Arsenal moves up to second in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over IpswichRICHMOND, Va. , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV) ("Universal" or the "Company"), a global business-to-business agriproducts company, today announced that, as expected, on November 19, 2024 , it received a notice (the "NYSE Notice") from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") that the Company is not in compliance with Section 802.01E of the NYSE Listed Company Manual as a result of its failure to timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024 (the "Form 10-Q") with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") prior to November 18, 2024 , the end of the extension period provided by Rule 12b -25 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The NYSE Notice has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company's common stock on the NYSE. The NYSE Notice informed the Company that, under NYSE rules, the Company has six months from November 18, 2024 , to regain compliance with the NYSE listing standards by filing the Form 10-Q with the SEC. If the Company fails to file the Form 10-Q within the six-month period, the NYSE may grant, in its sole discretion, an extension of up to six additional months for the Company to regain compliance, depending on the specific circumstances. The NYSE Notice also noted that the NYSE may nevertheless, in its own discretion, commence delisting proceedings at any time during such period. As previously disclosed in the Company's Notification of Late Filing on Form 12b-25, filed on November 12, 2024 (the "Form 12b-25") with the SEC, the Company was unable to file the Form 10-Q on a timely basis due to an ongoing internal investigation. As a result of the additional time required to complete its internal investigation, the process of finalizing financial statements for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 could not be completed on a timely basis. The Company is committed to completing a deliberate, thorough investigation while diligently working to fulfill all reporting obligations and currently expects to file the Form 10-Q within the six-month period granted by the NYSE Notice; however, there can be no assurance that the Form 10-Q will be filed within such period. About Universal Corporation Universal Corporation (NYSE: UVV) is a global agricultural company with over 100 years of experience supplying products and innovative solutions to meet our customers' evolving needs and precise specifications. Through our diverse network of farmers and partners across more than 30 countries on five continents, we are a trusted provider of high-quality, traceable products. We leverage our extensive supply chain expertise, global reach, integrated processing capabilities, and commitment to sustainability to provide a range of products and services designed to drive efficiency and deliver value to our customers. For more information, visit www.universalcorp.com . CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Among other things, these statements include statements regarding expectations about the Company's filing of its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 . These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of words such as we "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "could," "should," "may," "plan," "will," "predict," "estimate," and similar expressions or words of similar import. These forward-looking statements are based upon management's current knowledge and assumptions about future events and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, prospects, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the uncertainty of the ultimate findings of the ongoing internal investigation, as well as the timing of its completion and costs and expenses arising out of the ongoing internal investigation process and its results; the impact of the ongoing internal investigation on us, our management and operations, including financial impact as well as any litigation or regulatory action that may arise from the ongoing internal investigation; the impact of the internal investigation on our conclusions regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures; our ability to regain compliance with NYSE listing requirements; success in pursuing strategic investments or acquisitions and integration of new businesses and the impact of these new businesses on future results; product purchased not meeting quality and quantity requirements; our reliance on a few large customers; our ability to maintain effective information technology systems and safeguard confidential information; anticipated levels of demand for and supply of our products and services; costs incurred in providing these products and services including increased transportation costs and delays attributed to global supply chain challenges; timing of shipments to customers; higher inflation rates; changes in market structure; government regulation and other stakeholder expectations; economic and political conditions in the countries in which we and our customers operate, including the ongoing impacts from international conflicts; product taxation; industry consolidation and evolution; changes in exchange rates and interest rates; impacts of regulation and litigation on its customers; industry-specific risks related to its plant-based ingredient businesses; exposure to certain regulatory and financial risks related to climate change; changes in estimates and assumptions underlying our critical accounting policies; the promulgation and adoption of new accounting standards, new government regulations and interpretation of existing standards and regulations; and general economic, political, market, and weather conditions. Actual results, therefore, could vary from those expected. Please also refer to such other factors as discussed in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of Universal's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 , and related disclosures in other filings which have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . All risk factors and uncertainties described herein and therein should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements, and all of the forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein and therein. Universal cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements as these statements speak only as of the date when made, and it undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made, except as required by law. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/universal-corporation-receives-nyse-notice-regarding-filing-of-form-10-q-for-the-fiscal-quarter-ended-september-30-2024-302314579.html SOURCE Universal Corporation7xm bd app 。

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), has spearheaded a relentless crusade against oil thieves, revolutionizing Nigeria’s maritime security landscape. Since assuming office in June 2023, Admiral Ogalla has leveraged cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and innovative tactics to combat maritime crimes, protect Nigeria’s economic interests, and ensure regional stability. The dynamic and seasoned navigator has embarked upon various instant reforms aimed at not just repositioning the Nigerian Navy but re-writing the narratives, especially with consolidation on the deployment of technology which will be aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests, promoting economic growth, and enhancing regional stability. The transformative blueprint was encapsulated in an ambitious, Nigeria’s Maritime Security and Blue Economy Comprehensive Strategy Agenda; namely, the Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy (TSMS), which is intended to tackle maritime crimes and promote economic growth, and involves the designation of Special Courts for Maritime Crimes, Advocacy Campaigns to enlist community support, and Socioeconomic Crime Prevention Strategies. Also, the TSMS will enhance naval capabilities through fleet renewal, operational readiness, and physical and social infrastructural development, with a premium on human capital development through personnel welfare and motivation, manpower training, and youth and sports development. This aims at maintaining and equipping a professionally competent and ethical naval force, capable of leveraging on all the elements of national powers to effectively defend Nigeria’s maritime area against all forms of threat to deliver the imperatives of national security. To accomplish the agenda, Ogalla engaged strategic stakeholders and other security agencies in a robust confidence-building, partnership and interagency relationship dialogue, drumming the necessity for shaping the security outcomes within Nigeria’s maritime domain and the littorals, including land-based engagements in fulfilment of national interest. This has led to synergy and intelligence sharing amongst various agencies such as NIMASA, NPA, NDLEA, NOSDRA, and NEMA, as well as many foreign bilateral meetings and talks with the American Chief of Naval Service, Operation (CNO), and also enhanced trust, confidence building, synergy and operational successes. The re-equipping of the Naval Shipyard Limited to construct and fabricate small boats, big vessels and other facilities of the Navy, has eliminated capital flight and encouraged the training and development of skilled manpower not just within the Navy but as a means of livelihood afterwards. To have firsthand knowledge of his officers and men, the CNS conducts frequent inspection and supervisory tours of the various Naval ships as part of his avowed commitment to the welfare of the personnel and also to have personal knowledge of their war readiness. The visit has been adjudged to greatly increase the morale of the officers and men, as well as a forum for a one-on-one with the CNS. An efficient and effective strategically pragmatic leader, the CNS deploys both men and materials in the most suitable manner such as to ensure economic utilization. The novel and innovative deployment of technology in combating oil thieves has led to landmark breakthroughs including, the deployment of drones and satellite images. For instance, the intense operation of Operation DELTA SANITY recorded the seizure of 95 wooden boats, the deactivation of 119 storage tank refining ovens, and the deactivation of 447 dugout pits. Other achievements include the deactivation of 120 illegal refining sites and the seizure of 13 fibre boats, the seizure of 9 vehicles and the arrest of 14 vessels and 74 criminal suspects, with the arrest of various vessels including; MT KALI, MT HABOUR SPIRIT, MT SAISNIL, MV TOKITO, MT VINILLARIS, and MT SWEET MIRI. These operations have also effective implications for climate change as they mitigate hazardous air pollution as well as curb sooth. The CNS’s deliberate human capacity development has led to a highly improved professional and well-motivated workforce, that is ethical and with the required competencies to defend the Country’s maritime space against threats of any kind. The Total Spectrum Strategy has led to the Zero Piracy Rating Status of Nigeria by the International Maritime Bureau. The Nigeria Navy through the Maritime Domain Awareness Capacity, has both ensured the compliance of its personnel to civility and also activated deterrent measures to curb negligence and unprofessional conduct of personnel as well as provide all year-round situation awareness of Nigeria’s maritime domain extending to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone. Through the use of its Maritime Domain Awareness Facilities, Drones and other technological tools, the Navy has enhanced early detection and swift response to incidences within the maritime environment. Instead of using responders which has proved to be costly both in terms of the responders’ psychology and otherwise, the introduction and integration of drones and AI, by the CNS has achieved tremendous benefits, in areas of surveillance, monitoring and rapid response. Presently, the deployment of technology has assisted in attaining real-time aerial surveillance. Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors can provide continuous aerial surveillance of pipelines, oil facilities, and surrounding areas, capturing real-time data and visual feeds. Drones can capture detailed images and videos, allowing for the identification of unauthorized activities, potential threats, and illegal taps on pipelines, all of these enhance rapid response. Also, Drones can be swiftly deployed to areas of interest, significantly reducing response times and allowing for immediate assessment of potential theft activities. In remote areas in particular, drones can access hard-to-reach or dangerous areas, providing critical information without exposing responders to potential risks. In the area of criminal detection, prevention and deterrence, with detection being the key reason for the deployment of the technology, early detection and deterrence can be easily and promptly achieved. Early detection, advanced sensors and AI algorithms are now effectively and efficiently used to detect anomalies such as leaks, illegal taps, and unauthorized movements along pipelines thereby preventing wastages and the dangers of scooping and its potential risk. Thermal imaging by drones equipped with thermal cameras is also used to identify heat signatures from illegal activities or equipment tampering, even in low visibility conditions such as nighttime or dense vegetation, this has become a potent tool for deterrence, while the physical visible presence of drones also acts as a deterrent to potential thieves, reducing the likelihood of thefts. While in flight, drones programmed to send automated alerts can automatically alert security personnel and local authorities upon detecting suspicious activities, enabling rapid intervention. It is necessary to note that the innovative mandatory deployment of the technology has led to an unprecedented high level of safety for all, ensuring personnel safety and minimizing the need for personnel to enter hazardous areas, significantly reducing the risk of injury or exposure to toxic substances and dangerous situations including armed attacks by oil thieves. Instead Naval personnel can now monitor and respond to incidents from a safe distance, enhancing overall safety and minimizing direct human involvement. All these leads also to overall cost efficiency, the strengthening of the operational capacity of the Navy and the enhancement of its capability to keep personnel abreast of global trends relating to evolving technological advancements in the maritime industry, as well as maintain a competitive edge during operations. Aside, the use of AI has greatly improved the Nigerian Navy’s decision-making processes, such as predicting the most fuel-efficient way to operate a vessel and has also affected the ship’s navigation system, radar operations or threat-detection systems to help operators process information faster. Part of the achievements of the automatic mode is that the CMS can detect a target and identify, classify and prioritize targets before deploying weapons, although people are involved in decisions about when and how to use weapons. Accordingly, harnessing AI and other technologies has helped the Nigerian Navy more effectively respond to a range of maritime threats such as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU); drug smuggling; and piracy, eliminating the loss in revenue suffered annually by Nigeria of about $70 million to IUU fishing perpetrated by a host of foreign fleets, mostly Chinese. Aside from the use of drones and other technological tools, the use of the surveillance facility of the Nigerian Navy known as the FALCON Eye system for the security of the Nigerian Maritime space has also engendered economic prosperity. With the C4i system and the FALCON eye which are platforms that massively complement each other, there is effective intra-agency communication synergy and improved security of the maritime space devoid of security challenges, thereby boosting the courage of both local and foreign investors in the sector. The effective synchronization of the NIMASA C4i and the FALCON Eye of the Nigerian Navy has added to the strides of the FG in reaping the benefits of the blue economy. It is instructive to note that the FALCON eye system of the Nigerian Navy is a state-of-the-art surveillance facility that incorporates various sensors located along the nation’s enormous coastline, such as Radars, long-range Electro Optic Systems with thermal or night vision capability, Automatic Identification System receivers, Weather Stations and marine Very High-Frequency Radios for communication. The integration of these sensors into the Falcon Eye system generates a real-time situational awareness of the activities of vessels in the Nigerian maritime domain and some selected parts in the Gulf of Guinea. The device consists of over-the-horizon radars with a range of 200 miles, long-range electro-optical systems with a range of 30 miles, and automatic identification system (AIS) receivers. These are linked to three regional control centres and a network operations centre to provide real-time situational awareness of the country’s waters. As part of another landmark breakthrough, the CNS has also inaugurated an overarching control facility at Naval Headquarters in Abuja. The Command-and-Control Centre is filled with television screens on one wall, directly faced by at least a dozen individual workstations for monitoring the sensors. The Command-and-Control Centre is to enable the Nigerian Navy to generate a comprehensive intelligence picture of activities within the maritime environment. This will be further analyzed in appropriate cases, dispatching a Nigerian Navy ship for interdiction, investigation, and/or subsequent arrest of erring vessels. Falcon Eye had already facilitated the seizure of hundreds of tankers carrying stolen oil valued at USD10 billion and 1990 vessels engaged in illegal fishing, as well as 100 pirates and 5000 suspected smugglers. The CNS has achieved numerous exploits in the war against oil thieves. His deployment of technology to keep international thieves away from our territorial waters stands as a clear and eloquent testimony of his relentless effort to bring to an end the activities of oil thieves and criminal elements along the maritime corridor. The effective and collaborative utilization of the FALCON Eye has helped to record tremendous progress for the Nigerian Navy, and all these achievements for our country in less than no time. Adeh is a public affairs analyst based in Gbaramatu.The Cannabist Company and Flower by Edie Parker Launch Partnership in Virginia and Colorado

One of the country’s largest health insurers reversed a change in policy Thursday after widespread outcry, saying it would not tie payments in some states to the length of time a patient went under anesthesia. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement that its decision to backpedal resulted from “significant widespread misinformation” about the policy. “To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services,” the statement said. “The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.” Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield would have used "physician work time values," which is published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as the metric for anesthesia limits; maternity patients and patients under the age of 22 were exempt. But Dr. Jonathan Gal, economics committee chair of the American Society for Anesthesiologists, said it's unclear how CMS derives those values. In mid-November, the American Society for Anesthesiologists called on Anthem to “reverse the proposal immediately,” saying in a news release that the policy would have taken effect in February in New York, Connecticut and Missouri. It's not clear how many states in total would have been affected, as notices also were posted in Virginia and Colorado . People across the country registered their concerns and complaints on social media, and encouraged people in affected states to call their legislators. Some people noted that the policy could prevent patients from getting overcharged. Gal said the policy change would have been unprecedented, ignored the “nuanced, unpredictable human element” of surgery and was a clear “money grab.” “It’s incomprehensible how a health insurance company could so blatantly continue to prioritize their profits over safe patient care,” he said. "If Anthem is, in fact, rescinding the policy, we’re delighted that they came to their senses.” Prior to Anthem's announcement Thursday, Connecticut comptroller Sean Scanlon said the “concerning” policy wouldn't affect the state after conversations with the insurance company. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an emailed statement Thursday that her office had also successfully intervened. The insurance giant’s policy change came one day after the CEO of UnitedHealthcare , another major insurance company, was shot and killed in New York City.By Lea Skene | The Associated Press Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex often used for raincoats and other outdoor gear, alleging its leaders kept using “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks associated with them. The complaint, which was filed last week in federal court, focuses on a cluster of 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland operated by Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates. It alleges the company polluted the air and water around its facilities with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances , jeopardizing the health of surrounding communities while raking in profits. The lawsuit adds to other claims filed in recent years, including a class action on behalf of Cecil County residents in 2023 demanding Gore foot the bill for water filtration systems, medical bills and other damages associated with decades of harmful pollution in the largely rural community. “PFAS are linked to cancer, weakened immune systems, and can even harm the ability to bear children,” Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a statement. “It is unacceptable for any company to knowingly contaminate our drinking water with these toxins, putting Marylanders at risk of severe health conditions.” Gore spokesperson Donna Leinwand Leger said the company is “surprised by the Maryland Attorney General’s decision to initiate legal action, particularly in light of our proactive and intensive engagement with state regulators over the past two years.” “We have been working with Maryland, employing the most current, reliable science and technology to assess the potential impact of our operations and guide our ongoing, collaborative efforts to protect the environment,” the company said in a statement, noting a Dec. 18 report that contains nearly two years of groundwater testing results. But attorney Philip Federico, who represents plaintiffs in the class action and other lawsuits against Gore, called the company’s efforts “too little, much too late.” In the meantime, he said, residents are continuing to suffer — one of his clients was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer. “It’s typical corporate environmental contamination,” he said. “They’re in no hurry to fix the problem.” The synthetic chemicals are especially harmful because they’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. In addition to cancers and immune system problems, exposure to certain levels of PFAS has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, reproductive health issues and developmental delays in children, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Gore leaders failed to warn people living near its Maryland facilities about the potential impacts, hoping to protect their corporate image and avoid liability, according to the state’s lawsuit. The result has been “a toxic legacy for generations to come,” the lawsuit alleges. Since the chemicals are already in the local environment, protecting residents now often means installing complex and expensive water filtration systems. People with private wells have found highly elevated levels of dangerous chemicals in their water, according to the class action lawsuit. The Maryland facilities are located in a rural area just across the border from Delaware, where Gore has become a longtime fixture in the community. The company, which today employs more than 13,000 people, was founded in 1958 after Wilbert Gore left the chemical giant DuPont to start his own business. Its profile rose with the development of Gore-Tex , a lightweight waterproof material created by stretching polytetrafluoroethylene, which is better known by the brand name Teflon that’s used to coat nonstick pans. The membrane within Gore-Tex fabric has billions of pores that are smaller than water droplets, making it especially effective for outdoor gear. The state’s complaint traces Gore’s longstanding relationship with DuPont , arguing that information about the chemicals’ dangers was long known within both companies as they sought to keep things quiet and boost profits. It alleges that as early as 1961, DuPont scientists knew the chemical caused adverse liver reactions in rats and dogs. DuPont has faced widespread litigation in recent years. Along with two spinoff companies, it announced a $1.18 billion deal last year to resolve complaints of polluting many U.S. drinking water systems with forever chemicals. The Maryland lawsuit seeks to hold Gore responsible for costs associated with the state’s ongoing investigations and cleanup efforts, among other damages. State oversight has ramped up following litigation from residents alleging their drinking water was contaminated. Until then, the company operated in Cecil County with little scrutiny. Gore announced in 2014 that it had eliminated perfluorooctanoic acid from the raw materials used to create Gore-Tex. But it’s still causing long-term impacts because it persists for so long in the environment, attorneys say. Over the past two years, Gore has hired an environmental consulting firm to conduct testing in the area and provided bottled water and water filtration systems to residents near certain Maryland facilities, according to a webpage describing its efforts. Recent testing of drinking water at residences near certain Gore sites revealed perfluorooctanoic acid levels well above what the EPA considers safe, according to state officials. Attorneys for the state acknowledged Gore’s ongoing efforts to investigate and address the problem but said the company needs to step up and be a better neighbor. “While we appreciate Gore’s limited investigation to ascertain the extent of PFAS contamination around its facilities, much more needs to be done to protect the community and the health of residents,” Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain said in a statement. “We must remove these forever chemicals from our natural resources urgently, and we expect responsible parties to pay for this remediation.” Related Articles Business | Addicts trafficked cross country by ‘army of fraudsters,’ new lawsuit alleges Business | FTC sues largest wine and spirits distributor, saying it discriminates against smaller stores Business | LA prosecutor suing over alleged demotion during Gascón era tentatively settles Business | Embattled addiction treatment empire countersues Aetna in $40 million tug-of-war Business | California charges construction firm with felony wage theft at Cathedral City project

Representatives pose for a picture after El Salvador's Congress approved a bill from President Nayib Bukele that overturned a 2017 national ban on metals mining in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Dec. 23. Jose Cabezas/Reuters El Salvador’s legislature overturned a seven-year-old ban on metals mining on Monday, a move that President Nayib Bukele had pushed for to boost economic growth, but that environmental groups had opposed. El Salvador became the first country in the world to ban all forms of metals mining in 2017. Bukele, who took office in 2019, has called the ban absurd. All 57 of Bukele’s allies in the Central American country’s 60-seat legislature voted for the president’s legislation to overturn the ban. The legislation will grant the Salvadoran government sole authority over mining activities within the country’s land and maritime territory. “By creating a law that puts the state at the centre, we are guaranteeing that the population’s well-being will be at the centre of decision making,” lawmaker Elisa Rosales, from Bukele’s New Ideas party, said in a speech to the legislature. The legislation does prohibit the use of mercury in mining, and seeks to declare some areas incompatible with metals mining as protected nature reserves. El Salvador’s economy is expected to grow 3 per cent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, but it has a heavy debt burden that hit a level of around 85 per cent of gross domestic product earlier this year. Bukele, who enjoys wide popularity among voters after a gang crackdown, has touted mining’s economic potential for the country of roughly 6 million people. The president shared on social media last month that studies conducted in just 4 per cent of Salvadoran territory where mining is possible had identified gold deposits worth some $132 billion, equivalent to about 380 per cent of El Salvador’s GDP. “This wealth, given by God, can be harnessed responsibly to bring unprecedented economic and social development to our people,” Bukele wrote at the time. Dozens of people protested on Monday near Congress against the reauthorization of mining, arguing that future projects could affect the communities and ecosystem of the smallest country in Central America. “We oppose metals mining because it has been technically and scientifically proven that mining is not viable in the country,” environmentalist Luis Gonzalez told reporters. “The level of contamination that would be generated in the water, soil and biodiversity is unacceptable for life as we know it.”Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week

WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.NoneState proposes logging Naselle watershed; locals push back

The Gophers football program continued to address its needs along the offensive line on Saturday, getting commitments from Washington left tackle Kahlee Tafai and Kentucky left guard Dylan Ray out of the NCAA transfer portal. ADVERTISEMENT The U has four starters leaving after this season, including both tackles — Aireontae Ersery to the NFL Draft and Phillip Daniels in a transfer to Ohio State — and both senior guards Quinn Carroll and Tyler Cooper. The Gophers have added 13 total players through the transfer portal, including right guard Marcellus Marshall (Central Florida). Tafai Tafai, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, moved into the Huskies’ starting lineup during his freshman season in 2024. He has three years of eligibility remaining. A native of Lawndale, Calif., Tafai played 267 offensive snaps in the Big Ten last season but had a low 38.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in his first extensive college experience. He also played a few snaps at right tackle a year ago. ADVERTISEMENT Ray Ray, who is listed at 6-6 and 310, has played more than 1,000 snaps over the last two seasons for Kentucky after beginning his career with two years at West Virginia. He started 10 games for the SEC program in 2023, but only two last year. The Noblesville, Ind., native had a near-average grade of 57.5 from PFF in 2024. He has one year of eligibility remaining for the U next fall. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .

The US State and Treasury departments said they hit Georgian Dream party founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili with penalties “for undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation”, according to a statement. The designation of Mr Ivanishvili is the latest in a series of sanctions the US has placed on Georgian politicians and others this year. Those sanctions include freezes on assets and properties those targeted may have in US jurisdictions or that might enter US jurisdictions as well as travel bans on the targets and members of their families. “We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including its ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures,” the State Department said in a statement. “The United States is committed to promoting accountability for those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia.” Mr Ivanishvili is a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia and served briefly as Georgia’s prime minister. In 2012, he founded Georgian Dream, Georgia’s longtime ruling party. Critics have accused Georgian Dream of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted towards Moscow. The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBT+ rights, prompting the European Union to suspend Georgia’s membership application process indefinitely. In October, Georgian Dream won another term in a divisive parliamentary election that has led to more mass protests. Last month, the country’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced a four-year suspension of talks on Georgia’s bid to join the European Union, fuelling further public outrage.I'm A Celebrity fans furious after Ant and Dec 'try to help' Tulisa in gruelling trial

The View remains an integral part of the 2024 TV schedule , even after more than 25 years on the air . Its discussions about current events, politics, celebrities and more — led by moderator Whoopi Goldberg , mainstay Joy Behar and several others — have resulted in dozens of Daytime Emmy Awards. One can see how choosing the right co-hosts would be important to ABC, and apparently, when the network wants you, they get you. Former co-host Candace Cameron Bure revealed that she turned down The View “multiple times” before her one-season stint and explained how they eventually won her over. Candace Cameron Bure — best known for Full House and Great American Family’s TV rom-coms (she’s got three on the 2024 Christmas movie schedule ) — joined The View in 2015, but she stayed for just one season. The co-hosts are typically of varying ages, races, economic backgrounds and political leanings, but at the time Bure was the only panelist with a conservative view. She opened up recently to Allie Schnacky on a clip from The JWLKRS Podcast , revealing just how hard they fought to get her on the show, despite her objections. The actress said: I tried to turn that job down multiple times. I know they talk so much politics on the show, and I’m not comfortable with that, so no. And then they came back and they were like, ‘We’re actually switching it. We’re not really gonna talk about politics that much.’ Well I live in L.A. and I’m not moving to New York, so no. And they said, ‘We’ll fly you back and forth every week.’ They just kept upping the ante. Like everything I tried to say no to, they had a solution for it. It sounds like ABC really wanted Candace Cameron Bure’s contribution, and the powers that be were willing to make any and all arrangements for it to happen. In the end, she agreed, saying she felt God was calling her to do the show, but that certainly didn’t make it easy. For one thing, the co-hosts did not back away from the subject of politics as she’d been promised, which she’s said resulted in her doing hours of homework each night to be able to contribute to the conversation. The network did keep its promise regarding travel, but flying back and forth from Los Angeles to New York every week proved to be too much, and she said The View was the “ most difficult job I’ve had .” CCB blamed that constant travel when she left the daytime talk show in 2016, but she has since opened up about the other aspects that she said gave her PTSD . She’s voiced her opinion that the show needs more than one conservative co-host , because she often had to fight to speak her mind, which was especially difficult knowing she was the only one at the table to have her opinions. Needless to say, Candace Cameron Bure has no interest in returning to The View full-time , but she maintains that she’s grateful she accepted the opportunity because of how much she learned and grew. I guess ABC’s persistence was worth it then? CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News

2024 Was Truly the End of the 'End of History'EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K Dobbins is unlikely to play against the Atlanta Falcons this week because of a knee injury. Dobbins was hurt in the first half of the Chargers’ 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night. He had six carries for 40 yards and three catches for 19 yards before leaving the game. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh declined to get into specifics of the injury Wednesday, other than confirming Dobbins is “working through something with his knee,” he said. Dobbins had been putting together a strong first season for the Chargers (7-4) after his past three years in Baltimore had been injury-riddled. He has 766 yards rushing and eight touchdowns through 11 games for Los Angeles, which had positioned Dobbins as a strong candidate for AP Comeback Player of the Year. Dobbins tore his Achilles tendon in the 2023 season opener for Baltimore. He also tore his ACL in 2021, and the effects of that injury lingered into the following season. Dobbins played in just 24 of a possible 67 regular-season games for the Ravens, who drafted him in the second round in 2020. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Williams, Toppin help Texas Tech edge Syracuse 79-74 for third place in Charleston Classic

CD Projekt Red may not be remaking The Witcher 3, but it does want you to play the "NextGen Edition" mod that makes the RPG "more detailed and realistic"

One of the country’s largest health insurers reversed a change in policy Thursday after widespread outcry, saying it would not tie payments in some states to the length of time a patient went under anesthesia. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement that its decision to backpedal resulted from “significant widespread misinformation” about the policy. “To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services,” the statement said. “The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.” Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield would have used "physician work time values," which is published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as the metric for anesthesia limits; maternity patients and patients under the age of 22 were exempt. But Dr. Jonathan Gal, economics committee chair of the American Society for Anesthesiologists, said it's unclear how CMS derives those values. In mid-November, the American Society for Anesthesiologists called on Anthem to “reverse the proposal immediately,” saying in a news release that the policy would have taken effect in February in New York, Connecticut and Missouri. It's not clear how many states in total would have been affected, as notices also were posted in Virginia and Colorado . People across the country registered their concerns and complaints on social media, and encouraged people in affected states to call their legislators. Some people noted that the policy could prevent patients from getting overcharged. Gal said the policy change would have been unprecedented, ignored the “nuanced, unpredictable human element” of surgery and was a clear “money grab.” “It’s incomprehensible how a health insurance company could so blatantly continue to prioritize their profits over safe patient care,” he said. "If Anthem is, in fact, rescinding the policy, we’re delighted that they came to their senses.” Prior to Anthem's announcement Thursday, Connecticut comptroller Sean Scanlon said the “concerning” policy wouldn't affect the state after conversations with the insurance company. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an emailed statement Thursday that her office had also successfully intervened. The insurance giant’s policy change came one day after the CEO of UnitedHealthcare , another major insurance company, was shot and killed in New York City. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K Dobbins is unlikely to play against the Atlanta Falcons this week because of a knee injury. Dobbins was hurt in the first half of the Chargers’ 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night. He had six carries for 40 yards and three catches for 19 yards before leaving the game. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh declined to get into specifics of the injury Wednesday, other than confirming Dobbins is “working through something with his knee,” he said. Dobbins had been putting together a strong first season for the Chargers (7-4) after his past three years in Baltimore had been injury-riddled. He has 766 yards rushing and eight touchdowns through 11 games for Los Angeles, which had positioned Dobbins as a strong candidate for AP Comeback Player of the Year. Dobbins tore his Achilles tendon in the 2023 season opener for Baltimore. He also tore his ACL in 2021, and the effects of that injury lingered into the following season. Dobbins played in just 24 of a possible 67 regular-season games for the Ravens, who drafted him in the second round in 2020. “We feel horrible for him,” quarterback Justin Herbert said. “He’s such a tough, tough teammate, and the way he’s fought through so many injuries, we have no doubt he’s going to be back better than ever. And so it’s up to us. It’s our responsibility to hold it down while he’s gone.” The absence of Dobbins leaves Gus Edwards, Hassan Haskins and rookie Kimani Vidal as the Chargers’ current options at running back. Edwards missed four games because of a high ankle sprain and has 206 yards and one touchdown in seven appearances. Haskins has mostly been a special teams contributor, while Vidal has been inactive for seven games, including each of the past three. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLThe Biden administration has imposed sanctions on the founder of Georgia’s ruling political party, which has steered the country away from a pro-Western stance and towards Russia, US officials said. The US State and Treasury departments said they hit Georgian Dream party founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili with penalties “for undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation”, according to a statement. The designation of Mr Ivanishvili is the latest in a series of sanctions the US has placed on Georgian politicians and others this year. Those sanctions include freezes on assets and properties those targeted may have in US jurisdictions or that might enter US jurisdictions as well as travel bans on the targets and members of their families. “We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including its ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures,” the State Department said in a statement. “The United States is committed to promoting accountability for those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia.” Mr Ivanishvili is a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia and served briefly as Georgia’s prime minister. In 2012, he founded Georgian Dream, Georgia’s longtime ruling party. Critics have accused Georgian Dream of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted towards Moscow. The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBT+ rights, prompting the European Union to suspend Georgia’s membership application process indefinitely. In October, Georgian Dream won another term in a divisive parliamentary election that has led to more mass protests. Last month, the country’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced a four-year suspension of talks on Georgia’s bid to join the European Union, fuelling further public outrage.

Ivy League prof says MAGA fan hurled N-word at her husband, said 'just wait for Jan. 20'Iowa cornerback Jermari Harris has opted out of the remainder of the 2024 season in order to prepare for the NFL draft, according to a report by 247Sports.com . The 6-foot-1 sixth-year senior from Chicago has recorded 27 tackles, three interceptions and a team-high seven pass breakups in 10 games for the Hawkeyes this season. That includes a pick-6 in a 38-21 win over Troy earlier this season. Iowa (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) plays at Maryland on Saturday before closing out its regular season at home against Nebraska on Nov. 29. The Hawkeyes are already bowl eligible, so Harris is likely opting out of three games in total. After missing the entire 2022 season due to an ankle injury, Harris was suspended for two games of the following season for his involvement in the gambling investigation into Iowa athletics. He later emerged as the Hawkeyes' top cornerback, earning the team's comeback player of the year award after compiling 42 tackles, one interception and eight pass breakups. Harris will finish his college career with 105 tackles and eight interceptions. --Field Level Media

It's been a while since Katherine Webb has made headlines but that all changed this week. Webb, who was named Miss Alabama USA in 2012, has officially agreed to a deal with CollXab, a public relations agency that is run by Arleigh Banner. The brand promises to handle its client's future partnerships with great care. "Katherine is more than a beauty queen," CollXab wrote on Instagram . "She's a force to be reckoned with—beauty, brains, and a magnetic TV presence. Remember Miss Alabama USA 2012 and that iconic 2013 BCS National Championship moment? Say no more. Welcome aboard, Katherine." Here's more on CollXab's CEO : She has spent her career planning and managing high-profile events for clients whose profiles range from diverse industries. She has secured extensive press coverage, social impressions and increased visibility for countless brands by sourcing and securing successful partnerships and marketing opportunities. Along the way, she has formed lasting, genuine relationships with a network of influencers, VIPs and decision-makers at national talent and PR agencies. Webb shared this announcement from CollXab on her own Instagram page. View the original article to see embedded media. Webb became a fan favorite in the college football world during the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. At that time, she was dating Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron. McCarron and Webb have been married since 2014. They share three sons together. McCarron has not yet commented on Webb's latest career move. Hopefully, the next chapter of Webb's career is an awfully successful one. Related: 3 Best Swimsuit Photos Of AJ McCarron's Wife, Katherine WebbA woman is going viral for an uncomfortable experience she had with her go-to comfort food. On Nov. 19, Abby Kreger, who is the director of a pet rescue in Frankenmuth, Michigan, about a mystery surrounding Kraft Gluten Free Original Mac & Cheese: missing cheese sauce packets. Kreger, who has celiac disease, purchased multiple boxes prior to recording her video and was shocked to find that none of them had cheese packets in them. “Hey, listen, this message is for Kraft Mac & Cheese,” Kreger says in her now-viral video. “I’m gluten-free, and I have gotten now four boxes of gluten-free mac and cheese that do not have a sauce packet inside.” Kreger says that first she bought two boxes and discovered the production mistake, and after contacting Kraft’s customer service, she received a voucher for two free replacement boxes at the store of her choice. She says she bought the next two boxes individually at separate locations in different cities — but still had the same issue. “So giving me a coupon to get another box of mac and cheese isn’t solving the problem because Kraft Mac & Cheese is not addressing the problem,” she says. “You guys are having a problem in production. I’m not being a Karen.” Kreger concludes her video by pleading that Kraft find out what’s happening. “I’ve had celiac disease for almost five years,” she says, adding that she likely eats this product five times a week. “It’s to the point where I feel like I can’t even buy boxes of Kraft Gluten Free Mac & Cheese because it’s not gonna have the sauce packet and it’s just a waste of my money.” Kreger’s message to Kraft garnered over 3.2 million views and 12,000 comments. “Omg I would literally cry. Especially with how expensive it is,” one TikTok user. “Signed a celiac girly.” “WAIT SAME IM ALSO GF AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO ME,” another person, and one more , “This happened to me too!” Another user, who had the exact opposite experience, , “Too funny! My gf box had TWO cheese packets in it the other day (bought from Amazon). Sorry, I must have gotten your cheese!” Things escalated, though, when Kraft’s TikTok account responded to Kreger. “Hello. We apologize for this issue. We’re not having any quality issues with our gluten-free Kraft Mac and Cheese,” the company on her video. “Hello! Then why have I opened 4 boxes with no cheese packets?” she in response. People empathized with her exasperation in her comments section as well as in other TikTok videos — like one made by popular creator , who said the company “blew it.” “The way I would never buy Kraft again if I was the one experiencing this and they responded this way?!?” one TikTok user. “Not Kraft gaslighting you 😂,” someone else. On Nov. 21, Kreger to Kraft’s comment, expressing her frustration and sharing all of her correspondence with the company. “This makes it not feel like a comfort food anymore,” she says. “This does not feel safe. This feels more isolating. This is not helping my relationship with food.” Since then, people have been flooding Kraft’s socials with comments in support of Kreger. “So we all came from the girl who didn’t get her cheese packets? 😅,” one user on a about Kraft’s new Everything Bagel Mac & Cheese. “PUT THE SAUCE IN THE BAG BRO,” someone else on . Just when it seemed all hope was lost, Kreger on Nov. 21 sharing that a Kraft employee named Larry called her to say that, in addition to hearing her concerns, the company was going to send her a care package. “I also told Larry that I think he needs to talk to his social media team because the comment on my video was gaslighting me, did isolate me, did make me feel worse, and it was not proper customer service,” she says. A representative for Kraft Heinz tells TODAY.com that the company’s quality assurance team is investigating the production issue to determine the root cause of the problem. “Our team has been in touch with Abby to apologize for her experience and to make things right,” says the rep. “We are working closely with our response teams to ensure all future inquiries are treated with the care and respect they deserve.” In the cheesy aftermath of this saga, Kreger she has been sent free goodies from other food brands. On Nov. 22, she shared that California Pizza Kitchen delivered four gluten-free pizzas to her door and Stouffer’s sent eight boxes of gluten-free sides like creamed spinach and Mexican street corn. The next day, Instacart sent Kreger roses and gluten-free groceries, and Stouffer’s sent a second delivery of cheese sauce packets. Kreger also a handwritten note from Stouffer’s saying that her situation inspired them to create a gluten-free version of its Supreme Shells and Cheese product. “After hearing Abby’s story, we were excited to offer her our gluten-free sauce from STOUFFER’s Supreme Shells and Cheese,” Megan McLaughlin, Stouffer’s brand director tells TODAY.com. “At this time, we do not have a gluten free option in the pipeline, but we are always looking at consumer needs like Abby’s to help inspire our future innovations.” “I’m so blown away by this,” Kreger says through tears in her TikTok. “I’ve made a difference in the gluten-free community.” Washington, D.C. native Joseph Lamour is a lover of food: its past, its present and the science behind it. With food, you can bring opposites together to form a truly marvelous combination, and he strives to take that sentiment to heart in all that he does.Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield reverses decision to put a time limit on anesthesia

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In a nod to the future, Zhou Haichao and Zhao Xiuchi shared their views on the potential impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality on commercial real estate. "These innovations have the potential to revolutionize how we design, construct, and manage properties," Zhou noted. "By harnessing the power of data and analytics, we can create more efficient and user-centric spaces that drive value for both tenants and investors."The response from NATO allies has been mixed, with some countries expressing concerns over the potential repercussions of a US withdrawal from the alliance. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stated that Germany remains committed to increasing its defense spending and meeting its NATO obligations. However, other member countries have voiced reservations about being strong-armed into higher financial contributions by the United States.7xm bd casino 。

In the world of football, there are few sensations quite like the signing of a young, talented player for a staggering price tag. Back in the summer of 2017, Barcelona made headlines around the world when they signed Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool for a mind-boggling transfer fee of 140 million euros. Fast forward to the present day, and the footballing world finds itself captivated once again by another young star, Kylian Mbappé. While the circumstances surrounding their transfers are different, there are undeniable parallels between the two situations.NoneIn November, China's total import and export value increased by 1.2% year-on-year, reaching a significant milestone in the country's trade performance. This positive development signals resilience and recovery in the Chinese economy amid challenging global trade conditions.

Implements INDATA SaaS on a Front-to-Back Office Basis delivered via iPM Private Cloud GREENWICH, Conn. , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- INDATA , a leading industry provider of cloud-native, SaaS-based solutions for buyside firms, today announced that Paradigm Capital Management (PCM) is live with INDATA's Software-as-a-Service for Front, Middle and Back Office . With a three-decade history of small-cap investing, Paradigm Capital Management, based in Albany, NY employs a disciplined, bottom-up approach with an emphasis on fundamental analysis and extensive management contact. Paradigm manages $1.8 billion in AUM and offers a range of products including institutional separately managed accounts, proprietary mutual funds, and private wealth via hedge funds and LP's. Paradigm is using the INDATA system for a range of functions including trade order management (OMS), Portfolio Accounting , Performance and Reporting, including managed services for streamlined reconciliation. "We are very pleased to have Paradigm Capital Management as a client. We look forward to partnering with Paradigm on their ongoing needs," commented David Csiki , President of INDATA. About INDATA ® INDATA is a leading specialized provider of SaaS (Software-as-a-Service), technology and managed outsourcing services for buyside firms, including trade order management (OMS), portfolio management, compliance, portfolio accounting and front-to-back office. INDATA iPM Portfolio Architect AITM is the industry's first portfolio construction, modeling, rebalancing and reporting tool based on AI, and Machine Learning. INDATA's iPM – Intelligent Portfolio Management® technology platform allows end users to efficiently collaborate in real-time across the enterprise and contains the best of class functionality demanded by sophisticated institutional investors, wealth managers, and hedge funds. The company's mission is to provide clients with cutting edge technology products and services to increase trading and operational efficiency while reducing risk and administrative overhead. INDATA provides software and services to a variety of buyside clients including asset managers, registered investment advisors, banks and wealth management firms, pension funds and hedge funds. Assets under management range from under $1 billion to more than $100 billion across a variety of asset classes globally. For more information, visit www.indataipm.com Media Contact: David Csiki , dave@indataipm.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paradigm-capital-management-live-with-indata-302330839.html SOURCE INDATAThe failure of temperatures to decrease significantly after a snowstorm can have various implications. Firstly, it may indicate a shift in traditional weather patterns, possibly driven by climate change. As global temperatures continue to rise, we are witnessing more extreme weather events such as heavy snowfalls followed by unexpected temperature fluctuations. This unpredictability can disrupt ecosystems and agricultural cycles, leading to potentially severe consequences for food production and water resources.

