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PHOENIX – Sports gambling operators are using artificial intelligence to track and limit problem gambling exposure for their users, but the introduction of this technology and the use of personal data also raises questions about whether it could be used for the wrong reasons. The sports gambling world is still largely unregulated, relying mostly on self-governance, which raises the possibility of a conflict of interest when it comes to responsible gambling. Access to bettors’ data, behavior and habits opens the door to the potential for predatory behavior by sports-gambling operators. Timothy Fong, co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program, believes that AI could spell trouble for gamblers susceptible to addiction, who could be easier targets for sportsbooks. “It’s really the use of AI that creates predatory scenarios, where people who are already vulnerable because of mental health issues or a gambling addiction could be manipulated or targeted without their knowledge,” Fong said. Sportsbooks are looking for ways to utilize AI, and among them is to personalize the betting experience for users through incentives or by providing specific information based on that person’s gaming habits. Shane Kraus, a clinical psychologist and associate professor at UNLV, is skeptical about the use of AI to promote safe gambling and added that he is unaware of this practice. “AI in the gambling space tailors incentives and better understands a player’s interest, so they’re ensuring the options that they are feeding to a player are going to resonate with them,” Kraus said. “It’s going to want to, A, make them engage and, B, stay on longer again.” In fact, AI can be used to essentially attract new bettors. Emerging AI technologies like SharpLink’s C4 Sports Betting Conversion engine, for instance, are used to convert sports fans into bettors, which is done by determining the best personalized betting offers and experience for the user based on their behaviors, past and present. For example, a user might receive wagering offers that are based on their favorite team, sport or player. In a guest column published on Sportico by SharpLink CEO Robert Phythian, he said that SharpLink, a company previously partnered with the now-defunct SaharaBets and currently with BetMGM, utilizes AI in their C4 engine to keep users engaged longer. Phythian said that in a sports betting category such as “Bets for You,” the technology might suggest “Because you bet on X,” to prompt a similar wager. Or, “Those who bet on X, also bet on Y,’ to suggest another bet. “Fans will be presented with a personalized experience based on the preferences they either explicitly state in their profile or implicitly demonstrate by their behavior and consumption patterns,” he said. Studies have shown that personalizing user experiences is beneficial for organizations that are trying to drive revenue. Research from European sports data organization LSports shows that 72% of sportsbooks surveyed listed a “personalized player experience” as the biggest factor in retention rates. Cost of problem gambling Fong sees a pitfall with keeping players engaged longer on platforms. While longer engagement translates to a bigger profit for the sportsbooks, the longer gamblers place bets, the more likely it could be that they develop a gambling habit, which can lead to gambling disorders. “The real story, of course, is what percentage of profits generated by the casino industry is on the backs of people with this disease?” Fong said. “I’ve seen ranges anywhere from 10% up to 80% of the bottom line profits are on the backs of people with (a) gambling disorder.” A 2018 survey report conducted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services claimed that gambling revenue generated by individuals with gambling problems seemed to rest anywhere between 15% and 33%, based on outside data. It is hard to accurately quantify the scope of the issue because it is not a tracked metric, but a significant increase in calls to national problem gambling lines have been tracked, and that trend is also reflected in Arizona. Based on data obtained from the Arizona Department of Gaming, there were 280 problem gambling calls in 2021 between March and December. In 2023, the first full year of legal sports gambling in Arizona, there were 512 problem gambling calls between January and September, which is an increase of more than 82% over the 2021 sample – and in one less month. Further data provided by Telus and LifeWorks shows 185 helpline-specific calls between July 2020 and June 2021 to the Arizona Office of Problem Gambling, which increased to 619 calls from July 2022 to June 2023 – a 234% spike. The number of calls jumped to 687 in 2024. Research released in 2023 and conducted by Dr. Lia Nower of Rutgers University found that sports gamblers in New Jersey were more likely to develop anxiety, depression, substance abuse issues and problem gambling compared to non-sports gamblers. It also found that a small percentage of bettors, around 5%, were placing 70% of the bets, which Nower concludes “means the people losing the most money are the most essential to operator profits.” Nower found 14% of sports bettors from this