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BERLIN Over 50 civil society groups in Germany on Monday urged lawmakers to back a motion in the Federal Parliament to initiate proceedings that could lead to banning the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Gathering under the campaign "Protect human dignity – ban AfD now," the organizations held a news conference outside the Federal Parliament building in Berlin, highlighting their concerns over the AfD's threats to Germany’s constitutional order. Lukas Theune of the Republican Lawyers’ Association stressed the urgency of the matter, asserting that the AfD undermines human dignity, democracy, and the rule of law, while inciting public discord. "The facts are on the table. From a legal standpoint, the time for this application has come," he stated, urging lawmakers to push for an investigation by the Constitutional Court into the AfD's constitutionality. Wendelin Haag, president of the German Federal Youth Council, echoed the call, emphasizing that state mechanisms must be used to safeguard democratic principles. "The Constitutional Court must now fulfill its duty and examine whether the AfD is unconstitutional," he said, accusing the party of using democratic tools to erode democracy from within. The civil society organizations also issued a joint statement urging lawmakers to support the motion, which was submitted last month by 113 members of parliament from various parties. They demanded that the process to ban the AfD be initiated before early general elections are held on Feb. 23. In mid-November, the group of lawmakers formally requested the Constitutional Court to determine if the AfD violates Germany’s Basic Law. However, the Federal Parliament has not yet scheduled a discussion on the motion. Under German law, only the Federal Parliament, the Federal Council, or the Federal Government can submit an application to the Constitutional Court to ban a political party.Teck Releases First Integrated Report on Climate Change and NatureSC grants Centre four weeks to decide on Rajoana mercy plea

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We have been at the edge of a precipice since December 1990 and more so since April 1991. The foreign exchange crisis constitutes a serious threat to the sustainability of growth processes and orderly implementation of our development programmes. Due to the combination of unfavourable internal and external factors, the inflationary pressures on the price level have increased very substantially since mid-1990. The people of India have to face double digit inflation which hurts most the poorer sections of our society. In sum, the crisis in the economy is both acute and deep. We have not experienced anything similar in the history of independent India... ET Year-end Special Reads Corporate Kalesh: Top family disputes of India Inc in 2024 The world of business lost these eminent people in 2024 Fast, faster, fastest: How 2024 put more speed into your shopping Also Read: Manmohan Singh: The reformist who mastered the art of wielding delegated authority Also Read: Manmohan Singh passes away at 92; PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and others mourn former PM's demise There is no time to lose. Neither the government nor the economy can live beyond its means year after year. The room for maneuver, to live on borrowed money or time, does not exist any more. Any further postponement of macroeconomic adjustment, long overdue, would mean that the balance of payments situation, now exceedingly difficult, would become unmanageable and inflation, already high, would exceed limits of tolerance. Also Read: Remembering Dr. Manmohan Singh: A legacy of economic reforms and leadership Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program For improving the management of the economy, the starting point, and indeed the centre-piece of our strategy, should be a credible fiscal adjustment and macroeconomic stabilisation during the current financial year, to be followed by continued fiscal consolidation thereafter. This process would, inevitably, need at least three years, if not longer, to complete. But there can be no adjustment without pain. The people must be prepared to make necessary sacrifices to preserve our economic independence and restore the health of our economy. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )‘Pravda’: Elon Musk strikes out at ABC after Joe Rogan commentsTimed with the 30th anniversary of PlayStation this week, Sony has released a new update for the PlayStation 5 which lets players customize aspects of the console based on different generations. Players can customize some visual and audio features and UI dashboard by selecting from PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, standard PS5 or 30th Anniversary themes. The classic PS1’s boot-up screen with the yellow-orange diamond shape can be seen as part of its new start-up sequence. This customisation is said to be for a ‘limited time’ with no clear end date for when Sony will remove them (presumably with the next OS update). Sony has also released a 30th Anniversary ‘Thank You’ video which can be seen below, a screenshot of “Bloodborne” with the word ‘Persistence’ on it has gone viral on social media as many PC users are still clamoring for Sony to announce a remaster/remake and PC port of that classic FromSoftware title. The company has also announced a PlayStation Store sale with multiple games going cheap – some cheaper than their Black Friday deals – to help celebrate three decades of PlayStation. That sale ends December 20th. The releases come as rumors of ‘Midnight Black’ versions of the PlayStation Portal and DualSense Edge controllers emerged the other day – but those have yet to be officially confirmed.

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The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Union government four weeks to decide on the long-pending mercy plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in the 1995 assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, even as the Centre flagged the “sensitivity” of the issue and said the situation was not conducive to resolving the matter at present. A bench comprising justices Bhushan R Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan deferred the hearing on Rajoana’s plea following submissions by solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Union government. “The matter is sensitive. Several agencies need to be consulted. We need some more time,” Mehta told the bench. Additional solicitor general KM Nataraj, appearing for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), echoed the concern, saying, “The situation is still not conducive for a decision.” The court acceded to the Centre’s plea, deferring the case for four weeks. Rajoana, a former Punjab Police constable, was sentenced to death in 2007 for his role as a backup bomber in the suicide attack outside the Punjab Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995. The bombing killed Beant Singh and 16 others. The Punjab and Haryana high court upheld his death sentence in 2010. In 2012, Rajoana was scheduled for execution, but it was stayed after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) filed a mercy plea on his behalf. Over the years, successive governments have cited national security concerns and the delicate political environment in Punjab as reasons for the delay in deciding the plea. The ministry of home affairs (MHA) in 2019 proposed commuting Rajoana’s sentence as a goodwill gesture marking the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. However, the proposal was never formalised. In 2020, Rajoana approached the Supreme Court, challenging the prolonged delay in processing his mercy plea. In previous hearings, the Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction over the inordinate delay in resolving Rajoana’s mercy plea. During a hearing on November 18, the bench underscored the need for the plea to move forward. It had even considered directing the secretary to the President to expedite the decision within two weeks but deferred the move after the Centre sought more time. “The central government should act on it. Why not do it? It also requires the aid and advice of the Centre,” the court noted on the last date. It had warned that it might reinstate its earlier directive for the President to decide on the plea if there was no progress by November 25. However, following the Centre’s latest submission, the matter has now been deferred until December. The issue of Rajoana’s release carries significant political and national security implications. He was linked to the Babbar Khalsa, a militant Sikh separatist group responsible for violent activities during the insurgency in Punjab. His release is a sensitive issue for both the families of terrorism victims and the political dynamics in Punjab, raising concerns about the resurgence of a pro-Khalistan sentiment. Rajoana’s previous petition assailing the delay by the Centre in deciding his commutation plea was decided by the Supreme Court in May 2023. The court noted that the MHA’s decision to defer the decision on Rajoana’s mercy petition on grounds of national security and law and order “actually amounts to a decision declining to grant the same for the present”. It rather allowed the Centre to consider his mercy plea “in due course”. A year on, Rajoana’s filed the current petition through advocate Diksha Rai, maintaining that he is “neither a member of any anti-nationalist organisation and nor has he ever subscribed to their views”, and therefore, the commutation of his sentence cannot be stalled by citing grounds of national security or public order. It added that the inordinate delay in the execution of a death row convict’s sentence and a final decision on his mercy petition has consistently been recognised by the apex court to invoke its powers under Article 32 to commute death sentences to life imprisonment. “Keeping him in suspense, while consideration of his mercy petition by the Hon’ble President of India remains pending for years on end is an agony, which has created adverse physical conditions and psychological stresses on the petitioner, who has now been in jail for the past 28 years and 7 months, confined to a capital punishment cell of 8’ x 10’ for the last 17 years,” the petition said.

Hosting for the holidays comes with both joys and stresses. It's so lovely to have a home full of people enjoying themselves and appreciating all your efforts, but getting your house ready, looking at its best, and prepping any food or drinks can feel overwhelming. And those few hours before guests arrive can be a bit stressful. So with wanting to avoid that last-minute panic, I asked interior designers what small, quick, and easy tweaks they make to their own homes to ensure it's ready for guests to arrive. We aren't talking cleaning or decluttering here, this is the nice bit that comes after, when you want to just make little tweaks around your home to make it super comfortable and welcoming. All of these lovely holiday hosting tips can be implemented in the days or even hours before you start hosting and most involve using things you probably already have too. 1. Light candles and arrange flowers 'If you’re hosting this holiday season and want to refresh your space quickly before guests arrive, there are a few effortless yet impactful things I do to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. First, give your home a quick tidy-up –vacuum, dust, and wipe down surfaces. A clean space feels instantly refreshed, and the best part is that it’s both simple and free,' says designer Becky Shea . 'Next, set the mood with candles. Start burning them about an hour before your guests arrive so the fragrance has time to work its magic. I like to place one candle in the entryway to greet guests with a warm welcome and another in the dining or living room to carry the ambiance throughout the home,' she adds. 'Lastly, never underestimate the charm of fresh flowers. A thoughtfully arranged bouquet on a coffee table, dining table, or even your kitchen counter brings life, beauty, and an effortless elegance to your space. These small touches create a cozy and memorable experience that will make your guests feel truly at home.' 2. Bring in some greenery for last minute lovely decor If you are after some last-minute Christmas decor greenery is your go-to. Florists will likely have plenty of beautiful evergreens in stock at this time of year, but if you can forage from your backyard even better. It's such a quick and easy way to make your home feel instantly festive. Designer Marie Flanigan explains, 'Decorating for the holiday season is about creating warmth and magic in every corner of the home. I love to bring in natural accents – like sprigs of pine, fresh eucalyptus, mandarins, and bowls of pinecones to add texture and fragrance.' 'A few well-placed touches, like garlands draped over a mantle or clusters of simple ornaments, bring such an elegant nod to Christmas without overwhelming the space. It’s these organic, thoughtful layers that make a home feel both festive and beautifully inviting for the season. I also love to surprise by decorating unexpected spaces, like adding small Christmas trees on a stairwell landing, wrapping magnolia leaves around pendant lights, or tying a bow on a wall sconce for that extra touch of seasonal charm.' 3. Dim the lights 'Once the obvious and requisite tidying has been accomplished, I like to add a few quick touches to my home before guests arrive to make it feel extra welcoming and, if I'm being honest, fancy,' says designer Bethany Adams . 'I'll light a scented candle in the entry, powder room , and kitchen and add decorative tapers to the dining table and living room mantle. Fresh flowers (if I had time to stop at the grocery store that day) in a vase dress up my entry and coffee table, but if not, I'll pop out to the backyard or alley and clip a few branches for an easy and stunning arrangement. Finally, dimming the lights is the quickest and easiest way to set a welcoming mood.' 4. Get your welcome set up ready 'When I'm expecting guests, I always like to make sure I'm 100 percent prepared to offer a tasty refreshment, so I take a little time to stock my bar cart with spirits, wines, upscale soft drinks, garnishes, and festive glassware,' advises Kathy Kuo . 'I also place a few scented candles around my home to make sure guests are greeted with a warm and inviting scent and take a moment to fill my vases with seasonal blooms. These are super-simple actions that you can do less than 24 hours before guests arrive and they make such a meaningful impact.' 5. Focus on the senses 'Create a scented experience,' is designer Jennifer Walter . 'Scents influence how we feel in a space and infusing a bit of pine by way of a candle or diffuser instantly transports the senses to the outdoors.' 'Touches of seasonal decor can make a home feel festive and cozy. You don’t need to go overboard – just a few accents like a full-bodied wreath on the front door or garland draped over the fireplace mantel and stair railing can go a long way.' 'We also love an assortment of candle sticks on tabletops with candles in the colors of the season. A hand-tied velvet ribbon around the base adds a bit of luxury and texture as well.' 6. Get a simmer pot going Alyssa Terpstras creative director of Coco & Jack thinks it's key to think about the senses too and she recommends 'A simmer pot to fill the home with a cozy and welcoming scent and light a wood burning fire and plenty of candles.' She also advises making some small but effective additions to your decor – 'Tie ribbons from light fixtures and chairs for a pretty detail and add garland around doorways and evergreen centerpieces to your tables. Finally, dot around bowls of chocolate for guests to enjoy and play a Christmas playlist.' So many designers have mentioned the importance of candles when creating a welcoming home and taper candles have a certain elegance to them that works on a table and a mantel. If you prefer a diffuser to candles, this one from McGee & Co. has a fresh yet cozy scent of citrus and birch. Pop on your entryway console for an instant hit of festive scent when guests enter your home. This realistic garland has such an organic look to it. The way it hangs so naturally gives the look you have just gone and foliage these pine branches from your backyard. The key takeaway I am getting from this is I need plenty of candles and should start collecting some flowers and greenery. But really the key to a welcoming home during the holidays is all about that relaxed feel, so give yourself some time before guests arrive to take a breath, make a few small, lovely tweaks but ensure you are feeling at ease yourself before guests arrive.Update: SD 27 facility rental fees halved, but fundraisers see increase in costs

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NoneTweet Facebook Mail Woolworths has lodged an application with Fair Work to stop striking workers from blocking access to distribution centres as stock runs low across the country. The grocery giant is seeking orders from the workplace regulator to prevent the United Workers Union (UWU) stopping employees from entering the Melbourne south regional distribution centre and three other sites in Victoria and NSW. The application alleges UWU members are in breach of the good faith bargaining requirements of the Fair Work Act. READ MORE: What the weather on Christmas Day is forecast to be in your city Woolworths shelves are bare and stores are running low on stock as strikes forced the closure of five distribution centres. (Nine) "The application comes after the UWU refused to give any assurance of safe passage for team members seeking to return to work at our Melbourne south regional distribution centre yesterday and this morning," Woolworths said in a statement. "A majority of the team at the site had indicated they wished to return to work to begin being paid, which will help increase supply of essential food and grocery products such as nappies, toilet paper and drinks to Woolworths' Victorian stores." READ MORE: Billionaire brings $150,000 grocery giveaway to Sydney Surprising state where households fork out most for electricity View Gallery Picketers have disrupted the supply chain and resulted in empty shelves in stores. (April Lombardo) Woolworths claims UWU created an "unsafe environment for team members who had shown up to work". "The majority of our team members at this site are not members of the UWU," the statement continued. "We will again be attempting to operate the MSRDC today, and we will follow the advice of the Victorian police to ensure the safety of our team." The application has not been listed for hearing yet. READ MORE: Three dead and dozens sick from eating sea turtle stew UWU logistics coordinator Andrew Giles. (Nine) Union members commenced industrial action at the Woolworths distribution centres to demand better pay and conditions. The strike has now entered its 13th day and as a result supermarket shelves have been left empty ahead of a busy pre-Christmas period. Workers are demanding a pay rise above inflation, seeking an immediate 25 per cent increase and a further 30 per cent over the next two years. They are also wanting the productivity "framework" scrapped, which forces them to meet 100 per cent adherence to a speed-related metric known as pick rates. The strike follows six months of unsuccessful negotiations. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .Future is Here: Upcoming Hi-Fi and Home Cinema Products in 2025

WASHINGTON — Death penalty opponents on Thursday launched a new effort to spare Pittsburgh synagogue shooter Robert Bowers and two others remaining on death row from being executed. Death Penalty Action submitted a letter to the White House signed by almost 450 organizations, asking President Joe Biden to commute the sentences of the three federal inmates facing execution plus four others on military death row. Biden on Monday granted clemency to 37 federal prisoners who were sentenced to death. That left just three people facing execution for federal crimes: Bowers; Dylann Roof — who killed nine worshippers at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., in 2015, and who, like Bowers, espoused white supremacist and bigoted rhetoric before carrying out a mass killing — and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicted for his role in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing that killed three people. "You said you granted clemency because you wanted to 'prevent the next administration from carrying out executions,'" the letter said. "This gives us hope. Unless you finish the job by granting clemency to the three men remaining on federal death row and extending your mercy to the four men on military death row, you will leave those seven men vulnerable to execution under Donald Trump's administration. This would seem counter to your intent." Bowers was convicted in June 2023 of 63 federal charges and was sentenced to death in the Oct. 27, 2018, shooting at the Squirrel Hill synagogue housing three congregations — Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life. It was the worst antisemitic attack in American history. The call for clemency gained new urgency following Trump's election last month. In the last year of Trump's first term in the White House, 13 federal prisoners were executed — more than in the previous eight decades combined, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Trump transition team called the commutations "Biden's sick Christmas gift to grieving families." "The danger of leaving the death penalty as an available tool for Donald Trump to use cannot be overstated," said Abraham Bonowitz, executive director of Death Penalty Action and co-founder of L'chaim! Jews Against the Death Penalty. "Donald Trump idolizes dictators and relishes dictator-like power. We are absolutely grateful for what President Biden has done, but we urge him to finish the job. Do not give Trump the power to execute anyone." On Christmas Day, Trump used his Truth Social site to go after the 37 death row inmates whose sentences were commuted, falsely accusing Biden of pardoning them rather than sentencing them to life imprisonment without parole. "To the 37 most violent criminals, who killed, raped, and plundered like virtually no one before them, but were just given, incredibly, a pardon by Sleepy Joe Biden. I refuse to wish a Merry Christmas to those lucky 'souls' but, instead, will say, GO TO HELL!" Trump said. ©2024 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

AP Business SummaryBrief at 4:13 p.m. ESTGoogle and the US government faced off in a federal court on Monday, as each side delivered closing arguments in a case revolving around the technology giant's alleged unfair domination of online advertising. The trial in a Virginia federal court is Google's second US antitrust case now under way as the US government tries to rein in the power of big tech. In a separate trial, a Washington judge ruled that Google's search business is an illegal monopoly, and the US Justice Department is asking that Google sell its Chrome browser business to resolve the case. The latest case, also brought by the Justice Department, focuses on ad technology for the open web -- the complex system determining which online ads people see when they surf the internet. The vast majority of websites use a trio of Google ad software products that together, leave no way for publishers to escape Google's advertising technology, the plaintiffs allege. Publishers -- including News Corp and Gannett publishing -- complain that they are locked into Google's advertising technology in order to run ads on their websites. "Google is once, twice, three times a monopolist," DOJ lawyer Aaron Teitelbaum told the court in closing arguments. Presiding judge Leonie Brinkema has said that she would deliver her opinion swiftly, as early as next month. Whatever Brinkema's judgment, the outcome will almost certainly be appealed, prolonging a process that could go all the way to the US Supreme Court. The government alleges that Google controls the auction-style system that advertisers use to purchase advertising space online. The US lawyers argue that this approach allows Google to charge higher prices to advertisers while sending less revenue to publishers such as news websites, many of which are struggling to stay in business. The US argues that Google used its financial power to acquire potential rivals and corner the ad tech market, leaving advertisers and publishers with no choice but to use its technology. The government wants Google to divest parts of its ad tech business. Google dismissed the allegations as an attempt by the government to pick "winners and losers" in a diverse market. The company argues that the display ads at issue are just a small share of today's ad tech business. Google says the plaintiffs' definition of the market ignores ads that are also placed in search results, apps and social media platforms and where, taken as a whole, Google does not dominate. "The law simply does not support what the plaintiffs are arguing in this case," said Google's lawyer Karen Dunn. She warned that if Google were to lose the case, the winners would be rival tech giants such as Microsoft, Meta or Amazon, whose market share in online advertising is ascendant as Google's share is falling. The DOJ countered that it simply "does not matter" that Google is competing in the broader market for online ads. "That is a different question" than the market for ads on websites that is the target of the case, said Teitelbaum. Google also points to US legal precedent, saying arguments similar to the government's have been refuted in previous antitrust cases. Dunn also warned that forcing Google to work with rivals in its ad products would amount to government central planning that the court should reject. If the judge finds Google to be at fault, a new phase of the trial would decide how the company should comply with that conclusion. And all that could be moot if the incoming Trump administration decides to drop the case. The president-elect has been a critic of Google's, but he warned earlier this month that breaking it up could be "a very dangerous thing." arp/dw

