeria, and the global community. Related News Salem University screens admission seekers ‎NUC accredits five additional courses for Kogi varsity “Our sixth convocation comes up on Friday, November 29, 2024. A total of 499 students will be graduating, with 41 of them earning first-class degrees. Our graduates are change agents, equipped to contribute to the development of Kogi State, Nigeria, and the entire world,” he said. The Vice-Chancellor appealed for support from key stakeholders, including the Kogi State Government, the Federal Government, and well-meaning individuals, to strengthen the university’s ability to continue its developmental contributions. “Private universities are playing a crucial role in producing graduates who serve the world at large. What public universities are doing, private universities are doing much more. The Federal Government should encourage private universities to do more. For sustainable university education in Nigeria, attention must also be paid to private institutions,” he added. As part of the convocation activities, Professor Sam Egwu, a renowned Professor of Political Economy, is scheduled to deliver the convocation lecture on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Salem University’s commitment to academic excellence and producing impactful graduates remains evident as it celebrates another milestone in its history.

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Michelle Keegan is pregnant. The 37-year-old actress has taken to social media to announce that she's expecting her first child with her husband Mark Wright. Alongside a photo of Michelle cradling her growing baby bump, she wrote on Instagram: "2025 is going to be a special one for us... [star emojis] (sic)" Mark, 37 - who first found fame as a reality TV star - has also shared the same post on his own Instagram page. The loved-up couple have been married since 2015, but Michelle previously bemoaned being asked questions about her family plans, insisting that it was "no one else’s business". The actress told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "It’s horrible. People don’t know if we’re trying. They don’t know the background of what’s happening." Michelle suggested that there was a sexist element to the line of questioning, too. She said: "In this day and age, you shouldn't be asking questions like that. "I'm asked purely because I'm a woman. I'm immune to it now - it's like a reaction, and as soon as I hear it I brush it off as it's no one else's business." Prior to that, Mark admitted that he was keen to become a dad one day. However, the TV star acknowledged that their careers would often get in the way of their family plans, He told The Sun newspaper: "We say we're going to try [for a baby] every year but something comes up with work. "So it'll be Michelle filming in South Africa and then I got the job in Los Angeles - so we think, right, we'll try next year. "With kids, I used to want three or four. But now, I'm 31, we're not having kids any time before 32. "I think we could have two or three. Twins would be great because you're getting two out of the way at once."HAMMOND, Ind.-- Casey King plucked trash along the Parrish Avenue side of Briar East Woods, stuffing a white trash bag as we waited for others of Save Briar East Woods before Christmas. Joey Hinds soon joined with his own white trash bag. Then Ken Rosek arrived with fire and passion, pulling out maps of the proposed Governor’s Parkway Railroad Overpass Project, whose construction swath would gut this unique piece of urban wilds. A dune ridge, centerpiece of the woods, makes Briar East Woods unique. It’s a farthermost ridge remnant of the old Tolleston strandplain on Lake Michigan, probably from 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. The ridge itself is black oak savanna. The edges of the 35-acre woods are more disturbed with maples and other plants of disturbed habitat. Mayor Tom McDermott’s office sees the overpass as a bypass to a busy railroad corridor “plagued” by trains stopped for extended periods. His office also noted, “The overpass is also slated to include a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, and the structure will also help fire and police response times in the Hessville section of the city.” Those trying to save Briar East Woods think other options accomplish the same things and would not gut the woods. Maybe the feds agree, so far full funding has not come. The political pissing match doesn’t interest me, how people value, or don’t, their wild urban spaces does. Briar East Woods is rich with wildlife from red foxes fed by neighbors, deer rutting in the fall, snapping turtles, green frogs, barred owls and eagle flyovers. The day I toured, no squirrels flitted about, but I saw dozens of dreys, as befits a black oak savanna. Same goes for plant diversity. But so far there are no dramatic biological finds that would halt a project. When Rosek spoke from growing up, it reminded me getaway space is the other major value of urban wilds. At Briar East Lake, he walked on sketchy ice and reminisced, “I always make it a point to ice skate here. There is where I learned to play hockey.” As we walked back, a man carrying groceries cut through on a trail, showing what the woods meant to him. As small as the woods is, there’s an extensive trail system. A few steps on, Rosek stood on the highest point in Hammond, then pointed down the ridge slope, “This was our sledding hill.” Getaway wild spaces enrich our lives and deliver memories, especially for kids. Near the end, King and I looked for flowers on a good patch of witchhazel. It was time. Trying to save Briar East Woods draws on creative power more than brute force. Filmmaker Jana Abouhashem’s “Save The Briar Woods East Documentary,” packed Joy Bomb Social Center on Nov. 3 for the premier. It’s now on YouTube. Rosek, a fan of Jens Jensen and the landscape architect’s work with Humboldt Park, dreams similarly for Briar East Woods, a park he would consider “the gem of Northwest Indiana, if it’s done right.” Or a roadway bypass.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime and the Miami Dolphins overcame Aaron Rodgers' first 300-yard passing game in nearly three years to beat the New York Jets 32-26 on Sunday. After Jason Sanders tied it with 7 seconds left in regulation with a 42-yard field goal, Tagovailoa quickly moved the Dolphins (6-7) down the field and they beat the Jets for the ninth straight time in Miami. That came after Anders Carlson gave the struggling Jets (3-10) — who were eliminated from postseason contention for the 14th straight year — the lead with a 42-yarder with 52 seconds remaining. But Malik Washington put the Dolphins in great position to help set up Sanders' field goal with a 45-yard kickoff return to Miami's 46-yard line. Tagovailoa was 33 of 47 for 331 yards and two TDs. He had just one incompletion on Miami's eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive that was capped by Smith's fourth touchdown of the season. Smith didn't have a catch before catching three for 44 yards on the winning drive. Rodgers was 27 of 39 for 339 yards, ending a drought of 34 regular-season games without a 300-yard passing game — dating to Dec. 12, 2021, while with Green Bay — and had a TD pass to Davante Adams. But Rodgers could only watch from the sideline in overtime as the Jets never got the ball after blowing a second straight second-half lead. Rodgers and Adams connected for a 3-yard score in the third quarter, the pair's 79th touchdown in the regular and postseason. They passed Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown for the fourth-most by a quarterback-receiver duo in NFL history. Adams finished with nine catches and 109 yards. The Dolphins trailed entering the fourth quarter, but Tagovailoa connected with Tyreek Hill for a 4-yard TD and Jaylen Waddle caught the two-point conversion to tie it at 23. Hill caught 10 passes for 115 yards, and Waddle added 99 yards on nine catches.. The Jets took a 20-15 lead in the third on Adams' touchdown that was set up by a 42-yard pickup by Garrett Wilson, who beat cornerback Jalen Ramsey on a double move to get open. A 40-yard field goal by Carlson later stretched New York's lead to 8 after the Dolphins went scoreless in the quarter. The matchup pitted the Jets' No. 2-ranked pass defense against Tagovailoa, the NFL's most accurate passer, and Miami's No. 9-ranked pass defense against the four-time MVP Rodgers who has had a subpar season. Both quarterbacks were strong and the teams played rather evenly at first, with each scoring on their first three possessions. The first punt of the game was on Miami's first drive of the second half, and the Jets scored on their first five possessions. Tagovailoa had just three incompletions in the first half and was 3 for 3 on Miami's final drive of the second quarter, moving the Dolphins into field goal range in 45 seconds to set up a 57-yarder by Sanders, which tied the kicker's career best. Sanders also made kicks of 39 and 24 yards, and De'Von Achane had a 2-yard rushing touchdown on Miami's opening possession. Rodgers moved the Jets inside Miami's 20 three times in the first half. Isaiah Davis ran for a 17-yard score, and Carlson made field goals of 28 and 30 yards. Wilson caught seven passes for 114 yards. Jets: RT Morgan Moses injured his wrist during pregame warmups. He started, but was replaced during the game by Max Mitchell. ... WR Irvin Charles left with a knee injury. Dolphins: LT Terron Armstead left early after apparently tweaking the knee that sidelined him this week in practice. ... WR Dee Eskridge (knee) and LB Anthony Walker Jr (hamstring) were also injured. Jets: At Jacksonville next Sunday. Dolphins: At Houston next Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLNEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saints quarterback Derek Carr was willing to risk his health to improve New Orleans’ chances of playing meaningful football in mid-December. Now the Saints, who’ve remained mathematically alive in the playoff race by winning three of four, might have to play without Carr again — and it didn’t go well the last time. Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi declined on Monday to rule out Carr for any of New Orleans’ final four games because of his . Both injuries occurred when he tried to leap for a first down and crashed hard to the turf during the fourth quarter of on Sunday. “We’re not going to rule him out just yet,” Rizzi said. “We have to see in the next day or two what the healing process is like and see if he can function. “The good news it’s not his throwing hand,” Rizzi said. “The bad news is we’re obviously dealing with an injury here that we have to kind of play it by ear.” Rizzi noted that Carr must clear the concussion protocol first. After that, he said, the Saints can see how well Carr can operate with his hand injury. “It’s been done before,” Rizzi said when asked about the prospect of an NFL QB playing with an injured non-throwing hand. “It appears at moment that it’s non-surgical, which is a big aspect of it. ... That’s why we’re going to discuss the options.” Last season, Los Angeles Chargers QB . Buffalo Bills QB . If Carr can’t play, his replacement will be either second-year pro Jake Haener or rookie Spencer Rattler. Rattler started three games earlier this season when Carr had an oblique injury — all losses by New Orleans, which was in the midst of a seven-game skid. “We’ve just got to surround whomever it is and pick him up and get him rolling with the rest of us,” guard Lucas Patrick said. “It’s just another step of adversity in this long season that we’ve had.” What’s working New Orleans’ interior defensive line is coming off one of its better games. Defensive tackles Bryan Bresee and Khalen Saunders accounted for both New Orleans’ sacks in New York. The Saints also held the Giants to 112 yards rushing — a lower opponent rushing total than in seven other games this season. What needs help The Saints’ 92 yards rushing offensively was their fourth-lowest total all season and the lowest in any of their victories. Stock up Running back Kendre Miller’s future is looking a bit brighter now. He has played in just three games this season because of hamstring injuries and his lack of readiness was criticized by since-fired coach Dennis Allen earlier this season. Miller also has yet to rush for more than 36 yards in a game. But against the Giants, he earned praise for the speed, strength and elusiveness he was able to show on a couple of clutch runs, including an 8-yard run for his first and only touchdown this season. Patrick said Miller deserved credit on his scoring run for staying upright and continuing to push forward — with the help of some teammates — after he was met at the 5-yard line by a Giants defender. Patrick said if Miller didn’t give the extra effort and stay on his feet, his teammates would not have had the chance to help push him across the goal line. “Kendre’s definitely a bright, young runner and he’s exciting to block for,” Patrick said. Stock down Blake Grupe was 0 for 2 on field goal attempts, although both were from beyond 50 yards and one was blocked. Those were Grupe’s first two failures from beyond 50 yards this season. Injuries In addition to Carr, reserve linebacker D’Marco Jackson left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. Key number 0 — The number of games the Saints have won when Carr does not play. They’ve gone 5-5 in his starts this season. Next steps The Saints are back home Sunday against Washington in what could be ex-New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore’s first game with the Commanders. The game also marks the return to Louisiana of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman Troply last year at LSU. ___ AP NFL:

