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In conclusion, Mourinho's stance on the Manchester City saga embodies a commitment to fairness, accountability, and integrity in football. While he may not wish for Manchester City to face relegation, his unwavering belief in the importance of upholding the rules of the game reflects a broader sentiment shared by many within the footballing community. As the investigation unfolds, the outcomes will not only shape the future of Manchester City but also set a precedent for how the footballing world deals with financial misconduct. Mourinho's call for justice serves as a beacon of hope for a sport that thrives on the principles of fair competition and transparency.Title: Neighbor's Generosity: A Heartwarming Tale of Heating Assistance

As if Argentina's midfield maestros weren't impressive enough, the team's success has been further bolstered by the managerial brilliance of Diego Pablo Simeone. The seasoned tactician has been working wonders at Atletico Madrid, guiding his team to an impressive nine-game winning streak in La Liga. Simeone's tactical acumen, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence have transformed Atletico into a formidable force in Spanish football, with the team playing with discipline, determination, and a never-say-die attitude that has endeared them to fans and neutrals alike.Octopus Energy customers can save £300 a year on bills as boss issues messageFast forward to the present day, and the script has taken another unexpected turn. Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind Manchester City's recent dominance in English football, has also admitted that he is struggling to keep up with the demands of the game. In a rare moment of candor, Guardiola revealed that the constant grind of managing a top-tier club has taken a toll on his mental and physical well-being. The man who was once hailed as a tactical genius is now questioning his own capabilities and resilience in the face of mounting challenges.

Is Bluesky set to follow the downward trajectory of other Twitter competitors?However, despite the mutual benefits of the economic relationship between Europe and China, there are also challenges and concerns that need to be addressed. Issues such as market access, intellectual property protection, and human rights have been sources of tension between the two regions, leading to disagreements and disputes. It is essential for Europe and China to engage in constructive dialogue and negotiation to resolve these issues and ensure a fair and mutually beneficial relationship.

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As the sedan started to accelerate away from the scene, the two drivers involved, one on the electric scooter and the other in the sedan, quickly realized what had happened. Without hesitation, they both sprang into action, determined to stop the sedan before it disappeared into the traffic. The driver of the electric scooter, a young man in his twenties, quickly regained his composure and chased after the sedan with remarkable speed, weaving through the cars with skillful precision.In conclusion, the true measure of a platform’s success lies not just in its ability to generate profits but in its capacity to create a positive and empowering experience for its users. West Street’s unwavering focus on user rights and interests sets it apart as a beacon of integrity and accountability in an increasingly competitive marketplace. By placing the needs of its users at the forefront, West Street not only enriches the online shopping experience but also reinforces the importance of ethical business practices in the digital age.

Gus Malzahn is resigning as Central Florida's head coach to become Florida State 's offensive coordinator, a person familiar with the hire told The Associated Press on Saturday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Seminoles have not confirmed Malzahn's move, which is pending a state background check. ESPN first reported the decision. The Knights made official that Malzahn is leaving in a statement released a day after UCF (4-8) concluded its season with a 28-14 loss to Utah. “We would like to thank Coach Malzahn for his contributions to our football program over the past four seasons, including our transition into the Big 12 Conference," the school said. "We appreciate his professionalism and dedication to our student-athletes throughout his tenure at UCF and wish he and his wife, Kristi, the very best in their future endeavors.” Malzahn finished with a 28-24 mark in four years at UCF, the last two ending with losing records after joining the Big 12. He coached at Auburn for eight seasons before being fired in 2020. Malzahn replaces offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, who was fired Nov. 10 following a 52-3 loss at Notre Dame. The Seminoles rank 131st out of 134 in total offense and scoring offense, averaging 15.8 points a game heading into Saturday night's rivalry game against Florida. The Seminoles (2-9) have dropped significantly since going 13-1 last season and winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. The Knights, meanwhile, struggled mightily in Malzahn's fourth season — most of it because of quarterback issues. Four players took snaps from center as the Knights finished 2-7 in conference play. It was the program's worst record since going 0-12 in former coach George O’Leary’s final season in 2015. Florida State coach Mike Norvell fired Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and receivers coach Ron Dugans amid the Seminoles' season-long skid. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballOn November 15th, 2021, Guan Zhiou was appointed as the party secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, making him the youngest ever to hold this position. Prior to this prestigious appointment, Guan Zhiou had served as a provincial standing committee member in Shandong, where he gained a reputation for his dedication to public service and commitment to sustainable development.As the conflict in Ukraine continues to unfold, it is crucial for the international community to remain united in its support for Ukraine and its efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The provision of military gear for young volunteers from Ukraine is a concrete demonstration of this support and a clear message that the United States stands with Ukraine in its time of need.

Antonio Conte, known for his tactical acumen and intense coaching style, has built a reputation for relying heavily on his preferred starting XI players. While there is no denying that Conte's starting XI often delivers impressive results, there have been instances where the lack of trust in his substitute players has cost the team vital points and opportunities to rotate the squad effectively.Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. James Naismith is my homeboy. No, don’t send in the whitecoats. I realize that Naismith has been dead for 85 years. But I still have always felt a deep connection to the inventor of basketball, simply because of the joy his game has brought to my life all these years. So much so that I typically refer to him as Jimmy. (I figure Jimmy and I are that close.) To say I love basketball does not fully encompass the depth of my emotion for this game. I love watching it. I love covering it. I love talking about it. I love playing it. I’ve eaten, slept and breathed basketball for a good chunk of my 51 years on the planet — considering I’ve eaten orange and black cupcakes after coaching youth games, slept on fuzzy basketball-shaped pillows as a teenager, and breathed in that unmistakable and pungent, ahem, fragrance of a locker room. So, whenever I get a chance to visit the sport’s Mecca, the place where it all began, I must seize that opportunity. Last Thursday I had some time to kill before my flight home from Connecticut, the day after Baylor’s basketball game at UConn. (Yes, it’s highly possible I purposefully scheduled it that way). Hartford is a mere 30-minute drive from Springfield, Massachusetts, site of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. So, I hopped in my sleigh (a Volkswagen rental car) and ventured through the winter wonderland of New England to the birthplace of the Greatest Game Ever Invented. At this point, I considered myself a varsity Hall of Fame patron. I made my JV voyage back in November 2010, during another trip covering Baylor basketball. (The BU women played Geno Auriemma’s Huskies at the XL Center in Hartford.) Jerry Hill of the Baylor Bear Insider accompanied me on that particular visit, but Jerry didn’t make the trip this time, so I was flying solo. Much has changed at the Hall since my last visit 14 years ago, and I appreciate that. The game evolves, why shouldn’t the museum honoring its history evolve, too? After purchasing my ticket, I ducked into a 200-seat movie theater to watch a short film about the game’s history and impact. Then I returned to the lobby, where a series of large columns featured display cases highlighting the accomplishments of some of the game’s most iconic players — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Anne Donovan, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Nancy Lieberman, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, among others. The coolest feature of those lobby cases made its presence known when you stepped in front of one to soak in the glass-encased memorabilia. A sensor would note your presence and begin playing a video about the featured player. It was as if Magic Johnson himself was throwing you a no-look pass, always aware of your presence. (I remember being equally impressed on my last visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which featured a similar sensor setup.) One of my favorite displays recognized “Pistol” Pete Maravich, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer at LSU who went on to play with the Hawks, Jazz and Celtics in the NBA. Though the Pistol’s heyday predated my own hoops hysteria, I’ve always been a big Maravich fan. His flashy style always appealed to me, as Pete understood as well as anyone the art of on-court entertainment. That said, his look proved less iconic, with his chili bowl-1970s haircut and his floppy socks. Fittingly, his display case included a pair of those socks — elastic not included. Once I felt sufficiently stuffed by the hall of icons in the lobby, it was time to enter the elevator. The Hall of Fame incorporates a unique and well-designed architecture, housing many of its exhibits inside a giant silver sphere. Thus, when you make your way up to the third floor to begin your self-guided tour, you find yourself literally going in circles, descending to the bottom. (Don’t worry, you’re unlikely to get dizzy, unless you spend too much time trying to analyze Allen Iverson’s crossover.) The top floor allows visitors to measure up against the pros. You can stick your sneaker into the footprint of one of the game’s post giants or press your handprint into the outline of some of the handiest players. For instance, I measured my paw against Kevin Durant’s, and it was as if my hands suddenly belonged to a toddler. It was staggering just how large KD’s mitts were, and while it was tempting to think that it must have been an exaggeration, then I remembered that I once walked past Durant in a Toyota Center hallway at the NBA All-Star Game and thought that he was the tallest human I’d ever seen. Want to see how your wingspan stacks up against Giannis Antetokounmpo’s or Brittney Griner’s? Prepare to feel shortchanged. (Our pal BG also has a Baylor jersey and shoes located within the museum. Other Baylor connections: Of course you can find some homages to Kim Mulkey along the way, including a Kim bobblehead, and I spotted a video with a clip of Lauren Cox talking about her juggling of basketball with her Type-1 diabetes.) I took selfies with the likes of Muggsy Bogues and Yao Ming, figuring that I’d check out both ends of the spectrum. OK, not the real-life Muggsy and Yao, but rather life-sized cutouts of those physical marvels. And before you dismiss the 5-foot-3 Muggsy and think, “I could totally post him up,” just know that before your first reverse pivot Muggsy would have already stolen the ball and would have been skittering down the court the other direction. At the center of the 40,000-square foot museum is the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams, named for the former owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. Though you can go hit the court and get up some shots at any point in your visit, the layout of the museum makes sense to wait until the end, as you reach the bottom floor. (So, we’ll get to that later). Any modern museum worth its admission price would be wise to incorporate technology into the experience, and the Hall of Fame has really upgraded its bells and whistles over the years. There are a variety of touch screens and trivia games along the way to keep people — especially the youngest customers — engaged. For example, in the area of the museum that highlighted the game’s origins, I played around with a screen that allowed me to create a barnstorming team, select a certain city to call home, then go on a “choose your own adventure-style” barnstorming tour. Arguably the coolest tech arrived when I turned a corner and encountered a replica TNT “Inside the NBA” set. A Hall of Fame worker posted there explained that I could sit at the desk and act out a scene with Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. I just had to remember to follow the words on the teleprompter. Given that I consider “Inside the NBA” to be the greatest studio show in the history of sports, I was hooked. So, I played a game with Shaq, quizzing him on certain players’ jersey numbers, while Ernie, Kenny and the Chuckster chuckled along. Then the Hall of Fame emailed me the video within 15 minutes. Too cool. Another slick exhibit paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant. It displayed a variety of Kobe’s jerseys, shoes and other trinkets, and was highlighted by a small room/theater where visitors could soak in Kobe highlights or clips from his Oscar-winning 2017 film, “Dear Basketball.” All that was missing was a trash can and a stack of paper, for what modern basketball fan hasn’t crumpled a piece of paper and fired up a fadeaway while shouting, “Kobe!”? If you’re a little more old-school and can remember when set shots and Chuck Taylors were all the rage, the museum will offer enough swell goodies that you’ll be thinking this place really is the bee’s knees. Anytime I come across Naismith’s original rules of basketball, I am mesmerized. (The game remains so beautiful in its simplicity, and has not detoured drastically from that original set of 13 rules). I also couldn’t help but chuckle when I came across the original NBA shot clock, the most marvelous timepiece ever created. Why was that funny to me? Well, it conjured up a memory of a long-ago news meeting at the Trib. A group of us editors were going over our daily stories and through the course of our discussion the name Jonas Salk came up. “Who’s Jonas Salk?” I asked, ignorantly. “WHO’S JONAS SALK?” Tim Woods, our managing editor at the time and a guy who knew how to push my buttons, responded. “You don’t know who Jonas Salk is? Inventor of the polio vaccine?” “Yeah ... well ... do you know who Danny Biasone is?” I shot back. “No,” Tim said, puzzled. “He invented the shot clock, and that was a pretty big deal too!” The other editors in the room looked at us with bemused expressions, entertained by our bickering. (Incidentally, I’ve never forgotten who Jonas Salk was since. I wonder if Tim recalls Danny Biasone?) On my last visit to the Hall of Fame, photos of the more than 400 players, coaches and contributors who have been enshrined as Hall of Famers hung on a massive wall. That exhibit is no more, having been replaced by a sleek gallery where a variety of touch-screen monitors contain a wealth of information about the inductees. You can flip through quotes, photos, videos and more. A part of me missed the photos, but I understand that the screens are probably more practical and user-friendly to today’s younger tech-savvy generations. But while the photo wall may have vanished, a large glass display still lists the names of each Hall of Fame induction class by the year in which they were enshrined. After you leave that gallery, you turn a corner and run into an actual Larry O’Brien NBA championship trophy, just sitting on a podium, waiting to be touched. (Another tip for would-be sports museums — give your customers plenty of photo opps.) A nice, old Hall of Fame worker asked if I wanted a picture with the trophy, and naturally I said yes. And before you chastise me for calling this elderly gentleman old, you’ve got to know, he might’ve been there for Naismith’s first pickup game. (But, hey, he knows how to work a smartphone camera, so put some respect on that guy’s game.) Finally, it was time for me to venture out to the court. Now, as I had made my way through the museum, I’d taken stock of the court several times to see who was inhabiting it. Once it was a couple of schlubs who put the err in airball, another time a retired guy was tossing up soft jumpers. But when I was ready to take to the court, a raucous group of teenagers that I took to be a couple of private school high school basketball teams, boys and girls, had fanned out all over the place. So much for Spalding and I getting some quality alone time together. One of the new additions to the Court of Dreams is a mammoth video screen that shows highlights of classic basketball moments. It’s also fun to try your hand shooting at the varying incarnations of basketball hoops, from a replica peach basket to an Indiana farmhouse-style wooden backboard to the gorgeous, crystal-clear baskets populating the top courts today. With the court so crowded, I didn’t spend as much time shooting as I probably would have otherwise. But I made my first shot and (always) my last, and knocked down several more in between. As I strolled off the court and made my way to the gift shop to close my Hall of Fame visit, I thought to myself, “It’s cool, let the kids have their fun.” A statement that, if you think about it, captures the essence of hoops. Thanks, Jimmy. Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

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In addition to its fiery prowess, the Poyi Dragon is known for its remarkable agility and speed, capable of darting through the dense foliage of the Crimson Forest with astonishing grace and precision. Hunters who dare to confront this majestic creature must be prepared to engage in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, utilizing their skills and wits to outmaneuver the agile beast and find an opening to strike.STANFORD, Calif. — Andrew Luck is returning to Stanford in hopes of turning around a struggling football program that he once helped become a national power. Athletic director Bernard Muir announced Saturday that Luck has been hired as the general manager of the Stanford football team, tasked with overseeing all aspects of the program that just finished a 3-9 season under coach Troy Taylor. “I am a product of this university, of Nerd Nation; I love this place,” Luck said. “I believe deeply in Stanford’s unique approach to athletics and academics and the opportunity to help drive our program back to the top. Coach Taylor has the team pointed in the right direction, and I cannot wait to work with him, the staff, and the best, brightest, and toughest football players in the world.” Luck has kept a low profile since his surprise retirement from the NFL at age 29 when he announced in August 2019 that he was leaving the Indianapolis Colts and pro football. Cardinal alum Andrew Luck, left, watches a Feb. 2 game between Stanford and Southern California on Feb. 2 in Stanford, Calif. In his new role, Luck will work with Taylor on recruiting and roster management, and with athletic department and university leadership on fundraising, alumni relations, sponsorships, student-athlete support and stadium experience. “Andrew’s credentials as a student-athlete speak for themselves, and in addition to his legacy of excellence, he also brings a deep understanding of the college football landscape and community, and an unparalleled passion for Stanford football,” Muir said. “I could not think of a person better qualified to guide our football program through a continuously evolving landscape, and I am thrilled that Andrew has agreed to join our team. This change represents a very different way of operating our program and competing in an evolving college football landscape.” Luck was one of the players who helped elevate Stanford into a West Coast powerhouse for several years. He helped end a seven-year bowl drought in his first season as starting quarterback in 2009 under coach Jim Harbaugh and led the Cardinal to back-to-back BCS bowl berths his final two seasons, when he was the Heisman Trophy runner-up both seasons. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck throws a pass during the first quarter of a Nov. 27, 2010 game against Oregon State in Stanford, Calif. That was part of a seven-year stretch in which Stanford posted the fourth-best record in the nation at 76-18 and qualified for five BCS bowl berths under Harbaugh and David Shaw. But the Cardinal have struggled for success in recent years and haven't won more than four games in a season since 2018. Stanford just finished its fourth straight 3-9 campaign in Taylor's second season since replacing Shaw. The Cardinal are the only power conference team to lose at least nine games in each of the past four seasons. Luck graduated from Stanford with a bachelor’s degree in architectural design and returned after retiring from the NFL to get his master’s degree in education in 2023. He was picked No. 1 overall by Indianapolis in the 2012 draft and made four Pro Bowls and was AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2018 in his brief but successful NFL career. Before the 2023 National Football League season started, it seemed inevitable that Bill Belichick would end his career as the winningest head coach in league history. He had won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and 298 regular-season games, plus 31 playoff games, across his career. Then the 2023 season happened. Belichick's Patriots finished 4-13, the franchise's worst record since 1992. At the end of the year, Belichick and New England owner Robert Kraft agreed to part ways. And now, during the 2024 season, Belichick is on the sideline. He's 26 wins from the #1 spot, a mark he'd reach in little more than two seasons if he maintained his .647 career winning percentage. Will he ascend the summit? It's hard to tell. Belichick would be 73 if he graced the sidelines next season—meaning he'd need to coach until at least 75 to break the all-time mark. Only one other NFL coach has ever helmed a team at age 73: Romeo Crennel in 2020 for the Houston Texans. With Belichick's pursuit of history stalled, it's worth glancing at the legends who have reached the pinnacle of coaching success. Who else stands among the 10 winningest coaches in NFL history? Stacker ranked the coaches with the most all-time regular-season wins using data from Pro Football Reference . These coaches have combined for 36 league championships, which represents 31.6% of all championships won throughout the history of pro football. To learn who made the list, keep reading. You may also like: Ranking the biggest NFL Draft busts of the last 30 years - Seasons coached: 21 - Years active: 1984-98, 2001-06 - Record: 200-126-1 - Winning percentage: .613 - Championships: 0 As head coach of Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington, and San Diego, Marty Schottenheimer proved a successful leader during the regular season. Notably, he was named Coach of the Year after turning around his 4-12 Chargers team to a 12-4 record in 2004. His teams, however, struggled during the playoffs. Schottheimer went 5-13 in the postseason, and he never made it past the conference championship round. As such, the Pennsylvania-born skipper is the winningest NFL coach never to win a league championship. - Seasons coached: 25 - Years active: 1946-62, '68-75 - Record: 213-104-9 - Winning percentage: .672 - Championships: 7 The only coach on this list to pilot a college team, Paul Brown, reached the pro ranks after a three-year stint at Ohio State and two years with the Navy during World War II. He guided the Cleveland Browns—named after Brown, their first coach—to four straight titles in the fledgling All-America Football Conference. After the league folded, the ballclub moved to the NFL in 1950, and Cleveland continued its winning ways, with Brown leading the team to championships in '50, '54, and '55. He was fired in 1963 but returned in 1968 as the co-founder and coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. His other notable accomplishments include helping to invent the face mask and breaking pro football's color barrier . - Seasons coached: 33 - Years active: 1921-53 - Record: 226-132-22 - Winning percentage: .631 - Championships: 6 An early stalwart of the NFL, Curly Lambeau spent 29 years helming the Green Bay Packers before wrapping up his coaching career with two-year stints with the Chicago Cardinals and Washington. His Packers won titles across three decades, including the league's first three-peat from 1929-31. Notably, he experienced only one losing season during his first 27 years with Green Bay, cementing his legacy of consistent success. Born in Green Bay, Lambeau co-founded the Packers and played halfback on the team from 1919-29. He was elected to the Hall of Fame as a coach and owner in 1963, two years before his death. You may also like: Countries with the most active NFL players - Seasons coached: 29 - Years active: 1960-88 - Record: 250-162-6 - Winning percentage: .607 - Championships: 2 The first head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Landry held the position for his entire 29-year tenure as an NFL coach. The Cowboys were especially dominant in the 1970s when they made five Super Bowls and won the big game twice. Landry was known for coaching strong all-around squads and a unit that earned the nickname the "Doomsday Defense." Between 1966 and 1985, Landry and his Cowboys enjoyed 20 straight seasons with a winning record. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990. - Seasons coached: 26 - Years active: 1999-present - Record: 267-145-1 - Winning percentage: .648 - Championships: 3 The only active coach in the top 10, Andy Reid has posted successful runs with both the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City. After reaching the Super Bowl once in 14 years with the Eagles, Reid ratcheted things up with K.C., winning three titles since 2019. As back-to-back defending champions, Reid and Co. are looking this season to become the first franchise to three-peat in the Super Bowl era and the third to do so in NFL history after the Packers of 1929-31 and '65-67. Time will tell if Reid and his offensive wizardry can lead Kansas City to that feat. - Seasons coached: 40 - Years active: 1920-29, '33-42, '46-55, '58-67 - Record: 318-148-31 - Winning percentage: .682 - Championships: 6 George Halas was the founder and longtime owner of the Chicago Bears and coached the team across four separate stints. Nicknamed "Papa Bear," he built the ballclub into one of the NFL's premier franchises behind players such as Bronko Nagurski and Sid Luckman. Halas also played for the team, competing as a player-coach in the 1920s. The first coach to study opponents via game film, he was once a baseball player and even made 12 appearances as a member of the New York Yankees in 1919. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963 as both a coach and owner. - Seasons coached: 23 - Years active: 1981-2003 - Record: 190-165-2 - Winning percentage: .535 - Championships: 0 Dan Reeves reached the Super Bowl four times—thrice with the Denver Broncos and once with the Atlanta Falcons—but never won the NFL's crown jewel. Still, he racked up nearly 200 wins across his 23-year career, including a stint in charge of the New York Giants, with whom he won Coach of the Year in 1993. In all his tenures, he quickly built contenders—the three clubs he coached were a combined 17-31 the year before Reeves joined and 28-20 in his first year. However, his career ended on a sour note as he was fired from a 3-10 Falcons team after Week 14 in 2003. - Seasons coached: 23 - Years active: 1969-91 - Record: 193-148-1 - Winning percentage: .566 - Championships: 4 Chuck Noll's Pittsburgh Steelers were synonymous with success in the 1970s. Behind his defense, known as the Steel Curtain, and offensive stars, including Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and Lynn Swann, Noll led the squad to four Super Bowl victories from 1974 to 1979. Noll's Steelers remain the lone team to win four Super Bowls in six years, though Andy Reid and Kansas City could equal that mark if they win the Lombardi Trophy this season. Noll was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, two years after retiring. His legacy of coaching success has carried on in Pittsburgh—the club has had only two coaches (Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin) since Noll retired. - Seasons coached: 29 - Years active: 1991-95, 2000-23 - Record: 302-165 - Winning percentage: .647 - Championships: 6 The most successful head coach of the 21st century, Bill Belichick first coached the Cleveland Browns before taking over the New England Patriots in 2000. With the Pats, Belichick combined with quarterback Tom Brady to win six Super Bowls in 18 years. Belichick and New England split after last season when the Patriots went 4-13—the worst record of Belichick's career. His name has swirled around potential coaching openings , but nothing has come of it. Belichick has remained in the media spotlight with his regular slot on the "Monday Night Football" ManningCast. - Seasons coached: 33 - Years active: 1963-95 - Record: 328-156-6 - Winning percentage: .677 - Championships: 2 The winningest head coach in NFL history is Don Shula, who first coached the Baltimore Colts (losing Super Bowl III to Joe Namath and the New York Jets) for seven years before leading the Miami Dolphins for 26 seasons. With the Fins, Shula won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1972 and 1973, a run that included a 17-0 season—the only perfect campaign in NFL history. He also coached quarterback great Dan Marino in the 1980s and '90s, but the pair made it to a Super Bowl just once. Shula was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997. Story editing by Mike Taylor. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. You may also like: The 5 biggest upsets of the 2023-24 NFL regular season Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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AP Business SummaryBrief at 3:50 p.m. ESTBy Jen Psaki This is an adapted excerpt from the Dec. 2 episode of "Inside with Jen Psaki." It’s getting to be that time when the news cycle is so crazy that some of the wildest storylines out of Trump world start to fly under the radar. That’s what happened this past weekend when Donald Trump announced his choice to be ambassador to France — a position once held by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. On Saturday, Trump announced on social media he would give that plum diplomatic post to New Jersey real estate mogul Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Like Trump, the elder Kushner has also faced allegations of corruption throughout his life as he built up a family empire. Seems like a typical story out of the Trump orbit, right? A wealthy convicted felon who’s a friend of the family. In fact, if you’re curious why Kushner wasn’t in Trump’s last administration, it might be because he’s a convicted felon. Back in 2004, Kushner pleaded guilty to 18 federal charges, arising from hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign donations he made as a New Jersey political power broker. Kushner admitted to violating election laws, tax evasion and witness tampering. He ended up serving two years in federal prison. Seems like a typical story out of the Trump orbit, right? A wealthy convicted felon who’s a friend of the family. But actually, no one in Trump’s inner circle has ever done what Kushner did to obstruct justice. Back in 2003, when the federal grand jury investigation of Kushner began, the jury heard evidence from two key witnesses: Kushner’s sister and her husband. When he pleaded guilty, Kushner acknowledged that after he found out some members of his family were cooperating with authorities, he arranged to have a prostitute seduce his brother-in-law in a motel room in New Jersey where video cameras were installed. The plot succeeded and Kushner later had a videotape sent to his sister. Then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie called it “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” he had prosecuted. But in Trump’s last days as president in 2020, he gave the elder Kushner a presidential pardon, one that was roundly criticized even among his many other questionable pardons. And now Trump wants him to be the ambassador in Paris and the top diplomat to one of America’s oldest nuclear-armed allies. The ambassador to a country where they have the internet and Google and certainly know all about Kushner’s past. This would be bigger news if not for the avalanche of alarming reports surrounding Trump’s other nominees. But guess what? Kushner isn’t even the only presidential in-law named to get a job this week. Then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie called it “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” that he had prosecuted. On Sunday, Trump announced on social media that he was naming Massad Boulos to be a senior White House adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Boulos is a Lebanese American businessman and the CEO of SCOA Nigeria, a billion-dollar auto company. He has no diplomatic experience, but he is the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany Trump. So, I guess the question is: Just how many important government positions can you hand out to wealthy friends and family, including convicted felons with no relevant experience, before that government crumbles under the weight of its own corruption? I honestly don’t know the answer. But we may be about to find out. Allison Detzel contributed. Jen Psaki is the host of "Inside with Jen Psaki" airing Sundays at 12 p.m. ET and Mondays at 8 p.m. EST. She is the former White House press secretary for President Joe Biden.Trump’s DEA nominee withdraws from consideration