Stoli vodka files for bankruptcy in the United StatesGlobal Tourism Industry Continues to Boom as Busy Christmas Travel Resumes in US, Australia, Asia and Europe

In light of this incident, it is imperative for all businesses in the agricultural sector to prioritize food safety and adopt responsible practices in the production and sale of fruits and vegetables. This includes proper use of pesticides, adherence to safety standards, and regular testing to ensure that produce meets the required quality and safety standards.The case of these two internet celebrities being detained serves as a wake-up call for both content creators and online platforms. While freedom of expression is important, it should not come at the expense of public decency and morality. The line between edgy content and outright obscenity must be drawn, and individuals who cross that line should face consequences for their actions.

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not play Sunday and head coach Kyle Shanahan said the lingering discomfort is a concern. Purdy sat out Friday after he participated in the start of Thursday's practice with the 49ers, then retreated indoors for what Shanahan said was a treatment session. Brandon Allen, 32, will start in Purdy's place, and the 49ers are also without defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique). Shanahan said players believe in Allen, even if he's an unknown. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said they are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy. Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. Shanahan said Allen's confidence grew throughout the week and he doesn't anticipate a major change in how he calls the offense. Left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) also missed practice for the third consecutive day. Without disclosing the nature of the ailment to Purdy's throwing shoulder, general manager John Lynch confirmed Friday an MRI exam took place to determine the severity of any injury. Allen worked with the first team most of Thursday and Friday with Joshua Dobbs also taking snaps. Lynch described Purdy's status for the 49ers (5-5) this week as "tenuous." "Hopefully, he makes progress, and we can have a shot at this weekend, but we'll see," Lynch said in an interview with KNBR in San Francisco. "I think it's tenuous." When Purdy was on the field this week, he primarily worked on the side in position-specific drills with QB coach Brian Griese. Williams played through an ankle injury last week after being listed as questionable but exited the stadium with an exaggerated limp on Sunday. Run game coordinator Chris Foerster said the 49ers aren't where they want to be at 5-5 because they haven't won close games, not because of injuries. "Seven games left is like an eternity," Foerster said. "So much can happen. Do the math. What was our record last year? It was 12-5. I was on a 13-win team that was nowhere near as good as the team last year." With or without Purdy, Foerster said the challenge for the 49ers is not to give up the ball to a defense that has 19 takeaways. The 49ers have 13 giveaways this season. --Field Level Media

Katie Miller will join the Trump administration ’s much-watched non-governmental Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, the president-elect announced on Sunday, where she will join Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in attempting to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal budget. “She has been a loyal supporter of mine for many years, and will bring her professional experience to Government Efficiency,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Katie is a deeply experienced communications professional respected by all. Congratulations to Stephen and Katie!” Miller is married to immigration hardliner Stephen Miller , one of the architects of the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” family separation policies, who will serve as Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy. She previously served as press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence. Musk and Trump have variously described DOGE’s plans as seeking between $500 million and $2 trillion in annual cuts to the federal budget. The DOGE is not an actual department of the federal government, and its spending recommendations would need congressional approval to take effect. The president-elect has compared the effort to the Manhattan Project to build the atomic bomb, claiming it will “dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies — Essential to the ‘Save America; Movement.” The DOGE team, which duplicates existing government anti-waste and fraud efforts within the Government Accountability Office and Office of Management and Budget, has singled out the Internal Revenue Service , Planned Parenthood, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and federal employees who work from home as targets for its planned cuts . The effort puts Musk in particular in a complicated and unprecedented position , as both the richest man in the world, a central presidential adviser, and a businessman with an estimated $15.4 billion in federal government contracts over the last decade across companies like Tesla and SpaceX. Musk has clashed with a variety of federal agencies he might now slash, ranging from highway regulators investigating Tesla after crashes, to accusing the Federal Communications Commission of “contemptible political lawfare,” after it determined SpaceX wasn’t eligible for $900 million in government subsidies for its Starlink internet program. Despite talks of a corresponding DOGE caucus and House subcommittee forming in caucus, observers have raised alarms over the Trump-Musk coalition’s ineffectual governance, after Congress twice rejected Trump- or Musk-backed spending proposals before reaching a last-minute deal to avert a government shutdown before Congress. The conservative stalwarts at the Wall Street Journal editorial board claimed the recent “budget fiasco” sent “bad omens” for the year ahead.Trudeau says fall of Assad 'ends decades of brutal oppression' for Syria

I’M A Celeb fans rejoiced tonight when Coleen Rooney used her detective skills to sniff out a huge camp secret. The mum gained the nickname Wagatha Christie for her ingenious social media sting to uncover the source of leaked stories about her. She entered I'm A Celebrity last week, and is the highest-paid contestant in the show's history. Over the past three days I'm A Celeb late arrivals, Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles have been sleeping on the floor in the supposedly disgusting Jungle Junkyard. The Love Island star, 33, and priest, 62, met most of their co-stars for the first time in Friday's episode, including Coleen, Danny Jones, GK Barry, Dean McCullough, Tulisa Contostavlos, Alan Halsall, and Oti Mabuse. But Coleen, wife of football legend Wayne Rooney, soon picked up on the fact that something was off. Maura and Richard, along with Dean - who had moved into Jungle Junkyard - were in fact lying about the conditions in their separate camp. After spending a few minutes in their company, Coleen returned with her campmates, some of whom haven't washed since landing in the jungle, and said: "To be honest they looked better than I'd seen them yesterday. Maura smelled nice. "They got this look, I just think they're not telling us the truth. "I don't know, they've just got this content look. There's something going on." She added in the Bush Telegraph: “I came out of there not convinced that they were living in those conditions.” The moment sent viewers into meltdown, with one posting a video of footballer Thierry Henry celebrating a goal for Arsenal. They captioned it on X: "Coleen Rooney coming out of retirement to put her Wagatha Christie hat back on to rustle the luxury Junkyard camp mates." Another said: "It’s lucky for Jack the Ripper that Coleen wasn’t around back then!" A third raved: "Of course Coleen will be first to crack the case. Wagatha's back!" One more echoed: "Not Coleen going full on Wagatha Christie and sussing out their lie ahah!" Maura and Richard's camp, the original Snake Rock, has been transformed into the Jungle Junkyard. The pair have been given cosy beds, a fridge full of snacks, a sofa and a two-ring hob for cooking. It's also covered from the storm that has been battering the camp. Meanwhile, the main camp have been sleeping in the rain and on rations of rice and beans, after Dean failed to bring back many stars from his Bushtucker Trials. To read Rebekah Vardy's columns on this year's I'm A Celeb, click here. The Sun columnist Jane Moore asked Coleen about the infamous ‘It’s.... Rebekah Vardy’ Instagram post in camp this week. As Coleen opened up, internet personality GK Barry questioned if she'd been scared to make the post. She replied: “No, because I just didn’t think it would have the impact it did, because I was just that sick and tired of it, it was draining. “That was my worst nightmare to go to court . “I felt like it was like putting on a show for the whole world.” The social media post on October 9, 2019 explained how Coleen had turned detective to catch out a friend who was leaking stories. It saw her dubbed Wagatha Christie and led to the 2022 trial in the High Court . Coleen added: “What got me, over the whole thing, was it became a bit of a joke and that’s really disappointing, it wasn’t a joke for me. "No one knew the full story.” The judge ruled in favour of Rooney, dismissing Vardy’s claim and ordered her to pay 90 per cent of the legal costs - a bill the women are still wrangling over today. Sunday's I'm A Celebrity launch episode saw Wagatha Christie brought up almost instantly.NEW YORK — There's a Christmas Day basketball game at Walt Disney World, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby. An animated game, anyway. The real game takes place at Madison Square Garden, where Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks in a game televised on ABC and ESPN and streamed on Disney+ and ESPN+. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. Madison Square Garden is a staple of the NBA's Christmas schedule. Now it merges with a bigger home of the holidays, because the "Dunk the Halls" game will be staged at Disney, on a court set up right smack in the middle of where countless families have posed for vacation photos. Why that location? Because it was Mickey Mouse's Christmas wish. "Basketball courts often have the ability to make a normal environment look special, but in Disney it can only turn out incredible," Wembanyama said in an ESPN video promoting his Christmas debut. The story — this is Disney, after all — begins with Mickey penning a letter to Santa Claus, asking if he and his pals can host a basketball game. They'll not only get to watch one with NBA players, but some of them will even get to play. Goofy and Donald Duck will sub in for a couple Knicks players, while Mickey and Minnie Mouse will come on to play for the Spurs. "It looks to me like Goofy and Jalen Brunson have a really good pick-and-roll at the elite level," said Phil Orlins, an ESPN vice president of production. Walt Disney World hosted real NBA games in 2020, when the league set up there to complete its season that had been suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The setting for the Christmas game will be Main Street USA, at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Viewers will recognize Cinderella's castle behind one baseline and the train station at the other end, and perhaps some shops they have visited in between. Previous alternate animated broadcasts included an NFL game taking place in Andy's room from "Toy Story;" the "NHL Big City Greens Classic" during a game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers; and earlier this month, another NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys also taking place at Springfield's Atoms Stadium as part of "The Simpsons Funday Football." Unlike basketball, the players are helmeted in those sports. So, this telecast required an extra level of detail and cooperation with players and teams to create accurate appearances of their faces and hairstyles. "So, this is a level of detail that we've never gone, that we've never done on any other broadcast," said David Sparrgrove, the senior director of creative animation for ESPN. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 phenom from France who was last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, looks huge even among most NBA players. The creators of the alternate telecast had to design how he'd look not only among his teammates and rivals, but among mice, ducks and chipmunks. "Like, Victor Wembanyama, seeing him in person is insane. It's like seeing an alien descend on a basketball court, and I think we kind of captured that in his animated character," said Drew Carter, who will again handle play-by-play duties, as he had in the previous animated telecasts, and will get an assist from sideline reporter Daisy Duck. Wembanyama's presence is one reason the Spurs-Knicks matchup, the leadoff to the NBA's five-game Christmas slate, was the obvious choice to do the animated telecast. The noon EST start means it will begin in the early evening in France and should draw well there. Also, it comes after ABC televises the "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" for the previous two hours, providing more time to hype the broadcast. Recognizing that some viewers who then switch over to the animated game may be Disney experts but NBA novices, there will be 10 educational explainers to help with basketball lingo and rules. Beyond Sports' visualization technology and Sony's Hawk-Eye tracking allow the animated players to make the same movements and plays made moments earlier by the real ones at MSG. Carter and analyst Monica McNutt will be animated in the style of the telecast, donning VR headsets to experience the game from Main Street, USA. Other animated faces recognizable to some viewers include NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who will judge a halftime dunk contest among Mickey and his friends, and Santa himself, who will operate ESPN's "SkyCam" during the game. The players are curious how the production — and themselves — will look. "It's going to be so crazy to see the game animated," Spurs veteran Chris Paul said. "I think what's dope about it is it will give kids another opportunity to watch a game and to see us, basically, as characters." Get local news delivered to your inbox!How to Watch the NBA Today, December 7

None'Punjab Bandh' will be observed on December 30 after it was called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political), Kisan Mazdoor Morchaand and other farmers' organisations. Farmer leader of Kisan Mazdoor Sanghrash Committee-Punjab, Sharvan Singh Pandher, said last week that 'Punjab Bandh' call for December 30 gained support from various groups. "Punjab bandh will be observed on 30th December from 7 am to 4 pm. We have received support from many unions and groups," Pandher was quoted by news agency ANI as saying. What's opened, what's closed in Dec 30? Pandher said both Punjab government and private offices will remain closed on December 30. "Rail movement and road traffic will also be closed on 30th December," Pandher said while addressing a press conference at Khannur border. However, airport services won't be affected during the bandh. Pandher also requested the people of Punjab to complete any travel or essential work as the state will observe a complete bandh from 7 AM to 4 PM on December 30. "However, emergency/medical services will remain operational," said farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher. There will be no restrictions on wedding programmes and job interviews. He said petrol pump and gas agencies will remain closed and "shutter of all the shops will be down". Why 'Punjab Bandh' has been called? The protest organised by the farmers of Punjab at the Khanauri border in Sangrur district, near the Haryana border, entered its 318th day. They have been protesting since February 13, 2024, to press on their various demands including a law to guarantee the minimum support price (MSP). Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann earlier lashed out at the central government and said that they should abandon their "stubbornness" and open their way for talk with the farmers. He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi that if he can stop the war between Russia and Ukraine , then why can't he talk to the breadwinners sitting 200 kilometers away. The Punjab Chief Minister wrote in a post on X, “The central government should abandon its old stubbornness and open the way for talks with the farmers' organizations... A cat does not run away when a pigeon winks.. I don't know what penance the central government is doing now?? If Modi ji can stop the war between Russia and Ukraine, then can't he talk to the breadwinners sitting 200 kilometers away? What time are you waiting for..?” Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal (70) has been sitting on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border since November 26 to put pressure on the Centre to accept the farmers' demands, including legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP). Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal (70) has been sitting on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border since November 26 to put pressure on the Centre to accept the farmers' demands, including legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP). Farmer leader Abhmanyu Kohar alleged that over the years, political parties made promises with farmers, but every time they were betrayed. "We request the Supreme Court that it direct the Centre that along with a legal guarantee to MSP, it should fulfil other demands of farmers. When demands of farmers are met, then there will be no reason for Dallewal ji to sit on fast,"Kohan was quoted by PTI as saying.None

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Ange Postecoglou says he understands the frustration of Tottenham 's travelling supporters following an altercation with fans following the 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Thursday. The Spurs head coach approached the away end after the final whistle and appeared to exchange angry words with supporters in the front rows. "They’re disappointed and rightly so and they gave me some direct feedback, which is taken on board," Postecoglou said. Asked about the direct feedback, he said: “Probably not for here. "I didn’t like what was being said because I’m a human being but you’ve got to cop it. "I’ve been around long enough to know when things don’t go well you’ve got to understand the frustration and disappointment. And they’re rightly disappointed because we let a game of football get away from us. But that’s OK. I’m OK with all that. “All I can say is I’m really disappointed and I’m determined to get it right and will keep fighting until we do.” Dean Huijsen, 19, headed home the game's only goal from a corner on 17 minutes, ghosting in unmarked at the back post after Destiny Udogie misjudged the flight of the ball. Bournemouth were much the better side for the rest of the match, with Spurs' stand-in goalkeeper Fraser Forster making a string of saves and the Cherries missing several chances. Postecoglou felt his depleted side "shot themselves in the foot" after a bright start and says they must "get a real grip" on their season ahead of Sunday's crunch visit of rivals Chelsea. "It is not good enough," Postecoglou said. "We again fell into the trap of starting the game really well, we were in control and then we conceded a really poor goal. "Then we kind of lost our way a little bit and allowed Bournemouth to play the game that they wanted to. We had our moments in the second half but we could not get a goal. "I don't know if they had more urgency but we have this sort of propensity to shoot ourselves in the foot when we should be controlling games. "They are hard to beat here and what you should not do is give them a goal that gives them the momentum they need. "We started to play with a bit more conviction at the beginning of the second half and made some good chances. Again we made things difficult for ourselves by allowing the opposition to take the game in the direction that they want. "They are all big games coming up. We have to get ourselves out of the space we are in at the minute where we can't get a real grip on the season."A pair of holiday-themed fundraisers will give animal lovers a chance to support local rescues in time for the holidays. All Paws Matter, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for animal-related organizations, will be hosting “Pet Pictures with Santa” and its third annual “Holly Jolly Cookie Walk and Bake Sale.” “Pet Pictures with Santa” will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 14, at Hillcrest-Flynn Pet Funeral Home and Crematory, 2619 E. State St., Hermitage. The event will offer 4-by-6-inch pictures printed on the spot. Photos cost $5 each, with all the proceeds benefitting local rescues and animal sanctuaries, according to the event flyer. The event will also feature a guest vendor, “Wookee Cookees,” whose line of homemade dog treats will be available for purchase. All Paws Matter President Kim Burdick said Pet Pictures with Santa is a new event for the organization, based on a love of animals and activities that can incorporate family, pets and the Christmas season. “I have a lot of pictures of my pets taken with Santa from over the years, and it’s nice to be able to look back on those memories,” Burdick said. Each dog who gets their picture taken will receive an “iced doggy bone” — a milk bone with frosting and sprinkles. Cats will receive a similar treat that has yet to be determined, Burdick said. The “Holly Jolly Cookie Walk and Bake Sale” will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Sharon American Legion, 1395 E. State St., Sharon. This year will be the third annual cookie walk by All Paws Matter, offering at least 15 different kinds of cookies. Three businesses donated cookies, including Cookies by Christy, Lock Stock and Barrel, and Dylan’s Delectable Cookies and Treats. Volunteers also baked cookies for the event. “We get an awesome response each year, and you can get half a dozen or ten dozen cookies,” Burdick said. “You can buy a bunch, or if you want to buy two each of three varieties and mix it up, you can do that too.” While there will be some dog treats and merchandise for both pets and people, Burdick said the cookie walk will cater more toward people with activities such as a basket raffle and a lottery board. The proceeds from both “Pet Pictures with Santa” and the “Holly Jolly Cookie Walk and Bake Sale” will be dispersed among local animal rescues in need. All Paws Matter’s members usually try to raise and donate about $10,000 for local rescues around Christmas time, Burdick said. “It’s something that’s especially needed around this time of year, and especially with the way things are now,” Burdick said. “So many people are relinquishing pets because they can’t afford to keep up with everything, and now everybody’s overflowing.” Aside from their fundraisers, All Paws Matter is organizing a “Secret Santa” tree hosted by Daffin’s Candies in Sharon. The tree features pictures of animals from multiple rescues that people can either donate money or supplies toward. Each picture features the animals’ names and mailing info on the backs. Burdick said this is the second year All Paws Matter has posted a Secret Santa tree at that business. More information on All Paws Matter and upcoming events can be found on the group’s Facebook page, “All Paws Matter.” Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at .