Texas, Arizona State to meet in CFP clash of old vs. new Big 12 champsExpelled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s whereabouts have been revealed after fleeing Syria. Assad, along with his family, have arrived in Moscow on Sunday and granted asylum, according to the TASS news agency, which received the information from a Kremlin source. “Assad and his family members have arrived in Moscow. Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum,” the source said. In Syria, celebrations are taking place after rebels captured the capital of Damascus, triggering the collapse of Assad’s government and the end of his 24-year reign. Assad left with his wife and two children, their location remaining unknown until now. “At long last, the Assad regime has fallen. This regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice,” U.S. President Joe Biden said after the overtaking. “It’s a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. It’s also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next.” A popular LA radio host has died at 44 years old, loved ones said. Robin Ayers, a personality on KBLA 1580 Talk, died on Thursday, according to fellow broadcaster Tavis Smiley .Her cause of death has not been released. “Robin was a bright light. You could see her radiant smile through the radio. We all respected her immense talent, loved her jovial spirit, celebrated her love of family, and honored her faith in God," Smiley wrote on X. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Robin’s entire family, most especially her husband Rob and her twin daughters Brooklyn and Madison.” On Friday, KBLA Talk 150 opened up phone lines and listeners could call in and talk about Ayers and their memories of the star, who was also an entertainment reporter. Prior to being a host for “The RA Report with Robin Ayers,” she was a stylist in Hollywood for 15 years. Her last Instagram post showed Ayers spending time with her family in New York City, where they celebrated Thanksgiving and her twin daughters' 18th birthday. If you’re trying to pick up gifts for the loved ones on your list, here’s a tip: everyone appreciates the gift of softer and more manageable hair and skin. 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New York Police Department detectives arrived in Atlanta on Saturday as the search for the UnitedHealthcare assassin continues. Officers traveled to the Georgia city after receiving a large number of tips linked to the yet-to-be unidentified suspect wanted in the murder of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, ABC News reported . The Atlanta Police Department confirmed the arrival of NYPD officers, but reportedly declined to provide additional details. The suspected shooter allegedly arrived in New York on Nov. 24 on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta . On Dec. 4, the masked gunman shot Thompson at point-blank range outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where the insurance executive’s company was holding an investors conference. After the shooting, police say that the suspected gunman boarded a bus out of New York City. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the murder as “brazen” and “targeted.” And, while the suspect remains at large, authorities released new images of the suspected shooter on Saturday and investigators are said to have followed leads in multiple states. 🚨UPDATE: Below are photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide on Dec. 4. The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the public's help—if you have any information about this case, call the... https://t.co/U4wlUquumf pic.twitter.com/243V0tBZOr Mariah Carey shut down rumors that her new Christmas video was generated by artificial intelligence, claiming bad lighting and red lipstick were to blame for the odd visuals. Carey, who filmed a Christmas-themed video thanking her fans, had commenters questioning if the video was actually real with one user writing, “that is AI for sure!!” Another chimed in, “Definitely AI. It’s always something off with the eyes.” The clip, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of her album, “Merry Christmas,” was made for Spotify Wrapped, and shown to users who counted Carey as one of their most-listened artists. Carey responded to the backlash from the video, saying it was the red lipstick and lighting throwing viewers off. “Bad lighting and a red lip have you all thinking this is AI?? There’s a reason I’m not a fan of either of those things,” she wrote on X. One fan responded, “It must be hard being so gorgeous that nobody believes you’re real.” . @MariahCarey with an exclusive message for her top fans on Spotify Wrapped. pic.twitter.com/ODo5DHW5ih Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. As any true audiophile already knows, Amazon Music Unlimited has long been a reliable destination for an elevated listening experience. With millions of high-quality songs and an unparalleled collection of top ad-free podcasts, the platform’s catalog is curated to capture both your attention and your imagination. Now, Amazon is raising the bar with an exciting update: Audible is officially joining Amazon Music Unlimited, cementing the brand’s status as an all-in-one audio hub . Audible’s industry-leading catalog of audiobooks features an expansive selection of can’t-miss bestsellers, hot-off-the-press exclusives, and timeless classics to immerse yourself in. As an Amazon Music Unlimited subscriber, you’ll be free to select one book each month (of any length) and listen to it directly in the Amazon Music app . Whether you’re a fiction buff ready to dive into a thrilling new adventure or a non-fiction enthusiast looking to expand your horizons, Audible’s expansive collection is sure to have the right title that matches your tastes. Plus, when you’re ready to take a break from the book, you can seamlessly swap back to your favorite tunes and podcast episodes —all without having to leave the app. It’s all the audio that you’ll ever need, all in one place! Best of all, this game-changing update is arriving just in time for the holiday season: start a new subscription , and enjoy your first three months of Amazon Music Unlimited, completely for free. Audio art, conversation, and storytelling—all in one place. What’s not to love? Sign up today and get lost in the sound . A $2 million dollar home in Nantucket was broken into by high schoolers after the homeowner ignored their AirBnB request. The owner, Edith Stone Lentini, received rental request for the home for Oct. 28 about a Halloween party for 14-15 year olds. “My daughter wants to throw a little Halloween party for her and her friends and I was wondering if that’s possible,” the AirBnB rental request message read, obtained by the Nantucket Current . “I would be there to monitor the kids and it would just be a fun get together.” After ignoring the “sketchy” request, a police officer called her one night informing her a rager was being thrown at the house. Police told Lentini that the high schoolers broke in through an unlocked window, and threw the party despite the ignored request. The teenagers took extraordinary caution, however: rolling up the white rug, taking all the pictures off the walls, moving furniture aside and more. “As much as I’m upset about this, they did take care of the house,” Lentini told the Nantucket Current. “The most damage was just sticky floors. They even put ‘do not enter’ tape around the TV stand.” The house rents for $5,500 a week in the summer, and was worth an estimated $2.3 million. Photos of the home can be seen on realtor.com , with the last sale in 2012 for $1.3 million. CNN political commentator Alisyn Camerota announced on Sunday she would leave the network. “Big News, Everyone! — today is my last day on CNN,” she wrote on Instagram, sharing that her sign-off would be early Sunday evening. Camerota joined the network in 2014 after a 16-year stint at Fox News, hosting its New Day morning show for years alongside Chris Cuomo before a move to afternoons in 2021. After Warner Bros. Discovery assumed control of CNN, Camerota floated through various positions at the network, including as its 11 p.m. host before an eventual floating role as a political commentator and fill-in anchor. Camerota disclosed in July that her husband of nearly 23 years, Tim Lewis, died after a battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. “I cannot imagine any human being soldiering through a devastating diagnosis with more humor, humility and bravery than Tim,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “He was a phenomenal father, husband, friend and role model and the rest of us are left trying to follow in his footsteps.” Aside from her role at CNN, where she won two Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow award, Camerota is a best-selling author, publishing both a children’s book and a memoir. Her memoir, Combat Love, is being adapted for film and television. Barry Keoghan addressed his abrupt departure from Instagram after he deactivated his account on the platform Friday night. The actor took to X asking fans be “respectful” of him and his loved ones after his name was “dragged across the internet” following news of his breakup with Sabrina Carpenter on Tuesday. Since their split, internet rumors have swirled that Keoghan cheated on the pop star. Some suggested he had a tryst with influencer Breckie Hill, a claim Hill seemingly confirmed when she re-posted a TikTok about their speculated romance. Keoghan, however, made no mention of Hill in his statement. “The messages I have received no person should ever have to read them. Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent, and every other inhumane thing you can imagine,” the actor wrote , accusing trolls of “Knocking on my grannies door. Sitting outside my baby boys house intimidating them.” Keoghan, who has a young son, also pleaded with social media users to think of his child before they post about him. “I need you to remeber (sic) he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older,” he said. Please be respectful x pic.twitter.com/N03eHAIbC8 Oppenheimer star Emma Dumont confirmed to TMZ via a rep that they are now using they/them pronouns as a trans-masculine and non-binary person. “They identify as a trans masculine non-binary person. Their work name is still going to be Emma Dumont, but they will go by Nick with friends and family,” said the rep, adding that Dumont will go by Emma professionally. Dumont is best-known for portraying Oppenheimer’s sister-in-law Jackie Oppenheimer in the 2023 Oscar-winning blockbuster. They have also portrayed Lorna Dane/Polaris in Fox’s 2017 X-men adaptation series The Gifted , also scoring a role in Paul Thomas Anderson‘s Licorice Pizza . Next they are set to star in a film called The New Me , about a young mother struggling to connect with her baby and husband, according to IMDb . The film does not have a release date yet, but Dumont has updated their listed pronouns on Instagram to reflect their life update. “Only call me Nick if ur cool okay?” they wrote on their updated Instagram profile. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. If you’re looking to revamp your at-home fitness lineup ahead of 2025 and don’t have hours to commit to exercising each day, allow us to introduce you to the CAROL Bike . The science-backed and AI-powered fitness bike is engineered to give you maximum results in the shortest time possible—and by the shortest time, we mean as little as five minutes. 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You can try the CAROL Bike for yourself risk-free for 100 days, and the brand offers free shipping (7-10 business days) in the U.S. The family of Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson, 78, said he is in the “early stages” of Alzheimer’s and battling another blood-born disease that is “causing problems with his entire body.” Robertson’s son Jase broke the news Friday on an episode of the Unashamed with the Robertson Family podcast. “Phil’s not doing well. We were trying to figure out the diagnosis, but according to the doctors, they are sure that he has some sort of blood disease causing all kinds of problems,” said Jase, 55. He added, “And he has early stages of Alzheimer’s. So, if you put those things together, he’s just not doing well.” Robertson rose to fame with the popularity of the hit 2012 A&E show, which followed the Louisiana family of seven as they operated their lucrative duck call and decoy business, Duck Commanders. When the show ended in 2017, Robertson became a conservative figurehead with his support of President-elect Donald Trump . According to Jase, Robertson is hoping to return to hosting the podcast. “I’m like, ‘Well Phil, you can barely walk around without crying out in pain, and your memory is not what it once was,’” said Jase. “He’s like, ‘Tell me about it.’” A Friday night NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Sacramento Kings culminated in a tense moment after Spurs’ power forward Zach Collins was ejected from the game and flipped off a referee in anger. Collins was called for a hard foul on Kings’ star Domantas Sabonis and proceeded to protest the referee’s decision. This led to him receiving a technical foul, his second in just two quarters, prompting his removal from the game—but not before Collins gave the ref a piece of his mind by giving him the finger. Collins was then seen being consoled by his coaches before he headed off to the locker room. The Spurs ultimately lost 140-113, but the viral moment rippled across the internet. The Sporting News reported that Collins could receive a fine for the gesture, and social media commentators seemed to agree. “Welp there’s a suspension and a fine,” wrote one commentator on X . Another added, “Enjoy your 1 game suspension.” While other fans questioned the referee’s call after two other players, including Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant , faced similar ejections. “I like how all ejection in 3 games are against the Kings,” a commentator added . That's the third straight game a Sacramento opponent has been ejected. Tonight, it was Zach Collins. Fair to say he wasn't happy afterward. Take a look at his reaction lol pic.twitter.com/vlRymXD9IMw777 slot 。

MILAN (AP) — Milan’s storied Teatro alla Scala presented Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” for its gala season premiere Saturday for the first time in 59 years, determined to shake the opera's reputation for bringing bad luck. The production conducted by Riccardo Chailly and featuring Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, American tenor Brian Jagde and French baritone Ludovic Tezier received 13 minutes of applause, and a smattering of boos from the upper balconies. “No one booed after my arias,′′ Netrebko retorted, with an air kiss. The premiere is a highlight of the Milan cultural calendar, attracting top figures from the world of politics, business and the arts, although this year, both President Sergio Mattarella and Premier Giorgia Meloni, who have attended in the past, instead traveled to Paris for ceremonies marking the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Netrebk o sang the role of Leonora to American tenor Brian Jagde's Don Alvaro, lovers whose future is determined by a tragic accident. Jagde was brought in on short notice to substitute for German tenor Jonas Kaufmann , who dropped out for family reasons. “I have never felt like this in my life,'' Jagde said backstage. ”It really is so exciting to be on stage in this place, with these people, on this day." It is Jagde’s fourth time singing the role of Don Alvaro this year alone, and his third La Scala performance, the second alongside Netrebko. Netrebko called the score of “La Forza del Destino” a “masterpiece,” but confessed recently that she could not identify with her character, Leonora, ’’as a woman of the 21st century.” “If you are looking at the story, it is basically nonsense, sorry,” she told a recent press conference. "If we are being serious and trying to follow the story, and try to understand, especially the character of Leonora, hunted by fear, guilt, desperation, and in the end what did she find?” The opera is an ill-fated love story between Don Alvaro and Leonora set against the background of a wars, which has resonance in current global turbulence. A pro-Palestinian protest gnarled traffic in the center of Milan just ahead of the VIP arrivals at La Scala. Unions also traditionally protest the lavish event in the piazza opposite the opera house. “La Forza del Destino” has not opened the La Scala season since 1965, and has not been performed by La Scala's orchestra for 25 years. The opera has been dogged by superstition that it brings bad luck, so much so that some in Italy will not say the full title aloud. But La Scala general manager Dominique Meyer said the reason so much time had passed is that “there aren't always singers up to it.” “We need to understand something, that singers like Anna Nebrenko come once in a generation.” He dismissed the superstition as “folklore," adding, "we applaud folklore, but we remain calm.''Good attitude is everything

Josh Hubbard scored 25 points and Claudell Harris Jr. scored 21 on 6-of-9 shooting as Mississippi State escaped with a 91-84 win against Prairie View A&M on Sunday in Starkville, Miss. Prairie View A&M took a 65-64 lead with 10:38 remaining, but Hubbard and Harris Jr. each scored seven points to power the ensuing 14-1 run that put Mississippi State up for good. Hubbard punctuated the rally with a 3-pointer that made it 78-66 with 5:51 to play. The Bulldogs (8-1) stretched their lead to as many as 13 points in the closing minutes to notch their second straight win. Shawn Jones Jr. added 11 points for Mississippi State, while Michael Nwoko added 10 points and 10 rebounds. RJ Melendez also netted 10 points. The Panthers (1-8) were led by the trio of Nick Anderson (21 points) Tanahj Pettway (20) and Marcel Bryant (19). Pettway drilled 4 of 5 3-pointers and Bryant grabbed seven rebounds. Prairie View A&M got off to a hot start, opening up a 27-12 lead with 10:42 left in the first half. It was a surprising haymaker from the visitors, who entered the game winless in Division I play and faced a Bulldogs team that was ranked last week. Mississippi State eventually found its stride offensively, turning things around with a 32-17 run to tie the game at 44 entering halftime. The Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the field overall in the first half, but only made six of their 17 attempts from 3-point range (35.3 percent). Their defense remained an issue throughout the half, with the Panthers hitting 16 of their 27 shots (59.3 percent) and canning 5 of 8 3-pointers. Neither team led by more than five early in the second half until Mississippi State pulled away. The Bulldogs finished the game shooting 55.6 percent from the floor (30-of-54) and drilled 11 of 26 attempts (42.3 percent) from long range. They outrebounded Prairie View A&M 35-22 and outscored them 31-20 in bench points. The Panthers held a 34-32 advantage in points in the paint and shot 56.4 percent overall for the game, including 52.6 percent (10-of-19) on threes. --Field Level MediaMusk's millions for Trump make him biggest US political donor

Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2

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ASIAN EXEMPLARS Often called Asia’s Nobel Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Awards honors individuals or organizations embodying greatness of spirit, transformative leadership and selfless service, attributes that also define the legacy of the seventh Philippine president. Photo shows the 2024 awardees in rites held on Nov. 16 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO On Nov. 16, the Ramon Magsaysay Awards marked its 66th anniversary. For the first time, I was tasked with handing out the awards, as representative of the late president’s family. It was an honor for me, the grandson of the seventh president of the Philippines, to join five distinguished Asians who received the award established to perpetuate the values my lolo believed in. When I watched my father, his namesake and only son, hand out awards last year, I did not realize that he would ask me to do it for him this year. He decided it was time for the younger generation to do the honors of handing out the awards that have become Asia’s most prestigious. My dad simply said that he would rather I give out the awards this year, as he felt it was time for me to take over that duty. He has been telling me this day was going to come sooner than later since about three years ago. I have been to the Magsaysay awarding ceremonies since I returned from the United States in 1993 when I was 25 years old. But I was always just a spectator, watching my dad on stage with the Magsaysay laureates. The event was always amazing and inspiring and made me take stock of what I was doing in my own life and start thinking about doing my share to help those in need. I am used to being on stage as a speaker, so that part of the ceremonies was not new to me. What was different was participating in handing out the medals and citations. The people receiving the Magsaysay Awards had shown greatness of spirit in service to the peoples of Asia regardless of race, gender, or religion—an expanded version of my lolo’s commitment to serve the Filipinos. Being on stage gave me a very different perspective on the ceremony. For one, I got to see the reaction of the crowd to the introduction of the awardees and their acceptance speeches. The awe and inspiration were evident. Talking to the awardees, it was remarkable how simple they were and yet had the courage and fortitude to take on Herculean challenges to do what was right. It was inspiring to know that the values and virtues of my Lolo Monching are lived by the Magsaysay awardees. As the son of a former senator and the grandson of a former president, my relatives and I have always been exposed to these ideals from a very young age, and we have all tried to practice it in our daily lives, no matter where our paths took us. From a very young age, we were always told to keep the Magsaysay name “clean” and to live with the virtues of hard work, honesty and integrity. I did not get to meet my grandfather. When he died on March 17, 1957, my dad was only 18 years old. Admittedly, it was not easy having Ramon Magsaysay as a role model, even if I did not get to meet him personally. Even without the awards named after him, his shoes were already too big to fill—heroic World War II guerilla fighter, congressman, secretary of defense, and president. But we have always lived the way he would have wanted us to, so I do not know how difficult it must be for others as this is all we know. Fortunately, although I was told about the legacy of my Lolo Monching, I was not nagged about it. It was mentioned every once in a while. I only remember being told often to keep the name “clean.” Despite being the grandson of a president and the son of a senator, I was never pressured to join politics, nor was I inclined to. My father believed that one way to serve was to do well in one’s calling. Later, I would realize that, for me, that calling would be ice cream, Carmen’s Best. My dad told me that if I wanted to help people, I could help without being in politics or government. There are many credible foundations that are run very well and are transparent in doing their work. We were encouraged to help through them. This I have always tried to do when I took over the family business after my dad returned to politics as a senator in 1995. I did consider running for office in 2013, but after my cancer diagnosis I dropped the idea. And, by then, I had decided politics was really not for me. I wanted to create a name on my own and have my own identity. In our first year of operations in 2011, we started helping the PGH (Philippine General Hospital) Medical Foundation Inc. In 2018, we started to help the Good Shepherd Foundation in Baguio City. The business was really never about just making money. It was a passion project that just grew as people supported it. While I was the one tasked this year to represent the family in the annual Magsaysay Awards ceremonies, it does not mean I am the only one honoring my lolo’s legacy. I have cousins who have done more to help other people. Dr. Ralph Valenzuela, who teaches at the UERM (University of the East Ramon Magsaysay) Medical Center, has dedicated his life to healing the sick. His brother Mike is an educator and a La Salle Brother. I am now making sure to instill in my children the values that my grandfather stood for: integrity, hard work and honesty. There will come a time, hopefully in the far future, when I will have to pass the torch to the next generation as well. I want to make sure that my children are worthy of the legacy their great grandfather left, not just on the family, country and region, but also on the world. I tell them the same thing my father told me—how we have kept the name of the Magsaysay family clean and that we should continue doing so. That the Rockefeller family had such admiration for lolo and the ideals and values he lived by, that they initiated the establishment of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Former President Ramon Magsaysay may have left this world too soon, but in his short life, he managed to leave an enduring legacy that brings pride not just to us his family, but to all Filipinos. INQ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ review: Totally unnecessary, boring Disney sequelNone

go777 casino login By MARC LEVY HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania conceded his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick on Thursday, as a statewide recount showed no signs of closing the gap and his campaign suffered repeated blows in court in its effort to get potentially favorable ballots counted. Casey’s concession comes more than two weeks after Election Day, as a grindingly slow ballot-counting process became a spectacle of hours-long election board meetings, social media outrage, lawsuits and accusations that some county officials were openly flouting the law. Republicans had been claiming that Democrats were trying to steal McCormick’s seat by counting “illegal votes.” Casey’s campaign had accused of Republicans of trying to block enough votes to prevent him from pulling ahead and winning. In a statement, Casey said he had just called McCormick to congratulate him. “As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last,” Casey said. The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Nov. 7, concluding that not enough ballots remained to be counted in areas Casey was winning for him to take the lead. As of Thursday, McCormick led by about 16,000 votes out of almost 7 million ballots counted. That was well within the 0.5% margin threshold to trigger an automatic statewide recount under Pennsylvania law. But no election official expected a recount to change more than a couple hundred votes or so, and Pennsylvania’s highest court dealt him a blow when it refused entreaties to allow counties to count mail-in ballots that lacked a correct handwritten date on the return envelope. Republicans will have a 53-47 majority next year in the U.S. Senate. Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriterUCF, LSU face off with improved focus in mindIndia News | Culture Ministry Considering if Any Amendment Needed in AMSAR Act: Shekhawat