Trump taps retired general for key Ukraine conflict roleIt was a fine first win for Ruud van Nistelrooy , and perhaps one final defeat for Julen Lopetegui. Leicester marked Van Nistelrooy’s first match in charge of the team by surging to a 3-1 win over Lopetegui's West Ham in the Premier League on Tuesday. Van Nistelrooy, the former Manchester United striker, is back in English soccer this time as a manager, with Leicester taking something of a gamble on the Dutchman after his brief and impressive spell as interim coach at United this season following Erik ten Hag's departure. He faces the tough task of keeping Leicester, one of the top candidates for relegation, in the top division. For that to happen, he’s likely to need goals from Jamie Vardy — and the 37-year-old former England international delivered immediately. Nine years after breaking Van Nistelrooy’s record for scoring in consecutive games, Vardy scored the first goal of the Dutchman’s tenure at Leicester by beating the offside trap and slotting home a finish with less than two minutes gone. Morocco midfielder Bilal El Khannouss supplied the pass for Vardy’s goal and scored himself with a low shot in the 61st minute to make it 2-0. Patson Daka added a third for Leicester in the 90th minute, before a stoppage-time consolation by West Ham substitute Niclas Füllkrug. “We are very happy with the new manager," El Khannouss said of Van Nistelrooy. “He arrived two days ago, and there’s a new dynamic in the group.” Van Nistelrooy praised the “spirit and energy” in his team. “The foundation for us going forward is everyone working their socks off, fighting for every inch and defending together,” he said. “We can look further then, and they did that in an unbelievable way.” This dismal result for West Ham came three days after its 5-2 thrashing at home by Arsenal , which piled more pressure of Lopetegui early in the former Spain and Real Madrid coach's first season with the London club. West Ham's disgruntled traveling fans chanted "You’re getting sacked in the morning” toward Lopetegui during the second half — even if his team dominated large parts of the game but only had one goal to show from 31 shots on goal. “We're very frustrated but in the same way I can say nothing about the players — they fight until the end,” Lopetegui said. "It’s not easy to explain football some days.” West Ham has lost seven of its 14 games so far and is in 14th place in the 20-team league, one spot above Leicester. Crystal Palace won for just the second time in the league this season, beating relegation rival Ipswich 1-0 to pull clear of the bottom three. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the goal in the 59th minute. Palace’s only other league victory was against Tottenham in October. While Ipswich stayed in next-to-last place, Palace moved three points above the relegation zone. Much of the focus ahead of the game was on the teams’ captains , Sam Morsy of Ipswich and Marc Guehi of Palace, during another round when the Premier League was celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion in its campaign to promote equality and diversity. For the second straight game, Morsy chose against wearing a rainbow armband issued to the captain of each of the 20 teams in the league. He has made the decision “due to his religious beliefs,” Ipswich says. Guehi did wear the rainbow armband but defied Football Association rules by writing a religious message on the item. The message read “Jesus loves you” — using a heart sign instead of the word “loves.” During the match against Newcastle on Saturday, Guehi wrote “I love Jesus” — and was later contacted by the FA for acting in contravention of its regulations. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerWhat happens when 'The Simpsons' join 'Monday Night Football'? Find out during Bengals-Cowboys

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Ally Louks could be considered the antithesis of “extremely online.” The low-key literature scholar is generally more focused on her research and supervising undergrads at Cambridge University than on growing her once-small social media following or posting on X more than a few times a year. But last week, the 26-year-old shared a happy photo and a breezy caption on X, unaware that her post - and the niche focus of her PhD thesis - would become a lightning rod in the sprawling culture war against elite institutions and the nebulous concept of “woke.” Louks had successfully defended her thesis months earlier, but the results were made official in late November when she decided to share a post celebrating an important final step in earning her PhD. She shared the photo of her smiling and hugging the bound volume of her research and wrote, “Thrilled to say I passed my viva with no corrections and am officially PhDone.” “Honestly, I mostly shared it just so that my colleagues in academia would know that I’m finished and open for [postdoctorate opportunities],” Louks told The Washington Post on Thursday. “I didn’t do it for any other reason than that, and I didn’t expect it to be seen by anyone outside of my close circle.” The attention to Louks’s thesis, both from people looking to read it and trash it, has had the singular effect of pushing her obscure academic research to a massive audience. Louks shared the abstract to her thesis, which has been viewed more than 8 million times on X. More than 600 people have contacted her through her university to request a preview to read her pre-published work. With her thesis still under embargo, Louks said it’s too early to know exactly what this sudden strike of social media interest will yield. “What I will say is that the 600 people in my inbox requesting my thesis doesn’t even scratch the surface of all of the people who have expressed interest in reading my [work],” Louks said. “I have thousands and thousands of people across loads of different platforms saying that they would love to read the thesis or anything that I write about it, so I think that can only bode well.” That rosy outlook wasn’t as clear in the days after Louks’s post jumped from her small circle of followers to the vast expanse of the internet. Immediately, the post started to draw more traction than Louks said she ever anticipated. A round of congratulations followed from people acknowledging the challenge of earning a PhD, and Louks’s even rarer achievement of defending a thesis without drawing corrections. Soon after, Louks began receiving a flood of replies from total strangers who were alternately intrigued and incensed by the subject of her research, titled “Olfactory ethics: The politics of smell in modern and contemporary prose.” Louks traced the moment that her replies flipped from positive to negative to when she noticed her post had been re-shared by a several right-wing accounts. A new crop of overwhelmingly hostile responses emerged. Critics denigrated Louks’s intelligence, called her work “pretentious” and lobbed sexist digs about the worthlessness of a woman burnishing academic credentials rather than having babies. A common thread in the criticism, almost entirely from men, argued Louks’s research topic was too “woke,” and somehow made society worse off. While Louks took the unprovoked backlash via social media in stride, one man tracked down her personal email address (“it’s not freely available online,” she notes) to threaten her with gang rape. “I felt that was so severely inappropriate that it needed to be reported,” Louks said. The experience has been at times bewildering, even as Louks is keenly aware of the social media hive-mind and of the culture of misogyny that is especially intense for high-achieving women. She also understands that her thesis will be misinterpreted, especially since no one apart from her advisers and a few friends has read it in its entirety while it remans under embargo. The thesis itself looks at how the importance of smell is represented in modern literature, and more specifically how literary works invoke smell to communicate attitudes of desire and disgust, Louks said. An example is the notion of “funk,” which Louks said she briefly mentions in her paper, which invokes a smell with different varying interpretations. “It can mean both: a kind of negative smell, but also a sense of coolness,” Louks said, noting how “funk” conjures different ideas when, for instance, associated with Black communities. “I really don’t feel that my work is above criticism,” Louks said. “It’s just that the criticisms levied at me were not based in reality.” With her PhD secured, Louks said she is looking ahead to her graduation ceremony next year, as well as writing a book proposal and articles on her research more suitable for a nonacademic audience. She may pursue a postdoctorate program, but at the moment is still marveling at how the random lightning strike of social media fame ultimately exposed her work to a far bigger audience than she could have ever imagined. Alex Zawacki, a fellow academic who lectures on medieval history at the University of Göttingen in Germany, summed up Louks’s achievement with a post on X: “Congratulations both for finishing and for very possibly being the first person in recorded history whose dissertation will be read by someone who is not their mom or on their committee.” Related Content

QNA DOHA: Minister of Social Development and Family HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi honoured the winners of the 7th edition of the Theater Festival for Persons with Disabilities in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The award ceremony was held at the Opera House in the Cultural Village Foundation Katara and was attended by officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Family, the Executive Office of the GCC Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs, as well as several ambassadors accredited to the State. Copy 04/12/2024 10EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Snapping a franchise-record 10-game losing streak, winning for the first time at home this season and ending the Indianapolis Colts' slim playoff hopes Sunday didn't salvage the season for the New York Giants. The main positive in the 45-33 win that Drew Lock led with four touchdown passes and a late TD run was the Giants (3-13) got to walk off the field with smiles for the first time in months after a season of misery that will could lead to major changes. Another factor from the win: New York no longer has control of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Giants coach Brian Daboll, who has had two straight losing seasons following a playoff berth in 2022 in his first year, said that he was happy the team got a chance to celebrate after losing eight straight at MetLife Stadium. “Those guys put a lot into it. They come out, they grind every day. They have good attitudes,” Daboll said. “It’s never easy when you when are losing. But I’m proud of the character and all the people in the building, and I’m mostly happy for them.” Lock, who threw two pick-6s in the loss to Atlanta a week ago, sandwiched touchdown passes of 31 and 59 yards to Malik Nabers around TD passes of 32 yards to Darius Slayton and 5 yards to Wan'Dale Robinson in leading the Giants (3-13) to their first win since beating Seattle on Oct. 6. “I've won a lot in my life,” Slayton said. "I wouldn’t say I ever forget the feeling of winning, but, you know, obviously it’s nice to get that feeling back today.” Ihmir Smith-Marsette had a 100-yard return on the second-half kickoff on a day the league's worst offense set a season high for points. Jonathan Taylor scored on runs of 3 and 26 yards for Indianapolis (7-9), while Joe Flacco, subbing for the injured Anthony Richardson, threw touchdown passes of 13 yards to Alec Pierce and 7 yards to Michael Pittman, the last bringing the Colts within 35-33 with 6:38 left in the fourth quarter. Lock, who finished 17 of 23 for 309 yards, clinched the game by leading a nine-play, 70-yard drive that he capped with a 5-yard run. “It’s kudos to him,” said Nabers, who now has 104 catches for 1,140 yards and six touchdowns. “He looked over the film, found some things that he could get better on and did all that through the week, and it showed how good he can be.” The 45 points were the most for New York since putting up 49 in a 52-49 loss to the Saints in 2015. It’s the Giants most in a win since a 45-14 rout against Washington in 2014 and most at home since a 52-27 win against the Saints in 2012. The No. 6 overall pick in the draft, Nabers finished with seven catches for a career-high 171 yards. “That’s why we drafted him, where we drafted him,” Daboll said. “I’ve been asked about it since training camp and I think the response has been, ‘He’s a pretty good football player.’” Flacco was 26 of 38 for 330 yards with two interceptions, the second by rookie Dru Phillips shortly after Lock's TD run. Taylor, who rushed for 218 yards in a win over Tennessee last week, finished with 125 yards on 32 carries. Pierce had six catches for 122 yards. The Colts came into the game needing to win their final two games and also get help to make the playoffs. “We had something to play for today and obviously we didn’t get it done," Flacco said. The Colts haven't made the playoffs since posting an 11-5 record in 2020. “It's hard to explain,” said Colts coach Shane Steichen, who led the team to a 9-8 record in his first season in 2023. “We had to play a complete game. We haven’t done it all year. We have to be on the same page, and to go out there like that is obviously not good enough.” Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy become the third pair of rookies to have more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in the same season. The previous duo was running back Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston of the Saints in 2006. Colts: Richardson was inactive with foot and back injuries sustained against Tennessee. Giants: DL Armon Watts (knee) was ruled out in the first half. Colts: Finish the regular season by hosting Jacksonville. Giants: At Philadelphia to face Saquon Barkley and the Eagles.

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Minerva Neurosciences stock hits 52-week low at $2.07The Philadelphia Eagles’ top-ranked defense will face its ultimate challenge this Sunday when they take on the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and his unit aren’t just preparing for MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson but also for Derrick Henry, the NFL’s most dominant running back this season. When asked about the daunting task of facing the league’s No. 1 offense, Fangio quipped, “I’d rather play Swarthmore.” The joke about facing a college that hasn't fielded a football team since 2000 makes more sense when looking at the numbers his defense will face. © Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Henry is in the midst of another remarkable season, ranking second in the NFL with 1,325 rushing yards on 221 carries. His league-leading 13 rushing touchdowns and impressive 6.0 yards per carry have been the backbone of Baltimore’s ground game. Together, Henry and Jackson power an offense that averages 180 rushing yards per game, second only to the Eagles. “You’ve got to defend Henry, but they’ve got a lot of weapons and a lot of ways they can hurt you,” Fangio said, acknowledging the dual threat of facing both a power back like Henry and a dynamic playmaker like Jackson in the same backfield. The Ravens’ offense has been historically prolific, leading the league with 427 total yards per game – 32 yards more than their closest competitor. They’ve also been incredibly efficient, ranking second in the NFL with 30.3 points per game since Week 3. Jackson, last season's MVP, is putting together the best year of his career. He leads the league with 3,053 passing yards, has thrown 27 touchdowns against just three interceptions, and boasts a stellar 117.9 passer rating. His ability to balance the passing game with his rushing threat makes him one of the NFL’s most difficult quarterbacks to contain. Baltimore’s attack is not only dynamic but also balanced, with a chance to become the first team in 83 years to lead the NFL in both rushing and passing yards. Zay Flowers, on pace for a 1,100-yard season, provides a deep threat alongside Rashod Bateman, whose 16.4 yards per catch ranks third in the league. Tight end Mark Andrews and veteran wideout Nelson Agholor round out a versatile receiving corps that keeps defenses guessing. Related: Eagles Analysis Reveals 1 Major Saquon Worry The Eagles defense, which has held nine consecutive opponents under 300 total yards, will need to be flawless to slow down Baltimore. Fangio’s unit has excelled at both stopping the run and pressuring opposing quarterbacks, but they’ve yet to face an offense as balanced and explosive as the Ravens’. When the league’s most unstoppable force meets the most immovable object on Sunday, the outcome depends on how well Philadelphia contains both Jackson’s electric playmaking and Henry’s hard-hitting running style. For the Eagles, it’s a chance to make their biggest statement of the season and solidify their status as the NFL’s most complete team. Related: Brandon Graham: The End of an Eagles EraWhat happens when 'The Simpsons' join 'Monday Night Football'? Find out during Bengals-Cowboys

What do you get when you combine Rita Ora , a mullet , a pixie haircut , and a bottle of bleach? Rita Ora with an iconic "mixie" haircut . On Dec. 2, Ora attended the 2024 British Fashion Awards at London's Royal Albert Hall wearing a look that can only be described as '80s punk-rock. Outfit-wise, she sported a gray suit with a striped shirt and a pink tie, paired with chunky silver accessories. Our eyes, however, were glued to her hair. Ora has most recently been seen with long, "brond" hair, but last night, she switched things up dramatically. Not only was her hair cut into a mixie — a mix between a mullet and pixie — but the color was completely different, as well. The top was bleached into a golden-honey tone, and the longer area in the back was a deeper brown. (Also, her eyebrows were bleached to match, so it's clear Ora has no trouble committing.) Ora's new look is a substantial switch-up from anything we've seen her with recently. While she has been blond in the past, the short cut is what really caught our attention. Jenny Cho is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with stars like Kristen Bell and Daisy Edgar Jones. "A mixie is an edgy haircut that is longer in the back, like a mullet, and short, like a pixie, in the front," celebrity hairstylist Jenny Cho says. "Mixie as a haircut feels uniquely different from what we've been seeing but also has a slight '70s retro vibe that feels familiar." This isn't the first time we've seen a celebrity sport a mixie — Halsey, Zoë Kravitz, Kristen Stewart, and Charlize Theron have all had one at some time or another. While it does require frequent salon visits to keep the style in tip-top shape, it does typically work for all hair types and textures. Additionally, they're deemed fairly low-maintenance when it comes to day-to-day styling. Keep scrolling to take a closer look at Ora's new 'do. Renee Rodriguez (she/her) is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.None