study to have suicidal thoughts, while 10% acted on those thoughts. Coupled with the psychology of being a sports fan, personalization for sports gamblers can be troubling. Brianne-Doura Schawohl, a leading policy consultant on problem gambling issues, finds sports gambling is distinguished from other forms of wagering because sports is in its own realm. “What separates sports betting from so many other forms of gambling out there is it entices a consumer based on this concept of skill, based on ego and arrogance,” Schawohl said. “Then when you incentivize that with things like free play and bonus offers and attractive promotions that make it seem like there’s little to no risk – when gambling always has risks – it can become a dangerous scenario for people.” A 2013 study published in Science Daily found that betting experience or knowledge of a particular sport does not improve betting outcomes. “Their identity is tied to sports but that becomes a risk factor for people taking risks,” Kraus said of sports fans. “The emotional connection and their knowledge often comes back to bite them.” Sports betting regulation FanDuel CEO Amy Howe has been an advocate for using artificial intelligence, saying the company is making “huge investments” in the technology to detect problematic gambling. Critics are skeptical. “The reality is, more often than not, there is a lot of chatter or empty promises where operators will highlight things that they are capable of, but in the absence of mandatory regulations, they don’t do it,” Schawohl said. The Responsible Online Gaming Association, a coalition formed in early 2024 by most of the major sportsbook operators in the U.S., looks to support independent research and educational tools to prevent problem gambling. Each operator has pledged $20 million toward these efforts, which will help to develop a database of problem gamblers and to promote programs that address the issues. Questions remain about how independent this research will truly be, as self-regulation presents an opportunity for non-action, and how it will be used. Many sportsbooks have developed and integrated “responsible gaming” tools but there is evidence that those tools are rarely utilized by gamblers. Data from DraftKings and PSI on online bettors in Massachusetts in 2023 revealed that less than 3% of users utilize any type of responsible gaming tools, which corresponds with national data showing similar numbers. Nower claims less than 1% of bettors ages 21-24, a rapidly rising betting population, uses responsible gambling tools available on sites. States are also seemingly lagging behind when it comes to setting the tone for responsible gambling. A report released by the NCPG on state adherence to the Internet Responsible Gaming Standards found that, on average, only 32 out of 82 player-protection measures were fulfilled through state law and regulation across the United States. The IRGS is a comprehensive set of standards and guidelines for states to follow to promote safe gambling practices and protection for users from sportsbooks. The data indicates that states could be passing more laws to protect users from sportsbooks. Right now, the United States federal government does not recognize, fund or support anything to research, prevent or treat problem gambling. The NCPG estimates that around 9 million Americans suffer from gambling addiction and the “annual social cost” is about $14 billion. “The trends I’m seeing in the U.S. market are utilizing machine learning and AI solely for customer acquisition and retention, and I think that’s really caused the political climate to percolate to the surface,” Schawohl said. U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, a Democrat from New York, recently initiated a comprehensive bill called the SAFE Bet Act that would set federal sports gambling standards for advertising, the use of AI and financial efficacy. If passed, sportsbooks would not be able to advertise during games or use “bonus” bets and “no sweat” bets as a way to engage users. It would also ban the use of AI to track behavior, provide microbets or individualize promotions. Another pending bill called the GRIT Act, proposed by Democratic U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas of Oregon and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, would set aside 50% of the federal excise tax that comes from all sports gambling activity to spend toward problem-gambling research. This would be the first time the federal government would create a source of funding to research and treat issues related to gambling. But just like Tonko’s bill, the GRIT Act may not pass and is publicly opposed by the American Gaming Association. Sports betting regulation is also murky since states make money from sportsbook operations. Last year, states made a combined $2.5 billion from sports gambling tax revenue, which is an increase from $1.8 billion the previous year. In 2023, Arizona brought in around $34 million in sports gambling tax revenue, which is up from $28.5 million in 2022. This tax revenue is generally allocated to a state’s general fund that helps operate health services, human services, education, law enforcement and public safety, and other major day-to-day governmental operations. If the money from sports gambling does not go into the general fund, it can be used for specific purposes like problem gambling services and resources. Legalization of sports betting theoretically minimizes the harm done by off-market sportsbooks, allowing the government to control, or at least benefit from, the flow of money – which continues to grow each year. Fong believes the government would rather have a person lose money to “an above board gambling operator,” where it can at least recoup money through taxes that benefit the state, rather than allow the money to go straight to unlawful sportsbooks. Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow recordcopyright 8k8 reserved 。