NBA's Christmas Day ratings skyrocket, even going up against NFL gamesConyers named two new department directors

Sports on TV for Friday, Nov. 22NEW YORK — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin, gold and other investments also drove higher. Here’s a look at some of the numbers that defined the year. All are as of Dec. 20. 1998 Remember when President Bill Clinton got impeached or when baseball’s Mark McGwire hit his 70th home run against the Montreal Expos? That was the last time the U.S. stock market closed out a second straight year with a leap of at least 20%, something the S&P 500 is on track to do again this year. The index has climbed 24.3% so far this year, not including dividends, following last year’s spurt of 24.2%. 57 The number of all-time highs the S&P 500 has set so far this year. The first came early, on Jan. 19, when the index capped a two-year comeback from the swoon caused by high inflation and worries that high interest rates instituted by the Federal Reserve to combat it would create a recession. But the index was methodical through the rest of the year, setting a record in every month outside of April and August, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. The latest came on Dec. 6. 3 The number of times the Federal Reserve has cut its main interest rate this year from a two-decade high, offering some relief to the economy. Expectations for those cuts, along with hopes for more in 2025, were a big reason the U.S. stock market has been so successful this year. The 1 percentage point of cuts, though, is still short of the 1.5 percentage points that many traders were forecasting for 2024 at the start of the year. The Fed disappointed investors in December when it said it may cut rates just two more times in 2025, fewer than it had earlier expected. 1,508 That’s how many points the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by the day after Election Day, as investors made bets on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and the world. The more widely followed S&P 500 soared 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. Aside from bitcoin, stocks of banks and smaller winners were also perceived to be big winners. The bump has since diminished amid worries that Trump’s policies could also send inflation higher. $100,000 The level that bitcoin topped to set a record above $108,000 this past month. It’s been climbing as interest rates come down, and it got a particularly big boost following Trump’s election. He’s turned around and become a fan of crypto, and he’s named a former regulator who’s seen as friendly to digital currencies as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing someone who critics said was overly aggressive in his oversight. Bitcoin was below $17,000 just two years ago following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX. 26.7% Gold’s rise for the year, as it also hit records and had as strong a run as U.S. stocks. Wars around the world have helped drive demand for investments seen as safe, such as gold. It’s also benefited from the Fed’s cut to interest rates. When bonds are paying less in interest, they pull away fewer potential buyers from gold, which pays investors nothing. $420 It’s a favorite number of Elon Musk, and it’s also a threshold that Tesla’s stock price passed in December as it set a record. The number has a long history among marijuana devotees, and Musk famously said in 2018 that he had secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share. Tesla soared this year, up from less than $250 at the start, in part because of expectations that Musk’s close relationship with Trump could benefit the company. $91.2 billion That’s how much revenue Nvidia made in the nine months through Oct. 27, showing how the artificial-intelligence frenzy is creating mountains of cash. Nvidia’s chips are driving much of the move into AI, and its revenue through the last nine months catapulted from less than $39 billion the year before. Such growth has boosted Nvidia’s worth to more than $3 trillion in total. 74% GameStop’s gain on May 13 after Keith Gill, better known as “Roaring Kitty,” appeared online for the first time in three years to support the video game retailer’s stock, which he helped rocket to unimaginable heights during the “meme stock craze” in 2021. Several other meme stocks also jumped following his post in May on the social platform X, including AMC Entertainment. Gill later disclosed a sizeable stake in the online pet products retailer Chewy, but he sold all of his holdings by late October. 1.6%, 3.0% and 3.1% That’s how much the U.S. economy grew, at annualized seasonally adjusted rates, in each of the three first quarters of this year. Such growth blew past what many pessimists were expecting when inflation was topping 9% in the summer of 2022. The fear was that the medicine prescribed by the Fed to beat high inflation — high interest rates — would create a recession. Households at the lower end of the income spectrum in particular are feeling pain now, as they contend with still-high prices. But the overall economy has remained remarkably resilient. 20.1% This is the vacancy rate for U.S. office buildings — an all-time high — through the first three quarters of 2024, according to data from Moody’s. The fact the rate held steady for most of the year was something of a win for office building owners, given that it had marched up steadily from 16.8% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Demand for office space weakened as the pandemic led to the popularization of remote work. 3.73 million That’s the total number of previously occupied homes sold nationally through the first 11 months of 2024. Sales would have to surge 20% year-over-year in December for 2024’s home sales to match the 4.09 million existing homes sold in 2023, a nearly 30-year low. The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. A shortage of homes for sale and elevated mortgage rates have discouraged many would-be homebuyers.Catch our special talk with Ajay Sadhotra, former Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, as he shares his insights and experiences in politics and governance

New Delhi, Nov 23 (PTI) Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday said his ministry is considering if any further amendment is needed in the AMSAR Act as he underlined that "we need to be dynamic" and prioritise preservation of heritage while causing "minimum interference" in people's lives. The sites under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are maintained under the ambit of the AMSAR (Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains) Act. At present, over 3,690 monuments are under the ASI. Also Read | Maharashtra Assembly Elections Results 2024: 5 Major Factors That Helped MahaYuti To Win Landslide Victory. In his address at the first-ever foundation ceremony of the National Monuments Authority (NMA) here, Shekhawat said, "In the last 10 years, the compass of vision to look at heritage has turned by 360 degrees" and "now we have to do more" factoring in the challenges in upkeep of monuments. The NMA was established as per provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains AMASR (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010 which was enacted in March 2010. Also Read | 'Haryana Defence': Rahul Gandhi Terms Maharashtra Assembly Elections Defeat 'Unexpected' Too. Several functions have been assigned to the NMA for the protection and preservation of monuments and sites through the management of the "prohibited" and "regulated" areas around centrally protected monuments. One of these responsibilities of the NMA is also to consider granting permissions to applicants for construction-related activity in prohibited and regulated areas. Fourteen years is not a long period but given the wealth of ancient heritage sites that NMA has to protect, this is a time for "deep introspection" as well, the Union minister said. "We have to think how to maintain a balance by working scientifically... We have to be dynamic and keep changing our rules and regulations so that we can, while absorbing resistance, prioritise maintenance of our heritage sites," he added. Any construction that falls within the protected and regulated areas surrounding an ASI site, has to be in sync with the norms and warrants approval of the NMA. "We need to work regularly and speedily on how we can maintain our heritage using a scientific approach while making minimum interference in people's lives," Shekhawat said in the presence of NMA Chairman K K Basa. In ease of living, through efforts of the government, in many government departments, "we have achieved success" in bringing ease of living and ease of doing business, Shekhawat said. But this cannot be a permanent benchmark, and by continuously evolving there is a need to work on "further simplifying procedures". "We need to rationalise, we are also contemplating that. If any more amendments are needed in the AMSAR Act from that point of view, the ministry is also considering that at various levels," he added. However, he didn't elaborate on what aspects the ministry is contemplating. In his address, he lauded the value of India's civilisational past which has stood for centuries symbolised by its ancient monuments and sites. The minister said in the last 200 years or so, rulers made efforts to undermine India's heritage and "it was made out that Western traditions" in art and architecture were "superior". And, before that "attacks on our Sanatan civilisation" took place by invaders, but "our historic structures of thousands of years have beckoned to look back at our glorious past", he said. These monuments have stood as "symbols of our progressive past". And, the way India is rising, the country's cultural prowess gives it that edge in the world and "makes our responsibility also grow manifold", the minister added During the event, the minister also released the Annual Report 2023-24 of the NMA, which provides a comprehensive overview of the Authority's mandated activities for the year. This marked the first such publication by the NMA. "The report highlights that, to date, the NMA has laid 55 Heritage Bye-Laws (HBLs) covering 98 centrally-protected monuments, in Parliament. An additional 53 HBLs covering 57 more centrally-protected monuments have also been approved," the culture ministry said in a statement. Furthermore, the NMA has been a leader in harnessing information technology to streamline the process of issuing permissions for construction activities in prohibited or regulated areas around centrally protected monuments, it said. "One of the significant advancements in this area is the implementation of the NMA Online Application Processing System (NOAPS) portal. The portal integrates cutting-edge technology from ISRO through its SMARAC mobile app, which utilises colour-coded zonal maps of centrally protected monuments, facilitating efficient management and monitoring of construction activities," it said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

The year that was 2024

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The hosts of MSNBC ’s Morning Joe , Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski , allegedly met with President-elect Donald Trump over fears that then-attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz would investigate the death of an intern in Scarborough’s office during his time as a Florida Republican congressman, according to a Puck News report. On Monday, Brzezinski said: “For those asking why we would go speak to the president-elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back, ‘Why wouldn’t we?’” “Joe and I realized it’s time to do something different, and that starts with not only talking about Donald Trump, but also talking with him,” she added. Their mostly liberal audience dropped by 17 percent in the hour after they made the revelation about the Trump meeting, and their ratings were down 38 percent the following day compared to the average for the year. Scarborough and Brzezinski have reportedly told friends since the election that they’re concerned about retribution from Trump over their consistent criticism of the president-elect since they last met with him seven years ago. Those worries grew when Trump nominated former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general. Gaetz announced on Thursday that he would be stepping down as the nominee. The Morning Joe hosts told friends and allies before the departure that they were concerned that Trump and Gaetz would bring back up baseless conspiracy theories regarding the death of 28-year-old intern Lori Klausutis, who died from complications from a heart condition in 2001, Puck News noted. The concerns were linked to worries that Gaetz and Trump would use the conspiracy to put legal pressure on Scarborough. In 2022, former White House communications director and current The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin testified before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot, saying that she once encountered Gaetz outside the Oval Office, adding that Gaetz was carrying a folder with “conspiracy theories about Joe Scarborough murdering his intern.” Gaetz presented the contents to Trump, who subsequently posted about it on what was then Twitter. A source told Puck that the hosts were “petrified of retribution” and concerned that Gaetz, who represented the same Florida congressional district as Scarborough, would probe the death of the intern. The source said the fears had “nothing to do with ratings or Comcast.” A separate source told Puck that Scarborough and Brzezinski thought that by meeting Trump, they could lessen his desire for revenge. A spokesperson for MSNBC told Puck that this characterization of the motivations for the meeting was false and inaccurate. The Independent has contacted MSNBC for comment. Trump said on Fox News on Monday morning that the meeting with the Morning Joe hosts had been “very cordial.” “Many things were discussed, and I very much appreciated the fact that they wanted to have open communication,” he said. “The meeting ended in a very positive manner, and we agreed to speak in the future,” Trump added. The president-elect went on to say that he expected that other meetings would occur with others in the press “even those that have been extremely hostile.” The former president said he has “an obligation to the American public, and to our country itself, to be open and available to the press. ... If not treated fairly, however, that will end. The media is very important to the long-term success of the United States of America.”Sena vs Sena: Eknath Shinde’s Party Defeats Uddhav Thackeray's Outfit in 36 Constituencies, Loses in 14 in Maharashtra Assembly ElectionsNew 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire gunsThe reMarkable Paper Pro Is Bigger, Faster, More Colorful - Forbes

