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Work on new Key Bridge will start in January, Maryland officials sayCanada says it will respond robustly if U.S. imposes tariffsTracy City Attorney Bijal Patel will resign from her job, with the Tracy City Council accepting her resignation Tuesday night during a closed session. Patel submitted her resignation during a closed session meeting on Tuesday, when performance reviews of her and City Manager Midori Lichtwardt were on agenda. Councilman Dan Arriola, who has been elected as Tracy’s next mayor, with the Nov. 5 election results still to be certified, made the announcement: “At this time Ms. Patel is voluntarily issuing her resignation as Tracy City Attorney, and the City Council is accepting her resignation.” Human Resources Director Kimberly Murdaugh reported that three council members voted to accept Patel’s resignation and two abstained from the vote. She did not specify how each individual council member voted. Patel will remain in her office until Dec. 3, and she will work remotely until her resignation becomes effective at the end of the year. She then will receive a severance package that includes the equivalent of a year’s salary, $279,807, plus 140 hours of management leave and 12 months of COBRA payments to allow for continuation of her health insurance. Patel came to the city in April 2022 with 20 years of experience working at the City of Oakland, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and City of San Francisco. Her more than 21⁄2 years at the city of Tracy were marked by conflict with Mayor Nancy Young, leading to a San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury report that, among other things, blamed Patel for delays in development and business projects and poor morale among city staff. The conflict came into the public spotlight in May 2023 when the council considered revisions to its Code of Conduct, which Young denounced as a policy document that would give the city attorney undue authority. That issue brought forth the council majority’s dissatisfaction with then-City Manager Michael Rogers, who would end up resigning. After the California State Bar declared Patel’s law license inactive for one month in July 2023, the council majority of Mayor Pro Tempore Eleassia Davis and council members Mateo Bedolla and Dan Evans continued to support her, approving a raise for her in December 2023 while Young and Arriola opposed the raise. Circumstances of that raise also led to two lawsuits against the city, the council majority in particular, but recent San Joaquin County Superior Court rulings in those cases have supported the city and Patel. Patel’s resignation comes as the council prepares to make a transition based on the results of the Nov. 5 election. Mayor Nancy Young is off of the council because of term limits, and Mayor Pro Tempore Eleassia Davis will be off of the council after an unsuccessful run for mayor. Steve Abercrombie and Dotty Nygard are the two leading candidates for council from Nov. 5, and Bedolla is likely to keep his seat on the council as the third-highest vote-getter as Arriola moves to the mayor’s seat. Despite the divisions and conflict over the past year-and-a-half, Patel and Young both made comments indicating they have reached a degree of reconciliation. “I hate that we have come to this place, and I do hope that you read the comments, at least from me, for this evaluation,” Young said, referring to the City Attorney’s performance evaluation discussed in closed session. “We’ve had our differences of approach and difference of opinion, definitely, throughout the time. I can say that in the past few months we have had a better working relationship and I do appreciate that and I do acknowledge that even in my review,” Young added. “I do wish you well in your endeavors. Even though it’s bittersweet I’m happy to be able to end on a better note than it could have been.” Patel agreed that they have put their conflicts behind them. “I do acknowledge that we have repaired our relationship in the past few weeks. It’s better to end on good note. I appreciate being able to leave on my own terms.” Davis, Evans and Bedolla, who have consistently supported Patel and praised her work on development agreements and other land-use matters, continued to offer words of support and encouragement while denouncing attacks against her. “I wanted to publicly thank you for your service to the city of Tracy,” Davis said. “I am disheartened that you are leaving, but I do understand. I do absolutely wish you the best of luck. I think you’re an outstanding attorney and I don’t think that this city did you any justice or favors, and I truly apologize as a member of this council and as a resident. You deserve better and I wish you the very best.” Evans added that he appreciated Patel’s experience as a development attorney. “You’ve got that background that really is perfect for this city. It’s what we need. It’s been invaluable, and the treatment that you’ve endured during your tenure at the city of Tracy, personally, it’s unforgivable and I’m very sorry that you’ve had to endure that.” In addition to conflicts at council meetings and the lawsuits, Patel was also subject to persistent online attacks through social media, as well as through mailers. “It’s difficult for me to even serve from this dais watching that happen. The city is losing somebody that endured that treatment to just do what’s right for this city,” Evans said. Bedolla added that Patel has contributed to progress on important city projects. “As part of a team we’ve had some really good successes in the past couple of years between the land for the aquatics center, the multigenerational rec center groundbreaking. I’ve seen things get done in this city that don’t necessarily match up with the narrative. I just want to sincerely thank you for your work.” Arriola’s comment was brief: “I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.” A statement from the City Manager’s office reads: “Over her tenure, she has played a vital role in improving legal processes and procedures, advancing the City's legal initiatives, and ensuring the protection of its interests.” During the closed session the council also conducted a performance review for City Manager Midori Lichtwardt. Young reported afterward that the council will consider an amended contract for Lichtwardt at its Dec. 3 meeting. • Contact Bob Brownne at brownne@tracypress.com , or call 209-830-4227.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A proposal to open Oklahoma primaries is drawing criticism. Earlier this week, supporters announced State Question 835 that seeks to obtain 172,993 signatures to get the issue on the November 2026 ballot. Under the proposal, Oklahoma primaries would be open to all voters with the top two vote getters advancing to the general election. Supporters said they expect a challenge to the measure. Gov. Kevin Stitt on social media voiced his opposition. “Oklahomans made decisions at the polls that these third party groups don’t like – so now they want to upend the way we run our elections,” Stitt said. “Open primaries are a hard no in Oklahoma.” Likewise, Lt. Gov Matt Pinnell, former Oklahoma Republican Party chairman, opposes the proposal. “At best, the push to mandate open primaries is a solution in search of a problem, and at worst, it is a thinly veiled attempt to weaken Republican voters in choosing the nominees to represent our party,” Pinnell said. “Oklahoma is a conservative state, and Republicans hold all the statewide and federally elected positions and super majorities in the Legislature for a simple reason: our values and principles represent the will of our state voters.” But not all Republicans have panned the idea. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, a former Republican state senator, embraced it. He said the system in which a mayor is elected allows all residents to vote. “Our voters get to see all the candidates and our candidates have to face all voters,” Holt said. “As a result, our leadership delivers unity and consensus outcomes that are clearly moving us forward.” The state question is being backed by Oklahoma United, a nonpartisan organization that says the change will increase voter participation, reduce polarization and force candidates to be responsive to all voters. It will also benefit independent voters, who can’t vote in Republican or Libertarian primaries. Democrats currently allow independents to vote in their primaries. The idea is not new. In 2017, the Oklahoma Academy recommended a top-two election system. Its report said a top-two system could increase turnout, reduce partisanship and “eliminate fringe special interest involvement in campaigns because candidates would be forced to respond to more moderate, general voters rather than play to the extremes of either party.” The Oklahoma Academy is a nonpartisan group that works to educate Oklahomans about public policy. Republican political consultant Fount Holland said he doubted Oklahoma voters would approve the proposal should it make the ballot. “At the end of the day, it is about moderating the Republican primary,” Holland said. He said the Republican Party takes things to the extreme, which is not the best way to govern. Holland said no one enters the Republican primary as a moderate or very few can survive campaigning as a moderate. “They might be moderate, but they don’t campaign that way,” Holland said. He said he tells his clients to run to win. If approved, the measure would be advantageous to Democrats or people who want a more moderate group of elected officials, Holland said. Republican Superintendent Ryan Walters is considered by many to be ultra-conservative, while his predecessor Joy Hofmeister was considered a moderate member of the GOP, said Holland, who worked on her two successful races for superintendent. Walters has focussed on putting Bibles in the classroom and removing some books from schools, while Hofmeister prioritized across-the-board teacher pay increases and boosting counseling services in schools. Hofmeister ultimately switched parties and made an unsuccessful run as a Democrat for governor. “If you hate politics the way they are, then you need to be on our team, because we want to change it and we want to make it better,” said Margaret Kobos, Oklahoma United CEO and Founder. She was asked about the partisan reaction to the proposal. She said it misses the point because the issue is about people and not political parties. Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, supports the measure, saying it takes power away from the political parties and gives it to the people. “Every voter. Every election,” he said. “That is the way democracy is supposed to work.”

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic is returning to the Dallas lineup Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing the Mavericks’ two previous games with a left heel contusion. Doncic won last season’s scoring title with a career-best 33.9 points per game and is fifth in the NBA this season averaging 28.9, and seventh in assists, averaging 8.2. He had triple-doubles in three of his last four games, including his most recent appearance last Sunday with 45 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a 143-133 win at Golden State. The defending Western Conference champions are 18-10, fourth in the West, and have won 13 of their last 16 games following their only losing streak of the season, a four-game skid from Nov. 8-14. ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

A Look at Transit’s Local Successes and Federal Challenges

Trump Aims to End Daylight SavingsAcademic Integrity and the Future of Education The use of Artificial Intelligence is revolutionary, defining new pathways in various aspects of the modern era including education. AI provides opportunities like efficient tools of learning and digital grading systems, but at the same time, it carries crucial challenges, specifically in maintaining academic integrity. It is concerning in the current age that AI platforms ease the content generation process and facilitate students in submission of plagiarized assignments. Like other countries, the use of AI has become popular in academic institutions in Pakistan as it offers multiple tools that help students in their studies, ranging from searching data to complex problem-solving. Though, the ability of AI to generate text like humans is the most debatable aspect of AI in the education sector. Various tools such as Perplexity, Open AI’s Chat GPT and GPT4 can write content including essays, and data reports, even users can generate research papers by putting minimal effort. This resulted in significant ease for students to produce and submit class assignments that are not written by them. This situation is blurring the line between AI content and original work. The consequences of this culture are influencing not only students but also academic and social values. Plagiarism is not a new matter in academia but this dawn of AI has aggravated this issue. Students under different pressures, such as meeting deadlines, and securing high grades may be attracted to use of AI websites and generating content in less time. Such short-cut behaviour is not only against ethics but also undermines the central principle of education, that encompasses critical thinking, learning skills, and originality. There are other factors contributing to this culture of plagiarized work submissions. The modern education system has become highly competitive and may pressurize students to get high grades. The specific pressure may result in students finding more convenient ways, including Artificial Intelligence tools. Another factor may be that students are unaware of the severity of plagiarism and its consequences if they are caught. This lack of awareness can be due to insufficient education on academic honesty. Moreover, AI plugins are plug-and-play tools and easily accessible and students can generate content on any topic by using these tools. Students are further encouraged to take the risk of submitting plagiarized assignments because AI-generated content is very sophisticated and it becomes difficult for teachers to differentiate between human-generated and AI-generated text. To cope with the increasingly rising submission of plagiarized assignments, different tools have been invented to trace AI-generated content. Various tools, such as Copyleaks AI detector and, the AI detector of Turnitin, can be integrated with universities’ LMS systems to detect AI-generated content as soon as students upload assignments on LMS. These tools are designed to check similarity text against available sources and can generate AI plagiarism reports. Universities in Pakistan need to install AI detectors in teachers’ LMS accounts, so they can easily check the originality of assignments. The majority of faculty in Pakistani universities don’t have access to plagiarism-detecting software, resulting in the marking of plagiarized assignments. Besides technical aspects, the trust between teachers and students is very important. This trust is eroded when students make it a continuous practice to submit plagiarized content. In this case, teachers will require more time to check plagiarism than concentrating on their role as instructors and mentors. This will result in an ineffective learning environment in the classroom and may weaken student-teacher relationships. The use of AI-generated content in universities also reflects a social issue related to basic ethical standards. If there is no policy to stop students from submitting AI-generated content, it may set a pattern that may range beyond academic to professional life. The future requires humans who are critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and effective communicators. Students are not learning these important skills because of their reliance on AI tools. This will affect their efficiency and overall work environment. The constant use of AI in academia resulted in important concerns regarding technological ethics. It is a need of the time for universities to devise clear guidelines and policies to protect societal values regarding authenticity. Academic policymakers need to indulge themselves in the formulation of policies to balance the use of AI with academic integrity. Academic institutions and faculty can adopt several strategies to address the issue of plagiarized assignments. Workshops or seminars regarding academic honesty and the effects of plagiarism are necessary, where students can be educated about the importance of originality. In-class assignments, discussions, and oral presentations should be part of the semester rundown to evaluate students in real time. This approach will also help teachers in maintaining academic integrity. Teachers may design assignment questions in a way that can encourage students towards brainstorming and creativity. Such assignments may include project-based learning, feedback methods, and peer reviews that focus on authenticity and efforts more than meeting the deadline. As Artificial Intelligence is evolving with each passing day, it is important to go ahead of the curve regarding the detection and prevention of plagiarized content. The plan of OpenAI to add watermarks in AI-generated content will definitely enhance the detection strategies. This option will attach statistical designs behind the choice of words and punctuation, and this will make it more convenient to identify AI-generated content. Still, continuous development in algorithms regarding AI content is needed to tackle the pace of complexity of AI-generated content. The use of AI in academia may demand broader reforms in how we see teaching and learning. This may include skills that cannot be automated easily, like critical thinking, empathy, and creativity. With these skills, teachers can make students ready for a future where AI is expected to dominate. Overall, the culture of producing and submitting AI-generated assignments is a complex matter and we all are in the midst of a change with less preparation. By focusing on the importance of emerging technologies, education, and relevant policies, teachers can ensure that academic institutions maintain their position as places where integrity, authenticity, and creativity prevail. The writer is a faculty member at the Department of Media & Communication Studies, GC University, Lahore. He can be contacted at [email protected] Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

Garrett Wilson is frustrated and his future will be a major decision for the next Jets GM, coachNone( MENAFN - Investor Brand Network) Quantum Computing (NASDAQ: QUBT) (“QCi”) , an innovative, integrated photonics and quantum optics technology company, recently announced its entry into securities purchase agreements with institutional investors for the purchase and sale of 1,540,000 shares of common stock, each at a price of $5.00, pursuant to a registered direct offering. In a concurrent private placement, the company entered into securities purchase agreements for the purchase and sale of an additional 8,460,000 shares of its common stock at the same price. Quantum Computing expects aggregate gross proceeds of $50 million, of which it intends to use the net for working capital and general corporate purposes. With the anticipated net proceeds, combined with existing cash reserves, the company expects to have sufficient resources to continue advancing the development of its quantum technologies, including not only the initial buildout but also the potential expansion of its U.S.-based thin film lithium niobate (“TFLN”) Photonic Chip Foundry in Tempe, Arizona, which remains on track for completion in Q1 2025. Titan Partners Group, a division of American Capital Partners, is acting as the sole placement agent for the offerings. To view the full press release, visit About Quantum Computing Inc. Quantum Computing is an innovative, integrated photonics and quantum optics technology company that provides accessible and affordable quantum machines to the world today. QCi products are designed to operate at room temperature and low power at an affordable cost. The company's portfolio of core technology and products offers distinctive capabilities in the areas of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, as well as remote sensing applications. About TechMediaWire TechMediaWire (“TMW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on pioneering public and private companies driving the future of technology. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers : (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries ; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets ; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact ; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers ; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions . With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, TMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists, and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today's market, TMW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. TMW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. To receive SMS alerts from TechMediaWire, text“TECH” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information, please visit Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the TechMediaWire website applicable to all content provided by TMW, wherever published or re-published: /Disclaimer TechMediaWire Los Angeles, CA 310.299.1717 Office [email protected] TechMediaWire is powered by IBN MENAFN13122024000224011066ID1108992072 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Blast of Ontario snow brings weather warnings, signs of white ChristmasYolo County is proud to announce its participation as the first pilot jurisdiction in the Bridge initiative, a new program launched by the Institute for Local Government (ILG). This initiative aims to strengthen California’s local government workforce by creating Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in non-traditional fields, including human resources, accounting, information technology (IT), health and human services and more. “I’m thrilled that Yolo County will serve as an inaugural participant in ILG’s Bridge Public Sector Registered Apprenticeship program,” said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Lucas Frerichs. “Apprenticeships have a long history of success in the construction trades, and I’m excited to bring this innovative model to support our broader local government workforce in Yolo County.” Like many local governments across the state, Yolo County is facing significant workforce challenges, with recruitment and retention issues affecting nearly 70% of California’s cities, counties, and special districts. These challenges can lead to vacancies in essential roles, potentially disrupting services such as social services, permitting, and more. The Bridge initiative is designed to address this issue by providing innovative, community-based solutions to hire for high-demand, difficult-to-fill positions, while expanding career opportunities for underserved and underrepresented populations. As the first confirmed pilot jurisdiction for the Bridge initiative, Yolo County will help test and implement non-traditional RAPs over the next year. The program will focus on training and hiring individuals for a wide range of roles in local government, including positions in IT, human resources, and health services. ILG will provide crucial support to Yolo County, including capacity building, grant writing, marketing assistance, and technical guidance throughout the program’s development. Through this pilot, Yolo County will work closely with local education agencies, community-based organizations and other partners to ensure the successful implementation of apprenticeship programs that align with the county’s workforce needs. Yolo County’s participation in the Bridge initiative is a crucial step toward building a sustainable, skilled workforce capable of meeting the challenges of the future. As part of the pilot program, the county will lead the way in developing a scalable model for apprenticeships that can be adopted by other local governments across California. “Apprenticeships are a proven strategy to develop a resilient workforce while opening doors for underserved communities,” states Erica Manuel, CEO and Executive Director of the Institute for Local Government. “The Bridge initiative brings this model to the public sector, ensuring local governments have the talent they need to meet the challenges of tomorrow. With Yolo County leading the way, we’re building a blueprint for other jurisdictions across California to follow.” The Institute for Local Government (ILG) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that supports local governments with tackling their most pressing and evolving issues related to workforce development, climate action, leadership, ethics, and public engagement. Since 1955, ILG has provided conscious counsel, training, resources, and technical assistance to empower and educate local agency leaders and deliver real-world expertise to help them navigate complex issues, increase their capacity, and build trust in their communities. As the nonprofit affiliate of the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, and the California Special Districts Association, ILG proudly serves municipalities large and small, urban and rural throughout California. Find out more at www.CA-ILG.org .

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Ruhullah joins students protest against reservation Suhail Bhat SRINAGAR, Dec 23: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today assured a delegation of protesting students that the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to review the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir will submit its report within six months. The students are protesting against the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir implemented after the abrogation of Article 370. Following the meeting, Omar posted on X: “The beauty of democracy is the right to be heard & dialogue in a spirit of mutual cooperation. I have made certain requests and given assurances to the representatives of the Open Merit Students Association. This channel of communication will remain open without intermediaries.” “We met the Chief Minister and held discussions on the reservation issue for about 30 minutes. The crux of the discussion was that the Chief Minister has asked for six months for the Sub-Committee to complete its work,” one of the student leaders told reporters after meeting the Chief Minister at his residence. National Conference leader and Lok Sabha member from Srinagar Aga Ruhullah Mehdi earlier led a protest outside the residence of Omar to support the demand for “rationalisation” of reservations in Jammu and Kashmir. The protesters, carrying placards with slogans like “Justice for Open Merit” and “Eradicate Draconian Rule 17,” gathered outside the residences of the Chief Minister on Gupkar Road in Srinagar. Leaders from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), including Iltija Mufti and Waheed Parra, as well as Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) legislator Sheikh Khursheed, also participated in the demonstration. During a passionate address to the gathering, Mehdi, who had recently raised the issue in Parliament, called on the Government to either adjust the reservation policy in accordance with the population proportions of reserved categories or implement the Supreme Court’s 50% cap on reservations. “I made a commitment to the students that I would stand with them, and today we are here to demand justice. I am with them and will support them in taking this to its logical conclusion,” he said. He said, adding only be satisfied when the students’ concerns were fully addressed The protests were sparked by dissatisfaction with the reservation policy introduced following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Students claimed that reducing the open merit quota to 40% or less violates Supreme Court directives. “It has led to an unfair distribution of medical seats,” an MBBS student said, adding that this year only 29% of seats were filled by students from the open merit category while the rest were distributed among the reserved categories. A five-member delegation, which was formed during the protest and represented students from Central, South, and North Kashmir, met with the Chief Minister to present their concerns and demands. After the meeting, a student representative briefed the media about the deliberations. “We spoke with him for half an hour, presenting all our queries and citing official data to suggest possible solutions. CM provided actionable points. For instance, he mentioned issues related to the 10% EWS quota and Rule 17, which fall within the Government’s domain and can be addressed immediately. He assured us that these matters would be resolved. He also mentioned that the Sub Committee will address other broader concerns in a time-bound manner, promising a resolution within six months. However, he clarified that six months is the upper limit, and decisions could happen sooner,” he said. The delegation also raised the issue of the 76.5% open category reservation. “He assured us that the Sub Committee would consult all stakeholders and ensure a fair and just solution,” the student representative said. However, the six-month time frame has drawn apprehension as major exams and recruitment cycles are ongoing. “Omar himself mentioned inclusivity but suggested that faster decisions are needed for the process to be meaningful. Regarding recruitment, no specific assurances were given,” the representative added. When asked if he was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting between the students and the Chief Minister, Ruhullah said that his satisfaction was immaterial. “If the students are satisfied, I am satisfied. The good thing is that the process of the Sub Committee has been made time-bound. Earlier, it was open-ended,” Mehdi said. He also clarified that it was wrong to call the event a protest, describing it instead as “an assembly of people to discuss” the reservation policy. PDP leader and MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra called for urgently addressing the reservation policy issue. “We are not here for political mileage. The future of our youth cannot be neglected. With the alarming unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir and the absence of a robust private sector, public sector opportunities are crucial for our youth,” he said. PDP leader Iltija Mufti slammed the Government for its inaction. “It has been a month since the Cabinet Sub-Committee was formed, but there has been no progress. Hollow promises won’t suffice; the Government must act decisively,” she said. She urged the administration to demonstrate leadership during this crisis. “This is a test of governance. A fair and time-bound resolution to the reservation policy issue is what we expect,” she said. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq extended his support for the protesters in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The issue of reservations should be addressed with justice and fairness. The current policy undermines the interests of the general/open merit category. I appeal to the authorities to address their concerns immediately.”CenterPoint Energy Inc. stock rises Tuesday, still underperforms market