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BofA Securities reports that the Life Sciences Tools sector struggled in fiscal year 2024. Spending by pharmaceutical and biotech companies dropped after pandemic-related overspending, and demand in China stayed weak. This led some Life Sciences companies to lower their already-conservative fiscal year revenue forecasts as the year progressed. For most of fiscal year 2024, Life Sciences company valuations remained higher than pre-COVID levels but declined after the U.S. elections. Looking ahead to fiscal year 2025, initial forecasts and management comments suggest a mixed outlook. The first half of the year is expected to mirror the challenges of late fiscal year 2024, while the second half could see improvement due to easier year-over-year comparisons, potential economic stimulus in China, and a broader market recovery. After being cautious for most of the past year, the analyst sees some positive signs. The bioprocess market, important for certain Core Tools vendors, has been improving steadily and is expected to stabilize in 2025. Although China’s stimulus has taken longer than expected, it is starting to lead to some new orders. Valuations are still higher than the historical average, but they aren’t as high as in previous years, creating some good opportunities for stock picking. BofA upgraded Danaher Corp DHR to Buy from Neutral, maintaining the price target of $290 . In 2024, Danaher struggled with challenges like reduced bioprocessing inventory, a slowdown in China, and lower spending from biotech and pharma customers. Also Read: Danaher’s Q3 Earnings Boosted By Bioprocessing Order Growth, Analyst Maintain Stock Rating Analysts believe that bioprocessing, an important market, is nearly back to normal and should see steady demand in 2025. Although China is still facing difficulties, BofA expects a strong increase in orders in the fourth quarter due to stimulus efforts, with positive effects likely starting in 2025. BofA has also upgraded Revvity RVTY from Neutral to Buy with a price target of $138 . The company is at a turning point after making significant business changes in recent years. While management did not provide guidance for fiscal year 2025 at the recent Analyst Day, the long-term strategy remains largely the same. Even though the market is stabilizing in FY25, Revvity’s growth is expected to be below its 6-8% target range. As short-term industry challenges continue to lessen, BofA expects Revvity to perform well, bolstered by recent acquisitions. Price Action: At last check Friday, DHR stock was down 0.15% at $234.14, and RVTY stock was down 1.56% at $114.21. Read Next: Drug Price Hikes Unsupported By Evidence Cost US $815 Million: ICER Report © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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IT WAS in the wee hours of Wednesday, November 6, in a conference room adjacent to a television studio in RTÉ, when it dawned on me and a fellow panellist on the national broadcaster’s overnight television coverage that Donald Trump would vanquish Kamala Harris and become the 47 th President of the United States. In short, the data we were processing as it was disseminated online revealed that he was more than holding his own in the crucial territories in the key battlegrounds and she was significantly underperforming what Joe Biden managed in 2020. It wasn’t massively surprising in one sense. Still, it was shocking in another. In light of all that we know about the bombastic billionaire, how is it that Americans could want him as their commander-in-chief? There has been no small amount of conjecture as to why – I’ll indulge in some imminently – but Chris Kofinis, the former chief-of staff to the centrist Democratic turned Independent US Senator from West Virginia, Joe Manchin, arguably put it best in his succinct summation. “Trump is not the disease. He is the symptom. The disease is cultural, political and economic elites who keep telling the public what they should think, feel and believe – and guess what they told them on Tuesday [Election Day]: Go to hell.” There is no doubt that tens of millions of women and men deliberately sent precisely that message when they cast their ballots. There are a few unassailable micro-truths that help explain what happened. President Biden persisted in his quest for a second term for way too long. Harris herself was a weak substitute nominee and her choice of running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, was even worse. Trump started with a substantial edge, given the Biden/Harris administration’s deep unpopularity stemming from the blame allocated to the Democrats for their handling of inflation and immigration, the two biggest issues for a clear majority. At a macro-level, the result again reflected that the lurch to the left on the “culture wars” by the party once identified, first and foremost, as the home of Americans who work with their hands and live paycheque to paycheque has been politically disadvantageous. This is especially the case in presidential races, owing to the electoral college system and what its critics allege is the disproportionately large say accorded to the residents of the vast and amorphous “Middle America.” The exit survey figures released by Blueprint, a Democratic polling firm, are stark in this regard. Of swing voters who ultimately opted for Trump, 83% believe that Harris wants to use taxpayer dollars to fund gender reassignment surgery for imprisoned illegal immigrants; 76% think Harris would allow abortion until the day or birth; 72% claim that she favours defunding the police; and 67% are of the view that she would award Black Americans reparations for slavery. Obviously, these are just perceptions and those on the left in the US would vigorously dispute them. But in politics, perception matters infinitely more than reality. Hence, might Democrats engage seriously in a soul-searching exercise as to why so many – above all, the white working class and, increasingly, Latinos – deem their values out of step in what remains a fundamentally conservative country, particularly in the areas where these contests are decided? The chances are extremely slim. For if they did, the militantly progressive activists, who, for some strange reason, wield enormous, counterproductive influence over prominent Democrats, would warn of angering core constituencies and, more importantly, well-heeled donors. Crazy stuff. It’s a sizeable factor as to why Donald Trump pulled off an astonishing feat and is currently picking a bevy of unqualified individuals – including a few objectively despicable characters, such as the US Attorney General in waiting, Matt Gaetz – who’ll do his bidding unthinkingly for the four years looming ahead. Exactly how much of a threat the second Trump presidency poses to Ireland is appropriately the subject of considerable attention at this juncture. Trump is an unrepentant America Firster and he is principally animated by two things. One is his own ego and enrichment. The other is a profoundly held conviction that the US gets screwed on the world stage by its enemies and allies alike. And his putative commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, has this island in his sights: “It’s nonsense that Ireland of all places runs a trade surplus at our expense,” he has opined. Addressing the myriad challenges on this front will require indefatigable, concerted efforts from government ministers and diplomats, as well as those here and in the US who thrive on our mutually beneficial business, cultural and further ties. I have a humble, “outside the box” suggestion. It is accompanied by the provisos that Ireland’s ambassador, Geraldine Byrne Nason, is an exceptionally talented person and that the entire Department of Foreign Affairs is formidable That said, because the stakes are so high, I wonder if either or both of the two former Taoisigh, Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny, would assume formal and/or informal roles in this complicated period for the US-Ireland relationship. There is no better negotiator on the planet than Ahern. He commands tremendous respect internationally. Kenny is skilful. He instinctively understands America and Americans, and they are fond of him. Possibly worth investigating if Bertie and/or Enda could be persuaded...? The Irish general election is next on Friday, November 29. The campaign to date has been fairly ho-hum. There hasn’t been a memorable moment. Barring something unforeseeable, it seems as if Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will be the forces in the next government, unless the polls are dead wrong. Sinn Féin may have arrested its decline, yet it will probably remain in opposition. The goings-on are nonetheless fascinating to those of us obsessed with politics. But beyond the usual jockeying for position among the leaders on the airwaves and the candidates on the ground in their localities, there is a notable, though hardly novel, division materialising within the Irish people and manifested in media interviews of young, and plenty of not so young, voters. That is between those fortunate enough to own their homes and those striving to put a foot on the property ladder. Hearing the stories of educated women and men in good jobs who despair that they haven’t a hope of obtaining a mortgage in the near future is deeply saddening. Equally, most are totally unconvinced that the politicians seeking their support on this occasion can ameliorate their plight. Many cite the number of their contemporaries who have emigrated and fear that they similarly have no choice. They’ll need to follow them, and to leave behind the family members and communities they dearly love. That already exorbitant housing prices went up a whopping 10% during the last twelve months is an extra devastating blow. It’s a desperate situation. I do trust that there is nary an aspirant standing in this general election who isn’t moved by their struggle and doesn’t want to assist them. I only wish there was a plausible, comprehensive solution on the horizon to this evidently intractable problem. Larry Donnelly is a Boston-born and educated attorney, a Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and a regular media contributor on politics, current affairs and law in Ireland and the US. Twitter/X: @LarryPDonnelly See More: Donald Trump, Irish Election, Larry Donnelly1. An under-eye brightener that's gone super viral super quick and FOR GOOD REASON! This awesome stuff contains hyaluronic acid and shea butter to nourish and brighten the area under your eyes. Your new holy grail for concealing dark circles hath arrived! The color adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone. See it in action on TikTok . Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." — Placeholder Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in two shades). 2. And a wake-up eye gel formulated with hyaluronic acid and caffeine to help...well...wake up your eyes — and by that, we mean keep the skin around them hydrated while helping to cut down the appearance of puffiness and swelling. Evidence of the fact you keep going to sleep too late because you can't stop watching Real Housewives , begone! Caffeine can brighten skin and temporarily minimize the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite if that’s something you’re looking for in a product. Read more about the skincare benefits of caffeine at the Cleveland Clinic . Promising reviews: "I love this product and have noticed a huge difference when using it consistently. I am on the younger side and don’t have the worst under-eye bags, but on those occasional mornings when my eyes are puffy with somewhat visible dark circles, this product definitely does the trick! Honestly love all the Good Molecules products." — Hayden Smith "Saw this on TikTok and decided to give it a try since the price was amazing. OMG, buy it. I’ve always had dark circles under my eyes and now fine lines and crow's-feet. While this doesn’t completely eliminate my dark circles, the fine lines are really diminished . It wears extremely well under makeup and doesn’t feel cakey, or like there’s a ton of product on ." — K.Grant Get it from Amazon for $5.99 . 3. A pet hair remover you simply swipe over surfaces covered in hair from your furry bestie. It saves more time (and is a heck of a lot easier) than fussing around with a vacuum and lint rollers! ChomChom Roller is a Massachusetts-based small biz creating an eco-friendly, reusable alternative to sticky lint rollers. See it in action on TikTok ! Promising review: "I have a golden retriever, and the shedding is out of control. My fabric sofa is constantly covered in hair and I finally decided to try this after reading an article about popular TikTok products. The reviews do not lie; this thing works magic!! I wish I had taken a before and after picture because the difference is noticeable. I watched the video tutorial before I tried it to ensure I was using it properly, and everything he says is true; you do really have to put your arm to work with vigorous back-and-forth movement! However, I find it's a great arm workout, and it works wonders." — Joanne Ertel Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three colors). 4. A body lotion boasting up to 24 hours of moisture and a formula of seven nourishing oils and butters (including shea butter). It's ideal for use on sensitive skin, smells lovely, AND costs less than $10. Promising reviews: "Heaven sent for your skin; heavenly scent to enjoy. This feels absolutely amazing going on. It absorbs quickly for a lotion rich in oil. Doesn't leave a greasy feeling, as long as you give it a minute or two to fully absorb. The scent is, for me anyway, like aromatherapy. It smells like an iced sugar cookie and is a great base layer for fragrance. Very relaxing. " — Dragonheart Jo "Better than TikTok said! OMRyan Gosling, this is an amazing lotion!!! Run, don’t walk, and buy this lotion! The name is vanilla cashmere and that is exactly what this is! Love love love!" — DeeDra Billings Get it from Amazon for $8.98+ (available in four scents). 5. The Pink Stuff , a cleaning product so good, you'll be tempted to part ways with every other cleaning product you own. Seriously, this amazing stuff can be used on a plethora of household items and surfaces (both indoors and outdoors). It shouldn't be used on plastic or acrylic surfaces, highly polished stainless steel, or hot/warm surfaces. Plus, this is vegan! Promising review: "The Pink Stuff is definitely worth all the hype it has been receiving. I had seen it in some TikTok compilations and decided to give it a try. The very first thing I cleaned was the inside of my bathtub, and wow! It really made my bathtub shine. Before I was using Kaboom, and that didn't clean as well as The Pink Stuff did. I was seriously shocked. The next thing I decided to use it on was some caked-on grease on my hood vent. Just like the bathtub, I was shocked that it was able to get it all off. All you do is apply the paste with a sponge or cloth to whatever you're cleaning and then rinse it with warm water. I found with stubborn spots, add a little warm water to the paste (if you have a spray bottle, I'd recommend filling that with warm water and misting the paste), scrub the spot a little longer, and then rinse . It worked with no issue. I'm definitely interested in looking at their other cleaning products. I would highly recommend giving The Pink Stuff a try yourself!" — JMURR Get it from Amazon for $5.97 . 6. Eye drops that reduce redness in just one minute and boast results that can last for up to EIGHT hours. Talk about products that maximize time efficiency. Check out a TikTok of the eye drops in action. Learn more about different kinds of eye drops and what they can do at Cleveland Clinic . Note that eye drops can potentially mask symptoms of eye conditions, so you should talk to your eye doctor about what's right for you. And according to Mayo Clinic , you should avoid redness-reducing drops if you're looking for dry eye relief. Promising review: "I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." — Angela Leonard Get it from Amazon for $11.97 . 7. A veggie chopper for those who wanna cook homemade meals but are so daunted by the thought of prepping the ingredients, they're already ordering Seamless a fourth night in a row. Fullstar is a small biz that specializes in super useful kitchen gadgets! Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action. Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food, and it has a generous container. " — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $19.54+ (available in five sizes and four colors, also available in a super cool croc version ). 8. A L'Oreal Paris rinse-out lamellar water treatment with a cult following that'll leave your locks looking shiny and silky in just eight seconds. Salon-level hair all day, every day, BB. Promising review: "Yes, I actually saw this product reviewed on TikTok and had to try it. It is amazing stuff OMGOSH!!! I have already purchased my second bottle. I have a lot of hair, and it gets tangled easily. This stuff made it soft and manageable after the first use." — Jennifer Borchers Get it from Amazon for $8.99 . 9. A portable carpet and upholstery cleaner that boasts strong spray and suction so cleaning stubborn stains will feel effortless. Messes left behind by pets or small children shouldn't mean permanently ruined carpets, furniture, or car interiors. Each cleaner comes with a trial size of Bissell's Spot & Stain Formula , which is also available on Amazon for $12.99 ! Promising review : "I wish I had taken photos since I was amazed at the results honestly. I bought my car about a year ago, and it had stains all over the seats — I didn’t want to pay $300+ for them to be cleaned since I’m a college student, so I just waited. My sister saw a TikTok video or something about this machine, and while I was doubtful that it would work since some of these stains have been there for who knows how long, I finally bought it cause I spilled a blue slushy over my car seats. Lo and behold, I now have a car with no stains whatsoever! I wish I had gotten it sooner!! I wish I would’ve taken before and after pics but I’ll try and upload some of how it looks now at some point! But 15/10 recommend!!" — Jovana montoya Get it from Amazon for $81.49 . 10. Light-dimming stickers , because while you obviously adore your technology, you don't necessarily love the LED lights that radiate from it and keep you awake at night. These dim 50–80% of light! Plus, they can always be cut or adjusted to your preferences/needs. Promising review: "I'm SO happy I ran across these in a TikTok video! They work perfectly to dim the lights on my computer monitors, QI charger, laptop dock at my WFH desk, and blinky cable box lights. No more keeping me up at night with their maddening glow/blinking! I bought the black dim style, and they let me still see that the item is turned on, but it dims the light perfectly. These work WONDERS!" — DKT Get 100 stickers from Amazon for $1.49 . 11. A genius sandwich bread dispenser reviewers say helps keep loaves of sandwich bread fresher longer (think: weeks) because it's time we finally put an end to that annoying moment of discovering green spots a few days after grocery shopping and having to throw away half the loaf. Buddeez is a family-owned small biz based in Missouri that sells home goods! Check out the Buddeez bread dispenser on TikTok ! Promising review: "The Buddeez Sandwich Bread Dispenser is great! It does exactly what it was intended for. I live alone and I don't quite go through bread often enough before the last quarter section of the loaf starts to go stale. I was originally looking for something to put a loaf of bread in as a shell for my vacuum sealer that would keep the bread from getting crushed by the pressure. This dispenser solved all of my problems. Thank you!" — DRMcQuaig Get it from Amazon for $15.49 (available in two colors). 12. A flexible power strip featuring a 5-foot extension cord you simply arrange to your needs/liking. Goodbye to all the other power strips you own, they just couldn't compete with this genius invention. iJoy is a small biz that sells a variety of tech accessories, speakers, and headphones. Check out the flexible power strip on TikTok ! Promising review: "I rarely write a review (this is the second in the past few years). One of the best purchases in a long time. Nice design and very practical. It solves all of my problems as it can go in any direction. It's worth every penny. I turned around and bought two more. I am about to buy my fourth one. Love this!" — Pond P. Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors). 13. A power scrubbing cleaning kit you can attach to your drill and get to work in making your living space look brand freakin' new. Useful Products is based in New York — its founder is a former technician living with carpal tunnel who started the company to create products that'll allow folks like him to clean pain-free. It comes with three different sizes and shapes of brushes. The bristles won't scratch and are good to use on tubs, sinks, baseboards, fiberglass shower enclosures, shower door tracks, and porcelain. BTW the drill isn't included, but you can find a bunch of great ones on Amazon ! Check out the drill brush on TikTok ! Promising review: "I bought this on a whim because my walk-in shower is just a pain to clean. I'm 51, and I guess I've just been old school with how I clean, so I was hand scrubbing it for years. The FIRST time I used this to clean my shower, it took five minutes, AND it scrubbed my shower cleaner than it had been in years. In the corners, the floor, the glass door, everything came out squeaky clean. I'm NEVER cleaning my shower by hand again." — Terry Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in several brush stiffness levels). 14. A hydrating multi-balm stick featuring a portable design that's super easy to bring on the go anytime your face is in need of a lil' moisture boost. Not only that, but this nifty stick may just help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, and smooth fine lines. Check out a TikTok of the wrinkle balm in action. Promising review: "OK! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly, this stick is life-changing!! ! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me. I will def try the others!" — Kristy Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in seven styles). 15. Adhesive bathroom shelves because placing all of your products in the itty bitty corners of the tub or on the shower floor just isn't cutting it anymore! They look messy, they get knocked over, and it's just NOT efficient. Please, do yourself a favor and get these. Get a closer look on TikTok . Promising review: "I saw these shelves on TikTok and really wanted to try them out, as I have no shelves in my shower. The adhesion is impressive — they’ve stayed sticking for the past two weeks with no sign of letting up and are holding about four bottles of products on each of the two racks I have hanging . I thought for sure they would fall after showering or something, but they have stayed strong and held up. I’m so impressed! I’m sure I will purchase more in the future. Super duper easy to install. They look beautiful and modern and give my bathroom a totally different vibe . It’s so nice to have a product like this available!! Thank you!" — Sara B Get a set of two caddies from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in five finishes and an option with a soap holder). 16. A set of antimicrobial toothbrushes featuring "floss" bristles that are designed to reach between your teeth (bye-bye, little food bits hiding in there) and are formulated with nano-silver , which may help kill off microbes left on the bristles. Your other toothbrushes simply cannot relate!!! Mouthwatchers is a small biz that sells antimicrobial toothbrushes, which are also available in bundle sets and travel-sized options ! I started using this toothbrush a few months ago and I'm not exaggerating when I tell you my mouth feels cleaner post-brushing with this toothbrush than any other ones I've used. I will say the floss bristles at first can be a little rough, but I very quickly got used to it and now I'm a fan of these for life. Promising review: "This was another one of my TikTok purchases! I was skeptical, but my kids hate flossing their teeth, so thought this might help in between making them floss. They work amazingly! My kids said they could see and feel a difference on the first use, and I agree! They are definitely worth a try! I would suggest not pushing too hard. Those tiny bristles really get in there, and if you push too hard, you might be sore like I was. It felt like after going to a dental cleaning." — AN Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.90 . 17. A compressive bodysuit that you can pair with all of your favorite pants, skirts, cardigans, and blouses year-round. Reviewers boast that it's super similar to Skims for less $$ — we love an affordable closet staple! Shaperx is a small business that specializes in supportive, compressive bodysuits in a variety of styles. Promising review: "Heard of this bodysuit from a TikTok and came to purchase. I got so many compliments when I wore it; people assumed it was a Skims bodysuit!! Seriously so soft and definitely creates that snatched look. Definitely worth the price." — Alexis Altamirano Get it from Amazon for $25.19+ (available in women's sizes XXS–3XL and 11 colors). 18. Wet & Forget , a super simple cleaner you just spray in your shower/tub once a week. The best part? You don't have to scrub...like...at all. Just rinse it the next day, and you're good to go. I know, I know, I'm crying tears of joy, too. Promising review: "I saw this product on TikTok and decided to try it out for myself. The name doesn’t lie — spray it on, shut the bathroom door, and in a few hours, the shower is 100 times cleaner. Usually, I’ll let it sit overnight, and by morning, the visible grime on the shower is gone, including soap scum. I’ll usually let the shower water rinse the residue out and then will take a bucket just to get everything off the shower walls. It is a bit slick if you try to get in the shower without rinsing the residue, but otherwise, it’s a worthy cleaning staple in my house." — Tara D. Get it from Amazon for $20.98+ (available in two scents and two sizes). 19. A facial cleansing spray that targets bacteria on the skin that causes issues like irritation and redness. Plus, it's gentle on sensitive skin and safe for daily use! Check out a TikTok of the SkinSmart Facial Spray in action. Promising review: "I have ordered this twice now . If my skin is breaking out I just spray this on after washing my face and let it air dry . It is nonirritating and nondrying. It has a light chlorine smell to me. I can use both morning and night with no irritation. After a few days of this my skin starts clearing up! I put some in a travel spray bottle and take it when I’m flying. My skin always feels dirty on planes, and I spray it on a few times on travel days to freshen my face and hopefully kill some bacteria. It sprays over makeup with no issues. " — SaraSmile11 Get it from Amazon for $17.46 . 20. A bento lunch box so you can send your kiddo to school with DIY Lunchables filled with their favorite foods (so they'll actually want to eat everything). Also, would not judge any adults who want one of these because you can't look at these photos and tell me they wouldn't make lunchtime at your work cubicle a million times more fun. Check out the Bentgo lunch box on TikTok ! Promising review: "I cannot say enough great things about these kid's bento lunch boxes! We use them at least five days a week and absolutely love them. These hold much more food than they appear to, and they really help me quickly put lunches together with the different compartments. I get in a rhythm of what goes where, and it has truly made packing lunches fun and easy. They are definitely leak-proof as well. Many times I will put yogurt, fruit cups, and sauces in the various compartments, and even with the kids flipping these every which way the liquids stay in place and don't spill over into other compartments. Nothing gets soggy, even when there is a mix of humidity-level items in the compartments, and many items are still cool and edible when they return home with any leftovers. They are super easy to clean, too. We especially love them on road trips because they are the perfect size for the kids to hold on their laps and eat mess-free. The designs are very cute, and over a year later, with so much use, they have not scratched or faded one bit. We have not experienced any staining, either. I recommend these to everyone and am buying a second set for my kids to have at their grandparent's as well." — Krystle Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 28 styles). 21. A rapid egg cooker that'll prepare your favorite style EGGtra quick — hard-/medium-/soft-boiled, poached, scrambled, omelet — breakfast for every meal, anyone? This little baby comes with a poaching tray, omelet tray, six-egg holder tray, measuring cup, and access to a recipe database. Promising review : "I saw someone on TikTok with this and gasped! Ordered it right away. I had no idea these things existed. Super easy and convenient, and the hard-boiled eggs came out perfectly. I’m testing a batch now without punching a hole in the eggs to see how they come out. Because why not make an easy process even easier?!?! LOL." — Gina Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in six colors). 22. A magnetic cloud key holder for anyone who's ever gone on a panicked, frantic search for their keys while in a rush to make it to an appointment. It's like your keys know you need to be somewhere and they're trying to play hide-and-seek with you. Sorry keys — you lose! Check out the cloud magnetic key holder on TikTok ! Promising review: "So, yes, TikTok made me buy this, but so far I really like it. It's obviously very adorable and offers a charming spot to keep my keys that works with my entryway. I'm really surprised by how strong the hold is for such a small object — I carry my car fob and a few keys and so far it's holding strong. I hung it with Command strips to avoid any potential damage to the wall and I will say make sure it's level as the hold is not so good on an angle (but that was from the original in-hand testing). Definitely recommend and for the price, I'm very tempted to get one for my at-work office ." — D. Carter Get it from Amazon for $6.98 . 23. A 3-in-1 styling cream designed to hydrate and prep your locks pre-blowout, define curls, and smooth styled hair. Thanks to its combo of dragonfruit, prickly pear seed oil, and meadowfoam seed oil, it'll help provide moisture and nourishment to your strands to keep them silky, soft, and naturally glossy. Reviewers also love using this product for slicked-back looks because it is non-greasy and doesn't require washing out to re-volumize. Just a bit of dry shampoo will do the trick! Check out a TikTok of the Dae styling cream in action. Dae is a small business that specializes in haircare and styling products. Promising review: "This is the second time I've bought this product. It might seem pricey, but honestly, it's not. I used it every day for my slicked-back ponytail, and it lasted me a long, long time. It smells amazing. It holds really well without making your hair feel crusty or greasy. It actually feels natural and soft." — Pedro ramos Get it from Amazon for $30 . 24. An amazing sports bra featuring moisture-wicking material and removable cups that'll be an instant addition to your gym ensemble. Ahhh, we love an undergarment that's designed to handle sweat. Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok and wanted to try it out. It is amazing. I’ve only got one, but I’m gonna have to buy several other colors . It’s super soft, seamless, and comfortable. Super cute to wear to the gym or just staying home !" — Whitney C. Get it from Amazon for $18.39+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and 21 colors). 25. A double-sided cooling blanket so you can snuggle up with a cozy blanket at night without overheating. Phew! Check out a TikTok of the cooling blanket in action. Promising review: "WHAT KIND OF SORCERY IS THIS??? I have never once felt a blanket that constantly keeps you cool. I am ALWAYS hot, but I love to be under blankets. This is the PERFECT blanket to keep from overheating. It feels like athletic-type material. This is a must-buy!!!" — Kenzie Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in 5 sizes and 12 colors). 26. A set of Beckham Hotel Collection pillows because it's 2024, and that means we're taking the time to treat ourselves to products that make our bed more comfortable and our sleep more enjoyable! Here comes an upgrade, baby. Promising reviews: "These had great reviews, but I was still a bit skeptical. I'm a bit of a pillow snob. These pillows — these amazing, heavenly pillows — are now my favorite part of going to bed. Soft but firm. How does that work? It gives support for me to sleep slightly propped up but I sink into this comfortable personal cloud. Soft but firm. My head isn't sinking through the pillow to rest on my mattress, but I feel comfortably enveloped. Heaven. I bought two but think that would be too much fluff, so now my husband and I each have one. Buy them. Add to cart. Buy now with one click. Stop the research. You've found the pillows you were looking for. " — Marissa Urey "God himself must use these pillows. I have (or had, haha) insomnia, not to mention a bad neck/back *and* hot flashes. The comfort and the cooling is AMAZING (even with a silk pillowcase). Thank you, TikTok, for influencing me!!!!" — Rickie White Get a set of two from Amazon for $46.97+ (available in two sizes). 27. A mighty nail glue boasting a strong hold and an affordable price tag. Reviewers say this stuff helps keep their press-ons in place for over a week while still being easy enough to remove so they can reuse long-term press-ons. Check out a TikTok of the nail glue in action. Promising review : "I’ve been using this on my press-ons, and when I say they last a month or longer without popping off! I will never go back to any other brand. Easy to use, quick-drying, GREAT PRICE!! Like, how can you beat that value? The size you get for the price is really unmatched. The glue removal is pretty easy . If I plan on reusing the press-ons, I’ll soak them in water and soap and pop them off. If not, I’ll cut and shave down the nails and soak in acetone until it dissolves the nails enough for me to use my drill." — Big Ming Get it from Amazon for $1.97 . 28. A pack of detergent sheets to make laundry day a greener and easier task. These sheets are formulated with plant-derived ingredients, dissolve in water, and eliminate the guesswork that comes with measuring out liquid detergent and the waste of the heavy plastic jugs they come in. Kind Laundry is a small biz that sells this planet-friendly laundry detergent! Check it out on TikTok . Promising review: " These laundry sheets are game changers. Easy to use. Excellent job cleaning our clothes and linens. No perfume/scent. No problems with residue irritating my skin. No container to recycle. I love these laundry sheets!" — Paul Bergman Get a 60-pack from Amazon for $16.77 (available in unscented and ocean breeze). 29. A garbage disposal foaming cleaner that'll tackle built-up grime and those nasty smells you gag at every time you're near your kitchen sink. It's truly so...disgusting. Promising review: "Saw on TikTok (don’t judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you’re left with a clean sink! I use with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend for weekly maintenance." — Jessica House Get a four-pack from Amazon for $3.78 . 30. LilyAna Naturals eye cream to help minimize the appearance of eye bags, dark circles, and wrinkles/crow's-feet. Plus, it's free of sulfates, artificial fragrances, and colors and has a nice rosemary scent. Promising reviews: "Incredible product! Still cannot believe what a difference it has made in the lines and wrinkles around my eyes. I use it twice a day and actually use it for my entire face and my neck. My skin feels so soft, and lines are disappearing ." — Melissa "Absolutely love this eye cream. I was looking for an eye cream and saw a video on TikTok and decided to give it a try. I have been using it for a couple of months and already can see a difference. A little goes a long way. I put a small amount on my finger and tap around my entire eye, and then I put any extra on the back of my hand to help smooth my skin there. Definitely worth the money!" — SLRottweiler Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three sizes and a two-pack). 31. An Elizabeth Mott eye primer because you didn't spend time perfecting your smoky shadow look just for it to *poof* disappear come lunchtime. Promising reviews: "Saw this used by a makeup artist on TikTok giving a tutorial for women over 40. Totally changed how my eyeshadow works. No clumping or crease lines!" — wo1995 "Love this primer! I will buy it again and again! Just a tiny bit and my eyeshadow stays all day long and maintains a vibrant color." — Nicola Nella Get it from Amazon for $13.99 . 32. A fan-favorite E.l.f. Cosmetics primer to help reduce the appearance of pores AND assist in seamless makeup application. It's a win-win. Promising review: "Highly recommend. Learned about it as several influencers used it on TikTok. Tried it, and it’s my favorite. Better than all the expensive brands I had tried before. Smooth application and does an excellent job!" — Binnyx1 Get it from Amazon for $8 . 33. A rechargeable electric candle lighter designed with a super smart flexible neck so you can enjoy the coziness of your favorite candles (even the ones whose wicks are now DEEP in the jar) without your fingers getting too close. Plus, it's windproof which will come in handy for outdoor bonfires and candles, too! Promising reviews : "I absolutely love this product. Now I’m able to light candles where the candle wax has melted down, and it’s hard to reach inside the jar. I also love the fact that you charge this with a USB cable, and the charge lasts for a long time. It has indicator lights to let you know how much of a charge is remaining. I’ve only had to charge it once since I purchased it. I Very durable and a great value for the price. I definitely recommend this. " — Cassandra S. "Another product I got from TikTok. It’s a necessity. No more struggling and almost burning yourself. Stays charged for days. A week at most if you use it frequently." — Nijada Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in nine colors and two-packs). 34. A portable handheld vacuum to make cleaning away dust and crumbs from your car, desk, or other small surfaces so simple it may actually be kinda...fun?! Check out the portable hand vacuum cleaner on TikTok ! Promising review: "Another 'TikTok made me buy' purchase. I absolutely love this thing. It helps with cleaning my daughter’s desk since she’s homeschooling and this is easy to use to clean inside of drawers." — Manisha Roopnarine Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in five colors). 35. A pack of clinical-strength sweat-blocking wipes that can help bring relief to folks who suffer from excessive sweating. It's recommended to use these at night before going to bed for best results! SweatBlock is a small biz that sells products that may help with excessive sweating! Psst — you should definitely "patch test" this on a small area of skin before putting it on to ensure you don't have any reaction! Promising reviews: "I saw this product on TikTok, and I decided to give it a shot since it was only like $20 for 10 wipes (that's 10 weeks, 2.5 months) of no underarm sweat. It worked! I was so happy to finally be able to wear all the shirts I own that are not black!" — Nes172011 "It works! Really does. Follow the instructions, and you won’t be disappointed. The small downside I have experienced is it makes my underarms itchy that first night. I would say the protection lasts three to four days 100%, then slowly drops off to about ten percent on that seventh day . I am absolutely buying this again. (From a guy that has tried everything possible.)" — Kyle Moran Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (each box lasts two months). 36. A portable water bottle to ensure your pup stays hydrated on the go. All you have to do is press a button on the bottle to dispense the water and then let your doggo enjoy their drink! The water bottle also includes a sling rope and carabiner for clipping onto a bag or belt loop. See it in action on TikTok . Promising review: "I love this item. It's especially nice when I take my dog to the dog park ...for some reason, he doesn’t like drinking out of the communal dog bowl. The water flows into the cup area and back into the reservoir if the dog doesn’t drink it all...with a button to lock in the water. Perfect product." — J. Chevalier Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes and colors). 37. A compact pill organizer perfect for bringing on future travels – it features seven compartments to keep your medications separate and prevents you from having to pack several pill containers. Promising review : "Where has this been all my life? I purchased this because I saw them all over TikTok. As someone with chronic illness, I honestly carry around like 10 different pill bottles for 'just in case' situations. This little pill box is a great size. I love that it’s magnetic, and each little compartment fits a good amount of pills. It won’t fit a ton of Tums if that’s what you’re looking for, but the amount of space this has saved in my bag is amazing!" — Jasmin Salas Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in 13 colors, 2 sizes, and two-packs). 38. A super cool and useful magnetic stove shelf you simply put on top of your stove, and boom — instant additional storage space for things like spices, oil, and anything else you may need! StoveShelf is a small business based in the US and sells various options of shelves for your stove. Get a closer look on TikTok . Promising review: "There was no setup. Take it out of the box and place it on the stove. The magnets are very strong keeping the shelf fixed in place. The magnets are raised, allowing air to flow underneath and preventing the shelf from heating up. The sizing was perfect. I love it!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in three sizes and three finishes). 39. A roll-up dish drying rack ideal for those living with less than-optimal kitchen space. This lays flat over your sink, so you don't have to rearrange what little countertop area you have just to let your dishes and utensils air dry. Phew! It's heat-resistant up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and can be tossed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. See it in action on TikTok . Promising review: "I bought this because I saw it on TikTok, and I’m so glad I did! I hate having things on my counters that don’t belong. I have a dishwasher, but I have some things (like almost everyone) that aren’t dishwasher-safe. I love that I can just roll this out and dry my dishes over the sink. The fact that air is able to get to all sides allows dishes like cups and bowls to actually get dry. Prior to this I was using a drying mat next to my sink, but I was always having to towel dry items that had been sitting out 'drying' for hours. Even my husband is impressed. He has told me multiple times it was such a good buy!" — Sheri Get it from Amazon for $16.98+ (available in three sizes). 40. A Neutrogena moisturizing face sunscreen you'll want to add to your daily skincare routine PRONTO. Containing vitamin E and SPF 60, this serum provides hydration, UVA and UVB protection, and works great as a makeup primer, too! Oh, and it does it all without leaving behind a white cast on your skin. Check out a TikTok of the serum in action. Promising review: "I have been searching for a sunscreen like this for a long time. I really dislike putting anything heavy on my face and prefer a gel-like consistency. I am a big fan of the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid serum and the texture of this sunscreen feels pretty close to that. I have tried much more expensive 'serum' sunscreens and find this one my favorite and for a much better price point ." — JHoch Get it from Amazon for $13.99 . 41. A blackhead remover for scrubbing away sebum, blackheads, whiteheads, and other skin impurities. The little octopus is so cute that you may wanna buy it for that reason alone. Promising reviews: "I saw this on TikTok. It works great so far." — MarMarManuel "After just two days of use, this adorable little octopus has done wonders for me and smells great, too. Here's how I used it: I wore down the stick just a little to where the texture from the salt was visible, scrubbed around on my face so there was plenty of product, and then used my fingers to gently massage all the gunk away. Rinse, pat dry, and enjoy the softness. Highly recommended for people with sensitive skin like me. " — LuckLocust Get it from Amazon for $12.50 . 42. A mini belt bag that'll become your new go-to accessory the second it arrives on your doorstep. It's a great solution for holding your belongings without having to lug around a big bag. Not to mention, it comes in tons of great colors and it's trendy! Promising review : "TikTok told me this compared to Lululemon, and it’s true, it is. Love this little bag! And the price — you can’t beat it." — Jolie BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly also owns this — she packed it as her only bag for a busy trip to Iceland, and not only did it hold a ton and keep her hands free, it easily fit around her waist over her outerwear. Get it from Amazon for $11.88 (available in 37 colors). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to top the all-time high it set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, or 0.3%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6% as Microsoft and Big Tech led the way. Stock markets abroad mostly fell after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China once he takes office. But the movements were mostly modest. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada’s main index edged down by less than 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. The consequences otherwise for markets and the global economy could be painful. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. And unlike tariffs in Trump’s first term, his latest proposal would affect products across the board. General Motors sank 9%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.3%. The value of the Mexican peso fell 1.8% against the U.S. dollar. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support for the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the economy, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed’s last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another mixed set of profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates imposed by the Fed to get inflation under control. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Kohl’s tumbled 17% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.9% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. Still, more stocks rose in the S&P 500 than fell. J.M. Smucker had one of the biggest gains and climbed 5.7% after topping analysts’ expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 3.2% for Amazon and 2.2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 34.26 points to 6,021.63. The Dow gained 123.74 to 44,860.31, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 119.46 to 19,174.30. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.29% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It’s since dipped back toward $91,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