It looked like a recipe for disaster. So, when his country's swimmers were being accused of doping earlier this year, one Chinese official cooked up something fast. He blamed it on contaminated noodles. In fact, he argued, it could have been a culinary conspiracy concocted by criminals, whose actions led to the cooking wine used to prepare the noodles being laced with a banned heart drug that found its way into an athlete's system. This theory was spelled out to international anti-doping officials during a meeting and, after weeks of wrangling, finally made it into the thousands of pages of data handed over to the lawyer who investigated the case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for that same drug. The attorney, appointed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, refused to consider that scenario as he sifted through the evidence. In spelling out his reasoning, lawyer Eric Cottier paid heed to the half-baked nature of the theory. "The Investigator considers this scenario, which he has described in the conditional tense, to be possible, no less, no more," Cottier wrote. Even without the contaminated-noodles theory, Cottier found problems with the way WADA and the Chinese handled the case but ultimately determined WADA had acted reasonably in not appealing China's conclusion that its athletes had been inadvertently contaminated. Critics of the way the China case was handled can't help but wonder if a wider exploration of the noodle theory, details of which were discovered by The Associated Press via notes and emails from after the meeting where it was delivered, might have lent a different flavor to Cottier's conclusions. "There are more story twists to the ways the Chinese explain the TMZ case than a James Bond movie," said Rob Koehler, the director general of the advocacy group Global Athlete. "And all of it is complete fiction." In April, reporting from the New York Times and the German broadcaster ARD revealed that the 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine, also known as TMZ. China's anti-doping agency determined the athletes had been contaminated, and so, did not sanction them. WADA accepted that explanation, did not press the case further, and China was never made to deliver a public notice about the "no-fault findings," as is often seen in similar cases. The stock explanation for the contamination was that traces of TMZ were found in the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers were staying. In his 58-page report, Cottier relayed some suspicions about the feasibility of that chain of events — noting that WADA's chief scientist "saw no other solution than to accept it, even if he continued to have doubts about the reality of contamination as described by the Chinese authorities." But without evidence to support pursuing the case, and with the chance of winning an appeal at almost nil, Cottier determined WADA's "decision not to appeal appears indisputably reasonable." A mystery remained: How did those traces of TMZ get into the kitchen? Shortly after the doping positives were revealed, the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organizations held a meeting on April 30 where it heard from the leader of China's agency, Li Zhiquan. Li's presentation was mostly filled with the same talking points that have been delivered throughout the saga — that the positive tests resulted from contamination from the kitchen. But he expanded on one way the kitchen might have become contaminated, harkening to another case in China involving a low-level TMZ positive. A pharmaceutical factory, he explained, had used industrial alcohol in the distillation process for producing TMZ. The industrial alcohol laced with the drug "then entered the market through illegal channels," he said. The alcohol "was re-used by the perpetrators to process and produce cooking wine, which is an important seasoning used locally to make beef noodles," Li said. "The contaminated beef noodles were consumed by that athlete, resulting in an extremely low concentration of TMZ in the positive sample. "The wrongdoers involved have been brought to justice." This new information raised eyebrows among the anti-doping leaders listening to Li's report. So much so that over the next month, several emails ensued to make sure the details about the noodles and wine made their way to WADA lawyers, who could then pass it onto Cottier. Eventually, Li did pass on the information to WADA general counsel Ross Wenzel and, just to be sure, one of the anti-doping leaders forwarded it, as well, according to the emails seen by the AP. All this came with Li's request that the noodles story be kept confidential. Turns out, it made it into Cottier's report, though he took the information with a grain of salt. "Indeed, giving it more attention would have required it to be documented, then scientifically verified and validated," he wrote. Neither Wenzel nor officials at the Chinese anti-doping agency returned messages from AP asking about the noodles conspiracy and the other athlete who Li suggested had been contaminated by them. Meanwhile, 11 of the swimmers who originally tested positive competed at the Paris Games earlier this year in a meet held under the cloud of the Chinese doping case. Though WADA considers the case closed, Koehler and others point to situations like this as one of many reasons that an investigation by someone other than Cottier, who was hired by WADA, is still needed. "It gives the appearance that people are just making things up as they go along on this, and hoping the story just goes away," Koehler said. "Which clearly it has not." Get local news delivered to your inbox!SM approaches 2025 with cautious optimismAs I sit here sipping my perfectly creamy caramel latte while watching the frost settle outside my London window, I can't help but feel smug about my latest purchase. The Tassimo Bosch My Way 1.3 Litre Coffee Machine is one of the Amazon's Black Friday deals on sale for £59, down from it's usual price of £99.99 (a 41% off). So, I finally took the plunge into the world of home coffee machines – and I wonder what took me so long. As a complete coffee machine novice, I was initially worried about complexity, but I needn't have been. The initial setup was pretty simple - with a picture instruction manual. And then once you're set up, you simply fill with water, pop in a pod, place your mug underneath, and you're good to go. the Tassimo MyWay reads the drink’s unique barcode with its Intellibrew technology to produce the chosen drink every time. There's even a handy lighting system that tells you when to refill the water – though I've found one tank lasts plenty of drinks .It's perfect for these chilly mornings when the thought of trudging to Costa feels like an arctic expedition. READ MORE: I'm an ex-Starbucks barista and my Amazon coffee machine is just as good Speaking of Costa, that's what really sold me on this machine. Being able to recreate my favourite coffee shop drinks without leaving my cosy sofa is a game-changer during this cold snap. They deliver that same creamy, aromatic coffee I'd pay twice as much for in store. The Costa pods can be found HERE. Or, there is the Five Pack of 8 X Tassimo L'OR Latte Macchiato Coffee Pods , with 40 servings of coffee, on sale for £20.29 and rated 4.7 out of 5 by over 16,000 Amazon customers, with over 4,000 purchases in the past month. These are also a great stocking filler for anyone with the machine. The Tassimo Bosch My Way 1.3 Litre Coffee Machine , available in white, black and cream, has settings for over 50 drinks, including Costa Latte, Cappuccino or tasty Cadbury’s hot chocolate, and it has a large 1.3 litre water tank which auto-cleans between each drink to ensure no flavour mixing between cups and shuts off when not in use. Besides Amazon, the coffee machine is available for £60 at Argos and Bosch's own website for £59.99. The Tassimo Bosch My Way 1.3 Litre Coffee Machine is rated 4.6 out of 5 by over 700 Amazon users and in an Amazon's Choice product, with over 300 purchases in the past month. Among reviewers, a whopping 81 per cent have rated it 5 stars out of 5. One happy customer wrote: "I have had a few Tassimos over the years, and this one is by far the best yet. It is so easy to use. The touch controls have been designed with simplicity in mind. It is easy to see at a glance what to press to get your desired cup. I love these touch controls. I particularly love that I can pick the strength depending on what type of coffee I am using. It is super to have the choice of a quick, small cup, or a longer large cup, or just the standard cup." But not everyone found the initial set up as easy as moi. One user criticised the instructions, adding: "I know everything these days uses pictures to avoid having to provide multi-lingual written instructions but these have to be the worst I have encountered. They are incomprehensible! Thankfully there are some clearer ones online. I also think that the design of the water tank is incredibly silly..." For anyone struggling with Christmas gift ideas, this could be your answer. At the Black Friday price of £59 on Amazon, it's an absolute steal. The ability to store your favourite drink settings in its memory makes it even more gift-worthy – imagine waking up to the perfect cup of coffee, exactly how you like it, every single morning. Shoppers looking for an alternative coffee machine with rave reviews may be interested in the L'OR by Philips Barista Sublime LM9012/60 Coffee Machine , on sale for £49.99 at Curry's and rated 4.7 out of 5. Whether you're buying for yourself or a loved one, this machine offers coffee shop quality without the coffee shop prices. And during this winter chill, there's nothing better than having barista-style drinks available at the touch of a button, all from the comfort of your own home. The only question now is: which pods to try next? To buy the Tassimo Bosch My Way 1.3 Litre Coffee Machine , visit Amazon, Argos and Bosch . For the L'OR by Philips Barista coffee machine, visit Curry's . To see all the best Deals, Sales and Bargains in London, check out our Facebook group .

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extolled the concept of 'Brand Bharat,' describing it as a statement of authenticity and an embodiment of India's evolving global identity. Addressing the India Ideas Conclave virtually, he emphasized how India is becoming more comfortable with its cultural and historical roots. Jaishankar outlined India's journey from the freedom struggle to its current status, exploring the country's transformation over the decades. He noted the nation's economic, infrastructural, and digital achievements, underlining India's role as a confident and influential player on the global stage. Recognizing India's ancient civilization, Jaishankar articulated how 'Brand Bharat' represents a fusion of modernity and tradition. He emphasized India's diplomatic strategy, advocating for global cooperation while rooted in technology and cultural heritage. This multifaceted approach positions India as a unique global partner. (With inputs from agencies.)BigBear.ai Hldgs Unusual Options ActivitySEOUL, South Korea , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) has announced its launch of the 'Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025' to identify and support the next groundbreaking battery technologies. Innovators from universities and research institutions worldwide are encouraged to submit proposals until January 31, 2025 , at https://bridge.lgensol.com/ . Since its inaugural competition in 2017, BIC has been LG Energy Solution's flagship research contest. This year's edition has been revamped to foster greater collaboration between academia and industry. Selected researchers will receive annual research funding of up to USD 150,000 annually. Additional funding may be granted to projects making significant achievements through extended contracts. Unlike previous iterations of the competition, 'BIC 2025' allows participants to submit proposals on specific topics pre-announced by LG Energy Solution. "By presenting specific research optics, we aim to go beyond merely supporting academia and maximize the mutual benefits between the industry and academia," said an LG Energy Solution spokesperson. To facilitate active collaboration, LG Energy Solution has introduced the ' BRIDGE ' system, a platform designed to manage open innovation programs like BIC. The system facilitates seamless collaborations with features that help teams working on joint research projects track their objectives and deliverables. LG Energy Solution has unveiled the preselected 18 research topics for collaborative projects on the ' BRIDGE ' platform, such Battery Safety diagnosis algorithm technology and New materials for LFP Batteries topic. At the same time, the contest retains its traditional format to ensure participants are free to propose completely original research ideas. All research proposals must be submitted through the ' BRIDGE ' system. To protect the original ideas of every participant, LG Energy Solution has split the application process into two stages: initial proposals that provide concise information, followed by detailed proposals from a shortlist of candidates. This change aims to safeguard the ideas of researchers not selected for funding. "The BIC platform serves as a bridge of wisdom between members of academia and industry, driving technological innovation for the all-important battery sector," said Je-Young Kim , CTO of LG Energy Solution. "Through this initiative, we aim to provide differentiated value to our customers by strengthening our technology leadership." As of today, LG Energy Solution has supported 26 battery research projects through the 'BIC' initiative, with some evolving into large-scale projects that have received additional funding and resources. Thanks to the success of this competition, the company continues to establish partnerships with world-leading universities and research institutions, reinforcing its commitment to preparing the battery field for the future. About LG Energy Solution LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220), a split-off from LG Chem, is a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, mobility, IT, and energy storage systems. With 30 years of experience in revolutionary battery technology and extensive research and development (R&D), the company is the top battery-related patent holder in the world with over 58,000 patents. Its robust global network, which spans North America, Europe, and Asia , includes battery manufacturing facilities established through joint ventures with major automakers. Committed to building sustainable battery ecosystem, LG Energy Solution aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050, while embodying the value of shared growth and promoting diverse and inclusive corporate culture. To learn more about LG Energy Solution's ideas and innovations, visit https://news.lgensol.com . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lg-energy-solution-hosts-battery-innovation-contest-bic-2025-to-foster-breakthrough-battery-technologies-302339134.html SOURCE LG Energy Solution

Niagara’s wineries, restaurants and some retailers have had a busy December, crediting the federal government’s GST holiday for their increased sales. Henry of Pelham president Paul Speck said although Christmas season sales this year began slowly, they quickly increased as the holiday grew closer. “VQAO wine sales are up and wine in general,” Speck said. “That’s good to see. We think people will kind of stock up, especially when something’s on sale.” In some cases, he said consumers are saving $5 a bottle for some popular wines his company sells, when the sale price and GST break are added up. “It’s a pretty good deal, and why not get a couple extra bottles?” he said, laughing. “I think any savings, especially right now when the economy is tough, is very much welcome.” Speck said it’s also an opportunity for people to “maybe even experiment a little bit, with wines from Niagara that they may not have tried before because they’re a little bit cheaper.” Niagara wineries, restaurants and some retailers are crediting the temporary GST holiday for increased sales. For two months, a list of items including children’s toys, snacks, wine and restaurant food are exempt from the federal Goods and Services Tax. Smaller wineries like Black Bank Hill in Beamsville saw a slight sales increase, too, likely as a result of the tax savings, said owner Taylor Emerson. “People have noticed ... and bought wine because of it,” he said. “It’s an added incentive. It does make it easier.” Emerson called it a “quiet December” for many wineries as customers have less money left over to spend on wine, due to inflation, but the tax break likely helped bring customers through the door. “It hasn’t hurt for sure,” he said. Pierre Kountouris, who owns Joe Feta’s in St Catharines, said his restaurant is one of many that have seen significant increases in sales in the weeks since the GST break began Dec. 14. “I don’t think there’s any food service operation that hasn’t seen an increase” in sales. “We found that people are spending a little bit more, because you’re getting a 13 per cent break. Typically, that’s how it goes,” Kountouris said. He said this December has already been busier than last year, and he expects it to be even busier during the last week of the month. “I can see people are spending a little more money and I think the GST holiday has something to do with it. It makes a big difference when you’re not paying the extra 13 per cent.” Large corporate catering orders have also increased for his business, with taxes no longer being included in budgets, he said. Kountouris expected increased sales to continue for the weeks to come, until the GST break ends on Feb. 15. “All in all, especially in our industry it’s been a good thing,” he said. Although Albert Zappitelli recently stepped away from most of the day-to-day operations at the Niagara Falls restaurant he founded, Zappi’s Pizza and Pasta, subletting the restaurant to his employees, he said the GST break is a massive opportunity for restaurants. “This is the biggest bonus you’ll ever see,” he said. “Something like this in December, January and part of February, you’ve got to take advantage of this because this is massive. Do you even know what it feels like to buy a $15 lunch and pay $15?” Some retailers, too, are reporting increased sales. Vincent Fattore said his Port Dalhousie business, Thistle Bookshop and Café, is definitely busier than usual. “We’ve definitely seen quite the increase in sales over here,” he said. “We’re definitely seeing an increase in people coming down to Port Dalhousie and definitely have a lot more customers in the store too.” Fattore said the tax break applies to most of the items he sells, including books, games and puzzles, and the suppliers he works with helped sort out any products where taxes would still be charged.Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season

No. 22 Syracuse looking for 10 wins in 1st year under Fran Brown against depleted Washington StateZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic has a sweeping lead in Sunday’s election and could win the five-year presidency in the first round, according to an exit poll released immediately after the voting. The poll by the Ipsos polling agency and released by the state HRT television showed Milanovic winning over 50% of the votes, while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the conservative HDZ ruling party trailed far behind with 19%. Milanovic thanked voters in a post on social networks. The first official results are yet to be published. Pre-election polls predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of all 8 presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. Left-leaning Milanovic is an outspoken critic of Western military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. He is often compared to Donald Trump for his combative style of communication with political opponents. The most popular politician in Croatia, 58-year-old Milanović has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, he has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and continuous sparring between the two has lately marked Croatia’s political scene. Plenković, the prime minister, has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia’s future in the EU and NATO. He has labeled Milanović “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international standing. “The difference between him and Milanović is quite simple: Milanović is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme military commander. Milanović has criticized the NATO and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, though it is a member of both NATO and the EU. Milanović has also blocked Croatia’s participation in a NATO-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war.” His main rival in the election, Primorac, has stated that “Croatia’s place is in the West, not the East.” His presidency bid, however, has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia’s health minister in jail last month and featured prominently in pre-election debates. During the election campaign, Primorac has sought to portray himself as a unifier and Milanović as divisive. “Today is an extremely important day,” Primorac said after casting his ballot. "Croatia is going forward into the future. Croatia needs unity, Croatia needs its global positioning, and above all Croatia needs peaceful life.” Trailing a distant third in the pre-election polls is Marija Selak Raspudić, a conservative independent candidate. She has focused her election campaign on the economic troubles of ordinary citizens, corruption and issues such as population decline in the country of some 3.8 million. Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June.UCF, LSU face off with improved focus in mind

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The New Jersey Devils hope the momentum they built leading up to the NHL's holiday break will carry over after the three days off, as the Metropolitan Division leaders start a two-day, home-and-home series with the third-place Carolina Hurricanes on Friday in Newark, N.J. Coach Sheldon Keefe's team has won five of its last six games, including the previous two by shutouts. Jacob Markstrom stopped a dozen shots in the Devils' 5-0 win over the visiting New York Rangers on Monday. That came just two days after he made 12 saves in a 3-0 home victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. According to the league's record book, the Devils have posted three straight shutouts once, April 1-6, 1997. Jack Hughes scored two goals and added an assist in Monday's win. Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer each notched a goal and an assist, and Jesper Bratt and Luke Hughes both recorded a pair of assists. The Devils' offense has been on display during the last six games, with the team scoring 19 times in the five wins. However, the team's defense has been playing equally as strong. New Jersey has not allowed an opponent to put more than 20 shots on goal in seven games. That's the longest such streak since the NHL started tracking the stat beginning in the 1955-56 season. It's a streak Keefe didn't even know the league tracked when he talked to reporters after the win over the Rangers, but he said it is the result of a team showing the willingness to defend the middle of the rink and keeping the opposition from getting multiple attempts on scoring chances. "Whether it's having the puck well and managing it well or closing space when we don't have it, it's just a really tremendous buy-in and commitment from our guys," Keefe said. "Couldn't ask for more in that regard." That shot-on-goal streak may be in jeopardy Friday as the Devils face a Hurricanes team that averages 31.6 shots per game. Carolina wraps up a four-game road trip Friday. On Monday, it lost for the second time in three contests, falling 5-2 against the Nashville Predators. The Hurricanes trailed 4-0 less than three minutes into the third period before Jordan Staal and Sebastian Aho scored 40 seconds apart, but that was as close as the team would get. Coach Rod Brind'Amour told reporters afterward the Hurricanes' struggles of late are not due to a lack of effort. "We got to keep working it, trying to find the right combinations to spice things," he said. "We know a couple things that we know work, and then it's just finding the rest. But (Monday), we just as a group weren't hard enough to play against for the majority of the game, and we got what we deserved." The holiday break may have come at an opportune time for Martin Necas. The center continues to lead Carolina in scoring, with 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists) in 34 games. However, the 25-year-old Czech is mired in a season-long eight-game goal drought. He's gone the last four games without an assist, which is another season-long streak, and has posted only one in his last six. This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.AP Business SummaryBrief at 1:37 p.m. EST

AP News Summary at 5:36 p.m. ESTCowboys G Zack Martin, CB Trevon Diggs out vs. CommandersSena vs Sena: Shinde’s party defeats Uddhav’s outfit in 36 constituencies, loses in 14