EDMONTON, Alberta, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capital Power Corporation (TSX: CPX) is proud to announce its Genesee Repowering project is now complete as Genesee Unit 2 achieved combined cycle commercial operations today, resulting in Genesee Units 1 and 2 becoming Canada’s most efficient natural gas combined cycle facility. Completion of this industry-leading project increases overall capacity at the Genesee Generating Station by 512 megawatts (MW) and reduces CO 2 emissions by 3.4 million tonnes annually – representing a ~60% increase in capacity while reducing emissions by ~40%. “Our Genesee Repowering project is immensely impactful for North American power generation, demonstrating there is a valuable life after coal for legacy facilities. As we’re witnessing a drastic rise in energy demands in tandem with coal facilities coming offline, there has never been a bigger need or a better time for innovation of this scale,” said Avik Dey, President and CEO of Capital Power. “Our investment in Genesee ensures we can continue to reliably power Alberta’s economy during the harshest winter nights and hottest summer days, while also unlocking major opportunities to power the many drivers of the energy expansion. This is a proud moment in our history that we’re incredibly excited to build on.” “It is incredibly exciting to see the Genesee Repowering project be fully completed. This additional clean natural gas-powered generation is yet another big step towards ensuring Alberta’s electricity is affordable, reliable, and sustainable for generations to come. I commend Capital Power for their continued innovation in Alberta's power market,” said Honourable Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities, Government of Alberta. The approximately $1.6 billion project began construction in summer 2021 requiring more than 5.8 million hours of labour with a peak of ~1,250 workers on site. Located entirely within the footprint of the existing Genesee Generating Station, the project involved installing two new Mitsubishi M501JAC gas-fired combustion turbines and Vogt triple-pressure heat recovery steam generators, while utilizing the units’ existing steam turbine generators. In June 2024, the project achieved simple cycle operations for both units which resulted in the facility becoming 100% natural gas fueled – moving Capital Power and Alberta off coal five years ahead of government mandate. The Genesee Generating Station is now capable of delivering up to 1,857 MW of reliable, affordable and cleaner power for Alberta’s thriving economy. The significant baseload generation available on the 26,000+ acre site supports grid-wide reliability while presenting opportunities for future development, energizing the Alberta advantage for new technologies, industries and growth. With the project now complete, Capital Power will be referring to the Genesee Generating Station as a single facility in our portfolio (30 total facilities instead of 32 when counting all three units separately). More information: https://www.capitalpower.com/operations/genesee-generating-station Media Resources Media are welcome to use the following photos and videos for use when reporting on the Genesee Generating Station: https://capitalpower.mediavalet.com/galleries/9cd4d151-7f8f-48f9-8c1b-abc7392dbf49_956eea99-84ea-48b2-9973-b5febf8e5048-ExternalUser Other uses require written permission from Capital Power – please contact kperron@capitalpower.com for more information or to arrange an interview. Territorial Acknowledgement In the spirit of reconciliation, Capital Power respectfully acknowledges that we operate within the ancestral homelands, traditional and treaty territories of the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island, or North America. Capital Power’s head office is located within the traditional and contemporary home of many Indigenous Peoples of the Treaty 6 region and Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4. We acknowledge the diverse Indigenous communities that are located in these areas and whose presence continues to enrich the community. About Capital Power Capital Power (TSX: CPX) is a growth-oriented power producer with approximately 9,800 MW of power generation at 30 facilities across North America. We prioritize safely delivering reliable and affordable power communities can depend on, building clean power systems, and creating balanced solutions for our energy future. We are Powering Change by Changing PowerTM.NoneThe global economy is navigating uncharted waters. Geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions and political uncertainties dominate headlines, casting a shadow over economic growth and stability. As policy-makers worldwide grapple with these challenges, a Donald Trump has re-entered the global stage as US president-elect. However, it would be short sighted to believe that the geopolitical landscape is being shaped by one leader. Across continents, governments are responding to their electorates’ concerns by embracing strategies like friendshoring and nearshoring. While these approaches address local anxieties about globalization, they also raise the spectre of trade wars, an often-ineffective solution to deeply rooted challenges. Local anxiety driving global decisions Globalization, once seen as a driver of prosperity, is increasingly viewed with suspicion by many, with electorates becoming more vocal about job security, fair trade and national sovereignty. These concerns have prompted leaders to pivot towards more domestically-oriented economic strategies. Policies encouraging companies to move production closer to home or to allied nations reflect this shift. While such moves may alleviate voter concerns in the short term, they often come at a high cost. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that increasing trade restrictions could reduce global economic output by a staggering $7.4 trillion. The stakes are too high to let reactionary policies undermine long-term global growth. Trade wars: A misguided solution Trump’s imminent return to the White House now brings renewed attention to the topics of tariffs and trade wars as policy tools. Trump’s rhetoric on tariffs as a panacea for economic disparities resonates with segments of the electorate, but risks igniting economic conflicts that hurt all parties involved. During his first term as president, the US-China trade war disrupted supply chains, raised costs for businesses and imposed billions of dollars in economic damage on both sides. US farmers alone faced estimated losses exceeding $12 billion annually, prompting federal subsidies to offset the impact. Meanwhile, tariffs on Chinese goods drove up production costs for US manufacturers and consumer prices. The US Federal Reserve estimated the trade war reduced US GDP by 0.3% – equivalent to $62 billion – while global supply chain networks struggled to adapt, leading to higher prices and market volatility. Trump’s proposed trade policies for his second term, including broad tariffs on imports, could amplify these effects. While intended to protect US industries, such measures risk increasing inflation and hurting consumer spending power. The broader economic implications include heightened tensions with trade partners and potential retaliatory measures, exacerbating further global economic fragmentation. The question we face is this: Can we establish stronger frameworks to promote stability and sustainable growth in an era of rising protectionism? The answer lies in balance. We must heed the electorate’s concerns without dismantling the systems that underpin global prosperity. If we fail to address these issues, the consequences will be severe. Rising trade barriers and economic fragmentation could lead to a prolonged global recession. The IMF warns that reduced trade opportunities could hinder productivity, suppress wages and stifle technological advancement. For emerging economies, the impacts would be particularly devastating. Reduced trade opportunities could undermine industrialization efforts, exacerbate inequality and slow poverty reduction. Many developing nations rely heavily on export-led growth; disruptions to global supply chains would compromise their access to critical markets, increasing unemployment and social unrest. The broader implications are geopolitical as well as economic. Fragmented trade relationships risk deepening divides between nations, fostering mistrust and competition. In an interconnected world, such outcomes threaten the collective ability to address global challenges like climate change and energy transitions. To chart a sustainable path forward, we must embrace policies that strike a balance between local and global interests. Friendshoring and nearshoring can coexist with global cooperation if implemented thoughtfully. The goal should not be to isolate but to adapt – reshaping globalization to meet the needs of today’s interconnected world. Policy-makers must resist the allure of quick fixes. Instead, they should pursue policies that promote inclusivity, resilience and innovation. The global economy’s momentum can only be maintained through collaboration and shared responsibility. The current landscape is fraught with challenges, but it is also an opportunity to redefine the rules of engagement in the global economy. By addressing the root causes of voter anxieties and fostering international cooperation, we can build a more resilient and equitable system. As we navigate this era of uncertainty, let us remember that long-term growth is the ultimate prize. To secure it, we must better understand and navigate the interconnected nature of global shocks, electorate concerns and the need for cooperation. The path forward is complex, but with pragmatic leadership and a commitment to shared prosperity, it is within reach. Source: World Economic Forum

CHANDLER, Ariz. — History has been made as the St. Mary's Knights have become the first-ever champions of the 4A conference in girls flag football. This has been an incredible season for the No. 1 seed Knights, who defeated No. 2 Prescott, 10-7, in the state championship game. The Knights finished the season 13-0 after dominating their competition from the beginning of the season to the end. St. Mary's scored an average of 28.46 points per game, kept opponents from scoring eight times and only gave up more than seven points once, in their regular-season finale against Mesquite. Once the playoffs arrived, St. Mary's showed they wanted to raise the golden football with a 19-7 win over No. 16 Arcadia, 33-0 win over No. 9 Eastmark and 20-3 win over No. 5 Scottsdale Christian. The Knights were tested in the title game, however. After opening the scoring against Prescott with a touchdown late in the first half, the Badgers responded to tie the game right before halftime. The teams would play a scoreless second half until St. Mary's was able to make a field goal with 46.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give them the state championship. St. Mary's now goes down in the history books as the first team to ever win a state championship in 4A, as the conference was newly added this year. >> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone. Watch 12News+ for free You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app! The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV . 12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX." Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account , or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app. Friday Night Fever on YouTube Catch up on the latest Arizona high school football news and action on the 12News YouTube channel. And don't forget to subscribe!Amber Heard criticises social media in response to Blake Lively complaint

Conor McGregor found liable for sexual assault in Ireland

jili super ace mod apk ATM swap: Mohali man loses ₹2LNEW YORK — Same iconic statue, very different race. With two-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty leading the field, these certainly aren't your typical Heisman Trophy contenders. Sure, veteran quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel from top-ranked Oregon and Cam Ward of No. 15 Miami are finalists for college football's most prestigious award as well, but the 90th annual ceremony coming up Saturday night at Lincoln Center in New York City offers a fresh flavor this year. To start with, none of the four are from the powerhouse Southeastern Conference, which has produced four of the past five Heisman winners — two each from Alabama and LSU. Jeanty, who played his home games for a Group of Five team on that peculiar blue turf in Idaho more than 2,100 miles from Manhattan, is the first running back even invited to the Heisman party since 2017. After leading the country with 2,497 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns, he joined quarterback Kellen Moore (2010) as the only Boise State players to be named a finalist. "The running back position has been overlooked for a while now," said Jeanty, who plans to enter the 2025 NFL draft. "There's been a lot of great running backs before me that should have been here in New York, so to kind of carry on the legacy of the running back position I think is great. ... I feel as if I'm representing the whole position." With the votes already in, all four finalists spent Friday conducting interviews and sightseeing in the Big Apple. They were given custom, commemorative watches to mark their achievement. "I'm not a watch guy, but I like it," said Hunter, flashing a smile. The players also took photos beneath the massive billboards in Times Square and later posed with the famous Heisman Trophy, handed out since 1935 to the nation's most outstanding performer. Hunter, the heavy favorite, made sure not to touch it yet. A dominant player on both offense and defense who rarely comes off the field, the wide receiver/cornerback is a throwback to generations gone by and the first full-time, true two-way star in decades. On offense, he had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns this season to help the 20th-ranked Buffaloes (9-3) earn their first bowl bid in four years. On defense, he made four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and forced a critical fumble that secured an overtime victory against Baylor. Hunter played 688 defensive snaps and 672 more on offense — the only Power Four conference player with 30-plus snaps on both sides of the ball, according to Colorado research. Call him college football's answer to baseball unicorn Shohei Ohtani. "I think I laid the ground for more people to come in and go two ways," Hunter said. "It starts with your mindset. If you believe you can do it, then you'll be able to do it. And also, I do a lot of treatment. I keep up with my body. I get a lot of recovery." Hunter is Colorado's first Heisman finalist in 30 years. The junior from Suwanee, Georgia, followed flashy coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State, an HBCU that plays in the lower level FCS, to the Rocky Mountains and has already racked up a staggering combination of accolades this week, including The Associated Press player of the year. Hunter also won the Walter Camp Award as national player of the year, along with the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver. "It just goes to show that I did what I had to do," Hunter said. Next, he'd like to polish off his impressive hardware collection by becoming the second Heisman Trophy recipient in Buffaloes history, after late running back Rashaan Salaam in 1994. "I worked so hard for this moment, so securing the Heisman definitely would set my legacy in college football," Hunter said. "Being here now is like a dream come true." Jeanty carried No. 8 Boise State (12-1) to a Mountain West Conference championship that landed the Broncos the third seed in this year's College Football Playoff. They have a first-round bye before facing the SMU-Penn State winner in the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal on New Year's Eve. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound junior from Jacksonville, Florida, won the Maxwell Award as college football's top player and the Doak Walker Award for best running back. Jeanty has five touchdown runs of at least 70 yards and has rushed for the fourth-most yards in a season in FBS history — topping the total of 115 teams this year. He needs 132 yards to break the FBS record set by Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State in 1988. In a pass-happy era, however, Jeanty is trying to become the first running back to win the Heisman Trophy since Derrick Henry for Alabama nine years ago. In fact, quarterbacks have snagged the prize all but four times this century. Gabriel, an Oklahoma transfer, led Oregon (13-0) to a Big Ten title in its first season in the league and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The steady senior from Hawaii passed for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns with six interceptions. His 73.2% completion rate ranks second in the nation, and he's attempting to join quarterback Marcus Mariota (2014) as Ducks players to win the Heisman Trophy. "I think all the memories start to roll back in your mind," Gabriel said. Ward threw for 4,123 yards and led the nation with a school-record 36 touchdown passes for the high-scoring Hurricanes (10-2) after transferring from Washington State. The senior from West Columbia, Texas, won the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Year award and is looking to join QBs Vinny Testaverde (1986) and Gino Torretta (1992) as Miami players to go home with the Heisman. "I just think there's a recklessness that you have to play with at the quarterback position," Ward said. 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Is he a hero? A killer? Both? About the same time the #FreeLuigi memes featuring the mustachioed plumber from “Super Mario Brothers” mushroomed online, commenters shared memes showing Tony Soprano pronouncing Luigi Mangione , the man charged with murdering the UnitedHealthcare CEO in Manhattan , a hero. There were posts lionizing Mangione’s physique and appearance, the ones speculating about who could play him on “Saturday Night Live,” and the ones denouncing and even threatening people at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s for spotting him and calling police. It was all too much for Pennsylvania's governor, a rising Democrat who was nearly the vice presidential nominee this year. Josh Shapiro — dealing with a case somewhere else that happened to land in his lap — decried what he saw as growing support for “vigilante justice.” The curious case of Brian Thompson and Luigi Mangione captivated and polarized a media-saturated nation. It also offers a glimpse into how, in a connected world, so many different aspects of modern American life can be surreally linked — from public violence to politics, from health care to humor (or attempts at it) . It summons a question, too: How can so many people consider someone a hero when the rules that govern American society — the laws — are treating him as the complete opposite? Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, on Monday at the police station in Altoona, Pa. Writings found in Mangione's possession hinted at a vague hatred of corporate greed and an expression of anger toward “parasitic” health insurance companies. Bullets recovered from the crime scene had the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” reflecting words used by insurance industry critics, written on them. A number of online posts combine an apparent disdain for health insurers — with no mention of the loss of life. “He took action against private health insurance corporations is what he did. he was a brave italian martyr. in this house, luigi mangione is a hero, end of story!” one anonymous person said in a post on X that has nearly 2 million views. On Monday, Shapiro took issue with comments like those. It was an extraordinary moment that he tumbled into simply because Mangione was apprehended in Pennsylvania. Shapiro's comments — pointed, impassioned and, inevitably, political — yanked the conversation unfolding on so many people's phone screens into real life. “We do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint,” the governor said. “In a civil society, we are all less safe when ideologues engage in vigilante justice.” But to hear some of his fellow citizens tell it, that's not the case at all. Like Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, D.B. Cooper and other notorious names from the American past, Mangione is being cast as someone to admire. Luigi Nicholas Mangione is escorted into Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday in Hollidaysburg, Pa. Regina Bateson, an assistant political science professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, has studied vigilantism, the term to which Shapiro alluded. She doesn’t see this case as a good fit for the word, she says, because the victim wasn’t linked to any specific crime or offense. As she sees it, it's more akin to domestic terrorism. But Bateson views the threats against election workers , prosecutors and judges ticking up — plus the assassination attempts against President-elect Donald Trump this past summer — as possible signs that personal grievances or political agendas could erupt. “Americans are voicing more support for — or at least understanding of — political violence,” she said. Shapiro praised the police and the people of Blair County, who abided by a 9/11-era dictum of seeing something and saying something. The commenters have Mangione wrong, the governor said: “Hear me on this: He is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald’s this morning." A person demonstrates Monday near the McDonald's restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where police earlier in the day arrested Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, in the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO in Manhattan. Even shy of supporting violence, there are many instances of people who vent over how health insurers deny claims. Tim Anderson's wife, Mary, dealt with UnitedHealthcare coverage denials before she died from Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2022. “The business model for insurance is don’t pay,” Anderson, 67, of Centerville, Ohio, told The Associated Press . The discourse around the killing and Mangione is more than just memes. Conversations about the interconnectedness of various parts of American life are unfolding online as well. One Reddit user said he was banned for three days for supporting Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted after testifying he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot two people in 2020 during protests. “Do you think people are getting banned for supporting Luigi?” the poster wondered. The comments cover a lot of ground. They include people saying the UnitedHealthcare slaying isn't a “right or left issue" and wondering what it would take to get knocked off the platform. “You probably just have to cross the line over into promoting violence,” one commenter wrote. “Not just laughing about how you don’t care about this guy.” Luigi Mangione is taken into the Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday in Hollidaysburg, Pa. Memes and online posts in support of the 26-year-old man, who's charged with killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO, have mushroomed online. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.The leaders of the ruling NDA alliance are scheduled to meet at BJP president JP Nadda's residence on Wednesday to attend the prayer programme to commemorate former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birth centenary year. ET Year-end Special Reads Top 10 equity mutual funds of the year. Do you have any? How India flexed its global power muscles in 2024 2024 was the year India became the talk of America The BJP, like previous years, has requested all its NDA allies to attend the prayer programme. The BJP has been holding prayer meetings on the birth anniversary of its stalwart leader every year. The meeting at Nadda's residence is being termed as a regular feature of the NDA allies but it assumes importance as it is happening at a time when the Opposition is trying to corner the BJP on Union home minister Amit Shah's remarks on BR Ambedkar. Sources in NDA said the BJP may also discuss several other issues, including future course of action on two crucial draft legislations - Waqf Amendment Bill and the Constitution Amendment Bill for 'One Nation, One Election'. Sources in the BJP said these meetings are a regular feature to keep strengthening the coordination among the allies and also that the allies should be on the same page on crucial political issues. 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10 Things That Could Get You Fired From CostcoBy JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Democrats and business groups warn of risks from Trump’s tariff threats Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump’s first term tariffs had a modest impact on economy Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. Trump wants much more far-reaching tariffs going forward The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.

United States national team captain Christian Pulisic was forced off the field with an injury during the first half of AC Milan 's 2-1 loss to Atalanta on Friday. The 26-year-old was replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the 38th minute of the match at Atalanta's Gewiss Stadium after being fouled by midfielder Mario Pašalić. The American sat down on the ground in pain, touching his ankle and calf. Despite attempting to play through the discomfort, he signaled to the bench for a substitution. Pulisic was then helped off the field and replaced with the score tied at 1-1. Ademola Lookman scored a late winner for Atalanta that sent the hosts top of Serie A and stretched their winning streak to nine games in all competitions. In his second season with Milan, Pulisic has scored eight goals and provided six assists in 19 games. Pulisic's injury is a concern for his club ahead of a crucial Champions League match against Red Star Belgrade next Wednesday.Niger proposes N1.2tr for 2025 fiscal year

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Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau flies to Florida to meet with Trump after tariffs threat WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has flown to Florida to have dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Trump's picks for commerce secretary, interior secretary and national security adviser, and the three men's wives. From the Canadian side, the dinner guests included Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security. Trump’s transition did not respond to questions about what they had discussed or whether the conversation alleviated Trump’s concerns about the border. A smiling Trudeau declined comment upon returning to his West Palm Beach hotel late Friday. Emboldened 'manosphere' accelerates threats and demeaning language toward women after US election CHICAGO (AP) — An emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers has seized on Donald Trump’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice,” and have been using it publicly on college campuses and even in public schools. While none of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump, experts say many young men see the former president’s return to the White House as vindication of their views on women. For many women, the words are a worrying sign of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. Syrian insurgents are inside Aleppo in a major setback for Assad as government forces regroup BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of Syrian insurgents have fanned out inside Syria's largest city Aleppo a day after storming it with little resistance from government troops. Syria's army said troops have redeployed to prepare for a counteroffensive. Witnesses said insurgents were seen Saturday at landmarks in Aleppo for the first time since 2016, when they were expelled by government forces backed by Russia and Iran. The surprise offensive is a major embarrassment for Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has regained total control of the city eight years ago. An Israeli strike in Gaza kills workers with World Central Kitchen charity DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on a car in the Gaza Strip on Saturday killed five people including employees of World Central Kitchen. The charity says it is “urgently seeking more details” after Israel’s military said it targeted a WCK worker who had been part of the Hamas attack that sparked the war. The charity in an email says it is “heartbroken” by the airstrike and that it had no knowledge anyone in the car had alleged ties to the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, saying it is “working with incomplete information.” It says it is pausing operations in Gaza. Lebanese fisherman hope ceasefire with Israel means normal life returning TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is bringing hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon. That includes fishermen who’ve long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn. For months, Israel imposed a siege that kept hundreds of fishermen at this ancient Phoenician port ashore. That upended their lives and dealt the industry a major blow. The port siege also cut people off from key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes. As war devastated their country, the loss of fish damaged a deep association with home. Now, the possibility of renewed fishing is helping fuel hope. How Brazilian police say Bolsonaro plotted a coup to stay in office SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have formally accused former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others of plotting a coup to keep him in office. The plot was allegedly comprised of several components and substantiated by evidence and testimony in the agency's 884-page report. The pieces of the puzzle include laying the groundwork by systematically sowing distrust of the electoral system among the populace. It also includes drafting a decree to give the plot a veneer of legal basis and pressuring top military brass to go along with the plan. Bolsonaro and his main allies have denied any wrongdoing or involvement and accuse authorities of political persecution. More than 100 arrested as Georgian police clash with protesters over suspension of EU talks TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — More than 100 demonstrators were arrested overnight in Georgia as protesters clashed with police following the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union, the country’s Interior Ministry said. Friday marked the second straight night of protests after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the country’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced the suspension the previous day. The Associated Press saw protesters in Tbilisi being chased and beaten by police as demonstrators rallied in front of the country's parliament building. The violence follows Georgian Dream’s disputed victory in the Oct. 26 election, which was widely seen as a referendum on the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. Romania's parliamentary vote risks being overshadowed by presidential race chaos BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are preparing to go to the polls in a parliamentary vote that will determine a new government and prime minister to lead the European Union and NATO member country. However, Sunday's vote is sandwiched between a two-round presidential race and is overshadowed by controversies and chaos following the outcome of the first vote. While the president has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security and foreign policy, the prime minister is the head of the nation’s government. Sunday’s vote will determine the formation of the country’s 466-seat legislature. North Korea's Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will “invariably support” Russia’s war in Ukraine as he met Russia's visiting defense chief. A Russia military delegation led by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday as international concerns about the two countries’ expanding cooperation deepened after North Korea sent thousands of troops to Russia. During a Friday meeting, Kim and Belousov reached “a satisfactory consensus” on issues on how to further boost strategic partnership and defend each country’s sovereignty and security interests, state media said. Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest forecast to be hit with snow and dangerous cold into next week BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The first big snowfall of the season is threatening to bury towns in New York along lakes Erie and Ontario as the hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend winds down. Numbing cold and heavy snow could persist into next week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions. A state of emergency was declared for parts of New York, making it problematic for scores of Thanksgiving travelers trying to return home. This week’s blast of frigid Arctic air also brought bitterly cold temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average to the Northern Plains. Cold air was expected to move over the eastern third of the U.S. by Monday, the weather service said, with temperatures about 10 degrees below average.