Rotary club to mark centennial next yearThe Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope has been a joy to review, and we loved being able to use it as a whole class. Pupils have learned so much, thanks to its multiple viewing and image projection capabilities, and have found it a fabulous tool for collaborative work. Head: 180-degree rotating LCD module with touch-screen monitor Eyepieces: Digital camera provides 10X magnification Objective lenses: 4X, 10X, 20X, 40X and 60X Stage: Mechanical stage with XY navigation Light source: Adjustable 6V LED and toplight Condenser: N.A. 0.65 Focusing: Dual (coarse and fine) Extras: AC adapter, USB cable, AV/TV cable, 8GB SD card, touch pen, 10 prepared slides, dust cover, hard carry case, adjustable diaphragm with built-in RGB filters Add-ons: Celestron have a range of prepared slides and insect specimens Celestron has designed the PentaView LCD with a wealth of professional touches, such as high magnification, XY stage navigation, adjustable dual lighting and a very stylish and durable carry case. It has also been great to be able to photograph and video tissues and live specimens, both in the laboratory and during fieldwork. Celestron PentaView at Amazon for $465.59 Overall, the Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope has been great fun to experiment with, and a fantastic addition to our microscopy suite. We highly recommend it for use in schools and at home. The best microscopes for kids are wonderful learning tools for budding young scientists, and older children and students would benefit more from the best microscopes for students . Celestron PentaView LCD Digital Microscope Design LCD monitor allows multiple viewers High magnification Multiple professional features The PentaView LCD digital microscope by Celestron has been designed with many professional features that allow for high magnification images, still and moving, to be viewed, captured and projected to multiple observers simultaneously. This facilitates a high level of collaborative group work in the lab, in the classroom or in the field, and enhances the teaching and learning experience hugely. Although the PentaView does not have an eyepiece lens, the LCD screen provides 10X magnification. The rotating nosepiece has space for four of the five objective lenses that come with this microscope. The fifth, 60X objective lens can be exchanged with any of the others easily, by way of a simple screw fitting. Thus, 600X magnification is achieved. The digital 4X zoom function increases the magnification further, to 2,400X. Other professional features include an XY mechanical stage with a sturdy side clip; this allows the slide to be held securely in place, then navigated in horizontal and vertical planes, enabling you to explore the specimen systematically without needing to touch it. The PentaView also has two sources of illumination: one at the bottom to shine light up through the slide and another at the top, an adjustable spotlight that illuminates the stage and slide from above. Both lights are dimmable, and the two can be used at the same time. Additionally, the rotating diaphragm disc also houses three filters, red, green and blue, to enhance images if required. Designed with group viewing and photography firmly in mind, the LCD digital screen, with SD card and USB lead, transformed this microscope into an educator's dream tool. We loved being able to demonstrate how to prepare a cell slide, then use the digital LCD screen to talk through what could be seen during the navigation and focusing set-up processes. We were then able to photograph a model example and project it onto a Chromebook, using the USB cable, then use the Chromebook’s casting technology to send it to our Smartboard. Similarly, video footage of microorganisms in pond water was captured, cast and viewed by groups of excited pupils as well. Finally, the portability of the PentaView is also worth noting. The microscope is reasonably lightweight, so can be carried by adults and older children. It can also be powered by batteries, so you can use it outdoors or in locations without a power source. The projecting function remains possible in the field when combined with a laptop. Furthermore, the PentaView comes with a delightful carry case. It is rigid, yet light and attractive. There is a choice of handle or body strap, so it is comfortable to carry. Performance High magnification Decent resolution Captures and projects still and moving images The Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope is on the cusp of performing brilliantly. It is capable of high magnification: 2,400X is much higher than most reasonably priced light microscopes. However, this performance is not matched by a respective high resolution. Similarly, although the PentaView is capable of photographing still and moving images, it does not allow the streaming of moving images in real-time. When considering increased magnification, we expect the field of view to reduce, subcellular structures to enlarge and resolution to increase also. The first two patterns were noticed when moving up through the range of objective lenses of the Celestron PentaView and with the digital zoom. As expected, resolution improved with higher magnification lenses. At 40X magnification, we observed a mass of onion cells separated by a dark boundary. The cytoplasm was seen as yellow, due to staining with iodine, and the nuclei appeared as dark brown circles. By the time the magnification had increased to 400X, although the image appeared to be somewhat grainy, the cell edges could be defined as multi-layered, and fine focusing allowed the cellulose cell wall to display a textured, fibrous appearance. We could also differentiate the outer edge of the nuclei, the nuclear membrane, as well as bodies within the cytoplasm that could have been mitochondria or other sub-cellular vesicles. However, when switching to the digital zoom, even though the viewable image enlarged as the field of view reduced, there was no further improvement in resolution. We did manage to improve the clarity of some of the high-powered images by experimenting with the colored filters. Unfortunately, the variable light function was not as useful when compared to a light microscope because the LCD screen made automatic adjustments for optimum viewing brightness. We can see how this might be useful for beginners, but as professionals, we wanted to be able to override this and make luminosity decisions for ourselves. Pleasingly, the LCD display on the Celestron PentaView provided highly engaging demonstration capabilities, in real time. The whole class of 18 pupils were able to see the 109mm monitor and learn how to navigate through the Z plane layers, ignoring slide and coverslip scratches and fluff to identify the cheek cells of interest, and how to use XY navigation to locate groups of cheek cells, increasing magnification to focus on whole cells and their visible organelles. Real-time viewing was paramount when observing pond life as living creatures were continually moving and feeding. The PentaView’s limitations became apparent, however, when larger audiences were present. The small screen was no longer adequate for good visibility, andcasting was only possible for still images or videos, rather than real-time streaming. Functionality Excellent for demonstrations Images can be enlarged to screen size Can be used for field studies The Celestron PentaView digital microscope comes into its own when used to enhance the learning experience, using its group viewing capabilities as a demonstration tool. Pupils’ ability to conceptualize the topic material advanced to a greater extent and more quickly upon witnessing what could be achieved with the PentaView digital microscope. What’s more, their microscopy skills developed more rapidly as well. Being able to link the monitor directly to a laptop and Smartboard amplified this functionality even further. It is just a shame that the screen cannot stream live imagery to the Smartboard. This would enable larger audiences to watch demonstrations in a lecture theater or auditorium, for example. Nonetheless, we were all of the same mind: that the PentaView’s teaching functionality is magnificent. However, the grainy imagery left professionals feeling that it wouldn’t be the microscope of choice for industrial microscopy. Many light and compound microscopes in a similar price range produced images with more clarity and higher resolution. Interestingly, within the classroom, pupils were not aware of this limitation and were perfectly happy enjoying what the PentaView had to offer. Because of its portability, the Celestron PentaView was used both on location and in the classroom. It was great to see pupils collaborating so well. The ability to watch the amoeba and other pond life as a group, rather than having to take turns, enhanced pupil engagement and enthusiasm all round. The microscope was lightweight and the carry case had a very comfortable shoulder strap and rigid top handle. When considering some of the more professional design features, though, the Celestron PentaView falls short in a couple of important areas. The top light is included in many microscopes to make the examination of solid objects possible. Unfortunately, on the PentaView, this light is not very powerful and the working distance is small. These factors restrict the size and type of solid objects that can be viewed, and we wouldn’t recommend it for this purpose. Furthermore, there was a quality control issue with the XY navigation knobs. When attempting to maneuver the stage backwards and forwards in the Y plane, the knob span in its casing, without moving the slide. We tightened the knob a few times to temporarily resolve the problem. Unfortunately, the thread became so loose that this mechanism became unusable. Eventually, we discovered that we could apply a small force manually, while turning the knob, to achieve the desired movement. Annoyingly though, this affected our ability to focus whilst navigating, as we only have one pair of hands! A final improvement suggestion, to increase functionality, is to be able to override the light adjustment setting. If we vary the LED output, it needs to affect the final image on the LCD monitor. Should you buy it? ✅ You would like to demonstrate to a large audience: The LCD screen can easily be viewed directly by up to around 20 people. By projecting photos and videos, you could increase this tenfold. ✅ You would like to photograph your specimens: The digital camera and SD card allow you to capture both still and moving images. Overall, the Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope has been a great addition to our microscopy suite. Fantastic for group work and demonstrations, we would highly recommend it to aid teaching. It has been great fun to experiment with for teachers and pupils alike. The Celestron PentaView is a decent, affordable, digital microscope that advanced our teaching and learning experience hugely. If you want a microscope capable of demonstrating to a large audience, high magnification and the ability to photograph and video your specimens without breaking the bank, this could be the ideal microscope for you. If the product is not for you ❌ You would like to examine solid specimens: You would need a digital magnifying visualizer for this. ❌ You want to also view your specimens ocularly: You would need a trinocular microscope with a camera tube port. For a trinocular microscope with a camera function, Swift does the SW380T compound trinocular with up to 2,500X magnification. We thought it was a pleasure to use during our Swift SW280T review . If you would like to magnify and project solid objects, Celestron does the MicroDirect 1080P handheld digital microscope . This captures photographs and video directly onto an SD card and doesn’t need a computer to project to a screen. How we tested the Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope During a science lesson, pupils prepared and observed cheek and onion cells. By using the Celestron PentaView, we were able to project previously captured images onto the smartboard, so that pupils knew what they should be looking for; we then used the model examples to navigate the cells and pick out organelles to the whole class simultaneously. This technique was used frequently during the microscopy topic, and pupils' competence and understanding progressed more quickly than that of previous groups. Later, pupils were able to observe and video living organisms when carrying out pond studies. Because of its portability, the Celestron PentaView was carried outside, in its beautiful carry case, and samples were pipetted onto slides directly. Back in the classroom, pupils also had fun examining the prepared slides that came with this microscope.Canada Post strike: Key issues in the dispute that's holding up mail delivery

50 best Amazon Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals live on coffee machines, Ring doorbells and KindlesA special NFL Saturday double-header takes place on Dec. 21, starting with a matchup of division winners at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. with the Houston Texans taking on the Kansas City Chiefs . The game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on NBC . Fans looking to watch this NFL game can do so for free by using FuboTV , which offers RedZone, a free trial and $30 off on your first month, or DirecTV Stream , which also offers a free trial and RedZone. SlingTV has promotional offers available, and NFL+ airs all local market games. Additionally, games on NBC can be watched on Peacock . The 13-1 Chiefs are 7-0 at home and riding a four-game winning streak following their lone loss of the season. The squad is in position to lock up the top seed in the conference and the bye week for the postseason. On Christmas Kansas City will face the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Texans are 9-5 and looking to climb from the four seed, which likely means leaping the AFC North winner. Houston is a game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, the current division leaders, and tied with the Baltimore Ravens, who play the Steelers on Saturday and the Texans on Christmas. Additionally for this game, there will be a special broadcast exclusive to Peacock where the game will appear similar the Madden video game. Who: Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs When : Saturday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. EST Where : GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Stream : fuboTV (free trial) ; or Sling ; DirecTV Stream (free trial) ; or NFL+ or Peacock What is FuboTV? FuboTV is an internet television service that offers more than 200 channels across sports and entertainment including Paramount+ with SHOWTIME . From the UEFA Champions League to the WNBA to international tournaments ranging across sports, there’s plenty of options available on FuboTV, which offers a free trial, and $30 off the first month for new customers. What is DirecTV Stream? DirecTV Stream offers practically everything DirecTV provides, except for a remote and a streaming device to connect to your television. Sign up now and get three free months of premium channels including MAX , Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and Starz. What is SlingTV? SlingTV offers a variety of live programing ranging from news and sports and starting as low as $20 a month for your first month. Subscribers also get a month of DVR Plus free if they sign up now. Choose from a variety of sports packages without long-term contracts and with easy cancelation. What is NFL+? NFL+ and NFL+ Premium allow fans access to the most NFL content available online. From game replays, coaches film and all-22 field angles of the games to NFL Network original programing, NFL+ and NFL + Premium allow fans to stay fully locked in with every NFL team no matter where you are in the country. What is Peacock? Peacock is the home to the Premier League, Sunday Night Football, exclusive college football games, WWE premium live events and the Olympics, as well as programing across the NBCUniversal networks. More College Football RELATED CONTENT: NBC Sports enters Madden video game universe with alternate broadcast on Peacock By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer NBC Sports makes its first foray into doing an NFL alternate broadcast on Saturday when it puts the matchup between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs into the realm of the Madden video game universe. The Madden altcast will be streamed on Peacock with the main broadcast airing on NBC, beginning at 1 p.m. EST. It is the first time NBC has done an alternate broadcast of an NFL game. CBS has done at least one game on Nickelodeon since the 2020 season, while ESPN/ABC have the “ManningCast” as well as animated presentations featuring " The Simpsons " and " Toy Story." Amazon Prime Video also has “Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats” during “Thursday Night Football.” “It’s ironic that you want to make the video game as much as actual live play as possible and now you are doing the opposite of trying to make the real game look like the video game,” said Josh Helmrich, the NFL’s senior director of media and Next Gen Stats. The altcast on Peacock will blend video game elements — such as Madden 25 graphics, route trees, player cards, button icons on eligible receivers and player ratings — with live action. GenuisIQ will provide real-time data via the league’s Next Gen Stats. There will also be times when animations from the video game — such as touchdown celebrations — will be used instead of live action. NBC has used the “Sunday Night Football” games the last two weeks as test broadcasts to make sure all the technology was working as well as build cohesion in the studio in Stamford, Connecticut, with the announcers doing the game. Paul Burmeister will handle the play-by-play with Madden NFL expert Kurt Benkert and six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Ochocinco providing commentary. Ochocinco will serve as a real-time player “ratings adjuster.” Henry Leverette, who won the Ultimate Madden Bowl championship ring in February, will also be part of the broadcast. Burmeister noted earlier this week that there will be more hard core football schematic chess match talk on the altcast compared to what might happen on a traditional football broadcast. “I’m really excited to toe that line and weave this in to show how much parallel the game has to the real game itself,” Benkert said. “I think will resonate really well with the younger audience and with people that are used to seeing it in the video game that way.” While the Madden video game is known for the high camera view above the quarterback, that will be used only for replays or to show formations before plays. The traditional sideline camera will be used the most since that better shows route trees and other features most associated with the game. In an added twist, Ochocinco will be able to adjust a player’s rating depending on what happens during the game. The Texans (9-5) have clinched the AFC South while the AFC West champion Chiefs (13-1) are looking to remain the conference’s top seed. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce were two of only six players to begin the season with 99 overall ratings in the Madden game. Houston’s highest-rated players in Madden are offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (95) and running back Joe Mixon (93). Eleven players on the Texans and Chiefs rosters have a Madden rating above 90. The Madden altcast also takes on personal meaning for NBC Sports Executive Producer of NFL Fred Gaudelli, who was Madden’s producer during the final seven years of his broadcast career. Madden joined ABC’s “Monday Night Football” in 2002 before Madden and Gaudelli moved to NBC for the start of “Sunday Night Football” in 2006. “The one thing John held fast is you couldn’t put something in the video game that you couldn’t do in a real game,” Gaudelli said. “I had some memorable times picking his brain about the advent of the video game and what led him to it. He has been foremost in my mind as we’ve all tried to strategize what this should look like on Saturday.” The Associated Press contributed to this article

Is He Serious? Trump Stirs Unease With Panama, Greenland PloysIt’s a special day for Sean “Diddy” Combs ’ kids. As the troubled media mogul remains in jail awaiting trial for racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, his twin daughters, Jessie Combs and D’Lila Combs , celebrated their 18th birthday Dec. 21 with a social media post marking the milestone. In a photo on their joint Instagram account, the twins pouted and flashed peace signs in matching pink-and-black minidresses, surrounded by pink balloons and a festive Christmas tree. The sisters captioned the pic by declaring they were “blessed to see another.” While their father—who has pleaded not guilty to his criminal charges and denies any wrongdoing in the case—remains in federal custody, Jessie and D’Lila were surrounded by their siblings as they rang in the occasion, including brothers Quincy , 33, Justin , 30, and Christian, 26, as well as sisters Chance , 18, and Love Sean , 2, who posed together in another photo against the same backdrop. The siblings previously put up a united front to mark their dad’s 55th birthday in November, gathering to sing him “Happy Birthday” over the phone in a video shared on Instagram . “I love you all, I love you all so much,” the 55-year-old could be heard telling his children via telephone from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York. “I can't wait to see y'all. I'm proud of y'all.” As for the rapper, who has repeatedly been denied bail ahead of his May 2025 trial, he did recently get approval from a judge to use a laptop while in lockup, albeit with conditions. According to a court order obtained by E! News Dec. 12, Combs can use the laptop to review documents pertaining to his case, but is “not to take or store notes.” The judge also noted that the device “has been pre-loaded with discovery materials,” but “does not allow any functionality beyond reviewing those materials.” For the latest on Combs’ ongoing legal case, keep reading. Search Warrants Executed on Sean "Diddy" Combs' L.A. and Miami Properties Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed search warrants at Sean “Diddy” Combs ’ Los Angeles and Miami properties on March 25, multiple law enforcement sources confirmed to NBC News . The sources told the outlet the warrant was out of the Southern District of New York, and a spokesperson for HSI New York confirmed to E! News it “executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.” Law enforcement sources told NBC News the music mogul was in the Miami area when the search warrants were executed. News about the investigation broke after Combs faced allegations of sexual misconduct in lawsuits filed by multiple accusers starting in November, with the musician denying the allegations. “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday,” he wrote in a December statement posted on Instagram . “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.” Diddy’s Attorney Speaks Out The day after HSI executed the search warrants at Combs' L.A. and Miami properties, his lawyer spoke out . "Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs' residences," attorney Aaron Dyer said in a March 26 statement to E! News. "There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated." Dyer noted Combs “was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities.” “Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way,” his lawyer's statement continued. “This unprecedented ambush—paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence—leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.” And Dyer expressed Combs' intent to defend himself. “There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations,” he added. “Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.” Details About the Raid Revealed As for what actually went down during the searches, multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the warrant told NBC News authorities with the Department of Homeland Security seized phones from Combs’ home in Miami before he was scheduled to travel to the Bahamas, and several sources familiar with the matter added that guns were discovered during the search . One source familiar with the matter also told NBC News three women and one man were interviewed by prosecutors and investigators from the Southern District of New York about allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms purportedly tied to Combs. Diddy’s Associate Brendan Paul Arrested on Suspicion of Drug Possession On the same day the search warrants were executed at Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles properties, one of his associates, Brendan Paul , was arrested by the Miami-Dade police on suspicion of drug possession, a law enforcement source familiar with the matter told NBC News . According to the Miami-Dade arrest affidavit obtained by the outlet, Paul was taken into custody for allegedly possessing suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana candy. Prison records obtained by NBC News show Paul was released on March 26 after posting bond. “We do not plan on trying this case in the media,” Paul’s attorney Brian Bieber said in a statement obtained by the outlet, “all issues will be dealt with in court.” In May, Paul accepted a plea deal, with his lawyer Bieber telling People , "Brendan accepted the prosecutor’s offer to permit his entry into the diversion program which, after completion, the case against him will be dismissed in its entirety." Diddy Arrested in New York He was arrested in the lobby of a New York hotel on Sept. 16, 2024, according to NBC News. It's unclear what Combs has been charged with and if the arrest has any potential connection to the raids. “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office," his lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in a statement to E! News. "He is an imperfect person but Is not criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges." Diddy Charged With Sex Trafficking & Racketeering After Combs was arrested based on the sealed indictment, the indictment was unsealed on Sept. 17. The 54-year-old was charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; as well as transportation to engage in prostitution, according to court documents obtained by NBC News. The indictment alleged Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct” for more than a decade, with prosecutors saying the purported behavior started around 2008. "To do so," the documents stated, "Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled—creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice." According to NBC News , Combs pleaded not guilty and was denied bail . “He’s going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might,” his attorney Marc Agnifilo told reporters outside the courthouse prior to the arraignment, “and the full confidence of his lawyers." Diddy Is Held Without Bail in New York Facility Following his arrest, Combs was held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center where he was denied a $50 million bond. The music mogul was also placed on suicide watch, which a source told E! News is a customary procedure for high-profile inmates. He was since taken off. He was assigned the same area of the jail as cryptocurrency fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried, a source told NBC News. Comedian Jeff Wittek Says He Attended "Freak Off" Comedian Jeff Wittek , 34, came forward Sept. 29 to say he attended one of Diddy's "freak off" parties around 2010 in a Miami mansion. "It was like eight stories high and it just kept going up," Wittek said on Jeff FM , "and the higher you went, the weirder s--t was going on." " I saw live sex happen that night," he continued. "That's the first time I saw that happen ever in my life. And did I partake? No, but I got f--king drunk there." As Wittek put it, "It's just crazy. I was literally there. I lived through it." Diddy Accused of 120 New Sexual Assault Cases In an Oct. 1 press conference, attorney Tony Buzbee detailed that 120 people had come forward with new sexual assault allegations against the rapper. The allegations against Combs, Buzbee noted in a press conference with NBC News, include, "violent sexual assault or rape, facilitated sex with a controlled substance, dissemination of video recordings, sexual abuse of minors." A lawyer for the rapper, Erica Wolff , later responded to the allegations, emphasizing that Combs maintains his innocence. “He cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus," she said. " That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors." Diddy Accused of Abusing Minors One of the 120 accusers was only 9 years old when they were allegedly assaulted by Combs, their lawyer Tony Buzbee said in an Oct. 1 press conference, per NBC News. According to the attorney, “25 of the accusers were minors at the time of the alleged incidents." Diddy's Mom Janice Small Combs Defends the Rapper “It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies,” Janice’s attorney Natlie G. Figgers shared in a statement on her behalf to The Hollywood Reporter Oct. 6. “To bear witness what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence is a pain too unbearable to put into words. Like every human being, my son deserves to have his day in court, to finally share his side, and to prove his innocence.” Beyoncé and Jay-Z's Lawyer Calls Out Piers Morgan Over Diddy Comparisons Beyoncé and Jay-Z 's lawyer spoke out after Piers Morgan 's TV guest Jaguar Wright claimed the couple had more “victims” than Diddy. "There’s rumors, and then there’s nonsense, and this is one step further,” lawyer Alex Spiro told TMZ Oct. 9. “This is a formal and pointed accusation of something.” Their attorney told Piers to “remove that false accusation," which the host later did and apologized. “As I noted in the moment," Piers said on his Oct. 8 show, "they were not present to respond or defend themselves. But now they have: their lawyer has contacted us to say those claims are totally false and have no basis in fact.”

