777 okada online casino

US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says777 okada online casino 。

'CM's China visit to open new trade avenues'

The New York Post has published what it reports as new footage of the suspect in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . In the surveillance video obtained from a cigar store on Sixth Avenue, the suspected gunman can be seen leaving a subway station at around 6:15 a.m., 30 minutes before the fatal shooting occurred in front of the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan. The Post writes that it appears the suspect was leaving the 57th Street subway station, which is nearby the hotel’s location. The report did not include comment from the NYPD surrounding the footage. The NYPD previously released photos of the alleged suspect on Tuesday and Wednesday, with some taken at a nearby Starbucks before the shooting and others seemingly showing him unmasked and grinning. The suspect has yet to be identified, but several clues have since risen including the purchase of a gun seemingly linked to that used in the shooting and a phone dropped at the crime scene. A Catholic nun was among a group of 25 people arrested in Italy on Monday as part of a mafia bust for a laundry list of crimes that included extortion, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Anna Donelli, 57, of the Sisters of Charity Institute in Milan, volunteered at prisons around the city of Brescia—but a police investigation determined that her ostensibly spiritual services concealed a seedy criminal underside to her interactions with inmates, according to CNN. Prosecutors allege that she was “exploiting the very spiritual role she carried out” to run information back and forth between mob bosses and imprisoned foot soldiers for the infamous ’Ndrangheta crime syndicate. “She carried orders, directives, moral and material aid to associates, receiving in turn from the prisoners useful information to better plan criminal strategies,” prosecutor Francesco Prete said Thursday, according to CNN. Donelli’s cover story was that she was a liaison between prisoners and prison officials, in addition to refereeing soccer games at the prison. The anti-mafia operation that landed the nun and over two dozen other mobsters under arrest was carried out by over 300 officers and also resulted in the recovery of drugs, weapons, and the equivalent of nearly $2 million in cash. If you’re trying to pick up gifts for the loved ones on your list, here’s a tip: everyone appreciates the gift of softer and more manageable hair and skin. The Avon Company, North America has been in the beauty industry for over a century and stocks some of the trendiest skin care, fragrances, and personal care items on the market. These curated picks ensure your giftee will be glowing even on the dullest winter day. This moisturizer tackles one of winter’s biggest annoyances—chapped lips. It has a hydration-boosting formula that counteracts dry air while visibly softening lips and adding a glossy hint of color. Free Shipping Cold air strips away the skin’s natural moisture, which leads to cracking and flaking. The Beyond Glow Serum uses vitamin B3 to strengthen the skin’s barrier against colder temperatures and even out skin tone. Free Shipping This replenishing hair mist uses rice water—a popular traditional beauty treatment in Asia—to revitalize and nourish dull and damaged hair. Free Shipping If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. Billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Times , Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, has announced his plans to launch a “bias meter” for all articles on the outlet’s website as soon as next year. Speaking to CNN’s Scott Jennings on his radio show , the media mogul explained the meter would allow readers to view different perspectives on a news or opinion article in real time and allow them to write or read comments on the subject matter. “What we need to do is not have what we call ‘confirmation bias’ and then that story, automatically, the reader can press a button and get both sides of that exact same story based on that story and then give comments,” Soon-Shiong explained. “Now I’m giving you some little breaking news here but this is what we’re currently building behind the scenes. And I’m hoping that by January we launch this.” The billionaire proceeded to explain his hope for the module in building “respectful disagreement” and starting a “conversation.” Following his announcement, the L.A. Times ’ editorial guild released a statement in response writing, “the newspaper’s owner has publicly suggested his staff harbors bias, without offering evidence or examples” and that they value “an earnest search to understand all sides of an issue.” Soon-Shiong notably blocked the paper from publishing a Kamala Harris endorsement in October which was met with opposition from some staff. Timothée Chalamet thanked Bob Dylan for the shoutout after the legendary singer-songwriter praised his new biopic A Complete Unknown . “Floored. I am so grateful. Thank you Bob,” Chalamet posted on X . The film, set to be released on Dec. 25, stars Chalamet as a young Dylan. “Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me,” Dylan posted on X . Though Dylan didn’t share if he’s seen the film yet, he did recommend the book the biopic is based off of. “The film’s taken from Elijah Wald’s Dylan Goes Electric – a book that came out in 2015. It’s a fantastic retelling of events from the early ‘60s that led up to the fiasco at Newport,” he added. “After you’ve seen the movie read the book.” Dylan also gave a nod to the film’s title, A Complete Unknown , which references lyrics from Dylan’s 1965 song “Like a Rolling Stone.” “What a title!” he wrote. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. It’s not every day that you can score a deal on a high-quality printer at a lower cost. Investing in a quality printer for your home or office is a game-changer, and while it’s not the most fun purchase, it’ll pay for itself in a couple of months. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay full price for a solid printer, thanks to HP’s current sale . Right now, you can score the HP Envy Inspire 7955e , the brand’s premium at-home photo printer for $70 off. If you’re looking for a solid holiday gift that they’ll actually use, the deluxe multi-purpose printer is a great choice—especially for photographers and anyone who works from home. The all-in-one printer is also designed with HP’s Wolf Essential Security system to keep your information secure and keep hackers out. Plus, unlike other printers that require you to get your hands dirty to replenish the ink, this one offers a 15-second mess-free ink refill experience with bottles that can be plugged into the tank. Say goodbye to messes and hello to your new printer . Best of all? For a limited time, score three months of Instant Ink with HP+. The slain UnitedHealthcare CEO had a criminal record for drunk driving and was secretly separated from his wife for years before he was shot dead in Manhattan on Wednesday, according to public records. Minnesota court filings show that in 2017 Brian Thompson was arrested and convicted on charges of fourth-degree driving while impaired, for which he received probation. In addition to legal troubles, the executive, who was gunned down in what NYPD has labeled a “premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” also seems to have faced recent marital issues. Based on property records, voter registration forms, and reports from neighbors, Brian and Paulette Thompson had lived in different homes less than a mile apart in Maple Grove, Minnesota, for the past several years, The Wall Street Journal reported . In 2018, Thompson bought a five-bedroom second house for around $1 million, while his wife’s residence remained in another house nearby, also worth about $1 million, based on Zillow listings and public records. Paulette Thompson told MSNBC her husband had received threats related to his company’s “lack of coverage” and said in a statement to a local Fox affiliate in Minnesota that his killing had left her and their two sons “shattered.” About 12 hours after his killing, someone made a bomb threat at his Minnesota home, but authorities did not find any evidence of explosives, TMZ reported . UnitedHealthcare and the Hennepin County District Court did not immediately respond to a Daily Beast inquiry about Thompson’s DUI. A top health insurance provider has scrapped a controversial plan to limit anesthesia coverage for surgical patients in at least one state. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will no longer try to implement the much-ridiculed cap—which would have required patients to pay out-of-pocket for any anesthesia administered after their surgery went over an arbitrary time limit—on plans in Connecticut, the state’s comptroller, Sean Scanlon, shared Thursday. “After hearing from people across the state about this concerning policy, my office reached out to Anthem,” he said in a statement. “I’m pleased to share this policy will no longer be going into effect here in Connecticut.” The controversial plan was announced last month for customers in Connecticut, New York, and Missouri. The pending policy went viral on Wednesday, however, after the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was gunned down in Manhattan in a “targeted attack.” It remains unclear if the cap will still go into place next year for New Yorkers or those in the Show Me State. Anthem is yet to say what drove it to pull its plan in Connecticut. Bill Lawrence, creator of Scrubs , is currently developing a reboot of the widely loved sitcom for ABC, Variety reported. Despite having a deal with Warner Bros. Television, the studio is reportedly carving out space for Lawrence to work on the show. Citing a source familiar with the matter, Variety adds that Lawrence will not be serving as the reboot’s showrunner if it gets fully greenlit. Cast members have also yet to be attached, and no other deals for the reboot are reportedly in place. Running for nine seasons between 2001 and 2008, Scrubs followed the daily hijinks of a hospital staff and starred Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes, Ken Jenkins, John C. McGinley, and Neil Flynn. A reboot of the show has been thrown around for some time, with Lawrence sharing at a 2022 ATX Festival panel , “We’re gonna do it, you guys know. If you ever have an excuse to work with people you want to spend time with anyway, run to it.” Lawrence also famously created or co-created series like Cougar Town , Ted Lasso , and Shrinking . A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Northern California on Thursday morning, briefly triggering a tsunami warning for nearly 5 million people . The earthquake hit at 10:44 a.m. PST west of Petrolia, California in the Pacific Ocean, the US Geological Survey said. A 5.8-magnitude aftershock was recorded minutes later near Cobb, California, and several other apparent aftershocks between 2.5 to 4.2 magnitude followed. A tsunami warning issued for parts of the Northern California and Oregon coastlines, however, was called off by the early afternoon. California officials are responding to earthquake activity Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a post on X . The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is said to be coordinating with local officials in Humboldt and Lake counties, where significant earthquake activity was reported. More than 10,000 Humboldt County customers are reportedly without power. While no damage has been reported in San Francisco, the city’s Bay Area Rapid Transit, announced it is experiencing significant service disruptions due to the earthquake. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Apparently, boosting prostate health can actually be pleasurable—at least, that’s what premium sexual wellness brand MysteryVibe says. The Molto, an ultra-slim and bendable prostate vibrator designed by a doctor, is engineered to be the same size and width as a doctor’s finger and to mimic similar motions to that performed during an exam, allowing for not only intense prostate (the prostate is often hailed as the male ‘G-spot’) and anal stimulation but also a release of prostatic fluids. According to the brand, some studies have found that excess prostatic fluid can lead to inflammation and pressure, so not only is this a sex toy , but it’s also possibly an investment in your prostate health. Think of it almost like a lymphatic massage for your prostate—except one that can give you intense orgasms, too. Made with body-safe silicone, the multifunctional and gender-fluid vibrator is powered by one “anatomically-placed” motor that delivers potent yet precise vibration to the anus and prostate without feeling bulky or inflexible. It’s a great sex toy for those new to anal play or who are looking for an ultra-sleek vibrator with possible health-boosting benefits. The prostate vibrator is equipped with 16 vibration settings and eight pre-set vibration patterns, allowing for superior control and customization. Plus, the device comes with access to a catalog of vibration patterns with the free MysteryVibe smartphone app. Best of all? Because the Molto vibrator is an FDA-registered class II medical device, it’s also FSA/HSA eligible. Associates of the right-wing firebrand Ric Grenell sought the help of MAGA influencers to secure him Donald Trump ’s nomination for s ecretary of state . Shortly after Trump’s election victory, an ally of Grenell’s approached conservative social media influencers, offering paid contracts up to five figures to post favorable content about Grenell, Politico reported Thursday. Influencers, the contract stipulated, would post pro-Grenell content and do so during “peak posting times,” ensure that “content must appear genuine,” and not “as an overt advertisement or promotional message.” Grenell denied the alleged influencer conspiracy to Politico. However, his desire for the highly coveted Cabinet position was no secret. Trump’s former ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence spent the past three years reportedly telling people in the president-elect’s orbit that it was secretary of state “or bust.” Despite being one of Trump’s most loyal cohorts, Trump ultimately chose Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to lead the State Department . Grenell is said to have been offered other posts, including director of national intelligence, but has turned the offers down. Actress Amber Heard has announced that she is expecting her second baby. “It is still quite early in the pregnancy, so you will appreciate that we do not want to go into much detail at this stage,” a spokesman for Heard said Thursday to People . “Suffice to say that Amber is delighted both for herself and Oonagh Paige.” Heard welcomed her daughter in 2021. “I wanted to do it on my own terms,” Heard wrote in a post announcing Oonagh’s birth via a surrogate. “I hope we arrive at a point in which it’s normalized to not want a ring in order to have a crib.” Heard has never commented on who the biological father is. The actress relocated to Madrid, Spain after the highly publicized defamation battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp . Heard told NBC News after the trial in 2022 that she was hoping to focus more on her growing family. “I get to be a mom, like, full time, you know? Where I’m not having to juggle calls with lawyers,” she said.AP News Summary at 2:00 p.m. ESTAfter weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey , U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government hasn’t offered clear explanations as to who is operating the drones, and has not stopped them. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Fox News Sunday. “The answer ‘We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer.” President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media last week: “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down.” Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said, without saying exactly how. The drones don’t appear to be linked to foreign governments, Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter,” Mayorkas said. Last year, federal aviation rules began requiring certain drones to broadcast their identities. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is operating the drones swarming locations in New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t immediately respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability. Schumer is calling for recently declassified radar technology to be used to help determine whether an object is a drone or a bird, identify its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday said federal officials were sending a drone detection system to the state. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details, including where the system will be deployed. Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility and over Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified.