BRUSSELS Some member states of the EU already have plans to reopen their embassies in the Syrian capital Damascus, a top EU official said Friday. A high-ranking official of the European Union told Anadolu correspondent that some member states have plans to reopen or reoccupy their embassies in Damascus following the fall of Assad regime in Syria. "There are solutions for every single political problem in Syria in the framework of the Syria territorial integrity and independence and sovereignty." Saying that the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) does not want to be called al-Jolani anymore, wants to be called by his name, the EU official said "that is also a good progress." "We can establish the difference between the provisional government, in Idlib and the HTS who was there." Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party rule, which had been in power in Syria since 1963. Like many countries, EU also welcomed the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. "The end of Syrian President Bashar Assad's dictatorship is "a positive and long-awaited development," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a statement Sunday.Convergence Financial LLC Has $5.44 Million Stock Holdings in Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)

Gwamnatin Benue ta ba da hutun mako 2

Former cricketer Vinod Kambli is hospitalised and facing financial difficulties. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde extended Rs 5 lakh in aid to support Kambli’s treatment. The gesture follows public concern after a viral video highlighted Kambli’s health struggles at a recent event. Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday announced Rs 5 lakh aid to former cricketer Vind Kambli, who is admitted to the ICU of a private hospital in Thane after his health worsened last Saturday. Kambli (52), whose only source of income is the pension from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is struggling to manage the high costs of his medical treatment. In a positive turn of events, support has started pouring in for Kambli from various quarters. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has stepped forward to assist Kambli, offering financial aid of ₹5 lakh for his treatment. Shinde’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Mangesh Chivate, visited Kambli at the hospital to check on his condition and ensure that his treatment goes on without any shortcomings. Chivate also consulted with the attending doctors to gather details about Kambli’s health and reiterated Shinde’s commitment to providing necessary assistance. Expressing his appreciation, Kambli thanked Deputy CM Eknath Shinde for the generous support and requested him to visit the hospital. Reports suggest that Shinde, along with his son and Member of Parliament Shrikant Shinde, is expected to meet Kambli in the coming days. Vinod Kambli health update Kambli was admitted to the ICU of Akruti Hospital near Bhiwandi town on Saturday for treatment of urinary tract infections. On Tuesday, he developed a fever but his condition remains stable, according to doctors treating him. He is likely to be shifted out of the ICU in the next one or two days and discharges from the hospital in about four days. Kambli’s viral video with Sachin Tendulkar raised concerns Kambli has frequently made headlines, often finding himself in the public eye for various reasons. Recently, a video featuring Kambli and legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar went viral, reigniting interest in Kambli’s life and struggles. During a recent event attended by both Tendulkar and Kambli, Kambli attempted to greet his old friend but was unable to stand from his chair. Later in the same programme, he performed a song in memory of his coach, the late Ramakant Achrekar, but his voice trembled and his words faltered. The incident touched many, prompting offers of support from well-wishers. Click for more latest India news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Ashish Verma is a digital media journalist with a career spanning over a decade in the industry. He writes on all things breaking, politics, crime and global affairs while striving to eye the details to put out informative and factually correct copies. When not in the newsroom, Ashish spends his time watching Marvel movies, cooking, checking out sneakers, and catching up on what Elon Musk is up to.Smartwatches are much more than simply timepieces in the fast-paced world of today. They are fashionable accessories, health monitors, and personal fitness trackers. Now is the ideal moment to upgrade your wristwear because of the Myntra End of Reason Sale. There is a smartwatch to fit your demands, whether you're an athlete, a tech fanatic, or just trying to remain in touch. Come along as we examine the top smartwatches on Myntra to help you choose wisely and improve your way of life Smartwatches are much more than simply timepieces in the fast-paced world of today. They are fashionable accessories, health monitors, and personal fitness trackers. Now is the ideal moment to upgrade your wristwear because of the Myntra End of Reason Sale. There is a smartwatch to fit your demands, whether you're an athlete, a tech fanatic, or just trying to remain in touch. Come along as we examine the top smartwatches on Myntra to help you choose wisely and improve your way of life 1. NOISE Icon 2 1.8'' HD Display with Metallic Body and Bluetooth Calling Smartwatch Image Source- Myntra.com Order Now The NOISE Icon 2 is a sleek and feature-packed smartwatch that offers a lot for its price. With its stylish design and a range of health and fitness features, it's perfect for those who want to stay connected and active. Key Features: 2. boAt Unisex Wave Fury Bluetooth Calling With Upto 30 Days Battery Life HD Smartwatch Image Source- Myntra.com Order Now The boAt Wave Fury is a powerful smartwatch that offers a wide range of features, from fitness tracking to smart notifications. 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Now is the ideal moment to upgrade your wristwear because the Myntra End of Reason Sale is currently going on. There is a smartwatch for everyone, whether it's the colourful display and fitness modes of the boAt Ultima Connect Max, the smooth connectivity of the NOISE ColorFit Icon Buzz, or the stylish metallic style of the NOISE Icon 2. These state-of-the-art gadgets are the ideal lifestyle partners because they not only keep you connected but also assist you in tracking your fitness and health. Don't pass up the opportunity to improve your daily life. Disclaimer: The above mentioned article is a sponsored feature. This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever. Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.

Katherine Schwarzenegger gave Us a peek at her and Chris Pratt ’s newborn baby. “November 🩵,” Schwarzenegger, 34, captioned a photo dump of special moments from last month shared via Instagram on Friday, December 6. The first photo in the carousel of images was Schwarzenegger and Pratt’s newborn son, Ford. While the little one’s face was hidden from the camera, Schwarzenegger showed off her baby’s tiny feet as he donned a pair of fuzzy cream socks in a a matching onesie. Schwarzenegger also shared a snap of a onesie with Ford’s name emblazoned on the top with an American flag print design. Pratt, 45, and Schwarzenegger’s daughters, Lyla, 4, and Eloise, 2, were featured as they wore matching Grinch dresses, rocked holiday-themed hair accessories and showed off their red-painted fingernails. In addition to showing off life as a mother of three, Schwarzenegger posted a throwback pic from when she was pregnant with her son. The author donned a light pink sweater maxi dress as she cradled her bump while waiting for the arrival of her son. Pratt and Schwarzenegger announced the birth of their son last month via social media. “We are overjoyed to announce the birth of our son, Ford Fitzgerald Schwarzenegger Pratt,” the couple shared in a joint Instagram statement. “Mama and baby are doing well and Ford’s siblings are thrilled by his arrival. We feel so blessed and grateful.” Schwarzenegger and Pratt tied the knot in June 2019 after one year of dating. The following year, the pair welcomed daughter Lyla. Two years later, they expanded their family with daughter Eloise. Pratt is also the father of son Jack, whom he shares with ex-wife Anna Faris . (Pratt and Faris were married from 2009 to 2018 and welcomed their son in August 2012.) Pratt and Schwarzenegger confirmed they were expecting baby No. 3 in July after the actor posted a photo of his wife with her bump on full display. Schwarzenegger previously told Us Weekly that she and Pratt were open to having more children since she comes from a “big family.” (Katherine is the daughter of Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger .) You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News “I love the idea of having a lot of kids around and a big family,” she said in October 2022. “Whatever God has in his plan for us is what we’ll do.” Katherine added that when it comes to parenting advice she often turns to her mother. “I feel really lucky to be able to have obviously an amazing role model in my mom, and just being able to see how she balances it all,” she gushed. “Just learning from her, being able to bounce things off of her and, at the end of the day, just knowing that family time is the most important time.”Watch: Cheslin ‘Santa’ Kolbe gets his home Christmas-ready

AP News Summary at 11:51 a.m. EST

Back in 1979, Sony cofounder Masaru Ibuka was looking for a way to listen to classical music on long-haul flights. In response, his company's engineers dreamed up the Walkman, ordering 30,000 units for an initial production run. Forty-five years later, Sony has sold over 400 million Walkmans and incited a revolution in music technology. While there are still Walkmans for sale, most use iPhones and Androids to tune in nowadays. Sony Walkman sound engineer Sato Hiroaki, who joined the company in 1986 while the device was at its peak, sees remnants of the Walkman in our... Henry Chandonnet

London, Nov 22 (AP) Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new UK digital rules taking effect next year. The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said. “This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices,” the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on “mobile ecosystems”. The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers “the clearest or easiest option”. And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two US Big Tech companies “significantly reduces their financial incentives” to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones. Both companies said they will “engage constructively” with the CMA. Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security. Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system “has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's “committed to open platforms that empower consumers.” It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the dominance of Big Tech companies. US federal prosecutors this week unveiled their proposals to force Google to sell off its Chrome browser as they target its monopoly in online search. The CMA's final report is due by March. The watchdog indicated it would recommend using the UK's new digital competition rulebook set to take effect next year, which includes new powers to rein in tech companies, to prioritise further investigation into Apple's and Google's “activities in mobile ecosystems". (AP) PY PY (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)One of the most controversial pieces of the short-term that helped tank last week was a provision that would have allowed members of Congress to receive a modest . As Musk argued against the so-called "continuing resolution" in a stream of posts on X, he said that lawmakers were set to receive a 40% salary increase if the bill passed. In reality, it would have at most been a $6,600 pay bump for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate, or 3.8% of their $174,000 annual salary, the Congressional Research Service. Nonetheless, that provision wasn't included in the that emerged — and was signed into law — after two days of on Capitol Hill. That's despite from lawmakers in that increasing the congressional salary is necessary to ensure that less wealthy people are able to serve and aren't lured away by higher salaries in the private sector, even if the optics are poor. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican and staunch supporter of President-elect , told reporters last week that the demands and responsibilities of the job made serving in Congress "not affordable" for those who weren't already wealthy like him. "If we're not careful, you're only going to get the individuals that are millionaires-plus that's able to serve in Congress, and that's not what it's supposed to be," Mullin said. "It's supposed to be the people's house." $174,000 is far more than the average household income, but that salary . Accounting for inflation, that means lawmakers' salaries have essentially decreased by more than 30% in the last 15 years. Members of Congress also face unique demands, including the need to maintain two residences — one in Washington, DC, the other in their home district — and those who can't afford it often opt to . Experts have also said it's simply a matter of good governance: If lawmakers are paid well, they're less incentivized to by becoming lobbyists after their tenure. "I tell people, the worst financial decision I ever made was running for Congress," Mullin said jokingly. The provision tucked into the original funding bill technically was not a raise, but rather allowed an automatic cost-of-living increase that was originally established by the 1989 Ethics Reform Act. Those annual adjustments, which are typically single-digit percentage salary increases, are designed to avoid the optics of lawmakers voting to increase their own pay. Rep. Joe Morelle, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, sought to downplay the notion that members were even receiving a raise. "It just complies with existing law," Morelle told BI last week. "There's nothing extraordinary about it." Congress has nonetheless chosen to block those adjustments every year since 2009, owing to both inertia and the political unpopularity of increasing lawmakers' salaries. Earlier this year, a cohort of current and former lawmakers filed a over those denials, arguing their wages had been "unconstitutionally suppressed." The politics of raising wages on Capitol remains toxic, however. As word spread on Wednesday about the cost of living adjustment in the ball, lawmakers in both parties came out against it. "I cannot and will not vote to give myself more money when my constituents are feeling unbelievable financial pressure," Rep. Pat Ryan, a Democrat who represents a New York swing seat, said in a statement that day. "Congress should be focused on lowering costs for the American people, not giving ourselves a raise. If this provision isn't removed, I will be voting against the continuing resolution." Ultimately, the cost of living adjustment was blocked once more. Elon Musk did not respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on

India's first Constitution Museum opened at the O P Jindal Global University is designed to provide the citizens with a deep and engaging exploration of the Constitution's essential elements and key provisions that helped shape the nation. The first-of-its-kind museum was inaugurated by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday in the presence of university chancellor and BJP MP Naveen Jindal. At the museum, the visitors can immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of pre-Independence India through a 360-degree visual spectacle. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and multimedia storytelling, the exhibit unfolds the chronological tapestry of events leading to the drafting of the Constitution. The aim is to make the Constitution both accessible and relevant, demonstrating how its values and ideals have shaped the nation, Professor C Raj Kumar, founding vice-chancellor of the university, said. "All of us just visited the Constitution Museum. It was certainly an amazing experience, far beyond what I had imagined," Naveen Jindal said. "I plan to spend a whole day at the museum as it would teach me a lot more about the Constitution than by just reading it," Jindal added. A collaboration between the O P Jindal Global University and IIT Madras, the museum offers a unique experience through a tour guide robot called �SAMVID' to commemorate the most significant document that defines India as a republic, Kumar said. The museum is dedicated to commemorating the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution on November 26, 1949. On display at the museum is one of the 1,000 photolithographic reproductions of the Constitution. The elaborately crafted original edition which took nearly five years to complete bears the signatures of the framers of the Constitution. Prem Behari Narain Raizada rendered the calligraphy, while Nandalal Bose and other artists illustrated the original text. The manuscript was published in Dehradun and photolithographed by the Survey of India. Anjchita B Nair, CEO, Culture, and Head, Centre for Museums, has curated the museum emphasising how it steers away from the typical unidirectional tone taken by conventional museums using a multitude of formats for innovative storytelling. The museum specifically highlights the role of the women members of the Constituent Assembly with animations about their lives highlighting their contributions to the making of an Independent India. To commemorate the memory of nearly 300 members of the Constituent Assembly, sculptured busts of each of them have been placed at the museum to recognise their contributions. The gallery also explores the global inspirations and historical frameworks that influenced the creation of the Constitution, highlighting how these ideas were reimagined and adapted to suit the unique needs and aspirations of India's diverse populace. The mezzanine floor holds a hologram exhibit of B R Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Constitution. The installation brings his words and vision to life, allowing visitors to experience his legacy first-hand. The answers have been crafted based on his speeches and writings. Also, the artworks displayed at the museum are anticipated to be a major attraction for the visitors. Rajesh P Subramanian's sculpture 'We, The People of India' embodies 'unity in diversity', a core constitutional principle. In 'Echoes of Liberty', Rahul Gautam creates a mural that fuses elements from the constitutional manuscripts with modern design. Harsha Durugadda's 'Triad of Unity' links themes of unity, justice and sovereignty, while Nishant S Kumbhatil's creation 'Insaaf Ki Devi' portrays lady justice holding a balance, a powerful emblem of impartiality in Indian law. Pradeep B Jogdand's 'Equality Before Law' symbolises equality and justice, while 'Freedom' by K R Nariman celebrates 'We, the People' who uphold constitutional values in their daily lives as citizens. Rahul Gautam's second work 'Founding Mothers' represents an imagined photograph featuring the 15 women members of the Constituent Assembly, honouring their contributions to shaping the country's constitutional framework.Inside Caprice's family Christmas with adorable traditions her 10 year old sons lovejili super star 。

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 9, 2024-- Zuora, Inc. (NYSE: ZUO), a leading monetization suite for modern business, today announced financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended October 31, 2024. Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results: Descriptions of our non-GAAP financial measures are contained in the section titled "Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below and reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures are contained in the tables below. Proposed Acquisition; Conference Call and Guidance On October 17, 2024, we announced that Zuora entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Silver Lake, the global leader in technology investing, in partnership with an affiliate of GIC Pte. Ltd. (“GIC”). The transaction is valued at $1.7 billion, with Silver Lake and GIC to acquire all outstanding shares of Zuora common stock for $10.00 per share in cash. The acquisition is expected to close in the first calendar quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions and approvals, including the receipt of the required regulatory approvals. Upon completion of the transaction, Zuora will become a privately held company. Given the proposed acquisition of Zuora, we will not be holding a conference call or live webcast to discuss Zuora's third quarter of fiscal 2025 financial results, we will not be providing any forward looking guidance, and we are withdrawing all previously provided goals, outlook, and guidance. Key Operational and Financial Metrics: Explanation of Key Operational and Financial Metrics: Annual Contract Value (ACV) . We define ACV as the subscription revenue we would contractually expect to recognize from a customer over the next twelve months, assuming no increases or reductions in their subscriptions. We define the number of customers at the end of any particular period as the number of parties or organizations that have entered into a distinct subscription contract with us and for which the term has not ended. Each party with whom we have entered into a distinct subscription contract is considered a unique customer, and in some cases, there may be more than one customer within a single organization. Dollar-based Retention Rate (DBRR) . We calculate DBRR as of a period end by starting with the sum of the ACV from all customers as of twelve months prior to such period end, or prior period ACV. We then calculate the sum of the ACV from these same customers as of the current period end, or current period ACV. Current period ACV includes any upsells and also reflects contraction or attrition over the trailing twelve months but excludes revenue from new customers added in the current period. We then divide the current period ACV by the prior period ACV to arrive at our dollar-based retention rate. Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). ARR represents the annualized recurring value at the time of initial booking or contract modification for all active subscription contracts at the end of a reporting period. ARR excludes the value of non-recurring revenue such as professional services revenue as well as contracts with new customers with a term of less than one year. ARR should be viewed independently of revenue and deferred revenue, and is not intended to be a substitute for, or combined with, any of these items. ARR growth is calculated by dividing the ARR as of a period end by the ARR for the corresponding period end of the prior fiscal year. Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures: In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release and the accompanying tables contain non-GAAP financial measures including: non-GAAP cost of subscription revenue; non-GAAP subscription gross margin; non-GAAP cost of professional services revenue; non-GAAP professional services gross margin; non-GAAP gross profit; non-GAAP gross margin; non-GAAP income from operations; non-GAAP operating margin; non-GAAP net income; non-GAAP net income per share; and adjusted free cash flow. The presentation of these financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. We use non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with GAAP measures as part of our overall assessment of our performance, including the preparation of our annual operating budget and quarterly forecasts, to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies and to communicate with our Board of Directors concerning our financial performance. We believe these non-GAAP measures provide investors consistency and comparability with our past financial performance and facilitate period-to-period comparisons of our operating results. We also believe these non-GAAP measures are useful in evaluating our operating performance compared to that of other companies in our industry, as they generally eliminate the effects of certain items that may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance. We exclude the following items from one or more of our non-GAAP financial measures: Additionally, we disclose "adjusted free cash flow", which is a non-GAAP measure that includes adjustments to operating cash flows for cash impacts related to Shareholder matters and Acquisition-related expenses described above, and net purchases of property and equipment. We include the impact of net purchases of property and equipment in our adjusted free cash flow calculation because we consider these capital expenditures to be a necessary component of our ongoing operations. We believe this measure is meaningful to investors because management reviews cash flows generated from operations excluding such expenditures that are not related to our ongoing operations. Investors are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool. The non-GAAP measures we use may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. We compensate for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP items excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as “believes,” “may,” “will,” “determine,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continues,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “expects,” “could,” “would,” “projects,” “plans,” “targets,” “strategy,” “likely,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding the proposed acquisition of Zuora, including the expected timing of the closing of the acquisition, and expectations for Zuora following the completion of the acquisition. Forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations as of the date of this filing and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, risks detailed in our Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2024 as well as other documents that may be filed by us from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2024. In particular, the following factors, among others, could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: the possibility that the closing conditions to the proposed acquisition are not satisfied (or waived), including the risk that required approvals from Zuora’s stockholders for the proposed acquisition or required regulatory approvals to consummate the acquisition are not obtained in a timely manner (or at all); the outcome of the current complaint and any potential litigation relating to the proposed acquisition; uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed acquisition; the ability of each party to consummate the proposed acquisition; our ability to attract new customers and retain and expand sales to existing customers; our ability to manage our future revenue and profitability plans effectively; adoption of monetization platform software and related solutions, as well as consumer adoption of products and services that are provided through such solutions; our ability to develop and release new products and services, or successful enhancements, new features and modifications; challenges related to growing our relationships with strategic partners; loss of key employees; our ability to compete in our markets; adverse impacts on our business and financial condition due to macroeconomic or market conditions; the impact of actions to improve operational efficiencies and operating costs; our history of net losses and ability to achieve or sustain profitability; market acceptance of our products; the success of our product development efforts; risks associated with currency exchange rate fluctuations; risks associated with our debt obligations; successful deployment of our solutions by customers after entering into a subscription agreement with us; the success of our sales and product initiatives; our security measures; our ability to adequately protect our intellectual property; interruptions or performance problems; litigation and other shareholder related costs; the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and ability to integrate operations and technology of any acquired company; geopolitical conflicts or destabilizing events; other business effects, including those related to industry, market, economic, political, regulatory and global health conditions and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. We undertake no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Important Information and Where to Find It In connection with the proposed acquisition, Zuora has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a proxy statement in preliminary form on November 25, 2024, a definitive version of which will be mailed or otherwise provided to its stockholders. The Company and affiliates of the Company have jointly filed a transaction statement on Schedule 13E-3 (the Schedule 13E-3). Zuora may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the potential transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, ZUORA’S STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND THE SCHEDULE 13E-3 IN THEIR ENTIRETY AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement, the Schedule 13E-3 and other documents that Zuora files with the SEC from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and Zuora’s website at investor.zuora.com . In addition, the proxy statement, the Schedule 13E-3 and other documents filed by Zuora with the SEC (when available) may be obtained from Zuora free of charge by directing a request to Zuora’s Investor Relations at investorrelations@zuora.com . Participants in the Solicitation Zuora and certain of its directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Zuora’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of Zuora in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their respective direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise will be set forth in the proxy statement and Schedule 13E-3 and other materials to be filed with the SEC. You may also find additional information about Zuora’s directors and executive officers in Zuora’s proxy statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on May 16, 2024 (the “Annual Meeting Proxy Statement”). To the extent holdings of securities by potential participants (or the identity of such participants) have changed since the information printed in the Annual Meeting Proxy Statement, such information has been or will be reflected in Zuora’s Statements of Change in Ownership on Forms 3 and 4 filed with the SEC. You can obtain free copies of these documents from Zuora using the contact information above. About Zuora, Inc. Zuora provides a leading monetization suite to build, run and grow a modern business through a dynamic mix of usage-based models, subscription bundles and everything in between. From pricing and packaging, to billing, payments and revenue accounting, Zuora’s flexible, modular software platform is designed to help companies evolve monetization strategies with customer demand. More than 1,000 customers around the world, including BMC Software, Box, Caterpillar, General Motors, The New York Times, Schneider Electric and Zoom use Zuora’s leading combination of technology and expertise to turn recurring relationships and recurring revenue into recurring growth. Zuora is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in the Americas, EMEA and APAC. To learn more, please visit zuora.com . © 2024 Zuora, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Zuora, Subscribed, Subscription Economy, Powering the Subscription Economy, Subscription Economy Index, Zephr, and Subscription Experience Platform are trademarks or registered trademarks of Zuora, Inc. Third party trademarks mentioned above are owned by their respective companies. Nothing in this press release should be construed to the contrary, or as an approval, endorsement or sponsorship by any third parties of Zuora, Inc. or any aspect of this press release. SOURCE: ZUORA, INC. (1) Stock-based compensation expense was recorded in the following cost and expense categories: (1) For the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, GAAP and Non-GAAP net (loss) income per share are calculated based upon 152.3 million and 141.5 million basic and diluted weighted-average shares of common stock, respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, GAAP and Non-GAAP net (loss) income per share are calculated based upon 149.5 million and 138.8 million basic and diluted weighted-average shares of common stock, respectively. 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It looked like there was an episode of “Power Slap” taking place in the stands during the UCLA-USC football game on Saturday. In a video that made its way around social media , a female fan, who wore a UCLA bucket hat slapped a male fan while he was sitting in the stands at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.. The blonde woman stood over the man — who was wearing a red sweatshirt, a Trojans color — wound her arm back and struck him hard as fans nearby were visibly stunned by the incident. Warning: Adult Language “Woah woah woah, what the f–k,” someone can be heard yelling. “What the hell!” The woman caught herself after the force of her haymaker caused her to stumble. The man in the red sweatshirt was seen touching his face to assess any damage before looked up at the woman and raised his hands in the air. Fans nearby looked on while the woman took a few steps back while staring down the man. It is unclear if the two knew each other or what sparked the vicious scene. The fans have yet to be identified. It is also unclear if stadium security or authorities intervened. Despite the ongoings in the stands, the Trojans rallied back to defeat the rival Bruins 19-13 and became bowl-eligible. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava passed for 221 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown to Ja’Kobi Lane in the fourth quarter.