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( MENAFN - UkrinForm) In Belarus, before the so-called“presidential elections,” repressions by the Regime of Alexander Lukashenko will intensify, including against foreign citizens. This opinion was expressed to Ukrinform by Volodymyr Holovko, head of the Center for Political Analysis, PhD in History, leading researcher at the Institute of History of Ukraine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, commenting on the recent recommendation of the US State Department for American citizens to“immediately leave” Belarus. In particular, the State Department warns of the risks of detentions and civil unrest in the republic. “The statement of the US State Department is primarily related to the upcoming so-called presidential elections in Belarus . It should be noted that this statement coincided with Lukashenko's registration as a“presidential candidate” on December 23,” the expert noted. According to him, despite the fact that the repressive machine has largely cleared the socio-political field in the republic, Lukashenko's regime is showing anxiety about the possibility of getting the right result and is clearly afraid of facing popular discontent again. Accordingly, in recent months, the atmosphere of intimidation has been growing in Belarus, with punitive authorities searching for social groups that could potentially become sources of resistance. “For example, in November, there were repressive measures against the relatives of those Belarusians who had previously participated in opposition activities. And in December, there was a wave of arrests within the framework of the case of“yard chats,” that is, against citizens who tried to coordinate efforts at the grassroots, everyday level,” said Holovko. Commenting on the peculiarities of the election process in Belarus, the expert noted that a notable indicator of the Lukashenko regime's anxiety is the fact that even technical candidates targeting certain segments of the electorate are refusing to participate in the elections.“For example, in December, a candidate from the 'officers' and a candidate from the 'youth' did so: in both cases, they gave a similar explanation - they allegedly heard the 'voice of the people' that they needed to consolidate around Lukashenko,” Holovko added. At the same time, he said, Lukashenko's regime tried to flirt with the West by gradually releasing political prisoners.“But this did not convince the United States, at least. In early December, the second strategic dialogue between Belarus and the United States took place, during which American diplomats and Belarusian opposition leaders discussed the prospects for cooperation. At the same time, Washington called on Lukashenko to hold truly free elections, to which Minsk accused the United States of interfering in its internal affairs,” the expert noted. He also emphasized that the arrest of a Japanese travel blogger in early December for photographing a railway bridge (by the way, this is the second Japanese citizen detained in Belarus this fall) was a telling signal of the Lukashenko regime's“pre-election” hysteria. “After that, the Japanese Foreign Ministry assigned Belarus the third of four levels of danger, and even the highest level, the fourth, to the territories bordering Ukraine. In this light, the statement of the US State Department is absolutely motivated, and other Western countries should give similar recommendations to their citizens. Because, obviously, as the date of the“voting” approaches - January 26 - unmotivated repressions, including against foreign citizens, by the Lukashenko regime will only intensify,” Holovko summarized. As reported, on December 18, the U.S. State Department recommended that American citizens in Belarus“immediately leave” the country . In addition, all Americans who were going to visit Belarus in the near future were advised by the State Department to cancel their trip“due to the arbitrary implementation of local laws by the Belarusian authorities and the risk of detention, their assistance to Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as the increased instability and unpredictability of the situation in the region.” On December 23, the Central Election Commission of Belarus registered Alexander Lukashenko as a“presidential candidate” in the upcoming“elections”. The election campaign in Belarus will last from January 1 to January 25, 2025. The“elections” themselves are scheduled for January 26. The previous“elections” on August 9, 2020, were marked by the largest protests in the history of independent Belarus. Lukashenka was declared the“winner”. However, many observers believe that Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya won the first round. Mass protests against the falsification of the election results took place in the country. The authorities brutally suppressed these protests, and the opposition was subjected to repression, which continues to this day. Photo: belta MENAFN23122024000193011044ID1109025357 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.These holiday gifts change the game when building fires, printing photos, watching birds and more

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Amazon now makes some of its chips: “ Amazon ’s cloud computing arm Amazon Web Services Tuesday announced plans for an “Ultracluster,” a massive AI supercomputer made up of hundreds of thousands of its homegrown Trainium chips, as well as a new server, the latest efforts by its AI chip design lab based in Austin, Texas. The chip cluster will be used by the AI startup Anthropic, in which the retail and cloud-computing giant recently invested an additional $4 billion.“ -WSJ Apple to use its own modem on some products: “ Apple will release its own modem next spring as it looks to replace technology from rival Qualcomm, Bloomberg reports, citing anonymous sources. The in-house modem, code-named Sinope, will debut in the iPhone SE, Apple’s entry-level smartphone.” – LinkedIn News What is going on? After years of neglect, companies are now looking for how hardware will catch up with software. Yes, the advancement of software systems is multiples ahead of hardware, even though there is a limitation for any software system, bounded by hardware. In other words, to advance those clicks, you have to have the hardware to process and compute them, and when there is a limitation on hardware, software underperforms. Nvidia picked that construct and touched the face of alpha-wealth. Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025 ) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts. Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here. Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and i nvest in Africa’s finest startups here . However, Nvidia chips are very expensive and that will limit participation of many companies and countries in the productive part of AI development and evolution, over mere acceleration of consumerism. The question becomes: how do you solve the hardware problems, and tap into the opportunities? You need to recruit, train and deploy the capabilities of young people. Interestingly, in the next decade, that broad electronics and microelectronics domain will be a huge career opportunity in tech as hardware will take years to evolve to support the AI era. Nigeria has a massive opportunity in this space. There was a time we exported software engineers via Andela, etc, the next age will be hardware guys! If Nigeria’s National Universities Commission can offer a small waiver, to give a temporary license, to run and operate a focused technical university*, on presentation of fund availability of N5 billion, Tekedia Capital will work with partners to set up such a school in Nigeria. Upon the presentation of this license, takeoff will happen within 24 months. But the requirement to build a campus before a license is issued does not work with our US institutional technical partners. Our vision is not to ask students to pay full tuition, but pay when they start work, and we plan to help on job placements. Who can help to make this happen for that license? *this has to be a university to attract the smartest kids. Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA (Feb 10 - May 3, 2025), and join Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe and our global faculty; click here .

CFLR offers support to ease seasonal strainPhilippines VP's Brazen Public Threat Against President: 'Will Kill You, Your Wi...A SWARM of unidentified drones varying in "size and configuration" was seen flying over three RAF airbases, the US Air Force has confirmed. Some of them were seen flying over a £40m RAF airbase that is set to house American nuclear weapons. Advertisement 6 A Russian shahed-type drone (stock picture) Credit: Reuters 6 Aerial photograph of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, Home of the United States Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing Credit: Getty 6 The base is home to the American F-35 jets capable of dropping B61-12 nuke bombs Credit: US Department of Defence The incidents, which occurred between November 20 and 22, saw “small unmanned aerial systems” spotted over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell, in Norfolk. The USAF, which uses the bases, said it was unclear at this stage whether the drones were considered hostile. It also declined to comment on whether any defence mechanisms were used, but said it retains “the right to protect” installations. A spokesperson for US Air Forces in Europe said: “ We can confirm that small unmanned aerial systems (UASs) were spotted in the vicinity of and over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell between Nov 20 and 22. Advertisement read more military news VLAD THREAT Putin warns he could strike British targets after new hypersonic missile launch MAD VLAD Putin warns he will fire MORE hypersonic missiles as Russia to mass produce weapon "The number of UASs fluctuated and they ranged in size [and] configuration. "The UASs were actively monitored and installation leaders determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents or critical infrastructure" Unconfirmed reports suggest F-15E Strike Eagles were scrambled to chase the drones that affected the flight operations at the base. The US Air Force declined to comment on those claims. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive MY LORD Rangers poised to name new chairman as Lord emerges as main contender for top job RANGERS 1 DUNDEE UTD 1 Snow joke as Clement gets blizzard of abuse over more dropped points COLD BEERS SPFL side spotted going for a PINT after their bus got stuck in the snow WAITING GAME Rangers-Dundee Utd kick off DELAYED amid Storm Bert chaos as new time revealed “To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation,” USAFE told military website The War Zone. RAF Lakenheath is a critical military facility that stores the US Air Forces in Europe's only fourth and fifth-generation fighter wing, besides being home to F-35A & F-15E tactical jets. What makes the drone incident even more important is Vladimir Putin's threat against the West. The raging dictator warned he could strike British and US military targets in his biggest threat yet after Ukraine fired Nato missiles into Russian territory. Advertisement In a televised address on Thursday, Putin said military facilities inside the UK and the US could become valid targets for the Russian forces as a direct response to Ukraine's use of US-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles. He said: "Russia considers itself entitled to use weapons against military facilities of countries that permit the use of their weapons against Russia. "Since this moment, as we have underscored repeatedly, the conflict in Ukraine, provoked by the West, has acquired elements of global nature." Putin warns he could strike British targets as he confirms new missile launch Earlier this year, bombshell documents from the Pentagon revealed the US is set to store nuclear weapons at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. Advertisement The tell-it-all documents from the US Department of Defence’s procurement database revealed plans for a “nuclear mission” set to take place “imminently” at the RAF base. They showed the Pentagon had ordered new equipment for the base, including ballistic shields designed to protect military personnel from "high-value assets" attacks. RAF Lakenheath is expected to take in B61-12 gravity bombs which have a variable yield of up to 50 kilotons. The nuclear warheads will be up to three times the strength of the deadly Hiroshima bomb at the air base, according to the procurement contracts. Advertisement 6 Nuclear missiles were removed by the US from the UK in 2008 when the threat of Cold War was believed to have diminished. RAF Lakenheath has been run by the US Air Force under British regulations and laws for decades now. The agreement allows the US to have a home for its nuclear weapons that can be deployed by F-35 fighter jets. Advertisement Russia has previously said it would view the US placing weapons in Britain as an “escalation” that would be met with “compensating counter-measures”. Maria Zakharova, a Russian foreign ministry spokesman, said prior to the latest announcement: “If this step is ever made, we will view it as escalation, as a step toward escalation that would take things to a direction that is quite opposite to addressing the pressing issue of pulling all nuclear weapons out of European countries. “This practice and its development force us to take compensating countermeasures designed to reliably protect the security interests of our country and its allies.” The return of weapons to the UK is part of a huge Nato push to develop and upgrade nuclear sites across the world in preparation for a potential escalation of fighting. Advertisement The Pentagon has not confirmed it is planning to store nukes in the UK. A spokesman said: “The United States routinely upgrades its military facilities in allied nations. Unclassified administrative budget documents often accompany such activities. “These documents are not predictive of, nor are they intended to disclose any specific posture or basing details. “It is US policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence or absence of nuclear weapons at any general or specific location.” Advertisement Meanwhile, villagers close to the American military base in West Suffolk, fear they could become Vladimir Putin's target if bombs are stored there . In the event of World War 3, the American Air Force warplanes based in the UK would be called in. But villagers are worried that their little community could find itself at the centre of a major international conflict, with tensions increasing due to Putin's war with Ukraine and Hamas' attack on Israel. One fumed: ”I fear we will become one of the first targets if this conflict escalates. Advertisement "The enemy will want to neutralise any threat coming from the Americans and us and could well strike first. Read more on the Scottish Sun FESTIVE FIZZ Coca-Cola Christmas truck in Scotland: Dates, locations & all you need to know AND RELAX Scots seaside hotel with outdoor hot tub and firepit named UK's top spa resort " It doesn’t bear thinking about. “This is a small happy village and we have got used to having the Americans here. "But there is always the risk that if they get involved in a war in the Middle East we will inevitably be drawn in – and military bases like Lakenheath will become a key target for any enemy.” 6 RAF Lakenheath sits close to the pretty village of the same name Credit: AFP Advertisement 6 A USAF Soldier using the local Post Office Credit: Terry Harris

Yakima Valley Master Gardeners: Holiday gift ideas for the gardener in your lifeCebu province now has 25 first-class towns, two first-class cities

Philadelphia's Joel Embiid scored 31 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in his return after missing seven games to spark the 76ers on Sunday in a 108-100 NBA victory at Chicago. Embiid had been sidelined by a left knee injury and personal reasons since a November 20 loss to Memphis, the Sixers going 4-3 in his absence. The 30-year-old Cameroonian-born big man, who wore a left knee brace, also added four assists and two blocked shots in 33 minutes in only his fifth game of the season. "He caught fire there," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said of Embiid. "Certainly he gave us a lot of confidence." Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey contributed his first career NBA triple-double with 25 points and career highs of 14 assists and 11 rebounds. "It was good," Maxey said. "The offense flowed really well. Pick and roll was really good. I was able to get everybody involved, get Joel going and get myself going too." "He turned on the jets and got to the rim at some pretty opportune times," Nurse said of Maxey. Embiid was a welcome court presence for the 76ers. "He creates so much space for us on the floor, gets the attention," said Maxey. "I didn't see one pick and roll double team for the first time in a long time." Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 30 points. At New York, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Bucks over the Brooklyn Nets 118-113. Damian Lillard added 15 points and 11 assists while reserve Bobby Portis contributed 23 points and Gary Trent Jr. scored 20 off the Milwaukee bench. Germany's Dennis Schroder led the Nets with 34 points. js/mlmThe worst Secret Santa gifts revealed – most Brits HATE a classic festive present & others loathe any kind of voucher

Home-made super heavy-duty cone crusher unveiled in ConMine 2024

A dip or deeper decline? Guardiola seeks response to Manchester City slump

As the "Monkey Zuo" hairstyle continues to gain popularity and momentum on social media, it is clear that Zhang Zuo and Xiao Hua have struck a chord with audiences around the world. The daring and innovative design has redefined traditional notions of beauty and style, challenging conventional ideas and pushing boundaries. Through their collaboration, Zhang Zuo and Xiao Hua have successfully captured the attention of the fashion world and sparked a new wave of creativity and self-expression.A dispute over distribution of and has become the legal equivalent of a Daily Double. Four weeks after related to licensing of the two long-running game shows, has answered with a countersuit that alleges Sony is using the legal claim to try to escape the two companies’ current deal. “Sony is attempting to obtain in court what it could not get at the bargaining table: the rights to the Series for free, by finding any excuse it can muster,” reads the cross complaint, filed Tuesday in L.A. County Superior Court. In its initial complaint, Sony claimed that CBS was “egregiously undercutting the value and profitability of these shows in favor of its own self-interest” and that recent layoffs by CBS’ parent company, Paramount Global, had “gutted” the teams responsible for distributing, marketing and selling commercial time for the two shows. Sony also alleged CBS had breached the distribution deal by entering into license agreements in Australia and New Zealand for longer than the agreed-upon length of two years, and that CBS had yet to pay Sony its portion of those license fees. In its cross complaint, CBS says it has negotiated at- or above-market increases in license fees from the local stations in the United States that air and ; that Paramount layoffs haven’t impacted the ability of its syndication arm, CBS Media Ventures, to live up to its contract; and that it has in fact paid Sony its fair share of the Australia and New Zealand license deals. For nearly a year beginning in August 2023, CBS’ complaint states, “Sony continued to accept CBS remittances of its shares of the gross receipts from [the Australia and New Zealand] licenses, and the parties at all times acted as if the Agreements were in full force and effect — with Sony even deciding it wanted to re-purchase the rights from CBS.” CBS further alleges that Sony wrongfully tried to terminate the two parties’ distribution deal, which has been in place since the early 1980s. CBS says it has fully cured any potential breach of contract, and further claims that Sony has tried to undermine CBS’ exclusive distribution rights by distributing new versions of and in the U.K. and Australia. CBS is seeking orders that Sony can’t terminate the distribution deals based on the Australia and New Zealand licenses or on a breach of the “best effort” clause in their agreement, as well as monetary damages. has asked Sony for comment on the countersuit. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter777 golden 。

Wales fans and players are celebrating after they made history by reaching a major women's tournament for the first time. After a level first leg in Cardiff , Wales came out on top against the Republic of Ireland in the second leg, securing their place in the 2025 Euros. Wales' record goalscorer and cap holder Jess Fishlock described the win as being the proudest moment of her life "by far". Supporters both in Dublin and on home soil have spoke of their pride for the women who are inspiring the next generation. Eight-year-old Harlow Healey was "so happy" to be at the game with her dad in Dublin among a crowd of 25,832 supporters. Speaking of the win, her father Joey said the players have "inspired the next generation of Welsh women football players." Wales fan Vikky Perkins, 51, watched the game in Cardiff and said the grit shown by the women matches the Welsh spirit. "It was impossible to breathe for the last ten minutes, Wales played with tenacity and sustained quality and it paid of," she added. "Such an incredible achievement for these individuals, a huge moment for women's football and a proud moment for our country." Ruth Billingham, 46, from Cardiff, admitted she was not really a football fan but Wales' journey has had her and her daughter gripped. "What an inspiring win! We saw Wales play Ireland in Cardiff last week and it was a great atmosphere. Tonight was the icing on the cake. Bring on the euros!" she said. Her dad, a Cardiff city and Wales supporter for 40 years, Nigel Billingham, spoke of it being a really emotional win for him. The 76-year-old said: "I've been to see both the games in Cardiff [play-off semi-final and first leg of the final] and it's tremendous the team will go to Switzerland." "A great day for Welsh football," he added. John Foster was at the game and said the VAR got his pulse going: "I had no idea what was going on with the VAR check so it was a relief to see what way it went and Cain took it so well, you didn't get much cooler than that." The 52-year-old added that the last 20 minutes were tense but they "held on brilliantly", adding that he thought "Katie McCabe was pretty lucky to stay on as but I'm an Arsenal fan so I'll allow it."SMU is accustomed to road-like environment it’ll face in ACC championship game vs. ClemsonAs anticipation builds for the release of "Moonlight Madness," audiences can look forward to a delightful and uplifting cinematic experience that showcases Fu Jing's comedic talents and undeniable on-screen presence. With her infectious energy and genuine passion for the craft, Fu Jing is sure to win the hearts of viewers worldwide in this charming and whimsical comedy film.