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Creighton point guard Steven Ashworth likely won't play Tuesday in the No. 21 Bluejays' game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday, and coach Greg McDermott said he didn't know how long he would be out. “He stepped on a guy's foot on a 3-point shot and you're defenseless in that situation," McDermott said after the game. "He torqued it pretty good.” An athletic department spokesman said Monday that Ashworth's status was doubtful for the game against the Aztecs. Ashworth is Creighton's second-leading scorer with 16 points per game and leads the team with 6.4 assists per game. He also is 23 of 23 on free throws. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP collegebasketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballIsraeli police set to probe Netanyahu’s wife over ‘harassment of witnesses’

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AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:53 p.m. ESTBALTIMORE (AP) — Nendah Tarke's 24 points helped Towson defeat Morgan State 64-60 on Sunday night. Tarke added seven rebounds for the Tigers (4-2). Tomiwa Sulaiman scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. Christian May scored nine. The Bears (3-5) were led in scoring by Wynston Tabbs with 19 points. Kameron Hobbs had 13 points and Ahmarie Simpkins finished with nine points, three steals and two blocks. Towson went into halftime leading Morgan State 35-26. Tarke scored 14 points in the half. Towson used a 7-0 run in the second half to build an 11-point lead at 58-47 with 5:51 left in the half before finishing off the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

An investor in DMC Global Inc. (Nasdaq: BOOM) claims in a recently filed class-action lawsuit that key executives at the oilfield-services, construction-products and infrastructure firm intentionally withheld information about potential weakness in its largest business unit, a decision that hurt shareholders when DMC’s stock price plunged this fall after disclosures painted a less-than-rosy picture of DMC’s performance and outlook. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.OPEC+ crude oil output rose 30,000 b/d month on month in October, with a huge rebound in Libyan production largely canceled out by reductions in Kazakhstan, Iraq and Iran, according to the latest Platts OPEC+ Survey from S&P Global Commodity Insights. With October output likely to set the tone for the upcoming ministerial meeting in Vienna on Dec. 1, the core OPEC group boosted output by 330,000 b/d, while its Russia-led allies cut by 300,000 b/d, according to the survey. Core OPEC output from countries bound by quotas remained above their collective target, with overproduction shrinking slightly to 348,000 b/d, while their OPEC+ partners collectively underproduced by 179,000 b/d. Overall OPEC+ production in October was 169,000 b/d over target. Compliance could therefore continue to fray relations within OPEC+, which is battling to put a floor under prices while maintaining its market share amid tepid Chinese demand, elevated production in non-OPEC+ countries in the Americas, fears of a supply glut in 2025 and considerable volatility driven by wars in the Middle East and Europe as well as the re-election of Donald Trump. Libya and Kazakhstan saw the biggest shifts in crude output in October, the survey found, with the North African country hiking production by 420,000 b/d following the conclusion on Oct. 3 of an oil shutdown prompted by a political feud over the leadership of the Libyan central bank. Production nevertheless remained below pre-shutdown levels of 1.15 million b/d due to maintenance at the key Sharara field in the first weeks of October. Libya, beset by political chaos since the fall of Moammar Qadhafi in 2011, is not subject to an OPEC quota unlike Kazakhstan, which slashed output by 300,000 b/d after carrying maintenance lasting around three weeks at its enormous Kashagan oil field during October. At 1.22 million b/d, Kazakhstan’s output was still slightly above its 1.203 million b/d target as laid out in its August “compensation plan,” submitted to make up for excess production in 2024. Iraq also cut output by 60,000 b/d to 4.14 million b/d, primarily on cuts to export volumes and refinery runs, as well as reduced production in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, over which Baghdad has scant control. Nonetheless, Iraq — which has also submitted compensation plans — remained above its quota by 235,000 b/d. The UAE also exceeded its quota in October by 98,000 b/d, the survey found, as did Gabon, Saudi Arabia and Russia, while Iranian output fell 40,000 b/d on lower exports. A sticking point for the bloc going back decades, compliance has emerged as OPEC+’s key challenge in recent times, with sources telling Commodity Insights that inventories would be lower and the market tighter had producers stuck to their quotas. On Nov. 3, eight voluntary cutters again delayed plans to start tapering 2.2 million b/d of reductions — part of 5.8 million b/d of group-wide cuts — to January 2025, amid fears prices would weaken even further had they followed through with the plans. Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, last assessed the Dated Brent benchmark at $74.07/b on Nov. 8, down from a 2024 high of $93.35/b in April and below the fiscal breakeven oil prices of most members, according to Commodity Insights estimates. A well-placed source told Commodity Insights that the eight voluntary cutters — Algeria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Oman, Kazakhstan, Kuwait and the UAE — had delayed the return of barrels because they did not have “line of sight on Chinese demand” moving forward. OPEC production including quota-exempt Iran, Libya and Venezuela reached 26.58 million b/d in October, up from 26.25 million b/d in September, the survey found. Meanwhile, the Russia-led allies pumped 13.68 million b/d, down 300,000 b/d month on month. Total OPEC+ output was 40.26 million b/d, up slightly from September but down 2.45 million b/d year on year. In its latest monthly oil report, OPEC estimated the call on OPEC+ crude — the quantity it must produce to balance supply and demand — at 42.8 million b/d in 2024 and 43.2 million b/d in 2025, significantly above current production. The swing producer is more bullish than other forecasters, but if that is borne out, OPEC+ would be in a strong position to control the market moving forward. The Platts survey measures wellhead production and is compiled using information from oil industry officials, traders and analysts, as well as by reviewing proprietary shipping, satellite and inventory data. Source:

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Netanyahu accuses ICC of anti-Semitism after arrest warrants issued over war in GazaThe secret hacks you need to know to save up to 54% on first-class train tickets By RICHARD MARSDEN FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY Published: 06:49 EST, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 06:54 EST, 29 December 2024 e-mail View comments Some diligent planning ahead – combined with a few savvy crosschecks – can make all the difference when it comes to bagging a cheap first-class ticket. Follow our guide to the ins-and-outs of travelling posh and a whole new world of British trains opens up, including bigger seats, soft drinks and snacks on shorter journeys, and hot meals and alcoholic drinks on long-distance services such as Avanti. We tried all the tricks to get first-class tickets at reduced prices – here’s what we found... Is there really a simple way of getting a cheap first-class ticket? Yes. Sign up to the Seatfrog auction app ( seatfrog.com ). After buying a standard-class fare for a journey, it’s possible to bid for an upgrade to first. On most trains, a limited number of such upgrades are available. It’s a straightforward system: the highest bid wins, with the auction closing 30 minutes before departure. On a random check, we found a standard ticket from London Euston to Penrith at 1.40pm was £94, while a first-class ticket was £230. Using Seatfrog you could bid for an upgrade for £36. So, effectively, the first-class ticket came to £130 – a saving of £100 (or 43 per cent off). Are first-class tickets for all train services offered on Seatfrog? Almost all. Transport for Wales has just joined but Scotrail and Hull Trains don’t take part. If not entering a Seatfrog auction, is it better to book in advance or wait till the last moment? Booking well in advance is usually best, says Mark Smith, of website Seat61.com . When we looked, a first-class fare from York to Edinburgh was £59.80 ten weeks in advance. This compared to £91.70 on the day (54 per cent more). Is there an exact best time to book ahead? Eight to 12 weeks is best for long-distance routes as this is when most rail operators release timetables and when prices are normally lowest. Fares may be up to 75 per cent cheaper during this ‘sweet spot’. Some operators allow you to book bargain advance fares even further ahead: LNER is 20 weeks and Hull Trains 26 weeks. What about very last-minute deals? These are possible and worth checking if the Seatfrog app is not for you. On trainline.com – on the day of travel – we found the difference between first-class and standard-class for Bristol to Penzance was a mere £22.10 – £83.50 instead of £61.40. For London King’s Cross to Edinburgh, a last-minute first-class ticket was £138.90 (booked 30 minutes before travel) while journeys later on that week were £173 to £299. Are some routes better for first-class deals than others? Yes. The best prices are usually available when travelling between regional stations and when avoiding London, says Railsmartr.co.uk. It highlights that a York to London first-class fare on the same day at around the same time can cost £95 (for a journey of 1h 52m), while York-Edinburgh in first class can be as low as £52 (for a journey of 2h 37m). Read More How to save a fortune by stocking up on booze in Calais: JEFF MILLS reveals the astonishing bargains What about upgrading once you’re onboard? This is sometimes possible if there’s availability – you’ll need to ask the guard. Especially low rates may be available at weekends and bank holidays. The cost on Great Western Railway and Greater Anglia is from £10, or it’s from £10 to £45 on LNER. You can pay there and then with your card and walk on through. What about on Avanti West Coast trains? It's different from the others with two upgrade possibilities: standard premium and first class. You sit in the same-style carriages for both – with wider seats and a guaranteed table – but with standard premium you do not get free food or drink. On-the-day first-class upgrade prices are similar to LNER. If booking in advance, Saturday fares between London and Glasgow might be £85 (standard), £120 (standard premium), and £199.50 (first class). On all journeys, standard premium is from £17.50 extra. Do railcard discounts apply to first-class tickets? Yes, when tickets are bought in advance. They do not work for upgrades available via Seatfrog or onboard. Any other travel tips? Try boarding a train with a restaurant car. Although first-class passengers get priority bookings, standard-class ticket holders can dine too on GWR. When do GWR dining cars run? GWR’s Pullman Dining is in a vintage-style Pullman carriage, available Mondays to Fridays on the 1.03pm and 7.04pm Paddington to Plymouth services; 5.48pm from Paddington to Swansea; 1.15pm and 6.16pm from Plymouth to Paddington; and the 12.23pm Swansea to Paddington (gwr.com). It’s £37 for two courses or £44 for three courses; wine is from £17 per bottle. What about the Transport for Wales dining service? Two courses £21.95 (with a bottle of wine £37) or three courses £24.95 (with a bottle of wine £40); for details, see First Class Menu at tfw.wales . Share or comment on this article: The secret hacks you need to know to save up to 54% on first-class train tickets e-mail Add commentStephen A. Smith facing snub from Shaq and Charles Barkley’s show despite Inside the NBA joining ESPNWhat do many kids like most about the coming of a new year? The fireworks. Investors don't mind seeing some fireworks in their portfolios with a new year starting, either. Three Motley Fool contributors think they have found stocks that could provide a big bang for growth investors . Here's why they believe Novo Nordisk ( NVO -0.32% ) , Summit Therapeutics ( SMMT -5.55% ) , and Viking Therapeutics ( VKTX -3.56% ) could be monster winners for 2025. Novo Nordisk could be due for a big comeback in 2025 David Jagielski (Novo Nordisk): It's been a tough 2024 for drugmaker Novo Nordisk. Entering this week, its shares were down 14% as the company behind the popular diabetes drug Ozempic has been generating good growth, but that hasn't been enough to win over investors. To make things worse, the company recently unveiled results from a trial involving weight loss treatment CagriSema. In a late-stage trial, the drug helped participants lose an average of 22.7% of their weight, versus the 25% that was expected. The stock fell by around 20% on the news in what looked to be a gross overreaction about what may still be the top weight loss drug in the future. The company already has an approved weight loss treatment in Wegovy, which shares the same active ingredient (semaglutide) with Ozempic. CagriSema's trial results were by no means awful, but the market has already responded in a big (negative) way. The sell-off in the stock has pushed it near its 52-week low, and it's now trading at 22 times next year's estimated future earnings (based on analyst estimates). Given its low valuation and the seeming overreaction in the markets to the recent trial results, this is a stock that could generate monster gains next year as a rebound could be in the cards. Novo Nordisk has been investing in additional manufacturing capacity to help meet the surging demand for its weight loss and diabetes treatments, and its results have been great in recent quarters. The business has been growing its operating profit by 21% through the first nine months of this year. And with a lot more growth still ahead for the business, investors should be careful not to overlook Novo Nordisk -- the healthcare stock could have plenty of upside next year. A potential blockbuster on the way Keith Speights (Summit Therapeutics): 2024 has been a fantastic year for Summit Therapeutics, with its stock delivering an explosive 7x gain. I think the new year will bring more good fortune for this up-and-coming drugmaker. Summit expects to announce top-line results in mid-2025 from a phase 3 study evaluating ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy as a second-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already granted Fast Track Designation to the therapy for this indication. This means the approval process could be expedited and guarantees the FDA will work closely with Summit on advancing ivonescimab. To be sure, there's a degree of risk associated with any clinical trial. However, Summit's chances of success with this late-stage study appear to be great. Why? The company's partner, Chinese pharmaceutical company Akeso , reported spectacular results from its phase 3 study of ivonescimab earlier this year as a first-line treatment for NSCLC. Patients receiving the drug experienced significantly increased progression-free survival rates than patients receiving Merck 's Keytruda immunotherapy. It's important to note that Keytruda ranked as the world's top-selling drug last year with sales of $25 billion. With ivonescimab outperforming Keytruda in Akeso's late-stage study, I predict Summit will have a blockbuster drug on its hands in the not-too-distant future. And Summit won't be content with the second-line NSCLC indication. The company is evaluating ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy in a late-stage study as a first-line NSCLC therapy. It also plans to initiate another phase 3 study of the drug as a monotherapy in the first-line NSCLC setting. Lightning can strike the same place twice Prosper Junior Bakiny (Viking Therapeutics): Can a stock deliver monster returns two years in a row? Under the right conditions, the answer is yes. Consider Viking Therapeutics, a mid-cap biotech that soared this year following excellent phase 2 results for its investigational weight loss medicine, VK2735. The company should make progress on this program next year, when it will probably start a phase 3 study. It is also working on an investigational medicine for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, which should also enter pivotal trials in 2025. Viking has more promising early-stage candidates, and progress from those could be what jolts the stock price. Its oral formulation of VK2735 is a good example. Billion-dollar weight loss medicines like Zepbound and Wegovy are administered via injection. An oral formulation would be a welcome sight for many patients. Although several drugmakers are working on this project , Viking has more upside potential than the large leading pharmaceutical companies, while smaller ones haven't shown the kinds of results it has so far. And the company is still working on promising anti-obesity programs. It recently reported encouraging pre-clinical results from a brand-new clinical compound. Viking is looking to establish itself as a leader in this therapeutic area, which happens to be the hottest and one of the fastest-growing in the industry. It has shown more promise in the field than most other companies, even those with far more resources than it has. So, Viking Therapeutics' shares could once again soar next year and deliver strong performance in the next half-decade.

Late kickoff return TDs by Turpin and Thomas spark the Cowboys as they end their 5-game skidVanda's 102, but that won't stop her lifting weights and raising a glass

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad oversaw a merciless crackdown on a pro-democracy revolt that morphed into one of the bloodiest wars of the century. After facing down nationwide protests demanding his ouster and an armed rebellion that he all but crushed, he had until this month taken back control of much of Syria in the civil war that began in 2011. Quiet in his demeanour, Assad is a political survivor who for years excelled in his alliance-building with Russia and Iran, and who knew just how to present himself as Syria's only viable leader in the face of the Islamist threat. But since November 27, an Islamist-led rebel offensive has wrested from Assad's control city after city, including Aleppo and Hama for the first time since 2011, leaving his grip on power severely under threat. Assad has cast himself as the protector of Syria's minorities, a bulwark against extremism and the sole possible purveyor of stability for the war-ravaged country. In multiple votes held over the years, conducted solely on government-held territory, he has taken the vast majority of the ballots, amid accusations from Western countries that the wartime elections were neither free nor fair. In appearance, whether in person or in the many portraits of him in the capital Damascus, Assad has typically eschewed military garb, opting instead for a sharp-cut business suit and sober tie. In official meetings, during interviews and even on the frontlines, the 59-year-old ophthalmologist by training conducts himself calmly and can almost appear timid. Behind the facade, however, is an astonishing ability to hold onto power amid multiple waves of violence and transformative change in Syria and the wider region. One journalist, who met with Assad on several occasions before and after war broke out in 2011, told AFP the president is a "unique and complex figure". "Each time I met him he was calm... even during the most difficult moments of the war," said the journalist, who declined to be named. Assad has "the same qualities" as his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly three decades until his death in 2000, the journalist said. "In politics, it's important to know how to shuffle cards, not just how to arrange them," he added. "Assad has mastered the shuffling game." Hafez al-Assad, head of the Syrian Baath Party, imposed in the country a secretive, paranoid regime where even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in jail or worse. Bashar al-Assad was never meant to become president, but his life changed radically when his older brother Bassel, who was being groomed to inherit power, was killed in a road accident in 1994. Bashar quit his studies in ophthalmology and left London, where he had met his wife, Asma, a British-Syrian and Sunni Muslim who worked for financial services firm JP Morgan. Back home, he took a course in military studies and was tutored in politics by his father. When the latter died, Bashar became president by referendum, running unopposed, then winning a second term in 2007. Sworn in at the age of 34, Assad was widely seen by Syrians pining for freedoms as a reformer, who could do away with years of repression and introduce economic liberalisation. In the early days, Assad would be seen driving his own car or having dinner at restaurants with his wife. He relaxed some of the heavy restrictions that existed under his father. But his initial image as a reformer quickly evaporated as authorities arrested and jailed academics, intellectuals and other members of what was then known as the Damascus Spring movement. When the Arab Spring reached Syria in March 2011, peaceful demonstrations broke out calling for change. Assad, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, responded by ordering a brutal crackdown on the protesters and civil war swiftly ensued. Throughout the war, which has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half the population, Assad's position has not changed. He has been the subject of countless cartoons by dissident artists depicting him as a killer, not least in the aftermath of the 2013 chemical attacks on rebel bastions around Damascus. A Syrian researcher in Damascus, who asked to speak anonymously over security concerns, said: "Assad's personality played an undeniable role in his survival." His "persistence and rigour" were especially important in helping him "consolidate decision-making powers, and secure the army's full support", he added. Throughout the war, Assad has enjoyed military backing from staunch allies Iran and Russia, who helped him score a string of military victories. Since the start of the Islamist-led rebel offensive on November 27, Assad has echoed his long-held stance that the conflict in Syria is machinated from abroad. "The terrorist escalation reflects the far-reaching goals of dividing the region and fragmenting the countries in it and redraw the map in line with the objectives of the United States and the West," Assad said on Monday. He is the father of three children. His wife, Asma, was dubbed a "rose in the desert" by Vogue magazine before the revolt. bur/ser/jhbz2 188 flight status 。