How Trump’s bet on voters electing him managed to silence some of his legal woesBy ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after the Jan. 6, 2021 , U.S. Capitol attack, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department was committed to holding accountable all perpetrators “at any level” for “the assault on our democracy.” That bold declaration won’t apply to at least one person: Donald Trump. Special counsel Jack Smith’s move on Monday to abandon the federal election interference case against Trump means jurors will likely never decide whether the president-elect is criminally responsible for his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 campaign. The decision to walk away from the election charges and the separate classified documents case against Trump marks an abrupt end of the Justice Department’s unprecedented legal effort that once threatened his liberty but appears only to have galvanized his supporters. The abandonment of the cases accusing Trump of endangering American democracy and national security does away with the most serious legal threats he was facing as he returns to the White House. It was the culmination of a monthslong defense effort to delay the proceedings at every step and use the criminal allegations to Trump’s political advantage, putting the final word in the hands of voters instead of jurors. “We always knew that the rich and powerful had an advantage, but I don’t think we would have ever believed that somebody could walk away from everything,” said Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law professor and former Justice Department official. “If there ever was a Teflon defendant, that’s Donald Trump.” While prosecutors left the door open to the possibility that federal charges could be re-filed against Trump after he leaves office, that seems unlikely. Meanwhile, Trump’s presidential victory has thrown into question the future of the two state criminal cases against him in New York and Georgia. Trump was supposed to be sentenced on Tuesday after his conviction on 34 felony counts in his New York hush money case , but it’s possible the sentencing could be delayed until after Trump leaves office, and the defense is pushing to dismiss the case altogether. Smith’s team stressed that their decision to abandon the federal cases was not a reflection of the merit of the charges, but an acknowledgement that they could not move forward under longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Trump’s presidential victory set “at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: On the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law,” prosecutors wrote in court papers. The move just weeks after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris underscores the immense personal stake Trump had in the campaign in which he turned his legal woes into a political rallying cry. Trump accused prosecutors of bringing the charges in a bid to keep him out of the White House, and he promised revenge on his perceived enemies if he won a second term. “If Donald J. Trump had lost an election, he may very well have spent the rest of his life in prison,” Vice President-elect JD Vance, wrote in a social media post on Monday. “These prosecutions were always political. Now it’s time to ensure what happened to President Trump never happens in this country again.” After the Jan. 6 attack by Trump supporters that left more than 100 police officers injured, Republican leader Mitch McConnell and several other Republicans who voted to acquit Trump during his Senate impeachment trial said it was up to the justice system to hold Trump accountable. The Jan. 6 case brought last year in Washington alleged an increasingly desperate criminal conspiracy to subvert the will of voters after Trump’s 2020 loss, accusing Trump of using the angry mob of supporters that attacked the Capitol as “a tool” in his campaign to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence and obstruct the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. Hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters — many of whom have said they felt called to Washington by Trump — have pleaded guilty or been convicted by juries of federal charges at the same courthouse where Trump was supposed to stand trial last year. As the trial date neared, officials at the courthouse that sits within view of the Capitol were busy making plans for the crush of reporters expected to cover the historic case. But Trump’s argument that he enjoyed absolute immunity from prosecution quickly tied up the case in appeals all the way up to the Supreme Court. The high court ruled in July that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution , and sent the case back to the trial court to decide which allegations could move forward. But the case was dismissed before the trial court could get a chance to do so. Related Articles National Politics | How Trump’s deportations could cost California ‘hundreds of billions of dollars’ National Politics | Auto industry’s shift toward EVs is expected to go on despite Trump threat to kill tax credits National Politics | CDC chief urges focus on health threats as agency confronts political changes National Politics | Trump’s latest tariff plan aims at multiple countries. What does it mean for the US? National Politics | Trump won about 2.5M more votes than in 2020, some in unexpected places The other indictment brought in Florida accused Trump of improperly storing at his Mar-a-Lago estate sensitive documents on nuclear capabilities, enlisting aides and lawyers to help him hide records demanded by investigators and cavalierly showing off a Pentagon “plan of attack” and classified map. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case in July on grounds that Smith was illegally appointed . Smith appealed to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but abandoned that appeal on Monday. Smith’s team said it would continue its fight in the appeals court to revive charges against Trump’s two co-defendants because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” In New York, jurors spent weeks last spring hearing evidence in a state case alleging a Trump scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex. New York prosecutors recently expressed openness to delaying sentencing until after Trump’s second term, while Trump’s lawyers are fighting to have the conviction dismissed altogether. In Georgia, a trial while Trump is in office seems unlikely in a state case charging him and more than a dozen others with conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. The case has been on hold since an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Associated Press reporter Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed.

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NoneCOLUMBUS, Ohio — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score, and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15 on Saturday. All Ohio State (10-1, 7-1) has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. The Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1) had their best chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and disrupted by an Ohio State defense that sacked quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times. Howard finished 22 for 26 for 201 yards. Emeka Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a TD. NO. 25 ILLINOIS 38, RUTGERS 31: Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending Illinois to a wild road victory over Rutgers. Illinois (8-3, 5-3) was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched in a game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07. IOWA 29, MARYLAND 13: Kaleb Johnson rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 35 carries, and Kamari Moulton scored on a 68-yard run in the fourth quarter to help Iowa outlast Maryland in College Park. Johnson scored from 2 yards out in the second quarter for his 21st rushing touchdown of the season, and the Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3) rebounded from their loss to UCLA in their previous game. Maryland (4-7, 1-7) needed to win its final two regular-season games to reach six wins and bowl eligibility, but the Terrapins were dominated in the first half and eventually fell behind 16-0. Drew Stevens made five field goals for Iowa, including kicks from 54 yards in the second quarter, then 50 and 49 in the third. LATE FRIDAY MICHIGAN STATE 24, PURDUE 17: Aidan Chiles threw for two scores in the first half to build a three-touchdown lead and Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) held on to beat Purdue (1-10, 0-8) at home. The Spartans are a win away from being eligible for a bowl with first-year coach Jonathan Smith and they play Rutgers at home in the final regular-season game. Get local news delivered to your inbox!None

The start-ups challenging big banks on loans and paymentsNo entry for Afghan citizens without NOC from 2025: NaqviNEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration has launched its own news service, with city employees producing a “news magazine” on the city’s official YouTube channel . Segments of “City News” will highlight New Orleans’ “rich culture, diverse communities, and untold stories,” the administration said in a news release. “City News is designed to meet the community where they are,” Deputy Press Secretary Kourtney Williams said in the release. “The ongoing mission is to connect with the people of New Orleans.” A city spokesperson did not respond to questions about the new outlet, which is expected to cover “news, in-depth features and inspiring stories” in New Orleans. Details were not released about whether Cantrell will participate in its coverage, how much it will cost or how it will be funded. Williams will co-host the program with Raven Frederick, a digital communications director on Cantrell’s staff. Steven Martinez, a multimedia manager for the city, will work on production. The release also named three producers. It was unclear if they were already city employees. Cantrell for months has avoided attention from traditional media outlets amid a federal investigation and political challenges from the City Council. She launched a podcast in April, which her team said would “bridge the gap” between New Orleans residents and their local officials, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported . The podcast has released just two episodes , the newspaper said.

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Cassie Randolph did not find her happily ever after on The Bachelor , but she found The One in Brighton Reinhardt . Randolph competed on season 23 of the ABC series. She won Colton Underwood ’s season despite leaving early, but the pair parted ways in May 2020. (Underwood came out publicly as gay in April 2021.) Shortly after their split, Randolph began dating Reinhardt. The couple went public with their romance in July 2021 after nearly one year together. That same year, Randolph starred in Reinhardt’s “Dreaming” music video, and they’ve since become regulars on each other’s social media pages. You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News Randolph and Reinhardt got engaged in November 2024 after four years of dating. Scroll down to revisit Randolph and Reinhardt’s romance: Credit: Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram Cassie Randolph and Fiance Brighton Reinhardt: A Timeline of Their Relationship Cassie Randolph did not find her happily ever after on The Bachelor , but she found The One in Brighton Reinhardt .Randolph competed on season 23 of the ABC series. She won Colton Underwood ’s season despite leaving early, but the pair parted ways in May 2020. (Underwood came out publicly as gay in April 2021.)Shortly after their split, Randolph began dating Reinhardt. The couple went public with their romance in July 2021 after nearly one year together. That same year, Randolph starred in Reinhardt’s “Dreaming” music video, and they’ve since become regulars on each other’s social media pages.Randolph and Reinhardt got engaged in November 2024 after four years of dating.Scroll down to revisit Randolph and Reinhardt’s romance: Credit: Sara De Boer/startraksphoto.com; Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram; Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock August 2020 The duo sparked dating rumors three months after her split from Underwood. Fans noticed them spending time together with her family in Huntington Beach, California, and “liking” each other’s Instagram posts. However, Reinhardt shut down the speculation in August 2020. “Cassie and I are just friends and have been for over four or so years,” he exclusively told Us at the time. “My brothers and I are all close with Cassie and her whole family.” Credit: Shutterstock; Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram; Shutterstock January 2021 The musician seemingly shaded Underwood in his song “Creep,” two months after Randolph dropped her restraining order against her ex. (Randolph accused Underwood of installing a tracker on her car. Randolph rescinded the order after coming to an agreement with Underwood.) The lyrics, in part, read, “You can’t stop thinking about my baby / What once was yours in the world is changing / God, I hope you get your thinking right / GPS on the underside / Told her everything will be just fine / Damn, I can’t believe these guys.” Credit: John Nacion/Startraks; Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram; Shutterstock May 2021 A source told Us that the speech pathologist’s relationship with Reinhardt “progressed naturally” after her split from the former Bachelor. “He’s been a good friend of hers for over five years,” the insider noted. “He obviously knows what she went through with Colton and just supported her along the way.” Reinhardt “gets along well with her family,” the source said, adding that the twosome were “still enjoying spending time with one another and just seeing where things go.” Credit: Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram July 2021 Randolph and Reinhardt made their relationship Instagram official in July 2021. “Insert cheesy caption here*,” he captioned the beach pics. Credit: CraSH/imageSPACE/Shutterstock; Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram August 2021 Randolph appeared in the music video for her boyfriend’s song “Dreaming” in August 2021. “This song is obviously very special to me,” she explained via Instagram at the time. “About 5 months ago when it was just a demo, I began using it as my YouTube intro song, and shortly after @briighton trusted me to attempt to sing some background vocals on it! In a funny way I feel like this song is one of my kittens that I’ve been watching grow up ... Anywho, we’ve been SO impatiently waiting to share this with you all.” Credit: Cassie Randolph/Instagram September 2021 One month after Randolph starred in the "Dreaming" video, a source told Us that the couple were happier than ever. "She's in a very normal dating relationship with Brighton," the insider said. "They're very much in love. They are really happy and just enjoying life." The source noted that they hadn't moved in together yet, but are still spending much of their free time with each other. "In their downtime, they're always at the beach — surfing, swimming, laying out," the insider explained. "She's very active and has been doing lots of yoga and meditation. They also like creating videos together and taking photos, capturing special moments of them together." Credit: Oscar Chan - Momentum Photography November 2021 The reality TV alum and the musician enjoyed a romantic getaway together at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Cancun in Cancun, Mexico. “They seemed to be very much in love and were seen being affectionate and cuddling on the beach cabanas and poolside lounge chairs,” an eyewitness recalled to Us Weekly at the time. "They also enjoyed a romantic candlelit private dinner set up by the resort in their suite and took long walks hand in hand on the beach.” Credit: Courtesy of Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram March 2022 "He's a great person," Randolph gushed about her man during an episode of the "Off the Vine" podcast in March 2022. "It's very, like, natural. So easy. Which I never understood until this [relationship]. ... I'm never questioning him or us. It's more just we get annoyed at little things." While reflecting on their next steps, Randolph noted, "We've definitely talked about the future. There's no, like, plans on the horizon that I am aware of." Credit: Courtesy of Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram April 2022 Reinhardt celebrated Randolph’s birthday by taking her to Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, California. Credit: Courtesy of Cassie Randolph/Instagram August 2023 The pair celebrated three years together by sharing two disposable camera photos via Instagram. Credit: Courtesy of Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram July 2024 “First time at Yosemite! ✅ Hiked enough for the rest of the year 😅,” Reinhardt captioned a series of photos from the couple’s national park trip. Credit: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images November 2024 Reinhardt proposed on November 25 at the Crystal Cove Cottages in Newport Beach, California. “Forever with my best friend,” the musician captioned an IG Story photo after news of their engagement broke. “When Brighton dropped to a knee and asked ‘Will you marry me?,’ as he opened the box, my reaction was immediately, ‘Oh, my gosh, yes!,’” Randolph told People of the special moment. In order to view the gallery, please allow Manage Cookies For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews – Subscribe on YouTube!Drop in Boxing Day footfall ‘signals return to declining pre-pandemic levels’Drop in Boxing Day footfall ‘signals return to declining pre-pandemic levels’

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By CHRISTINE FERNANDO CHICAGO (AP) — As Donald Trump’s Cabinet begins to take shape, those on both sides of the abortion debate are watching closely for clues about how his picks might affect reproductive rights policy in the president-elect’s second term . Trump’s cabinet picks offer a preview of how his administration could handle abortion after he repeatedly flip-flopped on the issue on the campaign trail. He attempted to distance himself from anti-abortion allies by deferring to states on abortion policy, even while boasting about nominating three Supreme Court justices who helped strike down the constitutional protections for abortion that had stood for half a century. In an NBC News interview that aired Sunday, Trump said he doesn’t plan to restrict medication abortion but also seemed to leave the door open, saying “things change.” “Things do change, but I don’t think it’s going to change at all,” he said. The early lineup of his new administration , including nominations to lead health agencies, the Justice Department and event the Department of Veterans Affairs, has garnered mixed — but generally positive — reactions from anti-abortion groups. Abortion law experts said Trump’s decision to include fewer candidates with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement could indicate that abortion will not be a priority for Trump’s administration. “It almost seems to suggest that President Trump might be focusing his administration in other directions,” said Greer Donley, an associate law professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Karen Stone, vice president of public policy at Planned Parenthood Action Fund , said while many of the nominees have “extensive records against reproductive health care,” some do not. She cautioned against making assumptions based on Trump’s initial cabinet selections. Still, many abortion rights groups are wary, in part because many of the nominees hold strong anti-abortion views even if they do not have direct ties to anti-abortion activists. They’re concerned that an administration filled with top-level officials who are personally opposed to abortion could take steps to restrict access to the procedure and funding. After Trump’s ambiguity about abortion during his campaign, “there’s still a lot we don’t know about what policy is going to look like,” said Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law. That approach may be revealed as the staffs within key departments are announced. Trump announced he would nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department, which anti-abortion forces have long targeted as central to curtailing abortion rights nationwide. Yet Kennedy shifted on the issue during his own presidential campaign. In campaign videos, Kennedy said he supports abortion access until viability , which doctors say is sometime after 21 weeks, although there is no defined timeframe. But he also said “every abortion is a tragedy” and argued for a national ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a stance he quickly walked back. The head of Health and Human Services oversees Title X funding for a host of family planning services and has sweeping authority over agencies that directly affect abortion access, including the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The role is especially vital amid legal battles over a federal law known as EMTALA, which President Joe Biden’s administration has argued requires emergency abortion access nationwide, and FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. Mini Timmaraju, president of the national abortion rights organization Reproductive Freedom for All, called Kennedy an “unfit, unqualified extremist who cannot be trusted to protect the health, safety and reproductive freedom of American families.” His potential nomination also has caused waves in the anti-abortion movement. Former Vice President Mike Pence , a staunch abortion opponent, urged the Senate to reject Kennedy’s nomination. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said the group had its own concerns about Kennedy. “There’s no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary,” she said. Fox News correspondent Marty Makary is Trump’s pick to lead the FDA, which plays a critical role in access to medication abortion and contraception. Abortion rights groups have accused him of sharing misinformation about abortion on air. Russell Vought , a staunch anti-abortion conservative, has been nominated for director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought was a key architect of Project 2025 , a right-wing blueprint for running the federal government. Among other actions to limit reproductive rights, it calls for eliminating access to medication abortion nationwide, cutting Medicaid funding for abortion and restricting access to contraceptive care, especially long-acting reversible contraceptives such as IUD’s. Despite distancing himself from the conservative manifesto on the campaign trail, Trump is stocking his administration with people who played central roles in developing Project 2025. Trump acknowledged that drafters of the report would be part of his incoming administration during the Sunday interview with NBC News, saying “Many of those things I happen to agree with.” “These cabinet appointments all confirm that Project 2025 was in fact the blueprint all along, and the alarm we saw about it was warranted,” said Amy Williams Navarro, director of government relations for Reproductive Freedom for All. Dr. Mehmet Oz , Trump’s choice to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is a former television talk show host who has been accused of hawking dubious medical treatments and products. He voiced contradictory abortion views during his failed Senate run in 2022. Oz has described himself as “strongly pro-life, praised the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade , claimed “life starts at conception” and referred to abortion as “murder.” But he also has echoed Trump’s states-rights approach, arguing the federal government should not be involved in abortion decisions. “I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that’s always allowed our nation to thrive to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves,” he said during a Senate debate two years ago. An array of reproductive rights groups opposed his Senate run. As CMS administrator, Oz would be in a key position to determine Medicaid coverage for family planning services and investigate potential EMTALA violations. Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president National Politics | With Trump on the way, advocates look to states to pick up medical debt fight As Florida’s attorney general, Pam Bondi defended abortion restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period. Now she’s Trump’s choice for attorney general . Her nomination is being celebrated by abortion opponents but denounced by abortion rights groups concerned she may revive the Comstock Act , an anti-vice law passed by Congress in 1873 that, among other things, bans mailing of medication or instruments used in abortion. An anti-abortion and anti-vaccine former Florida congressman, David Weldon, has been chosen to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which collects and monitors abortion data across the country. Former Republican congressman Doug Collins is Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs amid a political battle over abortion access and funding for troops and veterans. Collins voted consistently to restrict funding and access to abortion and celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade. “This is a team that the pro-life movement can work with,” said Kristin Hawkins, president of the national anti-abortion organization Students for Life.Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Reports Fiscal 2024 Fourth Quarter ResultsOneMedNet Announces Receipt of Nasdaq Notice Regarding Delayed Form 10-QOn this day three years ago, we witnessed the nail-biting launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the largest and most powerful telescope humans have ever sent into space. It took 30 years to build, but in three short years of operation, JWST has already revolutionised our view of the cosmos. It’s explored our own Solar System, studied the atmospheres of distant planets in search of signs of life and probed the farthest depths to find the very first stars and galaxies formed in the universe. Here’s what JWST has taught us about the early universe since its launch – and the new mysteries it has uncovered. Eerie blue monsters JWST has pushed the boundary of how far we can look into the universe to find the first stars and galaxies. With Earth’s atmosphere out of the way, its location in space makes for perfect conditions to peer into the depths of the cosmos with infrared light. The current record for the most distant galaxy confirmed by JWST dates back to a time when the universe was only about 300 million years old . Surprisingly, within this short time window, this galaxy managed to form about 400 million times the mass of our Sun. This indicates star formation in the early universe was extremely efficient. And this galaxy is not the only one. When galaxies grow, their stars explode, creating dust. The bigger the galaxy, the more dust it has. This dust makes galaxies appear red because it absorbs the blue light. But here’s the catch: JWST has shown these first galaxies to be shockingly bright, massive and very blue , with no sign of any dust. That’s a real puzzle. There are many theories to explain the weird nature of these first galaxies. Do they have huge stars that just collapse due to gravity without undergoing massive supernova explosions? Or do they have such large explosions that all dust is pushed away far from the galaxy, exposing a blue, dust-free core? Perhaps the dust is destroyed due to the intense radiation from these early exotic stars – we just don’t know yet. Artist’s impression of what a blue galaxy in the early universe would look like. ESO/M. Kornmesser. Unusual chemistry in early galaxies The early stars were the key building blocks of what eventually became life. The universe began with only hydrogen, helium and a small amount of lithium. All other elements, from the calcium in our bones to the oxygen in the air we breathe, were forged in the cores of these stars. JWST has discovered that early galaxies also have unusual chemical features . They contain a significant amount of nitrogen, far more than what we observe in our Sun, while most other metals are present in lower quantities. This suggests there were processes at play in the early universe we don’t yet fully understand. JWST has shown our models of how stars drive the chemical evolution of galaxies are still incomplete, meaning we still don’t fully understand the conditions that led to our existence. Different chemical elements observed in one of the first galaxies in the universe uncovered by JWST. Adapted from Castellano et al., 2024 The Astrophysical Journal; JWST-GLASS and UNCOVER Teams Small things that ended the cosmic dark arges Using massive clusters of galaxies as gigantic magnifying glasses, JWST’s sensitive cameras can also peer deep into the cosmos to find the faintest galaxies . We pushed further to find the point at which galaxies become so faint, they stop forming stars altogether. This helps us understand the conditions under which galaxy formation comes to an end. JWST is yet to find this limit. However, it has uncovered many faint galaxies, far more than anticipated, emitting over four times the energetic photons (light particles) we expected. The discovery suggests these small galaxies may have played a crucial role in ending the cosmic “dark ages” not long after the Big Bang. Rectangles highlight the apertures of JWST’s near infrared spectrograph array, through which light was captured and analysed to unravel the mysteries of the galaxies’ chemical compositions. Atek et al., 2024, Nature The mysterious case of the little red dots The very first images of JWST resulted in another dramatic, unexpected discovery. The early universe is inhabited by an abundance of “ little red dots ”: extremely compact red colour sources of unknown origin. Initially, they were thought to be massive super-dense galaxies that shouldn’t be possible , but detailed observations in the past year have revealed a combination of deeply puzzling and contradictory properties. Bright hydrogen gas is emitting light at enormous speeds, thousands of kilometres per second, characteristic of gas swirling around a supermassive black hole. This phenomenon, called an active galactic nucleus, usually indicates a feeding frenzy where a supermassive black hole is gobbling up all the gas around it, growing rapidly. But these are not your garden variety active galactic nuclei. For starters: they don’t emit any detectable X-rays, as is normally expected. Even more intriguingly, they seem to have the features of star populations. Could these galaxies be both stars and active galactic nuclei at the same time? Or some evolutionary stage in between? Whatever they are, the little red dots are probably going to teach us something about the birth of both supermassive black holes and stars in galaxies. In the background, the JWST image of the Pandora Cluster (Abell 2744) is displayed, with a little red dot highlighted in a blue inset. The foreground inset on the left showcases a montage of several little red dots discovered by JWST. Adapted from Furtak et al., and Matthee et al., The Astrophysical Journal, 2023-2024; JWST-GLASS and UNCOVER Teams The impossibly early galaxies As well as extremely lively early galaxies, JWST has also found extremely dead corpses : galaxies in the early universe that are relics of intense star formation at cosmic dawn. These corpses had been found by Hubble and ground-based telescopes, but only JWST had the power to dissect their light to reveal how long they’ve been dead. It has uncovered some extremely massive galaxies (as massive as our Milky Way today and more) that formed in the first 700 million years of cosmic history. Our current galaxy formation models can’t explain these objects – they are too big and formed too early. Cosmologists are still debating whether the models can be bent to fit (for example, maybe early star formation was extremely efficient) or whether we have to reconsider the nature of dark matter and how it gives rise to early collapsing objects. JWST will turn up many more of these objects in the next year and study the existing ones in greater detail. Either way, we will know soon. What’s next for JWST? Just within its first steps, the telescope has revealed many shortcomings of our current models of the universe. While we are refining our models to account for the updates JWST has brought us, we are most excited about the unknown unknowns. The mysterious red dots were hiding from our view. What else is lingering in the depths of cosmos? JWST will soon tell us. Themiya Nanayakkara , Scientist at the James Webb Australian Data Centre, Swinburne University of Technology ; Ivo Labbe , ARC Future Fellow / Associate Professor, Swinburne University of Technology , and Karl Glazebrook , ARC Laureate Fellow & Distinguished Professor, Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