AP News Summary at 4:49 p.m. EST

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump's pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country's hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump's unusual nominees . But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump's America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect's choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump's foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees' qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump's team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, Nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump's allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president's Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump's first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will "prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies" — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump's 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump's first inauguration during the country's bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it's important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family's five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It's one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.

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The earnings results for Tilly's TLYS for Q3 were made public on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 04:05 PM. Here's a comprehensive overview of the announcement. Earnings Tilly's missed estimated earnings by -34.0%, reporting an EPS of $-0.43 versus an estimate of $-0.32. Revenue was down $23.03 million from the same period last year. Historical Earnings Summary Last quarter the company beat on EPS by $0.09 which was followed by a 4.0% drop in the share price the next day. Here's a look at Tilly's's past performance: Quarter Q2 2024 Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q3 2023 EPS Estimate -0.09 -0.47 -0.22 -0.07 EPS Actual 0 -0.48 -0.17 -0.03 Revenue Estimate 163.81M 115.16M 171.65M 167.98M Revenue Actual 162.87M 115.86M 173.02M 166.47M New investors should note that it is sometimes not an earnings beat or miss that most affects the price of a stock, but the guidance (or forecast). Guidance Tilly's management provided guidance for Q4 2024, expecting earnings between $-0.43 and $-0.32 per share. To track all earnings releases for Tilly's visit their earnings calendar here. This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector came "to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. The rebel alliance now in control of much of the country is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and promises representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. Syrian citizens stand on a government forces tank that was left on a street Monday as they celebrate in Damascus, Syria. "It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women's dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty," the command said on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey on Monday at the Oncupinar border gate near the town of Kilis, southern Turkey. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia granted political asylum to Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad's specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people still celebrated. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence, though in some areas small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Syrian citizens celebrate Monday during the second day of the takeover of the city by the insurgents in Damascus, Syria. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons, security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. "Don't be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!" In southern Turkey, Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. "I haven't seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he's alive." Jalali, the prime minister, sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. "We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth," he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation already improved from the day before. Israeli soldiers sit on top of a tank Monday along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. "We want to give everyone their rights," Haddad said outside the courthouse. "We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods." But a U.N. official said some government services were paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector "has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies was put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. "This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation's capital," Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again." People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Members of the Syrian community in Finland wave a Syrian flag and celebrate in Helsinki, Finland, Dec. 8, 2024. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Syrians wave opposition flags and give out sweets during a spontaneous rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) Syrians celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria at a demonstration in Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Jonas Ekstroemer/TT News Agency via AP) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians wave Syrian opposition flags at a rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Syrians living in France gather on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government's fall, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians living in France hug during a rally on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) Get local news delivered to your inbox!The top 100 Canadian songs of 2024

Jarrod Bowen held Antonio’s number nine shirt aloft after scoring the winner in support of the Hammers striker, who is recovering after a horror car crash on Saturday. Boss Julen Lopetegui said: “He is not in his best moment but he kept his humour. It was a special moment for us. “I think we have a lot of reason to win matches but this was one reason more. He’s alive so we are happy.” MA9 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fXwtdSQWYE — West Ham United (@WestHam) December 9, 2024 West Ham players wore ‘Antonio 9′ shirts while warming up and walking out before kick-off. The shirts will be signed by the players, including Antonio, and auctioned off with the proceeds going to the NHS and Air Ambulances UK. Tomas Soucek headed West Ham into the lead and held up nine fingers to a TV camera. The Czech midfielder told Sky Sports: “He’s been here since I came here. He is really my favourite. I said it would be tough for me to play without him. "He was here since I came and he's really my favourite" Tomáš Souček on dedicating his goal to Michail Antonio ❤️ pic.twitter.com/smNy26wmuX — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 9, 2024 “I was so scared what was going to happen. It was a really tough week for him, his family and us.” Matt Doherty equalised for Wolves, and boss Gary O’Neil felt they should have had two penalties for fouls on Goncalo Guedes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, both of which were checked by VAR. But Bowen’s winner – O’Neil believed there was a foul in the build-up – condemned Wolves to a 10th defeat of the season and a third in a row. While under-pressure Lopetegui may have earned a stay of execution, O’Neil’s future as Wolves manager is now in serious doubt. “A lot of things went against us but ultimately we have not found a way to turn the game in our favour,” he said. “But the players showed they are still fighting for me, for the fans and the group. “Where does this leave me? In the same place I was. I’m aware of the noise. But if anyone expected this to be easy – I’m happy to be judged on results but it should be done in context. “Whenever this journey ends with Wolves I’ll be proud of it.” There was an acrimonious end to the match as captains Bowen and Mario Lemina scuffled after the final whistle, with the Wolves midfielder angrily shoving people including one of his own coaches, Shaun Derry. “I just went to shake his hand after the game,” Bowen said. “He didn’t want to shake my hand, two captains together just to say ‘well done’ after the game. “I know it’s difficult when you lose. I’ve been on the end of that situation.” O’Neil added: “Mario is calm now. He’s a passionate guy and something was said that upset him. “The instinct of the staff was to make sure he didn’t get into trouble, but he took some calming down.”

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An online petition calling for a general election to be held has surpassed the number of signatures needed to trigger consideration for a debate in parliament . Created by a UK resident called Michael Westwood, the petition reads: “I would like there to be another general election. I believe the current Labour Government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead up to the last election.” The petition has been shared widely on social media since it was created on Wednesday and comfortably passed the 100,000-signature threshold at 9.19pm today after receiving more than 37,000 signatures in the preceding hour. Passing the mark means that the motion will now be considered for a debate in parliament although there is no guarantee that this will occur. The government website states: “Petitions which reach 100,000 signatures are almost always debated. But we may decide not to put a petition forward for debate if the issue has already been debated recently or there’s a debate scheduled for the near future. “If that’s the case, we’ll tell you how you can find out more about parliamentary debates on the issue raised by your petition. “MPs might consider your petition for a debate before it reaches 100,000 signatures.” The government will also have to respond as it has to consider all all petitions which get more receive more than 10,000 signatures. The petition caps off a difficult week for the government which has seen them take on protesting farmers due to a highly contentious decision to stop the exemption from inheritance tax on farms over £3 million. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s popularity is amongst the worst of any of his predecessors in modern times within their first year in office, with a recent poll showing the Labour party has now fallen to 25% , down 2 points since November 11, its lowest share of the vote yet. The removal of winter fuel payments , discontent over the handling of domestic riots and a controversial budget have all contributed to declining popularity. If you think @labour and @Keir_Starmer have lied about what they said they would deliver to the people if elected, let them know by signing and sharing this petition. ?????? ?????? ?????? https://t.co/ZXvXiIYM80 This means just one in four voters support the governing party, down nearly nine points since the general election in July. More in Common’s UK director Luke Tryl said that while we’re still a long way off the next election, he said it is “notable” that “a party that won a landslide less than six months ago is down 10 points and now on 25%” He also warned that while they may be topping the poll, it’s not great news for the Conservatives either. The two main parties now muster just 53% support between them. Mr Tryl added: “Part of this reflects Labour’s missteps, partly its anti-incumbency and greater volatility, but beyond that, there is a deep unhappiness with the status quo and life in modern Britain.”

Heart of Automation: Inside an AC Contactor FactorySusan Shelley: Slow counts show election system needs reformWestern Bulldogs are looking at offering Werribee hard nut and inspirational captain Dom Brew a potential list spot after inviting him to train with the club. The Herald Sun can reveal Brew, 27, will begin training with the Dogs this week in a bid to impress the club’s coaching staff and list management team. It could be the fairytale story of the summer as the mature-age hard and popular skipper nut has been desperately fighting for an AFL chance for years. But he still faces a fight to secure a list spot as the Dogs are weighing up other players to invite to the club as well. While there are no guarantees, the Dogs will consider whether Brew could help provide some midfield depth next season after losing Jack Macrae (St Kilda), Bailey Smith (Geelong) and Caleb Daniel (North Melbourne) in the exchange period. The tough nut enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024 winning the Liston Trophy as the best player in the VFL on 31 votes, nine ahead of second-placed Rory Atkins. Brew averaged 28 possessions, 10 clearances, nine tackles, and six inside 50s a game as part of an outstanding season playing on the ball. It means he is ready-made and will step straight into competitive match simulation with Dogs’ brilliant ball winners Marcus Bontempelli, 29 today, and Tom Liberatore, 32, over summer. Dom Brew will train with the Western Bulldogs in a bid to earn an AFL contract. Pic: Michael Klein Brew, who is one of the most respected and popular players in the VFL, also captained Werribee to the flag, was named captain of the team of the year, and won the coaches’ MVP this year. Brew is renowned for his professionalism, such as taking an ice bath every morning of the year, and outstanding character attributes. Brew said recently he wrote a letter to all 18 club coaches in a bid to try to secure a train-on spot this summer. He is certain to impress with his dedication, however the Dogs are likely to invite other players to try out for the club’s one vacant list spot. The Dogs will make a decision on who joins the list in the new year as part of the supplemental selection period ahead of the new season. The Dogs enjoyed an impressive draft last week, landing midfield-forward Cooper Hynes (pick 20), rebounding defender Lachie Jaques (pick 29), half forward Josh Dolan (pick 31), tall forward and medical student Sam Davidson (pick 51) and speedster Luke Kennedy (pick 61). But after taking five players at the draft, the Dogs have the room to add one more, such as Brew, in the new year after a training stint. Brew said on SEN last week he was desperate to get a chance at the top level. I just wanted to play the highest level of football,” Brew said on SEN. “I’m lucky enough now that I’ve played some good footy that I’m able to do that – write a letter to every club to let them know if there is an opportunity there. “Obviously I’ll only suit a couple of clubs because you get clubs that are rebuilding. But at my age and how much good footy I’ve got left in me, which is about five years, I just thought it was worth a shot. “You never know, and if it doesn’t work out then at least I can go to bed knowing that I did everything I possibly could which was the whole point of my year this year, was just making sure I gave myself the best opportunity to succeed and not leave a stone unturned. I just reckon that all I need is an opportunity. “I just need a foot in the door and the rest will take care of itself. That’s where I’m at mentally, but it’s out of your hands, you just don’t know. “I just feel like I could make a ready impact. There’d be natural improvement to come if you’re doing it every day in a full-time environment. “If I got in that environment where all I was focusing on was footy I’d go to another level. I’m convinced I would anyway.” Dom Brew. Picture Dylan Burns AFL PRE-SEASON SUPPLEMENTARY PERIOD: SEE WHO YOUR CLUB MIGHT TAKE AS AN SSP PICK Carlton and Essendon will be targets for hopefuls frozen out by during the AFL’s draft week, as the fight for a summer train-on spot begins. With the drafts now finished, the next chance for players to get on an AFL list will be the summer supplemental period (SSP) in February. Both the Bombers and Blues kept two spots open on their rookie lists for summer signings by passing up twice during Friday’s rookie draft. Liam McMahon will train with the Blues this summer. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos The Blues have promised cut pair Sam Durdin and Matt Carroll a chance to train with the club again and push for a SSP spot, while former Hawthorn No.6 pick Denver Grainger-Barras and Blues VFL ace Liam McMahon will get a go during pre-season. Clubs can have two players train per open list spot, and last summer those players were paid $1000 per week to put their hands up. Essendon has told delisted defender Kaine Baldwin he is welcome to return in summer and target one of the Bombers’ spots, while Jaxon Prior has been linked to the club. The Western Bulldogs kept a close eye on SANFL star ruck Harry Boyd amid intense interest from St Kilda leading into the draft. Norwood star Harry Boyd. Picture: David Mariuz Boyd was overlooked as the Saints plucked teen ruck Alex Dodson, and the joint Magarey medallist from Norwood could be in the sights of the Dogs as a Tim English back up. “He certainly deserves a crack at the AFL, he’s the best player in the SANFL and clubs would be silly not to look at him,” Norwood general manager of football Richard Kelly said. “We’re expecting clubs to offer him a train-on spot in the next couple of days and if he gets an opportunity, good luck to him.” Port Adelaide will invite North Melbourne VFL skipper Jack Watkins to audition for a SSP spot. Jack Watkins will train with Port Adelaide. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos Fremantle has long been expected to sign former Cat and Power midfielder Quinton Narkle and didn’t lock him in during the rookie draft. West Coast has been linked to cut Suns defender Sandy Brock. Gold Coast also passed up in the rookie draft and can sign a player through the SSP. Clubs will also be able to clear a spot on the list through long-term injuries or pre-season retirements, with Collingwood ending up with three SSP players last summer after Nathan Murphy retired. AFL Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories AFL News Inside father-son Crow’s rise from kicking socks to following dad Ex-Crow Scott Welsh has revealed the moment when he first thought son Tyler might follow in his footsteps – and the move that caught him off guard on draft night. Read more AFL ‘Now or never’: 24yo recruit can be Swans’ new Lizard Riley Bice had played everywhere, from Murray Bushrangers’ under-18 side to the Tiwi Bombers. But it was a surprise shift to defence at Werribee that caught the eye of AFL recruiters. Read more

Are you new to investing and looking to build wealth without diving directly into the stock market? Mutual funds might be the ideal solution for you. Here’s a breakdown of why mutual funds are an excellent choice for first-time investors. With mutual funds, starting your investment journey is easy. Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) allow you to begin investing with as little as ₹500 per month. This gradual approach suits those new to investing and builds financial discipline over time. Equity mutual funds must invest at least 65% in equities, providing a balanced approach to growth. Mutual funds offer a variety of portfolios, including large-cap, small-cap, and mid-cap funds. Additionally, business cycle funds, innovation funds, and flexi-cap funds offer flavorful investment choices tailored to market trends. Mutual funds are managed by skilled fund managers who handle investment strategies on your behalf. Each mutual fund is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Ministry of Finance, ensuring transparency and security. This means you can invest with confidence, knowing your money is being managed responsibly. Investing in mutual funds is a digital process, offering convenience and efficiency. You can redeem your investments as needed, providing liquidity and flexibility for financial planning. Whether your goal is education, homeownership, or wealth building, mutual funds adapt to your financial needs. While mutual funds may experience short-term volatility, they offer promising growth over longer periods. Quality mutual funds often yield positive returns, making them suitable for long-term wealth building. Before investing, consult financial advisors for personalized guidance, ensuring your investment aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance. By choosing mutual funds, you’re setting a solid foundation for financial growth without the complexities of direct stock market investing. Whether for education, a house, or general wealth building, mutual funds provide a practical and well-regulated investment pathway.Victorian Liberal Leadership ‘Can Be Tested’ After Defamation Ruling: Liberal MP7xm casino legit or not 。

Davis scores 15, Southern Illinois knocks off Florida Tech 81-54

Neal Maupay causes controversy as he aims brutal dig at Everton team-mates

Shares of apparel retailer Urban Outfitters ( URBN 17.31% ) soared on Wednesday after the company reported financial results for its fiscal third quarter of 2025. As of 11:30 a.m. ET, Urban Outfitters stock was up about 15%. Record results for Urban Outfitters Urban Outfitters had its best third quarter, which ended in October, in its history, with net sales of nearly $1.4 billion and net income of $103 million. That was good for 6% growth on the top line as well as a 24% increase on the bottom line. These numbers bested investors' expectations. It's been a good time for apparel retailers , generally speaking. But Urban Outfitters results look particularly good. The company has several brands. But two of its smaller brands -- FP Movement and Nuuly -- are growing at a strong pace and even posting profits on their own. Looking forward, consolidated results for Urban Outfitters are looking promising, with chief operating officer Frank Conforti saying, "We are optimistic for the entire holiday season." It seems like the investing community was buying into that optimism today. Is this a strong growth opportunity? Management spent significant time talking about its Nuuly brand, which is an apparel rental subscription service. Its Nuuly subscriber base surged 50% year over year in Q3, ending with 297,000 members. Moreover, the service hit its first operating profit on a stand-alone basis. And management believes it can grow this business to millions of subscribers. This is just one way Urban Outfitters is looking to boost its growth in coming years. Given the stock's cheap valuation at just 14 times earnings , this could be an apparel stock to watch because its growth prospects could be stronger than many of its peers, providing a catalyst to send the stock higher over the long term.