Temple secures 60-42 win against HofstraBISMARCK — Lawmakers who will lead in the 2025 Legislature were officially assigned to committees Wednesday, Dec. 4, resulting in few surprises for senior members. The Committees on Committees, headed by majority leaders in the House and Senate, decides which lawmakers are appointed to what committees. ADVERTISEMENT Some work with policy related to sectors such as education or agriculture, while others allocate money for government operations. During the organizational session, lawmakers rank their committee preferences in a survey administered by the Legislative Council. If a committee has fewer openings than the number of lawmakers who are interested in being a member, then the Committee on Committees decides who gets the position. The decision is based on their “institutional knowledge” of the Legislature and or professional experience outside lawmaking, according to House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson. “We've got some really good committee chairs and vice chairs, both on policy committees and appropriations committees that are, I think without exception, excellent legislators,” Lefor said. How committee chairs are selected, however, has been a sore spot for some lawmakers amid a long stint of all-male leaders. “I'm not saying it's always just a woman issue," said Rep. Vicky Steiner, R-Dickinson. “It’s relationship driven. I believe if you have a better relationship with the leader, you have a better chance of becoming a chairman.” ADVERTISEMENT Since 2013, only men have led House committees and will again for the 2025 session. Steiner introduced a bill last session to break the pattern. Steiner added that some lawmakers, however, don't want to be chairs — including women. Lefor pointed out that there were just three new chairs appointed this year, two of which were lawmakers who had served as vice chairs of the respective committee and one who he said had relevant experience. Republican Rep. Jonathan Warrey, a tech CEO from Casselton, will chair the Industry, Business and Labor Committee despite being a second-term lawmaker. The chairs typically end up being previous vice chairs or someone with a “tremendous” amount of relevant experience, Lefor said. “I will say that I'm a strong proponent of women in leadership, because I've gone to different seminars that clearly state that the better functioning boards are the ones that have both (men and women),” Lefor said. Lefor also pointed out that there are four more women as vice chairs this session as opposed to just one in 2023 and additionally, several women chaired interim committees between the upcoming session and the last. ADVERTISEMENT The Senate will have three women serving as chairs of 14 committees. House These Republicans will chair the following committees. Appropriations: Don Vigesaa, Cooperstown; Mike Nathe, Bismarck; Government Operations: Dave Monson, Osnabrock; Human Resources: Jon Nelson, Rugby; Education: Pat Heinert, Bismarck. Finance and Taxation: Craig Headland, Montpelier; Human Services: Matt Ruby, Minot; Industry, Business and Labor: Jonathan Warrey, Casselton; Judiciary: Lawrence Klemin, Bismarck; Agriculture: Mike Beltz, Hillsboro. Government and Veterans Affairs: Austen Schauer, West Fargo; Energy and Natural Resources: Todd Porter, Mandan; Political Subdivisions: Don Longmuir, Stanley; Transportation: Dan Ruby, Minot. Senate These Republicans will chair the following committees. Appropriations: Brad Bekkedahl, Williston; Education and Environment: Ronald Sorvaag, Fargo; Government Operations: Terry Wanzek, Jamestown; Human Resources: Dick Denver, Bismarck; Education: Todd Beard, Williston. ADVERTISEMENT Official committee assignments can be found on the Legislative Council website.AMANDA ABBINGTON has been approached to take part in Celebrity Big Brother but turned it down due to her experiences on Strictly Come Dancing. Her brief stint on the BBC One dance contest last year led to a long investigation into her pro partner Giovanni Pernice which ended with several complaints about his behaviour upheld , as reported in the Sun right. Producers of CBB wanted to sign her up for the new series, set to air next year on ITV , since she has been in the limelight recently and they hoped that she might open up on the murky chapter in Strictly ’s history . A TV insider said: “Amanda decided to discreetly turn down the offer because she felt so