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While we’ve already talked about creating a home cinematic experience using IMAX Enhanced devices , we also thought it would be a great idea to broaden your horizons. Instead of just focusing on a couple of home theater solutions, albeit exceptional, it makes more sense to introduce options to a broader scope of entertainment connoisseurs. Since IMAX-certified devices span the whole gamut of home theater and entertainment gear, the options are nearly limitless. We’re talking about the best TVs, speakers, projectors, soundbars, and more. Just to give you a quick backstory: IMAX Enhanced certified devices allow you to bring the truly cinematic IMAX experience into your home. Every device meets strict certification standards in performance criteria, such as picture modes, resolution, color accuracy, brightness, contrast, and sonic fidelity. In other words, this is the best of the best home theater equipment out there. As for the certification, it’s been defined by a team comprised of IMAX, DTS, and leading Hollywood technical experts. If it’s IMAX certified it’s going to bring you the most immersive entertainment you’ve ever heard, seen, or experienced, bar none. IMAX Enhanced content is also available on some of the world’s biggest streaming services, like Disney+, Sony Pictures Core, and beyond. Now that you’re more informed, let’s explore the home theater gear you need for a more cinematic experience at home: The Top IMAX Enhanced Certified Products Like the other cinematic devices on our list, this TCL is IMAX Enhanced certified, supports DTS: X and DTS Virtual:X, and has some incredible technology packed behind the gorgeous panel. HDR Ultra, Motion Rate 480, a 120Hz refresh rate with 144Hz variable refresh rate, and a stunning 4K ultra-HD picture with Quantum Dot Technology (QLED). Get your cinematic experiences up and running right now. Buy Now We love the Hisense U8K here at Digital Trends. Our reviewer praised it for its excellent brightness, vivid colors, good backlight controls, excellent contrast, and exceptional gaming performance. But here’s why you’re going to love it for cinematic experiences this holiday season. It’s IMAX Enhanced allowing you to unleash the power of true IMAX cinema in the comfort of your home. You don’t have to set up any crazy equipment to make it happen either. Grab this beautiful TV and a comparable sound system — like the ones on our list — and you’re good to go. Buy Now Sony needs no introduction, certainly not for the BRAVIA line, and certainly not for this TV. It’s IMAX Enhanced certified, but the real allure here is it includes the “world’s first” in-built beam tweeter. You’ll hear sound from the TV, without extra speakers, just like you do at the cinema. Okay, I’m in. Buy Now Nothing beats watching Top Gun with the sounds of jets flying all around you. Except maybe watching John Wick and the pulse-pounding music and action the same way. If you really want to test your audio, check out Master and Commander , those cannon blasts are unreal. I digress. This Sony HT-A9M2 Speakers set offers cinema-style surround sound with 360-degree spatial sound mapping. It also supports DTS:X, and — you guessed it — IMAX Enhanced. Buy Now Soundbars make things really easy. You essentially just place them, connect them, and go. This LG setup is no exception, with triple up-firing channels and DTS:X immersive audio. Nine speakers total power 3D spatial sound when it matters most. Plus, it’s IMAX Enhanced certified. Buy Now Frankly, you can’t have a true cinematic experience without the right audio. This year, you can spring for something like this Denon 9.4-Channel receiver – it’s next-level stuff. It can handle 8K Ultra HD audio, has nine channels of amplification with 105 watts per channel, and supports up to four independent subwoofers. Imagine surround subs? You also get 3D audio via DTS:X and it’s IMAX Enhanced certified. Even better, with HEOS built-in you can wireless stream and share online music between rooms, too. You’re getting both a cinematic and a fine-tuned audio experience here. Buy Now This reference-level AV receiver was crafted in Shirakawa Japan — you know it sounds great and looks just as amazing, then. It features 9.4 channels, 125 watts per channel, with HEOS built-in. Moreover, it offers 8K quality audio, DTS:X, and is IMAX Enhanced certified. There are a total of 7 HDMI inputs with eARC, so plenty of connectivity. Talk about a cinematic experience for audio. Just pair it with some great speakers and a sub or two and you’re golden. Buy Now The XGIMI HORIZON S Max supports IMAX Enhanced in a big way. You get DTS:X immersive audio, HDR10, Dual Light 2.0, and it has an SGS Certification. The built-in flexible stand makes it super easy to set up anywhere, especially in a home theater room. Projector features include autofocus, uninterrupted auto keystone correction, intelligent obstacle avoidance, intelligent screen alignment, ultra-wide screen mode (21:9), wall color adaption tech, and intelligent eye protection. If you’re a numbers person, it’s rated at 3100 ISO lumens brightness, with a contrast ratio of 10,000,000:1 and a 110% BT.2020 wide color gamut. Basically, the XGIMI HORIZON S Max is going to deliver an incredible visual experience at screen sizes worthy of a proper theater. Buy Now Transform any room into a cinema with the Aura 2, an IMAX Enhanced and Dolby Vision-certified short-throw projector. It’s big, it’s beautiful, it’s bold, and it will help you savor every cinematic experience at home. If you get dressed up and make some popcorn, it will feel just like going to a local theater. Yes, please. Buy NowEddy Grant And Donald Trump Settle Copyright Lawsuit Over Use Of ‘Electric Avenue’ In Campaign VideoAgartala, Dec 21, 2024 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the Union Cabinet recently decided to establish three semiconductor units in the northeast for the development of the semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem which would create 20,000 direct jobs and 60,000 indirect job opportunities. While addressing the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC), the Home Minister said that one of the three semiconductor units, Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Private Limited, would be set up in Assam with an investment of approximately Rs 27,000 crore, which would be the largest investment so far. Shah said that keeping this future potential in mind, the Union Ministry of Education is preparing courses in collaboration with universities in the northeast to equip the youth with relevant education and knowledge. He emphasised that this would generate a large number of jobs for the youth in all eight states of the Northeast. The Home Minister said that in the last 10 years, due to the unprecedented development of infrastructure in the northeast, not only has the physical distance been reduced, but Prime Minister Modi has also worked to bridge the distance between the people of this region and Delhi. Shah said that when Prime Minister Modi gave priority to the Northeast himself, it naturally became the priority of the entire central government. Noting that today the northeast region is on the path of development despite much diversity, he said that 10 years ago, more than 200 tribal groups and more than 195 dialects and languages of the region had become our weakness in a way, causing different kinds of conflicts. It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has done the work of converting that weakness into strength and power and more than 200 tribal groups, due to their cultural diversity, have become the centre of attraction for the entire world, and over 195 dialects and languages have contributed to making the northeast one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world. The Home Minister said that there are more than 7,500 species of flowers in the northeast alone, along with various types of wildlife and water resources. The Modi government has made significant efforts over the past 10 years to preserve these natural diversities and transform the region into a preferred tourist destination, he added. Shah mentioned that during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, the Ministry of DONER (Development of North Eastern Region) was established. Saying that the Modi government has left no stone unturned in preserving the culture of the northeast, he mentioned that it was the Modi government that worked to include most languages from the northeast in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. He noted that now, it is time to give a big push to the country’s efforts to become a 5 trillion dollar economy through the development of the northeast region. Shah mentioned that for this, the ministries of DONER and the North Eastern Council (NEC) are working to implement the mantra of “Act East, Act Fast, and Act First.” The Union Home Minister said that over the past 50 years, the NEC has served as an important platform for discussing the aspirations, needs, and potential solutions to challenges, and has worked to become the blueprint for the development of the Northeast. He stated that in the last 10 years, violent incidents in the northeast have reduced by 71 per cent, and civilian deaths have reduced by 86 per cent. He added that nearly 10,574 insurgents have surrendered, and due to several peace agreements, the Central Government has succeeded in establishing peace across the northeast. Shah said that the allocation under the PM-DevINE scheme was approximately Rs 6600 crore, but it would soon be increased to Rs 9,000 crore. He mentioned that for the development of the northeast, more than 111 projects, including roads, power, education, healthcare services, sports infrastructure, and tourism are being implemented. He added that from 2014-15, the budget for the northeast has increased by 153 per cent, and through the Bamboo Mission, the government has set an ambitious goal to make the entire northeast prosperous. Regarding the flood problem in the northeast states, the Home Minister said that by using technology to create pathways in the natural course, the budget for constructing roads could be reduced by at least 30 per cent.(Agency)Miami's Cavinder twins join Caitlin Clark on Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Here’s who else made list.