Meta is expanding its opportunities for creators to monetise their content on Facebook by making affiliate links more prominent across Reels, videos, photos, and text posts. The social media giant aims to increase exposure for these links by giving them more visibility within Reels, placing them in the bottom segment of the user interface. A new format for affiliate links in text posts is also being introduced, alongside improvements to their display in the comment section, offering even more exposure for creators. Until now, affiliate links were limited to appearing as simple URLs in captions, but this update marks a significant shift in how such partnerships are presented. Meta is also rolling out an auto-detection system for affiliate links from selected domains. When an affiliate link is detected, creators will receive a reminder to use the "paid partnership" label. Additionally, the system will automatically pre-populate the affiliate link details when creators select the "add affiliate product link" option. This streamlined process aims to make it easier for more creators to join affiliate programs. The update is a major step for creators looking to monetise on Facebook, with these enhanced presentation options designed to better engage audiences with product promotions. Larger, more clickable displays are expected to grab user attention, potentially driving more sales for brands and creators. Meta has confirmed that the updates are being rolled out globally to all Pages and Professional Profiles. Creators looking to capitalise on the new features before the holiday season may be able to boost their affiliate sales just in time for Christmas. To display affiliate links in your content: With these changes, both creators and businesses now have a promising opportunity to maximise their promotions and drive sales. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our

India surpasses 73,000 startups with women directors: Commerce MinistrySyria’s Bashar Al Assad is in Moscow: Source

Texas Sues NCAA Over Transgender Athletes' Participation in Women's SportsSummit of future and community with a shared future World needs cooperative policy framework and collaborative and coordinated efforts to deal with these challenges The existing global liberal order was built on alluring promises and rhetoric, such as development, equality, inclusivity, respect for dignity, respect for sovereignty, and rule-based global governance and security. However, the reality was far from the promises, and the liberal order only helped a few powerful players. Therefore, the global order is fading away. There are multiple reasons for this, but the most important are structural flaws, embedded imbalances, narrow interests and the hegemonic aspirations of a few countries. Besides, emergence of climate change as an existential threat, technology as a no man’s land and Covid-19-imposed restrictions on mobility have no precedent in human history, and have further complicated the situation. Humans have no experience dealing with these challenges, and every country’s dynamics and level of vulnerability make combating them difficult. Therefore, the world needs a cooperative policy framework and collaborative and coordinated efforts to deal with these challenges. In this context, Summit of the Future is big news and a success. It is heartening to note the summit succeeded in drafting a consensus-based agenda for the future. The Pact for the Future, in addition to existing Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations, is a huge success against the backdrop of fractured global order and senseless country-first slogans. These documents rightly identified the problems and proposed actions. The Pact for the Future identified the need to ensure all humans are treated equally and that there should be no discrimination within and among nations. The world will make all efforts to ensure stability, peace and a safe environment for everyone. There would also be a focus on protecting rights of women and girls and providing them with a safe environment to pursue their dreams. The cultural diversity will be respected and promoted. The dialogue among cultures and religions would be promoted. Rights of indigenous people will also be protected. Besides, the Pact for the Future emphasised the need to build strong mechanisms of cooperation to give an impetus to green growth and development. This is required to combat challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, rising food insecurity, and poverty, among others. Therefore, the world must work together