traumatised by the last reality TV contest she was on. “She couldn’t face going through all the trolling that she received when she complained about Giovanni which made her feel like public enemy number one . “Of course, the fee for taking part would have been appreciated but she just couldn’t face it. READ MORE ON STRICTLY “Amanda has absolutely nothing against Celebrity Big Brother , though. “Indeed, she will be tuning in to watch the show next year, along with the rest of the country.” ITV confirmed last month that BB and CBB would be returning for a third series on the channel, which will coincide with the reality TV show celebrating its 25th birthday. Hosted by Davina McCall , Big Brother became an instant phenomenon when it began on Channel 4 in 2000 and ended ten years later. It then enjoyed a run on Channel 5 from 2011 until 2018. Most read in News TV ITV chiefs revived the show last year and swiftly rebooted the celeb spin-off. The first celebrity version appeared on our screens in 2001 with some pretty impressive stars, including comedian Jack Dee, who won the debut series, and telly presenter Vanessa Feltz. It’s a pity Amanda has turned down CBB but I can understand why she decided it had to be a polite no. DJs deck the halls RADIO 2 legend Ken Bruce couldn’t stay away for long. My exclusive pic shows the broadcasting legend staging his own radio reunion with other BBC stalwarts, Bob Harris and OJ Borg. The trio are part of a fab five taking on Ken’s Popmaster Christmas special. And all the contenders should really know their stuff when it comes to the charts. Joining the Radio 2 cohort are Radio 1’s Katie Thistleton and Rickie Haywood-Williams, plus Ken’s Greatest Hits Radio pal Jenny Powell . Ken left the BBC last year for the commercial station and launched beloved quiz Popmaster as a TV format on More4, where it’s been doing great business . But which radio DJ will come out as the Christmas number one ? The special airs tomorrow (Tues) at 9pm on More4. Peter's fired up! PETER KAY says he has yet to watch the new Wallace & Gromit BBC festive flick – even though he is in it. I revealed on Friday that the funnyman is starring as Chief Inspector Mackintosh, above, in Vengeance Most Fowl, which airs on BBC One on Christmas Day. But speaking on Absolute Radio’s The Jason Manford Show, he joked: “I haven’t seen it yet. “I have had it on a knock-off Fire Stick and been selling it on Sundays with the film Gladiator II, and I’ve got Wicked in black and white. “Down Fletcher Street in Bolton I have a stall. I do four litres of bleach, Duracell batteries and Immac. “I’m down there with this Fire Stick, so if anyone wants Wallace & Gromit, I’m there.” Not if Beeb bosses get there first, Peter. Robo is a no-go for Rob WHILE Britain remains hopeful Gavin & Stacey: The Finale will finally reveal what happened on that fishing trip, Rob Brydon has hinted Uncle Bryn has other more pressing matters on his mind. Talking to Chris Evans on Virgin Radio , Rob was asked what new technology the beloved character might now be embracing. Rob said: “There was talk of whether he was into air fryers and stuff. “I think Bryn would be a bit scared of [AI chatbot] ChatGPT , as I am. “I find it mind-boggling the thought of what that stuff can do.” Imagining one of Bryn’s lines to Gavin, Rob joked: “It’s called ChatGPT. You can put anything in Gav, and I mean anything.” I wonder if ChatGPT knows what went on, riverside? WAG turned GB News host Lizzie Cundy is in the running to join Real Housewives of London . Bosses at Hayu are talking to a gaggle of divas now to cast the new spin-off of the famous franchise. They reckon socialite Lizzie could be the next Lisa Vanderpump . Cici wil wait for Mr Right FIRST Dates is back with a festive special, and there’s one familiar singleton hoping bosses will deliver her biggest Christmas wish – finding a new man. Show waitress Cici Coleman is looking for her ideal match and has even asked maître d’ Fred Sirieix to dish up a date for her. Cici said: “Fred has introduced me to a lot of men but, I’m afraid, nothing in the long term department. “Putting my love life in the hands of the First Dates team is definitely something I’ve discussed, but it just never happened. They haven’t found me the right one yet. READ MORE SUN STORIES “So who knows? If I’m single next series then I’m sure the conversation will be had!” First Dates at Christmas is on Channel 4 on Thursday at 9pm.