Liverpool drew 3-3 on Tyneside (Owen Humphreys/PA) Fabian Schar snatched victory from Liverpool’s grasp as Newcastle held the Premier League leaders to a rip-roaring 3-3 draw at St James’ Park. Mohamed Salah looked to have rescued an eighth successive win in all competitions when his second-half double – both set up by substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold – put the visitors 3-2 ahead after Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon had struck either side of Curtis Jones’ equaliser. However, Switzerland defender Schar squeezed home a 90th-minute equaliser to claim a deserved point at the end of a thrilling encounter which rekindled memories of the two 4-3 classics between the sides during the 1990s. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. The tone was set early on when Caoimhin Kelleher had to palm away Sandro Tonali’s second-minute shot, and they needed skipper Virgil van Dijk’s intervention when he hacked away Isak’s cross inside the six-yard box with Bruno Guimaraes awaiting a tap-in after the striker had exchanged passes with Joelinton. The Reds responded in determined fashion, Alexis Mac Allister sending Nick Pope sprawling to palm away his low drive before clipping the outside of a post with a left-foot attempt after a corner had been half-cleared. Newcastle almost took the lead in spectacular style in the 22nd minute. Gordon muscled Salah off the ball, Isak picked out Jacob Murphy’s run with a fine pass and his shot flew past Kelleher and hit the base of the post. Guimaraes fired straight at the keeper after Isak had tricked his way deep into the box and crossed seconds later, and Lewis Hall was only denied a close-range shot at goal by Joe Gomez’s desperate challenge after Isak had nutmegged Van Dijk and threaded the needle. Alexander Isak scores the opening goal (Owen Humphreys/PA) The deadlock was broken 10 minutes before half-time when Guimaraes slid the ball into the Sweden international’s path and saw him step outside Van Dijk before blasting an unstoppable shot past Kelleher. It should have been 2-0 within three minutes when Gomez’s error gifted Gordon a free run at goal, only for the former Everton winger to stab the ball straight at a grateful Kelleher. Having finished the first half in the ascendancy, the hosts returned determined to maintain their momentum, but it was punctured within five minutes when Salah, who had endured a quiet evening until that point, found time and space on the right to cross for Jones to sweep home an equaliser. Cody Gakpo saw a 53rd-minute effort deflected just wide and Darwin Nunez just failed to get a touch on the Netherlands international’s header back across goal. Mohamed Salah thought he had scored a winner (Owen Humphreys/PA) Gomez threw himself into the path of Gordon’s shot after he had surged deep into enemy territory on the hour, but the Liverpool-born frontman was not to be denied and when Isak accepted Guimaraes’ pass and slid him in, he cut inside before firing across Kelleher to make it 2-1. Pope produced a fine reaction save to keep out Jones’ 65th-minute header, but he was beaten for a second time three minutes later when substitute Alexander-Arnold crossed for Salah to whip the ball inside the far post. Murphy lifted the ball over the advancing Kelleher but wide of the goal after running on to Gordon’s pass over the top, but Salah was denied by the upright after forcing his way in from the right with eight minutes to go. He thought he had won it seconds later when he span on Alexander Arnold’s cross and beat Pope for his 15th goal of the season, only for Schar to snatch a point when he slid in to convert Guimaraes’ free-kick from a tight angle.KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes tore through a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza on Wednesday, sparking fires and killing at least 21 people, according to the head of a nearby hospital, in the latest assault on a sprawling tent city that Israel designated a humanitarian safe zone but has repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strike on the Muwasi tent camp was one of several deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. An Israeli attack in central Gaza killed at least 10 more people, including four children, according to Palestinian medics. Israel’s devastating war in Gaza , launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of ending after nearly 14 months. Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages, and most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is reliant on international food aid to survive. Israel is also pressing a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say Palestinians might be experiencing famine . The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push for a Gaza ceasefire now that there's a truce in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, ending more than a year of cross-border fighting. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump demanded this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. Wednesday's strike in Muwasi — a desolate area with few public services that holds hundreds of thousands of displaced people — wounded at least 28 people, according to Atif al-Hout, the director of Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. An Associated Press journalist at the hospital counted at least 15 bodies, but said reaching a precise number was difficult because many of the dead were dismembered, some without heads or badly burned. In the morgue, an infant's blackened hand and face peeked out from beneath a heavy blanket used to transport bodies to the hospital. “It was like doomsday,” said a wounded woman, Iman Jumaa, who held back tears as she described how the strike killed her father, her brothers and her brothers' children. Videos and photos of the strike shared widely on social media showed flames and a column of black smoke rising into the night sky, as well as twisted metal tent frames and shredded fabric. Palestinian men searched through the still-burning wreckage, shouting, “Over here guys!” Further away, civilians stood at a distance, observing the destruction. The military said the strikes had set off secondary blasts, indicating explosives present in the area had detonated. It was not possible to independently confirm the Israeli claims, and the strikes could also have ignited fuel, cooking gas canisters or other materials in the camp. Shortly after the strike, Al-Awda Hospital said two people had been killed and 38 wounded in an attack on a residential block in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The military had no immediate comment on the strike, but said earlier strikes in central Gaza had hit “terrorist targets." Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths, saying the militants often operate in residential areas and are known to position tunnels, rocket launchers and other infrastructure near homes, schools and mosques. Previous Israeli strikes on tent camps in Gaza have drawn widespread international outrage, such as when a wounded student’s last moments were caught on video as he burned to death in a tent outside a hospital. In northern Gaza, dozens of Palestinian families said Israel's expanding offensive had forcibly displaced them from schools-turned-shelters. Associated Press footage showed people on the road Wednesday leaving Beit Lahia, many crowded onto donkey carts with their belongings in their arms. Others walked on foot. “This morning a quadcopter (drone) detonated four bombs at the school. There were people injured, human remains — we left with nothing,” said Sadeia al-Rahel. The 57-year-old said her family has been eating grass, leaves, and animal feed for two months due to the lack of food aid in the north. The amount of aid entering Gaza plunged in October, and hunger is widespread across the territory, even in central Gaza where aid groups have more access. Humanitarian organizations say Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of law and order make it difficult to deliver assistance. Israel has said it is working to increase the flow of aid. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,500 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 people were abducted. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. On Wednesday, Israel said its forces recovered the body of a hostage who was captured alive during the Oct. 7 attack. Israel believes Itay Svirsky was killed by his captors. The families of hostages held in Gaza have grown increasingly concerned that their loved ones are at risk so long as the war continues. Israel’s military released on Wednesday the findings of a probe into the circumstances behind the deaths of six hostages whose bodies were recovered in August, determining they were probably shot by their captors after a nearby Israeli strike in February. Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/mideast-warsIndonesia's BRICS Agenda: 2 Reasons Prabowo's Foreign Policy Contrasts With Jokowi's #Indonesia's #BRICS #Agenda: #Reasons #Prabowo's #Foreign #Policy #Contrasts #Jokowi's #Inflation #Currency #US #Dollar #Exchange #Recession

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TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel said Sunday that the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found after he was killed in what it described as a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” The UAE's Interior Ministry later said authorities arrested three perpetrators involved in the killing of Zvi Kogan. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel “will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death.” Israeli authorities did not say how they determined the killing of Kogan was a terror attack and offered no additional details. Kogan, 28, an ultra-Orthodox rabbi who went missing on Thursday, ran a kosher grocery store in the futuristic city of Dubai, where Israelis have flocked for commerce and tourism since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in the 2020 Abraham Accords . The agreement has held through more than a year of soaring regional tensions unleashed by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack into southern Israel . But Israel's devastating retaliatory offensive in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon, after months of fighting with the Hezbollah militant group, have stoked anger among Emiratis, Arab nationals and others living in the the UAE. Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah, has also been threatening to retaliate against Israel after a wave of airstrikes Israel carried out in October in response to an Iranian ballistic missile attack. The Emirati government did not respond to a request for comment. However, senior Emirati diplomat Anwer Gargash wrote on the social platform X in Arabic on Sunday that “the UAE will remain a home of safety, an oasis of stability, a society of tolerance and coexistence and a beacon of development, pride and advancement.” Early on Sunday, the UAE’s state-run WAM news agency acknowledged Kogan’s disappearance but pointedly did not acknowledge he held Israeli citizenship, referring to him only as being Moldovan. The Emirati Interior Ministry described Kogan as being “missing and out of contact.” “Specialized authorities immediately began search and investigation operations upon receiving the report,” the Interior Ministry said. The ministry later said that three “perpetrators” had been arrested “in record time” without giving additional details. Netanyahu told a regular Cabinet meeting later Sunday that he was “deeply shocked” by Kogan's disappearance and death. He said he appreciated the cooperation of the UAE in the investigation and that ties between the two countries would continue to be strengthened. Israel's largely ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, condemned the killing and thanked Emirati authorities for "their swift action." He said he trusts they “will work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.” Israel also again warned against all nonessential travel to the Emirates after Kogan's killing. “There is concern that there is still a threat against Israelis and Jews in the area,” a government warning issued Sunday said. Kogan was an emissary of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, a prominent and highly observant branch of ultra-Orthodox Judaism based in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood in New York City. It said he was last seen in Dubai. The UAE has a burgeoning Jewish community, with synagogues and businesses catering to kosher diners. The Rimon Market, a kosher grocery store that Kogan managed on Dubai’s busy Al Wasl Road, was shut Sunday. As the wars have roiled the region, the store has been the target of online protests by supporters of the Palestinians. Mezuzahs on the front and back doors of the market appeared to have been ripped off when an Associated Press journalist stopped by on Sunday. Kogan’s wife, Rivky, is a U.S. citizen who lived with him in the UAE. She is the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was killed in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The UAE is an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and is also home to Abu Dhabi. Local Jewish officials in the UAE declined to comment. While the Israeli statement did not mention Iran, Iranian intelligence services have carried out past kidnappings in the UAE. Western officials believe Iran runs intelligence operations in the UAE and keeps tabs on the hundreds of thousands of Iranians living across the country. Iran is suspected of kidnapping and later killing British Iranian national Abbas Yazdi in Dubai in 2013, though Tehran has denied involvement. Iran also kidnapped Iranian German national Jamshid Sharmahd in 2020 from Dubai, taking him back to Tehran, where he was executed in October . ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tia Goldenberg And Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press

By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI 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 . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president 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.Hywin (NASDAQ:HYW) Stock Price Up 3.6% – Here’s WhyHas a waltz written by composer Frederic Chopin been discovered in an NYC museum?

The suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. News of his capture in Pennsylvania -- following a tip from a McDonald's worker --triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. No explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, its website says. A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. A former student who knew Mangione at the Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," this person said, asking that their name not be used. "Seemed to just be smiling, and kind of seemed like he was a smart kid. Ended up being valedictorian, which confirmed that," the former student said. Mangione went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on the online site goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a string of bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione called Kaczynski "rightfully imprisoned," while also saying "'violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." According to CNN, handwritten documents recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. ia/nro/dwTreasury Wine share price jumps on big China news

Bills' letdowns on defense, special teams and clock management in loss to Rams are all too familiarKobe Sanders tied a season high with 27 points as Nevada claimed fifth place in the Charleston Classic with a 90-78 victory over Oklahoma State Sunday afternoon in South Carolina. Sanders helped the Wolfpack (6-1) earn a second win following one-possession games against Vanderbilt and VCU. After hitting the decisive 3-pointer with five seconds left in Friday's 64-61 win over VCU, Sanders made 7 of 10 shots, hit three 3s and sank 10 of 13 free throws Sunday. Nick Davidson added 223 points as Nevada led by as many as 19 and shot 58.9 percent. Brandon Love contributed 11 on 5-of-5 shooting as the Wolfpack scored 46 points in the paint and scored at least 85 for the fourth time this season. Marchelus Avery led the Cowboys (4-2) with 15 points and Arturo Dean added 13. Robert Jennings and Abou Ousmane added 11 apiece but leading scorer Bryce Thompson was held to seven points on 1-of-9 shooting as Oklahoma State shot 42 percent and 73.2 percent (30-of-41) at the line. After Avery's 3 forged a 12-12 tie with 13:41 remaining, Nevada gradually gained separation. The Wolfpack took a 24-15 lead on Chuck Bailey's jumper in the paint with 8:28 left but the Cowboys inched back, getting within 33-31 on a dunk by Avery with 4:11 left. Another Bailey jumper staked Nevada to a 40-33 lead by halftime. Nevada began pulling away early in the second half as it scored eight in a row for a 52-40 lead on a basket by Love with 16:44 left. A 3 by Sanders opened a 62-43 lead with 14:06 remaining before Oklahoma State charged back. After Nevada made eight straight shots, the Cowboys countered with 11 straight points and trailed 62-54 with 11:19 left on a 3-pointer by Avery. Thompson made his first basket by sinking a jumper with 10:37 left to get Oklahoma State within 64-56 left, and Keller's triple cut the margin to 70-64 nearly three minutes later. The Cowboys were within 78-72 on a basket by Avery with 3:56 remaining, but he fouled out about a minute later and the Wolfpack outscored Oklahoma State 12-6 the rest of the way as Sanders sank five free throws. --Field Level Media

Sa'ar speaks to EU High Representative for Foreign AffairsRichard Drury We're just under three weeks past Election Day 2024 and below is an updated look at the performance of various asset classes since then using our key ETF matrix. While it may feel like the stock marketIt had been at least a year since I last drove down North New Street Road on the outskirts of West Chester last week. That route had always taken me past the old house where I lived with my grandparents so many years ago. I resided there for some 12 years from the time I entered my freshman year at West Chester State College until I got married in 1979. That little house harbored a treasure chest full of fond memories. But last week, when I glanced over to catch a glimpse of the old place, I made an unsettling discovery. The little house was gone. In its place was a brand-new model in the late stages of construction. That unexpected revelation triggered a flood of nostalgia as the rolodex of my mind churned through dozens of random memories, one of which had always brought a broad smile to my face... It was the late 1970s and I was still living with my benevolent maternal grandparents in West Goshen. They were in their 70s then, but I had bestowed them with nicknames when I was just a toddler — Mitsy for my grandmother and Paba for my grandfather — names they wore proudly for the rest of their lives. Decades before they became Mitsy and Paba they had eloped to Elkton, Md. to be wed back in 1920 when she was just 16 years old and he was 20, a solid union that endured for 66 years until death did they part. Back in the 1970s their house on North New Street Road was surrounded by farm fields and meadows — undeveloped, unposted properties that harbored plentiful populations of wild ring-necked pheasants. Such an abundant source of long-tailed upland game right outside my window was one reason I began small game hunting back in 1972. Two years later, I bought my first puppy, an English springer spaniel we named Raina. A few years after that, when Raina had her first litter, I kept one of her pups, a female we named Jesse. Both turned out to be excellent pheasant dogs. Mitsy and Paba were long-time dog lovers, having owned cocker spaniels and German shepherds over many years, so when Raina and Jesse moved in, they were given full run of the house. My brother Dan, five years my junior, had been recently married and lived with his new bride in Media. Dan owned a loquacious parrot, a blue-fronted Amazon he had dubbed Rocky. Whenever he and his wife traveled, often driving to the beach on weekends, he would drop Rocky off with my kindly grandparents so they could look after him. Rocky’s frequent stays with us impacted the bird’s vocabulary in two very succinct ways. Alert and protective by nature, my springers would bark at the slightest provocation — a knock on the door, a passing truck, a strange noise from the TV — ruff, ruff, ruffing at the top of their lungs. Rocky soon started to mimic the barking dogs. “Ruff, ruff, ruff,” he would announce with convincing intonation, inevitably provoking both Raina and Jesse to join him in chorus. Paba’s real name was William E. Bell, so most everyone else (including Mitsy whose real name was Mildred) called him Bill. Almost 80 years old, Paba was acutely hard of hearing, so Mitsy had developed the habit of beckoning him from his workshop whenever she needed him (which was often) by loudly calling “Bi-ll, Bi-ll, Bi-ll,” dividing his name into two sing-song syllables until he finally responded, a process that could sometimes take a while. Of course, Rocky picked up on this too and was soon calling out “Bi-ll, Bi-ll, Bi-ll,” to the amusement and delight of my grandparents. Such is the back-story that leads us to the near tragic climax of this tale. One dark and gloomy Saturday, when I had stepped out and left my two pups snoozing on the living room carpet, Dan dropped off Rocky. And although Dan usually confined the parrot to his cage, this morning he allowed the gabby Amazon to take a perch on top of it. My brother did not sense that in giving the parrot his freedom in the immediate vicinity of two bird dogs, he was mixing elements potentially as volatile as a leaky gas pipe and a lighted match. My unsuspecting grandmother was about to be engulfed by the ensuing combustion. At the precise moment that Mitsy strolled by Rocky’s cage in the living room, a boisterous diesel truck suddenly rumbled past the house. Startled, Rocky launched himself from the top of his cage, and, despite his clipped wings, managed to land smack-dab on the top of my grandmother’s head. He immediately dug his talons into her bun of silver hair, frantically flapping his wings, battering her face and temples while trying desperately to maintain his balance. At the same moment, my two dogs, witnessing Rocky’s brazen attack, instinctively rushed to my grandmother’s defense. They began to leap and jump up on her, trying to reach the feathered perpetrator of this bold assault. “Ruff, ruff, ruff,” they barked with every leap and bound. My besieged grandmother, caught in the vortex of the maelstrom, vainly attempted to fend off the parrot, now wildly flapping around on her head like a crown of frantic feathers. At the same time, my two well-meaning spaniels kept springing up at Rocky, perched tantalizingly just beyond their reach, while bouncing and ricocheting off Mitsy’s torso at every turn. She called desperately for my grandfather, who was somewhere else in the house, to come to her aid. “Bi-ll, Bi-ll, Bi-ll,” she cried, “Bi-ll!” The garrulous Rocky, of course, did not keep silent during his dangerous death-defying dilemma, and immediately enunciated his own mimicking medley of “Ruff, ruff, ruff,” accompanied by raucous screams of “Bi-ll, Bi-ll, Bi-ll,” that mirrored Mitsy’s imploring appeals. When the cacophonous crescendo reached my grandfather’s ears, Paba, who happened to be in the kitchen, preoccupied with making a sandwich at the time, smiled to himself, shook his head knowingly, and simply mused, “That crazy parrot!” Turns out that this story, as related to me by my grandparents themselves, was totally true. Against all odds, Paba heroically came to the rescue of his beloved Mitsy and to the relief of everyone, including yours truly, all parties involved, furred, feathered, and otherwise, thankfully survived unharmed and unscathed. Those events took place almost half a century ago. Today my grandparents are gone. Rocky the parrot is gone. Raina and Jesse are gone. The wild pheasants are gone. Those expansive fields and meadows where the pheasants once roamed are gone – displaced by cluttered housing developments. And now even the little house itself is gone – along with the room where it happened. Only the memories of those halcyon days are still alive, and for me at least, that will have to be enough. – Tom Tatum is the outdoors columnist/editor for MediaNews Group. You can reach him at tatumt2@yahoo.com.