to achieve inclusive, sustainable development. The Pact further highlights importance of close cooperation in the fields of science and technology, innovation and building capacity of less developed countries. Many other clauses in the Pact and other two documents give us hope world leaders are serious about tackling the challenges. However, the Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations are silent on how financing needs will be met. Moreover, who will lead the world’s green and just transition? Which country has the resources and vision to lead world in implementing the Pact for the Future, the existing Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations? A bird’s eye view analysis indicates China can lead the way in implementing agenda of the future. China has a vision, resources, and, most importantly, the will to contribute to a peaceful and prosperous world and a just transition for future generations. President Xi has been working on it for many years and has launched vision of a Community with a Shared Future. The deep dive into five pillars of Community with a Shared Future (BRI, GDI, GSI, GCI, EC) indicates all these instruments can and will lead the world to achieve goals of Pact, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), etc. China launched BRI, which has achieved many milestones. According to latest available data, 153 countries and 32 international organisations have signed cooperation agreements with BRI. China has invested almost $1 trillion on numerous projects. The investment also helped mobilise $2.49 trillion from partner countries, while implementing 3220 joint projects during the last ten years. The trade between China and BRI countries increased from $1.03 trillion to $2.07 trillion. BRI has also contributed to bringing millions of people out of poverty trap. It is also paving the way for digital connectivity and digitalisation of world. China launched GDI to overcome development challenges. The GDI has the potential to combat contemporary challenges, while keenly focusing on future solutions. It has been designed around eight principles: Prioritising Development, People-Centric, Leaving No One and No Country Behind, Harmony Between Humans and Nature, Innovation-Driven Global Development Partnership, Action-Oriented and Synergy. China is keen to make GDI a success story. Therefore, it has prioritised eight working areas including, Poverty, Food Insecurity, Health and Pandemic, Development Financing, Climate Change and Green Development, Industrialisation, Connectivity and Digital Economy President Xi presented Global Security Initiative (GSI) idea to achieve a stable, peaceful and prosperous world. The idea is unique in the sense it not only talks about equality and a sense of togetherness but also presents viable options for traditional and non-traditional security challenges. It has a rationale for acceptance, as the world has entered an era of higher uncertainty and a complicated security environment due to traditional and non-traditional security threats (climate change, technology, pandemic, etc). The four pillars of GSI, 1) common, 2) comprehensive, 3) cooperative and 4) sustainable security, can help world combat old and new security challenges and secure sustainable peace. The Global Civilisation Initiative was launched to promote philosophy of harmony in diversity and peaceful and cooperative coexistence. The initiative’s genesis is the belief world is home to numerous cultures, living philosophies, economic development models, environments, diplomacy, people with diverse beliefs, habits and attitudes, and countries with different geographies, resources, and nationalities. Therefore, we must live in harmony, respect cultural diversity and build strong mechanisms and platforms to promote dialogue among civilisations. President Xi presented the vision of constructing an Ecological Civilisation to create harmony between humans and nature. Moreover, to construct an ecological civilisation, China has put in place theoretical, institutional and practical frameworks for modernisation of economy (green development, circular development and low carbon development), culture (cultural movement, living well-off, and society inclusion), environment (building a beautiful China, good ecology) and governance (systems, mechanisms and institutional systems) by adhering to principles of Socialism with Chinese characteristics. China is also promoting the vision at global level and creating avenues for cooperation. From the above discussion, it can be inferred Community with a Shared Future can help the world achieve goals of Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact, Declaration on Future Generations, sustainable development goals, peace and overall development agenda. Besides, it prioritises dialogue over confrontation, win-win cooperation over a zero-sum game, and a level playing field. It gives due importance to principles of equity and equality without any prejudices. It aims to explore establishing networks of inter-civilisation dialogue to enhance mutual learning and find new ways of cooperation. Most importantly, China is ready to share its experience, prosperity and cultural products to create a harmonious world for future generations.