Immediate 05 Atarax Review 2024: Scam Or Legit Trading Platform? – Honest Reports!Sharps technology CEO Robert Hayes acquires $10,072 in stockThe mystery surrounding at least one of the unexplained drones causing Americans to look toward the night sky in recent days was solved late Saturday evening, when Boston police arrested two men for flying their unmanned aerial device too close to Logan Airport. According to police, 42-year-old Robert Duffy of Charlestown and 32-year-old Jeremy Folcik of Bridgewater were arrested Saturday on Long Island, after officials noticed the drone on their monitoring systems. “The incident began earlier that evening, at 4:30 p.m., when a Boston Police Officer specializing in real-time crime surveillance detected an Unmanned Aircraft System operating dangerously close to Logan International Airport. Leveraging advanced UAS monitoring technology, the Officer identified the drone’s location, altitude, flight history, and the operators’ position on Long Island,” the Boston Police Department said in a Sunday statement. After rallying officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Massachusetts State Police, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission, and Logan Airport Air Traffic Control, the Boston Police Harbor Patrol Unit was dispatched to the Boston Harbor Islands, where they allegedly found Duffy and Folcik, along with another man on the closed Long Island Health campus. All three attempted to flee on foot, according to police, but the arrested pair were caught and a drone found in their possession. The third man, according to police, is “believed to have fled the island in a small vessel.” Police say that all three were engaging in seriously dangerous behavior. “Operators are prohibited from flying drones over people or vehicles and must be aware of airspace restrictions. Even small drones pose significant risks, including the potential for catastrophic damage to airplanes and helicopters. Near-collisions can cause pilots to veer off course, putting lives and property at risk,” they said. Both Duffy and Folcik will appear in Dorchester District Court on charges of trespassing, police said.

(The Center Square) – The question before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday was whether a Tennessee law banning gender dysphoria treatment for minors is unconstitutional. Twenty-three other states have similar bans, but the Tennessee case is the first one to have made it to the nation's highest court. Behind the legal questions debated are medical questions that are in dispute. A transgender girl identified as "L Williams" is at the center of the case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and later supported by the Biden administration. In an article posted on the ACLU's website, L said she was emotionally distressed as she began puberty. “You're at a point where not only are you going through puberty, but you're also going through nightmare puberty,” L said. “I mean, obviously, nobody's 100% comfortable with [the changes,] but you're immensely uncomfortable with them.” L's parents sought puberty and hormone blockers in another state when Tennessee lawmakers passed its ban in 2023. They were on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court when the case was argued. Also on the steps was Dr. Jared Ross, a member of Do No Harm, a group of medical professionals who say their mission is to keep identity politics out of medical education, research, and clinical practice. Ross has a story, too, about a blue-haired girl who came into an emergency room one night. She described herself as "gender-confused," Ross said in an interview with The Center Square. "She was cutting herself with a razor blade because voices were telling her to," Ross said. "Can you imagine if I had affirmed these voices, affirming what she was hearing? That would have been malpractice, that would have been criminal. I didn't affirm those voices. I also didn't affirm her gender confusion." Do No Harm filed an amicus brief challenging the medical evidence presented by the ACLU and the Biden administration. It points to a study called the "Cass Review," a multi-year project from the United Kingdom that said studies of the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones were uncontrolled observational studies subject to bias." The ACLU says it also has medical evidence on its side. The American Medical Association and the American College of Pediatrics are among the groups that support gender dysphoria treatment for minors. At least one medical organization is taking a second look at the treatments. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons said in April that it is reviewing the practice. "ASPS currently understands that there is considerable uncertainty as to the long-term efficacy for the use of chest and genital surgical interventions for the treatment of adolescents with gender dysphoria, and the existing evidence base is viewed as low quality/low certainty. This patient population requires specific considerations," the organization said in a statement. Doctors who don't support treatments for gender dysphoria for minors are accused of discrimination and not caring about the patients. But that's not the case, Ross said. "The other side often plays this as we're neglecting these kids or we're minimizing their suffering that they're going through," Ross said. "I don't doubt that they're suffering. They're suffering tremendously. They need love and compassion and good evidence-based mental health care." Until the Supreme Court rules in 2025, the Tennessee law and others like it will stay on the books.