Even with technology taking over much of our day-to-day lives, board games still offer quality entertainment that can’t be beaten. Of course, the popular board games of today are a far cry from the games your parents grew up playing. Board games are perfect for encouraging your family to work together or for bringing your group of friends around the table for an evening. If you’d like to start up a weekly game night, let this helpful list of the most popular board games be your guide. Utter Nonsense Ages 8+ This game will have every player rolling in stitches with each ridiculous phrase that’s uttered. Combine crazy accents and hilarious phrases to impress the Nonsense Judge and win the round. The player with the highest number of wins ultimately wins the game, but the true fun of this card game is listening to your fellow players trying to say some of the most entertaining phrases of all time. This game is perfect for game nights or parties. Speak Out Ages 8+ This hilarious game is perfect if you have teenagers or are hosting a party with all adults. To play, you insert a mouthpiece that alters the sound of your speech, making every word sound silly. Set the timer and read one of the phrases on the cards and try to help your teammate guess what you’re saying. Speak Out easily provides hours of fun that even grandparents will love. Escape Room in a Box Ages 13+ What’s the next best thing to trying to break out of a room? Escape Room in a Box, of course. This thrilling, immersive game involves solving 2D and 3D puzzles in order to prevent a mad scientist from turning you and your friends or family into werewolves. Work together to escape your fate and use Amazon Alexa to enhance the experience. Codenames Ages 14+ This fun strategy game is perfect for anyone with teenagers. Form two teams and select a spymaster on each team. Using clues, spymasters try to help their teammates find all 25 of the agents they’re in contact with, hopefully without selecting the other team’s agents or running into the deadly assassin. This innovative game offers a challenging and rewarding time working together. ​​​​​​​Harry Potter Clue Ages 9+ Excite your kids on game night with this modern twist on a classic. Play as six recognizable Hogwarts characters — Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Ginny or Neville — to solve the mystery behind a fellow student’s disappearance. It’s up to you to figure out who attacked the student, what bewitching spell they used and where it occurred. Watch out for the Dark Mark, moving staircases and secret passages as you travel along in this magical family game. ​​​​​​​Pandemic Ages 8+ If you’ve ever wanted to save humanity from a deadly outbreak, you’ll love spending an hour playing Pandemic. You and your teammates must fight to contain four deadly diseases threatening the human race. Players must learn to work with their teammates to control outbreak hotspots and treat diseases. Win the game by curing all diseases without wiping out humanity first. ​​​​​​​ Catan Ages 10+ This tactical 60-minute game will push your imagination to its limits as you embark on a journey across Catan. Acquire crucial resources as you travel, build roads, buildings, and cities, and be wary of the ruthless robber and other players halting you on your own road. Through careful trading and clever decisions, you can lead your travelers to victory in this role-playing game of limitless possibilities. Play again and again. Every game is different. Ticket to Ride Ages 8+ Train lovers will enjoy this innovative board game which has won numerous awards. This cross-country train adventure game mimics the concept of traveling around the world in 80 days. Collect train cars and claim railways across the country. Players earn the most points by establishing long train routes and connecting distant cities. Each game takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes to complete, and every adventure is different. ​​​​​​​5 Second Rule Ages 10+ This quick-paced game gives each player five seconds to name items on a certain topic. Although the topics are objectively easy —“Name 3 Mountains,” “Name 3 Types of Hats” or “Name 3 Super Heroes,” the pressure of the time crunch is likely to put you on edge. Race the clock and remain composed to win this game. You can even make up your own topics if you prefer. Half the fun is just hearing what other people blurt out, whether it’s relevant to the topic or not. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’

Fire Chief Peter Siebert retiring after eight years at helm of Lake Forest Fire DepartmentKABUL (AFP): When Zainab Ferozi saw Afghan women struggling to feed their families after Taliban authorities took power, she took matters into her own hands and poured her savings into starting a business. Two-and-a-half years after putting 20,000 Afghanis ($300) earned from teaching sewing classes into a carpet weaving enterprise, she now employs around a dozen women who lost their jobs or who had to abandon their education due to Taliban government rules. Through her business in the western province of Herat, the 39-year-old also “covers all the household expenses” of her family of six, she told AFP from her office where samples of brightly coloured and exquisitely woven rugs and bags are displayed. Her husband, a labourer, cannot find work in one of the poorest countries in the world. Ferozi is one of many women who have launched small businesses in the past three years to meet their own needs and support other Afghan women, whose employment sharply declined after the Taliban took power in 2021. Before the Taliban takeover, women made up 26 percent of public sector workers, a figure that “has effectively decreased to zero”, according to UN Women. Girls and women have also been banned from secondary schools and universities under restrictions the UN has described as “gender apartheid”. Touba Zahid, a 28-year-old mother-of-one, started making jams and pickles in the small basement of her home in the capital Kabul after she was forced to stop her university education. “I came into the world of business... to create job opportunities for women so they can have an income that at least covers their immediate needs,” Zahid said. Half a dozen of her employees, wearing long white coats, were busy jarring jams and pickles labelled “Mom’s delicious homecooking”. Growing number of businesses While women may be making the stock, running the shops in Afghanistan remains mostly a man’s job. Saleswomen like Zahid “cannot go to the bazaar to promote and sell their products” themselves, said Fariba Noori, chairwoman of the Afghanistan Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI). Another issue for Afghan businesswomen is the need for a “mahram” — a male family member chaperone — to accompany them to other cities or provinces to purchase raw materials, said Noori. After 40 years of successive conflicts, many Afghan women have been widowed and lost many male relatives. Despite these challenges, the number of businesses registered with AWCCI has increased since the Taliban takeover, according to Noori. The number went “from 600 big companies to 10,000” mainly small, home-based businesses and a few bigger companies, said Noori, herself a businesswoman for 12 years. “I am proud of every woman who is giving a hand to another woman to help her become independent,” said the 26-year-old. Though businesses like Mohammadi’s are a lifeline, the salaries ranging from 5,000 to 13,000 Afghanis, cannot cover all costs and many women are still stalked by economic hardship. Qamar Qasimi, who lost her job as a beautician after the Taliban authorities banned beauty salons in 2023, said that even with her salary she and her husband struggle to pay rent and feed their family of eight. “When I worked in the beauty salon, we could earn 3,000-7,000 Afghanis for styling one bride, but here we get 5,000 per month,” said the 24-year-old. “It’s not comparable but I have no other choice,” she added, the room around her full of women chatting as they worked at 30 looms. Women-only spaces The closure of beauty salons was not only a financial blow, but also removed key spaces for women to socialise. Zohra Gonish decided to open a restaurant to create a women-only space in northeastern Badakhshan province. “Women can come here and relax,” said the 20-year-old entrepreneur. “We wanted the staff to be women so that the women customers can feel comfortable here.” But starting her business in 2022, aged 18 was not easy in a country where the labour force participation for women is 10 times lower than the world average, according to the World Bank. It took Gonish a week to convince her father to support her. Aside from helping their families and having space to socialise, some women said work has given them a sense of purpose. Sumaya Ahmadi, 15, joined Ferozi’s carpet company to help her parents after she had to leave school and became “very depressed”. “(Now) I’m very happy and I no longer have any mental health problems. I’m happier and I feel better.” The work has also given her a new goal: to help her two brothers build their futures. “Because schools’ doors are closed to girls, I work instead of my brothers so they can study and do something with their lives.”Matt Gaetz is now giving pep talks and holiday wishes on Cameo

Kobe Sanders tied a season high with 27 points as Nevada claimed fifth place in the Charleston Classic with a 90-78 victory over Oklahoma State Sunday afternoon in South Carolina. Sanders helped the Wolfpack (6-1) earn a second win following one-possession games against Vanderbilt and VCU. After hitting the decisive 3-pointer with five seconds left in Friday's 64-61 win over VCU, Sanders made 7 of 10 shots, hit three 3s and sank 10 of 13 free throws Sunday. Nick Davidson added 223 points as Nevada led by as many as 19 and shot 58.9 percent. Brandon Love contributed 11 on 5-of-5 shooting as the Wolfpack scored 46 points in the paint and scored at least 85 for the fourth time this season. Marchelus Avery led the Cowboys (4-2) with 15 points and Arturo Dean added 13. Robert Jennings and Abou Ousmane added 11 apiece but leading scorer Bryce Thompson was held to seven points on 1-of-9 shooting as Oklahoma State shot 42 percent and 73.2 percent (30-of-41) at the line. After Avery's 3 forged a 12-12 tie with 13:41 remaining, Nevada gradually gained separation. The Wolfpack took a 24-15 lead on Chuck Bailey's jumper in the paint with 8:28 left but the Cowboys inched back, getting within 33-31 on a dunk by Avery with 4:11 left. Another Bailey jumper staked Nevada to a 40-33 lead by halftime. Nevada began pulling away early in the second half as it scored eight in a row for a 52-40 lead on a basket by Love with 16:44 left. A 3 by Sanders opened a 62-43 lead with 14:06 remaining before Oklahoma State charged back. After Nevada made eight straight shots, the Cowboys countered with 11 straight points and trailed 62-54 with 11:19 left on a 3-pointer by Avery. Thompson made his first basket by sinking a jumper with 10:37 left to get Oklahoma State within 64-56 left, and Keller's triple cut the margin to 70-64 nearly three minutes later. The Cowboys were within 78-72 on a basket by Avery with 3:56 remaining, but he fouled out about a minute later and the Wolfpack outscored Oklahoma State 12-6 the rest of the way as Sanders sank five free throws. --Field Level MediaHouse approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors

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fb777 slot vip Oregon already secured its spot in the Big Ten championship game, but the top-ranked Ducks have plenty to play for in their regular-season finale. Revenge may be on Oregon's mind when the Ducks host longtime rival Washington on Saturday in Eugene, Ore. Oregon (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) would perhaps be closing in on its second straight College Football Playoff appearance had the Huskies (6-5, 4-4) not dealt the Ducks their only two losses last season. Washington edged Oregon 36-33 in Seattle last October, then slipped past the Ducks 34-31 in the Pac-12 title game to secure a playoff spot for the second time in school history. Both teams joined the Big Ten in August. Third-year Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is 33-5 leading the Ducks. But he remains winless against the Huskies (0-3). Oregon plots to sprint out of its late-season bye after using time to heal injuries, but Lanning doesn't believe the break should stall the flow of an undefeated season. "It's always about what we're able to do on the field. Motivation is overrated," Lanning said. "Our guys have to want to go out there and execute at a really high level. Since the beginning of the season we've talked about playing our best football at the end of November. We're there. This is our opportunity to go play our best football against a good team." The Ducks could have star wide receiver Tez Johnson back from a shoulder injury this week. Johnson has missed the past two games. That would be good news for quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who would regain the team's leader in receptions (64), receiving yards (649) and receiving touchdowns (eight). Washington, under first-year head coach Jedd Fisch, is 63-48-5 all-time against Oregon but is just 1-12-1 when facing the No. 1-ranked team in the country. The Huskies are led on offense by running back Jonah Coleman, who has racked up 1,008 yards and nine scores on the ground this season. Coleman averages 5.8 yards per carry and has 36 runs of at least 10 yards. In the passing game, wide receiver Denzel Boston is tied for the Big Ten lead with nine in touchdown catches and ranks sixth in the conference with 764 receiving yards. Whom Boston will be catching passes from is not yet known, however. Washington has not revealed whether Will Rogers or Demond Williams Jr. will start at quarterback. Rogers has started every game for the Huskies but was benched in favor of Williams two weeks ago after throwing a pair of interceptions in a 31-19 win over UCLA. Fisch said he has a "good idea" of how he will use his quarterbacks on Saturday, and while he wouldn't go as far as to name a starter, he did say Rogers responded well in practices last week. "On the same token, Demond's energy and Demond's confidence showed up. His ability to jump right in and feel really good about leading the group whenever it was his turn... he did a really nice job there as well," Fisch told Seattle Sports. "I think both guys responded well to the week of practice, and now, really, it's important for us that the guy we believe will start the game gets a significant amount of reps in practice week. But as you know, we're not afraid to play two quarterbacks." --Field Level MediaTwinkling lights dancing to the tune of holiday music can be found near and far this year. Festivities include new events such as themed nights at Miracle at Big Rock that will admit dogs and “Winter Woods” at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum that will feature a camp scene with glowing tents. And familiar favorites such as Glow Holiday Festival is back at CHS Field in St. Paul. Being that this is the season of giving, most light destinations and city tree lighting events are accepting nonperishable food items and new/unused toy donations. So, whether it’s a caroling session, tree lighting ceremony or a million-plus light production, each event is sure brighten your holiday spirit. Light events Glow Holiday Festival: An illuminated extravaganza with attractions that include the Enchanted Forest, Giant Snowy Slide, Penguin Playground, Santa’s Shed and sElfie Plaza. 5-9 p.m. select evenings through Jan. 5. $12.75-$21.75. CHS Field, 360 Broadway, St. Paul. glowholiday.com . Magic of Lights: Stay cozy and warm in your vehicle for this drive-through light display with holiday scenes and characters using LED technology and digital animations. 5:30-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu.; 5:30-10 p.m. Fri.-Sun through Jan. 5. $25-$75 per vehicle. 2685 Vikings Circle, Eagan. magicoflights.com . The Spirit of Winter: With the grapes hibernating for the winter, Sovereign Estate Winery has been transformed into an illuminated treasure. Stroll the grounds and enjoy attractions including a snow maze, boot hockey arena and Santa’s sleigh. 4-8 p.m. Sun., Tue.-Thu. & Dec. 23; 4-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat. through Dec. 29. $15, ages 5 and under free. 9950 North Shore Road, Waconia. sovereignestatewine.com . Winter Lights: The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is transformed into a woodland-themed wonderland of light displays inspired by nature. New this year is “Winter Woods,” a camp scene with glowing tents, campfires and a twinkling moose and deer. Runs through Jan. 5. $20. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska. arb.umn.edu . Sever’s: Holiday vignettes are along a half-mile display with more than 2.5 million lights. Wander through the Woods Walk, where trees come to life with light. 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 25. $10-$60 per vehicle. 3121 150th St. W., Shakopee. seversfestivals.com . Sam’s Christmas Village and Light Tour: It includes light displays and entertainment. For an enhanced experience, guests can reserve s’mores cabins for sweet treats and a toasty fire. There’s also a sledding hill, trading post and vendor market. Drive-through and walk-through nights through Jan. 1. $12-$25, ages 3 and under free. 710 Spring St., Somerset, Wis. samschristmasvillage.com . Miracle at Big Rock: There’s no shortage of attractions at this glowing event that has more than 25 million lights. Throughout the season enjoy carolers, story time with a princess, live reindeer, wagon rides and sledding and live entertainment. Fireworks pop off every Friday night and New Year’s Eve. Drive-through and walk-through nights through Jan. 4, see schedule for times. $15-$30. 1674 WI-87, St. Croix Falls, Wis. miracleatbigrock.com . Minneapolis Holidazzle: The event includes light displays, pop-up markets and entertainment. Each night will have performances, visits with Santa and roller skating. Free. 4-9 p.m. Dec. 18-20; noon-9 p.m. Dec. 21; noon-6 p.m. Dec. 22. Nicollet Mall between 6th and 11th streets. holidazzle.com . Illuminate Isanti: Walk through this outdoor holiday light wonderland. Weekends feature vendors and food trucks and Santa makes an appearance Saturdays before Christmas. 5-10 p.m. through Dec. 1-31. Free. Bluebird Park, 201 Isanti Pkwy., Isanti, Minn. cityofisanti.us . Municipal tree lightings Afton: Afton Village Holiday begins with the tree lighting Dec. 6, then continues through the weekend with a Christmas market, crafts, workshops, cookie decorating and more. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 6; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 7; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 8. Downtown Afton. exploreafton.com . Albertville: Sponsored by the Albertville Lions, this holiday tree lighting includes warm beverages and horse-drawn wagon rides. 2-6 p.m. Dec. 1. Central Park, 5801 Main Av. NE., Albertville, Minn. albertvillelions.com . Anoka: Horse-drawn trolley rides, bonfires, music and countdown to lighting of the tree. 3-7 p.m. Dec. 7. Anoka City Hall Plaza-2015 2nd Av. N., Anoka. anokachamber.com . Blaine: Mayor Timothy Sanders will flip the switch for this tree lighting and there will be holiday music and s’mores by the fire. 4-6:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Tom Ryan Park, 10802 Town Square Drive NE., Blaine. blainemn.gov . Buffalo: The city’s Deck the Halls event will have reindeer, hot chocolate and visits with Santa. 3-5 p.m. Dec. 7. Sturges Park, 505 2nd Av. S., Buffalo, Minn. buffalochamber.org . Champlin: “Christmas at the Crossings” will have a performance from the Champlin Park High School Choir and complimentary cocoa. 4-7 p.m. Dec. 6. Mississippi Crossings, 307 East River Pkwy., Champlin. ci.champlin.mn.us . Chanhassen: Due to construction of the new civic campus this year’s tree lighting will be at a new location. In addition, enjoy treats and meet Santa and his reindeer. Nonperishable food items will be collected for Bountiful Basket Food Shelf. 5 p.m. Dec. 7. City Center Park, 7700 Market Blvd., Chanhassen. chanhassenmn.gov . Chaska: Santa visits and guests can stay cozy by a bonfire and make s’mores. 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Firemen’s Park, 3210 Chaska Blvd., Chaska. chaskamn.gov . Coon Rapids: Fireworks, live music, fire pits and kids’ activities are part of the tree-lighting festival. 3:30-6 p.m. Dec. 14. Boulevard Plaza, 11002 Crooked Lake Blvd., Coon Rapids. coonrapids.gov . Eagan: The tree-lighting itinerary includes a speech by Mayor Mike Maguire along with luminaria walk, bonfire, s’mores and vendor gift expo. 4:30-7 p.m. Dec. 3. Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy., Eagan. cityofeagan.com . Edina: View the holiday retail window contest and vote for your favorites at Light Up the Night. Enjoy sleigh rides, carolers and cookies and cocoa with Santa. 3-6 p.m. Nov. 30. 50th and France, Edina. 50thandfrance.com . Forest Lake: Support the community by shopping from local craft and food vendors. Kids can cuddle with animals at a petting zoo and enjoy performances. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Lakeside Memorial Park, 95 E. Broadway, Forest Lake. facebook.com . Ham Lake: This year marks the first tree-lighting for this suburb and it will feature holiday music and a toy collection for Toys for Joy. The second day of the Hometown Holiday event features family entertainment visits with Santa, holiday movies and crafts. Tree lighting: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Ham Lake Lions Park, 1220 157th Av. NE.; Hometown Holiday Event: 3-6 p.m. Dec. 7. Crosstown Mall, 17565 Central Av. NE., Ham Lake. hamlakeareacc.org . Hastings: Holiday Hoopla supports local businesses and features Breakfast With Santa, stocking stuffing, ornament making and craft and vendor fair. 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Nov. 30. hastingsdba.com . Hopkins: Participate in activities, crafts and park lighting at Light Up the Commons. 4:45-6 p.m. Dec. 7. 12590 Ridgedale Drive, Hopkins. facebook.com . Hugo: At Santa’s party, activity bags will be given to the first 50 kids. 5-7 p.m. Dec. 4. Lions Volunteer Park, 5524 Upper 146th St. N., Hugo. ci.hugo.mn.us . Inver Grove Heights: A tree-lighting ceremony will kick off Holidays in the Heights. 6 p.m. Dec. 6. Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights. ighmn.gov . Lake Elmo: At Light Up Lake Elmo, family activities like cookie decorating and a scavenger hunt will lead up to the tree-lighting ceremony. 3-5 p.m. Dec. 7. Downtown Lake Elmo. connectlakeelmo.org . Minnetrista: New this year at the holiday tree-lighting is a fireworks show. See decorated fire trucks and sip on warm cider or cocoa. 5-7:15 p.m. Dec. 5. City Hall, Minnetrista. cityofminnetrista.com . North Loop: Santa and his elves will be present at the third annual tree-lighting on the Nordic Plaza and so will free food, beverages and prizes. 5-7 p.m. Dec. 10. 729 Washington Av. N., Mpls. northloop.org . Osseo: “MiniDazzle” starts with an illuminated parade through downtown Osseo and culminates with the tree-lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa in Boerboom Veterans Park. 6 p.m. Dec. 6. 416 Central Av., Osseo. discoverosseo.com . Prior Lake: A tree-lighting kicks off “Decembrrr Dazzle” with fireworks and caroling. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 6. Lakefront Park, 5000 Kop Pwy. SE., Piror Lake. priorlakemn.gov . Ramsey: Festivities include holiday-themed crafts, cookies and photos with Santa. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 3. Ramsey Municipal Center, 7550 Sunwood Drive NW., Ramsey. ci.ramsey.mn.us . Robbinsdale: The Chamber of Commerce and Robbinsdale Ambassadors offer carols and treats at the annual tree-lighting. 6 p.m. Dec. 3. Robbinsdale City Hall, 4100 Lakeview Av. N., Robbinsdale. robbinsdalemn.com . Rogers: The tree-lighting ceremony includes caroling, cookies and themed activities. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6. 21st Century Bank Event Center, 12716 Main St., Rogers. rogersmn.gov . St. Michael: Winterfest hosts family activities including a snowman hunt, Elf Hut Mini Putt, Santa’s Sleigh Relay and more. 2-5 p.m. Dec. 7. Town Center Park, 11800 Town Center Drive NE., St. Michael. shopstma.com . Savage: Mayor Janet Williams and city officials will preside over the countdown of the tree-lighting ceremony. There also will be a bonfire and holiday music. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5. City Hall, 6000 McColl Drive, Savage. cityofsavage.com . Shakopee: The holiday fest will feature the tree-lighting, vendor market, photos with Santa and fireworks. 2-5 p.m. Dec. 7. 1st Av. E., downtown Shakopee. shakopee.org . Stillwater: At the Twinkle party, attendees will receive twinkle lights. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive before the tree-lighting ceremony. 4 p.m. Dec. 7. 100 Main St., Stillwater. greaterstillwaterchamber.com . Union Depot: The 2025 St. Paul Winter Carnival button will be revealed at the tree-lighting celebration along with a holiday performance and screening of “Elf.” 5-9 p.m. Dec. 7. 214 E. 4th St., St. Paul. uniondepot.org . Waconia: Santa arrives to light up the tree. There also will be caroling with holiday characters and festively dressed llamas. 6 p.m. Fri. City Square Park, 52 S. Pine St., Waconia. destinationwaconia.org . Watertown: Christmas music and greetings from Santa will welcome attendees before the tree is lit. 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7. City Center Park, Watertown. watertownareachamber.com . Wayzata: Take photos with reindeer, write your letter to Santa and participate in a candy hunt at the Light up the Lake celebration. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Fri.. Panoway Plaza, Wayzata. wayzatachamber.com . Wyoming: A lighting of the holiday trees, light displays and refreshments are all part of the event. 4:30-6 p.m. Dec. 7. Railroad Park, 26755 Faxton Av., Wyoming, Minn., wyomingmn.org . Greater Minnesota Baxter: The Brainerd Area Sertoma Club’s light display is in its 18th year and includes a drive-through tour of more than 80 animated displays. 5:30-8 p.m. Thu.-Sat. through Dec. 31; nightly Dec. 24-31. $15-$20 per vehicle. Sertoma Winter Wonderland, Northland Arboretum, 14250 Conservation Drive, Baxter, Minn. brainerdnoonsertoma.org . Byron: ZooDazzle lights up Zollman Zoo for an evening of treats and activities. According to elf rumors, Santa might make an appearance. 4-8 p.m. Dec. 13-14. Free. Zollman Zoo, 5731 County Road 105 NW., Byron, Minn. friendsofoxbow.org . Duluth: The Bentleyville Tour of Lights is a free walk-through light show. 5-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu.; 5-10 Fri.-Sat. through Dec. 28. $10 parking. 700 Railroad St., Duluth. bentleyvilleusa.org . Zoo Lights at Lake Superior Zoo is the annual after-hours event with giant animal inflatables and holiday-themed lights and photo opportunities. Visitors can also visit with Santa, eat free s’mores and buy fun light-up items at the gift shop. 5-7:30 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, Dec. 6-21. $10, ages 2 and under free. 7210 Fremont St., Duluth. lszoo.org . Mankato: The Kiwanis annual holiday lights production gives spectators the option of driving or walking through the illuminated displays and scenes. 5-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu.; 5-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. through Dec. 31. Free. Sibley Park, Mankato, 900 Mound Av., Mankato. kiwanisholidaylights.com . Scandia: Vinterlights at the Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia at the community center along with fire pits, cookies and hot chocolate. 5 p.m. Dec. 1. Free. 20880 Olinda Trail N., Scandia, Minn. gammelgardenmuseum.org . Willmar: A benefit display produced by more than 1,200 volunteers using more than 800,000 lights is part of the “Celebrate the Light of the World.” Donations will benefit Kandiyohi County Food Shelf, Habitat for Humanity of West Central Minnesota, Salvation Army of Willmar and United Way of West Central Minnesota. 5-10 p.m. through Dec. 31. Admission by donation. Robbins Island Regional Park, 333 6th St. SW., Willmar, Minn. celebratethelight.net .