René Bennett | (TNS) Bankrate.com If you’re an iPhone user, you might not realize that you already have access to Apple Cash. It’s a digital cash card that’s built into Apple devices and can be found in the default Wallet app. (Note: You must link an eligible debit card to use this service.) The main function of Apple Cash is to make it easier for Apple device users to send money to one another, including sending money through the iMessage app. But Apple Cash is more than just a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service — it can be used to shop online, in stores or to make in-app purchases. Apple Cash is a convenient way to transfer money between friends and family. Once it’s set up, a user can simply open the iMessage app and send money to a contact through their chat. It’s also useful for those who use Apple Pay, a separate service that allows Apple device users to make contactless payments with any linked card, including an Apple Cash card. Here are some important things to know about setting up and using Apple Cash. Apple Cash is a digital cash card that’s stored in the Wallet app of Apple devices, and it can be used for making P2P payments, as well as purchases through Apple Pay. When you receive money from another Apple Cash user, that money appears in your Apple Cash balance. The balance can then be spent or transferred to a linked bank account or debit card. Sending money to peers with Apple Cash can be done either directly from the digital Apple Cash card (in the Wallet app) or through the iMessage app. You can send or receive anywhere between $1 and $10,000 per message. The money shows up on the recipient’s Apple Cash card instantly, but it may take from one to three days for the balance to be transferred to a bank account. Instant transfers to a bank account are possible, but it comes with a 1.5% fee. There’s also an option to set up Apple Cash Family for children who are under 18 years old. This option limits the amount a child can send to $2,000 per message. Those younger than 18 also cannot add money to their Apple Cash card from a bank account; rather, their balance only grows when they receive money from another Apple Cash user. Apple Cash is a digital card within your Wallet that allows you to spend your Apple Cash online, in stores and in apps as well send and receive money. Apple Pay, however, allows you to make purchases using any credit card or debit card you have stored in your Wallet — including Apple Cash. With Apple Pay, you add credit and debit cards to your Wallet and then have the ability to pay right with your phone (or other Apple product). To set up Apple Cash, you’ll need three things: —A compatible Apple device. —Two-factor authentication enabled for your Apple ID (this can be done in Settings). —An eligible debit card to load funds onto the Apple Cash card. In the Settings app, you can turn on Apple Cash in the Wallet and Apple Pay section. Tap on the Apple Cash card icon and follow the instructions on the screen. You’ll be asked to agree to the terms and conditions, after which your device will set up Apple Cash for you. The Apple Cash card, once set up, can be found in your device’s Wallet app. If you want to set up Apple Cash Family, you’ll first need to have Family Sharing turned on, which can be done in Settings. The family organizer can add children to Apple Cash in the Family Sharing section of Settings. You’ll need to have a debit card linked to your digital Wallet to add money to an Apple Cash card. You can add a debit card to Wallet in the same place where you set up Apple Cash — the Wallet and Apple Pay section of Settings. Once a debit card is linked to your Wallet, open Wallet and tap on the Apple Cash card. Then, tap the More button (an icon with three dots). This will open a page where you can see your Apple Cash balance, add money and transfer funds to a bank account. Tap Add Money and enter the amount you’d like to add (the minimum is $10). You’ll be asked to confirm which debit card you want to use to fund the Apple Cash balance, and then the money is added to the Apple Cash card. There are two ways to send a payment to someone using Apple Cash: directly from your Wallet or in the iMessage app. Both the sender and recipient need Apple Cash to send or receive money. To send money from Wallet, simply tap the Apple Cash card in Wallet and then tap Send. Type in the contact name or phone number of the recipient. Enter the amount you’d like to send (between $1 and $10,000), then review the payment and confirm it with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. In iMessage, open the conversation with who you’d like to send money to, or start a new one. Tap on the app button, which appears next to the type bar, and then tap on the Apple Cash icon. You’ll be prompted to enter an amount (between $1 and $10,000). Once you’ve reviewed the amount, tap Send and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. The first time money is sent to someone, the recipient will need to accept the payment within seven days for it to go through. After the first instance, payments are automatically accepted. If you’re using Apple Cash to make a purchase either online or in a store, you’ll need to pay using Apple Pay. To request money from your iPhone, open the conversation in the Messages app. Tap the plus icon, followed by Apple Cash. Then, tap Request. Tap the send button to send your payment request. Once the request is sent, the person you sent it to can confirm or change the amount they send to you. You can also request money from your Apple watch. Open your messages app, choose a conversation, tap the plus icon and then choose Apple Cash. Once you enter the amount you are requesting, swipe left on the Send button. Tap Request. As you start to accumulate money on the Apple Cash card, you may want to move it to a debit card or a bank account . This can be done by going to the same place where you added funds to the card, by clicking the icon with three dots next to your digital card. Related Articles Technology | Home entertainment holiday gift ideas at a discount Technology | Are you tracking your health with a device? Here’s what could happen with the data Technology | How to get started with Bluesky Technology | US gathers allies to talk AI safety. Trump’s vow to undo Biden’s AI policy overshadows their work Technology | Trump team is seeking to ease US Rules for self-driving cars Enter an amount to be transferred, then tap Next. You’ll be asked whether you want to do an instant transfer (for a 1.5% fee) or a transfer in one to three business days for free. After making a selection, the screen will instruct you to set up a bank account if you don’t already have one set up. You’ll confirm the payment, and the transfer is initiated. Instant transfers can only be made to an eligible debit card, not a bank account. Money is sent within 30 minutes when you select instant transfer. —Zelle: If your bank is offers Zelle, it might be a good idea to take advantage of the P2P payment service. Zelle can be accessed directly from your bank’s mobile app, and it allows you to send instant transfers at no extra cost. —Venmo: Anyone can use Venmo, as long as they’ve downloaded the app. Unlike Apple Cash or Zelle, it’s a standalone P2P payment app. Venmo comes with a social element — users can follow each other and add fun emojis to their payments, although they can also keep their account activity private. —PayPal: This P2P payment service is a good option if you want to send money internationally. It also offers a PayPal Debit card, which, like the Apple Cash card, can be used to make purchases online or in stores. —Samsung Pay Cash: Samsung device users can use this option instead of Apple Cash. Similar to Apple Cash, it is a digital wallet that you can access from a Samsung mobile device. However, to take full advantage of Samsung Pay Cash, users will need to undergo an extra registration process to upgrade to a Full Card Account. Apple Cash makes it easy for Apple device users to send money to each other. Users can simply tap the Apple Cash icon in their text messages to send money through iMessage. It can also be used as an extra repository for spending money and can be used for purchases anywhere Apple Pay is accepted. With that said, only Apple device users can send and receive money using Apple Cash, so those looking for a more universal payment service may want to consider other P2P payment apps . ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Affinity Bancshares director Roberts sells $15,114 in stockhe Japanese star of the is enjoying the offseason, with no greater worries than taking advantage of the rest after having completed the task of winning the . While he returns to practice next year, he has been frequently seen at games. This Sunday, attended with his wife the at the , where seven MVP awards were gathered in the stands. did not play and was in the stands with his four awards, plus the three of the Japanese star, who was seven rows from the court seats in a private section. Public appearances by the couple are not so common, although they are likely to take advantage of the off-season. This time they were not accompanied by , the family dog who has caused a sensation. Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka cause a stir at Lakers game is a Japanese basketball star, who played for from 2019 to 2023 and seeing the pair at an NBA game, fans were excited and there were those who suggested they compare to the . "He got the money and Buss' kids are...", suggested one fan, in reference to the $700 million contract he signed in 2023 with the , although the largest amount is deferred The couple had a nice time, and on social media they also joked about who was explaining the rules of basketball to whom and several theories arose about the subject of conversation: "He is explaining to her that Christmas might be a little lighter this year, in terms of gifts, because of Ippei." In a separate post, , the legend and partner, also joined the conversation: "It's nice to see World Series champion and National League MVP Shohei Ohtani with his wife at the Lakers game tonight!"After D.W. Weaver, teacher of the Grace Methodist boys class, read an article about the Boy Scouts of America, the first troop in Keyser was founded in the spring of 1910. The boys were captivated by the ideas of “doing a good turn daily.” After the first troop was organized, other town boys were motivated to join. It was an opportunity to put the “gang spirit to work for good.” In a very short time the troop had the full quantity of 32 members. Soon a second troop was organized. Meetings of Keyser Troop #1 were held in the Mystic Chain Hall on North Main Street. Boys learned the principles of scouting, the oath, motto, and about the flag, but also about the obligation or joy and importance of service to other people. Two years later, the Presbyterian minister took over the troop. He set the groundwork for a three-day camping trip in 1912 along the old covered bridge across Patterson Creek in Burlington. The campers loaded all their camping equipment, which was very limited, on a merchant’s wagon pulled by a horse. Before getting to camp, all the boys pushed to help the overloaded horse up the hills enroute from Keyser to Burlington. There were no cabins, merely tents of all sizes and shapes. Everyone slept on the ground. These summer camps offered a variety of practical classes including swimming, water rescue or life guard badges as well as first aid. The boys also learned to assist with crowd and traffic control. Details of a memorable camp incident more than 100 years ago has been noted. A scout baseball game was interrupted by an unusual hail storm. Hail the size of walnuts destroyed the boys’ tents along Patterson Creek. The scouts were forced to shelter in the Old Homestead Hotel that night. The next day they caught the TM&P railroad back to Keyser. During the 1918 influenza era, Troops One and Two became emergency Red Cross units. They helped establish an emergency hospital and assisted in its continuous operation by keeping its fires going in the furnace at night. Basically, the boys assisted nurses at the hospital, ran errands of mercy, and delivered medications to homes of infected shut-ins. In June 1923 the scouts assisted with the popular week-long annual cultural event, the Chautauqua lectures, concerts and entertainers that came to Keyser. In fact, boy scouts knocked on doors in Keyser assisting with selling tickets, setting up tents, ushering spectators to their seats and keeping the grounds clean and neat during the Chautauqua activities. On an August 1924 camping trip the troop with scoutmaster Paul Hardy participated for the second year at the farm of the Stump family along the South Branch of the Potomac. There was a strict schedule for the boys, with requirements such as arising and leaving their tents at 6:10 a.m. for the flag salute and calisthenics before a morning swim at half past six and breakfast at 7 a.m. During the morning following inspections of the tents, policy training before scout instructions and schooling began at 9 a.m. Life saving drills followed at 11. After lunch at noon, game time, hiking and various contests were scheduled before swimming and water sports. After the evening meal, the day ended with campfires at 7:30 p.m., more games, stunts and stories entertained the troop. At 8:30 there was a “Call to Quarters” with all boys in the tents—lights were out and quiet at 9 p.m. A lifelong history buff, Betty Bane Dzubba shares her love of local history on The Back Page for Mountain Streams Radio and HistoryBits for the Mineral News & Tribune.

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Middle East latest: Lebanon closes all its land border crossings with Syria except oneTEHRAN – Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have urged the international community to safeguard Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity while condemning ongoing Israeli aggression in the war-torn country. In a phone call on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed the escalating tensions in Syria following the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Both ministers stressed the critical need to preserve regional peace and stability and avoid provocative actions that could disrupt cooperation and harmony among neighboring nations during this fragile period. Since Assad's government fell, Israel has conducted nearly 500 airstrikes across Syria, targeting essential civilian and military infrastructure. Israeli forces have also advanced into the buffer zone east of the occupied Golan Heights, violating the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria. Although the Israeli regime claims it is not advancing toward Damascus, its military operations have raised significant regional concerns. Israeli forces have reportedly destroyed up to 80% of Syria’s strategic military capabilities, significantly weakening the country. This military push has been condemned by the Arab League, which described Israel’s actions as illegal attempts to exploit Syria’s instability for territorial expansion. The recent resurgence of armed militants in Syria, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has further complicated the situation. The terrorist group launched a swift two-week offensive, capturing Damascus and prompting Assad’s government’s downfall. The chaos created by HTS’s advance has provided an opening for Israel to escalate its military actions and expand its occupation in Syria. Both Araghchi and Al Nahyan condemned these developments, emphasizing the need to restore stability and prevent further destabilization in the region. In a separate phone conversation, Araghchi and Qatar’s Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani reiterated the necessity of ending Israel’s attacks on Syria and supporting efforts to stabilize the country. The two diplomats discussed ongoing bilateral and multilateral consultations aimed at helping Syria establish an inclusive political framework that reflects the will of its people. The Iranian and Qatari foreign ministers highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts to counter foreign aggression and protect Syria’s sovereignty. They also condemned Israel’s attempts to annex Syrian territory and undermine international agreements.

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Rangers make Igor Shesterkin highest-paid goalie in NHL history with 8-year contract extensionIn their final fixture of 2024, Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game midway through the opening period. Arsenal’s victory takes them back to within six points of leaders Liverpool, having played one match more than the Reds, and a point clear of Chelsea following their Boxing Day defeat to Fulham. Ipswich, although much improved in the second half, have now lost five of their last six games, and remain just one place off the bottom of the table, three points away from safety. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/hDd5bkHwXr — Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 27, 2024 Mikel Arteta’s men have been rocked by Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury which could keep the England winger, who has nine goals and 13 assists this season, out of action for the next two months. Gabriel Martinelli was handed the unenviable task of filling Saka’s shoes on Arsenal’s right-hand side and the Brazilian was involved in the only goal of the evening. The Ipswich defence failed to deal with Martinelli’s cross, with the ball falling to Leandro Trossard on the opposite side of the area. Trossard fought his way to the byline before fizzing his cross into the box for Havertz to convert from a matter of yards. It was Havertz’s third goal in four matches, his 12th of the season, and no less than the hosts, who at that stage of the match had enjoyed a staggering 91.4 per cent of the possession, deserved. Heading into Friday’s fixture, Arsenal had lost only one of their last 75 Premier League games when they had opened the scoring, and their triumph here rarely looked in doubt following Havertz’s strike. Three points that take Arsenal into second 🪜 #ARSIPS pic.twitter.com/Dx3s6XlwQ2 — Premier League (@premierleague) December 27, 2024 Havertz thought he had doubled Arsenal’s lead with 34 minutes gone when he converted Gabriel Jesus’ cross. But Jesus – handed his third successive start for the first time in a year – strayed into an offside position in the build-up. When referee Darren England blew for half-time, Ipswich had failed to touch the ball in Arsenal’s box, becoming just the second side to do so in the Premier League this season. Nottingham Forest were the other, away at Liverpool, before they went on to inflict Arne Slot’s sole defeat of his tenure so far. And for all of Arsenal’s possession, while they held just a one-goal advantage, Ipswich knew they were still in the game. An encouraging start to the second half for the Tractor Boys ensued, albeit without testing David Raya in the Arsenal goal. Shortly after the hour mark, Gabriel should have settled any growing Emirates nerves when he arrived unmarked to Declan Rice’s corner, but the defender headed wide of Arijanet Muric’s post when it looked easier to score. Just over an hour on the clock. #ARSIPS pic.twitter.com/JXNipX1J1Z — IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) December 27, 2024 Martin Odegaard then forced a fine fingertip save from Muric at his near post after a mazy run and shot from the Arsenal skipper. Rice’s stinging goal-bound volley from the following corner was blocked by Dara O’Shea as Arsenal pushed for a game-killing second. Havertz should have tapped home Trossard’s header but he fluffed his lines. And moments later, substitute Mikel Merino’s effort was diverted from danger by a diving Muric. Ipswich looked to catch Arsenal on the counter, but the match ended without them registering a single effort on Raya’s goal. Ipswich fans goaded their opponents with chants of “boring, boring Arsenal”, but it was the Gunners who enjoyed the last laugh as they saw out 2024 with a win which keeps the pressure on Liverpool.