Led by unanimous No. 1 South Carolina, the top 12 teams were unchanged in The Associated Press Top 25 women's college basketball poll released Monday. The Gamecocks (4-0) received all 31 first-place votes after beating Coppin State and East Carolina by a combined 83 points last week. Following a game Wednesday at Clemson, coach Dawn Staley's squad will face its toughest test to date Sunday at No. 5 UCLA (4-0). No. 2 UConn (3-0), No. 3 Southern California (4-0) and No. 4 Texas (3-0) fill out the top five. The Bruins are followed by Notre Dame (4-0), LSU (4-0), Iowa State (4-0), Oklahoma (3-0) and Kansas State (3-0). The Fighting Irish visit the Trojans on Saturday for another top-10 showdown. No. 19 TCU (4-0) entered the poll with its highest ranking since 2008 after beating then-No. 13 North Carolina State on Sunday. The Wolfpack (2-2) fell seven slots to No. 20. Stanford dropped out of the rankings after losing Sunday at Indiana. The rest of the AP Top 25 women's poll: 11. Maryland (5-0) 12. Ohio State (3-0) 13. West Virginia (4-0) 14. Duke (4-1) 15. Kentucky (4-0) 16. North Carolina (3-1) 17. Ole Miss (2-1) 18. Baylor (3-1) 19. TCU (4-0) 20. NC State (2-2) 21. Nebraska (4-0 22. Illinois (3-0) 23. Oregon (4-0 24. Alabama (6-0) 25. Louisville (2-2) --Field Level MediaNEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation,” he wrote. Setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to maximize daylight during summer months, but has long been subject to scrutiny. Daylight saving time was first adopted as a wartime measure in 1942. Lawmakers have occasionally proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill named the Sunshine Protection Act , had proposed making daylight saving time permanent. The measure was sponsored by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio , whom Trump has tapped to helm the State Department. “Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said as the Senate voted in favor of the measure. Health experts have said that lawmakers have it backward and that standard time should be made permanent. Some health groups , including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said that it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology. Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do, the date that clocks are changed varies, creating a complicated tapestry of changing time differences. Arizona and Hawaii don't change their clocks at all.

Wexford teen avoids jail after gang attack on male he believed had molested girl

For one Hemel Hempstead family, it has meant a battle lasting six years – and counting – to get a child the support he needs. Alfie, 11, was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old. Ever since, his mum, Natasha, has been fighting his corner with the health service and with Hertfordshire County Council, who provide the area’s SEND services. But, at a time when Alfie should be finishing his first term at secondary school, he has been left without a suitable school place. Constant delays and a lack of communication are regular features of a system that Natasha says seems to be “built against parents”. The impact on Alfie has been serious as he has become “socially isolated” and now also struggles academically. Alfie also suffered a mental health crisis earlier this year, which Natasha believes was caused by failings from the authorities that should be helping to meet his needs. Natasha has had to become an expert on a failing system to fight Alfie’s corner – but the hurdles they have come up against at every turn have been so severe they were even mentioned by Hemel Hempstead’s new MP, David Taylor, in his maiden speech in parliament. The problems reach back all the way to Alfie’s initial diagnosis, while he was a pupil in his early years at Jupiter Primary School. Natasha began trying to get him an education, health and care plan, but says she met with resistance from the school who refused to support an application for one until Mike Penning, the then MP for Hemel Hempstead, intervened. Even then, the county council initially refused to assess. Natasha appealed the decision, and it went to mediation – the date of which was changed multiple times, including on one occasion because it had been carelessly booked on a bank holiday. The day before mediation was eventually set to go ahead, the county council conceded and said they would assess Alfie – a familiar story to many parents, with around 90 per cent of appeals being lost or conceded before they are heard. “They made us wait six months just to agree to assess anyway ... it’s crazy,” Natasha said. It then took over a year from the initial application to Alfie receiving his EHCP – far longer than the legal deadline of 20 weeks – and the process itself was poor, Natasha said. In the year to September 2024, just 56 per cent of EHCPs were completed by the deadline, and earlier this year, Hertfordshire Police opened an investigation into county council officials over possible ‘misconduct in public office ‘regarding the way EHCP requests were being dealt with. Natasha says Alfie’s cognitive ability was not assessed during the EHCP application process and continues. “We saw an educational psychologist, but they did not assess Alfie during the visit,” she said, “ No standardised testing, nothing. “They pretty much just read reports and then made their own report based on them. Alfie was in the room, but they didn’t even talk to him ... he was just there.” When the EHCP was finally completed, Natasha says, it was “not worth the paper it was written on” and was unsuitable for his needs. Throughout this time, Alfie was at Jupiter, where he suffered “a lot of bullying”, both physical and verbal, and fell behind academically. He was temporarily suspended from the school three times in the space of two months, including an hour into SATS week, at a time when Natasha believed the school was understaffed and not offering Alfie one-to-one support. Alfie’s primary school years ended with a mental health crisis, and Natasha believes a lack of support from Jupiter contributed to his deteriorating mental health. In one incident, Natasha says, a teacher at the school deliberately broke Alfie’s comfort item – a stick – in front of other pupils. Alfie’s distress led to him “trashing the classroom,” an incident Natasha only learned about when a pupil told her about it in the playground after school. She believes the teacher “ridiculed” Alfie, and that staff saw her son as a “disruption”. Despite Alfie’s experience, Jupiter was recently awarded for its “outstanding” mental health and wellbeing provision. When it came time to apply for a secondary school place, Natasha believed Alfie needed a place in a specialist school. Her view was supported by others. A PALMS ( positive behaviour, autism, learning disability and mental health service) psychiatrist said they were “concerned” Alfie would “struggle even more” in a mainstream secondary school. One such mainstream secondary school refused to take Alfie, saying in its consultation response that he “clearly needs a much more nurturing and bespoke curriculum and setting than any mainstream school could offer”. In fact, every school consulted, both mainstream and specialist, said they could not take Alfie – except one. Adeyfield Academy, Alfie’s closest mainstream secondary school, raised “concerns” about their suitability for his needs – they said he “may not manage the rigours of a mainstream secondary curriculum” – but did not outright object to taking him. It meant Alfie was allocated a place at the school, starting in September this year. But he has not been able to go. Natasha says that when she met Adeyfield’s SEND leaders she was “told that he would not get one-to-one [support], he would be expected to wear full school uniform – which he isn’t able to because of his sensory needs – and he will be expected to go into each class independently and do the same work as everyone else”. “Alfie’s working at a Year 1 level academically and he requires a lot of support just to access that, and this school is saying he will be doing Year 7 work, with no support. “They’re not able to meet his needs,” Natasha said. An alternative provision for a few hours a week is provided for Alfie, but even this was not in place at the start of the term. Natasha appealed the decision to send him to Adeyfield, with an initial tribunal held in September and then adjourned until December. She and Alfie are now awaiting the results of that tribunal after a process that Natasha says is in “disarray”. There has been some progress – Hertfordshire County Council have agreed that a specialist school would be most suited for Alfie’s needs. But, Natasha says, more than 20 schools in Hertfordshire and further afield have now been consulted on whether they can take him, and all have refused. She had been told that the council was looking at special resource provision (SRP) units within mainstream schools, and prepared for the tribunal on that basis – only to find they were now looking at social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) schools. Natasha says the experience – which she has had to handle alongside bringing up both Alfie and his younger brother – is “incredibly stressful”. “You’re going into a hearing with all your evidence ... and they’re not interested in that anymore, so you’re not prepared. “I’m just a parent, I don’t have any legal background, I’m muddling my way through this really confusing system, and to be in these tribunals is stressful enough without being put on the back foot like that.” Natasha has looked at moderate learning difficulties (MLD) schools too, but they have also said they can’t take Alfie: “The MLD schools felt that Alfie’s main need was SEMH, and the SEMH schools felt his main need was MLD.” The result of the initial tribunal, which should have been sent to Natasha within two weeks, was only received a month later after she chased it up: “It’s yet another SEND system that doesn’t stick to its own deadlines.” The tribunal also involved changes to Alfie’s EHCP, with Natasha’s appeal resulting in 26 points being added to the plan that the county council had previously declined to include. There have been further issues with the tribunals, too. At one, the county council turned up with an undeclared witness who, Natasha says, the judge had to ask to leave because they had not submitted the required paperwork. Deadlines for consulting schools have been missed. Schools have been slow in coming back. The information they have provided in their responses when challenged at the tribunal, has been shown to be incorrect. When Natasha submitted a subject access request to see the consultation reports from schools – which are not given to parents automatically – she had to wait “seven months for them to give me three sheets of paper”. Natasha says the process “takes over every aspect of your life”. “My daily life is fighting this system to get Alfie what he should be getting. And every single person ... is working against us. “You are left helpless, and it feels like a system in which you can’t win. “It almost feels like we’re living in a third-world country, where you can’t get a school place for your child. “It feels like we are looked at as if we’re overreacting. We’re not taken seriously. “Our views are not heard or understood, and the children’s needs are not heard or understood.” And, throughout all this time, Alfie goes without schooling. Natasha warns that the issue, which also affects many other children in Hertfordshire, could have long-term consequences: “We’re going to end up with a whole generation of adults who are not able to fit into society because they’ve been at home when they should have been at school. “They’re not going to have the qualifications and knowledge to get jobs; they’re not going to be able to socialise properly. “Where are these children going to go when they become adults? Alfie and Natasha have faced issues with health services, too. Alfie was referred for an assessment for possible ADHD, and a PALMS psychiatrist earlier this year said the assessment “will be crucial to his progress”, with treatment available after a formal diagnosis. But – after a month-long back and forth between PALMS and CAMHS (children and adolescent mental health services) as to who should deal with Alfie going forward – no assessment has yet been done. When Natasha chased CAMHS up, she says she was told they had no record of Alfie and he was not on the waiting list for an assessment. It was only after Natasha asked MP David Taylor to step in that they got in touch to confirm an appointment for spring 2025, more than a year after Alfie was initially referred. Natasha believes she was “not listened to” by CAMHS when she raised concerns about Alfie’s mental health, 18 months before he suffered his crisis earlier this year. She adds that she felt like she was “failing as a parent” after one “really awful” assessment where the medical professional did not speak once to Alfie. David Taylor said he had been “deeply moved” to hear about Natasha and Alfie’s “inexcusable and hellish nightmare”. He said he will do “everything in my power to ensure no other families in Hertfordshire are put through the pain they experienced”, and welcomed the £1bn for SEND services nationally that was announced in the government’s recent Budget. Natasha says she is “so grateful” for Mr Taylor’s support, and suggests other SEND parents should take their cases up with their MPs too. Natasha’s aims are simple: to get Alfie a place at a school suited to his needs; an EHCP that’s fit for purpose; and an assessment for whether he has ADHD. But six years on, their battle continues – and with no end in sight. Spokespeople for Jupiter Primary School, Adeyfield Academy and Hertfordshire County Council said they could not comment on individual cases. The spokesperson for Jupiter said the school is “committed to the wellbeing and education of all our pupils”. “Any concerns or complaints brought to our attention are handled in accordance with the [Danes Educational] Trust’s policies or procedures. “These processes are designed to ensure that all matters raised are listened to, carefully considered, and addressed appropriately.” The Adeyfield Academy spokesperson said the school “prides itself on providing an inclusive and caring learning environment for all” and works “tirelessly to offer the right support to each child so that they can meet their potential”. It is understood that a county council officer is also examining how Adeyfield responds to consultations on whether it is a suitable school for children with SEND. The county council spokesperson said they “are committed to ensuring that the right provision and support is in place to meet the individual needs of every child”. “Amid increasing need for our SEND services and increasing numbers of complex cases, we are committed to working in partnership with young people, parents, carers, the NHS and schools to ensure that all children and young people with SEND and EHCPs in Hertfordshire receive the support they need and deserve.” They said “that many families have not experienced the service and support they need and deserve in the past” but that they now “have comprehensive improvement plans in place, which are being independently monitored”. The spokesperson added that the council has “expanded local special school capacity in Hertfordshire by creating 764 additional special school places since 2018” – though Alfie has not been given one of those places.

Punjab Bandh on Dec 30: From govt offices, banks to bus and train services, here's what is open and what's closed

The Star-Ledger’s recent editorial, “New Jerseyans suffer from toxic diesel fumes. Trenton seems fine with that,” opposing legislation calling for a two-year delay in implementation of the state’s Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule, misses the point. We all want to improve New Jersey’s air quality to protect everyone’s health. New Jersey truck dealers want to sell what customers want to buy, and they don’t want California mandating they buy only electric trucks. (The rule requires an increasing percentage of new trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission vehicles.) There are obstacles to widespread adoption of electric heavy-duty and medium-size trucks, including affordability and charging infrastructure. The price of an electric heavy-duty truck is as much as $500,000, two or three times more than a new cleaner-diesel truck, and there is virtually no publicly-available charging. Everything delivered to your doorstep or local store arrives by truck. If consumers think groceries are expensive now, wait until the ACT rule brings more expensive trucks and more trucks on the road, due to range and payload challenges. Many New Jersey dealers will have only a few diesel trucks available in 2025 because manufacturers are withholding them and sending them to states that haven’t adopted an ACT rule. Rushing into the ACT Rule on Jan. 1, 2025, will only cause industries that rely on heavy-duty trucks to hold onto their older trucks longer. We should use every tool to help industries update their fleets with trucks that have the latest emission technologies, as well as electric options. Delaying the rule for two years will not disadvantage anyone. We all win when the state is prepared to help its EV mandates succeed instead of seeing a fast failure on electric trucks deter future adoption. Laura Perrotta, president, New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers, and Eric DeGesero, lobbyist, New Jersey Motor Truck Association I’ll be home(less) for Christmas? “Kudos” to Sheriff Armadno Fontoura of Essex County and Sheriff Shaun Golden of Monmouth County for having residential foreclosure classified ads run in the Christmas Day print edition of the Star-Ledger. And, even bigger “kudos” to the staff of the paper who were so tone deaf as to allow that to happen. Class acts, one and all. This cruel foolishness, combined with the apparent decision to keep non-promotional Star-Ledger subscription prices the same, while eliminating the print edition as of Feb. 3, displays a startling degree of cynicism and greed. Keep up the good work. Paul Weinstein, Asbury Park Keep those letters coming Congratulations to my fellow 2024 letter-to-the editor writers. Most newspapers will print letters submitted by any writer regardless of where they live, so long as the topic is relevant to readers. It helps to have a snappy introduction, good hook, be timely, precise, have an interesting or different viewpoint to increase your odds of publication. Newspapers generally welcome letters commenting on their own editorials, articles or previously published letters to the editor. I’m grateful that the Star-Ledger afford both me and my fellow letter writers the opportunity to express our views, as well as differing opinions on issues of the day. Please join me along with your neighbors in reading the Star-Ledger. Patronize their advertisers; they help provide the revenue necessary to keep them in business. This helps pay to provide space for your favorite or not-so-favorite letter writers. Larry Penner, Great Neck, N.Y. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion . Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion . Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion . Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters .The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has revealed many Americans’ fury and frustrations with their health insurance coverage. They have taken to social media to relay their stories, even as others have said they like their coverage . CNN would like to talk to readers about their experiences using their health insurance, both good and bad, for a future story.