Jimmy Carter, former US president, dies at 100

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Carbon Fiber Market to Grow by USD 2.48 Billion (2024-2028) as Aerospace and Defense Adoption Rises, Report with AI-Powered Market Evolution - TechnavioIt looked like there was an episode of “Power Slap” taking place in the stands during the UCLA-USC football game on Saturday. In a video that made its way around social media , a female fan, who wore a UCLA bucket hat slapped a male fan while he was sitting in the stands at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.. The blonde woman stood over the man — who was wearing a red sweatshirt, a Trojans color — wound her arm back and struck him hard as fans nearby were visibly stunned by the incident. Warning: Adult Language “Woah woah woah, what the f–k,” someone can be heard yelling. “What the hell!” The woman caught herself after the force of her haymaker caused her to stumble. The man in the red sweatshirt was seen touching his face to assess any damage before looked up at the woman and raised his hands in the air. Fans nearby looked on while the woman took a few steps back while staring down the man. It is unclear if the two knew each other or what sparked the vicious scene. The fans have yet to be identified. It is also unclear if stadium security or authorities intervened. Despite the ongoings in the stands, the Trojans rallied back to defeat the rival Bruins 19-13 and became bowl-eligible. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava passed for 221 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown to Ja’Kobi Lane in the fourth quarter.

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Aidan Bouman threw a go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter and Quaron Adams followed with a 70-yard touchdown on a reverse as No. 4 seed South Dakota pulled away late to beat 13th-seeded Tarleton State 42-31 on Saturday in the second round of the FCS playoffs. South Dakota will host the winner of Saturday’s matchup between No. 5 seed UC Davis and 12th-seeded Illinois State in the third round. The Coyotes (10-2) trailed by seven points four times until Bouman connected with Keyondray Jones-Logan for a 12-yard touchdown and a 35-31 lead with 9:36 left to play. Tim White intercepted a Victor Gabalis pass, giving South Dakota the ball at its own 15-yard line. Adams, a sophomore receiver, raced to the end zone three plays later for his first career rushing touchdown and the Texans (10-4) never recovered in their first trip to the postseason. Gabalis threw three first-half touchdown passes, giving Tarleton State leads of 7-0, 14-7 and 21-14 at halftime. Travis Theis had two short touchdown runs in the first half to pull the Coyotes even and his 2-yard scoring run 51 seconds into the fourth quarter tied it at 28. Tarleton State took its last lead on a 23-yard field goal by Corbin Poston with 11:23 left to play. Bouman completed 18 of 22 passes for 213 yards and also had a 5-yard scoring toss to Jones-Logan off a deflected pass that stood up to a video review and tied the game at 21. Theis carried 25 times for 130 yards. Gabalis totaled 379 yards on 23-for-31 passing with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Darius Cooper caught nine passes for 161 yards and three scores. Cody Jackson had the other touchdown reception. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: andNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the monthly jobs report , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs , including for goods coming from China . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris , where the government is battling over the budget. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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GUY RITCHIE rewound 24 years to a real-life Snatch this week after thieves targeted his new big-budget set. The British director was working in London on his Paramount+ project The Associate, starring Tom Hardy , Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan . Insiders told me all hell broke out on the Isle of Dogs when two men in a Toyota Prius swooped after spotting camera equipment in the street. My mole explained: “Guy had shut roads for the shoot and the production was teeming with security and crew. “Out of nowhere, two blokes arrived in a Prius and started asking for directions. “Their questions distracted people and at that moment, the other bloke jumped out and grabbed a bag of camera equipment that was on the side of the road. READ MORE ON GUY RITCHIE “He jumped back in the car and they sped off. The security guards started going bananas because they’d basically been robbed in broad daylight. “It was pretty embarrassing and a costly mistake. The kit on those films isn’t cheap.” Plans for Guy’s new show were first revealed this year, with the Lock Stock director signing up Tom, Helen and Pierce to star in it. The series will focus on a set of elite London “fixers”, basically gangsters, and wheeler-dealer businesses they run. Most read in Bizarre Guy, who directed the 2000 crime comedy Snatch, will be counting on the show to be a hit — and given the success of his Netflix series The Gentlemen, I’ve got high hopes. The series was watched more than 45million times in the first month and now a second season is in the works, with characters Eddie Horniman and Susie Glass getting another run out. As long as Guy tightens up his security from now on, hopefully the dramas will only be on screen. Lippy birthday to Hailey HAILEY BIEBER lounges around for a photoshoot as she celebrates her first birthday since becoming a mum. She turns 28 today and posed in a series of pictures for her cosmetics brand Rhode Skin. Hailey, who had son Jack Blues with husband Justin Bieber at the end of August, said: “I love launching something special at Rhode every year for my birthday.” The model, who did her make-up while lying on the sofa in her pants in one of the pictures, has had a whole week of birthday treats already. At the weekend she went to see Sabrina Carpenter in concert and then on Wednesday went out for dinner with one of her mates. Many happy returns, Hailey. Cher keeps movieing SHE might be two years away from 80, but Cher is already lining up her next film role. The singer, who last appeared in 2018’s Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, made the revelation during a talk in New York while promoting her new memoir. She said: “Francis Ford Coppola sent me an email the other day. “He wants us to do a movie that we talked about 20 years ago. He got me into movies. He once said to me when I was at Vegas, ‘Why are you not doing movies?’. “Singing and dancing is like having a party at someone’s house. Acting is like having a party at your house and one is more fun.” But Francis needs to get in fast, as Oscar-winner Cher is already batting off deals to turn her two-part memoir – the first of which came out this week – into a biopic. She added: “It could make a good movie. It could be like an eight or nine-parter. “That is true. I have not read the book as I wrote it. I thought, ‘Well, if I wrote it, I don’t have to read it’. “I have another book that is coming out next Christmas . I guess I will read it when I am old.” I hope I have this attitude when I’m 78. Shabby chic at awards SHABOOZEY has had a pretty good year after a global hit single, collaborating with Beyonce and being nominated for five Grammy Awards The man behind A Bar Song (Tipsy) wore a natty green suit with embroidered detail as he toasted his achievements at the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville on Wednesday – although he left empty handed. Despite being nominated for New Artist and Single of the Year, Shaboozey was beaten on both fronts. At least he had an excuse to wear the suit. James in ode to his ADHD JAMES ARTHUR revealed he has ADHD – and has written a song named after the disorder which affects attention span and self-control. The singer, below, said of the tune, out today: “It is about being loved in the way you want to be loved. “When you experience that, it’s something truly special, especially if you tend to be self-deprecating or have trouble receiving love due to issues or conditions that others might not understand. ADHD is one of those conditions – but when someone accepts you for all your flaws, it can feel like your dreams are a reality.” Other new releases include Tiny Habit’s Lizzy McAlpine collaboration For Sale Sign, Ashaine White's I Sing To Myself and Rose's Number One Girl. South London choir Libera have released their album Dream and will go up against new records from Joan Armatrading and Michael Kiwunaka. Bastille have dropped a video for track Eve & Paradise Lost, featuring Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley. Poppy's bud POPPY AJUDHA hit it off with Raye years before they became famous – and the singer-songwriter is now keen to link up in the studio. She has known the six-time Brits winner for years and reckons her fellow soul performer is an inspiration. Poppy, whose eponymous second album, is out today, said in an exclusive chat: “I’ve known Raye for a long time. She’s become so huge as an artist. She’s so incredible. I’ve never written with her but would love to. “Raye would be a huge inspiration for the way she does her live show, and to play with orchestras.” She added: “I think I’ve gained so many skills making this album. Now I want to take those skills and make something even bigger and better.” She said the album is “uplifting” and the result of her being a “meticulous control freak”. But it was clearly enjoyable because she is raring to make more music. Poppy explained: “Being in the studio is my favourite part of being an artist. I’m really missing it at the moment. I’m planning to go to LA in January to write my next album. “Songwriting is what makes me feel like a human with purpose in the world.” MUSICIAN and TikTok star Addison Rae has ruled herself out of playing Britney Spears in the singer’s biopic – and says others should avoid it too. She told iHeartRadio: “I honestly don’t think anyone deserves to play her. She’s such an enigma and icon. “I don’t even think it’s right to compare me to her at all. “I support anything and everything Britney Spears ever wants to do in her life and career, and I think she’ll have the best opinion on who she thinks that should be.” DANCE duo Sigma will headline the Casa Bacardi night at Boxpark Croydon, tomorrow. The South London venue is being transformed into a club space with a huge lighting rig. Meanwhile, Boxpark Wembley in North West London will host A Very Noughties Christmas on December 14 featuring Lemar, Blazin’ Squad, Big Brovaz and Booty Luv. BILLIE EILISH has been named Apple Music’s Artist of the Year after her third album Hit Me Hard And Soft. READ MORE SUN STORIES It soared to No1 on the streaming site’s album charts in 138 countries and she later teamed up with Charli XCX for a hit reworking of the British singer’s song Guess. Billie said: “Since day one, Apple Music has supported my music and artistry, and I am both honoured and ­humbled to receive this recognition.”

Melinda French Gates is offering to match up to $1 million in gifts to two nonprofit organizations to help spur donations on GivingTuesday, which has become a major annual fundraising day for nonprofits. For more than a decade, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, charitable organizations have asked for donations or other support from their networks. “It’s a great time to remind people that we’re better off when we give something back and we all have something to give back,” said French Gates in an interview, speaking about her enthusiasm for GivingTuesday. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was an early supporter of GivingTuesday, which started as a hashtag and a project at the 92nd Street Y in New York and has since become its own organization. Last year, donors gave an estimated $3.1 billion on GivingTuesday, but the overall number of people who participated declined. Asha Curran, CEO of the nonprofit GivingTuesday, who calculated that estimate, said matches like French Gates' help catalyze people to give. “We really share a commitment to the idea also that philanthropy is not just in the hands of the ultra wealthy," she said. "That it really takes everyone to contribute to a healthy society through generosity.” Una Osili, associate dean at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, says that even if fewer households are giving, donations may be holding steady because those who donate are giving more. “The optimist in me would certainly say there are lots of reasons to think that giving will at least hold steady," Osili said. "But what we’ve seen in the past few years is that inflation especially, even though it’s moderated, is a concern for many everyday households.” French Gates, through her organization Pivotal, plans to match up to $500,000 in donations to two organizations — Vote Mama Foundation, which supports mothers running for political office, and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, which advocates for people caring for others. The organizations have 10 days to raise the funds and will direct donors to give through the nonprofit crowdfunding platform Every.org, which will track the donations that will be matched. “This was Melinda. This was a complete surprise to us,” said Liuba Grechen Shirley, founder and CEO of Vote Mama Foundation. Her organization wants to make it easier for mothers to hold political office, from local school boards to the Senate. She founded the organization after running for Congress in 2018 when she successfully petitioned the Federal Election Commission to use campaign funds to pay for childcare. Now, all federal candidates can pay for childcare with campaign funds and many states have passed similar laws. “It’s used by men. It’s used by women. It’s used by moms and dads and Democrats and Republicans,” Grechen Shirley said. “But the majority of funds are used by women, and a majority of those funds are used by women of color. So it really does have the ability to transform the political landscape.” Through her giving and advocacy, French Gates has championed paid family leave, support for caregivers and making child care less expensive. She endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race but said that Harris' defeat won't stop her from continuing her work. The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers is one of the first organizations to speak out about the work of caregiving, French Gates said. Paurvi Bhatt, who leads the institute, said French Gates had a long and cherished relationship with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away last year. “It is based on a hand-in-glove relationship we’ve had for a number of years,” Bhatt said of the matching gift. This public match on GivingTuesday is the latest commitment French Gates has made since stepping down from the Gates Foundation in May. (French Gates and Bill Gates, her ex-husband and the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, announced their divorce in 2021.) She pledged $1 billion to support women and families over two years. That included $250 million to support improving women's health globally and she gave 12 leaders each $20 million to distribute to nonprofit organizations of their choice before the end of 2026. “The reason I’ve come out so strongly saying, ‘This is what I am doing next,’ is because I wanted people to know I’m not going away,” said French Gates. “My values are still here. And this work around ‘How do we make a more equitable society?’ There is so much work to be done in the United States.”Peering Into Hologic's Recent Short InterestAston Villa denied last-gasp winner in Juventus stalemateBEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and that government forces had withdrawn from the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The capture of Homs is a major victory for insurgents, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said Homs falling into rebel hands would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.

When Elon Musk posts to X, his 206 million followers, powerful people including President-elect Donald Trump , and the stock market listen. To date, Musk has posted more than 60,000 times on X, the social media network formerly known as Twitter that he purchased in 2022. For years after Musk joined the platform in 2009, he mainly tweeted memes, jokes, and occasionally about his array of companies . Now, he posts on X daily about politics, the media, and the corporate landscape. As the social media company's CEO, the richest person in the world , and a member of Trump's next administration, even Musk's passing thoughts on X are taken seriously. When he joked about buying the news outlet MSNBC, it prompted a widespread fake claim that one of the network's hosts cried on air in response, even though the company isn't actually for sale. Although it may take Musk only a few seconds to craft his posts on X, they have had real influence over what trends online and the price of assets. Here is a look at the times Musk's words have had immediate impact: More: Supreme Court rejects Elon Musk's appeal in SEC fight over what he can post on X Holiday deals: Shop this season’s top products and sales curated by our editors. Defense companies' stock falls after F-35 criticism In a series of posts last weekend, Musk ridiculed F-35 fighter jets on X. He shared a video of drone swarms with the caption, "Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35." Stock prices for American defense contractors, who help manufacture the jets, quickly responded. Lockheed Martin stock declined 3.75% and Northrop Grumman stock fell 2.3%, setting four-month lows for the companies, according to Investor's Business Daily . Dogecoin soars after new department memes After Trump announced Musk would co-lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, the valuation of a cryptocurrency by a similar name soared. Musk hyped up Dogecoin, a meme cryptocurrency often associated with the tech billionaire, on X in the hours surrounding Trump's statement . He posted AI-generated images and memes including the coin's Shiba Inu dog mascot . Five hours before Trump's 6 AM announcement, Dogecoin's market capitalization was nearly $53 billion. CoinMarketCap reported that number rose to $62.8 billion by 10 a.m. the same day. As of this Wednesday afternoon, Dogecoin's market capitalization was sitting at about $59 billion. Tesla stock has long fluctuated based on Musk The Security and Exchange Commission is likely still keeping an eye on Musk's activity on X years after it told him he needs to be more careful about what he posts regarding Tesla, his electric vehicle company. The commission first went after Musk in 2018 when he posted that he was "considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured." At the time, the SEC called his posts that boosted Tesla's stock price "false and misleading." Musk settled with the SEC, agreeing to pay a $20 million fine, step down as chairman, and agree to get a lawyer's approval before posting about Tesla. However, Musk continued to post about the company. When he posted in 2020 that he thought Tesla's stock price was too high, it closed 10% lower than the day prior, landing him in more hot water with the SEC. Etsy shares jump after four words On a Tuesday morning in January 2021, Musk was likely scrolling Etsy. "I kinda love Etsy," he wrote in a post that received 280,000 likes. His four-word comment powered a temporary 8% stock surge for the e-commerce company known for selling vintage and handmade goods. Crypto rise after #bitcoin in bio In the early hours of a Friday morning in 2021, Musk added #bitcoin to his then-Twitter bio on the social platform and posted the message, "In retrospect, it was inevitable." The cryptocurrency Bitcoin soared nearly 20% in response after being relatively stable. The surge inspired a rise in Dogecoin's share price at the time as well, according to CNBC . Reach Rachel Barber at rbarber@usatoday.com and follow her on X @rachelbarber_Flood-hit residents and businesses ‘lose everything’ after Storm Bert havoc