Victors Home Solutions has been recognized as 2024 Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year DETROIT , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 5th, 2024 , Victors Home Solutions was awarded the title of Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year at the Best of Success conference in Bonita Springs, FL. At this conference, Victors Home Solutions, which has been in business since 2008, received the award for Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year. Victor Smolyanov , Founder and CEO, attributes much of his success to the opportunity to give back to the communities in which he operates: "Last year we were blessed to give away 23 roofs, and this year it's going to be 40, and that has a huge impact," he said. "For us, it's one out of 4,000 roofs, but for them, it's potentially a life-changing event, allowing them to live more comfortably without having to worry about moving their bed when it rains or having a tarp on." This marks the 20th year of the conference, and it is said to be a must-attend event for roofing professionals. In addition to the amenities available on-site, there are many opportunities for education, exploration of new roofing technologies, and networking with top organizations in the roofing industry, such as Victors Home Solutions. Victors Home Solutions is recognized for their impact on local communities through their Give Back program. A program that has provided many with a roof over their heads. For every 100 roof replacements installed, Victors will provide one local family in need with a roof replacement at no cost. To nominate someone you know, click here . About Victors Home Solutions Victors Home Solutions has provided premier residential roofing and home improvement services to Michigan , Ohio , Kentucky , New Jersey , Illinois , and Pennsylvania communities for over 15 years. Victors' commitment to quality workmanship and integrity, along with his passion for roofing, has made Victors Home Solutions the highest ranked roofing company in Michigan . With over 200 employees and eight locations, Victors is at the forefront and stands poised to revolutionize the roofing and home improvement industries. For more information, visit Victors.com . Media Contact: Jake Tilk j.tilk@victors.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/victors-home-solutions-recognized-as-2024-roofing-contractor-of-the-year-302337604.html SOURCE Victors Home SolutionsMan City blows 3-goal lead and gets booed by fans in draw with Feyenoord in Champions LeagueThe ongoing investigation has unearthed new evidence and testimonies that provide a clearer picture of the events leading up to the incident. Witness accounts and forensic analysis have played a crucial role in piecing together the sequence of events and establishing the chain of responsibility.

Victors Home Solutions recognized as 2024 Roofing Contractor of the YearThe "systemic indifference" that results from algorithmic profiteering is characterized by a disconnect between the algorithmic decision-making process and the human values and concerns it affects. As algorithms optimize for profit and efficiency, they may overlook important ethical considerations, such as privacy, fairness, and transparency. This systemic indifference can lead to a dehumanizing experience for users, who feel alienated and disempowered by algorithmic systems that prioritize commercial interests over their well-being.

Arista Networks Inc. stock outperforms competitors on strong trading dayFurthermore, the WTO report highlights the resilience of trade in certain sectors, such as electronics, medical equipment, and consumer goods. These industries have experienced strong demand throughout the pandemic, and are expected to contribute significantly to overall trade growth in the fourth quarter.

The return of Chris Evans and the reunion with Robert Downey Jr. in Avengers 5 mark a significant moment in the evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Their characters, Captain America and Iron Man, are not just heroes but icons, symbols of courage, sacrifice, and friendship. The impact of their return will reverberate throughout the MCU and resonate with fans who have grown to love and admire these legendary characters.

Title: New Expectations for the Real Estate Market Next Year: Enhanced Policy Measures on the Horizon

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 20, 2024-- PitchBook , the premiere data provider for the private and public equity markets, has released a set of 2025 Outlooks exploring the investment trends analysts expect to see driving activity in the coming year. Spanning venture capital, private equity, healthcare, and key technology sectors, these eight reports feature over 40 outlooks from PitchBook’s global research team, marking the most extensive forecast to date. Following a year faced with economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, investors are looking ahead to 2025 with hopes of strong valuations and a potential IPO market rebound. PitchBook analysts are cautiously optimistic about several key sectors in the coming year, predicting a notable improvement in the VC market in particular. See below for a complete list of PitchBook’s 2025 Outlooks. Download the full reports to see analysts’ predictions backed by in-depth data and rationale. 2025 US Venture Capital Outlook – download here 2025 US Private Equity Outlook – download here 2025 EMEA Private Capital Outlook – download here 2025 APAC Private Capital Outlook – download here 2025 Healthcare Outlook – download here Includes Healthcare, Healthtech, Medtech, Pharmatech, and Biopharma 2025 Consumer Tech Outlook – download here Includes E-Commerce, Gaming, Retail Fintech, Foodtech, and Mobility Tech 2025 Enterprise Tech Outlook – download here Includes AI & Machine Learning, Enterprise Fintech, Crypto, Information Security, Enterprise SaaS, Infrastructure SaaS, and Insurtech 2025 Industrial Tech Outlook – download here Includes Aerospace & Defense, Supply Chain Tech, Carbon & Emissions Tech, Clean Energy, and Agtech “The breadth and depth of our 2025 Outlooks reflect not only the continued growth of PitchBook’s research and analyst team but also our commitment to delivering actionable insights into the dynamic trends shaping the private markets,” said Nizar Tarhuni, Executive Vice President of Research & Market Intelligence at PitchBook. “As investors look to navigate economic uncertainty and seize emerging opportunities across sectors, our comprehensive, data-driven forecasts empower them to make informed decisions with confidence.” PitchBook’s Institutional Research Group is composed of more than 60 analysts providing timely institutional-grade research across asset classes, established industries and emerging technologies. The team’s coverage spans private equity, venture capital, real assets, leveraged loans, high-yield bonds and private credit. The base of this research is PitchBook’s proprietary datasets, which are vetted and curated to provide market-leading insights and analysis. For more information on PitchBook, click here . About PitchBook PitchBook is a financial data and software company that provides transparency into the capital markets to help professionals discover and execute opportunities with confidence, and efficiency. PitchBook collects and analyzes detailed data on the entire venture capital, private equity, and M&A landscape—including public and private companies, investors, funds, investments, exits, and people. The company’s data and analysis are available through the PitchBook Platform, industry news, and in-depth reports. Founded in 2007, PitchBook operates globally with more than 3,000 team members. Its platform, data, and research serve over 100,000 professionals around the world. In 2016, Morningstar acquired PitchBook, which now operates as an independent subsidiary. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241220928667/en/ PR@pitchbook.com KEYWORD: WASHINGTON UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: DATA MANAGEMENT BANKING TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES HEALTH HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSET MANAGEMENT DATA ANALYTICS SOFTWARE FINTECH FOOD TECH SOURCE: PitchBook Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/20/2024 01:45 PM/DISC: 12/20/2024 01:45 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241220928667/enWord Count: 334

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Additionally, the Political Bureau Meeting reaffirmed the commitment to opening up the economy and attracting foreign investment. This commitment to further liberalizing the economy and creating a more welcoming environment for foreign investors is expected to boost international confidence in the Chinese market and attract foreign capital inflows.In conclusion, the upgraded group call feature on WeChat brings a new level of convenience, quality, and customization to group communication. With increased participant limits, improved audio and video quality, customizable options, and real-time language translation, WeChat users can enjoy a more seamless and enjoyable communication experience. As technology continues to advance, WeChat remains at the forefront, empowering users to connect and communicate in innovative ways.

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:06 p.m. EST

Some refugees are experiencing so much unexpected racism in Australia they wish they never came. "From education, employment, social settings including sports, service access, racism has such a significant impact on refugees' lives," Refugee Council Deputy CEO Adama Kamara said. "Some say to me they've made such long journeys to get here, if they knew what it would have been like they may not have come." 'Insidious and profoundly damaging': Australia's systemic racism revealed An anti-racism report from the Australian Human Rights Commission , billed as the most comprehensive plan in the nation's history, was delivered to the federal government on Tuesday. It calls for a number of major legal and policy changes such as the introduction of a national framework with 10-year commitments that include acknowledgement of the "systemic and structural nature of racism" and "historical and ongoing impacts of settler colonisation on First Nations peoples". Among the 63 recommendations, the framework calls for political accountability, something Kamara said is vital for the livelihood of refugees. "We've seen time and time again how refugees are used for political football," she said. "It's to the detriment of human rights commitments but also to refugees' lives, all these actions are counterproductive to a belonging society." The council has heard countless stories of people from the African diaspora experiencing racism in the streets, which Kamara said is linked to the way police, the media and politicians have been talking about Sudanese communities and the alleged link to increased crime. "Those comments have caused a lot of damage in how communities see themselves." She said the government now faces the task of tackling the issue head-on, and not shying away from the "hard conversations". "I would like this to not be a matter for the election because then it's about winning votes and not people's lives," she said. Refugees are finding it hard to rent a home in Australia for this 'pervasive' reason The commission also calls for the introduction of a national human rights act and for a positive duty clause to be added to the Racial Discrimination Act, forcing businesses and employers to implement anti-discrimination policies. The framework would also include an agreed national definition of racism for Indigenous people. One of the report's overarching recommendations is for the federal government to lead a national response to racism, beginning with truth-telling and self-determination for Indigenous people. This would include anti-racism lessons in schools and enshrining the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into Australian law. A spokesman for Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus commended the commissioner and said the government would work through the recommendations. "No Australian should be targeted because of who they are or what they believe," he said. "Australians should be able to live their lives without fear of being attacked or treated differently because of their race."After the news last month that Bose had acquired the McIntosh Group , we have another interesting shift in the premium audio world. PML Sound International — the parent company of storied audio brands Paradigm, MartinLogan, and Anthem — has welcomed GoldenEar Speakers into the fold. It was just under five years ago when it was announced that GoldenEar had been bought by The Quest Group, the owner of AudioQuest and DragonFly, upon the retirement of GoldenEar co-founder Sandy Gross. Starting January 1, GoldenEar will be known as GoldenEar Studio Inc. PML has announced the operations will pause for the month of January to ensure a smooth transition. During that time, GoldenEar orders will not be processed or fulfilled, with operations resuming on February 3. PML has also assured that “existing warranties and service support will be honored, and they will continue to receive the same level of product quality and customer service when business resumes.” Digital Trends readers are likely familiar with the name GoldenEar from Caleb Denison’s recent emotional review of the T66 loudspeaker , but the company has been putting out speakers for 15 years. For close to 50 years, Sandy Gross was a titan in the industry as not only the co-founder of GoldenEar but two other major speaker manufacturers — Polk Audio and Definitive Technology. (Those unaware of Mr. Gross’ history in the audio industry can hear stories of his past for the man himself during a recent interview on the Audio Unleashed podcast .) It will be interesting to see how the move from a company known for its cables and power solutions to a group focused on speaker design and development will influence the future for GoldenEar. As fans of the brand, count us among the intrigued and hopeful.

The "systemic indifference" that results from algorithmic profiteering is characterized by a disconnect between the algorithmic decision-making process and the human values and concerns it affects. As algorithms optimize for profit and efficiency, they may overlook important ethical considerations, such as privacy, fairness, and transparency. This systemic indifference can lead to a dehumanizing experience for users, who feel alienated and disempowered by algorithmic systems that prioritize commercial interests over their well-being.

CU Anschutz researchers launch “moonshot” to cure blindness through eye transplantsUnai Emery feels confidence returning after Aston Villa end winless runWendy Williams’ family is “fighting” to get her back home from a facility where she’s receiving treatment for her health issues, her son said. The former daytime talk show host’s son Kevin Hunter Jr. on Monday shared an update about his mom’s health, days after she made a rare public appearance to attend his college graduation in Florida. Radio host Charlamagne tha God reposted a video to Instagram about Hunter’s graduation that gave an inside look at the emotional ceremony and family celebrations. He also praised the recent Florida International University graduate for his degree in economics. Hunter responded in the comments: “Thank you fam! Let’s get [Williams] home.” While feeling the Instagram love, Hunter also used the comments section to share a “quick update” with social media fans. He wrote that his mother is “sober and wants to come home.” He did not disclose from where exactly he and his loved ones are trying to retrieve Williams, but the TV personality, 60, has reportedly been at an unknown facility to address cognitive issues since earlier this year. In February, representatives for Williams revealed she had been diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia . Prior to the diagnosis, Williams had been battling Graves’ disease, a thyroid-related autoimmune condition. In 2022, Williams also received treatment at a wellness facility to help “manage her overall health issues.” Representatives revealed Williams’ diagnosis amid the premiere of Lifetime’s “ Where Is Wendy Williams” documentary. Hunter also wrote in another Instagram comment that his loved ones are working toward Williams’ homecoming “because isolation is killing her faster than anything else.” Hunter shared his update a month after Williams’ legal guardian Sabrina Morrissey claimed in legal documents that the TV star is “cognitively impaired, permanently disabled and legally incapacitated .” Amid her health issues, Williams was a proud mom at her son’s graduation last week. In photos shared by the New York Post, Williams sits with family and seemingly wipes away tears as her son, whom she shares with ex-husband Kevin Hunter, walked across the stage to receive his degree. Williams’ father, Thomas Williams, and her sister Wanda Finnie were among the family members who also reportedly joined the former TV host for Hunter’s graduation.mg777 。