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Mustapha Amzil scored 14 points as New Mexico beat Colorado State 76-68 on Saturday. Amzil added five rebounds for the Lobos (10-3, 2-0 Mountain West Conference). Donovan Dent added 14 points while going 7 of 16 from the field while they also had six assists. C.J. Noland had 11 points and finished 5 of 7 from the field. Nique Clifford led the way for the Rams (7-6, 1-1) with 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson added 13 points and nine rebounds for Colorado State. Kyan Evans also had 10 points. New Mexico took the lead with 8:53 to go in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 41-25 at halftime, with Filip Borovicanin racking up 10 points. New Mexico was outscored by Colorado State in the second half by eight points, with Amzil scoring a team-high six points in the final half. Both teams next play Tuesday. New Mexico visits Fresno State and Colorado State goes on the road to play San Jose State. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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fc-18adf "Miss, miss, can I play with your robot?" The question comes from a young local school girl standing in front of our stall at Barunga Festival, 80 kilometres southeast of Katherine in the Northern Territory. She points at our broken robot. We are hot, tired and getting ready to pack up, and explain to her that it is no longer working. She insists she would like to play with it anyway. So we concede. In five minutes, she has fixed it and returns a fully functional robot. Not for the first time, we wonder about the new discoveries and innovations humanity is missing out on because remote and rural children are not given genuine opportunities to engage and follow careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). For the past four years, we have been on the road with STEM outreach in remote communities. We have recently returned home from this year's trip. Our work shows these children don't have to miss out. Fewer opportunities STEM skills are becoming core competencies for most job types and are identified as a key tool for long-term economic growth and global competitiveness. Australia will need 312,000 additional technology workers by 2030 to meet industry demand. Filling this gap is made harder by the fact that in Australia, 15-year-old students from remote areas lag behind in science by an average of 1.5 years, compared to those from metropolitan areas. They also perform significantly below the international average in mathematics. A major factor responsible for this is that remote students have fewer career and education opportunities, poorer access to resources and a fragmented network of contacts for career advice. It is also harder for...The holiday gifting season is upon us, and you still have time to shop for everyone on your list slowly and mindfully. If you shop at stores that have membership programs, you can take advantage of these programs to maximize savings. Target is running multiple deals for its Circle Members, from Target gift cards for making qualified purchases, to select gift card deals for up to 10% off . The latter makes an excellent gift for picky loved ones who could use the independence of choosing their own items. You have until tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 8 to snag either one of these deals. We'll explain terms and conditions below. Why this deal matters Target Circle already allows members to nab exclusive deals that make the membership cost worth it. Right Target is offering two kinds of gift card deals for members. Qualifying purchases can help you score gift cards worth between $5 and $20. These extra gift cards are a great way to rack up savings for well after the holidays. If you prefer buying gift cards for loved ones, you can save 10% on Target gift cards as a Circle Member. Both of these deals are available until tomorrow Sunday, Dec. 8. Target Circle Members can currently score a gift card worth $5 when you buy 4 or more hair care items. If hair care items aren't your cup of tea, you can grab a gift card worth $10 when you buy 3 or more home essential items, such as toilet paper, laundry detergent, dishwasher items, paper towels, trash bags and more. Parents with a Target Circle membership can score a $20 gift card with a $100 purchase of diapers and baby wipes. If you're in the market for a large number of gifts or a big purchase, such as a TV or tech gear, then you might appreciate this next offer. Circle Members can also save 10% on gift cards to Target as a part of this weekend's deals. These cards come in many adorable designs and make great gifts for teachers, quick last-minute stocking stuffers, Secret Santa gifts and loved ones with varying tastes. Remember that you have until tomorrow, Dec. 8 to take advantage of these offers. You must a Target Circle Member or sign up to receive these deals. If you aren't sure if any of these deals are for you, we have a list of 62 holiday gift ideas so you can find something for everyone on your list. CNET is always covering a wide array of deals on tech products and much more. Start with the hottest sales and discounts on the CNET Deals page , and sign up for the CNET Deals Text to get daily deals sent straight to your phone. Add the free CNET Shopping extension to your browser for real-time price comparisons and cash-back offers. And peruse our gift guide , which includes a full range of ideas for birthdays, anniversaries and more.8 Insanely Bullish Cryptocurrencies You’d Be Making a Huge Mistake if You Ignored

While the big holiday sales events might seem to be over, there’s still one picking up steam. That’s Dell’s biggest sale of the year on AI-ready PCs, business laptops, and more. Now’s an excellent time to save big on Dell gear from laptops and desktops to monitors and beyond. For select items, Dell has even taken as much as $845 off, which I probably don’t need to say — but still will — amounts to huge savings. Inspiron, Latitude, Precision, XPS, you know and recognize the names, and they’re all part of the big sale. If you didn’t end up grabbing a laptop or new system in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, now’s a great time to take the leap. What to shop in Dell’s biggest sale of the year If you’re looking for business laptops, there’s . If you’re looking for AI-ready PCs, there’s , too. In fact, across both events, there are a lot of different options to shop, all from Dell’s best selections. Both of these sales will be available until December 9, so now’s your time to cram in some last-minute shopping, especially for anyone who needs a new laptop or computer. The is on sale, for instance. With everything tucked neatly into the monitor — yes all the hardware is inside — you can place it just about anywhere and have a family computer setup. You could place it on a desk, on a counter somewhere, or even in a little reading nook. Not enough power for you or your family? Want something that’s gaming-ready with plenty of performance packed into the chassis? How about the ? You might consider pairing that with a . There are a few other gaming-ready systems, as well. But if you’re into business and productivity, or at least, if that’s what you need a computer for, Dell has those on sale, too. You can expect to save anywhere from $100 up to $850, it just depends on the gear and the sale. I know you’re probably all shopped out at this point, and maybe you’ve seen enough deals and discounts like me, but this is still a big sale you don’t want to miss. Need we remind you that it’s Dell’s biggest sale of the year?Broncos' Jonathon Cooper, Malcolm Roach, Blake Watson fined by NFL for actions vs. Chargers

Syria's Assad Regime May Be Falling as Rebels Reach Damascus Suburbs; Trump Calls for No US Involvement Share This article JERUSALEM, Israel – Syrian rebels reached the suburbs of Damascus, Syria's capital, on Saturday as the government of President Bashar al-Assad appeared to be on the verge of collapse. The opposition forces' surprising march through Syria picked up speed as people stocked up on food and many fled to the Lebanese border. The government was forced to deny that Assad had fled the country as several reports indicated his family escaped to Russia after the rebels' initial advances. Israel has fortified its troops in the Golan Heights amid rebel claims that they were advancing on Quneitra near the Israeli border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his Security Cabinet Saturday night to assess the situation. President-elect Donald Trump, in Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral and for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, released a statement on Truth Social calling for no U.S. involvement in Syria. Trump noted the rebels are "obviously preparing to make a very big move toward taking on Assad." He added, "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" Biden administration officials told CNN on Saturday that the chances of Assad being pushed out of power are increasing as the rebel offensive gains speed. ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news.*** The Associated Press reported, "Assad's chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes." CBN News will have further coverage of events in Syria and the surrounding countries. For analysis of the situation, see CBN News Jerusalem Bureau Chief Chris Mitchell's report on YouTube below. Share This article About The Author

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Georgia quarterback Carson Beck on Saturday announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery . Beck, a fifth-year senior, made his NFL plans official on social media. Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Atlanta. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Beck is expected to begin throwing next spring. He could have returned for a sixth season but instead will enter the NFL draft. Beck posted on Instagram: “The past five years at the University of Georgia have been nothing short of a dream come true and I will forever cherish the memories that have been made.” Gunner Stockton, who took over for Beck in the second half against Texas, will start for Georgia on Wednesday in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Beck has started every game of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He was 24-3 as a starter. Beck passed for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2023 but had more difficulties with turnovers this season as he passed for 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards before his injury in the SEC championship game. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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Alexander Materne, the suspect, reportedly left a 14-year-old girl in this tent in the woods after driving her from Tennessee to Louisiana to have sexual relations with her (Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office) A 14-year-old girl reported missing in Tennessee was found safe in Louisiana, where a man she met online left her in the woods after having sexual relations with her. According to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office , the suspect, 28-year-old Alexander Materne, met the teen girl on a gaming platform online and arranged to drive from Louisiana to Tennessee to pick her up. On Dec. 23, he drove the girl to his home in St. Rose, Louisiana, and had sexual relations with her. When she disclosed her age to him, he reportedly bought the girl a tent, food and water and dropped her off in a secluded wooded area in Tangipahoa Parish, about 42 miles from his house. RELATED: Suspect in custody after allegedly kidnapping child he met on social media, police say From there, Materne reportedly left and went to celebrate Christmas with his family in Jennings, Louisiana, about 160 miles from his home in St. Rose. The teen girl’s parents were able to track Materne to Jennings and get deputies to his family’s house to question him, authorities said. He later took detectives to the girl’s tent in the woods. She’d been there for about two days. The girl was taken to a hospital for a check-up and later reunited with her family. Materne faces numerous charges, including aggravated kidnapping of a child and felony counts of human trafficking and carnal knowledge. "You can’t make this stuff up. It’s a Christmas miracle that she was found safe. This thing could’ve ended badly," Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker said. This report includes information from the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office and the Associated Press, and photos from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.Candace Cameron Bure, Howie Mandel and more reveal their 2025 New Year’s resolutions

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TEHRAN - Kayhan says the FATF is an institution whose purpose is to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. However, since it is under the influence of great powers it has turned into one of the main challenges. For years, Iran has been under pressure from the FATF to approve related bills. Critics believe that the adoption of these bills, regardless of the dual policies of the United States and its allies, can become a tool for exploitation of Iran. The incident of (HTS leader) al-Julani and the change in America's position on terrorism is a clear example of the fact that America defines "terrorism" based on its interests. When Tahrir al-Sham serves the interests of the United States, it is removed from the list, but at the same United States puts institutions such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and resistance groups that have fought terrorism on the list of terrorist organizations. America's dual approach shows that even if Iran accepts the FATF's requirements, it is still not possible to get out of the blacklist or that pressures will be reduced, because these decisions are more political rather than legal and depend on American policies. In a commentary, Jam-e Jam focused on the enemies’ plan to disappoint the people through hybrid and psychological warfare. It said: The enemies are trying to disappoint the Iranian people about the achievements of the Islamic revolution and also casting doubt about the future. They seek to divide the society through hybrid and psychological wars. One of the ways that the enemies try to undermine the unity of the nations in the region, especially in the Middle East (West Asia), is to inflame riots and conflicts or create instability and insecurity. It is noticeable that global countries have used disinformation campaigns against the Islamic Republic and the Resistance Front to achieve their goal. They try to spread lies through media outlets. The enemy uses media to create instability and division between the Iranian government and the nation and also between Iran and the regional countries. Naturally, one of the dangers that poison public opinion in our society is casting doubt (about the course of developments). And for this reason, our people must be alert to thwart the plans of the enemies and not fall under this hybrid and psychological war. In a note, the Iran newspaper talked about Iran's patience regarding challenges following the fall of Bashar Assad and wrote: Tehran will face new and important challenges after the fall of Assad, which in the first step will threaten its regional influence. But what is ignored is that the Islamic Republic has formulated a well-thought-out strategy in the region. In a recent stance, Asaad al-Shaybani, the foreign minister appointed by al-Julani in Syria, has accused Iran of spreading chaos in Syria. Such an accusation is intended to undermine Iran’s role in the region. Tehran believes that Syria will become a source of conflict that will bring this country into a new era of crisis. For Iran, the game in Syria is not over. Iran has been a patient actor in the Middle East that has patiently achieved all its goals and is now waiting for an opportunity. In an analysis, Ham Mihan discussed the penetration of Israelis into Iraqi territory and the potential threat to Iran's borders and said: Many analysts believe that Israel's next target after the almost destruction of Syria's military capabilities is Iraq because it is the center of the presence of Iran's allied forces with large numbers of troops and military capabilities. With Syria out of the equation, it seems that in the future, the competition between Iran and Israel will increase for more control over Iraq’s skies. Considering the unfriendly relationship between the ruling groups in Syria and Iran, the closest option for Iran will be to strengthen its presence in Iraq. Iran will have no choice but to rely more on its allied groups in Iraq to keep Iran's borders away from possible Israeli threats. Given the developments of the past months, Iran is not in a position to lose another ally in the region. However, America and Israel welcome the separation of Baghdad and Tehran without hesitation.None

The Pittsburgh Steelers have suffered three devastating losses back-to-back during 11 days. There are fair excuses to be made, including the compressed schedule and the quality of the teams they were playing. They also had numerous critical players out with injuries against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens. While they got most of those players back for the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, they were still missing Justin Fields , who was expected to be a part of a more innovative offense for these challenging games, and Joey Porter Jr . After the loss to the Chiefs on Christmas Day, players vented their frustration to the media. The Steelers have the most expensive defense in the NFL, so it is no surprise that they took a big hit from the media and fans for failing to stop their opponents. Patrick Queen said no one is doing anything about it , Cameron Heyward said they played like "s**t," Alex Highsmith said there isn't enough "want to," and TJ Watt said they all need to look in the mirror and get back to work. Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith: "There's gotta be a want-to, and there's not enough of that right now. "We've got (one) game left - we're gonna find out who wants it. You gotta want it." pic.twitter.com/0UE7vZVmPZ The overwhelming consensus from players seemed to be that most defensive players are doing their jobs, but some are not. Some are playing "hero ball" instead, trying to do too much and allowing plays to be made. While they wouldn't name any names, Ray Fittipaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said it isn't hard to figure out who they are referring to, while a guest of The 93.7 The Fan's Pomp and Joe Show . " I don't think it's just one player," explained Fittipaldo. "But if you want to sit down and then look at the film and then look at who's talking and who's not talking, you can get pretty close to having a complete jigsaw puzzle when it's all said and done. You know, Cam Sutton looked like he left Travis Kelce all alone for that touchdown, no one within five yards. And then, after the game, Patrick Queen came out and pretty much spelled out that Minkah Fitzpatrick didn't get the check in time to get Xavier Worthy in the flat on the first touchdown. I think we have a pretty good idea of what's going on." Fittipaldo added that they really have two games to clean up whatever is going wrong with the defense. They have the final regular season of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals and then their first playoff game. Fortunately, the Steelers aren't relying on this final game to make the playoffs. They had already secured a berth during Week 15 despite the loss to the Eagles. However, they need to solve their issues to avoid repeating their usual pattern of losing in the first round of the playoffs. The Steelers' Offense Owns Some Of The Blame While the defense deserves a big part of the blame, the offense should also own some. Receiver George Pickens seemed to quit on some plays, contributing to Russell Wilson being intercepted by Justin Reid. After the game, Calvin Austin III said he finds the Chiefs loss especially frustrating because it felt like they handed them the win. Fittipaldo said that he feels as if the defense has struggled ever since the bye week, but it was more obvious against some of the best teams in the league. He thinks the defensive struggles have contributed to the offensive issues. As a former Super Bowl winner, Wilson knows what it takes to win, and Fittipaldo believes he is desperately trying to make something happen, but lacks the offensive support to make it happen. Who do you think the players are referring to? Click to This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says

If your New Year's resolution is to drink less alcohol, Life Kit is here to help. Sign up for our Dry January newsletter series , and get tips and strategies to help you stay alcohol-free for a month. Start your journey any time. Thinking about trying Dry January? Giving up alcohol for a month can be a challenge, both personally and socially. What's going to replace that nice glass of wine after work? What do you say if a friend asks why you're not drinking at happy hour? To help you understand what to expect when taking a break from alcohol and how Dry January works, Life Kit talked to Casey Davidson, a sobriety coach and the host of The Hello Someday Podcast for Sober Curious Women , and George Koob , director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. They shared science-backed insights about how a short break from alcohol can affect the body and mind, as well as strategies to make this mini New Year's resolution a success. What to expect when taking a break from alcohol ... ... in the first few days If you decide to quit alcohol for a month, you may have a rough first few days, depending on how much you drink, says Koob. You may experience hangover symptoms like headache, gastrointestinal issues and fatigue. But in about three to seven days, you should start to feel better, he says. You may notice that you are sleeping better, have more energy and feel less irritable. As you settle into your break from alcohol and "rewire your reward system to other ways of relaxing, finding joy or connecting with other people," says Davidson, you may feel "more joy and excitement about life." ... after a few weeks You may be wondering: Before I go through all this effort to give up alcohol for a month, will taking a break actually do anything for my health? According to research, yes. A handful of studies point to some benefits of abstinence for even moderate drinkers . Let's walk through a few of them and see what kinds of changes you might expect. 🛏️ Your sleep may improve According to a 2016 study of 857 British people who participated in Dry January, 62% reported better sleep after giving up alcohol for a month. While alcohol may initially sedate you, "the pendulum swings in the opposite direction and wakes you up" as it leaves your system, says Michael Grandner , a psychologist and sleep researcher at the University of Arizona. It makes your sleep "shallow, choppy and broken up." ⚖️ You may shed some pounds In 2018, researchers in Britain compared health outcomes of a group of people who agreed to stop drinking for a month with the health of a group that continued to consume alcohol. "They found that at the end of that month — just after one month — people, by and large, lost some weight," says Aaron White , the senior scientific adviser to the director at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 🌞 Your skin may clear up Studies have shown that alcohol isn't great for your skin. Drinking can make you more prone to sunburn , melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, and it may trigger or worsen your risk for psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Take a break from alcohol with Life Kit. Sign up for our limited-run newsletter series for Dry January. Start your one-month alcohol-free journey any time. How to take a break from alcohol ✍️ Start by writing a list of pros and cons Ask yourself what role alcohol plays in your life — and be honest with yourself, says Davidson. Do you rely on alcohol to help you wind down from a stressful day at work or get you through social functions? "When you write down what you think alcohol is helping you with, it gives you a good list of things you can experiment with to find other ways to meet those needs," says Davidson. It can also help you understand why you're taking a break. 🍾 Move your alcohol out of sight Remove any cues associated with alcohol if possible, says Koob. Being around alcohol can elicit cravings, so try to minimize that desire to drink as much as possible. If you usually display your special liquors on a bar cart in the living room, "put all your alcohol in the pantry," says Koob, "in the back." Or consider giving it away. You can always replenish your stock at the end of your alcohol-free month. 📅 Fill up your social calendar with alcohol-free activities Meeting up for a drink is a common way to hang out with friends. But if you aren't drinking, you'll need to come up with other ways to socialize. "There are so many things you can do that don't involve drinking," says Davidson. Instead of going to that brunch place that offers endless mimosas, meet at a cool coffee shop. Instead of going to happy hour with your work besties, take a group spin class. "Sometimes a drink is just shorthand for 'I want to hang out with you,'" says Davidson. So use your break from alcohol as an opportunity to try new activities. 🎁 Give yourself a "sober treat" every day for the first two weeks Make the transition into an alcohol-free lifestyle a little easier on yourself with "sober treats," says Davidson. They're "nice things you do for yourself that give you something to look forward to." That might mean a pedicure at the end of your day instead of a big glass of wine. Sushi and a movie instead of a big night on the town. Or blocking off an hour on your calendar to take a walk through a neighborhood or park you love, just because it feels good. "We are conditioned to think about alcohol as our well-earned reward for a hard day," says Davidson. But there are plenty of rewards out there "that don't leave you with a hangover." Sign up for Life Kit's Guide to Dry January . It's a free, limited-run newsletter series that offers expert strategies and best practices on how to give up alcohol for a whole month. Start your journey any time. A quick note: If alcohol is causing you stress or harm, seek medical advice. There are a variety of treatments, including counseling, medications and support groups, to help people who want to end that dependency. This includes Alcoholics Anonymous, which has helped countless people. This guide from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism can help you find a program that's right for you. The digital story was edited by Meghan Keane and Clare Marie Schneider. The visual editor is Beck Harlan. We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org. Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify , and sign up for our newsletter .

With the right choices and a long-term approach to investing, a can be a lucrative way to help fund retirement. Admittedly, retirement may seem a long way away for many people, but in my opinion that is why it makes sense to act ! The further off retirement is, the more time one has to let money get to work in the SIPP. As an example, here is how an investor could aim to turn a £50K SIPP into one worth five times that much. Growing value while closely managfng risks Few shares yield 10.3%. But ( ) does and I feel it is worth considering. If an investor put £50K into a share that yielded 10.3% and reinvested the dividends, after 17 years the investment would be worth over . If they waited just seven years more, it would be worth over ! SIPP SIPP hooray! That demonstrates the power of long-term investing. But there are a couple of important points to note about this example. First, I would never put all my SIPP in one share – it is important to be diversified as a way to manage risk. Secondly, the 10.3% yield is unusually high. That can be a warning signal that the dividend may be cut in future. Some dividends get cut without any warning (hence the need for diversification). Accumulating wealth in a SIPP is similar to doing it in an ISA. And just as with an ISA, it could be slow and steady or quick. Compounding at 5% annually, for example, the SIPP would exceed half a million pounds in value after 33 years. At 15%, by contrast, it would take only 11 years (and after 33 would be worth !) Finding wealth-building shares to buy I do think M&G faces risks. For example, the first half saw its policyholders withdraw more funds than they put into its main business. If that trend continues, it could eat into profits and the dividend could be at risk. But the also has a number of characteristics I typically look for when investing, such as a large market of possible clients, a big base of existing customers and a distinctive, well-known brand. So although a high yield can be a red flag for investors, it does not necessarily mean that the dividend will not last. To try and understand that, I think it makes sense (indeed, is essential) to consider the commercial prospects of a firm over the coming years and even decades. Past financial reports can provide some basis for that: things like the direction of travel for profit margins and whether sales are growing or shrinking. But it is important to face forward and consider what might change a company’s prospects in future, for better or for worse. With the right research, buying excellent shares at a good price and managing risks carefully, I think an investor could realistically aim to turn a £50K SIPP into one worth a quarter of a million pounds, while sticking to blue-chip companies with proven business models.