Revelers at a Christmas fair in Mexico were left horrified as they witnessed a fair ride collapse and injured two riders. Video from the festival, which was held at Acapulco Golf Club Monda, showed the ride — which was shaped like the Eiffel Tower and featured cable cars — tilting before it ultimately crashed to the ground . In a video obtained by The Daily Mail , one of the cars can be seen snapping off the line as the structure fell. The resulting crash injured Aldo Maldonado, a 35-year-old who was in town visiting from Mexico City, and Iván Gómez, also 35 and a resident of Acapulco, who were promptly treated at the scene by emergency services. According to officials, both men sustained non-life-threatening injuries but were rushed to Acqua Acapulco Hospital. Both are reportedly in stable condition . The outlet stated that shortly after the crash, Guerrero State Integral Risk Management Department and Civil Protection dispatched investigators to the scene to discover the cause of the accident. Heart-stopping moment falling drones injure boy during Orlando Christmas light show City to launch trial sending drones to 911 calls ahead of first responders It was reported that the investigators discovered that the tower was not anchored properly to the ground and that it was set up without a support mechanism. Investigators also reportedly found that the tower and other machine rides were not operating in accordance with guidelines that were instituted by the government. The outlet reported that despite the knowledge of lax safety measures, ride operators continued to run the machines normally. Many social media users who had seen the video, stated that they were not surprised that the structure had fallen over. "Strange? No. They never inspect those games and even less give them permission after a bribe," one person commented on the video. "Stop using mechanical rides," a second person added. "I think that governments and municipalities should certify (just as they close down a business) and put a seal on each ride (name and signature). There is no seal. It is not safe. And if it fails, we know who to complain to," they added. The incident comes after another holiday-related activity resulted in a seven-year-old being injured by a drone during a holiday light show. Alexander Edgerton, just seven years old, was rushed to the hospital for emergency heart surgery after getting hit with a falling drone at Saturday's Lake Eola Park show in Orlando. During the 6:30 pm show, "several small drones collided and fell into a crowd," according to a release by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is investigating the incident. Adriana Edgerton, the boy's mom, said her family was watching the show before Alexander was hit in the chest and the lip. "Everyone’s natural instinct was to duck and scatter, and right when we knew it, my daughter found my son on the floor unconscious, blood coming out of his face," Edgerton told WESH 2 . "I feel so bad, it's three days before Christmas," she added as her son continues to recover in the hospital. Alexander was the only person injured at the show, the Orlando Fire Department said. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.—NOMBRE COMPLETO: James Earl Carter, Jr. —NACIDO: 1 de octubre de 1924 en la Clínica Wise de Plains, Georgia. Carter fue el primer presidente de Estados Unidos nacido en un hospital. Se convertiría en el primer presidente de Estados Unidos en vivir un siglo. —EDUCACIÓN: Secundaria en Plains, Georgia, 1939-1941; Georgia Southwestern College, Americus, Georgia, 1941-1942; Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 1942-1943; Academia Naval de Estados Unidos, Annapolis, Maryland, 1943-1946 (Clase 1947); Union College, Schenectady, Nueva York, 1952-1953. —PRESIDENCIA: 39no presidente de Estados Unidos, juramentado el 20 de enero de 1977 a los 52 años, tres meses y 20 días de edad, tras derrotar al presidente Gerald R. Ford en las elecciones generales de 1976. Derrotado por Ronald Reagan en 1980, dejó la presidencia el 20 de enero de 1981. —POSTPRESIDENCIA: Puso en marcha el Centro Carter en 1982. Comenzó a trabajar como voluntario en Hábitat para la Humanidad en 1984. Recibió el Premio Nobel de la Paz en 2002. Enseñó durante 37 años en la Universidad de Emory. —OTROS CARGOS DE ELECCION POPULAR: Senador estatal en Georgia, 1963-1967; gobernador de Georgia, 1971-1975. —OTRAS ACTIVIDADES: Oficial de la Marina, llegó al grado de teniente de navío, 1946-1953; agricultor, Plains, Georgia, 1953-1977. —FAMILIA: Esposa, Rosalynn Smith Carter. Se casaron el 7 de julio de 1943. Ella murió el 19 de noviembre de 2023. Tuvieron tres hijos, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), y una hija, Amy Lynn. Fuente: Biblioteca y Museo Jimmy CarterDALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks had just three Christmas Day games before the arrival of Luka Doncic. Wednesday’s holiday matinee against the Minnesota Timberwolves will mark the eighth Christmas Day game in franchise history, and fifth consecutive time the Mavericks will be featured among the rare group of teams invited to play on one of the most anticipated days of the season. Doncic exploded for an unprecedented stat line of 50 points, 15 assists, six rebounds, four steals and three blocks in a blowout win in Phoenix last season. He became the first player in 39 years to score at least 50 points on Christmas Day. This time around he’s poised to face Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves (17-17) in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals. Doncic has been a part of two consecutive victories on Christmas in 2022 and 2023 after the Mavericks suffered two losses on the holiday in 2020 and 2021. Dallas is 4-3 overall on Christmas Day, and Doncic is excited to participate again this year. "It’s special," Doncic said. “It’s a big thing. I know a lot of people at home watch it. It’s going to be a special game for me.” The Mavericks enter Wednesday’s game as winners of 14 of the last 17 games and they’ve found a groove with their starting lineup of Doncic, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington Jr., Dereck Lively II and Kyrie Irving. Irving will participate in his seventh Christmas game and he’s had several notable performances, including a 40-point output in 2018 and 37 points in 2020. As a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, Irving notably scored a turnaround midrange game-winner over Thompson, who was with the Golden State Warriors. The Mavericks star said it feels great to be a part of the league’s annual tradition, especially since it’ll be his first Christmas game playing alongside Doncic [Irving missed last year’s game because of an injury]. “Shoutout to the NBA,” Irving said. “They obviously want to see greatness on Christmas so we’ll give them a good show. I’ve had some pretty special Christmas performances so I’m looking forward to the game and my family being there. It’s nothing like having an early game too and getting home after, being able to break bread and just watch the rest of the competitive games. Be grateful that you’re not playing at 8:30 p.m.” The Mavericks received the rather convenient 1:30 p.m. time slot, meaning the team will have an opportunity to enjoy early Christmas morning and most of the evening with their families with a rematch against the Timberwolves sandwiched in between. Edwards will make his Christmas Day debut in the fifth year of his rising career. The 23-year-old guard is known for his explosiveness and athleticism, along with his embrace of the big stage. He scored 24 of his 37 points in the first quarter of the first meeting between the teams on Oct. 29. The Mavericks won that game thanks to a 35-point effort from Irving, and a dagger 3-pointer by Doncic. Edwards has been on a tear since. He’s averaging 25.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for a Minnesota team that is struggling to replicate last year’s success. The Mavericks have a couple of players who will also make their Christmas Day debuts. Washington and Gafford, who were acquired in separate trades last season with the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards, will play when the regular season lights are brightest for the first time in their careers. “I’m looking forward to it,” Gafford said. “It’s my first Christmas game. It’ll be an early game so of course we won’t get a lot of sleep, but I’m just excited because of the energy that’s always around Christmas games. The commercials, the atmosphere. It’s real dope to be in this position.” History is also on the line on Wednesday. Thompson enters the game needing only three 3-pointers to surpass Reggie Miller for fifth on the NBA’s all-time career 3-pointers list. The Mavericks sharpshooter connected on three triples in Monday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers. “We believe that he’ll get the attempts in the next game, but he has to put them in the basket,” said Mavericks coach Jason Kidd. “He’s shooting the ball extremely well so we believe he can get that done in the next game.” ©2024 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

NoneNORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kidsBjork is 'absolutely' confident that Day will return next year at Ohio State

NoneNew $3 million grant at Montana State to support dozens of STEM teachers in rural, underserved areas of Montana

Keyshawn Johnson breaks down how the Daniel Jones saga is hurting the New York Giants' future, highlighting their failed evaluation and costly decisions. Stephen A. Smith launched into a rant about the New York Giants on "First Take" that went viral Friday. Smith claimed the Giants had reached out to ESPN complaining about Elle Duncan’s segment on Daniel Jones . In a post on X, Pat Hanlon, the Giants' senior vice president of communications, took exception to Duncan’s segment. However, the New York Post reported that nobody from the Giants actually reached out to ESPN about the segment. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Stephen A. Smith in 2021. (Imagn) "The New York Giants, respectfully, shut the hell up. Y’all are awful as an organization. You won a Super Bowl in 2007. You won a Super Bowl in 2011. Outside of that, since 2011, that’s 13 years. The Giants have made the playoffs twice. They’ve won one playoff game," Smith said. "And you’ve got the nerve to sit up there and call the offices and complain to executives about somebody that went on national television to do their job. Why don’t you do your damn job as an organization? ESPN'S ELLE DUNCAN CLAPS BACK AT GIANTS FANS IRKED BY DANIEL JONES CRITICISM "This is a performance-based business," Smith said. "Nobody is talking about your personal life. Nobody has gotten into anything. Your performance was put on public display, and you were 20 games under .500. You have been abhorrent. You have been awful as the quarterback for the New York Giants, and, on top of it all, they let go of Saquon Barkley to make sure they took care of you. They gave you the bag instead of him, which is another blemish." During the rant, Duncan smirked and sipped from her mug as Smith came to her defense. Host Elle Duncan speaks during the 2024 espnW New York Summit at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge May 9, 2024, in Brooklyn, N.Y. (John Lamparski/Getty Images) Hanlon said it was "mind boggling" "that an #ESPN personality would mock Daniel Jones’ statement." "Given what has happened at that company over past few years, tone deaf," Hanlon wrote. Duncan’s segment criticizing Jones aired on Thursday during "SportsCenter." "We normally reserve ‘Taking the Elle’ for Fridays, but Giants quarterback Daniel Jones just did something so inexplicable that we made an exception. After being benched this week, Jones took to the podium to say goodbye to the franchise and fans but with, like, seven games left in the season," Duncan said in a mocking tone. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "I’m sorry, you have to write this down? Didn’t you go to Duke ? "Do you guys think he had this saved in his notes since, like, 2020? In all seriousness, DJ, I could have saved you like 90 seconds. A re-write: ‘Sorry you paid me $108 million for one playoff win. And I look forward to reviving my career as Brock Purdy’s backup.’ The end." Duncan came under fire on social media for her segment and clapped back on X Saturday morning. New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones attends a news conference after a practice in Munich, Germany,Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss) "It started flurrying this morning after a surprising amount of snow on my drive yesterday. I guess you could say I can’t seem to escape all these snowflakes," Duncan wrote. Jones was officially released Saturday and can sign with another team as soon as Tuesday if he clears waivers Monday. Tommy DeVito will start for the Giants when they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, and Drew Lock will be the backup quarterback. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

Liverpool leads as the class of the Champions League this season, dumping title holder Real Madrid into an almost unbelievable 24th place in the 36-team standings. No one felt the embarrassment of Madrid’s 2-0 loss at Anfield more than Kylian Mbappé, the superstar added in the offseason by the storied club that also was European champion against Liverpool in the finals of 2022 and 2018. Mbappé had a penalty saved in the second half and was earlier dumped on his behind by Conor Bradley’s perfect tackle in an instant viral moment. Monaco missed a chance to go second in the table, giving up a lead playing with 10 men from the 58th minute in a 3-2 loss at home to Benfica. Swiss forward Zeki Amdouni scored the winning goal in the 88th. Borussia Dortmund, the beaten finalist against Madrid in May, is up to fourth place after beating Dinamo Zagreb 3-0. Champions League standout Jamie Gittens now has four goals in five games, curling a rising shot in the 41st to open the scoring. The best comeback was at PSV Eindhoven, where the home team trailed Shakhtar Donetsk by two goals in the 87th minute before a 3-2 win was sealed by United States forward Ricardo Pepi’s goal deep in stoppage time. US defender Cameron Carter-Vickers scored an embarrassing own goal for Celtic — playing a no-look pass far beyond goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel — in a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge. Liverpool’s stand-in right back Bradley was a standout Wednesday, playing a key pass that set up Alexis Mac Allister to score the opening goal in the 52nd. After Mbappé’s penalty was pushed away by goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher in the 61st, Liverpool star Mo Salah missed with his spot-kick in the 70th, before substitute Cody Gakpo sealed the win with a header in the 77th. Madrid now has lost three of five games after defeats at Lille and at home to AC Milan. The record 15-time European champion has another tough trip next, at fifth-place Atalanta on Dec. 10. Congo teammates Ngal’Ayel Mukau and Silas impressed in wins for Lille and Red Star Belgrade. Mukau scored twice in 12th-place Lille’s 2-1 win at Bologna and Silas leveled for Red Star in a 5-1 rout of Stuttgart, though he barely celebrated his goal. Silas is on loan with the Serbian champion from Stuttgart. Aston Villa drew 0-0 with Juventus. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Graham Dunbar, The Associated PressGame-changing holiday gifts for building fires, printing photos, watching birds and moreDucks forward Trevor Zegras has surgery on torn knee meniscus, will be out for 6 weeksRobert Wickens moving up to IMSA GTD series in 2025 thanks to new Bosch hand controls

Jimmy Carter, once a promising naval officer, left his small-town roots in 1946 only to be drawn back following his father's death. This life-changing event transitioned him from naval ranks to the presidency, despite ending in defeat. Yet, his humanitarian efforts post-office redefined his legacy. Carter's earnest dedication to public service was evident in his championing of human rights and public health through The Carter Center. He and his wife, Rosalynn, actively engaged in charitable work, which reshaped public perceptions over time. Historians now credit Carter's influence in environmental and global human rights policies. Carter's presidency, aimed at transparency and governance integrity, faced numerous challenges, including energy crises and geopolitical tensions. Nevertheless, his commitment to progressive ideals continues to inspire emerging leaders. His life reflects a profound dedication to improving societal welfare, resonating in contemporary politics. (With inputs from agencies.)Ducks forward Trevor Zegras has surgery on torn knee meniscus, will be out for 6 weeks

Rick Carlisle sheds light on what makes Kristaps Porzingis a ‘tough guy’ despite his injury history

OTTAWA - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party is ready to introduce motions as early as today that would help the Liberals pass legislation to create their promised GST holiday but only if they separate it from their parallel promise to send $250 cheques to working Canadians. Singh said his party would open the procedural “gates” including motions to extend the sitting hours of the House of Commons to debate and pass the legislation in time for it take effect as promised on Dec. 14. Last week, the Liberals brought forward a plan to pause the GST on items like premade grocery items, beer and wine, toys and other holiday staples. The pause would last for two months. Singh says the NDP supports this idea, but oppose the associated $250 working Canadians benefit that is supposed to be mailed in the spring to anyone who earned an income up to $150,000 last year. Singh wants the benefit expanded to include non-working seniors and people who rely on disability benefits who did not have a working income in 2023. The Liberals have put the GST and benefit cheque bill on notice in the House of Commons but have been unable to introduce it because of an ongoing filibuster by the Conservatives over an unrelated matter of privilege. A Conservative motion demanding the government turn over unredacted documents to the RCMP on a green technology fund has been debated since late September, preventing any bills or other motions from being introduced or debated. The Conservatives insist that debate will continue until the documents are given to the RCMP or the NDP join them and the Bloc Québécois to vote non confidence in the government. At least two parties would need to support a motion to end or pause that debate. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last week that both the GST holiday and the $250 cheques are aimed at helping people struggling with the cost of living. The rebate as planned would be issued to an estimated 18 million Canadians in the spring and cost around $4.7 billion. The government has issued notice of the legislation but hasn’t introduced it in the House yet. It also has put on notice a motion calling for debate on the bill, when it is introduced, to be limited to one 10-minute speech per party, and undergo just one vote for all the required stages of debate. Some Liberal MPs said Wednesday they think their government should consider expanding the eligibility for the benefit cheques. After the Liberal caucus meeting Seniors Minister Steven MacKinnon said the government has created a number of benefits to help low-income seniors. But Milton MP Adam van Koeverden said he wants to see more ambition in helping seniors and Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski said if the government can afford to include seniors in the payments it absolutely should. The Bloc Québécois is also calling on the government to offer the rebate to seniors who are fully retired. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called the measure a “tiny, two month tax trick” and says if Trudeau cared about affordability he’d get rid of the carbon tax. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024.Hensley 6-9 0-0 14, Massey 1-2 1-2 3, Davis 6-13 2-2 15, Dibba 5-9 1-1 11, Mayo 2-5 0-0 6, Steffe 1-6 0-0 3, Sykes 4-7 2-3 10, Sharp 5-6 2-2 12, Moreno 3-4 1-1 7. Totals 33-61 9-11 81. Allen 0-2 0-0 0, Brown 5-18 5-5 17, Thiam 5-8 4-6 14, Ford-Belton 1-3 3-5 5, Polk 5-14 2-3 14, Murphy 1-3 0-0 2, Dimou 0-2 0-0 0, Lieuwen 0-1 0-0 0, Malekinusic 0-0 0-0 0, Edden 1-1 0-0 2, Turgut 0-0 0-0 0, Csernak 0-0 0-0 0, Olympios 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-52 14-19 54. Halftime_S. Illinois 33-25. 3-Point Goals_S. Illinois 6-18 (Mayo 2-3, Hensley 2-4, Davis 1-5, Steffe 1-5, Dibba 0-1), Florida Tech 4-17 (Brown 2-6, Polk 2-7, Ford-Belton 0-1, Thiam 0-1, Dimou 0-2). Rebounds_S. Illinois 39 (Sykes 9), Florida Tech 20 (Thiam, Murphy 6). Assists_S. Illinois 20 (Dibba 5), Florida Tech 4 (Thiam 2). Total Fouls_S. Illinois 16, Florida Tech 12. A_213 (7,186).Walmart is selling an 'amazing' $150 office chair for only $52 ahead of holiday shopping

Davis scores 15, Southern Illinois knocks off Florida Tech 81-54

Anthony Albanese is slammed over 'tone deaf' comment to Jewish community leaders READ MORE: Greens senator slams one of her own over synagogue post By BRETT LACKEY FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA and AAP Published: 23:22, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 00:02, 13 December 2024 e-mail 35 View comments Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been criticised as tone deaf after telling Jewish community leaders that 'Arabs are doing it really tough at the moment'. The PM made the comments after an antisemitic attack in Woollahra last month, in which graffiti was sprayed on cars and buildings, including celebrity chef Matt Moran 's Chiswick restaurant, and one car was torched. Since then there have been two more attacks, one involving the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6 as Jews gathered to pray, injuring one person, and another graffiti and car fire attack in Woollahra on December 11. The Jewish leaders were reportedly taken aback by Mr Albanese's words and commented on them, but the PM's office said he had been calling for unity and the quote did not convey the tone of the conversation. Sky News host Sharri Markson said on social media the Prime Minister's comment highlighted the Labor leader's 'instinctive sentiment to talk about how tough the Arab community is doing it when the country is experiencing an antisemitism crisis'. Viewers has similar opinions with one saying he 'just can't help himself'. 'A limp PM... allowing hate speech on the streets and lumping our pain in with the Arabs. Shows a complete lack of understanding,' another wrote. 'Isn't it that we are just seeing the tip of the underlying iceberg of antisemitism?' a third added. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been slammed after telling Jewish leaders 'Arabs were doing it tough' The PM made the comments after an attack in November in Sydney's Woollahra in which a car was torched (pictured) Anti-Israel graffiti was also spray painted on cars and on a popular Sydney restaurant in November On Tuesday, Mr Albanese met with the Jewish community outside the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea and was greeted with a prickly reception, including one woman yelling from the crowd that his appearance was 'cheap and late'. 'People have come to Australia because we are a country that is peaceful,' Mr Albanese told the crowd. 'We are a country that respects people of different faith and are enriched by our diversity here.' His government this week reaffirmed its commitment to the Jewish community, including announcing $32.5million in funding for Executive Council of Australian Jewry to improve security at locations such as schools and synagogues. 'This is a time where the country should be looking for national unity, not looking for areas of distinction and difference over every issue,' Mr Albanese said. 'I would have thought that every Australian would be horrified by what occurred last Friday and would be equally prepared to condemn it and oppose it. It's un-Australian, I've said that. It's designed to create fear in the community, and it should be opposed.' On Thursday, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to support a permanent and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the protection of children and civilians. The motion passed with 158 members, including Australia, voting in support and nine against, with 13 abstaining at an emergency session. Australia's ambassador to the UN James Larsen said the demand for full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance to Gaza was urgent. 'Israel must take urgent action to alleviate this humanitarian crisis,' he said. The PM talking to members of the local Jewish community during a visit to the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 10 The shell of the synagogue after it was set alight as Jews gathered to pray on December 6 Minister for Housing Clare O'Neil leaves flowers at the synagogue on December 10 The Executive Council of Australian Jewry slammed the motion, saying an unconditional ceasefire meant Israel would have to abandon hostages 'and allow the Hamas terrorists to re-establish themselves as the de facto rulers of Gaza'. 'No country in the world should be expected to betray its own citizens as Israel is being called upon to do,' President Daniel Aghion said. Australia also voted to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in a second motion that passed with 159 in support, nine against and 11 abstaining. The motion called for the Israeli Knesset to reverse laws banning the agency from operating in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which included Gaza and the West Bank. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has repeatedly stated the agency was the only one with the capability to distribute aid at the scale needed in Gaza. 'For the past year, the world has been calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.Today 158 countries voted in favour of this, including Australia, the UK, NZ, Canada, Japan and Germany. 'We want this war to end and the hostages home.' Anthony Albanese Matt Moran Share or comment on this article: Anthony Albanese is slammed over 'tone deaf' comment to Jewish community leaders e-mail Add comment