Hike in sugar price during crushing season raises eyebrows LAHORE:Amid sizeable sugar carryover stocks health crops size, sugar price hike right in the middle of crushing season have raised eyebrows. In the absence of sugarcane indicative price, millers are virtually given free hand in buying produce from growers at their own sweet will. Not only this, powerful sugar manufacturers are free to determine price of commodity as well, said market sources. They confirmed that a rising trend in price of sugar is being seen in the market lately. According to them, Rs10-15 per kg increase in sugar price have no justification. During ongoing crushing season 2024-25, ample stock of sweetener is available in the market and there is no justification of any price rise of sugar. Physical sugar stock as on Nov 30, 2024 was above 766,093 tons and production from Nov 16 to 30 2024 was 183,960 tons. Hence, well over one million ton of sugar is available in the country. So, no need to be panicked, they said and added that with such a healthy stock and huge sugarcane crop, there will be sufficient sugar in the country. They pointed finger toward speculators trying to hike sugar prices. On the other hand, Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) claimed that rumours are being spread by speculators having vested interests linked with price hike of sugar. The spokesman said that the ex-mill sugar prices have not exceeded the government’s declared limit of Rs140 per kg set by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting on June 13, 2024 although which was way below cost of production of sugar. Notwithstanding the benchmark of maintaining ex-mill price of Rs140 per kg, as a pre-condition for allowing exports of surplus sugar, was agreed by sugar industry under duress of sugar glut, for liquidating surplus stocks and for minimising losses. Meanwhile, Federal Ministry of Industries echoed similar views regarding sugar sector of the country. Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, assured that there has been no rise across the country. He confirmed that there is no shortage of sugar in the market and that its price remains stable. The minister stated that sugar is currently available at Rs130 per kilogram in retail markets and between Rs124 to Rs125 in wholesale markets. Federal Minister further emphasised that, under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, sugar prices are being closely monitored to ensure affordability for the public. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to taking all necessary measures to maintain price stability and prevent any unwarranted fluctuations in the market.St. Louis board president Megan Green endorses Mayor Tishaura O. Jones

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Opposition MPPs slammed amendments to the Ford government's controversial bike lane bill Thursday, saying these changes would create legal protections for the province if cyclists are hurt or killed after lanes are removed. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy, University-Rosedale NDP MPP Jessica Bell said new amendments to Bill 212 would make it so people could no longer sue the government if they are hurt on roadways as a result of bike lanes being taken out. "What this means is the conservatives want to remove themselves from any responsibility if someone is injured or killed in the future," Bell said. "It's heartbreaking, because someone will be injured or killed in the future." The Progressive Conservative government has been fast-tracking legislation that would require Ontario municipalities to ask the province for permission to install bike lanes when they would remove a lane of vehicle traffic. The bill also goes a step further and gives the province the power to remove the entirety of three major bike lanes in Toronto on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue, restoring them to vehicle traffic — moves that have been loudly decried by cycling advocates. WATCH | Cyclists rally for bike lanes: Toronto cyclists rally against Ford government’s plan to remove bike lanes 11 days ago Duration 2:24 Cyclists in Toronto rallied this weekend to protect bike lanes in the city. It comes as the Ford government announced plans earlier this month to tear up bike lanes across some major roads in The city. As Tyreike Reid explains, their fight is now being supported by some of Toronto’s top politicians. Reporters repeatedly asked Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria Thursday if the amended bill would, in fact, protect the government from lawsuits — and each time he did not answer the question and instead pivoted to government talking points about traffic congestion. "We believe bike lanes should be on secondary roads," Sarkaria said. Removing bike lanes will cost at least $48M: city staff report Ontario transport minister not offering estimate of Toronto bike lane removal cost Whether or not the entirety of all three bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge and University will be removed remains up in the air, as provincial officials have provided few specifics about their plans. Sarkaria did say more than once Thursday that the bill would give the province the authority to "remove the entirety of the lanes" on those three roadways. "People understand this has gone too far," he said. "We need to have some common sense and reasonableness on this." Amendments to the bill passed at the committee, but it still needs to be voted on in a third reading at the provincial legislature — though with a Progressive Conservative majority, it is likely to pass. Opposition MPPs also took aim at other amendments to the bill Thursday, including those focused on who will pay for the removal of bike lanes. WATCH | What bike lanes mean for this wheelchair user: How one wheelchair user feels about prospect of losing bike lanes 5 days ago Duration 1:45 Oda Al-Anizi outfitted his wheelchair with a special attachment that transformed it into a bike, allowing him to navigate the city as a cyclist. As he told CBC’s Talia Ricci, it’s been a gamechanger. Toronto City Manager Paul Johnson previously told CBC News that the province should be covering costs not just for the removal of the lanes, but also for their original implementation, considering staff and planning time. One amendment introduced Thursday specifically states the province is not required to reimburse municipalities for costs incurred when bike lanes were being installed. As the debate over this bill rages on, millions in taxpayer dollars are at stake. A Toronto city staff report from earlier this month concluded that work to remove the three bike lanes would cost more than $48 million and likely lead to only minimally faster commutes for drivers. Sarkaria previously said the province will foot the bill for removal costs, but also said he doesn't believe the city's estimate , as it is double the price tag of the initial installation. Speaking at the committee meeting Thursday, Oshawa NDP MPP Jennifer French accused the province of advancing a plan with the twofold distinction of being expensive and dangerous. "This is a political decision and people are going to be killed," she said.Ex.-Sen. Bob Menendez seeks to push sentencing as his wife prepares for trial

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump offered a public show of support Friday for Pete Hegseth, his choice to lead the Defense Department, whose confirmation by the Senate is in doubt as he faces questions over allegations of excessive drinking, sexual assault and his views on women in combat roles. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, Army National Guard major and combat veteran, spent much of the week on Capitol Hill trying to salvage his Cabinet nomination and privately reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead Trump's Pentagon. "Pete Hegseth is doing very well," Trump posted on his social media site. "He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense." The president added that "Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" The nomination battle is emerging not only as a debate about the best person to lead the Pentagon, but an inflection point for a MAGA movement that appears to be relishing a public fight over its hard-line push for a more masculine military and an end to the "woke-ism" of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be defense secretary, responds to reporters during a meeting with Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Military leaders are rattled by a list of “woke” senior officers that a conservative group urged Hegseth to dismiss for promoting diversity in the ranks if he is confirmed to lead the Pentagon. The list compiled by the American Accountability Foundation includes 20 general officers or senior admirals and a disproportionate number of female officers. It has had a chilling effect on the Pentagon’s often frank discussions as leaders try to figure out how to address the potential firings and diversity issues under Trump. Those on the list in many cases seem to be targeted for public comments they made either in interviews or at events on diversity, and in some cases for retweeting posts that promote diversity. Tom Jones, a former aide to Republican senators who leads the foundation, said Friday those on the list are “pretty egregious” advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, policies, which he called problematic. “The nominee has been pretty clear that that has no place in the military,” Jones said of Hegseth. Hegseth embraced Trump’s effort to end programs that promote diversity in the ranks and fire those who reflect those values. Other Trump picks, like Kash Patel for FBI director, have suggested targeting those in government who are not aligned with Trump. Trump's allies forcefully rallied around Hegseth — the Heritage Foundation's political arm promised to spend $1 million to shore up his nomination — as he vows to stay in the fight, as long as the president-elect wants him to. Vice President-elect JD Vance offers a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, the embattled choice to lead the Defense Department. "We're not abandoning this nomination," Vance told reporters during a tour of western North Carolina. "We're not abandoning this nomination," Vice-President-elect JD Vance said as he toured post-hurricane North Carolina. He said he spoke with GOP senators and believes Hegseth will be confirmed. The effort became a test of Trump's clout and of how far loyalty for the president-elect goes with Republican senators who have concerns about his nominees. Two of Trump's other choices stepped aside as they faced intense scrutiny: former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., his first choice for attorney general, and Chad Chronister, a Florida sheriff who was Trump's first choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration. Thanking the president-elect for the support, Hegseth posted on social media, "Like you, we will never back down." Hegseth faces resistance from senators as reports emerged about his past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. He promised not to drink on the job and told lawmakers he never engaged in sexual misconduct, even as his professional views on female troops came under intensifying scrutiny. He said as recently as last month that women "straight up" should not serve in combat. He picked up one important endorsement from Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, whose support was seen as a potentially powerful counterweight to the cooler reception Hegseth received from Sen. Joni Ernst, a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel. Ernst, who is also a sexual assault survivor, stopped short of an endorsement after meeting with Hegseth this week. On Friday, Ernst posted on X that she would meet with him again next week. “At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing,” she wrote. On Friday, Trump put out the statement in response to coverage saying he lost faith in Hegseth, according to a person familiar with his thinking who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. The president-elect and his team were pleased to see Hegseth putting up a fight and his performance this week reiterates why he was chosen, the person said. They believe he can still be confirmed. Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be defense secretary, left, joined by his wife Jennifer Rauchet, attends a meeting with Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) If Hegseth goes down, Trump's team believes the defeat would empower others to spread what they cast as "vicious lies" against every candidate Trump chooses. Still, Trump's transition team is looking at potential replacements, including former presidential rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis plans to attend the Dec. 14 Army-Navy football game with Trump, according to a person familiar with the Florida governor's plans who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. DeSantis and Trump spoke about the defense secretary post Tuesday at a memorial service for sheriff deputies in West Palm Beach, Fla., according to people familiar with the matter who said Trump was interested in DeSantis for the post, and the governor was receptive. DeSantis is poised to select a replacement for the expected Senate vacancy to be created by Marco Rubio becoming secretary of state, and Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump is seen as the preferred choice by those in Trump's orbit. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Canada is already examining tariffs on certain US items following Trump’s tariff threat

Canada is already examining tariffs on certain US items following Trump’s tariff threat5 top tech gifts for the holidays

Elon Musk calls Trudeau 'insufferable' after remark on Kamala Harris defeatThe decision of FBI Director Christopher Wray to resign from his position two years before his 10-year term ended didn’t exactly get him hosannas on social media. “I’ve decided the right thing for the bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current administration in January and then step down,” Wray told FBI staffers. “In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” The resignation opens the door for President-elect Donald Trump ’s preferred nominee, Kash Patel , without having to fire Wray. Trump appointed Wray to the FBI Director position in 2017 after he fired James Comey, but hasn’t been too happy with him since the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago in August 2022 and uncovered troves of classified documents that led to federal criminal charges against Trump. Although Wray probably wants his departure to be seen as a statesman-like decision, it wasn’t seen that way on social media. Instead, he was criticized for engaging in “anticipatory obedience” by f ormer Obama administration ethics czar Norm Eisen, who thought Wray had a duty to the country to “constantly push back” and make Trump fire him. I admire how Chris Wray has hung in there—but he should’ve made Trump fire him Anticipatory obedience is not how we will save democracy Instead you must constantly push back 1/2 pic.twitter.com/3Y8FkGXkjN Other people also called out Wray for succumbing to the pressure. FBI director Christopher Wray just bent the knee and resigned. Most likely, Kash Patel will take his place. I talk to @glennkirschner about how Trump will weaponize the DOJ to attack Americans & dismantle democracy. Scary, sobering shit, but there is hope.... pic.twitter.com/OPJPNiORdC A profile in courage, Chris Wray is not. Wray bowed to political pressure; his early resignation is the easy way out. It avoids a very public conversation when Trump inevitably would have fired him for putting the law and the Constitution ahead of his loyalty to Trump. Wray’s resignation has resulted from raw political pressure that is repugnant to our justice system. It vastly heightens the hazards of weaponizing the FBI for political or personal ends—which should be an anathema to all my colleagues, regardless of party, https://t.co/iPJtwi8Wtg This is an unbelievable abdication by Wray and makes it so much easier for Trump to install a corrupt leadership under Kash Patel and weaponize the FBI. Wray is doing a huge disservice to the FBI past, present, and future. Wray is making a mistake. Wray hasn't done anything worthy of getting fired by Trump and should've made him do it Trump on the resignation of FBI Director Christopher Wray: “I just don’t know what happened to him.” Translation: “I appointed him thinking he’d do whatever I told him. To my surprise, he chose to follow the law instead.” pic.twitter.com/uF4iJALV4f Christopher Wray just announced his dutiful 'Obey in Advance' resignation. Nothing but cowards and quislings all the way down. Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) spoke out against Wray’s resignation Wednesday on MSNBC . You can see the segment below. Related From Our PartnerAvior Wealth Management LLC Sells 289 Shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BATS:BBJP)Internet services suspended in Pakistan amid protestssuper ace noble jili 。

Ousted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media say

( MENAFN - The Peninsula) QNA Doha: The registration for the 16th edition of Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2025) came to a close today, December 26. Under the patronage of HE sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the festival will take place from January 1 to February 1, 2025, at Marmi area in Sealine. The final day of registration was held at Qatari Al Gannas Association headquarters in Katara Cultural Village, with strong participation from falconers across Qatar and GCC countries. Chairman of the Marmi Festival, Muteb Al Qahtani, explained in a statement that the number of participants in each competition will be determined individually, followed by a draw, and results will be published and shared with participants. He also mentioned that the date for Young Falconer Championship would be announced later, but registration will take place on-site. Al Qahtani revealed that generous prizes have been allocated for the festivals winners, supported by the Social & Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM). The winner of Al-Muzayen competition in "Al-Hor Ashqar" category will receive QR 700,000, the second-place winner will receive QR 500,000, and third-place winner will receive QR 300,000. For "Al-Hor Adham and Black" category, the first-place winner will receive QR 400,000, the second-place winner will receive QR 300,000, and the third-place winner will receive QR 200,000. In Haddad Al-Tahaddi competition, the qualifier will win a cash prize of QR 100,000, along with two Lexus cars for the final, and a QR 100,000 prize for the winner of the final. The winner of Al-Talaa competition will take home QR 300,000, the second-place winner will receive QR 200,000, and the third-place winner will earn QR 100,000. In the local Al Daou competition across seven rounds, the first-place winner will receive QR 200,000, the second-place winner will receive QR 100,000, and the third-place winner will receive QR 50,000. For the international Al Daou competition, the first-place winner will receive QR 100,000, the second-place winner will get QR 70,000, and the third-place winner will be awarded QR 50,000. The winner of Elite Race will receive QR 300,000, with the second-place winner taking QR 200,000, and the third-place winner receiving QR 100,000. In Saluki Racing competition, the first-place winner in each category will receive QR 100,000, the second-place winner will take QR 70,000, and the third-place winner will receive QR 50,000. As for Young Falconer Championship, the first-place winner will be awarded QR 25,000, the second-place winner will get QR 20,000, the third-place winner will receive QAR 15,000, the fourth-place winner will take QR 10,000, and the fifth-place winner will earn QR 8,000. MENAFN26122024000063011010ID1109033623 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.MADRID (AP) — Atletico Madrid conceded three goals in a Spanish league game for the first time this season but still managed to beat Sevilla 4-3 on Sunday with Antoine Griezmann's double helping to make it nine wins in a row for Diego Simeone’s in-form side. Third-place Madrid restored its three-point lead over fourth-place Athletic Bilbao, which beat Villarreal earlier Sunday. Rodrigo De Paul gave Atletico the perfect start when he lashed home a stunning opener in the 10th minute. However, goals from Dodi Lukébakio, Isaac Romero and Juanlu Sanchez put Sevilla 3-1 up early in the second half and Atletico, without the vocal support of some home fans in a dispute over tickets, seemed lost in an unusually quiet at Metropolitano Stadium. Simeone’s side, though, is known for its resilience and it was not long before the fightback began. Griezmann reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute and 17 minutes later, after Simeone made five substitutions in a quarter of an hour, Samuel Lino got the equalizer with a low shot from 30 yards. Griezmann himself got the winner in stoppage time to consolidate Atletico’s third place. The Madrid club now has 35 points, one behind city rival Real and three behind league leader Barcelona. “We struggled to get into the game,” Griezmann said. “We missed the support of the fans behind the goal. But in the end we managed to come back.” Fourth-place Bilbao beats Villarreal Athletic Bilbao consolidated fourth place with a comfortable 2-0 win over Villarreal, the team immediately below it in the table and one of its closest rivals for a Champions League spot. Aitor Paredes put Athletic ahead when he glanced home a corner kick in 14 minutes and Iñaki Williams made it 2-0 midway through the second half. It was the fourth consecutive league win for Athletic but the victory was marred by a silent protest from an organized fan group. The group refused to sing or chant in response to a rift between it and the club president, who reported threats to police earlier in the week. Several Athletic players expressed solidarity with the president and the team did not salute the fans behind the goal after the match. “It’s a very sad win and a time for everyone to pull together,” club captain Óscar De Marcos said in comments reported by newspaper Marca. “The silence was notable during the game but we need to keep doing our job.” Earlier Sunday, Real Sociedad won for the fourth time in a row, beating Leganes 3-0 at the Butarque stadium near Madrid. Three days after his extra-time goal gave Sociedad a 1-0 win at fourth-tier Conquense in the Copa del Rey, Brais Méndez scored again to give the visitors an early lead. Substitute Ander Barrenetxea’s first goal of the league season doubled its lead 10 minutes from time and then Mikel Oyarzabal added a third in stoppage time. It was only the fourth time in 16 matches that Sociedad has scored twice in a league game and the win lifted it into sixth, above Osasuna, which drew 2-2 with Alaves. Alaves took only 37 seconds for Kike Garcia to put the team ahead with a diving header. However, Ante Budimir and Rubén García scored early in the second half to put Osasuna in front before Kike Garcia got his second of the game to tie the scores at 2-2. The point was the first for new Alaves coach Eduardo Coudet but still leaves it in 15th place without a win in five games. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press

Blueprints of more than 20 prisons leaked on dark webPenn State is seeded sixth, SMU is 11th in the upcoming college playoff. The two 11-2 teams meet at Beaver Stadium on Dec. 21. Kickoff is at noon. Will the visitors be ready for the noise of 110,000-plus fans and the winter cold that comes with traveling to State College? SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee believes so. “Never been to Happy Valley, excited for our kids to get a chance to compete in that kind of a road environment,” Lashlee said earlier this week in an interview with CBS Sports. “You know, we’ve got a 10-game road winning streak right now, and so it would be awesome to see if our guys could continue to travel and play well. It is good to be a noon kick, probably both for weather and crowd.” The Mustangs have won their last 10 regular-season games on the road. But SMU lost 34-31 to Clemson in the ACC championship game last Saturday in Charlotte, N.C., and Boston College beat the Mustangs 23-14 in the Fenway Bowl in 2023. Lashlee, in his third year, was named ACC Coach of the Year after SMU finished 8-0 in conference play. Lashlee said he is familiar with Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen and wary of trying to prepare for Andy Kotelnicki’s offense. Kotelnicki is in his first year with the Lions after an impressive run as the Kansas offensive coordinator. “I’ve got a lot of respect for James (Franklin),” Lashlee said. “I know Tom Allen, who’s their defensive coordinator, well. Offensively, they’re doing a lot of what they were doing at Kansas last year. Very multiple, exotic things they’re doing on offense. It’s going to be hard to prepare for. “Defensively, at home, they’re going to be a problem. They’ve got a big-time crowd.” Lashlee added: “I think the best thing that this new playoff brings, besides more teams like us getting in, is first-round games on college campuses. I think it’s awesome. “I know we’re having to go on the road and it’s going to be hard to win in that environment, but we’re fired up.” · BETTING: Check out our guide to the best PA sportsbooks , where our team of sports betting experts has reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks. · Sign up for the PennLive’s Penn State newsletters, the daily Penn State Today and the subscriber-exclusive Penn State Insider

Tiffany Trump confirms pregnancy news and shows off baby bump in sweet Instagram pic with hubby Michael Boulos

Phnom Penh, Nov 24 (IANS): Cambodia highly values peace as it is a "cornerstone" of the kingdom's national resilience and rejuvenation, Prime Minister Hun Manet said here on Sunday. In his opening speech of the 11th Plenary Session of the Global Parliament for Tolerance and Peace in the capital Phnom Penh, Manet said peace is the foundation on which all else is built. "Without peace, there can be no development, no prosperity, no future. Without peace, there are no human rights and no developments as such," he said. "Peace has allowed us to invest in our peoples, our institutions, and our future," he added, Xinhua news agency reported. The Cambodian leader said under his administration, he has launched a comprehensive framework for growth, employment, equity, efficiency, and sustainability, entitled the Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1. He added that this strategy focuses on five key priorities, namely people, road, water, electricity, and technology. "Through this strategy, we aim to protect and strengthen our hard-earned peace by creating opportunities for all citizens and supporting communities to strive together," he said. "We are on track to effectively graduating from the least developed country status in 2029."John Wayne Stock & Supply to host Hats + Art Exhibit

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Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner is out indefinitely after suffering a torn right oblique, the team announced Saturday. He is the second star forward the Magic have lost to a torn oblique this season. Paolo Banchero has been out with the same injury since Oct. 30. Wagner, whose injury occurred during Friday's 102-94 loss to the host Philadelphia 76ers, will be reevaluated in four weeks and "his return to play will depend on how he responds to treatment," the team said Saturday. Wagner is averaging a career-high 24.4 points this season, and his scoring average has gone up every season since Orlando picked him eighth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Michigan. After averaging 15.2 as a rookie, he increased it to 18.6 in 2022-23 and then 19.7 last season to help Orlando win 47 games. Wagner goes down in the middle of an especially hot streak during his All-Star worthy season, having scored 30 or more in the past three games. He's also averaging 5.7 assists and 5.6 rebounds, helping Orlando go 16-9 for third place in the East. --Field Level MediaStanford, Maxime Raynaud too much for Cal as Cardinal win on road

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The U.S. State Department says it has “taken steps to secure the U.S. embassy” in Syria following the collapse of the Assad government. This comes after the toppling of more than 50 years of a dictatorship there, showing an uncertain way forward for any new government. "The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice," President Joe Biden said Sunday , but warned that the significant change will also mark a period of uncertainty for Syria and the region. "As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risks," President Biden said. The Biden administration plans to lend its support to establishing a transitional government in Syria. The White House is in close communication with stakeholders in the region, including Jordan's King Abdullah. More conversations with leaders are expected in the days ahead. RELATED STORY | Military command of Syria's opposition says Damascus is 'free' of Bashar Assad's rule Other countries and groups have a shared interest in continued stability in Syria, but officials also acknowledged the power vacuum carries risks. White House officials told Scripps News the administration is focused on preventing the ISIS terror group from taking advantage of the situation. "One of the things that we're going to work hard to avoid is ISIS being able to exploit this situation and somehow try to revitalize," White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said in an interview. "That is a message that we are sending to all the opposition groups through various means that this is not the opportunity — should not be the time — for a closer relationship, or any relationship, quite frankly, with Isis." "What we are backing is the Syrian people. And we want to make sure that again, through our interlocutors and through the United Nations, we're doing what we can to see legitimate governance there." The conflict in Syria has spanned multiple administrations and is often considered a proxy for the goals of other international actors, including Russia. Officials pointed in part to President Biden's support of Israel and Ukraine as factors that weakened Iran and Russia's ability to support Assad — and one senior administrator official explained that Assad's departure "changed the equation" in the Middle East. But Republican President-elect Donald Trump has indicated the U.S. relationship with Syria may change when he takes office. "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend," Trump wrote on social media over the weekend. "The United States should have nothing to do with it. This is not our fight." Kirby told Scripps News that for the remaining time the Biden Administration has to set U.S. foreign policy, it would continue its mission to suppress ISIS and support legitimate government in Syria.