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Stock market today: Wall Street drifts to a mixed close in thin trading following a holiday pause

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts to a mixed close in thin trading following a holiday pauseShould the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers?

A prominent Sydney vice chancellor has revealed a plan to slash university fees and immediately end $50,000 arts degrees he says are leaving graduates with unsustainable debts. Western Sydney University vice chancellor George Williams said students could not wait for the federal government’s plan to defer price reviews to the unformed Australian tertiary education commission. George Williams wants the government to slash university fees. Students (above) on their graduation day at the University of Sydney. Credit: Louise Kennerley The fees plan championed by Williams, developed and costed by Innovative Research Universities (IRU), would cost the government $1.7 billion a year and cut the cost of an arts degree from $50,000 to $28,000. It would eliminate the highest band of university fees – which now applies to most humanities, law, and commerce subjects – and create a new middle band. “The system for setting university fees in the first place is broken and unfair,” Williams said. “It also needs urgent reform. “Fees are out of kilter and at an unfair level for most students.” Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the government would “have more to say” about the proposed Australian tertiary education commission – which would be given the task of providing advice on fee changes – before the end of the year. Western Sydney University vice chancellor George Williams says fees are “unfair for most students”. Credit: Edwina Pickles “We are delivering significant reforms to build a better and fairer tertiary education system. We are doing this in a staged way,” Clare said. Under the universities’ fee reform proposal, the top fee band, which will next year cost students $16,992 a year, would be scrapped. Non-humanities courses in the top band such as commerce and law subjects would be moved to the new top band at $13,241. Loading Humanities and social sciences courses in the top fee band would go into the new middle band of $9314 a year, meaning an arts degree would cost about $28,000 rather than $50,000. This band would also include courses such as allied health, IT computing, engineering and science. The bottom band, at $4627, would remain the same, encompassing courses in mathematics, education, English, foreign languages and nursing. “It would still be quite a substantial student contribution, which I think is fair, but a big decrease and much fairer based on students’ earning potential,” Williams said. The proposal would get rid of the Morrison government’s Job-ready Graduates scheme, which increased the price of most humanities subjects and also cut the cost of other expensive degrees such as commerce and law. It would restore funding to STEM subjects cut in the scheme too. This year the government has made a number of pledges to reform HECS as it fights to inspire young voters before next year’s election, including a promise to wipe 20 per cent of student debt in a $16 billion move. It also promised to reform the indexation of student loans, which is linked to inflation and resulted in 7.1 per cent increases in 2023, with legislation to enact this still before the parliament. Williams said that while those policies were welcome, they did not address the root of the problem – the cost of degrees. “Unfortunately, we’ve spent too much time this year talking about other things that are not and should not be the central concern of universities and the government,” he said. “[The HECS changes] are very welcome, but it’s dealing with the symptom rather than that problem. “It’s like saying you’ve got a housing affordability crisis so let’s reduce people’s mortgage payments, when the problem is the price in the first place. “And it’s doing nothing for students entering the system where the critical problem is.” Arts degrees used to be among the cheaper university courses for students, but the Morrison government’s reforms dramatically increased prices in a bid to divert students away from them. Loading The price of other degrees the government deemed of national priority – including engineering, IT, teaching and nursing – was reduced. But the reforms have been widely loathed by universities, which say they are unfair to students while failing to achieve the aim of influencing their choices. Group of Eight universities chief executive Vicki Thomson said fee reform and abolition of the Job-ready Graduates scheme could not come soon enough. “It has been a total failure, with increasing debt levels baked in for our students in 2025,” she said. “We need a university funding model that ensures our domestic students are treated fairly and equitably when it comes to financing and student debt arrangements.” Clare said that when HECS was created, students paid about 24 per cent of the cost of a degree. “Under John Howard this increased to 36 per cent. Under Scott Morrison this increased again to almost 45 per cent,” he said. “We are fixing this for a generation of Australians with a student debt. But there is more to do.” Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article University HECS Western Sydney University For subscribers Jason Clare Daniella White is the higher education reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in National LoadingItuka shot 5 for 10 (2 for 6 from 3-point range) and 6 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Gamecocks (4-1). Jaron Pierre Jr. added 16 points while shooting 4 of 10 from the field and 7 for 11 from the line while he also had six rebounds and six assists. Michael Houge had 15 points and shot 6 of 11 from the field and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line. RJ Felton led the Pirates (4-1) in scoring, finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. C.J. Walker added 20 points and seven rebounds for East Carolina. Yann Farell also had 12 points. Ituka scored 10 points in the first half and Jacksonville State went into halftime trailing 39-37. Jacksonville State used a 13-2 second-half run to take the lead at 71-66 with 3:52 remaining. Houge scored 12 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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Oklahoma's Zac Alley joins Rich Rodriguez's West Virginia staff as defensive coordinatorISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani police arrested thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of a rally in the capital to demand the ex-premier’s release from prison, a security officer said Sunday. Khan has been behind bars for more than a year and has over 150 criminal cases against him. But he remains popular and his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or PTI, says the cases are politically motivated. Shahid Nawaz, a security officer in eastern Punjab province, said police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters. They include five parliamentarians. Pakistan has sealed off Islamabad with shipping containers and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with PTI strongholds in Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Tit-for-tat teargas shelling between the police and the PTI was reported on the highway bordering Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns.” The government and Interior Ministry posted the announcement on the social media platform X, which is banned in Pakistan. They did not specify the areas, nor did they say how long the suspension would be in place. “Internet and mobile services will continue to operate as usual in the rest of the country,” the posts said. Meanwhile, telecom company Nayatel sent out emails offering customers “a reliable landline service” as a workaround in the areas suffering suspended cellphone service. Khan's supporters rely heavily on social media to demand his release and use messaging platforms like WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram said Khan's wife Bushra Bibi was traveling to Islamabad in a convoy led by the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur. “She cannot leave the party workers on their own,” said Akram. There was a festive mood in Peshawar, with PTI members dancing, drumming and holding up pictures of Khan as cars set off for Islamabad. The government is imposing social media platform bans and targeting VPN services , according to internet advocacy group Netblocks. On Sunday, the group said live metrics showed problems with WhatsApp that were affecting media sharing on the app. The U.S. Embassy issued a security alert for Americans in the capital, encouraging them to avoid large gatherings and warning that even “peaceful gatherings can turn violent.” Last month, authorities suspended the cellphone service in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to thwart a pro-Khan rally. The shutdown disrupted communications and affected everyday services such as banking, ride-hailing and food delivery. The latest crackdown comes on the eve of a visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko . Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said authorities have sealed off Islamabad's Red Zone, which houses key government buildings and is the destination for Khan's supporters. “Anyone reaching it will be arrested,” Naqvi told a press conference. He said the security measures were in place to protect residents and property, blaming the PTI for inconveniencing people and businesses. He added that protesters were planning to take the same route as the Belarusian delegation, but that the government had headed off this scenario. Naqvi denied cellphone services were suspended and said only mobile data was affected. Associated Press writers Riaz Khan in Peshawar and Asim Tanveer in Multan contributed to this report.fc188 ph register login download 。

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OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says dealing with incoming president Donald Trump and his thundering on trade will be "a little more challenging" than the last time he was in the White House. Trudeau says Trump's team is coming in with a much clearer set of ideas of what they want to do right away than after his first election win in 2016. Even still, Trudeau says Canada can rally together and address the tough scenario the nation will face after Trump's inauguration in January. The prime minister made the comments at an armchair discussion in Halifax put on by the local chamber of commerce. Trump has threatened 25 per cent tariffs against Canada and Mexico, if the two nations do not beef up their borders to his satisfaction. Trudeau says U.S. citizens are beginning to wake up to the reality that stiff tariffs on Canada would make life more expensive for them. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2024. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian PressGaetz’ Bad Boy image finally catches up with him

Dallas (7-8) at Philadelphia (12-3) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox BetMGM NFL Odds: Eagles by 7 1/2 Against the spread: Dallas 6-9; Philadelphia 9-6 Series record: Cowboys lead 74-58. Last meeting: Jalen Hurts threw two touchdowns and ran for two more in the Eagles’ 34-6 rout of the Cowboys at Dallas on Nov. 10. Last week: Cowboys defeated the Buccaneers 26-24; Eagles lost 36-33 at Washington. Cowboys offense: overall (16), rush (28), pass (10), scoring (20) Cowboys defense: overall (27), rush (27), pass (21), scoring (30) Eagles offense: overall (6), rush (1), pass (31), scoring (8) Eagles defense: overall (1), rush (9), pass (2), scoring (5) Turnover differential: Cowboys minus-3; Eagles plus-6 RB Saquon Barkley is 162 yards shy of becoming the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season and needs 268 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984. In his past five games, QB Cooper Rush has passed for nine touchdowns and one interception, looking more comfortable of late after taking over for Dak Prescott in November. Rush is 9-2 as a starter against teams that are not the Eagles. Dallas’s rushing defense vs. Barkley. Can anyone stop him? The Cowboys will be the latest to try to corral Barkley, who has 1,838 rushing yards and 2,114 scrimmage yards, both of which lead the NFL. Dallas ranks 28th in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing an average of 135.9 yards a game. Philadelphia, behind Barkley’s stellar play, tops the league at 187.9 yards a game on the ground. Cowboys: WR CeeDee Lamb will miss the final two games after getting shut down over the sprained right shoulder he's been dealing with the second half of the season. ... LB Eric Kendricks (calf) warmed up but wasn’t able to play against Tampa Bay last week. Eagles: Hurts is in concussion protocol after leaving the game following a 13-yard scramble with 9:52 left in the first quarter last week. ... DE Josh Sweat (ankle) and Jordan Davis also left the game at Washington early. ... QB Ian Book was signed to the practice squad Thursday. The Cowboys made the playoffs in each of the previous three seasons, but were eliminated prior to their game against Tampa Bay last week when the Commanders came back from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat Philadelphia. ... Dallas is 5-2 on the road. ... The Eagles can clinch the NFC East and one of the conference's top two seeds with a victory. ... On Jan. 11, 1981, the Eagles defeated the Cowboys 20-7 at their former home, Veterans Stadium. Wilbert Montgomery rushed for a 42-yard touchdown to give Philadelphia an early lead that propelled the Eagles to their first Super Bowl appearance. LB Micah Parsons needs half a sack to reach double digits in sacks for the fourth straight season to begin his career and would become just the fifth player to accomplish the feat in NFL history. ... K Brandon Aubrey made a 53-yard and two 58-yard field goals against the Buccaneers, upping his league-leading total to 14 made of 50-plus yards. ... Kenny Pickett went 14 of 24 for 143 yards and a TD in relief of Hurts last week. If he can’t go because of the rib injury and Hurts remains unavailable, Philadelphia could turn to third-stringer Tanner McKee, a 2023 sixth-round pick. Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick, is no stranger to starting, going 14-10 as Pittsburgh’s QB earlier in his career. ... Defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected against Washington for committing two unsportsmanlike penalties. ... The Eagles already set a team record for rushing yards in a season with 2,818, and they are within four rushing touchdowns of tying the club’s best single-season mark of 32, set in 2022. ... Barkley needs just 33 yards from scrimmage to break McCoy’s mark of 2,146 scrimmage yards, set in 2013. ... WR A.J. Brown leads the NFL with 16.3 yards a catch and ranks ninth in the league with 1,043 receiving yards, joining Mike Quick (1983–85) as the only Philadelphia players to have three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Philadelphia’s defense is tied for ninth in the NFL with a plus-6 turnover margin. With Hurts possibly sidelined, Philadelphia giving up an uncharacteristic 36 points last week and the chance to clinch the division, the Eagles defense likely will be extra motivated to have a good performance against a Dallas offense that ranks 21st in the league in points. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Politics / Trump and Musk's Cruelty Put Scrooge and Marley to Shame Reginald Owen, playing Scrooge, speaks with his dead business partner Marley, played by Leo G. Carroll, during the 1938 MGM production of A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens, in the most famous of his 19th-century morality tales, introduced us to the "squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner" Ebenezer Scrooge. Today, Scrooge's name has become synonymous with the sort of vengeful and destructive greed that is practiced by our grasping billionaire class. No serious reader of A Christmas Carol could doubt that, were the author of so many of literature's greatest paeans to social conscience still at it, Dickens would be calling out the old sinners of the incoming Trump administration. He would take particular issue with the president-elect and his meddling associate, Elon Musk, who have formed a modern-day variation on the partnership of Scrooge and Jacob Marley, who—before the late Mr. Marley's heavily burdened and earnestly repentant transit through the afterlife—were partners in greed. While Trump was narrowly empowered by the voters in November, Musk holds no elected position. Even if he enjoyed the relative legitimacy of a cabinet post, however, that wouldn't justify the slash-and-burn chicanery of his Department of Government Efficiency. Or of Trump's deference to Musk's shadow government. Neither of these misanthropes has the popular mandate that they now claim for assaulting the interests of the poor, the vulnerable, the ailing, and the elderly. As this year's Christmastide approached, however, Trump and Musk combined forces to tank a budget resolution that, among its many noble initiatives, contained funding to fight childhood cancer, with the duo arguing... https://www.thenation.com/authorsNEW YORK — U.S. stocks climbed Thursday after market and another round of companies said they’re making even fatter profits than expected. The S&P 500 pulled 0.5% higher after flipping between gains and losses several times during the day. Banks, smaller companies and other areas of the stock market that tend to do best when the economy is strong helped lead the way, while briefly broke above $99,000. Crude oil, meanwhile, continued to rise. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 461 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite edged up by less than 0.1%. Nvidia rose just 0.5% after for profit and revenue yet again, but it was still the strongest force pulling the S&P 500 upward. It also gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that topped most analysts’ expectations due to voracious demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Its stock initially sank in afterhours trading Wednesday following the release of the results. Some investors said the market might have been looking for Nvidia’s revenue forecast to surpass expectations by even more. But recovered in premarket trading Thursday, and Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said it was another “flawless” profit report provided by Nvidia and CEO Jensen Huang, whom Ives calls “the Godfather of AI.” The stock meandered through Thursday as well, dragging the S&P 500 and other indexes back and forth. How Nvidia’s stock performs has than any other because it’s grown into Wall Street’s most valuable company at roughly $3.6 trillion. The frenzy around AI is sweeping up other stocks, and Snowflake jumped 32.7% after reporting stronger results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company, whose platform helps customers get a better view of all their silos of data and use AI, also reported stronger revenue growth than expected. BJ’S Wholesale Club rose 8.3% after likewise delivering a bigger profit than expected. That may help calm worries about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain, given high prices across the economy and still-high interest rates. A day earlier, after reporting sluggish sales in the latest quarter and giving a dour forecast for the holiday shopping season. It followed , which gave a much more encouraging outlook. Nearly 90% of the stocks in the S&P 500 ended up rising Thursday, and the gains were even bigger among smaller companies. The Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks jumped a market-leading 1.7%. Google’s parent company, Alphabet, helped keep indexes in check. It fell 4.7% after U.S. regulators asked a judge to by forcing it to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser. In a 23-page document filed late Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice called for sweeping punishments that would include restrictions preventing Android from favoring its own search engine. Regulators stopped short of demanding Google sell Android but left the door open to it if the company’s oversight committee continues to see evidence of misconduct. All told, the S&P 500 rose 31.60 points to 5,948.71. The Dow jumped 461.88 to 43,870.35, and the Nasdaq composite added 6.28 to 18,972.42. In the crypto market, bitcoin eclipsed $99,000 for the first time before pulling back toward $98,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s more than doubled so far this year, and its climb has accelerated since Election Day. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to make the country “the of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. Bitcoin got a further boost after Gary Gensler, the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said Thursday he would . Gensler has pushed for more protections for crypto investors. Bitcoin and related investment have a notorious history of big price swings in both directions. MicroStrategy, a company that’s been raising cash expressly to buy bitcoin, saw an early Thursday gain of 14.6% for its stock quickly disappear. It finished the day with a loss of 16.2%. In the oil market, a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rose 2% to bring its gain for the week to 4.8%. Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 1.8%. Oil has been rising amid war. In stock markets abroad, shares of India’s Adani Enterprises plunged 22.6% Thursday after the U.S. charged founder Gautam Adani in a with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. The businessman and one of the world’s richest people is accused of concealing that his company’s huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. Stock indexes elsewhere in Asia and Europe were mixed. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.43% from 4.41% late Wednesday following some mixed reports on the U.S. economy. One said last week in the latest signal that the job market remains solid. Another report, though, said manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region unexpectedly shrank. Sales of previously occupied homes, meanwhile, than expected. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Yuri Kageyama contributed.