7xm customer service Awards season has arrived in the form of the Golden Globes nominations. The awards, which honor both movies and television programs, is often viewed as a preview of the upcoming Oscars. In this week's episode, co-hosts Bruce Miller and Terry Lipshetz go over the list, focusing largely on the movies, which tend to shine brightest at the ceremony. But they also take time to review a few of the TV shows, including the great, but rarely funny "The Bear," which is again in the comedy or musical category. We also have an interview with "Nickel Boys" director RaMell Ross, who spoke with Miller prior to the film receiving a nomination for best drama. Miller also talked with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who starred in the film. “Wicked”; “Anora”; “Emilia Perez”; “Challengers”; “A Real Pain”; “The Substance” “The Brutalist”; “A Complete Unknown,”; “Conclave”; “Dune: Part Two”; “Nickel Boys;” “September 5” Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Hugh Grant, “Heretic”; Gabriel LaBelle, “Saturday Night; Jesse Plemons, “Kinds of Kindness”’ Glen Powell, “Hitman”; Sebastian Stan, “A Different Man” Amy Adams, “Nightbitch”; Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”; Karla Sofia Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”; Mikey Madison “Anora”; Demi Moore, “The Substance”; Zendaya, “Challengers” Pamela Anderson, “The Last Showgirl′′; Angelina Jolie, ”Maria”; Nicole Kidman, “Babygirl”; Tilda Swinton, “The Room Next Door”; Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”; Kate Winslet, “Lee” Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”; Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown’; Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”; Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”; Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice’’ “Alien: Romulus”; Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”; Deadpool & Wolverine”; “Gladiator II”; “Inside Out 2”; “Twisters”; “Wicked”; “The Wild Robot” “All We Imagine As Light′′; ”Emilia Pérez”; “The Girl With the Needle”; “I’m Still Here”; “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”; “Vermiglio” “Flow”; “Inside Out 2”; “Memoir of a Snail”; “Moana 2”; “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”; “The Wild Robot” Selena Gomez, ”Emilia Pérez”; Ariana Grande, “Wicked”; Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”; Margaret Qualley, “The Substance”; Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”; Zoe Saldaña, ”Emilia Pérez” Yura Borisov, “Anora”; Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”; Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”; Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”; Jeremy Strong, ”The Apprentice”; Denzel Washington, “Gladiator II” Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Edward Berger, “Conclave”; Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Payal Kapadia, “All We Imagine As Light” Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold, “The Brutalist”; Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Peter Straughan, “Conclave” Volker Bertelmann, “Conclave”; Daniel Blumberg, “The Brutalist”; Kris Bowers, “The Wild Robot”; Clement Ducol, Camille “Emilia Pérez”; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, “Challengers”; Hans Zimmer, “Dune: Part Two” “Beautiful That Way” from “The Last Showgirl” (music/lyrics by Andrew Wyatt, Miley Cyrus, Lykke Zachrisson); “Compress/Repress” from “Challengers’ (music/lyrics by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Luca Guadagnino; “El Mal” from EL MAL” from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille, Jacques Audiard; “Forbidden Road” from ”Better Man′′ (music/lyrics by Robbie Williams, Freddy Wexler, Sacha Skarbek); “Kiss the Sky” from “The Wild Robot′′ (music/lyrics by Delacey, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Maren Morris, Michael Pollack, Ali Tamposi); ”Mi Camino′′ from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille) “Shogun”; “The Diplomat”; “Slow Horses”; “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; “The Day of the Jackal”; “Squid Game” “Abbott Elementary”; “The Bear; “Hacks”; “Nobody Wants This”; “Only Murders in the Building”; “The Gentlemen” Donald Glover, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; Jake Gyllenhaal, “Presumed Innocent”; Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”; Eddie Redmayne, “The Day of the Jackal”; Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shogun”; Billy Bob Thornton, “Landman” Kathy Bates, “Matlock”; Emma D’Arcy, “House of the Dragon”; Maya Erskine, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”; Keira Knightley, “Black Doves”; Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”; Anna Sawai, “Shogun” Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”; Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”; Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”; Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”; Kathryn Hahn, “Agatha All Along”; Jean Smart, “Hacks” Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”; Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside”; Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jason Segel, “Shrinking”; Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jeremy All White, “The Bear” “Baby Reindeer”; Disclaimer"; “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; “The Penguin”; “Ripley”; “True Detective: Night Country” Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer''; Jodie Foster, ”True Detective: Night Country"; Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin''; Sofia Vergara, ”Griselda"; Naomi Watts, “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”; Kate Winslet, “The Regime” Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”; Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”; Kevin Kline, “Disclaimer”; Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Ewan McGregor, “A Gentleman in Moscow”; Andrew Scott, “Ripley” Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”; Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”; Dakota Fanning, “Ripley”; Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”; Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”; Kali Reis, “True Detective: Night Country” Tadanobu Asano, “Shogun''; Javier Bardem, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”; Jack Lowden “Slow Horses”; Diego Luna, “La Maquina”; Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear” Jamie Foxx, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was”; Nikki Glaser, “Nikki Glaser: Someday You'll Die”; Seth Meyers, “Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking”; Adam Sandler, "Adam Sandler: Love You"; Ali Wong, “Ali Wong: Single Lady”; Ramy Youssef, “Ramy Youssef: More Feelings” —List compiled by The Associated Press Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Wordle answer today (#1277): Hints, clues, and solution for December 17, 2024

Braun's cabinet includes fewer positions

Awards season has arrived in the form of the Golden Globes nominations. The awards, which honor both movies and television programs, is often viewed as a preview of the upcoming Oscars. In this week's episode, co-hosts Bruce Miller and Terry Lipshetz go over the list, focusing largely on the movies, which tend to shine brightest at the ceremony. But they also take time to review a few of the TV shows, including the great, but rarely funny "The Bear," which is again in the comedy or musical category. We also have an interview with "Nickel Boys" director RaMell Ross, who spoke with Miller prior to the film receiving a nomination for best drama. Miller also talked with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who starred in the film. Complete list of Golden Globe nominations “Wicked”; “Anora”; “Emilia Perez”; “Challengers”; “A Real Pain”; “The Substance” “The Brutalist”; “A Complete Unknown,”; “Conclave”; “Dune: Part Two”; “Nickel Boys;” “September 5” Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Hugh Grant, “Heretic”; Gabriel LaBelle, “Saturday Night; Jesse Plemons, “Kinds of Kindness”’ Glen Powell, “Hitman”; Sebastian Stan, “A Different Man” Amy Adams, “Nightbitch”; Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”; Karla Sofia Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”; Mikey Madison “Anora”; Demi Moore, “The Substance”; Zendaya, “Challengers” Pamela Anderson, “The Last Showgirl′′; Angelina Jolie, ”Maria”; Nicole Kidman, “Babygirl”; Tilda Swinton, “The Room Next Door”; Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”; Kate Winslet, “Lee” Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”; Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown’; Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”; Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”; Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice’’ “Alien: Romulus”; Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”; Deadpool & Wolverine”; “Gladiator II”; “Inside Out 2”; “Twisters”; “Wicked”; “The Wild Robot” “All We Imagine As Light′′; ”Emilia Pérez”; “The Girl With the Needle”; “I’m Still Here”; “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”; “Vermiglio” “Flow”; “Inside Out 2”; “Memoir of a Snail”; “Moana 2”; “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”; “The Wild Robot” Selena Gomez, ”Emilia Pérez”; Ariana Grande, “Wicked”; Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”; Margaret Qualley, “The Substance”; Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”; Zoe Saldaña, ”Emilia Pérez” Yura Borisov, “Anora”; Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”; Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”; Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”; Jeremy Strong, ”The Apprentice”; Denzel Washington, “Gladiator II” Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Edward Berger, “Conclave”; Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Payal Kapadia, “All We Imagine As Light” Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold, “The Brutalist”; Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Peter Straughan, “Conclave” Volker Bertelmann, “Conclave”; Daniel Blumberg, “The Brutalist”; Kris Bowers, “The Wild Robot”; Clement Ducol, Camille “Emilia Pérez”; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, “Challengers”; Hans Zimmer, “Dune: Part Two” “Beautiful That Way” from “The Last Showgirl” (music/lyrics by Andrew Wyatt, Miley Cyrus, Lykke Zachrisson); “Compress/Repress” from “Challengers’ (music/lyrics by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Luca Guadagnino; “El Mal” from EL MAL” from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille, Jacques Audiard; “Forbidden Road” from ”Better Man′′ (music/lyrics by Robbie Williams, Freddy Wexler, Sacha Skarbek); “Kiss the Sky” from “The Wild Robot′′ (music/lyrics by Delacey, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Maren Morris, Michael Pollack, Ali Tamposi); ”Mi Camino′′ from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille) “Shogun”; “The Diplomat”; “Slow Horses”; “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; “The Day of the Jackal”; “Squid Game” “Abbott Elementary”; “The Bear; “Hacks”; “Nobody Wants This”; “Only Murders in the Building”; “The Gentlemen” Donald Glover, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; Jake Gyllenhaal, “Presumed Innocent”; Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”; Eddie Redmayne, “The Day of the Jackal”; Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shogun”; Billy Bob Thornton, “Landman” Kathy Bates, “Matlock”; Emma D’Arcy, “House of the Dragon”; Maya Erskine, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”; Keira Knightley, “Black Doves”; Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”; Anna Sawai, “Shogun” Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”; Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”; Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”; Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”; Kathryn Hahn, “Agatha All Along”; Jean Smart, “Hacks” Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”; Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside”; Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jason Segel, “Shrinking”; Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jeremy All White, “The Bear” “Baby Reindeer”; Disclaimer"; “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; “The Penguin”; “Ripley”; “True Detective: Night Country” Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer''; Jodie Foster, ”True Detective: Night Country"; Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin''; Sofia Vergara, ”Griselda"; Naomi Watts, “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”; Kate Winslet, “The Regime” Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”; Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”; Kevin Kline, “Disclaimer”; Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Ewan McGregor, “A Gentleman in Moscow”; Andrew Scott, “Ripley” Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”; Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”; Dakota Fanning, “Ripley”; Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”; Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”; Kali Reis, “True Detective: Night Country” Tadanobu Asano, “Shogun''; Javier Bardem, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”; Jack Lowden “Slow Horses”; Diego Luna, “La Maquina”; Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear” Jamie Foxx, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was”; Nikki Glaser, “Nikki Glaser: Someday You'll Die”; Seth Meyers, “Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking”; Adam Sandler, "Adam Sandler: Love You"; Ali Wong, “Ali Wong: Single Lady”; Ramy Youssef, “Ramy Youssef: More Feelings” —List compiled by The Associated Press‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative for ethical and spiritual development

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MESA, Ariz. — For 50 years, Arizona had Big Surf in Tempe where people could surf in the desert. The popular summer destination closed in 2019, leaving residents high and dry. Enter Revel Surf Park at Cannon Beach in Mesa. “I've thought often that Arizona would be the perfect state if we just had waves,” the Owner of Revel Surf Park at Cannon Beach, Cole Cannon said. Before Monday, the closest place to surf to central Arizona was about 200 miles away. Not anymore as the surf park opens at 3:00 p.m. on Dec. 16. This is a $45 million, 4.5-acre facility with four cliff jumping platforms ranging from six to 26 feet, restaurants, a skate park, an infinity wave pool, and the centerpiece of this tropical paradise being the two-acre surf lagoon that has three million gallons of water. “A lot of gratitude. It's been a long hot journey building out here,” Cannon said. “Since we broke ground 1,344 days ago we are officially open to the public and we’re very excited about that.” The entire development has been a long process in the making, but employees said it was all worth it. “We went from plastering the bottom of the pool to the whole thing coming together and now we get to surf so it’s pretty sick,” Revel Surf Park employee Rachael Washburn said. The park uses its own patented wave technology. Cannon said only five other companies in the world have something similar. It generates different kinds of waves for all levels of surfers. “My business partner Matt is heavily responsible for a lot of that,” Cannon added. “It's a crew of about four of us who built it. We've been building the airplane while we've been flying at the same time, and we think we built something special.” The technology runs on hydropower. Cole said the land they’re on used to be an alfalfa farm and the surf park consumes only about two percent of what the farm used. “We consume about the same amount of water as one hole of a golf course. Our power is that of maybe two Corvettes for our entire wave machine,” he said. And there’s plenty to do if you don’t want to surf. There are turf, cabanas with heaters and television sets, hot tubs, a beach grill that’s open to the public and more. This all took over four years to open. “It turned out better than we hoped,” Cannon said. “We started thinking of the extreme nature of the people who would come here. Everything just got a little bigger and better. That was part of the reason for the delay. We just kept adding more amenities to it because we want our beachgoers to have a great experience.” Revel Surf Park has 500 membership slots, but 300 were sold before they opened. The surf park is a part of Cannon Beach which is still a work in progress. Cannon Beach will have some restaurants that will open in the next two to three months. In 2025, it’ll add a movie theater and electric go-cart track next door. Then 60,000 more feet of restaurants and two hotels will be built in the next three years. >> 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 12+ app! The free 12+ 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, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV . 12+ 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 12+ app to add to your account , or have the 12+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.BOYD GAMING ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL $500 MILLION SHARE REPURCHASE AUTHORIZATIONInsight Health System Appoints Dr. Maliha Hashmi as Global Ambassador

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DALLAS, Texas, Dec. 16, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Skyhawks Sports, a Stack Sports company, is proud to announce the winner and finalists of the 2024 Coach of the Year Award. This annual accolade honors coaches who exemplify exceptional dedication, leadership, and a commitment to fostering positive sports experiences for young athletes. Jason Frazier, General Manager of Skyhawks, expressed his admiration for the coaches: “Our coaches are the heartbeat of Skyhawks, dedicating themselves to nurturing young athletes both on and off the field. Their commitment not only create fun sports experiences but also teach life lessons that resonate beyond the game is what makes them great coaches.” WINNER: FINALISTS: Coach Michael “Mikey” Monary has been an invaluable asset to the Skyhawks Sports Academy in Orange County. His passion and determination to continually improve as a coach have cultivated a significant following among local organizations, often resulting in waitlists exceeding 20 children. Parents frequently request Coach Mikey, with some traveling to different cities to enroll their children in his classes. Coach Mikey’s versatility allows him to coach any sport and age group, and he proactively expands his expertise, even taking private tennis lessons to better serve his students. His commitment to providing positive experiences for children exemplifies the core values of Skyhawks Sports. Jeff Brunsberg, Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer at Stack Sports, added: “Recognizing these outstanding coaches underscores our mission to increase participation and transform the sports experience. Their passion and dedication are pivotal in creating positive, lasting impacts in the communities we serve.” Skyhawks Sports remains dedicated to providing quality youth sports programs that emphasize critical life skills such as teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship. The organization congratulates Michael Monary and all the finalists for their exceptional contributions to youth sports. About Skyhawks Founded in Spokane, Washington in 1979, Skyhawks has established itself as one of the largest youth sport program providers in North America. Skyhawks provides a wide variety of fun, safe and positive programs that emphasize critical lessons by “teaching life skills through sports”. Programs range from week-long summer camps to after-school programs, clinics, and leagues for children aged 18mths to 14 in a variety of sports. About Stack Sports With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations. Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars — Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/ . NEWS SOURCE: Stack Sports Keywords: Sports and Activities, Skyhawks Sports 2024 Coach of the Year Award, Stack Sports, Supertots, youth sports programs, DALLAS, Texas This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Stack Sports) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122869 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/skyhawks-sports-announces-2024-coach-of-the-year-winner-and-finalists/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Voters dejected by the presidential election results need to find a way to give back and remain involved, Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton said Saturday as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Clinton presidential library. The former president urged audience members in a packed theater to remain engaged and find ways to communicate with those they disagree with despite a divisive political time. The two spoke about a month after former President Donald Trump's win over Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election. “We’re just passing through, and we all need to just calm down and do something that builds people up instead of tears them down,” Bill Clinton said. Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state who was defeated by Trump in the 2016 election, said she understands the next couple of years are going to be challenging for voters who don't agree with the decisions being made. "In addition to staying involved and staying aware, it’s important to find something that makes you feel good about the day because if you’re in a constant state of agitation about our political situation, it is really going to shorten your life," she said. The Clintons spoke during a panel discussion with journalist Laura Ling, who the former president helped free in 2009 when she was detained in North Korea with another journalist. The event was held as part of a weekend of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the Clinton Presidential Library's opening in Little Rock. The library is preparing to undergo an update of its exhibits and an expansion that will include Hillary Clinton's personal archives. Hillary Clinton said part of the goal is to modernize the facility and expand it to make it a more open, inviting place for people for convene and make connections. When asked about advice he would give for people disappointed by the election results, Bill Clinton said people need to continue working toward bringing people together and improving others' lives. “If that's the way you keep score, then you ought to be trying to run up the score,” he said. “Not lamenting the fact that somebody else is winning a different game because they keep score a different way." “And in addition, figure out what we can do to win again,” Hillary Clinton added, eliciting cheers. The program featured a panel discussion with cast members of the hit NBC show “The West Wing” and former Clinton White House staffers. The weekend amounted to a reunion of former Clinton White House staffers, supporters and close friends, including former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and adviser James Carville. McAuliffe said he and Carville ate Friday at Doe's Eat Place, a downtown restaurant that was popular with Clinton aides and reporters during Clinton's 1992 White House run. He said he viewed the library and its planned expansion as important for the future. “This is not only about the past, but it's more importantly about the future," McAuliffe said. “We just went through a very tough election, and people are all saying we've got to get back to the Clinton model.”

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Voters dejected by the presidential election results need to find a way to give back and remain involved, Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton said Saturday as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Clinton presidential library. The former president urged audience members in a packed theater to remain engaged and find ways to communicate with those they disagree with despite a divisive political time. The two spoke about a month after former President Donald Trump's win over Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election. “We’re just passing through, and we all need to just calm down and do something that builds people up instead of tears them down,” Bill Clinton said. Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state who was defeated by Trump in the 2016 election, said she understands the next couple of years are going to be challenging for voters who don't agree with the decisions being made. "In addition to staying involved and staying aware, it’s important to find something that makes you feel good about the day because if you’re in a constant state of agitation about our political situation, it is really going to shorten your life," she said. The Clintons spoke during a panel discussion with journalist Laura Ling, who the former president helped free in 2009 when she was detained in North Korea with another journalist. The event was held as part of a weekend of activities marking the of the Clinton Presidential Library's opening in Little Rock. The library is preparing to of its exhibits and an expansion that will include Hillary Clinton's personal archives. Hillary Clinton said part of the goal is to modernize the facility and expand it to make it a more open, inviting place for people for convene and make connections. When asked about advice he would give for people disappointed by the election results, Bill Clinton said people need to continue working toward bringing people together and improving others' lives. “If that's the way you keep score, then you ought to be trying to run up the score,” he said. “Not lamenting the fact that somebody else is winning a different game because they keep score a different way." “And in addition, figure out what we can do to win again,” Hillary Clinton added, eliciting cheers. The program featured a panel discussion with cast members of the hit NBC show “The West Wing” and former Clinton White House staffers. The weekend amounted to a reunion of former Clinton White House staffers, supporters and close friends, including former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and adviser James Carville. McAuliffe said he and Carville ate Friday at Doe's Eat Place, a downtown restaurant that was popular with Clinton aides and reporters during Clinton's 1992 White House run. He said he viewed the library and its planned expansion as important for the future. “This is not only about the past, but it's more importantly about the future," McAuliffe said. “We just went through a very tough election, and people are all saying we've got to get back to the Clinton model.” Andrew Demillo, The Associated PressElon Musk Declares War on Social Security, Watchdogs Claim - Kawsachun News -

The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) has ordered an interim stay on SEBI’s order against Trafiksol ITS Technologies. On December 3, SEBI, in an unprecedented move, had asked Trafiksol ITS Technologies to refund the money paid by investors towards subscribing to the company’s IPO. SEBI had also asked Trafiksol to return the interest amount accrued on the money back to the investors who were allotted the company’s shares in the said IPO. Share Market View All Nifty Gainers View All Company Value Change %Change Trafiksol had challenged SEBI’s order against itself before the SAT and after hearing both parties, SAT ordered an interim stay on SEBI’s order against Trafiksol. The matter continues to be heard at the SAT. As per SEBI’s order, the market regulator received a complaint which alleged that the objects of Trafiksol’s IPO included the purchase of software valued at nearly ₹ 18 crore from a vendor which, inter alia, had questionable financials and failed to file its annual financial statements with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). In view of the above complaint, BSE in consultation with SEBI deferred the listing of the shares of Trafiksol and initiated its investigation into the matter. SEBI’s investigation in the matter found an intent of diversion of funds through misleading objects of the issue. SEBI also found mis-statement of financial statements and concealment of material facts in the IPO prospectus of Trafiksol.

Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke and Cal's Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal. Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday. Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal. Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season. Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage. "For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached," he posted. Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has joined defensive tackle Mason Graham in the NFL draft. Johnson declared for the draft on Wednesday, one day after Graham decided he would also skip his senior season with the Wolverines. Both preseason All-America players are expected to be first-round picks. Johnson was limited to six games this year due to an injury. He had two interceptions, returning them both for touchdowns to set a school record with three scores off interceptions. Johnson picked off nine passes in three seasons. Graham played in all 12 games this season, finishing with 3 1/2 sacks and seven tackles for losses. He had 18 tackles for losses, including nine sacks, in his three-year career. Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is The Associated Press offensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference and South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard is the top defensive player. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was voted the top newcomer on Wednesday while the Gamecocks' Shane Beamer is coach of the year in voting by the panel of 17 media members who cover the league. Sampson led the SEC and set school records by rushing for 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is tied for third nationally in rushing touchdowns, recording the league's fifth-most in a season. Sampson was chosen on all but two ballots. Mississippi wide receiver Tre Harris and his quarterback, Jaxson Dart, each got a vote. Kennard led the SEC with 11-1/2 sacks and 15-1/2 tackles for loss. He also had 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles. Beamer led the Gamecocks to just their fifth nine-win season, including a school-record four wins over Top 25 opponents. They've won their last six games and ended the regular season with a win over eventual ACC champion Clemson. South Carolina plays Illinois on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Pavia helped lead Vandy to its first bowl game since 2018 after transferring from New Mexico State. He passed for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions. He ran for another 716 yards and six touchdowns, directing an upset of Alabama. AMES, Iowa — Matt Campbell, who led Iowa State to its first 10-win season and became the program's all-time leader in coaching victories, has agreed to an eight-year contract that would keep him with the Cyclones through 2032. University president Wendy Wintersteen and athletic director Jamie Pollard made the announcement Wednesday, four days after the Cyclones lost to Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game. “Given all the uncertainty currently facing college athletics, it was critical that we moved quickly to solidify the future of our football program,” Pollard said. “Matt is the perfect fit for Iowa State University and I am thrilled he wants to continue to lead our program. Leadership continuity is essential to any organization’s long-term success." The Cyclones won their first seven games for their best start since 1938 and are 10-3 heading into their game against Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 28. BRIEFLY FLAG PLANT: Ohio Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. MALZAHN: Gus Malzahn, who resigned as UCF’s coach last month to become Mike Norvell’s offensive coordinator at Florida State, said he chose to return to his coaching roots rather than remain a head coach distracted by a myriad of responsibilities.Creative Diagnostics Announces Enhanced Viral Nucleic Acid Residue Assay Kits for Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing 12-16-2024 07:56 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: ABNewswire Creative Diagnostics launches Viral Nucleic Acid Residue Assay Kits (qPCR) to ensure the purity and safety of biopharmaceutical products. Creative Diagnostics, a reagent supplier and developer focused on biologics quality control, has announced the launch of its new Viral Nucleic Acid Residue Assay Kit [ https://qbd.creative-diagnostics.com/products/viral-nucleic-acid-residue-assay-kits-qpcr-2793.html]s (qPCR) to ensure the purity and safety of biopharmaceutical products by detecting and quantifying even minute levels of viral DNA and RNA contaminants. These kits can help manufacturers meet stringent regulatory requirements and quality control standards. Creative Diagnostics' Viral Nucleic Acid Residue Assay Kits use state-of-the-art quantitative PCR (qPCR) technology that is highly sensitive and specific to reliably detect even trace amounts of viral nucleic acids. This capability is critical for maintaining the safety and efficacy of vaccines, gene therapies and other biological agents. In addition, these kits are designed to be easy to use, with reagents and detailed protocols for smooth integration into existing laboratory workflows. Creative Diagnostics is committed to providing innovative solutions that address the critical needs of the biopharmaceutical industry. By providing rapid and accurate results, these kits help manufacturers meet stringent regulatory requirements and maintain strict quality control standards. Viral nucleic acid residue test kits (qPCR) are essential to the biopharmaceutical industry as they effectively monitor for viral contamination, protecting product integrity and patient safety and ensuring the highest quality of advanced therapeutic products. For example, the ResDetFast Trademark E1A & SV40LTA DNA Residual Assay Kit (Cat. No. DDNAF-027) targets conserved E1A and SV40LTA sequences, paired with a ready-to-use reference for rapid and sensitive detection of residual E1A and SV40LTA DNA in biological products derived from HEK293T cells. HEK293T, a common expression vector in biopharmaceutical production, carries transformation sequences like Adv E1A and SV40 large T antigen, posing potential safety risks. When used with Creative Diagnostics Nucleic Acid Extraction or Purification Kit, this kit can detect trace amounts of E1A & SV40LTA DNA in as quickly as 1.5 hours, fulfilling regulatory requirements for sensitive detection of residual sequences in lentiviral vector preparations. Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV), a member of the Parvoviridae family, is a widely used gene therapy vector. rAAV, a modified version of wild-type AAV, can be contaminated with rcAAV, a replication-competent form resulting from non-homologous recombination during production. The ResDetFast Trademark rcAAV-2/N Assay Kit (Cat. No. DDNAF-008), a quantitative fluorescence PCR assay targeting the GALV gene, enables rapid and sensitive detection of rcAAV in gene therapy products. Paired with a quantitative reference and compatible with Creative Diagnostics Nucleic Acid Extraction or Purification Kit, this kit can detect as few as 2 copies/L of rcAAV within one and a half hours. Creative Diagnostics' enhanced Viral Nucleic Acid Residue Assay Kits empower manufacturers to maintain the highest quality standards and ensure the safety of their products for patients worldwide. For more information on the new assay kits, please visit https://qbd.creative-diagnostics.com/products/viral-nucleic-acid-residue-assay-kits-qpcr-2793.html . About Creative Diagnostics Creative Diagnostics is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of innovative tools and reagents for bioprocess impurity analysis. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions to support researchers in the quality control of biologics and provides biopharmaceutical quality, purity and safety assays, analytical methods and applications for the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries. Media Contact Company Name: Creative Diagnostics Contact Person: Thomas Schmitt Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=creative-diagnostics-announces-enhanced-viral-nucleic-acid-residue-assay-kits-for-biopharmaceutical-manufacturing ] State: New York Country: United States Website: https://qbd.creative-diagnostics.com/ This release was published on openPR.None

On Tuesday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveiled what he calls “a major legislative initiative,” announcing Senate Bill 3, which aims to ban all forms of consumable Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the state. Regarding hemp-derived products that “might include un-removable non-intoxicating trace amounts of Delta 9 THC,” a statement released by the Patrick’s office reads: "Dangerously, retailers exploited the agriculture law to sell life-threatening, unregulated forms of THC to the public and made them easily accessible," Patrick said, referring to the aftermath of the 2019 passage of House Bill 1325 . Originally designed to boost Texas agriculture, the bill aligned the state with Farm Bill 2028 , which permitted hemp commercialization. It also created a legal gray area exploited by businesses to sell products that otherwise would be banned in Texas. This loophole has been exploited by hemp-derived manufacturers and sellers, who often advocate for a full regulation, similar to cannabis. Proposing a full ban on THC, similar to the one recently imposed in California, would be disastrous for the industry. Unlike California, Texas does not have legal cannabis, so consumers will have no other option than to turn to the illicit market . Patrick added that many of these products, including beverages, contain “three to four times the THC content which might be found in marijuana purchased from a drug dealer.” He announced his support for Senate Bill 3, championed by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), a Bill that would close the loophole by permanently banning all forms of THC. Read Also: Dallas Overwhelming Approves Cannabis Decriminalization In Ballot Vote Get Benzinga's exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter here . If you're serious about the business, you can't afford to miss out. Conservative Pushback On Cannabis Reforms Patrick's announcement comes against the backdrop of a broader conservative crackdown on cannabis reforms in Texas. Attorney General Ken Paxton recently intensified his legal challenges against local decriminalization efforts, filing lawsuits against several cities, including Dallas, over measures that reduce penalties for marijuana possession. In Dallas, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition R in November, an amendment decriminalizing possession of up to four ounces of marijuana. Despite its popularity—66% of Dallas voters supported the measure—Paxton has deemed it a violation of state law. "The city of Dallas has no authority to override Texas drug laws or prohibit the police from enforcing them," Paxton stated in a recent press release, calling local cannabis decriminalization measures a "backdoor attempt to violate the Texas Constitution." Patrick's legislative initiative and Paxton's lawsuits indicate that the GOP is framing cannabis as a major political issue, approaching it from a conservative perspective. Read Next: Texas AG Ken Paxton Sues Dallas Over Cannabis Decriminalization Reform COVER: AI-Generated Image © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew is barred from UK LONDON (AP) — A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew has been barred from the U.K. because of concerns he poses a threat to national security. Danica Kirka, The Associated Press Dec 13, 2024 12:46 PM Dec 13, 2024 1:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE -Prince Andrew leaves after attending the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) LONDON (AP) — A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew has been barred from the U.K. because of concerns he poses a threat to national security. A British immigration tribunal upheld the decision on Thursday in a ruling that revealed the Chinese national had developed such a close relationship with Andrew that he was invited to the prince’s birthday party. Government officials were concerned the man could have misused his influence because the prince was under “considerable pressure” at the time, according to the ruling. British authorities believe the Chinese national, whose name wasn’t released, was working on behalf of the United Front Work Department, an arm of the Chinese Communist Party that is used to influence foreign entities. The government determined that the businessman “was in a position to generate relationships between senior Chinese officials and prominent U.K. figures which could be leveraged for political interference purposes by the Chinese State,” according to the tribunal's decision. In a statement from his office, Andrew, also known as the Duke of York, said he accepted government advice and ceased all contact with the Chinese national as soon as concerns were raised. “The Duke met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed,′′ his office said. “He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.” Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, has been repeatedly criticized for his links to wealthy foreigners, raising concerns that those individuals are trying to buy access to the royal family. Andrew’s finances have been squeezed in recent years after he was forced to step away from royal duties and give up public funding amid concerns about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein , the American financier and convicted pedophile who committed suicide in prison in 2019. British intelligence chiefs have become increasingly concerned about China’s efforts to influence U.K. government policy. In 2022, Britain’s domestic intelligence service, known as MI5, warned politicians that a British-Chinese lawyer had been seeking to improperly influence members of Parliament for years. A parliamentary researcher was arrested in 2023 on suspicion of providing sensitive information to China. The 50-year-old Chinese national covered by this week’s ruling was described as a man who worked as a junior civil servant in China before he came to the U.K. as a student in 2002. He earned a master’s degree in public administration and public policy at the University of York before starting a business that advises U.K.-based companies on their operations in China. He was granted the right to live and work in the U.K. for an indefinite period in 2013. Although he didn’t make Britain his permanent home, the man told authorities that he spent one to two weeks a month in the country and considered it his “second home.” He was stopped while entering the U.K. on Nov. 6, 2021, and ordered to surrender his mobile phone and other digital devices on which authorities found a letter from a senior adviser to Andrew confirming that he was authorized to act on behalf of the prince in relation to potential partners and investors in China. The letter and other documents highlighted the strength of the relationship between Andrew, his adviser and the Chinese national. “I also hope that it is clear to you where you sit with my principal and indeed his family,” the adviser wrote. “You should never underestimate the strength of that relationship. Outside of his closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.” The letter went on to describe how they had found a way to work around former private secretaries to the prince and other people who weren’t completely trusted. “Under your guidance, we found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor,” the adviser wrote. Andrew lives at the Royal Lodge, a historic country estate near Windsor Castle, west of London. Danica Kirka, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix S&P/TSX composite down more than 100 points, U.S. stock markets mixed Dec 13, 2024 1:32 PM Nova Scotia non-profit groups trying to save huge Acadian church now facing lawsuit Dec 13, 2024 1:30 PM Court approves The Body Shop Canada sale, about 100 to lose jobs as some stores close Dec 13, 2024 1:21 PM Featured FlyerConfident Bucs gear up for stretch run against lighter season-ending schedule

A Nov. 20 Threads post ( , ) shows what appears to be a screenshot of a post on X, formerly Twitter, by billionaire Elon Musk. “Accounts calling me fat, ‘Elonia’, ‘The First Lady’, saying I can’t jump, or pointing out my hair plugs and jawline gender affirming surgery, will be suspended without warning (sic),” text of the purported post reads. The Threads post received more than 5,000 likes in five days. Similar versions accumulated thousands of additional likes and . | | The image is a fabrication. There is no record of the post on Musk’s account. Musk’s X profile of . Were it real, it surely would have generated coverage from legitimate media outlets. However, no such news reports exist. The image appears to be a doctored version of a legitimate post from Musk. The timestamp on the screenshotted post indicates it was shared at 5:40 a.m. Eastern time on Nov. 17. While he , it had nothing to do with threats or mockery. Rather, in response to a post about low birth rates in other countries, Musk posted: "Instead of teaching fear of pregnancy, we should teach fear of childlessness."Additionally, in another sign it is a fabrication, the number of times – 12.7 million – of it. Were this an authentic post, it would have been captured and shared with varying numbers of views by the who follow Musk. President-elect Donald Trump after the billionaire owner of the X platform , for his campaign and . Musk, picked by Trump to , has after the election – leading to his “ . : USA TODAY previously debunked false claims that an image shows a post from Musk ” and that the billionaire and from the X platform. USA TODAY reached out to Musk through the X platform’s press office and to several social media users who shared the image but did not immediately receive any responses. and also debunked the claim. Elon Musk, accessed Nov. 25, Elon Musk, Nov. 17,Jimmy Carter's journey from defeated one-term president to our best ex-president: Analysis

Maury Povich Calls On Playboi Carti To “Drop The Album”Stock indexes closed mixed on Wall Street at the end of a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 ended little changed Friday. The benchmark index reached its latest in a string of records a week ago. It lost ground for the week following three weeks of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%. The Nasdaq composite edged up 0.1%. Broadcom surged after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged after raising its revenue forecast. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks slipped in afternoon trading Friday as Wall Street closes out a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 was up by less than 0.1% and is on track for a loss for the week after three straight weekly gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 58 points, or 0.1% to 43,856 as of 3 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq rose 0.1% and is hovering around its record. Broadcom surged 24.9% for the biggest gain in the S&P 500 after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. The company also raised its dividend. The company's big gain helped cushion the market's broader fall. Pricey stock values for technology companies like Broadcom give the sector more weight in pushing the market higher or lower. Artificial intelligence technology has been a focal point for the technology sector and the overall stock market over the last year. Tech companies, and Wall Street, expect demand for AI to continue driving growth for semiconductor and other technology companies. Even so, some big tech stocks were in the red Friday. Nvidia slid 2.6%, Meta Platforms dropped 1.7% and Netflix was down 0.7%. Furniture and housewares company RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged 14.2% after raising its forecast for revenue growth for the year. Wall Street's rally stalled this week amid mixed economic reports and ahead of the Federal Reserve's last meeting of the year. The central bank will meet next week and is widely expected to cut interest rates for a third time since September. Expectations of a series of rate cuts has driven the S&P 500 to 57 all-time highs so far this year . The Fed has been lowering its benchmark interest rate following an aggressive rate hiking policy that was meant to tame inflation. It raised rates from near-zero in early 2022 to a two-decade high by the middle of 2023. Inflation eased under pressure from higher interest rates, nearly to the central bank's 2% target. The economy, including consumer spending and employment, held strong despite the squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. A slowing job market, though, has helped push a long-awaited reversal of the Fed's policy. Inflation rates have been warming up slightly over the last few months. A report on consumer prices this week showed an increase to 2.7% in November from 2.6% in October. The Fed's preferred measure of inflation, the personal consumption expenditures index, will be released next week. Wall Street expects it to show a 2.5% rise in November, up from 2.3% in October. The economy, though, remains solid heading into 2025 as consumers continue spending and employment remains healthy, said Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY. “Still, the outlook is clouded by unusually high uncertainty surrounding regulatory, immigration, trade and tax policy,” he said. Treasury yields edged higher. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.40% from 4.34% late Thursday. European markets slipped. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.1%. Britain’s economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1% month-on-month in October, following a 0.1% decline in September, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. Asian markets closed mostly lower. Damian J. Troise And Alex Veiga, The Associated Press

Diddy Compares Himself to Trump in Bid to Get Home for Thanksgiving

Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s chief financial officer, has emerged as the leading contender to fill the congressional seat vacated by Matt Gaetz. President-elect Donald Trump praised Patronis' devotion to MAGA ideas and backed him on Monday, despite the fact that he has not yet made his campaign official. Trump’s EndorsementOn Truth Social, Trump, 78, emphasized Patronis' qualifications and described him as a "fourth-generation Floridian" who is committed to his cause. The president-elect characterized Patronis as a possible congressional ally who would prioritize border security, economic growth, and Second Amendment protection. Trump added, "Jimmy has been a wonderful friend to me and to MAGA." Patronis, 52, has only hinted at his intention in running for Florida's 1st Congressional District seat, thus the support was unexpected. Patronis’s Political CareerSince 2017, Patronis has been Florida's CFO, managing state funds, conducting agency audits, and policing insurance. The position includes the duties of fire marshal, comptroller, and treasurer. Under previous Governor Rick Scott, Patronis joined the cabinet, and he remained there under Governor Ron DeSantis. Trump's objectives and his legislative efforts have frequently coincided. Patronis suggested last year creating a "Freedom Fighters Fund" to provide up to $5 million to pay for the legal fees of Florida candidates for president, including Trump. In the end, DeSantis rejected the plan. The Seat Gaetz Left BehindIn order to pursue a now-cancelled campaign to become attorney general in Trump's cabinet, Matt Gaetz resigned earlier this month. A contest for Florida's 1st Congressional District seat, a Republican stronghold in the Panhandle, was sparked by his resignation. After struggling to get Senate approval because of a sex scandal that he has denied, Gaetz withdrew from consideration for the position of attorney general. After declaring he would not run for reelection, he joined Cameo and started sending customized video messages. The general election is slated for April 1, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has established a primary on January 28. Other ContendersThe position has already drawn interest from a number of Republican hopefuls. Among them are Keith Gross, state lawmaker Michelle Salzman, Nathan Nelson, and former Green Beret John Frankman. Trump's backing has brought considerable attention to Patronis's possible candidacy despite the expanding field of candidates. Patronis’s VisionPatronis made a social media hints about his goals last week when he said on X, "I am seriously considering running for Florida Congressional District 1. We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to combat the swamp, put a stop to lawfare, and give Americans back control." Patronis is now the front-runner in the race thanks to Trump's backing, but it's unclear when he will officially enter. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.

Wall Street Brunch: Data Dominates Shortened Week

Australian winger Suliasi Vunivalu discovered life in the Top 14 can be difficult on his first outing for Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle as they faded to a 14-23 loss against bottom-of-the-table Vannes at Stade Marcel Deflandre – their first domestic home defeat in more than a year. The league convert – who featured in Australia’s 2023 World Cup campaign following his switch to Queensland Reds in 2021 after making his name with Melbourne Storm in the NRL – clearly still has to get to grips with La Rochelle’s game. He was caught out of position more than once and made several handling errors on his debut. He was far from the only one to have a dismal day in front of another sell-out home crowd. Few La Rochelle players came out of the game in credit. Scrum-half Teddy Iribaren, Jack Nowell, UJ Seuteni, Kane Douglas, Matthias Haddad and Tolu Latu all had days best consigned to the scrap heap. The defeat, La Rochelle’s third in four Top 14 outings either side of th e international break, could not have come at a worse time. O’Gara would have been looking for a strong performance to build on for their Champions Cup bow at English Premiership side Bath on Friday. “We showed nothing tonight in front of our loyal supporters,” O’Gara said afterwards. “It was a home game before a Champions Cup game and we failed everywhere. And the main architect is me. It’s a big slap in the face. “We have to ask ourselves how to get out of this bad patch quickly. I have to give the players confidence to attack Bath. I am extremely frustrated, extremely disappointed.” And he laid down an individual challenge for his players: “I hope they have the courage to go out into town tomorrow. I'm going out and I expect to get a few insults. It’s important that the players feel the fans’ frustration.” For Vannes, on the other hand, a first Top 14 win on the road was a perfect response to last weekend’s defeat-from-the-jaws of victory against Bordeaux, when they gave up a 29-0 lead after half-an-hour to lose 29-37. A little more confidence ahead of their Challenge Cup debut against Georgia’s Black Lion in Tbilisi next Saturday. If there are positives for the home side at the end of a performance in which next to nothing worked, they were in the forwards. Will Skelton, in his 100th club outing, and Levani Botia, on his long-awaited return from injury both played well in a miserable cause. As did Reda Wardi, Uini Atonio, and hooker Quentin Lespiaucq, who scored both their tries. But there’s evidently plenty of work to do in the shortened timeframe before the trip to southwest England. There’s a lot for Racing manager Stuart Lancaster to chew on, too, ahead of next week’s Champions Cup opener at Creteil against Harlequins – La Defense Arena is again out of action due to a combination of pop concerts and fight nights. He could only watch in increasing frustration as his side lost 17-21 against a makeshift Toulouse squad, as Ugo Mola rested several players for the start of their Champions Cup defence at home to Ulster. Jeremy Davidson’s Castres, who host Munster at Stade Pierre Fabre on December 13, were well beaten on the road, losing 54-10 at a resurgent Clermont. Christophe Urios’s side are at Leinster in a fortnight. Lyon slipped to a fifth defeat in a row at Pau – who ended their own losing run at four matches with a 29-15 win at Stade du Hameau. Bordeaux’s 9-6 win over Montpellier is worth remembering for two reasons. The first is the four points it gives the home side, as they keep pace with leaders Toulouse. The second came after the final whistle, when scrum-half Matthieu Jalibert confirmed that – after a long period of speculation – he had signed a contract extension through to 2028. Toulon picked up their first win at Perpignan since 2019. Dany Priso scored their only try in a hard-fought 13-22 affair. Bayonne host Stade Francais on Sunday, in the final Top 14 match before the Champions and Challenge Cup break. The Parisians, hovering just above the relegation places, revived their season with a six-try 40-24 win over Racing 92 last weekend. Few visiting sides win at Stade Jean Dauger – but a strong performance could make Laurent Labit and Paul Gustard reconsider their Champions Cup options.