The likes of Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo have been the best photo editors for a long time now. There have, however, been rumblings of change. A number of creators I know have moved away from Adobe products in favor of more affordable solutions, while others have begun embracing editing tools that are built around AI technology. You may have heard of Topaz Labs Photo AI and Photoroom. They are relatively new kids on the block but with their focus on generative tools and mobile functionality, they’re seeing a huge rise in popularity. I know that Adobe is doing everything it can to reposition itself within the market but it better move fast to keep up with these upstarts. Another option is Picsart , which I’ve been using recently. This mobile and web app accelerates creative projects and processes so you can edit photos and videos as well as generate new ones. It’s quick, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive compared to an Adobe subscription. This is part of a regular series of articles exploring the apps that we couldn't live without. Read them all here . I began my Picsart journey by putting all the photo editing tools through their paces. What better place to start than the background removal tool? I, and countless creatives, have had decades of painstakingly cutting objects out using manual selection tools. It looks like those years of hard labor might now be over. I loaded in a picture of a child with wispy hair. I did, after all, want to give Picsart a proper test. The child was also holding a couple of objects, which some background removal tools might find tricky to differentiate. After pressing the button and waiting a couple of seconds, I was amazed that Picsart had done a near-perfect job, even around the hair. Unbelievable. Through an easy-to-use interface, I was then able to insert a plain colored background or a picture from their presets library. All fairly straightforward but then I opened up the AI background tool and this is where things jumped to an eerily scary level. Picsart inserted the child into a range of different scenes, all perfectly. One option even included her standing on a chair. Anyone would struggle to know she wasn’t originally photographed in that location. Suitably impressed, I then headed into the AI enhancement tools. This is where images can be sharpened and defects removed. I gave Picsart a pretty decent image already and yet it still provided a higher level of clarity and even smoothed out blemishes on the person's skin. I particularly liked the ability to adjust the intensity of the enhancement. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Other than testing a range of other basic tools within Picsart, I was also very keen to check out its integrated generative AI feature. Considering these often require dedicated hardware, I was intrigued to see what my iPhone XR would be able to cope with. Again, I was blown away. I gave it the prompt “Cute animal like Father Christmas,’ and it absolutely nailed it! I can definitely see myself using this feature on a regular basis to generate bespoke imagery, although maybe not Father Christmas-themed. These tools only scratch the surface of what is possible with Picsart and it really has to be seen to be believed. There is also an AI logo maker, an avatar creator, and a whole host of impressive video tools. Picsart has opened my eyes to how far AI tools have come. The fact that most tools can be utilized on a mobile is truly exceptional and helps open up new creative possibilities to creatives who don’t want to be tied down to a laptop. In reality, it has challenged my own creative processes while having a lot of fun along the way. Picsart Pro is available to try for 7 days with the ability to cancel at any time. To continue using the app, you’ll need the free, plus, or pro licenses. As you’d expect, the free version has a serious limit on the use of generative AI tools and very little cloud storage. It does, however, have a decent set of photo and video editing tools. The Plus license includes more generous use of AI tools, a full range of templates and fonts, and 5GB of cloud storage. The Pro version builds on this by offering branding, productivity, and team tools. Plus costs $5 / £5 per month, while Pro costs $7 / £7 per month. Picsart is also available as a web app. Download the Picsart app on iOS or Android .Ethereum: Still Bullish At $4K, But These Altcoins Might Outperform In 2025

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.