Wondering how to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: Best for affordability Sling TV Blue Plan $20 for the first month, then $40/month (save $20 ) Get Deal BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 1 month (Save $20) Get Deal The No. 22 Army Black Knights (11-2) will face the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (5-7) in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. The game is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. PT on Dec. 28. The Black Knights have had an up and down season that didn't stop when they earned a bowl game. Originally, Army was set to face Marshall. But, a coaching change led to a large number of Marshall players hitting the transfer portal, and the team waiving their bowl game appearance. Then, LA Tech was subbed in. But, the Black Knights had ups and downs before that, becoming a ranked team and winning the American... Trisha Easto

Sriharikota, (Andhra Pradesh), Dec 29 (PTI) The countdown for ISRO's Space Docking Experiment onboard a PSLV rocket on Monday that would be a key milestone in India's space programme, commenced on Sunday evening, the space agency said. A cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for in-space docking, it would make India join an elite list featuring China, Russia and the US. Also Read | Navi Mumbai International Airport To Be World-Class 'Gateway to Goodness', Says Adani Airports Director Jeet Adani. ISRO has scheduled the lift-off of the PSLV-C60 rocket, at 9.58 pm from the first launch pad at this spaceport here on December 30 and it would carry SpaDeX with two spacecraft as the primary payloads along with 24 secondary payloads. "PSLV-C60/SpaDeX Mission Launch countdown commenced at 9 pm" on Sunday, an ISRO official told PTI. Also Read | Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Prayagraj Police Prepare Extensive Infrastructure for Maha Kumbh Safety. The in-space docking technology would be essential for taking up India's ambitions in space including sending human to the Moon, bringing samples from there, and also building and operating India's own space station- Bharatiya Antariksh Station. The docking technology would also be utilised when multiple rocket launches are planned to achieve common mission objectives. ISRO said the two spacecraft in the PSLV rocket-- Spacecraft A (SDX01) and Spacecraft B (SDX02) would be placed in an orbit that would keep them 5 km apart from each other. Later, scientists at ISRO headquarters would try to bring them closer up to 3 metre which would subsequently lead them for merging together at an altitude of about 470km above Earth. The process is expected to take place about 10-14 days after the scheduled lift-off on Monday, ISRO officials said. In the SpaDeX mission, Spacecraft A carries a High Resolution Camera, while Spacecraft B has Miniature Multispectral Payload and a Radiation Monitor Payload. These payloads would provide high resolution images, natural resource monitoring, vegetation studies among others. Apart from this significant mission, scientists would also conduct the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-4 (POEM-4) in which 24 payloads--14 from ISRO and 10 from industry and academia, would be placed in the desired orbits one after the other over a 90 minute period after the lift-off. The life of the payloads in the fourth stage would be about three to four months. The vehicle for the PSLV-C60 mission used here would be the 18th Core-Alone variant. This would be ISRO's last mission in 2024 and the PSLV-C60 is the first vehicle to be integrated upto the fourth stage at the PSLV Integration Facility that has been established here. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

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www fc188 bet login Luka Doncic returns to Dallas Mavericks' lineup after missing two games with left heel contusionProficio Capital Partners LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Alphabet Inc. ( NASDAQ:GOOGL – Free Report ) by 22.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 29,335 shares of the information services provider’s stock after selling 8,730 shares during the quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC’s holdings in Alphabet were worth $4,865,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc raised its holdings in Alphabet by 75.0% in the 2nd quarter. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc now owns 140 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the period. Kings Path Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Alphabet during the 2nd quarter worth about $36,000. Denver PWM LLC acquired a new position in shares of Alphabet during the 2nd quarter worth about $41,000. Quarry LP bought a new stake in Alphabet during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Finally, Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new stake in Alphabet in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $55,000. 40.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Insider Activity In other Alphabet news, CAO Amie Thuener O’toole sold 682 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.44, for a total transaction of $109,420.08. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 32,017 shares in the company, valued at $5,136,807.48. This trade represents a 2.09 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, Director Frances Arnold sold 441 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.06, for a total transaction of $75,437.46. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 16,490 shares in the company, valued at $2,820,779.40. This trade represents a 2.60 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 206,795 shares of company stock valued at $34,673,866 over the last ninety days. 11.55% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Alphabet Stock Performance Alphabet ( NASDAQ:GOOGL – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The information services provider reported $2.12 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.29. Alphabet had a net margin of 27.74% and a return on equity of 31.66%. The company had revenue of $88.27 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $72.85 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.55 EPS. Analysts predict that Alphabet Inc. will post 8.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Alphabet Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 9th will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 9th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.49%. Alphabet’s dividend payout ratio is currently 10.61%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently commented on GOOGL shares. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Alphabet from $182.00 to $187.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Phillip Securities upgraded Alphabet to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating and set a $190.00 price objective on shares of Alphabet in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Seaport Res Ptn raised Alphabet from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, Loop Capital boosted their price target on shares of Alphabet from $170.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty-one have issued a buy rating and five have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $205.90. Get Our Latest Analysis on Alphabet About Alphabet ( Free Report ) Alphabet Inc offers various products and platforms in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets segments. The Google Services segment provides products and services, including ads, Android, Chrome, devices, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Photos, Google Play, Search, and YouTube. Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Alphabet Breakout Stocks: What They Are and How to Identify Them Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot How to Effectively Use the MarketBeat Ratings Screener MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 Investing In Preferred Stock vs. Common Stock 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GOOGL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alphabet Inc. ( NASDAQ:GOOGL – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Alphabet Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alphabet and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Philadelphia takes on Vegas after overtime winBERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Andrej Stojakovic converted 11 of 15 from the free throw line and scored 20 points as California held off a late rally to post an 83-77 win over Sacramento State in the Cal Classic tournament on Sunday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Andrej Stojakovic converted 11 of 15 from the free throw line and scored 20 points as California held off a late rally to post an 83-77 win over Sacramento State in the Cal Classic tournament on Sunday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Andrej Stojakovic converted 11 of 15 from the free throw line and scored 20 points as California held off a late rally to post an 83-77 win over Sacramento State in the Cal Classic tournament on Sunday. Cal came into its tournament without three starters, Jovan Blacksher Jr., DJ Campbell and BJ Omot and the Golden Bears earned back-to-back wins over Air Force and the Hornets. Stojakovic scored a career-high 21 points and freshman guard Jeremiah Wilkinson stepped up with career-best 23 points against the Falcons. Against Sacramento State, Wilkinson came off the bench to score 16 points. Sacramento State took an early 12-7 lead after Emil Skytta hit a pair of free throws five minutes into the game, but Wilkinson hit back-to-back buckets and Stojakovic drew a foul on a three-point attempt and hit all three foul shots to take a 14-12 lead and the Bears pulled away to take a 40-33 lead at intermission. Julian Vaughns knocked down a trey three minutes into the second half to pull Sacramento State even at 43 and his free throw put the Hornets in front. Ryan Petraitis and Wilkinson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put Cal up 51-47 and the Bears never trailed the rest of the way. Petraitis finished with 13 points, five assists and three steals for Cal (5-1). Joshua Ola-Joseph and Mady Sissoko each added 10 points. Jacob Holt scored 25 points with eight rebounds, two assists and a steal to lead Sacramento State (1-4). Vaughns scored 18 points and EJ Neal added 16. The game was just the third meeting between schools separated by roughly 80 miles, and first since 1992. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball Advertisement

FILE PHOTO: Nov 23, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Michael McLoone-Imagn Images/File Photo The Magic and the Hornets, who meet on Monday night in Charlotte, have been posting impressive numbers lately, but only Orlando is seeing those numbers translate to multiple wins. Meanwhile, the Hornets are searching for more success regardless of certain individual numbers. Charlotte guard LaMelo Ball poured in 50 points in Saturday's 125-119 loss at Milwaukee. It was Charlotte's third loss in the last four games, with the lone win coming in overtime against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday. "That's just him leading the team, as always," Brandon Miller said of Ball, who entered Sunday third in the NBA in scoring (30.2). "Just being the top dog, making everybody better, getting everybody in the right places. (He's) competing at the highest level he can and trying to get some wins for this Charlotte Hornets team." The Magic are one of the league's hottest teams, winning eight of their last nine. Among those triumphs was a 114-99 decision Nov. 12 against the visiting Hornets. Franz Wagner posted 30 points as the Magic topped Detroit 111-100 on Saturday. Wagner was the only Orlando starter with a double-figure point total, while Moritz Wagner had 18 points off the bench as three reserves posted 10 or more points. Moritz Wagner's value to the Magic has been notable. "Moe wakes up with 10 points," Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. "I think that's just how it looks for him. He and Franz, obviously the brother connection is one thing. They're knowing where one guy is going to be, the chemistry and communication that they have, just the ability to play off each other." Franz Wagner tallied 32 points in this season's first meeting with Charlotte. For the Hornets, both Ball and Miller made six 3-pointers in the Milwaukee game. Ball, who also distributed 10 assists, took 38 of Charlotte's 100 shots from the field, while Miller hauled in 11 rebounds. Only Ball and former Hornets guard Kemba Walker have scored 50 in a game for the Charlotte franchise. Ball said he admires Walker and has embraced the latter's support. "That's my guy for sure," Ball said. "Always helping, always looking out. I mean, just always putting in the extra effort to be there and stuff. So, that's all love." The Hornets, who will start a five-game homestand on Monday, have won their last four home games. However, Charlotte is dealing with an injury as forward Grant Williams appears likely to miss Monday's matchup. "I think it has just been diagnosed as a right knee injury," Hornets coach Charles Lee said. "We'll continue to get some imaging and evaluations. The most important thing is that all of our prayers are with Grant, and we hope the news comes back as good as possible." The Magic could be closer to getting Wendell Carter Jr. back after he went through another workout on Saturday. "He's gone through some pretty, pretty strenuous workouts, so we're going to continue to see how he responds to those and we'll go from there," Mosley said. --Field Level Media REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now

California lawmakers to begin special session to protect state laws from second Trump presidency

Stojakovic, Wilkinson lead short-handed Cal past Sacramento State, 83-77 in Cal ClassicHUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Beacon Healthcare Systems , is pleased to announce the appointment of Ayman Mohamed as its new Chief Technology Officer, effective November 18 , signaling a new direction in innovation and technology leadership. With over 20 years of senior leadership, strategic, and operational product management experience, Ayman brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. Ayman Mohamed is a seasoned technology leader with a proven track record of launching innovative products in new and existing markets, generating significant revenue streams, and creating profitable enterprises. His passion for building high-quality products and commitment to servant leadership have earned him a reputation for building trust and fostering collaborative, high-performing teams. Throughout his career, Ayman has demonstrated a deep understanding of software architecture and broad hands-on technical skills. He has successfully helped organizations succeed, with experience spanning startups and larger companies in the San Francisco Bay and Washington DC metro areas. In his new role at Beacon Healthcare Systems, Ayman will lead engineering and delivery teams, develop a product roadmap, and lead technology development, testing, and implementation efforts. "We are thrilled to have Ayman join Beacon Healthcare Systems at this pivotal time. Our vision is to harness cutting-edge technologies to enhance our products, implementations, and continue to give our clients the level of quality they expect," said Todd Petersen , CEO. Ayman Mohamed's previous roles include leadership positions at Amazon Web Services, American Well, Avizia, Intersections Inc, Zumetrics, Moasis Global, and Ultra Zoom Technologies. His strategic and operational skills, combined with his ability to thrive in dynamic environments and his bias for action, make him an invaluable asset to Beacon Healthcare Systems. About Beacon Healthcare Systems. Beacon Healthcare Systems streamlines the business of healthcare through reliable innovative SaaS technology delivered by industry experts. With a focus on appeals and grievances, compliance, and analytics, Beacon HCS is the first place health plans turn when looking for a trusted, experienced partner that can help them reduce costs, grow revenue, and achieve their strategic goals. Founded in 2011, Beacon HCS is a privately held California -based company. Visit our website at www.beaconhcs.com Media Contact: 9048744189 | Dkroog@ beacon@beaconhcs.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beacon-healthcare-systems-expands-leadership-team-with-addition-of-ayman-mohamed-as-chief-technology-officer-302313686.html SOURCE Beacon Healthcare Systems

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans made mistakes in every facet of the game Sunday against the Tennessee Titans to lose for the third time in four games. C.J. Stroud threw two interceptions, the defense gave up multiple big passing plays and Ka′imi Fairbairn missed a 28-yard field goal that would have tied it late in a 32-27 loss . “Just a disappointing loss for us,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We didn’t do anything well enough to win this game. Out of all the positives that we did have, there were way too many negatives, too many negative plays.” Jimmie Ward had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks. Danielle Hunter led the group with a season-high three sacks and Will Anderson Jr. added two in his return after missing two games with an ankle injury. But the offense sputtered for most of the game as Joe Mixon was held to 22 yards on 14 carries. But Ryans refused to blame the offense for the loss. “Our offense did plenty," Ryans said. "They gave us enough points. On defense, we have to be able to stop them.” Chig Okonkwo grabbed a short pass and rumbled 70 yards for a touchdown to put the Titans (3-8) up 30-27 with 91⁄2 minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield. It was the last of three big passing plays the Titans had Sunday. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine got in front of the defense and was wide open for a 38-yard TD catch that made it 10-7 late in the first quarter. Calvin Ridley had a 63-yard reception that set up their next touchdown in the second. “It was just way too many negative plays,” Ryans said. “Defensively, unexplainable explosives for touchdowns. We didn’t play good across the board and that starts with me.” Despite this, the Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Fairbairn’s short field-goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting up and slamming his helmet on the field. “The most frustrating part about it is out of all the bad things that happened, we still had a chance to finish the game,” Ryans said. “Everything that could go wrong, it went wrong. We still had a chance there to tie it up and finish the game, and we didn’t.” The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball after that and Harold Landry sacked Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to snap a two-game skid. Stroud threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions Sunday give him five combined in the past three games. He now has more interceptions in 12 games this season (nine) than he had in 15 games as a rookie last season (five). “It’s no secret that I haven’t been playing well ... I’ve got to be harder on myself,” he said. “I’m not going to hold my head down. I know I can be a great player, but I’ve got to make better plays.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

‘Always scary’: Dozens of avalanches reported Thanksgiving weekend as Colorado officials warn of persistent slab problem

In this politically charged era, there’s one thing both parties agree on: the benefits of high school career pathways. With strong bipartisan support, career and technical education programs are poised to be a centerpiece of education policy over the next few years — both federally and in California. That’s good news for students taking agriscience, cabinetry, game design and other hands-on courses that may lead to high-paying careers. Education advocates hail this as a boon for high schools. Students enrolled in career training courses tend to have higher test scores and graduation rates . And business leaders say that strong career education can boost a local economy. But there are still many unknowns, and some education experts worry that an expansion of career education will come at the expense of college-preparation programs, or lead to a return to “tracking,” in which schools steer certain students — often low-income students — toward careers that tend to pay less than those that require college degrees. “This could be a great opportunity for career and technical education, but we have to do it right,” said Andy Rotherham, co-founder of Bellwether, a nonprofit educational consulting organization. “There’s a lot at stake.” Funding is a primary question mark. While Republicans strongly support career education, it’s unclear if that enthusiasm will translate to more money — especially if Congress eliminates the Department of Education, as President-elect Trump has vowed to do. Career education classes can be some of the most expensive programs in a school district. Supplies, up-to-date equipment, teacher training, smaller class sizes, operation costs and students’ certification exams can cost millions, and the costs only increase over time. Schools spend 20%-40% more to educate students in career programs than they spend on those who aren’t, research shows . Most federal funding for career education comes from a 1960s law meant to improve career education. But that funding has not kept up with the escalating costs. Last year Congress allotted $1.4 billion, which was distributed to states through grants. California received $142 million, and supplemented that with an additional $1 billion. “It’s wonderful to see this bipartisan support, but we’d like it to lead to continued investment,” said Alisha Hyslop, chief policy, research and content officer at the Association for Career and Technical Education, an advocacy group. Career and technical education has waxed and waned since its inception in the early 20th century as a way to prepare students, usually from working-class or immigrant families, for jobs in skilled trades. For decades, most high schools in the U.S. had some form of vocational education. Those programs came under scrutiny in the 1980s and ’90s as some complained about tracking practices that left many students without the option to attend a 4-year college because they hadn’t taken the required coursework. Partly in response to that criticism, former President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act in the early 2000s encouraged schools to promote college for all students. As a result, many schools cut back their career education offerings and added more advanced academic classes. Then the 2008 financial crisis hit. High unemployment coupled with the soaring cost of college led schools to revive their career training programs, but with less tracking. Schools started encouraging all students to take career education classes, and the classes themselves were updated. Welding and auto shop were joined by computer science, graphic design, environmental studies, health care and other fields. In California, students are encouraged to take a career pathway as well as the required classes for admission to public 4-year colleges, although last year only about 11% of students completed both, according to state data . Career and technical education is a focal point of Project 2025 , the conservative policy roadmap written by the Heritage Foundation as well as the Republican party education platform and President-elect Trump’s nominee for education secretary, Linda McMahon. McMahon headed a pro-Trump political action group called America First Action, whose policies include an emphasis on career education in K-12 schools. The Republican platform reads, “(We) will emphasize education to prepare students for great jobs and careers, supporting ... schools that offer meaningful work experience.” Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, put it more succinctly: “Welders make more money than philosophers. We need more welders and less philosophers,” he said in 2015 . Career education has also been a priority for Democrats. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and the Legislature have all promoted career education. In 2022 Newsom created the Golden State Pathways program, a $470 million investment in high school career education, and followed up a year later with the Master Plan on Career Education , outlining a long-term vision. Newsom described it as “a game changer for thousands of students.” In California, the goal is to link career training with college preparation coursework , and tie pathways — sequences of two or three classes — to the local job market. For example, a pathway at a high school near the Port of Long Beach includes classes in global logistics and international business. A pathway at Hollywood High trains students for jobs in the entertainment industry. But some educators worry about the fate of career education if the Department of Education, which administers the Perkins Act, is eliminated. Project 2025 suggests moving it to the Department of Labor, where it would likely have stronger ties to business and fewer ties to education organizations. That could impact whether pathway programs continue to have academic components, or include college preparation classes. “Businesses love CTE because it socializes one of their big costs. Taxpayers are paying to train their workers,” said David Stern, education professor emeritus at UC Berkeley who’s an expert on career education. Hyslop shares that concern. “Certainly CTE has connections to the economy, but at its heart it’s an education program. It’s about preparing students for their future, whatever that future may be,” she said. A broader question may be whether the push for career education is part of a backlash against college generally. College enrollment has been dropping steadily for a decade, coinciding with a surge in trade school enrollment . Meanwhile, Trump has proposed big cuts to higher education, and has often expressed disdain for what he described as colleges’ leftward tilt. Project 2025 calls for the government to place trade schools on equal footing with 4-year colleges. “This new interest in CTE captures the anti-elitist sentiment of the time,” Stern said. He added that preparation for college does not have to conflict with preparation for careers, and some programs, such as the California Partnership Academies , prepare students for both. Rotherham agreed. “On the right, there’s definitely antagonism toward college,” he said. But they both said regardless of the politics behind it, a national focus on career education could be transformative — if it doesn’t railroad students away from college opportunities. Ideally, students can gain career experience in high school, while also learning poetry and civics and other important academic subjects, Rotherham said. “Power is having choices,” Rotherham said. “That’s what we want for kids. The option to change their mind if they want.”Baylor falls to Indiana in semifinals of Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament

Share Tweet Share Share Email Education is evolving, and technology is at the forefront of this transformation. In this interview, Chris Bressi of Downingtown, PA, shares his insights on how interactive learning is shaping the classroom experience and how educators can effectively integrate technology to foster student engagement, critical thinking, and deeper subject understanding. Chris Bressi on the Evolution of Learning: Beyond Traditional Pedagogies Q: Chris, how do you see the traditional model of teaching evolving with the integration of technology? Chris Bressi: Traditional teaching methods have often relied on a one-way flow of information from the teacher to the student. But with the advancement of technology, we now have the tools to move toward a more dynamic, participatory learning approach. Interactive learning enables students to actively engage with the material, transforming them from passive receivers into active participants. This shift not only enhances their understanding but also allows them to take ownership of their learning journey. Chris Bressi on the Engaged Classroom: Breaking the Mold with Technology Q: What role does technology play in creating an engaged classroom? Chris Bressi: Technology has the power to break down traditional classroom walls, allowing students to become contributors, not just consumers, of knowledge. Tools like interactive whiteboards, educational apps, and online collaboration platforms make lessons more interactive, engaging, and adaptable to different learning styles. Technology opens up endless possibilities for teachers to create an inclusive and active learning environment where students can collaborate, discuss, and explore concepts in new ways. Chris Bressi on the Benefits of Interactive Learning: A Holistic Approach to Education Q: How does interactive learning benefit students and their overall education? Chris Bressi: The benefits of interactive learning are multifaceted. It leads to increased engagement, as multimedia content, simulations, and gamified learning experiences grab students’ attention and keep them involved. This helps create a more dynamic and enjoyable learning environment. Moreover, interactive tools make complex concepts, such as those in science and math, more accessible by visualizing abstract ideas. Through virtual experiments or 3D models, students can better grasp difficult concepts and apply their knowledge more confidently. Personalization and Collaboration in Interactive Learning Q: Can you speak about the impact of interactive learning on personalization and collaboration in the classroom? Chris Bressi: Absolutely. Interactive learning platforms allow for a more personalized experience by adjusting content to a student’s progress. This adaptive learning ensures that each student gets the right level of challenge, allowing them to advance at their own pace. Furthermore, online collaborative tools enhance teamwork, communication skills, and peer-to-peer learning. Even in virtual environments, students can work together on group projects, fostering a sense of community and building collaborative skills. Chris Bressi on Real-world Applications of Interactive Learning Q: How does interactive learning help students connect classroom concepts to real-world scenarios? Chris Bressi: One of the most powerful aspects of interactive learning is its ability to link academic concepts with real-world applications. By using practical scenarios, students can see how what they learn in the classroom translates into real-life situations. This approach not only makes learning more engaging but also helps students develop critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and practical knowledge that they can use in their future careers. It also helps them understand the broader impact of their education on the world, creating more informed and responsible citizens. Chris Bressi on the Effective Integration of Interactive Learning Technologies Q: What steps should educators take to effectively integrate interactive learning technologies into their classrooms? Chris Bressi: There are several key factors for successful integration. First, educators must be trained in how to use these technologies effectively to maximize their potential. Ongoing professional development is essential. Second, ensuring access to technology for all students is critical, whether that means providing devices, ensuring a reliable internet connection, or addressing any disparities to create an inclusive environment. It’s also important to strike a balance between technology and traditional methods. Technology should complement, not replace, traditional teaching strategies. Finally, educators should continuously assess the effectiveness of their approaches and adjust based on feedback and evolving needs. Chris Bressi on Empowering the Learners of Tomorrow Q: What does the future of education look like with the increasing use of interactive learning? Chris Bressi: The impact of interactive learning is transformative. By integrating technology, we can create classrooms where students are not just passive recipients but active learners who are curious, critical thinkers, and well-prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. As we embrace these technologies, we’re taking significant steps toward empowering students, making education more engaging, relevant, and impactful. This shift not only prepares students for the future but also inspires and equips them to thrive in an ever-changing world. Chris Bressi’s insights provide a clear vision of the future of education—one where technology is harnessed to create dynamic, engaging, and personalized learning experiences that prepare students for the complexities of the modern world. By emphasizing the importance of interactive learning, Chris advocates for an educational environment where students are empowered, involved, and well-equipped to succeed. Learn more by visiting www.ChrisBressi.com , www.StudentMeetsWorld.com or www.PostManCalls.com Related Items: Chris Bressi , Downingtown Share Tweet Share Share Email CommentsAlphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Shares Sold by FMB Wealth Management‘Always scary’: Dozens of avalanches reported Thanksgiving weekend as Colorado officials warn of persistent slab problem

Namibia will have its first female leader after VP wins presidential election for the ruling party

Egypt’s Petroleum Minister, Karim Badawi, attended the signing of two strategic agreements between ABB Egypt, a leader in energy and technology solutions, and key stakeholders in Egypt’s industrial sector. These agreements aim to improve energy efficiency and promote sustainability within Egypt’s industrial landscape. The first agreement was signed by Ahmed El-Sherbini, Vice President of ABB Egypt’s Cluster for Energy Industries, and Abed Ezz El Regal, Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Qir Fertilizers and Chemicals Industries Company (AFC). The agreement focuses on the installation of an advanced automation control system at Abu Qir Ammonia Plant (1). This system is designed to optimize steam utilization, resulting in a reduction of natural gas consumption for steam boilers by 2% to 4% in the initial phase. The project will also enhance the plant’s overall operational efficiency. El-Sherbini emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “At ABB, we are committed to providing advanced solutions that support efficiency and sustainability across various industrial sectors.” He added, “This project represents a crucial step in enhancing sustainability and maximizing energy resource use at Abu Qir Fertilizers.” Looking forward, the project includes plans to expand the automation control system to Abu Qir Plants (2) and (3). This expansion will further improve operational performance and generate additional energy savings. Such initiatives align with ABB’s long-standing commitment to supporting Egypt’s Vision 2030, ensuring sustainable growth and environmental responsibility in the country’s industrial sector. In addition, a second agreement was signed between El-Sherbini and Bjorn Q. Aaserod, CEO of the U.S. company MPS, in the presence of Eng. Ibrahim Meki, Chairman of the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM), and Moataz Atef, Undersecretary of the Ministry for the Affairs of the Minister’s Office, Technical Office, and official spokesperson. This agreement focuses on ABB’s role in providing advanced technical solutions—encompassing electrical systems, automation control, and digital technologies—for a green hydrogen project. The initiative will partially replace natural gas in production processes, significantly reducing both natural gas consumption and carbon emissions. El-Sherbini commented: “At ABB, we are dedicated to playing a pivotal role in advancing Egypt’s transition to sustainable energy. We strive to deliver cutting-edge solutions that drive operational efficiency across diverse industries, ensuring a future of enhanced sustainability and innovation.”

Aiding Ukraine has been cheap. Caving to Russia would be far more costlyHOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans made mistakes in every facet of the game Sunday against the Tennessee Titans to lose for the third time in four games. C.J. Stroud threw two interceptions, the defense gave up multiple big passing plays and Ka′imi Fairbairn missed a 28-yard field goal that would have tied it late in a 32-27 loss . “Just a disappointing loss for us,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We didn’t do anything well enough to win this game. Out of all the positives that we did have, there were way too many negatives, too many negative plays.” Jimmie Ward had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks. Danielle Hunter led the group with a season-high three sacks and Will Anderson Jr. added two in his return after missing two games with an ankle injury. But the offense sputtered for most of the game as Joe Mixon was held to 22 yards on 14 carries. But Ryans refused to blame the offense for the loss. “Our offense did plenty," Ryans said. "They gave us enough points. On defense, we have to be able to stop them.” Chig Okonkwo grabbed a short pass and rumbled 70 yards for a touchdown to put the Titans (3-8) up 30-27 with 91⁄2 minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield. It was the last of three big passing plays the Titans had Sunday. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine got in front of the defense and was wide open for a 38-yard TD catch that made it 10-7 late in the first quarter. Calvin Ridley had a 63-yard reception that set up their next touchdown in the second. “It was just way too many negative plays,” Ryans said. “Defensively, unexplainable explosives for touchdowns. We didn’t play good across the board and that starts with me.” Despite this, the Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Fairbairn’s short field-goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting up and slamming his helmet on the field. “The most frustrating part about it is out of all the bad things that happened, we still had a chance to finish the game,” Ryans said. “Everything that could go wrong, it went wrong. We still had a chance there to tie it up and finish the game, and we didn’t.” The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball after that and Harold Landry sacked Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to snap a two-game skid. Stroud threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions Sunday give him five combined in the past three games. He now has more interceptions in 12 games this season (nine) than he had in 15 games as a rookie last season (five). “It’s no secret that I haven’t been playing well ... I’ve got to be harder on myself,” he said. “I’m not going to hold my head down. I know I can be a great player, but I’ve got to make better plays.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Overcoming Common Power Distribution Challenges in Automotive ManufacturingWASHINGTON — Senate Democrats reelected Chuck Schumer as party leader on Tuesday as the party moves into a deeply uncertain time, with no real consensus on a strategy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. From left, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., gather after Senate Democratic leadership elections for the next session of Congress on Tuesday in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press Schumer faced no opposition in the party leadership elections, in which Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin was also reelected to the No. 2 spot and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar became the new No. 3. In a statement, Schumer, of New York, said he was honored to move the party forward “during this crucial period for our country.” “Our preference is to secure bipartisan solutions wherever possible and look for ways to collaborate with our Republican colleagues to help working families,” Schumer said. “However, our Republican colleagues should make no mistake about it, we will always stand up for our values.” While Schumer remains popular with his colleagues, it is a bleak moment for Senate Democrats, who were hopeful that they could hold the majority for the third election in a row. Instead they lost four seats and will be in the minority, 53-47, as Trump takes office and pressures the Senate to quickly confirm his Cabinet nominees. Unlike eight years ago, when opposition to Trump’s narrow election win fueled enthusiasm in their party, Democratic lawmakers and many of their voters are exhausted and looking for answers. So far, Democrats have stayed relatively quiet on Trump’s nominees and plans for office – a stark contrast from the loud opposition to Trump when he was elected eight years ago. Schumer has declined to comment on specifics of any nominees, instead allowing Republican reaction to dominate the conversation. On Monday, Schumer wrote a public letter to South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the incoming Republican majority leader, asking him to resist Trump’s pressure to allow him to appoint some of his nominees without a Senate vote and to insist on full FBI background checks for all nominees. But he has said little else about Trump’s upcoming presidency. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts While some have been more aggressive — Washington Sen. Patty Murray, a former chairwoman of the Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee, said that Trump’s nomination of Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department is “dangerous” and “nothing short of disaster” — several Democratic senators say they are saving their strength and figuring out a focus. “Everybody’s in kind of a wait-and-see mode right now,” said Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, who is part of Schumer’s leadership team. “Under the previous Trump administration, there was chaos all the time, all the time. And I do think it is important to pick your battles.” It’s still unclear which battles they will pick. And Democrats have differing opinions on how to fight them. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who is also in Democratic leadership, says that “anyone who has a grand strategy is full of crap,” but thinks that Democrats, for now, “need to keep things simple.” “We need to talk about people, protect people, advocate for people,” Schatz said. “Do not talk about protecting institutions. Do not talk about advocating for institutions. It’s a not just a rhetorical shift, but an attitudinal shift. We have to remind ourselves, that we’re not fighting for programs and projects and line items and agencies or norms. We’re fighting for people.” Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said that he’s spent a lot of time reflecting, and “I don’t think anyone can claim this was a policy election,” and Democrats need to look at cultural issues. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman says Democrats just need to “pace ourselves” and avoid the “massive freakout” of Trump's last term. Democrats should be preparing, says Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal. He says Schumer is picking his battles “very thoughtfully and strategically.” “We’re thinking about how we protect against using the FBI, or the prosecutorial authority of the Justice Department for retribution against critics,” said Blumenthal. “How we elevate these issues in a way that American people understand them.” Democrats know better now, after eight years, “the extraordinary challenges we’re going to face,” Blumenthal said. Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. compete in the ice dance rhythm dance program at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae) Hiro Komae A discarded plastic bag floats in the waters of Botafogo beach in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Bruna Prado China's President Xi Jinping, left center, and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, walk into the Alvorada palace after attending a welcoming ceremony in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) Eraldo Peres Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova competes against Great Britain's Katie Boulter during a Billie Jean King Cup semi-final match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Manu Fernandez President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite A surfer rides on an artificial wave in the river 'Eisbach' at the 'Englischer Garten' (English Garden) downtown in Munich, Germany, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) Matthias Schrader A woman carries a gift basket as she arrives at a park to attend a friend's birthday party, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Kampala, Uganda. (AP Photo/David Goldman) David Goldman Tania hugs her brother-in-law Baruc after rescuing some of their belongings from their flooded house after the floods in Paiporta, Valencia, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Emilio Morenatti Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris looks at a monitor backstage, just before taking the stage for her final campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Jacquelyn Martin President-elect Donald Trump listens during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci A resident returns to his burned village, Monday Nov. 25, 2024, one day after a fire broke out leaving about 2,000 families homeless at a slum area in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Aaron Favila Isaac Young rests his cheek on the family horse Rusty's forehead during farm chores before homeschooling, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Carolyn Kaster Students from anti-discrimination movements attack an Awami League supporter in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu) Mahmud Hossain Opu A young girl holds a "Black Voters for Harris-Walz" sign outside of Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris' election night watch party at Howard University, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams) Terrance Williams A man looks from a damaged building a day after it was hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon, in Ramat Gan, central Israel, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Oded Balilty Visitors walk through the 'Cathedral' on the Christmas light trail as it returns for its12th year with a showcase of new installations set within the UNESCO World Heritage Site landscape of Kew Gardens in London, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Kirsty Wigglesworth Venezuelan migrant Alvaro Calderini carries his niece across a river near Bajo Chiquito, Panama, after walking across the Darien Gap from Colombia on their way north to the United States, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) Matias Delacroix An aerial view shows a packed parking lot at Citadel Outlets in Commerce, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, as early Black Friday shoppers arrive at the mall. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Jae C. Hong Israeli soldiers holding their weapons bathe with residents in a hot water pool coming from a drilling project which exposed a subterranean hydrothermal spring near Mount Bental in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, on the first day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) Ohad Zwigenberg Voters stand in line outside a polling place at Madison Church, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Phoenix, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Matt York Molten lava flows on the road to the Blue Lagoon, Grindavik, after the volcanic eruption that started Wednesday, on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Marco di Marco) Marco di Marco Firefighters and sheriff's deputies push a vintage car away from a burning home as the Mountain Fire burns in Camarillo, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Noah Berger Supporters of the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) celebrate the victory of candidate Yamandú Orsi in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Natacha Pisarenko People gather at the site where former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed by Israeli airstrikes late September during a memorial ceremony in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) Hussein Malla Katia, 11, with her grandmother and mother sit in an armored minivan during en evacuation by the "White Angels" police unit in Kurakhove, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Anton Shtuka) Anton Shtuka People clean mud from a house affected by floods, in Algemesi, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Manu Fernandez Cattle stand on a heap of textile waste at the Old Fadama settlement of Accra, Ghana, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu) Misper Apawu Family members accompany the coffin that contain the remains of Mexican actress Silvia Pinal, during a memorial service at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Pinal, an actress from Mexico's Golden Age of cinema in the 1940s and 50s, died Thursday. She was 93. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario) Aurea Del Rosario A family arrive to cross into Lebanon through the Jousieh border crossing, between Syria and Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2024, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki) Omar Sanadiki

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www fc188 ph log in Tucson nonprofits seek holiday donations for children, /PRNewswire/ -- Calamos Investments has announced monthly distributions and sources of distributions paid in to shareholders of its seven closed-end funds (the Funds) pursuant to the Funds' respective distribution plans. The following table provides estimates of Calamos Global Total Return Fund's and Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund's distribution sources, reflecting YTD cumulative experience. The Funds attribute these estimates equally to each regular distribution throughout the year. Regarding Calamos' remaining five closed-end funds, which operate under a managed distribution policy: The information below is required by an exemptive order granted to the Funds by the US Securities and Exchange Commission and includes the information sent to shareholders regarding the sources of the Funds' distributions. The following table sets forth the estimated amount of the sources of distribution for purposes of Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the related rules adopted thereunder. The Funds estimate the following percentages, of their respective total distribution amount per common share, attributable to (i) current and prior fiscal year net investment income, (ii) net realized short-term capital gain, (iii) net realized long- term capital gain and (iv) return of capital or other capital source as a percentage of the total distribution amount. These percentages are disclosed for the current distribution as well as the fiscal YTD cumulative distribution amount per common share for the Funds. The following table provides estimates of each Fund's distribution sources, reflecting YTD cumulative experience. The Funds attribute these estimates equally to each regular distribution throughout the year. If the Fund(s) estimate(s) that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with 'yield' or 'income'. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this 19(a) notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for accounting and tax purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099 DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Return figures provided below are based on the change in the Fund's Net Asset Value per share ("NAV"), compared to the annualized distribution rate for this current distribution as a percentage of the NAV on the last day of the month prior to distribution record date. While the NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Monthly distributions offer shareholders the opportunity to accumulate more shares in a fund via the automatic dividend reinvestment plan. For example, if a fund's shares are trading at a premium, distributions will be automatically reinvested through the plan at NAV or 95% of the market price, whichever is greater; if shares are trading at a discount, distributions will be reinvested at the market price through an open market purchase program. Thus, the plan offers current shareholders an efficient method of accumulating additional shares with a potential for cost savings. Please see the dividend reinvestment plan for more information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. As with other investments, market price will fluctuate with the market and upon sale, your shares may have a market price that is above or below net asset value and may be worth more or less than your original investment. Returns at NAV reflect the deduction of the Fund's management fee, debt leverage costs and other expenses. You can purchase or sell common shares daily. Like any other stock, market price will fluctuate with the market. Upon sale, your shares may have a market price that is above or below net asset value and may be worth more or less than your original investment. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount which is a market price that is below their net asset value. Calamos Investments is a diversified global investment firm offering innovative investment strategies including alternatives, multi-asset, convertible, fixed income, equity, and sustainable equity. The firm offers strategies through separately managed portfolios, mutual funds, closed-end funds, private funds, an interval fund, ETFs, and UCITS funds. Clients include major corporations, pension funds, endowments, foundations and individuals, as well as the financial advisors and consultants who serve them. Headquartered in the metropolitan area, the firm also has offices in , , , ( ), and the area. For more information, please visit us on , on Twitter , Instagram , or at . *Calamos Investments LLC, referred to he