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Georgia's Carson Beck knocked out of SEC championship after big hit vs. Texas; returns for dramatic winning playSyrian government forces withdraw from central city of Homs as insurgent offensive accelerates BEIRUT (AP) — A Syrian opposition war monitor and a pro-government media outlet say government forces have withdrawn from much of the central city of Homs. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. Losing Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Syria’s embattled leader, Bashar Assad. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastically-arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors returned to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. Both are over 100 years old. They joined active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for an observance hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.

Former President Jimmy Carter's quotations reveal a deep well of wisdom on politics, morality, and society. From candid interviews to public speeches, his words have long stressed unity, human rights, and personal morality. In his 1975 book, "Why Not the Best?" Carter emphasized how leadership should nurture human attributes towards self-fulfillment. Throughout his career, Carter remained a vocal critic of political and social injustice, including his pointed remarks on the impact of racism and the importance of respecting different perspectives within governance. Even in his post-presidency, his introspection on matters like race, religion, and global challenges continues to guide influential dialogues. Recent reflections suggest Carter believes America is still in search of its ultimate values and direction, but he remains hopeful for the country's future. (With inputs from agencies.)ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The roof at the home of the Dallas Cowboys opened without incident and will stay that way for a Monday night meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals. It was to be the first game with the roof open at AT&T Stadium since Oct. 30, 2022, a 49-29 Dallas victory over Chicago. The roof was supposed to be open three weeks ago for Houston's 34-10 victory on another Monday night, but a large piece of metal and other debris fell roughly 300 feet to the field as the retractable roof was opening about three hours before kickoff. The Cowboys decided to close the roof after the incident, and it remained that way for the game. There were no injuries, and the start of the game wasn't delayed. The club said at the time it would investigate the cause with a plan to reopen the roof when it was deemed safe. Wind was cited as a cause for the falling debris. There were gusts of at least 30 mph in the afternoon before the meeting with the Texans. It was sunny with a high in the 70s Monday in the Dallas area, and winds were in the 10 mph range. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLSouth Korean authorities seek warrant to detain impeached President Yoon in martial law probe

With bowl drought quenched, Matt Rhule eager to see Nebraska football set new 'standard'

Earth just experienced its second-warmest November on record — second only to 2023 — making it all but certain that 2024 will end as the hottest year ever measured, according to a report Monday by European climate service Copernicus. Last year was the hottest on record due to human-caused climate change coupled with the effects of an El Nino. But after this summer registered as the hottest on record — Phoenix sweltered through 113 consecutive days with a high temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit — scientists anticipated 2024 would set a new annual record as well. In November, global temperatures averaged 14.10C (57.38F). Last year's global average temperature was 14.98C (59F). FILE - People are silhouetted against the sky at sunset Nov. 12 as they run in a park in Shawnee, Kan. Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Cape Cod, who wasn't involved in the report, said the big story about November is that "like 2023, it beat out previous Novembers by a large margin." This also likely will be the first calendar year in which the average temperature was more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times, the report said. The 2015 Paris Agreement said human-caused warming should be limited to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and ideally below 1.5. In the following years, the world's top scientist said limiting to 1.5 was crucial to stave off the worst impacts of climate change, such as increasing destructive and frequent extreme weather events. Scientists say the main cause of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. That "does not mean that the Paris Agreement has been breached, but it does mean ambitious climate action is more urgent than ever," said Copernicus Deputy Director Samantha Burgess. A young family visiting Washington cools off from the warm weather in a fountain Nov. 6 at the base of the Washington Monument. Francis said the new records are "terrible news for people and ecosystems." "The pace of warming is so fast that plants and animals cannot adapt as they always have during previous changes in the Earth's climate. More species will go extinct, which disrupts natural food webs they're a part of. Agriculture will suffer as pollinators decline and pests flourish," she said, also warning that coastal communities will be vulnerable to sea-level rise. Heat waves over the oceans and a loss of reflective sea ice and snow cover probably contributed to the temperature increase this year, experts said. Copernicus said the extent of Antarctic sea ice in November was 10% below average, a record. Oceans absorb about 90% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases, later releasing heat and water vapor back into the atmosphere. Last year's record heat was caused partly by an El Nino — a temporary natural warming of parts of the central Pacific that alters weather worldwide. People walk Nov. 27 on an autumn-colored ginkgo tree-lined avenue in Tokyo. But that ended this year and a cooling effect that often follows, called La Nina, failed to materialize, leaving the scientific community "a little perplexed by what's going on here ... why temperatures are staying high," said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. One explanation is that an El Nino releases more heat to the atmosphere because of warmer ocean waters, then "we're not getting the cooling effect that often in decades gone by helps bring the temperature back down," Overpeck said. "So it does look like this could be contributing to the acceleration of global warming. But this year, he said, "is such a big jump following yet another jump, and that's a scary thing." It's no secret that a warming world will drive food prices higher, a phenomenon increasingly known as " ." What's less known, but a growing area of interest among economists and scientists alike, is the role individual extreme weather events — , — may have on what U.S. consumers pay at the supermarket. At first glance, the answer might seem logical: A drought or flood that impacts agricultural production will, eventually, drive up prices. But it's not that simple, because what consumers pay for groceries isn't only reflective of crop yields or herd sizes, but the whole supply chain. As reports, that's where it gets interesting: Economists are beginning to see a growing trend that suggests weather forecasts play a part in sticker shock. Sometimes the mere prediction of an extreme event — like the record-breaking temperatures, hurricanes, and wildfires forecasters are — can prompt a spike in prices. It isn't the forecast itself to blame, but concerns about what the weather to come might mean for the entire supply chain, as food manufacturers manage their risks and the expected future value of their goods, said Seungki Lee, an agricultural economist at Ohio State University. "When it comes to the climate risk on food prices, people typically look at the production side. But over the last two years, we learned that extreme weather can raise food prices, [cause] transportation disruptions, as well as production disruptions," said Lee. How much we pay for the food we buy is determined by retailers, who consider the producer's price, labor costs, and other factors. Any increases in what producers charge is typically passed on to consumers because grocery stores operate on thin profit margins. And if manufacturers expect to pay more for commodities like beef or specialty crops like avocados in the future, they may boost prices now to cover those anticipated increases. "The whole discussion about the climate risks on the food supply chain is based on probabilities," Lee said. "It is possible that we do not see extreme temperatures this summer, or even later this year. We may realize there was no significant weather shock hitting the supply chain, but unfortunately that will not be the end of the story." Supply chain disruptions and labor shortages are among the reasons food prices have climbed . Climate change may be contributing as well. found " " could push them up by as much as 3 percentage points per year worldwide in just over a decade and by about 2 percentage points in North America. Simultaneous disasters in major crop and cattle producing regions around the world — known as — are among the primary forces driving these costs. Crop shortages in these regions may also squeeze prices, which can create volatility in the global market and bump up consumer costs. Historically, a single, localized heat wave or storm typically wouldn't disrupt the supply chain enough to prompt price hikes. But a warming world might be changing that dynamic as extreme weather events intensify and simultaneous occurrences of them become the norm. How much this adds to consumers' grocery bills will vary, and depends upon whether these climate-fueled disasters hit what Lee calls "supply chain chokepoints" like during harvest seasons. "As the weather is getting more and more volatile because of climate change, we are seeing this issue more frequently," he said. "So what that means is the supply chain is getting more likely to be jeopardized by these types of risks that we have never seen before." An ongoing from the fall of 2022 until February provides an excellent example of this. The Mississippi River basin, which covers states, is a linchpin of America's agricultural supply chain. It produces , and most of the country's livestock. Vessels navigating its of channels carry . Transportation barriers created by low water, seen above, hampered the ability of crop-producing states in the to send commodities like corn and soybeans, primarily used for cattle feed, to livestock producers in the South. Thus emerged a as shipping and commodity prices , with economists . suggests that the drought probably contributed to last year — and because droughts have a lingering impact on production even after they end, it may be fueling today. But although it seems clear that the drought contributed to higher prices, products, just how much remains to be gauged. One reason for that is a analyzing the relationship between this particular weather event and the consumer market. Another is it's often difficult to tease out which of several possible factors, including , influence specific examples of sticker shock. While droughts definitely prompt decreases in agricultural production, Metin Çakır, an economist at the University of Minnesota, says whether that is felt by consumers depends on myriad factors. "This would mean higher raw ingredient costs for foods sold in groceries, and part of those higher costs will be passed onto consumers via higher prices. However, will consumer prices actually increase? The answer depends on many other supply and demand factors that might be happening at the same time as the impact of the drought," said Çakır. In a forthcoming analysis previewed by Grist, Çakır examined the relationship between an enduring drought in California, which produces , and costs of produce purchased at large grocery retailers nationwide. While the event raised consumer vegetable prices to a statistically significant degree, they didn't increase as much as Çakır expected. This capricious consumer cost effect is due largely to the . Public safety nets like have played a large part in mitigating the impacts of adverse weather and bolstering the food supply chain against and other shocks. By ensuring farmers and producers don't bear the brunt of those losses, these programs reduce the costs passed on to consumers. Advanced agricultural technology, modern infrastructure, substantial storage, and efficient transport links also help ensure retail price stability. A 2024 of the role climate change played on the U.S. wheat market from 1950 to 2018 found that although the impact of weather shocks on price variability has increased with the frequency of extreme weather, adaptive mechanisms, like a well-developed production and distribution infrastructure with sufficient storage capacity, have minimized the impact on consumers. Still, the paper warns that such systems may collapse when faced with "unprecedented levels of weather variability." Last year was the , creating an onslaught of challenges for and producers nationwide. And this year is primed to be even more , with the transition from — an atmospheric phenomenon that warms ocean temperatures — to , its counterpart that cools them. This cyclical change in global weather patterns is another and source of supply chain pressures that economists and scientists are keeping an eye on. They will be particularly focused on the Midwest and stretches of the Corn Belt, two regions prone to drought as an El Niño cycle gives way to a La Niña, according to Weston Anderson, an assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Those growing regions for corn and soybeans are what he'll be watching closely as La Niña develops. It's something Jennifer Ifft, an agricultural economist at Kansas State University, is also thinking about. "If you have a very severe drought in the Corn Belt ... that's going to be the biggest deal, because that's gonna raise the cost of production for cattle, hogs, poultry," said Ifft. "So that would probably have the largest inflationary impacts." As of , U.S. beef herd inventory was at its lowest in 73 years, which multiple reports noted is due to the persisting . Americans, the are already spending more on groceries than last year, are poised to soon see at the supermarket. Food prices are also expected to rise another , according to the USDA's Economic Research Service. In a world enmeshed in extremes, our could be the next system teetering on the edge of collapse because of human-caused climate change. And costlier groceries linked to impending risk is the first of many warning signs that it is already splintering. Get the daily forecast and severe weather alerts in your inbox!Should You Buy Nvidia Stock Before 2025?

super ufa slot jili download I'M A Celebrity viewers were left in tears as Oti Mabuse's husband gave her a very meaningful gift in a jungle surprise. The emotional moment came during a special segment where the remaining six celebrities were treated to surprise visits from their loved ones. 10 I'm A Celebrity viewers were left in tears as Oti Mabuse's husband gave her a very meaningful gift Credit: Rex 10 The remaining six celebrities were treated to surprise visits from their loved ones Credit: Rex Each reunion was packed with emotion, but it was Oti’s meeting with Marius that stood out for fans. As Oti, 34, walked through the jungle, she was stunned to spot dancer Marius , 41, waiting for her at the creek, reaching out his arms wide, ready to lift her up into a big hug. Oti said: “Walking through the jungle this beautiful face was the last face I expected to see but the best surprise ever.” She told him: “You smell so good.” read more on Oti Mabuse CHEEKY DEC Awkward moment I'm A Celeb's Oti Mabuse tells Dec off for SMILING MUM STRESS I'm A Celeb's Oti Mabuse fights back tears over cruel trolling for leaving baby And Marius had a surprise or two for Oti. Telling her to check his pocket, she found an outfit that her baby had worn the day before. A crying Oti hugged and smelt it, as she declared: “This is the perfect gift!” Also to mark their ten year anniversary, Marius got her a new ring, as an excited Oti couldn’t wait to try it on. Most read in Reality STRICTLY HINT EastEnders star drops biggest hint yet that she’s signed up for Strictly 2025 jo no! I’m A Celeb star Danny Jones’ wife reveals health issue ahead of Celeb Cyclone wowie Towie chaos as star is kicked off set midway through Christmas special filming COOKING CONTINUES MasterChef will ‘be on the air for 4 more years’ despite Gregg scandal Oti said: “This is exactly what I needed to spur me on until the end.” As they went their separate ways, Oti gave him lots of kisses goodbye and she told him: “I love you.” Star lands a place in the semi-final and immunity in I'm A Celeb Home audiences were touched by the moment, taking to X, formerly Twitter, to share their delight. One wrote: "Oti seeing her husband so sweet," while another added: "Oti is so cute!" Someone else said: "Danny and now Oti, I’m crying rivers tonight." A fourth concluded: "Oti and her husband, may this love find me." But it wasn't Oti who was surprised with a loved one. GK Barry was reunited with her mum Loretta, Reverend Richard Coles ' brother Will visited him, Danny Jones was surprised by his wife Georgia and son Cooper, Alan Halsall's brother Stephen came to see him and Coleen Rooney was surprised by her mother Colette and sons Kai and Cass. In last night's episode, Oti landed herself a place in the semi-final after winning the coveted golden ticket. The former Strictly star took on Danny, Maura and Coleen in Battle Blocks and wowed everyone with her impressive strategy. Covered in jungle slime and fish guts, and having to put their hands into different hell holes filled with critters to find all ten battle blocks, Maura screamed, as Danny laughed his way through. Meanwhile, Oti and Coleen both kept stealth with their game faces on. But Oti had a different plan to the rest, putting her civil engineering degree to good use, her tactic was to lay all ten blocks out on the floor and fit them like a puzzle to determine which way round they would successfully fit in the grid. Ant and Dec watched on saying: “That’s an interesting strategy, putting it on the floor first, even with stuff dropping down!” With tension building, Ant said: “Ooh Coleen is so close, has she got all her blocks?” as they watched her try and assemble the blocks into her grid. Meanwhile, Maura squealed as rotten fruit and veg dropped on her, as she shouted: “That’s enough!” As Ant and Dec deduced: “A lot of squealing and screaming, I don’t think that’s helping her at all.” The tension was getting to Danny, as he tried to place the blocks in the correct alignment, saying: “This is hard!” Oti picked her blocks up off the floor, as Dec questioned: “She’s getting them off the floor, straight in. Do you think she’s done it?” Ant replied: “It hasn’t really helped, has it? Or has it?” I'm A Celebrity 2024 i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher. Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth." With the pressure building, Coleen, Danny, and Oti were neck and neck, all filling up their grids at a fast pace, whilst Maura hadn’t yet started putting blocks into the grid in front of her. Suddenly Oti burst out of her gameplay area and ran to press the golden buzzer, as golden confetti burst into the air and she jumped up and down celebrating. Dec remarked: “Oti! That was incredible!” Ant added: “Absolutely brilliant.” Telling them all about her tactic to lay out the blocks on the floor, her fellow celebrities clapped and congratulated her, whilst Ant said: “Work smart, not harder!” The moment then came for Dec to hand Oti the coveted golden ticket to Cyclone, granting her immunity for the next two vote-offs, and a guaranteed place in the Celebrity Cyclone. Read more on the Scottish Sun DARR-ARGH! Weather maps reveal exact date Storm Darragh to hit Scots with rain, wind & SNOW 'SICK BEYOND BELIEF' Cops probe footage 'showing Scots woman having sex with XL Bully dog' A very happy Oti grinned and said: “It feels amazing, I’ve got to wash my underwear more now!” I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues nightly at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. 10 Telling her to check his pocket, she found an outfit that her baby had worn the day before Credit: Rex 10 Oti’s meeting with Marius stood out for fans Credit: Rex 10 Oti couldn't believe her eyes as she saw her husband Credit: Rex 10 Reverend Richard Coles' brother Will visited him Credit: Rex 10 Coleen Rooney was surprised by her mother Colette and sons Kai and Cass Credit: Rex 10 Alan Halsall's brother Stephen came to see him Credit: Rex 10 GK Barry was reunited with her mum Loretta Credit: Rex 10 Danny Jones was surprised by his wife Georgia and son Cooper Credit: Rex

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Has $12.46 Million Stock Position in Five Below, Inc. (NASDAQ:FIVE)DK Metcalf is happy to block as Seahawks ride streak into Sunday night matchup with Packers