TSMC begins mass production at 1st Japan chip plant in Kumamoto

Victims and families react as Biden spares the lives of 37 federal death row inmatesSubscribe Search Search Sort by Relevance Title Date Subscribe ALBAWABA - In order to meet the rising demand for power and accomplish its carbon reduction targets, Japan has revealed an updated energy strategy. Also Read Japan targets Google over antitrust violations and market dominance The plan, which was presented to a panel of experts by the Industry Ministry, aims to increase nuclear energy and renewable electricity by 2040, with a goal of 40–50% renewables and 20% nuclear, according to ABC News, marking a significant shift from the post-Fukushima phaseout policy, which followed the 2011 nuclear disaster. The plan emphasizes the need of low-carbon energy sources to meet data centers' and semiconductor factories' growing demand for power. Japan will promote renewable energy as the primary power source and decrease its reliance on coal-fired power, which now accounts for almost 70% of the country's electricity, to 30–40%. Majority of Japanese favor new pro-nuclear energy strategy 🇯🇵 ♥️ ☢️ 👍 55% of people surveyed support plan to utilize nuclear power “to the fullest extent,” according to a Nikkei poll 👎 31% oppose ⚡️ Japan aims to depend on nuclear power for decades to curb fossil fuel imports pic.twitter.com/4NO4Gob6ed — Stephen Stapczynski (@SStapczynski) December 22, 2024 The strategy calls for building next-generation reactors at decommissioned locations and restarting all 33 operational nuclear reactors, of which only 14 are currently in operation. However, obstacles including regulatory barriers and reactor licensing timelines make it difficult to fulfill the 20% nuclear ambition. Critics contend that the strategy is devoid of specific implementation plans, especially with regard to ramping up investments in renewable energy sources and phase-out fossil fuels. Also Read NYT: Iran increases Nuclear production amid perceived vulnerability Japan's larger net-zero aim by 2050 includes a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2035 and 73% by 2040 relative to 2013 levels. Despite these aims, some experts argue the proposal falls short of meeting global climate targets, according to Japan Today. With predicted prices of ¥12.5 ($0.08) per kilowatt-hour, nuclear energy is expected to become the most cost-effective baseload power source in Japan by 2040, Bloomberg reports. Nuclear energy however, is still competitive when system expenses like battery deployment are taken into account, even if solar and other intermittent renewables have lower direct prices. To support its energy shift, the government is also assessing cutting-edge technologies including carbon capture and hydrogen co-firing. A passionate about the Gaming Industry with a career of over 5 years in the field, I write about current trends and news in the Game Development business and how it impact the industry and players. Laith has recently started a new position at Al Bawaba as a freelance business writer. Subscribe Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content Subscribe Now Subscribe Sign up to get Al Bawaba's exclusive celeb scoops and entertainment news Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content Subscribe

Many NFL fans are by now aware of the fad known as "Scorigami" -- a statistical project that tracks unique final scores across the league. On Sunday, 32-26 was added to the list courtesy of the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets . Score Update: NYJ 26 - 32 MIA Final That's Scorigami!! It's the 1089th unique final score in NFL history. For those unfamiliar with Scorigami, that simply means that Sunday's game was the first time in NFL history that a game has ended with a final score of 32-26. The Dolphins won on a walk-off Jonnu Smith touchdown in overtime, not requiring an extra point. Due to that, in addition to an earlier missed extra point and a fourth quarter touchdown that was followed by a two-point conversion, the Dolphins ended the game with a tally that is rarely seen. The Jets, who kicked four field goals, also finished with an unconventional number. The idea of Scorigami first originated in a 2016 YouTube video by Jon Bois of SBNation. It gained an underground following in the ensuing years as fans would point out anytime a game completed with a never-before-seen final score, and has now become relatively mainstream as it has been mentioned on broadcasts on multiple occasions. Sunday's game is the fifth Scorigami of the 2024 NFL season. The previous most recent one came in Week 11, when the Detroit Lions beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 52-6. The Dolphins are 6-7 on the season, still facing an uphill climb if they're going to make the playoffs. But at least they can take solace in knowing they made every stats nerd's day on Sunday.Edmunds: Five dream-worthy vehicles you wish you got for the holidaysStock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow record

.....Employees, Start-Ups, Tech, Essential Services, Consumptions Get Zero VAT .....As Tinubu Commits To Conceding In Areas of Controversies, Insists Tax Reform Must Happen ABUJA : The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti State) on Wednesday clarified misconceptions about the tax reform bills before the National Assembly. Senator Opeyemi in a statement to mark the Christmas celebration said that the narrative around the new derivation model provided for in the bills “is utterly incorrect and unfounded.” He revealed that the proposed tax reform bills (an executive legislation) recommends a review of derivations to states, with 6.17% proposed for Kano compared to 0.89% currently due to it. Zamfara is to get 1.21% compared to 0.05%, while Lagos which currently gets 80.26%, is to receive 15.28% as recommended in the new model. This represents an 81% decrease. Under the new model, also, Rivers’ share will decline from 7.74% to 4.6%, accounting for 41%. In the same vein, employees earning N1,000,000 annually or N83,000 monthly; start-ups, shared services and technologically driven services are exempted from taxation, as the bills also recommend zero VAT on essential services and consumptions. The bills have faced stiff opposition from the northern parts of the country, notably from governors who described them as “anti-North.” Besides the governors, members of the National Assembly (Senators in North, South and East causes) have taken various positions on the VAT sharing formula in the bills. The National Economic Council (NEC), a body comprising governors chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, urged the president some weeks ago to withdraw the bills for further consultations. However, the president refused, stating that all concerns should be addressed in the National Assembly. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State recently claimed that the reform would only benefit Lagos State—President Tinubu`s home state. In his remarks on the bills, the Senate Leader explained that the National Assembly is simply “committed to building an environment where businesses can operate seamlessly; where investors will never think twice before they bring in their capitals; where our compatriots can freely breathe without undue burden and where the next generations will be proud of at all times. We are pursuing each of these reforms purely in the love of our countrymen as Christ our Lord has commanded.” He said this drive is behind key legislations and reforms promoted such as the Tax Reform Bills, 2024 to National Minimum Wage Act, 2024, Investment and Securities Act, 2024 and National Ranches Commission Establishment Bill, 2024, among others, promoted in the 10th National Assembly. “This intention is more than evident in the case of Tax Reform Bills, 2024, a set of four initiatives consciously designed to reverse the country’s disturbing economic indicators. We have taken due note of public concerns about these initiatives. We are, as well, looking deeply into the areas of public concern. Our duty, as democrats, is not just to listen to our constituents, but also give effect to policy initiatives that will positively impact their lives. “For the record, the Tax Reform Bills, when finally enacted, utterly exempt all employees earning N1,000, 000 annually or N83,000 monthly; exempt start-ups, shared services and technologically driven services from taxation and recommend zero VAT on essential services and consumptions. Even though it reviews the derivation formula to 60%, this proposal is guided purely by the principles of equity, fairness and justice. The new model will eventually guarantee a significant increase in VAT distributable to every state of the federation. Amid the debates about the Tax Reform Bills, as Christ our Lord has taught us and as the Parliament of the people, we shall never pursue any agenda outside our oath of allegiance or undertake policy initiatives adversarial to or conflicting the interest and welfare of all our constituents and indeed our Fatherland,” Senator Opeyemi further stated. Recall, on Monday, Tinubu had during his first Presidential Media Chat said he is ready to make concessions to address the controversies surrounding the tax bills before the National Assembly. In response, Mr Tinubu said tax amendments require negotiations and concessions, and he was open to such. “That reform is here to stay. We cannot continue to do what we were doing in past years. We cannot retool the system using the old methods. I am focused on what Nigerians need and what I must do for Nigeria. It is not going to be an El Dorado for everyone. “Tax matters are subject to debate, review, and negotiation until you reach a consensus. That is all I am going to say about that,” he said. Continuing, Senator Opeyemi in his statement observed that the Christmas season, “again, presents humanity the opportunity to appreciate God Almighty for His redemption plan and the birth of Jesus Christ, whom we are all celebrating today. Christ is indeed the real reason for this season and nothing more. It is not just a season for winning and dining, but also of deep reflection about Christ’s birth and mission, about His care and love, and about His sacrifice and travails for us all, even for the unborn generations. “The reason for the season is, no doubt, a huge lesson for all humanity far and near. As we celebrate His faithfulness and goodness in our homes, we must also remember the needy in our neighbourhoods and consciously minister to them as Christ will have done. We need to reflect on the travail of the vulnerable nationwide and rekindle enduring hope in their hearts. We must reach out to those in troubled areas and show them the care of Christ our Lord. “In this season and beyond, we must likewise remember Nigeria, our Fatherland and the only country of our common heritage. With the zeal of our Lord, we must offer our timeless prayers for the renaissance of our Fatherland, for the restoration of her economy, for the stability of her polity, for the cohesion of her people across the Niger and for the manifestation of her glory in the league of Nations. “This is the season never to shy away from eternal responsibilities God Almighty has committed to our hands. This is the season to renew our resolve to faithfully stand with the political leadership for the renewal of hope. This is the season to halt the search for pastures that are never green, but the time to join hands together to build our own Nation with conviction and rebrand her for the ceaseless inflow of global capitals and for the endless troupe of global tourists. With all my heart, I wish you all happy celebrations in this season of deep reflection. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.”Bill Oram’s Big 10*: A rematch with Ohio State was inevitable, but a second win isn’t as certainYouth work with legislators to brainstorm policies for preventing violent extremism