SYDNEY , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trip.com is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated Black Friday Mega Sale , offering an array of incredible travel deals and exclusive promotions. Get ready to pack your bags and jet off to your dream destination! From 18 November to 8 December , Trip.com is bringing you the hottest deals of the season, with promo codes offering up to 50% off flights and hotels, making it easier than ever to explore the world. Trip.com users can save over AU$1,000 with various airline discount codes from carriers like Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Fiji Airways, AirAsia, Scoot, Asiana Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, China Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia. These codes will drop at 8 am AEDT on 29 November. Highlights of the sale include unbeatable deals for flights between Sydney , Melbourne , and Brisbane , starting from just AU$39 one-way, including taxes and fees. In addition, users can enjoy hotel flash sales with rates as low as AU$99 per room night at The Point Brisbane and YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suite. Plus, there's the chance to win 2x room nights at Crowne Plaza Perth, including breakfast for two adults, by entering giveaways on Instagram or Facebook. Don't miss out on up to 50% off promo codes for hotels and AU$60 off NSW hotel promo codes. Other Black Friday Mega Sale highlights include: Trip.com Member Day Rebate : Sign up and get 10% off flights and 18% off hotels, capped at 3,000 coins (approximately AU$46). Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways promo codes : Grab AU $25 off and look out for up to 50% off promo codes for flights from 29 November. Enjoy instant discounts on all domestic or international flights for the first three bookings on the Trip.com app, with AU$20 off for purchases over AU$300 and AU$10 off for purchases under AU$300. C ar hire and airport transfers : Get discounts of up to 50% off on car hire or train tickets with promo codes. Special fares will be available with nine airlines, including Qatar Airways, Philippine Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Air China, AirAsia, Scoot, Citilink, Xiamen Air, and more. Cyber Monday Hot Deals Await On Cyber Monday, 2 December, users can also take advantage of the Buy1Get1 flash sale on theme park tickets for Universal Studios Japan, Warner Bros Studio Tour Tokyo, and Universal Studios Singapore. You can also get 50% off eSIM cards for countries in Asia. All deals and promo codes are available while stocks last. This Black Friday Mega Sale can't be missed! Book your dream vacation with the best deals to help you save big. Subject to Terms & Conditions. Visit Trip.com for more information and start planning your next adventure today, or download the Trip.com app by scanning the QR code on the website. All promotional offers are available on a first-come, first-served basis within the specified period and while stocks last. About Trip.com Trip.com is an international one-stop travel service provider, available in 24 languages across 39 countries and regions in 35 local currencies. Trip.com has an extensive hotel and flight network consisting of more than 1.7 million hotels and flights from over 600 airlines covering 3,400 airports in 220 countries and regions around the globe. Trip.com's world-class 24/7 multilingual customer service, as well as additional centres in Edinburgh , Tokyo and Seoul , help to 'create the best travel experience' for its millions of customers worldwide. To book your next trip, visit trip.com . SOURCE Trip.com

Wireless Medical Device Connectivity Market Analysis By Top Keyplayers - Baxter, Bridge-Tech, Cerner Corporation, Cisco Systems, Digi International, General Electric, Hill-Rom Services, Iatric Systems, Infosys Limited, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Lantronix,From wide-open flat bed, to loaded utility canopy, to fully packed multi-week expedition camper, the modular canopy camping system from South Africa's Alublack customizes the world's most rugged, unstoppable trucks into personalized adventure partners. Build the components up on the back of a Toyota Hilux or Land Cruiser or slide them off the truck completely and tow them on an equally rugged off-road trailer. We're not sure there's another system in the entire world that combines Alublack's hardwearing go-anywhere construction with sheer user-inspired flexibility. Alublack is the sister company of , and we're honestly having trouble figuring out which company gets office bragging rights for the most creative truck camping solution out there. We think we have to give the edge to Alublack thanks to its modular ecosystem of components buyers can build, tweak, adjust, adapt, rebuild, remove and scale down. Alublack was founded in 2022 with a focus on trays and utility canopies before rapidly growing its lineup with all kinds of modular equipment and accessories, right up to walk-in campers. It's designed its flexible truck system around some of the most capable platforms on the globe, showing components on the bare backs of Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser 70 Series, Jeep Gladiator Rubicons, Ford Rangers and Isuzu D-Max trucks, to name a few. It builds on both single and double cabs, letting the buyer dial in just the right happy medium between compact vehicle length and passenger space. Each build starts by swapping out the stock pickup bed for Alublack's tray with headache rack. The tray mounts to the vehicle chassis via galvanized steel hardware with integrated vibration damping. With a wedge-shaped rear underbody, the tray boosts departure angle and brings along loads of storage space. Buyers now have a large flat bed for carrying cargo, along with a large rear drawer and two to four under-bed storage lockers on the sides. That might be enough for some tradesmen and day trippers, but what's the fun in stopping at the first piece in a modular product family that runs deep? As the short video below shows, buyers can mount various boxed walls, racks, and partial- and full-length canopies atop the tray to take storage and utility to the next level and beyond. We particularly like the "Weekend Warrior" and full camper setups that Alublack has developed. The Weekend Warrior is the gnarliest looking of the bunch, appearing more like an all-terrain military vehicle than a simple recreational adventure rig. But it performs the latter function with aplomb, dedicating most of its space to an open rack with half-height walls that drop down for access and double as worktops. Those walls can also be removed in seconds without any tools. The fully enclosed half canopy up front houses a fridge on an easy-access drop slide. The top of the Weekend Warrior system is designed to carry a rooftop tent, awning, etc., and the angled back houses a fold-out ladder and full spare wheel. Or at least that's the setup shown below. It can easily be completely rearranged as per the customer's wants, hopes and needs. Those looking for a more all-in-one camping experience can step up to Alublack's radical climb-in camper. Canopies like Alublack's are usually for housing equipment and general storage space, topped with a rooftop tent if and when camping space is needed. But Alublack turns its canopy into a properly integrated camper by cutting a hole through the canopy top and into the oversized Bundutop tent with electric-lift roof. The particular Alublack Camper pictured below is based on a single-cab Toyota Hilux and pairs a full and half canopy into a sturdy camping base. The half canopy up front houses is accessible from both sides of the truck, housing a drop-slide fridge, spare wheel, and space for firewood, a grill and other gear. The main canopy of the camper houses a slide-out Engel fridge/freezer, 205-Ah lithium battery system, inverter and electrical hardware, water heater and pump, and air compressor on the righthand side of travel. The lefthand side includes a particularly sleek slide-out dual-burner gas stove, drawers, a slide-out food pantry with extendable worktops, and an oven/air fryer. In place of a hard-mounted stainless steel sink, Alublack secures a pair of collapsible bowls at the rear corner next to the LPG tank carrier, just below a hot water outlet for hooking up the sprayer. The bowls remove and collapse for easy transport. As for water, that's stored in an 80- or 160-L fresh storage system with a quick tap integrated in the canopy just behind the right-side door. Around back, the hatch flips open for ladder access inside. With all that aforementioned equipment already taking up space on both sides of the canopy, there isn't any room left over for a dining or sofa lounge. Instead, there's just enough floor space to get in and climb up through the roof hatch into the tent. There's also an available slide-out toilet that can be used in the entryway space or outside and a shoe drawer for storing footwear away. The tent itself is a super king-sized Bundutop that lifts at the push of a button. Not only does the 10.1-foot-long (3.1-m) tent house a double bed, it has two seats on the floor to the sides of the rectangular hatch entry, providing the interior sitting space the lower canopy lacks – two campers can sit across from each other with their legs dangling through the hatch. It doesn't look like the type of lounge in which you'll spend the whole afternoon but is designed as an upright sitting option for escaping bad weather without having to lie down in bed. Of course, that's just a sample layout. Buyers can also get a canopy camper for a double cab truck, which lacks the half canopy; create a closed canopy/half-wall boxed bed system; or go a different route. And they can configure the canopy interior in different ways, loading it with storage and equipment options or keeping things more open. Alublack goes so far as to ask if the buyer has any preferred brands for equipment like refrigerators and batteries. We've seen a few canopy-camping systems with different levels of modularity, including the award-winning stackable system from Germany's and the from America's Dirtbox Overland. Alublack takes the concept to new heights, though, with a ridiculous number of standard options, configurations and compatible base trucks. Just to drive the point home, Alublack even offers the canopy systems on a trailer for those who might not want to dedicate an entire truck to weekend adventuring. The same trays, canopies and equipment can be planted on a rugged trailer. The canopies are also designed for easy removal and swapping. Taking a canopy off is as simple as removing four bolts, raising the canopy via four hydraulic-lift legs and driving the truck out from underneath it. If anything, Alublack's system might just be so modular as to be intimidating to some buyers. It's like a custom camper van build where you select not only the interior components and layout, but the size and style of the van cabin itself ... and whether it has a motor or tows behind a separate vehicle. We reached out to Alublack for more detailed pricing on the full camper model, but the company has yet to get back to us. Given the customizability of its products, we're not necessarily hopeful for a neat, bottom-line base price. We will update if we get a solid price figure or range, but what we know for now is that Alublack has a US distributor, so at least some of its hardcore safari truckin' gear is available in the States. Boise-based Long Range America is an overland company that specializes in high-capacity fuel tanks for long-mileage adventures. It doesn't show the full camper in its lineup of available Alucab layouts, but it does offer the replacement flatbed tray and empty canopy for US$16,950. That base unit also includes a full-length platform roof rack, spare tire carrier and rear-mounted ladder. From there, buyers can spec the canopy with storage and utility equipment like the slide-out kitchen pantry and fridge drop-slide up to a top-tier price of $22,952. Those prices are based on a setup for a short-bed Toyota Tacoma, and Long Range also offers models for the Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tundra. Unlike Alublack itself, Long Range does have an , so you can spec out your own preferred setup and see how much the tab will be. Long Range does not advertise any equipment options, like refrigerators or electrical systems, so buyers might have to fill out the canopy themselves. While they're at it, they can add a rooftop tent on the platform rack to complete an overnight-ready adventure canopy-camper for roaming the US. Alublack's walkthrough video below provides a closer look at the details of the single-cab Hilux camper truck. The company also has some good videos of other setups on its . Source:

The is upon us and as exhilarating this time of the year can be, it can also be overwhelming. Truth is, there is so much to consider. Between hosting dinners, shopping for gifts and traveling to see loved ones, our to-do lists are full. Sometimes it feels like there is never enough time to do it all and, if you’re someone like me who waits until the last minute to get things in order, you’re certainly feeling the pressure. While holiday shopping never seems to come easy, beauty and wellness are truly the gifts that keep on giving. Any contribution to someone’s health is memorable. It’s often a second thought for some, but as a recipient of this kind of gift, you’ll always find it useful. That said, in efforts to make your shopping experience easier this year, below, I put together a list of the perfect skincare and wellness items to potentially gift a pre-teen, family member, lover or a friend. Happy Holidays! As it pertains to skincare, kids don’t necessarily need a vigorous routine. However, they can benefit from the essential steps of maintenance and developing the act of caring for themselves. What better way to implement that practice than to give them their own mini regimen? includes a multivitamin gentle foam wash, a lightweight face cream and a mineral spf of 30. Great for your pre-teen and allows them to join in on self care with the family. Whether you’re an adult or a child, reassurance is vital. Activities like and act as an outlet for children to express their feelings and feed their emotions in a meaningful way. Customize this moment with their nickname or a familiar phrase and create a night out of the week to go over it together. After all, emotional wellness is the key to glowing and healthy skin! When I think of the holidays, I think of baked goods, good music and candles burning. Vacation has created a that includes their signature three pine blend, intended to fill the air with a crisp winter aroma. What makes this special is its premium giftable packaging, long-lasting burn time and most importantly its luxurious fragrance. Gift this on its own or pair it with other self care items—either way you can’t go wrong. One way to elevate your skincare experience and put a smile on your loved ones face is to gift them a set that they’ll stick to. Omorovicza has curated the perfect bundle, titled the , that includes the brand’s bestsellers. With diamond peptides as its hero ingredient, meant to feed into the skin’s longevity, it will certainly take anyone’s skin to the next level. I’d classify this as the ultimate stocking stuffer. Showering is more than just cleansing—it is an opportunity to relax, connect with your thoughts, and tap into affection. is not your ordinary showerhead. Its filtered system removes impurities, aiding in clearer skin and stronger hair. A daily ritual and two-in-one upgrade that you and your partner can enjoy together. Additionally, one way to spice up the intimacy between you and your lover is by introducing into your moments of pleasure. This natural, unscented lubrication is made in the form of a stone that doubles as a moisturizer. It also melts immediately upon contact with the skin. Due to its solid shape, it leaves no mess behind, making it great for travel or kept on your night stand for easy access. Look at it as a bonus to your passion for love. I know we’ve seen so many versions of light masks on our timelines, as it is one of the most popular skin care devices of today. For good reason, its benefits are extensive. If used correctly you’re bound to see results you’ll be proud of. operates on a clinical level and is one of the most effective devices I’ve experienced. It improves the skin barrier, muscle recovery, collagen and the body’s natural healing functionality. I’m sure you have a friend that has been interested in owning a treatment like this at home. Make this a special holiday for him or her. And speaking of skin, one area of the body that we often neglect are our hands. I had the opportunity to test out and, as someone who is constantly washing their hands and struggling with dryness, I approve of this cream. With its ultra-rich texture and low levels of retinol, this is designed as an overnight hand treatment. Great at restoring the skin, strengthening the nails and polishing the cuticles. The result? Your hands will slowly but surely become irresistibly soft. It’s highly functional packaging is not only aesthetically beautiful but it can also be used as a jewelry holder. Go and add this as a part of the gift to all of your friends this year.

NFL mock draft roundup: Where experts say Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward will be draftedThe decision by Tesco, Musgrave and the BWG Group came after a woman who said Mr McGregor raped her won a civil claim for damages against him. Nikita Hand, who accused the sportsman of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a case at the High Court in the Irish capital. In a statement, a spokesman for Musgrave said: “Musgrave can confirm these products are no longer available to our store network.” The network includes SuperValu, Centra, Daybreak and Mace. A Tesco spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are removing Proper No Twelve Whiskey from sale in Tesco stores and online.” A spokesperson for BWG Group said: “The products are no longer listed for distribution across our network of Spar, Eurospar, Mace, Londis and XL stores, including Appleby Westward which operates over 300 Spar stores in the south west of England.” It is understood that other retail outlets including Costcutter and Carry Out will also stop stocking products linked to Mr McGregor. He and some of his business partners sold their majority stake in the Proper Number Twelve Irish whiskey brand. He was reported to have been paid more than £103 million from the sale to Proximo Spirits in 2021. On Monday, a popular video game developer decided to pull content featuring the MMA fighter. The Irish athlete has featured in multiple video games, including voice-acting a character bearing his likeness in additional downloadable content in the Hitman series. Mr McGregor’s character featured as a target for the player-controlled assassin in the game. IO Interactive, the Danish developer and publisher of Hitman, said in a statement: “In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately. “We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. “Consequently, we will begin removing all content featuring Mr McGregor from our storefronts starting today.” Last Friday, the High Court jury awarded damages amounting to 248,603.60 euros (around £206,000) to Ms Hand. Mr McGregor made no comment as he left court but later posted on social media that he intended to appeal against the decision.

Alabama flips RB Jace Clarizio from Michigan State

Andrej Jakimovski hit a layup with 8 seconds left, and Colorado upset No. 2 UConn 73-72 in the consolation bracket of the Maui Invitational on Tuesday in Lahaina, Hawaii. Colorado (5-1) rallied from down 11 in the first half to get the win over the two-time defending national champions Huskies. Jakimovski finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Julian Hammond III and Elijah Malone each scored 16 for the Buffaloes, who advanced to the fifth-place game in Maui on Wednesday. Down 72-71, Jakimovski drove the right side of the lane and made a scoop shot as he was falling down. UConn called timeout to set up the final play but Hassan Diarra missed a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left. Liam McNeeley led UConn with 20 points, Solo Ball scored 16 and Diarra finished with 11. The Huskies (4-2) lost two straight for the first time since dropping three in a row from Jan. 11-18, 2023. Colorado trailed by eight at halftime and Diarra hit two 3-pointers early in the second half that made it 46-37. The Buffaloes scored the next 11 points to take a 48-46 lead, their first of the game. Hammond bookended that run with a pair of triples. UConn went back in front 55-52 on Tarris Reed Jr.'s driving layup but Malone's bucket with 8:34 left tied it at 59. McNeeley's hook shot gave the Huskies a 63-60 lead before Jakimovski drained a 3-pointer to tie it again with 5:16 left. Ball hit a 3-pointer and a layup to give UConn a five-point lead but Colorado got within 70-69 on two free throws by Malone with 2:04 left. A putback from Jaylin Stewart made it a three-point game with 1:29 remaining. Malone answered with a layup, Javon Ruffin blocked Diarra's shot and Colorado got an offensive rebound with 24 seconds left to set up the winning basket. McNeeley made his first four shots from deep and had 16 points by intermission to lead the Huskies. Colorado had opportunities to make it a close game by halftime but went just 12-for-19 from the foul line and trailed 40-32. UConn attempted only four free throws in the first half and had five players with two or more fouls, including Reed, who had three. --Field Level MediaMELBOURNE, Australia -- Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media , leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law. The major parties backed the bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts. The legislation was passed with 102 votes in favor to 13 against. If the bill becomes law this week, the platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the age restrictions before the penalties are enforced. Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan told Parliament the government had agreed to accept amendments in the Senate that would bolster privacy protections. Platforms would not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity documents including passports or driver’s licenses. The platforms also could not demand digital identification through a government system. “Will it be perfect? No. But is any law perfect? No, it’s not. But if it helps, even if it helps in just the smallest of ways, it will make a huge difference to people’s lives,” Tehan told Parliament. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the Senate would debate the bill later Wednesday. The major parties’ support all but guarantees the legislation will be passed by the Senate where no party holds a majority of seats. Lawmakers who were not aligned with either the government or the opposition were most critical of the legislation during debate on Tuesday and Wednesday. Criticisms include that the legislation had been rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, would not work, would create privacy risks for users of all ages and would take away parents’ authority to decide what’s best for their children. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media reluctant to report harms they encountered and take away incentives for platforms to make online spaces safer. Independent lawmaker Zoe Daniel said the legislation would “make zero difference to the harms that are inherent to social media.” “The true object of this legislation is not to make social media safe by design, but to make parents and voters feel like the government is doing something about it,” Daniel told Parliament. “There is a reason why the government parades this legislation as world-leading, that’s because no other country wants to do it,” she added. T he platforms had asked for the vote on legislation to be delayed until at least June next year when a government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies made its report on how the ban could been enforced.