Trump Names Warren Stephens as UK Ambassador

Pisces Daily Horoscope Today, Dec 24, 2024 predicts reflection and growth

Seven individuals with direct ties to ETSU were recently recognized for their contributions in their respective fields. The group was honored at the university’s 2024 Alumni Awards, presented by the ETSU National Alumni Association. “These seven individuals represent just a sampling of the incredible graduates whose journeys and stories began on our campus,” said Whitney Goetz, executive director of the ETSU National Alumni Association. “We are so proud of their accomplishments and the many ways they have transformed their communities and improved the lives of others.” Outstanding Alumna: B.J. King B.J. King B.J. King was honored as ETSU’s 2024 Outstanding Alumna. King, an accomplished financial executive and educator with over 30 years of experience, retired from ETSU where she most recently served as chief financial officer from 2017-23. Prior to her role as CFO, King held various executive finance positions at ETSU from 2001-17. She has also worked in both public accounting and private industry. King holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from ETSU and a Master of Accountancy from ETSU. She is a member of the ETSU College of Business and Technology Hall of Fame. King is an active member in the Johnson City community, having held board and leadership positions with BrightRidge and the Johnson City Power Board, the United Way, Covenant Presbyterian Church and other local organizations. Outstanding Alumnus: Juan DeAngulo Juan DeAngulo Juan DeAngulo was named ETSU’s 2024 Outstanding Alumnus. DeAngulo hails from Cali, Columbia, South America, where he cultivated his passion for tennis and became the top junior player in the country. The opportunity to play tennis and study business brought him to ETSU, where he graduated in 1997. DeAngulo is the co-founder of both Inselligence, an algorithm-based revenue intelligence platform, and Elion Partners, a vertically-integrated investment management firm. Previously, DeAngulo served as managing director of Transwestern Investment Management, where he oversaw the complete cycle of portfolio management and participated in the launch of a billion-dollar equity investment program for a major U.S. institutional investor. PRIDE of ETSU Award: Dr. Sean Ochsenbein Sean Ochsenbein Dr. Sean Ochsenbein was selected to be the recipient of the 2024 PRIDE of ETSU award. Ochsenbein, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, currently serves as one of the chief medical officers for Ballad Health. Ochsenbein earned his Bachelor of Science from Tennessee Technological University before entering medical school at ETSU. While a medical student, he received the Unsung Hero Award for his efforts to free a driver from a wrecked vehicle just moments before it burst into flames. Following medical school, Ochsenbein completed an emergency medicine residency at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Ochsenbein’s desire to help others led him to serve on multiple specialized rescue teams at the Putnam County Rescue Squad. In the line of duty, he performed valorous acts, risking his own life to save another. For this, he was awarded the Public Safety Medal of Valor by President Donald Trump in 2018. Most recently, Ochsenbein was recognized for his leadership during the rescue of 60 individuals from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital during the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Distinguished Alumnus in Service: Kenneth Lee Carder Kenneth Lee Carder was selected to receive the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus in Service award. Carder earned degrees with honors from ETSU, Wesley Theological Seminary and Vanderbilt Divinity School. Kenneth Carder He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity in 2004 from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. Carder was in the United Methodist Church and served churches in Gaithersburg, Maryland; Abingdon, Virginia; and Bluff City, Concord, Knoxville and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As pastor of First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge, he initiated an ongoing dialogue between scientists and theologians, including a collaborative discussion on the ethics of nuclear weapons. Also at Oak Ridge, Carder chaired the denominational task force charged with formulating a statement on genetics and ethics and drafted the denomination’s position on genetic science. Upon his retirement in 2004, Carder joined the full-time faculty of Duke University Divinity School and was named the Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Jr. Distinguished Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry. He is also a successful author. Alumni Award of Honor: Craig Charles Local business owner Craig Charles was selected to receive the 2024 ETSU Alumni Award of Honor. Charles is the owner of Crown Cutz Academy, which has three locations in Johnson City. Craig Charles At ETSU, Charles played football, studied communications and marketing and sharpened his barbering skills. As a student, Charles offered his barber services to other athletes, his Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers and other students. After graduating, he returned home to Boston and became an apprentice at Oasis Barber Shop. Eventually, Charles came back to service the barber industry in Johnson City by opening Craig’s Crown Cutz. In 2017, he opened Crown Cutz Academy, where he prepares his students to be well-rounded individuals and barbers by teaching lessons on domestic violence, mental health and financial literacy. Currently, Charles is the host of ‘The Barber College Success’ podcast and is working with ‘The Confess Project of America’, which is the first national barbershop mental health movement. Just this year, he was named Tennessee’s Small Business Person of the Year and the winner of the Minority Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Honorary Alumnus: Larry Calhoun Larry Calhoun was named to be ETSU’s 2024 Honorary Alumnus. Calhoun became interested in the profession of pharmacy while working at the soda counter at Burgie’s Drugstore. Larry Calhoun Calhoun was appointed the founding dean of the ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy in October 2005, leading the college through the various levels of accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Prior to serving in this role, Calhoun was president and CEO of Wilson Pharmacy and Home Health. He also held the position of president and CEO of Unicoi County Memorial Hospital in Erwin. Calhoun completed pre-professional work at ETSUs and received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Tennessee. He has held faculty appointments at various colleges of pharmacy in addition to ETSU College of Nursing and Milligan University. He spent two years in Saudi Arabia working for the Arab-American Oil Company and has served as a city commissioner for Johnson City. Distinguished Alumnus in Education: David Stout Jr. Mountain City native David Stout Jr. was selected to be the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus in Education award. After graduating from ETSU, Stout took a job with Sneed College in Johnson City as an admissions representative recruiting high school students and later veterans to attend on the GI Bill. David Stout He served in administrative roles with Sneed College before moving to South Carolina in 1978 as an academic dean at Columbia Commercial College, which later became Columbia Junior College of Business. In the early 1980s, Stout entered the field of public education, becoming the adult education director for a consortium of school districts. He eventually led all adult education activities for three rural South Carolina counties, and in 1983 was named the Rooke Adult Education Director of the Year. Stout spent 30 years with the adult education staff at the South Carolina State Department of Education. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest-serving state GED administrator in the country.The Showdown: Jam-packed Nebraska week starts with in-state rivalry doubleheader

Unai Emery feels confidence returning after Aston Villa end winless runHigh-Tech, High-End: Must-Have Luxury Tech Gadgets to Gift This HolidayRICHMOND — With speeding and sideshows occupying intersections still a persistent issue in Richmond, councilmembers are set to consider directing staff to urgently identify measures to bring safety to city streets. An item on Tuesday night’s Richmond City Council agenda calls for staff to identify traffic calming measures that would abate speeding and donuts in at least six areas throughout the city in an effort to address a serious public safety risk that’s resulted in property damage, injuries and death in the last year alone. “I’d venture to say that no city street is safe,” said Richmond Police Capt. Matt Stonebraker during a monthly crime prevention meeting focused on sideshows held on Oct. 23. The staff report for the item, brought forward by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, did not specify which six locations should be studied but Canal Boulevard was called out as a specific area of concern. In mid-October, a 16-year-old was killed and her 11-year-old sister injured in a speeding accident on the 600 block of Canal Boulevard. Richmond officers arrested nine people and impounded four cars just weeks ago in response to a sideshow with more than 50 vehicles and 200 participants on the same street. Sideshows have also occurred near Hilltop Mall. Participants of a large sideshow in late September damaged multiple cars at nearby auto dealerships and a Richmond Police Department vehicle, the department shared on its social media platforms. The “well organized” unauthorized events, which have grown in size, are occurring nearly every weekend and pull in crowds from outside the region, Stonebraker said. “It’s dangerous not only for the participants, not only for the spectators, but for the community at large and everyone around them or anybody that’s there,” Stonebraker said. “It’s dangerous. We want them to stop and we’re doing everything we can at this point to curb that.” Mayor Eduardo Martinez made his stance on the issue clear in an Oct. 1 Facebook post. Martinez, who has advocated for creating a space where sideshows can occur legally, said he is not in support of and has never encouraged breaking the law. The mayor noted in his post that sideshows — a term he’s wary of using because it does not fully encompass all types of reckless driving and can be used to demonize different parts of the community — are a regional issue. Similarly, Stonebraker said it’s typical for sideshows to travel from San Jose, through the East Bay and San Francisco, up to Sacramento. About 15 sideshows occurred in September alone, an average of about three a week, said Sgt. Enrik Melgoza during the October crime prevention meeting. To address the problem locally, Martinez said the city is working on hiring additional personnel, collaborating with neighboring agencies and deploying Flock cameras that collect vehicle information used to track down suspects. “I am fully committed to ensuring that our city remains safe for all residents, businesses, and visitors,” Martinez said. “These lawless actions do not represent the values of our Richmond residents, and we will do everything in our power to protect our community.” Police spokesperson Lynelle Sanchez said the department is also routinely monitoring for speeding in key corridors like Macdonald Avenue and 23rd Street. Officers issued 17 citations to drivers who failed to yield to pedestrians or were speeding near crosswalks during a recent traffic operation, she said. If the council back’s Zepeda’s request, staff would be directed to return before the end of January 2025 with identified traffic calming measures. Tawfic Halaby, deputy Public Works director of operations and maintenance, said during last month’s crime prevention meeting that the department is reaching out to neighboring jurisdictions to determine what types of measures have been successful. In the meantime, Sanchez encouraged the public to do their part in preventing traffic accidents by driving safely. “We really need the community to come together to make sure everyone stays safe,” Sanchez said. “Everybody’s in a rush trying to get home and feed their kids, but as residents we can do our part to help each other, especially around gatherings of people before and after school.” Zepeda did not immediately respond to requests for comment.I Got a "Vajacial," and It Was Nothing Like I Expected

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business and won three straight games for the first time this season. Cincinnati is playing its best football, but it might be too late to sneak into the playoffs, with five teams battling for the two remaining AFC postseason spots. At 7-8, the Bengals are on the bubble along with two other teams that have the same record, the Colts and Dolphins. To have a chance, the Bengals will need to beat the visiting Denver Broncos (9-6) on Saturday, then try to take down the Steelers (10-5) at Pittsburgh in the regular-season finale. They'll need some help from other teams, too. The rub for the Bengals is that they have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season. Now with some momentum for the first time, the Bengals will have to clear that hurdle. “It’s just what it’s supposed to feel like for us. This is our expectation," coach Zac Taylor said after the Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 24-6 on Sunday. “We just put ourselves in a position to now play some real meaningful games. ... We found a way to get the win and now we can turn our focus to a short week and the Denver Broncos.” What's working Joe Burrow became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 250 yards and three or more touchdowns in seven consecutive games. One of his TD passes, to Tee Higgins, came as he was falling down. He finished 23 for 30 for 252 yards. ... Ja'Marr Chase continues to build his resume as he strives to win the receiving “triple crown.” He had six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Browns and leads the league in receptions, yards and TDs. ... K Cade York tied a franchise record with a 59-yard field goal. “The guys have responded this way all season,” Taylor said. “We lost some heartbreakers to be quite frank, and games that just came down to the end. It doesn’t mean that we’ve had a bad football team and we weren’t in it. We’ve been in this, and now — I don’t want to say getting our confidence back, because we’ve had confidence — but we’re just making the plays necessary at the critical points of the game to take control of these games. That’s really what’s happened the last three weeks, and we’ve got to continue that.” What needs help Burrow has fumbled 10 times this season. Against the Browns, he lost a fumble on a strip-sack with the Bengals on the Cleveland 2-yard-line. Stock up Last week, S Jordan Battle scooped a fumble and ran it all the way back, only to fumble as he crossed the goal line, leading to a touchback. Against the Browns, he intercepted a second-half pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the end zone. The Bengals' defense has nine takeaways in the past two games. Stock down Cincinnati's depleted offensive line allowed four sacks. Injuries The offensive line took a hit when tackle Amarius Mims went out with an ankle injury and didn't return. Key number 5.1 — Yards per carry by RB Chase Brown, who seems to get better every week. He had 18 carries for 91 yards. Next steps The Bengals continue their improbable effort to slip into the playoffs when they host the Broncos in their home finale on Saturday. They finish the season the following week at Pittsburgh. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Mitch Stacy, The Associated PressNEW YORK — Stocks closed higher Dec. 23 at the start of a holiday-shortened week, with several big technology companies, including Nvidia and Broadcom, helping drive the gains. The S&P 500 rose 0.7 percent Monday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2 percent, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1 percent. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly cimbed after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market's path ahead and shifting economic policies under incoming President Donald Trump. "Put simply, much of the strong market performance prior to last week was driven by expectations that a best-case scenario was the base case for 2025," said Brent Schutte, chief investment officer at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Treasury yields rose in the bond market. Wall Street will close at 1 p.m. Tuesday for Christmas Eve and will remain closed on Wednesday for Christmas. NEW YORK — Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group for $6.25 billion, the company said Dec. 23. Investors will receive $24.25 for each share of common stock, representing a 42 percent from March 18, when the first reports of a potential transaction surfaced. That offer tops the previous $23-per-share bid the family and Mexican retail group, El Puerto de Liverpool, offered in September. The company also plans to authorize a special dividend of up to 25 cents per share. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. Erik and Pete Nordstrom are the fourth-generation leaders of the Seattle-based retailer, which was founded in 1901. The company operates 381 stores in the U.S., including Nordstrom Rack outlets in Columbia, Greenville and Mount Pleasant. NEW YORK — The Container Store has filed for bankruptcy protection as the storage and organizational goods retailer with roots dating back to the 1970s grapples with mounting losses and cash flow shortages. The company has faced increasing competition from retailers like Target and Walmart at the same time that demand for its goods is under strain in a rough housing market, where soaring prices and elevated mortgage rates have stunted sales. The Container Store will continue to operate while it restructures. The chain has no South Carolina locations. The company said Dec. 22 that it had filed for bankruptcy protection in Texas. The filing arrives two weeks after the trading of company shares was suspended by the New York Stock Exchange for failing to maintain an average market capitalization of at least $15 million in accordance with listing rules. Last month, The Container Store said that it was in advanced discussions with lenders to provide additional capital as it aimed to turn around sagging earnings and sales, according to a regulatory filing. NEW YORK — A five-day strike by Starbucks baristas had closed 59 stores as of the afternoon of Dec. 23, according to the union organizing the workers. The strike, which began Friday in Los Angeles, Chicago and Starbucks' hometown of Seattle, spread Monday to stores in Boston, Dallas and Portland, Ore. Workers in New York, Denver, Pittsburgh and other cities had also joined the strike over the weekend. Workers are protesting a lack of progress in contract negotiation with the company. Starbucks Workers United, which began the unionization effort in 2021, said Starbucks has failed to honor a commitment made in February to reach a labor agreement this year. "We respect our partners' right to engage in lawful strike activity, and we appreciate the thousands of partners across the country who are continuing to support each other and deliver the Starbucks experience for our customers," the company said Monday. NEW YORK — American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group said. The Conference Board said Dec. 23 that its consumer confidence index fell back for the month to a lower-than-projected 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months, spending more in the run-up to the all-important holiday shopping season. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans' assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The proportion of consumers expecting a recession over the next 12 months remained stable.All you have to do to become a South Dakota resident is spend one night. Stay in a campground or hotel and then stop by one of the businesses that specialize in helping people become South Dakotans, and they’ll help you do the paperwork to gain residency in a state with no income tax and relatively cheap vehicle registration. The system brings in extra government revenue through vehicle fees and offers refuge to full-time travelers who wouldn’t otherwise have a permanent address or a place to vote. And that’s the problem. State leaders are at a stalemate between those who say people who don’t really live in South Dakota shouldn’t be allowed to vote in local elections and those who say efforts to impose a longer residency requirement for voting violate the principle that everyone gets to vote. And at least one state has gotten wind that its residents might be avoiding high income taxes with easy South Dakota residency and is investigating. Catering to the nomadic lifestyle for nomads has become an enterprising opportunity for businesses such as RV parks and mail forwarders. “That’s the primary concept here, is the people that have given up their sticks and bricks and now are on wheel estate, we call it, and they’re full-time traveling,” said Dane Goetz, owner of the Spearfish-based South Dakota Residency Center, which caters to full-time travelers. “They need a place to call home, and we provide that address for them to do that, and they are just perpetually on the move.” Goetz estimated more than 30,000 people are full-time traveler residents of South Dakota, but the actual number is unclear. The state Department of Public Safety, which handles driver licensing, says it doesn’t track the number of full-time traveler applications. Officials of the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office did not respond to emailed questions or a phone message seeking the state’s tally of full-time travelers registered to vote. The office is not responsible for enforcing residency requirements, Division of Elections Director Rachel Soulek said. Victor Robledo, his wife and their five kids hit the road a decade ago in a 28-foot (8.5-meter) motorhome to seek adventure and ease their high cost of living in Southern California. They found South Dakota to be an opportunity to save money, receive mail and “take a residency in a state that really nurtures us,” he said. They filed for residency in 2020. “It was as simple as coming into the state, staying one night in one of the campgrounds, and once we do that, we bring in a receipt to the office, fill out some paperwork, change our licenses. I mean, really, you can blow through there — gosh, 48 hours,” Robledo said. Residency rules spark election concerns Residency becomes thorny around voting. Some opponents don’t want people who don’t physically live in South Dakota to vote in its elections. “I don’t want to deny somebody their right to vote, but to think that they can vote in a school board election or a legislative election or a county election when they’re not part of the community, I’m troubled by that,” said Democratic Rep. Linda Duba, who cited 10,000 people or roughly 40% of her Sioux Falls constituents being essentially mailbox residents. She likes to knock on doors and meet people but said she is unable to do “relationship politics” with travelers. The law the Republican-controlled Legislature passed in 2023 added requirements for voter registration, including 30 days of residency — which don’t have to be consecutive — and having “an actual fixed permanent dwelling, establishment, or any other abode to which the person returns after a period of absence.” The bill’s prime sponsor, Republican Sen. Randy Deibert, told a Senate panel that citizens expressed concerns about “people coming to the state, being a resident overnight and voting (by) absentee ballot or another way the next day and then leaving the state.” Those registered to vote before the new law took effect remain registered, but some who tried to register since its passage had trouble. Dozens of people recently denied voter registration contacted the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota, according to the chapter’s advocacy manager, Samantha Chapman. Durational residency requirements for voting are, in general, unconstitutional because such restrictions interfere with the interstate right to travel, said David Schultz, a Hamline University professor of political science and a professor of law at the University of St. Thomas. “It’s kind of this parochialism, this idea of saying that only people who are really in our neighborhood, who really live in our city have a sufficient stake in it, and the courts have generally been unsympathetic to those types of arguments because, more often than not, they’re used for discriminatory purposes,” he said. State lawmakers at odds over residency law Earlier this year, the Legislature considered a bill to roll back the 2023 law. It passed the Senate but stalled in the House. During a House hearing on that bill, Republican Rep. Jon Hansen asked one full-time traveler when he was last in South Dakota and when he intends to return. The man said he was in the state a year earlier but planned to return in coming months. Another man who moved from Iowa to work overseas said he had not lived “for any period of time, physically” in South Dakota. “I don’t think we should allow people who have never lived in this state to vote in our state,” Hansen said. Republican Sen. David Wheeler, an attorney in Huron, said he expects litigation would be what forces a change. It’s unlikely a change to the 30-day requirement would pass the Legislature now, he said. “It is a complicated topic that involves federal and state law and federal and state voting rights, and it is difficult to bring everybody together on how to appropriately address that,” Wheeler said. Out-of-state residents may see tax benefits More than 1,600 miles (2,500 kilometers) east, Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon has asked prosecutors to look into whether some state employees who live in Connecticut may have skirted their tax obligations by claiming to be residents of South Dakota. Connecticut has a graduated income tax rate of 3.0% to 6.99%. Connecticut cities and towns also impose a property tax on vehicles. South Dakota has none. Scanlon and his office, which administers state employee retiree benefits, learned from a Hartford Courant columnist in September that some state retirees might be using South Dakota’s mail-forwarding services for nefarious reasons. Asked if there are concerns about other Connecticut taxpayers who are not state retirees possibly misusing South Dakota’s lenient residency laws, the Department of Revenue Services would only say the agency is “aware of the situation and we’re working with our partners to resolve it.” A South Dakota legislative panel broached the residency issue as recently as August, a meeting in which one lawmaker called the topic “the Gordian knot of politics.” “It seems like it’s almost impossible to come to some clear and definitive statement as to what constitutes a residency with such a mobile population with people with multiple homes and addresses and political boundaries that are easy to see on a map but there’s so much cross-transportation across them,” Republican Sen. Jim Bolin said. ___ Dura reported from Bismarck, North Dakota. Associated Press Writer Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report. Jack Dura, The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California quarterback Miller Moss is entering the transfer portal after losing the Trojans' starting job last month. Moss made his announcement on social media Monday. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