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Unocoin Exchange Lists Morpheus' MOR As Part of Wider AI EmbraceNEW YORK, Dec. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a lawsuit has been filed against PACS Group, Inc. PACS and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws. If you invested in PACS, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting : https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/pacs-group-inc . Investors have until January 13, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in PACS securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and is captioned Manchin v. PACS Group, Inc. , et al. , No. 24-cv-08636. What is the PACS Lawsuit About? The Complaint alleges that PACS is one of the largest operators of skilled nursing facilities in the United States. As alleged, PACS repeatedly represented to shareholders that it possesses a winning "turnaround" strategy to make its nursing facilities profitable. However, in truth, it is alleged that PACS's turnaround was driven by illicitly accessing Medicare benefits for thousands of patients. On November 4, 2024, prominent investment research firm Hindenburg Research published a report titled: "PACS Group: How to Become A Billionaire In The Skilled Nursing Industry By Systematically Scamming Taxpayers." After a 5-month investigation that included interviews with 18 former PACS employees, competitors, and an analysis of more than 900 PACS facility cost reports, Hindenburg alleged that "PACS abused a COVID-era waiver, inappropriately accessing skilled care Medicare benefits for thousands of patients across its national portfolio of facilities." Hindenburg further estimated that "the scheme drove more than 100% of PACS' operating and net income from 2020 – 2023, enabling PACS to IPO in early 2024 with the illusion of legitimate growth and profitability." On November 6, 2024, PACS then announced that it was postponing its Q3 earnings and that it had "received civil investigative demands from the federal government regarding the Company's reimbursement and referral practices that may or may not be related to this week's third-party report." The news caused a significant decline in the price of PACS stock. On November 4, 2024, the price of the company's stock fell 27.8%, from a closing price of $42.94 per share on November 1, 2024, to $31.01 per share on November 4, 2024. On November 6, 2024, the price of the company's stock fell 38.8%, from a closing price of $29.54 per share on November 5, 2024, to $18.09 per share on November 6, 2024. Click here if you Suffered Losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/pacs-group-inc . What Can You Do? If you invested in PACS you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/pacs-group-inc Or contact: Ross Shikowitz ross@bfalaw.com 212-789-3619 Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP? Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd. For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com . https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/pacs-group-inc Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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Pro Picks: Eagles will beat Steelers in a close one and Bills will upset the LionsThe Kimberley Curling Club (KCC) hosted the 2025 Safetek Profire BC U18 Curling Championships from Dec. 19 to 23. "We were thrilled with how everything went," said KCC general manager Blair Jarvis. "We knew that most teams were travelling a long way to get here and unfortunately they had to deal with some adventures with the snow we had last Wednesday. "We wanted to make sure that we gave them an experience that they would remember, so we spent a lot of time on the ice, we wanted to give them a great social experience off the ice as well and we heard from a number of curlers that it was the most U18 event that they’ve attended and so we’re really proud of that fact." The event had 12 teams competing on the Boys' side and seven Girls teams. On the Boys side of the competition, Team Jaeger out of Kelowna beat out Team Hrynew in the finals and for the Girls, Team Arndt from Vernon beat out Team Rempel to win the gold. With these wins, Team Jaeger has earned a spot at the Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships, which will be held at the Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon, Sask. from Feb. 16-22, 2025. Teams Arndt and Rempel will both be headed to the Nationals. Team Jaeger was made up of coaches Tyler Jaeger and Travis Wielgosz, Lead Brendan Hruschak, Second Noel Wielgosz, Third Spencer Rempel and Skip Owen Jaeger. "We really worked hard this year, this year we really wanted to win," said Skip Owen Jaeger. "We put in a lot of work and it just feels really, really good to win and for all that hard work to pay off. We’re really, really excited, it’s our first National event, first U18 provincial win so we’re really excited." Team Arndt is Coach David Arndt, Lead Alicia Evans, Second Ivy Jensen, Third Bethany Evans and Skip Ava Arndt. "We’re just super excited," said Skip Ava Arndt. "It took us a couple years to get here, but the hard work payed off and we can’t believe it, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. It’s been a lot of hard work from us and the coaches and the parents. It’s been amazing." Jarvis coached Kimberley's Team Reynolds, who went on to win bronze. "We had set a target of making the playoffs and really happy with how the boys came together," Jarvis said. "They had a couple of games with a tough start and battled back and so the resilience they showed and how they stayed positive, there were a lot of great things we can take away from that. And the bronze medal, we were just thrilled to do that. "We saw Team Jaeger on the boys side and Team Arndt on the girls side as well — if we want to get to that level next year, we have some things to work on and it’s great to see the high level of curling in this province and so I think we’ve come away very motivated as well about what we need to do to get better if we want to be a little higher on the podium next year." Jarvis extended his gratitude to the over 50 volunteers who helped out before, during and after the event, including members of the Cranbrook Curling Club. "We’ll take some of the learnings from this event and apply them to the High School Provincials at the end of February, but we’re really happy with how everything went," he said. "And this is an event for the kids, we want to make sure that they’re going to have an experience that they’ll remember, the teams that had success will obviously remember the things that happened on the ice, but for most kids it will be the experiences they had off the ice. "We had karaoke here on the one night and a bunch of teams were intermingling together and having a great time and those are the experiences that I’m going to take away from this event." Patti Caldwell was head official for the event and Jarvis said she and Ian Milligan worked tirelessly throughout the week. "Patti’s attitude is this is all for the kids and making sure that they have fun and sure it’s a competition, but it’s meant to be fun and we’re going to enjoy this," Jarvis said. "This is a sport that we can enjoy for life and so you want to make sure you’re building positive memories in every aspect." Lindsay Shannon, administrative and event manager at Curl BC, was also on hand for the event, and presented all the awards. "We would just like to thank the Kimberley Curling Club and the City of Kimberley who put on an amazing event here and welcomed all of our athletes who have performed so well," Shannon said. "We're really looking forward to cheering our winners on at the Nationals." The Kimberley Curling Club's next big event is the High School Provincials from Feb. 26 to March 1.WASHINGTON — The FBI should have done more to gather intelligence before the Capitol riot, according to a watchdog report Thursday that also said no undercover FBI employees were on the scene on Jan. 6, 2021, and that none of the bureau's informants was authorized to participate. The report from the Justice Department inspector general's office knocks down a fringe conspiracy theory advanced by some Republicans in Congress that the FBI played a role in instigating the events that day, when rioters determined to overturn Republican Donald Trump's 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden stormed the building in a violent clash with police. The review, released nearly four years after a dark chapter in history that shook the bedrock of American democracy, was narrow in scope, but aimed to shed light on gnawing questions that have dominated public discourse, including whether major intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether the FBI in some way provoked the violence. People are also reading... 2 Statesville men face murder charges in 2011 shooting death of Joey Brewer Iredell County deputies charge 7 people in drug trafficking investigation 3 men face arson charges in Statesville house fire that severely burned woman Woman charged with stabbing car dealership employee on test drive in Mooresville Iredell-Statesville Schools OK $3.3 million in stadium upgrades at Lake Norman High School Hear the songs, see Santa at Sunday's Statesville Christmas Parade Families prepare for mass deportations: 'A sad and painful time' See balloons light up Statesville Park and Soccer Complex on Saturday H&W Drug, owned by Haupt family for nearly 100 years, closes in Newton Downtown Statesville lights Christmas tree to kickoff holiday McKinnon breaks record, Arnold shows offensive burst in Lake Norman’s hot start 100 years ago, the flu hit Harmony during hog-killing time Statesville native's book offers clues to 5 hidden treasures HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Steinhour, Lake Norman topple 4A state runner-up New Hanover See who the Greater Metro 4A recognized as all-conference in fall sports Rioters loyal to Donald Trump gather Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. The report offers a mixed assessment of the FBI's performance in the run-up to the riot, crediting the bureau for preparing for the possibility of violence and for trying to identify known "domestic terrorism subjects" who planned to come to Washington that day. But it said the FBI, in an action the now-deputy director described as a "basic step that was missed," failed to canvass informants across all 56 of its field offices for any relevant intelligence. That was a step, the report concluded, "that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations in advance of January 6." The report found 26 FBI informants were in Washington for election-related protests on Jan. 6, including three who were tasked with traveling to the city to report on others who were potentially planning to attend the day's events. While four informants entered the Capitol, none were authorized to do so by the bureau or to break the law, the report said. Rioters storm the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Many of the 26 informants provided the FBI with information before the riot, but it "was no more specific than, and was consistent with, other sources of information" that the FBI acquired. The FBI said in a letter responding to the report that it accepts the inspection general's recommendation "regarding potential process improvements for future events." The lengthy review was launched days after the riot as the FBI faced questions over whether it had missed warning signs or adequately disseminated intelligence it received, including a Jan. 5, 2021, bulletin prepared by the FBI's Norfolk, Virginia, field office that warned of the potential for "war" at the Capitol. The inspector general found the information in that bulletin was broadly shared. FBI Director Chris Wray, who announced this week his plans to resign at the end of Biden's term in January, defended his agency's handing of the intelligence report. He told lawmakers in 2021 that the report was disseminated though the joint terrorism task force, discussed at a command post in Washington and posted on an internet portal available to other law enforcement agencies. "We did communicate that information in a timely fashion to the Capitol Police and (Metropolitan Police Department) in not one, not two, but three different ways," Wray said at the time. FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks March 11 during a hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Separately, the report said the FBI's New Orleans field office was told by a source between November 2020 and early January 2021 that protesters were planning to station a "quick reaction force" in northern Virginia "to be armed and prepared to respond to violence that day in DC, if necessary." That information was shared with the FBI's Washington Field Office, members of intelligence agencies and some federal law enforcement agencies the day before the riot, the inspector general found. But there was no indication the FBI told northern Virginia police about the information, the report said. An FBI official told the inspector general there was "nothing actionable or immediately concerning about it." A cache of weapons at a Virginia hotel as part of a "quick reaction force" was a central piece of the Justice Department's seditious conspiracy case against Oath Keeper leader Stewart Rhodes and other members of the far-right extremist group. Trump supporters, including Douglas Jensen, center, confront U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 6, 2021, in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington. The conspiracy theory that federal law enforcement officers entrapped members of the mob has been spread in conservative circles, including by some Republican lawmakers. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., recently suggested on a podcast that agents pretending to be Trump supporters were responsible for instigating the violence. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who withdrew as Trump's pick as attorney general amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations, sent a letter to Wray in 2021 asking how many undercover agents or informants were at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and if they were "merely passive informants or active instigators." Wray said the "notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous." Images of chaos: AP photographers capture US Capitol riot Rioters scale a wall at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Supporters loyal to then-President Donald Trump attend a rally on the Ellipse near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Trump supporters participate in a rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Trump supporters participate in a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Then-President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to speak at a rally in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) People listen as then-President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Supporters of then-President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) A supporter of then-President Donald Trump is injured during clashes with police at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) A rioter pours water on herself at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) A Trump supporter holds a Bible as he gathers with others outside the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) A demonstrator supporting then-President Donald Trump, is sprayed by police, Jan. 6, 2021, during a day of rioting at the Capitol.(AP Photo/John Minchillo) Rioters try to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) U.S. Capitol Police try to hold back rioters outside the east doors to the House side of the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Rioters gather outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Jacob Anthony Chansley, center, with other insurrectionists who supported then-President Donald Trump, are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber in the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Chansley, was among the first group of insurrectionists who entered the hallway outside the Senate chamber. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) U.S. Capitol Police hold rioters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Lawmakers evacuate the floor as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Police with guns drawn watch as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Congressmen shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Members of Congress wear emergency gas masks as they are evacuated from the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The House gallery is empty after it was evacuated as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Members of the DC National Guard surround the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., read the final certification of Electoral College votes cast in November's presidential election during a joint session of Congress after working through the night, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool) A flag hangs between broken windows after then-President Donald Trump supporters tried to break through police barriers outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) A flag that reads "Treason" is visible on the ground in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) An ATF police officer cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.WASHINGTON — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning "things do change." Here's a look at some of the issues covered: President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage before he speaks at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Greenvale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) Trump threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn't believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won't be paying more as they shop. "I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow," Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich." He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. "All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field," Trump said. He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. "Honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump's role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: "I have the absolute right. I'm the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I'm the president. But I'm not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee," Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, "No," and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. At another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. "I want her to do what she wants to do," he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, "I'm not looking to go back into the past." Immigration advocates hold a rally in Sacramento, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to protest President-Elect Donald Trump's plans to conduct mass deportation of immigrants without legal status. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. "I think you have to do it," he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end "birthright" citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — though such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and were shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, "I want to work something out," indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not "want to be breaking up families" of mixed legal status, "so the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Notre Dame Cathedral as France's iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris ( Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP) Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he "absolutely" would remain in the alliance "if they pay their bills." Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies' commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated "fairly" on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin's invasion. "Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure," Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump called for an immediate cease-fire. Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged. "I haven't spoken to him recently," Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to "impede the negotiation." Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy, including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: "Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious" that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump's pick for FBI chief, then "he's going to be taking somebody's place, right? Somebody is the man that you're talking about." Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. "We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient," he said. He added that "we're not raising ages or any of that stuff." He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would "probably" not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, "Well, I commit. I mean, are — things do — things change. I think they change." Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had "concepts" of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called "lousy health care." He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for "better health care for less money." Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

The Kimberley Curling Club (KCC) hosted the 2025 Safetek Profire BC U18 Curling Championships from Dec. 19 to 23. "We were thrilled with how everything went," said KCC general manager Blair Jarvis. "We knew that most teams were travelling a long way to get here and unfortunately they had to deal with some adventures with the snow we had last Wednesday. "We wanted to make sure that we gave them an experience that they would remember, so we spent a lot of time on the ice, we wanted to give them a great social experience off the ice as well and we heard from a number of curlers that it was the most U18 event that they’ve attended and so we’re really proud of that fact." The event had 12 teams competing on the Boys' side and seven Girls teams. On the Boys side of the competition, Team Jaeger out of Kelowna beat out Team Hrynew in the finals and for the Girls, Team Arndt from Vernon beat out Team Rempel to win the gold. With these wins, Team Jaeger has earned a spot at the Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships, which will be held at the Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon, Sask. from Feb. 16-22, 2025. Teams Arndt and Rempel will both be headed to the Nationals. Team Jaeger was made up of coaches Tyler Jaeger and Travis Wielgosz, Lead Brendan Hruschak, Second Noel Wielgosz, Third Spencer Rempel and Skip Owen Jaeger. "We really worked hard this year, this year we really wanted to win," said Skip Owen Jaeger. "We put in a lot of work and it just feels really, really good to win and for all that hard work to pay off. We’re really, really excited, it’s our first National event, first U18 provincial win so we’re really excited." Team Arndt is Coach David Arndt, Lead Alicia Evans, Second Ivy Jensen, Third Bethany Evans and Skip Ava Arndt. "We’re just super excited," said Skip Ava Arndt. "It took us a couple years to get here, but the hard work payed off and we can’t believe it, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. It’s been a lot of hard work from us and the coaches and the parents. It’s been amazing." Jarvis coached Kimberley's Team Reynolds, who went on to win bronze. "We had set a target of making the playoffs and really happy with how the boys came together," Jarvis said. "They had a couple of games with a tough start and battled back and so the resilience they showed and how they stayed positive, there were a lot of great things we can take away from that. And the bronze medal, we were just thrilled to do that. "We saw Team Jaeger on the boys side and Team Arndt on the girls side as well — if we want to get to that level next year, we have some things to work on and it’s great to see the high level of curling in this province and so I think we’ve come away very motivated as well about what we need to do to get better if we want to be a little higher on the podium next year." Jarvis extended his gratitude to the over 50 volunteers who helped out before, during and after the event, including members of the Cranbrook Curling Club. "We’ll take some of the learnings from this event and apply them to the High School Provincials at the end of February, but we’re really happy with how everything went," he said. "And this is an event for the kids, we want to make sure that they’re going to have an experience that they’ll remember, the teams that had success will obviously remember the things that happened on the ice, but for most kids it will be the experiences they had off the ice. "We had karaoke here on the one night and a bunch of teams were intermingling together and having a great time and those are the experiences that I’m going to take away from this event." Patti Caldwell was head official for the event and Jarvis said she and Ian Milligan worked tirelessly throughout the week. "Patti’s attitude is this is all for the kids and making sure that they have fun and sure it’s a competition, but it’s meant to be fun and we’re going to enjoy this," Jarvis said. "This is a sport that we can enjoy for life and so you want to make sure you’re building positive memories in every aspect." Lindsay Shannon, administrative and event manager at Curl BC, was also on hand for the event, and presented all the awards. "We would just like to thank the Kimberley Curling Club and the City of Kimberley who put on an amazing event here and welcomed all of our athletes who have performed so well," Shannon said. "We're really looking forward to cheering our winners on at the Nationals." The Kimberley Curling Club's next big event is the High School Provincials from Feb. 26 to March 1.Percentages: FG .444, FT .864. 3-Point Goals: 7-24, .292 (Lowe 4-7, Austin 1-4, Cummings 1-5, Leggett 1-5, Corhen 0-1, G.Diaz Graham 0-2). Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 6 (G.Diaz Graham 4, Corhen, Leggett). Turnovers: 12 (Lowe 4, Leggett 3, Dunn 2, Austin, Corhen, Cummings). Steals: 10 (Leggett 5, Lowe 3, Austin, Cummings). Technical Fouls: Lowe, 00:04 first. Percentages: FG .373, FT .700. 3-Point Goals: 5-21, .238 (V.Miller 2-3, Fountain 1-1, Reed 1-1, Sears 1-4, Collins 0-1, R.Miller 0-1, Givens 0-2, Bailey 0-3, Carter 0-5). Team Rebounds: 5. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 1 (Reed). Turnovers: 15 (Sears 6, Carter 2, Givens 2, V.Miller 2, Bailey, Chest, Fountain). Steals: 5 (Bailey 2, Sears 2, V.Miller). Technical Fouls: Carter, 5:01 second. A_1,112 (2,000).

LQWD Announces Closing of Non-Brokered Private PlacementNone

Mozambique top court confirms ruling party disputed win

Tech billionaire Elon Musk spent at least $270 million to help Donald Trump win the US presidency, according to new federal filings, making him the country's biggest political donor. SpaceX and Tesla CEO Musk, the world's richest person, was an ardent supporter of Trump's White House campaign -- funneling money into door knocking operations and speaking at his rallies. His financial backing, which has earned him a cost-cutting advisory role in Trump's incoming government, surpassed spending by any single political donor since at least 2010, according to data from nonprofit OpenSecrets. The Washington Post reported that Musk spent more this election cycle than Trump backer Tim Mellon, who gave nearly $200 million and was previously the Republican's top donor. Musk donated $238 million to America PAC, a political action committee that he founded to support Trump, filings late Thursday with the Federal Election Commission showed. An additional $20 million went to the RBG PAC, a group that used advertising to soften Trump's hardline reputation on the key voter issue of abortion. More from this section Musk has been an ever-present sidekick for Trump since his election victory in November, inviting him to watch a rocket launch in Texas by his SpaceX company. Trump has selected the South African-born tycoon and fellow ally Vivek Ramaswamy to head the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, through which the pair have promised to deliver billions of dollars of cuts in federal spending. However, with Musk's businesses all having varying degrees of interactions with US and foreign governments, his new position also raises concerns about conflict of interest. The president-elect has nominated several people close to Musk for roles in his administration, including investor David Sacks as the so-called AI and crypto czar. Meanwhile, billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman, who has collaborated with Musk's SpaceX, was named the head of US space agency NASA. pgf-bjt/acbWASHINGTON — The FBI should have done more to gather intelligence before the Capitol riot, according to a watchdog report Thursday that also said no undercover FBI employees were on the scene on Jan. 6, 2021, and that none of the bureau's informants was authorized to participate. The report from the Justice Department inspector general's office knocks down a fringe conspiracy theory advanced by some Republicans in Congress that the FBI played a role in instigating the events that day, when rioters determined to overturn Republican Donald Trump's 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden stormed the building in a violent clash with police. The review, released nearly four years after a dark chapter in history that shook the bedrock of American democracy, was narrow in scope, but aimed to shed light on gnawing questions that have dominated public discourse, including whether major intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether the FBI in some way provoked the violence. The report offers a mixed assessment of the FBI's performance in the run-up to the riot, crediting the bureau for preparing for the possibility of violence and for trying to identify known "domestic terrorism subjects" who planned to come to Washington that day. But it said the FBI, in an action the now-deputy director described as a "basic step that was missed," failed to canvass informants across all 56 of its field offices for any relevant intelligence. That was a step, the report concluded, "that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations in advance of January 6." The report found 26 FBI informants were in Washington for election-related protests on Jan. 6, including three who were tasked with traveling to the city to report on others who were potentially planning to attend the day's events. While four informants entered the Capitol, none were authorized to do so by the bureau or to break the law, the report said. Rioters storm the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Many of the 26 informants provided the FBI with information before the riot, but it "was no more specific than, and was consistent with, other sources of information" that the FBI acquired. The FBI said in a letter responding to the report that it accepts the inspection general's recommendation "regarding potential process improvements for future events." The lengthy review was launched days after the riot as the FBI faced questions over whether it had missed warning signs or adequately disseminated intelligence it received, including a Jan. 5, 2021, bulletin prepared by the FBI's Norfolk, Virginia, field office that warned of the potential for "war" at the Capitol. The inspector general found the information in that bulletin was broadly shared. FBI Director Chris Wray, who announced this week his plans to resign at the end of Biden's term in January, defended his agency's handing of the intelligence report. He told lawmakers in 2021 that the report was disseminated though the joint terrorism task force, discussed at a command post in Washington and posted on an internet portal available to other law enforcement agencies. "We did communicate that information in a timely fashion to the Capitol Police and (Metropolitan Police Department) in not one, not two, but three different ways," Wray said at the time. FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks March 11 during a hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Separately, the report said the FBI's New Orleans field office was told by a source between November 2020 and early January 2021 that protesters were planning to station a "quick reaction force" in northern Virginia "to be armed and prepared to respond to violence that day in DC, if necessary." That information was shared with the FBI's Washington Field Office, members of intelligence agencies and some federal law enforcement agencies the day before the riot, the inspector general found. But there was no indication the FBI told northern Virginia police about the information, the report said. An FBI official told the inspector general there was "nothing actionable or immediately concerning about it." A cache of weapons at a Virginia hotel as part of a "quick reaction force" was a central piece of the Justice Department's seditious conspiracy case against Oath Keeper leader Stewart Rhodes and other members of the far-right extremist group. Trump supporters, including Douglas Jensen, center, confront U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 6, 2021, in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington. The conspiracy theory that federal law enforcement officers entrapped members of the mob has been spread in conservative circles, including by some Republican lawmakers. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., recently suggested on a podcast that agents pretending to be Trump supporters were responsible for instigating the violence. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who withdrew as Trump's pick as attorney general amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations, sent a letter to Wray in 2021 asking how many undercover agents or informants were at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and if they were "merely passive informants or active instigators." Wray said the "notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous." Rioters scale a wall at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Supporters loyal to then-President Donald Trump attend a rally on the Ellipse near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Trump supporters participate in a rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Trump supporters participate in a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Then-President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to speak at a rally in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) People listen as then-President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Supporters of then-President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) A supporter of then-President Donald Trump is injured during clashes with police at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) A rioter pours water on herself at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) A Trump supporter holds a Bible as he gathers with others outside the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) A demonstrator supporting then-President Donald Trump, is sprayed by police, Jan. 6, 2021, during a day of rioting at the Capitol.(AP Photo/John Minchillo) Rioters try to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) U.S. Capitol Police try to hold back rioters outside the east doors to the House side of the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Rioters gather outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Jacob Anthony Chansley, center, with other insurrectionists who supported then-President Donald Trump, are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber in the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Chansley, was among the first group of insurrectionists who entered the hallway outside the Senate chamber. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) U.S. Capitol Police hold rioters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Lawmakers evacuate the floor as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Police with guns drawn watch as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Congressmen shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Members of Congress wear emergency gas masks as they are evacuated from the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The House gallery is empty after it was evacuated as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Members of the DC National Guard surround the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., read the final certification of Electoral College votes cast in November's presidential election during a joint session of Congress after working through the night, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool) A flag hangs between broken windows after then-President Donald Trump supporters tried to break through police barriers outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) A flag that reads "Treason" is visible on the ground in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) An ATF police officer cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Fencing is placed around the exterior of the Capitol grounds, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 in Washington. The House and Senate certified the Democrat's electoral college win early Thursday after a violent throng of pro-Trump rioters spent hours Wednesday running rampant through the Capitol. A woman was fatally shot, windows were bashed and the mob forced shaken lawmakers and aides to flee the building, shielded by Capitol Police. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Showcases Robust Development and Commitment to Sustainable Mobility Solutions MUNICH, Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The solar technology company Sono Group N.V. ( OTCQB: SEVCF ) (hereafter referred to as "Sono” or the "Company”, parent company to Sono Motors GmbH or "Sono Motors”) today announced its financial results for the first six months of 2024, highlighting a €60.6 million profit and its recovery following its exit from insolvency earlier this year. Key financial highlights Managing Director, CEO and CFO George O'Leary said, "We believe our results demonstrate the resilience of our business model and the effectiveness of our strategic pivot to solar retrofit solutions. We see the €60.6 million profit and successful exit from insolvency mark as a key turning point for Sono, setting the stage for sustainable growth.” The Company remains committed to advancing its solar integration technology, providing scalable solutions for the transportation sector and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. For more information about Sono Group N.V., Sono Motors GmbH and their solar solutions, visit sonogroupnv.com and sonomotors.com . ABOUT SONO GROUP N.V. Sono Group N.V. ( OTCQB: SEVCF ) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Sono Motors GmbH are on a pioneering mission to accelerate the revolution of mobility by making every commercial vehicle solar. Our disruptive solar technology has been developed to enable seamless integration into all types of commercial vehicles to reduce the impact of CO2 emissions and pave the way for climate-friendly mobility. CONTACT: Press: [email protected] | ir.sonomotors.com/news-events Investors: [email protected] | ir.sonomotors.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sonogroupnv FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release may contain forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "aim", "forecast", "project", "target", "will” and similar expressions (or their negative) identify certain of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are statements regarding the intentions, beliefs, or current expectations of the Company and Sono Motors (together, the "companies”). Forward-looking statements involve inherent known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and could cause the companies' actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to: our ability to access the unfunded portion of the investment from YA II PN, Ltd. ("Yorkville”), including our ability to successfully comply with the agreements related thereto and the absence of any termination event or any event of default; our ability to maintain relationships with creditors, suppliers, service providers, customers, employees and other third parties in light of the performance and credit risks associated with our constrained liquidity position and capital structure; our status as a foreign private issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; our ability to comply with OTCQB continuing standards, as well as our ability to have our shares admitted to trading on a national stock exchange, including the Nasdaq Capital Market, in the future; our ability to enter into a definitive agreement with Yorkville with respect to the conversion of outstanding debt into equity through the issuance of preferred shares; our ability to achieve our stated goals; our strategies, plan, objectives and goals, including, among others, the successful implementation and management of the pivot of our business to exclusively retrofitting and integrating our solar technology onto third party vehicles; our ability to raise the additional funding required beyond the investment from Yorkville to further develop and commercialize our solar technology and business as well as to continue as a going concern. For additional information concerning some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our forward-looking statements, please refer to our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 20-F, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on our website at ir.sonomotors.com. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond our ability to control or estimate precisely, such as the actions of courts, regulatory authorities and other factors. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. FINANCIAL RESULTS (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) INCOME STATEMENT (unaudited) (unaudited) FOR THE PERIOD PER SHARE IN EUR 2024 Unaudited 2023 Audited