USC QB Miller Moss enters transfer portalGnani’s Gen AI Solutions Revolutionising BFSIMorgan Rogers’ fourth goal of the season, an Ollie Watkins penalty and Matty Cash’s finish put Villa 3-0 up after 34 minutes. Mikkel Damsgaard pulled one back for Brentford in the second half but the damage had been done as Villa ended their eight-match winless run in all competitions. Emery was relieved to end the unwanted streak but quickly turned his attention to the next fixture against Southampton on Saturday. “We broke a spell of bad results we were having,” the Villa boss said. “We started the first five or 10 minutes not in control of the game but then progressively we controlled. “Today we achieved those three points and it has given us confidence again but even like that it’s not enough. We have to keep going and think about the next match against Southampton on Saturday. “The message was try to focus on each match, try to forget the table. How we can recover confidence and feel comfortable at home. Today was a fantastic match.” Tyrone Mings returned to the starting line-up in the Premier League for the first time since August 2023. Emery admitted it has been a long road back for the 31-year-old and is pleased to have him back. He added: “Mings played in the Champions league but it’s the first time in the league for a year and three months. “I think he played fantastic – he might be tired tomorrow but will be ready for Saturday again. “It was very, very long, the injury he had. His comeback is fantastic for him and everybody, for the doctor and physio and now he’s training everyday.” Brentford fell to a sixth away defeat from seven games and have picked up only a solitary point on the road this season. They have the best home record in the league, with 19 points from seven matches, but they have the joint worst away record. Bees boss Thomas Frank is confident form will improve on the road. He said: “On numbers we can’t argue we are better at home than away, but on numbers it’s a coincidence. I think two of the seven away games have been bad. “The other games we performed well in big spells. I’m confident at the end of the season we will have some wins away from home.” Frank felt Villa should not have been given a penalty when Ethan Pinnock brought Watkins down. He added: “I want to argue the penalty. I don’t think it is (one). I think Ollie kicked back and hit Ethan, yes there is an arm on the shoulder but threshold and all that – but that’s not the reason we lost.”

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — First it was Canada , then the Panama Canal . Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland . The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office on Jan. 20. In a Sunday announcement naming his ambassador to Denmark, Trump wrote that, “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity." Trump again having designs on Greenland comes after the president-elect suggested over the weekend that the U.S. could retake control of the Panama Canal if something isn't done to ease rising shipping costs required for using the waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He's also been suggesting that Canada become the 51st U.S. state and referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor” of the “Great State of Canada.” Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, said Trump tweaking friendly countries harkens back to an aggressive style he used during his days in business. “You ask something unreasonable and it’s more likely you can get something less unreasonable,” said Farnsworth, who is also author of the book “Presidential Communication and Character.” Greenland, the world’s largest island, sits between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. It is 80% covered by an ice sheet and is home to a large U.S. military base. It gained home rule from Denmark in 1979 and its head of government, Múte Bourup Egede, suggested that Trump’s latest calls for U.S. control would be as meaningless as those made in his first term. “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale,” he said in a statement. “We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom.” The Danish Prime Minister’s Office said in its own statement that the government is “looking forward to welcoming the new American ambassador. And the Government is looking forward to working with the new administration.” “In a complex security political situation as the one we currently experience, transatlantic cooperation is crucial,” the statement said. It noted that it had no comment on Greenland except for it “not being for sale, but open for cooperation.” Trump canceled a 2019 visit to Denmark after his offer to buy Greenland was rejected by Copenhagen, and ultimately came to nothing . He also suggested Sunday that the U.S. is getting “ripped off” at the Panama Canal. “If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America, in full, quickly and without question,” he said. Panama President José Raúl Mulino responded in a video that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to,” but Trump fired back on his social media site, “We’ll see about that!” The president-elect also posted a picture of a U.S. flag planted in the canal zone under the phrase, “Welcome to the United States Canal!” The United States built the canal in the early 1900s but relinquished control to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter . The canal depends on reservoirs that were hit by 2023 droughts that forced it to substantially reduce the number of daily slots for crossing ships. With fewer ships, administrators also increased the fees that shippers are charged to reserve slots to use the canal. The Greenland and Panama flareups followed Trump recently posting that “Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State" and offering an image of himself superimposed on a mountaintop surveying surrounding territory next to a Canadian flag. Trudeau suggested that Trump was joking about annexing his country, but the pair met recently at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida to discuss Trump's threats to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods. “Canada is not going to become part of the United States, but Trump’s comments are more about leveraging what he says to get concessions from Canada by putting Canada off balance, particularly given the precarious current political environment in Canada,” Farnsworth said. “Maybe claim a win on trade concessions, a tighter border or other things.” He said the situation is similar with Greenland. “What Trump wants is a win," Farnsworth said. "And even if the American flag doesn’t raise over Greenland, Europeans may be more willing to say yes to something else because of the pressure.” Associated Press writers Gary Fields in Washington and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As the city gears up for the 62nd annual Circle of Lights holiday tradition on Friday night downtown, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department , the Indianapolis Fire Department and other public safety leaders are hoping for a safe celebration. The city plans to have a large police presence including drones to help monitor the area. Charles DeBlaso, IMPD commander of special operations, said Monday, “We’ve been planning this for a while now. Along with IMPD, you’ll see a lot of visible presence of uniform officers along with state police.” IMPD expects around 25,000 people downtown due to the IHS A A Indiana High School Athletic Association’s state football championships at Lucas Oil Stadium and an Indiana Pacers game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse . “We’re going to have officers down here that you’re not going to know are police officers,” DeBlaso said. “We’ll have all our tactical assets down here and we’ll also have drones up above not only to help with traffic patterns and pedestrian traffic but to keep an eye on things.” The fire department and the Indianapolis EMS staff will also be on standby for emergencies. Michael Beard, a deputy chief of the fire department who serves as fire marshal, said Monday that planning ahead can help. “The weather is going to be pretty cold. So if you dress the way the weather calls for, it helps with the EMS side. It helps you enjoy the event.” The live show was expected to kick off at 6 p.m. Friday at Monument Circle. Festivities will also include the lighting of 4,784 bulbs hung on 52 garland stands. Taylor Schaffer is president and CEO of the private nonprofit Downtown Indy Inc., which promotes the area. Schaffer said, “The Circle will transform into a virtual snow globe with lighting projections, with fireworks and snow. Regardless of weather, we’ll have some incredible visual effects.” For Schaffer, watching families enjoy the lights is her favorite part. “I think there’s something magical to the lights coming on. Every time it happens, you see families where that’s their annual tradition.” First responders say motorists should prepare for traffic delays and street closures, and plan ahead for parking and walking downtown. Pedestrians can enter through the south, east, and west sides of the Circle. The stage will be on the north spoke due to construction. Viewers will be invited to fill in the rest of the steps below the Soldiers & Sailors Monument to view the show. Organizers say Monument Circle and the surrounding streets will be closed starting at 7 a.m. Friday. IFD’s Beard said, “If we do shut down a section of the Circle for any reason, please respect that. We want to monitor capacity to make sure everyone is safe.”None

KUWAIT: Souq Al-Mubarakiya has become a top destination for football fans attending Khaleeji Zain 26, the regional football tournament bringing together the eight Gulf nations. Taking place from December 21 to January 3 in Kuwait, the tournament has attracted supporters from Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, the UAE, and Qatar. These fans have come not only to enjoy the football matches but also to immerse themselves in the rich culture of Kuwait. While the tournament is the main attraction, many visitors have also explored Kuwait’s famous landmarks, such as The Avenues Mall and the newly developed Blajat waterfront project. However, Souq Al-Mubarakiya in the heart of Kuwait City remains one of the most popular spots. Located in the Qibla area, the souq is a vibrant historical market that showcases Kuwait’s cultural heritage. As Kuwait’s oldest and most famous market, Souq Al-Mubarakiya holds a special place in the hearts of locals. The market offers a wide variety of goods, from spices and textiles to perfumes, antiques, and jewelry. Visitors can wander through its winding alleys, enjoying the traditional atmosphere and shopping for unique items. During Khaleeji Zain 26, the souq has become even more lively, as fans from across the Gulf bring their passion for football into the market. Many have been posting videos on social media, showing themselves supporting their teams, singing chants, and even playing impromptu games of football in the alleys of the market. These playful moments have added to the festive atmosphere, blending the excitement of the tournament with the market’s rich cultural backdrop. The videos shared online highlight the unity and enthusiasm of the fans, with many showcasing the community spirit that defines the tournament. In addition to its role as a popular tourist destination, Souq Al-Mubarakiya is a symbol of Kuwait’s history as a trade and cultural hub in the Gulf. The market, which dates back over 120 years, has preserved much of its traditional charm, making it a bridge between Kuwait’s past and present. For visitors attending Khaleeji Zain 26, a trip to Souq Al-Mubarakiya is a great way to experience both the excitement of the tournament and Kuwait’s cultural heritage. Whether it’s sampling local dishes, shopping for souvenirs, or simply enjoying the atmosphere, the market offers a memorable cultural experience.

Riding a 3-game win streak, the Bengals cling to playoff hopes with the Broncos nextNDC’s Beatrice Annan Calls for Calm Amid Electoral Tensions, Reassures Supporters

USC QB Miller Moss enters transfer portal after losing starting job to Jayden MaiavaFormer U.S. President Bill Clinton , 78, was hospitalized Monday with a fever, according to his deputy chief of staff. NBC News reports that the situation is not considered an emergency. "President Clinton was admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center for testing and observation after developing a fever," Angel Ureña said in a statement on X. "He remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the excellent care he is receiving." According to a source close to the former president , the situation is "not urgent." The source stated that Clinton deeply appreciates the excellent care that was given. Prince Harry delivers emotional speech as he's joined by Bill Clinton and Jeff Bezos at solo event Bill Clinton, 78, trembles and speaks with a raspy voice as he takes gutsy swipe at Trump The source also told NBC that Clinton was admitted of his own volition after he "developed a fever and wanted to be checked out. He is awake and alert." It was stated that the former president "will be fine." This fever is the latest of several health concerns surrounding the former president. It began in 2004 when he underwent a quadruple bypass operation at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in 2004 before returning six years later in 2010 when two stents were inserted into a coronary artery. In 2021, Clinton was admitted to a California hospital for six days when a urological infection spread to his bloodstream. Clinton's hospitalization comes months after many people expressed their worries over the former president when he appeared at the Democratic National Convention in August with shakey hands and a trembling voice. "Clinton looks way beyond his years. He is speaking slowly, raspy shaky voice... he has aged in every way," one person stated on the social media site X. Another added: "Clinton has shaky hands as he speaks. He should join Joe and go to the nursing home." The comments came after Clinton attempted to make a swipe at President-elect Donald Trump's age. Clinton said: "I want to say this from the bottom of my heart, I have no idea how many more of these I'll be able to come to. I started in '76 and I've been everyone since — no, '72. Lord, I'm getting old." The former president added: "Let's cut to the chase, I am too old to gild the lily. Two days ago, I turned 78, the oldest man in my family for four generations." Then Clinton, who turned 78 on August 19, joked: "The only personal vanity I want to assert is I'm still younger than Donald Trump." The Republican presidential nominee turned 78 on June 14. He also paid tribute to Joe Biden saying he "voluntarily gave up political power" and said: "I want to thank him for his courage, compassion, his class, his service, his sacrifice. He kept the faith and he’s infected a lot of the rest of us." DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.