On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here . ___ Recommended Videos Getting benched may have been the best thing that happened to Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson. Both second-year quarterbacks are playing well since returning to the starting lineup. Young has steadily improved after coming back in Week 8. He’s displayed the skills that earned him a Heisman Trophy at Alabama and convinced the Carolina Panthers to draft him ahead of C.J. Stroud with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023. Young had his best game on Sunday, nearly leading Carolina to an overtime win over Tampa Bay if it weren’t for Chuba Hubbard’s fumble in field-goal range. He threw for 298 yards and a go-ahead touchdown pass in the final minute of a 26-23 loss . Young almost led the Panthers to a win over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs a week earlier only to see Patrick Mahomes drive Kansas City into position for a winning field goal as time expired. Rookie coach Dave Canales benched Young for veteran Andy Dalton after just two games in which he had a 44.1 passer rating. The 23-year-old has completed 60.4% of his passes for 1,062 yards, six TDs and three interceptions — none in the past three games — while going 2-3 in the five starts since Young got another opportunity to lead the Panthers (3-9). Richardson has led Indianapolis to a pair of comeback wins late in the fourth quarter in three starts after he regained his starting job. The Colts (6-7) selected Richardson No. 4 last year and he started just 10 games before coach Shane Steichen benched him for Joe Flacco in Week 9. Richardson completed only 44.4% of his passes with four TDs and seven picks in his first six starts. He’s improved to 52.4% with three TDs and two picks since coming back. The 22-year-old tossed a 3-yard TD pass to Alec Pierce on fourth-and-goal with 12 seconds remaining and then ran in for a 2-point conversion to lift the Colts to a 25-24 win over New England on Sunday. Young and Richardson both have a long way to go to prove they can be franchise quarterbacks. But there’s far more optimism now that they’re not busts. Young is on his third head coach and second offensive coordinator in two seasons. Canales is known for getting the best out of quarterbacks, helping Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield revive their careers. He made a bold decision to bench Young after just two games but that allowed him to watch, grow and learn without the pressure of having to perform. Now it appears Young might have a future in Carolina when that seemed unlikely in September. Richardson just needs more experience. He threw only 393 passes in college and started four games as a rookie before he was injured. Steichen’s decision to bench him for Flacco didn’t work out. Flacco, who was the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year last year after leading Cleveland to the playoffs by going 4-1 in five starts, struggled in two games. Still, that gave Richardson a chance to reset after tapping out for a play in the game before he was benched. Quarterbacks need time to develop. They can’t be judged fairly after one or two seasons, especially when they were high draft picks who joined bad teams that lacked talent. Clock management blunders Matt Eberflus lost his job as Chicago’s head coach a day after he watched the offense run out of time with a timeout in hand, missing an opportunity to push Detroit to overtime on Thanksgiving. But Antonio Pierce made an even worse decision on Black Friday that cost the Raiders a chance to beat the Chiefs. Aidan O’Donnell drove Las Vegas to the Chiefs 32 with 15 seconds left. Instead of trying for a game-winning field goal down 19-17, Pierce wanted O’Donnell to take the snap, allow more time to tick and throw the ball away. But O’Donnell wasn’t ready for the snap, the Chiefs recovered the fumble and escaped with the win. aManaging the clock shouldn’t be this difficult for NFL head coaches. Tucker’s troubles Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is having the worst season of his 13-year career. If he wasn’t one of the best kickers in NFL history, Baltimore would’ve made a switch already. But coach John Harbaugh has too much respect for Tucker, who began the season as the most accurate kicker in league history. Tucker has missed a career-high eight field-goal attempts, including two in a 24-19 loss to Philadelphia. Harbaugh, a former special teams coach, isn’t planning to replace Tucker. But the Ravens (8-5) have Super Bowl aspirations and Tucker needs to straighten things out. One solution would be to place him on injured reserve to work on his technique. In this case, Tucker has earned the right not to be released. Plus, he’s signed through 2027. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflNone

NoneJimmy Carter: Many Evolutions For A Centenarian ‘Citizen Of The World’

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hub slot vip Syria govt loses control of key city DaraaImmigration needs to be properly controlled and managed, so the system is fair. Without proper controls in place, border security is undermined, rules are flouted, the system becomes chaotic and public trust is eroded. That is exactly what happened over the last five years as successive Tory Prime Ministers lost control of border security, and the asylum and immigration systems. The result was that both legal and illegal migration shot up and public confidence tumbled down. Legal migration rose to a record high because employers were incentivised to hire hundreds of thousands of workers from abroad, even while training was cut here at home. At the same time, criminal gangs were allowed to take hold along the Channel, making hundreds of millions of pounds organising dangerous small boat crossings, while asylum decision making stopped, and returns of those with no right to be here plummeted. When Labour came into power in July, every element of the immigration and asylum system we inherited was in complete disarray. From day one, we have been working to restore control, to fix the chaos and get these systems back on track. That means strengthening border security, going after the criminal gangs , clearing the chaotic asylum backlog, and crucially increasing enforcement and returns. For a start the rules have to be respected and enforced. They haven’t been for far too long. Straight after the election, we moved 1,000 more staff into immigration enforcement activity to increase returns for people who don’t have a right to be in the UK. This has already led to 13,500 returns since the election, with enforced returns up by a quarter compared to last year. Thirty three return charter flights have operated across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, including the four biggest return flights in the UK’s history. Most read in Politics We have also increased illegal working raids by almost a third this summer, leading to over 2,000 arrests. Six business owners have been charged with employing people illegally in the last five months, compared to just four in the previous two and a half years under the Tories. It’s nowhere near enough, but it is a start along the right path. Enforcement teams will get new technology including body worn cameras and biometric kits so they can get evidence on the spot. Employers who profit from illegal working and disgraceful exploitation are undermining both the immigration system and the economy as businesses who play by the rules are undercut. Alongside proper respect for the rules here at home, we are pursuing much stronger action against the criminal smuggler and trafficking gangs who operate across borders. They have been getting away with undermining our border security and putting lives at risk for far too long. Since the General Election , we’ve set up a new Border Security Command to work with law enforcement agencies across Europe and beyond to carry out joint operations and share intelligence. We’ve recruited 100 new specialist investigators and invested £150million in tools and equipment to boost our border security. Criminal smuggler gangs operate across borders. So law enforcement and Governments have to cooperate across borders to bring them down. For too long that serious cross border law enforcement has been far too weak and it was badly neglected under the last Government who wasted time on gimmicks instead. That’s why we have struck a new Anti-Smuggling Action Plan with G7 partners, to strengthen policing cooperation and make it easier to prosecute smugglers. Last week, the Calais Group – the UK, France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands – agreed a new plan to go further with better intelligence-sharing and coordination to stop smugglers advertising online. Since then, the French Interior Minister has announced additional police resources to pursue gangs along the French coast. And I have signed a first-of-its kind deal with Germany to go after gangs who are storing small boats and engines in huge warehouses. German changes to their law will help stop the boats reaching the French coast. We will work with Europol, and with the Iraqi Government and Kurdish authorities, to pursue Iraqi-Kurdish gangs operating across our country following new agreements I negotiated earlier this month. Problems won’t be fixed overnight, but we are starting to see the results. In the last few weeks alone, we have seen the arrest of a major suspect in supplying boats in the Netherlands and a major operation in Germany and France against a key smuggler gang which seized multiple boats and engines destined for the French coast—boats that could have led to thousands more people trying to cross the Channel this winter. The British people want change, and that is what we are delivering. In place of the failed gimmicks of the past, a Labour Government has a serious and sensible plan to strengthen our border security and rebuild trust in a controlled and managed asylum and immigration system. For generations the UK has done our bit to help those fleeing persecution, and seen people travel here and across the world to set up businesses or work in local services. READ MORE SUN STORIES But for those systems to work, they need to be controlled and managed and the rules need to be respected and enforced. That means no hiding places, and no more excuses for those who undermine our border security, employ illegal workers, and ignore the rules.

‘Shut down the agendas of fake well-wishers of the Consitution’: Home Minister Amit Shah takes a dig at INDI bloc after Maharashtra sweep2025 budget reflects Qatar’s commitment to boost economy, foster sustained development

Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 15 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 15 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 160,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.” Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP award, first in NL. Aaron Judge earns second AL honor in 3 seasons NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points.Germany's far-right AfD nominates chancellor candidate ahead of election

The year in review: Influential people who died in 2024

New Delhi, Nov 23 (PTI) The Congress on Saturday described the Maharashtra poll outcome as "unexpected and inexplicable", and claimed that the level-playing field in the state was disturbed in a targeted manner as part of a conspiracy to defeat it. The opposition party, however, hailed the poll results in Jharkhand, saying the people of the state have categorically rejected the "politics of polarisation" peddled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance swept the Maharashtra polls, decimating the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with a landslide victory, while the INDIA bloc retained Jharkhand, voters in both states giving the parties in power an emphatic thumbs up. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh asserted that his party may have lost the polls in Maharashtra but it would continue to raise the issues that it has been raising since the parliamentary polls. "On Maharashtra, there can be no two ways about it that in a targeted manner, the level-playing field, a phrase that the Election Commission often uses, was disturbed. The election results are unexpected, very surprising and inexplicable," Ramesh said. "Some people are analysing the poll results of Maharashtra and saying this is a victory of development, and an NCP leader has stated that the Congress party's fake narrative has been rejected by the people of the state. This is wrong, there should not be any doubt that the agenda we had during the Lok Sabha polls -- economic inequalities, social polarisation, protection of the Constitution, a caste census and the Modani scams -- these issues are as important and we will continue to raise those," he added. The people of Maharashtra have not rejected this, the Congress leader said. The Congress will analyse the results but even those who won did not expect this, Ramesh said. "We were expecting that we will get the mandate. Farmers were upset and everyone believed that we will get the mandate. The results are absolutely opposite to this, but this does not mean that we will deviate from our agenda," he said. "We will re-energise our organisation on the basis of this agenda. We have gotten a jolt but this jolt was given. There was a conspiracy to defeat us," Ramesh claimed. He said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had a word with AICC Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala and in the next 24 to 36 hours, there will be a meeting where various issues related to the poll results will be discussed. Hailing the Jharkhand Assembly polls verdict, Ramesh congratulated the people of the state for showing the country a new way and "categorically rejecting" the politics of polarisation. "(Assam Chief Minister) Himanta Biswa Sarma, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, (Union minister) Shivraj Chouhan, Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- what all did they not say? The entire election was about one issue and one word -- 'ghuspetiya' (infiltrators). Attempts were made to create fear but people have given a decisive verdict," he said. "This is a positive message for the whole country that politics of polarisation can be defeated and we will defeat it," the Congress leader asserted. Addressing the presser, Congress's media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said as the principal opposition party, "we find it our responsibility to keep raising issues of transparency in elections". "The Lok Sabha election was fought in the name of Modiji in Maharashtra and the BJP did not do well. The same state gives the same BJP 132 out of 148 seats (contested by the saffron party) within four-five months. What kind of a strike rate is this? Is this strike rate possible? Democracy is our concern," Khera said. "Whether we win or lose, we will continue to question the election process and raise issues of transparency. In a country where exam papers are leaked, can we blindly trust the machines? You cannot shut us up by showing the results of Jharkhand. To date, apart from poetry, we have not received any concrete answer from the Election Commission," he said. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)The Vikings have prepared for the game against the Atlanta Falcons without veteran quarterback Stephon Gilmore this week, and on Friday he was officially ruled out ahead of the matchup on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. ADVERTISEMENT The news isn’t surprising given the fact that Gilmore hasn’t practiced at all this week at TCO Performance Center. He’s been nursing a hamstring injury since last week when he left a victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Though the Vikings believe that Gilmore has avoided anything serious, they are clearly being cautious with him so not to make anything worse. The loss of Gilmore in the short term will thrust veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau into a bigger role on defense. ______________________________________________________ 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 .There is no right of privacy in the U.S. Constitution, at least there wasn’t until 1965, when the Supreme Court famously found one in “penumbras, formed by emanations” from the Bill of Rights. It wasn’t a unanimous decision. “With all deference, I can find no such general right of privacy in the Bill of Rights, in any other part of the Constitution, or in any case ever before decided by this Court,” wrote one of the dissenting justices. However, there is an explicit right to be free from uncontrolled government searches. It’s the Fourth Amendment: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” On Dec. 6, a report on financial surveillance in the United States was released by the House Judiciary Committee and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. It reveals that the U.S. government has turned the 1970 Bank Secrecy Act, a law intended to stop money laundering, tax evasion and criminal activity, into a tool to break through the Fourth Amendment and search the lawful, private financial transactions of innocent Americans. According to the testimony of an FBI analyst, the Bureau considers financial institutions to be “partners.” It employed liaisons to reach out and “engage” them. That sounds a lot like the government’s “engagement” with social media platforms, its “partners” in the silencing of Americans who “spread misinformation” as the government defined or declared it. In both cases, the government coaxed or coerced its “partners” into doing what would be flatly illegal for the government to do itself. “All the operational divisions, they all have an element that has an engagement responsibility with the private sector and partnerships in general,” explained FBI “Financial Targeting” analyst Peter Sullivan in a transcribed interview, “It’s one of Director Wray’s pillars, his partnerships.” That would be FBI Director Christopher Wray, who just resigned. Here’s how the “partnership” worked with Bank of America a week after the events at the U.S Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Sullivan told bank contacts in a “brainstorming” email that they might want to file a Suspicious Activity Report listing all of the bank’s customers who had used a credit or debit card in the Washington, D.C. area on Jan. 5 or 6, had made a weapons purchase of any kind in the last six month, and had a travel reservation to come to Washington on Jan. 19 or 20, when the inauguration would be held. Without a warrant or any legal process, Bank of America sent the government a Suspicious Activity Report naming 211 customers who met those three conditions. Sullivan, whose title at the time was finance sector liaison and who testified that his role was limited to “terrorism,” took that list of 211 bank customers and identified four individuals who had made a “weapons-related transaction” after Jan. 6. Sullivan testified, “I remember going to my supervisor and saying, we should push out these four, do baseline queries of these four, which are basic criminal background queries, and push out via assessment — it’s called a Guardian. A Guardian is a no-stone-unturned assessment. It’s not an investigation. But we pushed those four Guardians out to three field offices, respectively.” The three field offices were Memphis, San Francisco and Tampa. Then the four “Guardians” were uploaded for the Washington Field Office, which “had a number of leads that were sent.” If you can’t already see it, let’s carefully go over what’s wrong with this. THEY CAN’T DO THAT TO AMERICANS. The government can’t “suggest” to federally regulated companies that they turn over lists of perfectly lawful customer transactions, then use the lists to imagine criminal plots, then send agents to knock on doors around the country to assess who might be a “domestic terrorist.” We have gone off the constitutional rails. “The FBI has manipulated the Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) filing process to treat financial institutions as de facto arms of law enforcement, issuing ‘requests,’ without legal process, that amount to demands for information related to certain persons or activities it considers ‘suspicious,’” the House committee reported. The 1970 Bank Secrecy Act requires financial institutions to file a Suspicious Activity Report whenever the financial institution itself identifies “a suspicious transaction relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation.” Banks must also file a Currency Transaction Report with the federal government whenever any person conducts a transaction or multiple transactions totaling $10,000 in a single day. Currency Transaction Reports have “proliferated exponentially” as well. According to the House report, “If a consumer purchased a car, furniture, jewelry, art, or made a tuition payment totaling more than $10,000, a CTR was likely filed containing the consumer’s information despite there being no evidence of any suspicious activity.” Who can see these reports? Tens of thousands of government employees in “472 federal, state and local law enforcement, regulatory and national security agencies.” In 2023 alone, the reports were searched 3,362,735 times. Without a warrant. The Judiciary Committee and Select Subcommittee also discovered that the federal government is “testing out new methods and new technology to continue the financial surveillance of Americans.” The Fourth Amendment should be enough to stop this. Call your representatives and read it to them. Write Susan@SusanShelley.com and follow her on X @Susan_Shelley

By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. Related Articles National Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump extends unprecedented invites to China’s Xi and other world leaders for his inauguration National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in iShares U.S. Technology ETF ( NYSEARCA:IYW – Free Report ) by 48.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,207 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock after buying an additional 720 shares during the period. Avior Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in iShares U.S. Technology ETF were worth $335,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its position in iShares U.S. Technology ETF by 29,435.7% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 3,190,156 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $483,691,000 after acquiring an additional 3,179,355 shares during the period. Dynasty Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares U.S. Technology ETF during the first quarter valued at $119,223,000. 1832 Asset Management L.P. grew its holdings in iShares U.S. Technology ETF by 173.9% during the second quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,022,598 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $153,901,000 after purchasing an additional 649,192 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its position in iShares U.S. Technology ETF by 1,170.2% in the second quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 572,587 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $86,174,000 after buying an additional 527,510 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in shares of iShares U.S. Technology ETF by 131.6% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 743,002 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $100,350,000 after buying an additional 422,212 shares during the period. iShares U.S. Technology ETF Trading Up 0.0 % Shares of NYSEARCA:IYW opened at $159.02 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $153.81 and a 200 day moving average of $148.18. The company has a market cap of $19.54 billion, a PE ratio of 38.84 and a beta of 1.43. iShares U.S. Technology ETF has a 12-month low of $114.84 and a 12-month high of $161.49. iShares U.S. Technology ETF Profile iShares U.S. Technology ETF, formerly iShares Dow Jones U.S. Technology Sector Index Fund (the Fund) is a non-diversified fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index (the Index). Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IYW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares U.S. Technology ETF ( NYSEARCA:IYW – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for iShares U.S. Technology ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares U.S. Technology ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis.

Maine lawmaker accused of choking wife wins re-election by one voteDrone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictionsBy Stephanie Lai and Hadriana Lowenkron, Bloomberg News Donald Trump says he is selecting venture capitalist David Sacks of Craft Ventures LLC to serve as his artificial intelligence and crypto czar, a newly created position that underscores the president-elect’s intent to boost two rapidly developing industries. “David will guide policy for the Administration in Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency, two areas critical to the future of American competitiveness. David will focus on making America the clear global leader in both areas,” Trump said Thursday in a post on his Truth Social network. Trump said that Sacks would also lead the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology. In Sacks, Trump is tapping one of his most prominent Silicon Valley supporters and fundraisers for a prime position in his administration. Sacks played a key role in bolstering Trump’s fundraising among technology industry donors, including co-hosting an event at his San Francisco home in June, with tickets at $300,000 a head. He is also closely associated with Vice President-elect JD Vance, the investor-turned-Ohio senator. Sacks is a venture capitalist and part of Silicon Valley’s “PayPal Mafia.” He first made his name in the technology industry during a stint as the chief operating officer of PayPal, the payments company whose founders in the late 1990s included billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and investor Peter Thiel. After it was sold to eBay, Sacks turned to Hollywood, where he produced the 2005 satire Thank You for Smoking. Back in Silicon Valley, he founded workplace communications company Yammer, which was bought by Microsoft Corp. in 2012 for $1.2 billion. He founded his own venture capital firm, Craft Ventures, in 2017 and has invested in Musk-owned businesses, including SpaceX. Sacks said on a recent episode of his All-In podcast that a “key man” clause in the agreements of his venture firm’s legal documents would likely prevent him from taking a full-time position, but he might consider an advisory role in the new administration. A Craft spokeswoman said Sacks would not be leaving Craft. In his post, Trump said Sacks “will safeguard Free Speech online, and steer us away from Big Tech bias and censorship.” Protecting free speech is a keen interest of Sacks. He regularly speaks about “woke” interests that try to muzzle unpopular opinions and positions. The new post is expected to help spearhead the crypto industry deregulation Trump promised on the campaign trail. The role is expected to provide cryptocurrency advocates a direct line to the White House and serve as a liaison between Trump, Congress and the federal agencies that interface with digital assets, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Trump heavily campaigned on supporting crypto, after previously disparaging digital assets during his first White House term, saying their “value is highly volatile and based on thin air.” The president-elect on Thursday said Sacks would “work on a legal framework so the Crypto industry has the clarity it has been asking for, and can thrive in the U.S.” During the campaign, Trump spoke at a Bitcoin conference, accepted crypto campaign donations and met with executives from Bitcoin mining companies and crypto exchanges multiple times. Trump’s desire to give priority to the digital asset industry is also reflected in his close allies and cabinet selections, including his Commerce secretary pick, Howard Lutnick, and Treasury secretary nominee Scott Bessent. On the AI front, Sacks would help Trump put his imprint on an emerging technology whose popular use has exploded in recent years. Sacks is poised to be at the front lines in determining how the federal government both adopts AI and regulates its use as advances in the technology and adoption by consumers pose a wide array of benefits as well as risks touching on national security, privacy, jobs and other areas. The president-elect has expressed both awe at the power of AI technology as well as concern over the potential harms from its use. During his first term, he signed executive orders that sought to maintain US leadership in the field and directed the federal government to prioritize AI in research and development spending. As AI has become more mainstream in recent years and with Congress slow to act, President Joe Biden has sought to fill that void. Biden signed an executive order in 2023 that establishes security and privacy protections and requires developers to safety-test new models, casting the sweeping regulatory order as necessary to safeguard consumers. A number of technology giants have also agreed to adopt a set of voluntary safeguards which call for them to test AI systems for discriminatory tendencies or security flaws and to share those results. Trump has vowed to repeal Biden’s order. The Republican Party’s 2024 platform dismissed Biden’s executive order as one that “hinders AI Innovation, and imposes Radical Leftwing ideas on the development of this technology.” Sacks can be expected to work closely with Musk, the world’s richest person and one of the president-elect’s most prominent supporters. Musk is also a player in the AI space with his company xAI and a chatbot named Grok — efforts which pit him against Silicon Valley’s giants — and he stands to wield significant influence within the incoming administration. The appointment won’t require Sacks to divest or publicly disclose his assets. Like Musk, Sacks will be a special government employee. He can serve a maximum of 130 days per year, with or without compensation. However, conflict of interest rules apply to special government employees, meaning Sacks will have to recuse himself from matters that could impact his holdings. Sacks’s Craft Ventures is known more for enterprise software investing than for crypto, but it has made a few crypto investments, including BitGo and Bitwise. Still, Sacks has firm opinions on the sector. Speaking last month on All-In, Sacks praised a bill on crypto regulation that had passed in the U.S. House but not the Senate earlier this year. The Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act would regulate certain types of digital assets as a commodity, regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. “The crypto industry basically wants a really clear line for knowing when they’re a commodity and they want commodities to be governed, like all other commodities, by the CFTC,” he said on the November podcast. He also disparaged some of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s positions on crypto under its chair, Gary Gensler. “The days of Gensler terrifying crypto companies,” he said. “Those days are about to be over.” Earlier this week, Trump nominated crypto advocate Paul Atkins to lead the SEC. With assistance from Zoe Ma, Bill Allison, Sarah McBride, Anne VanderMey and stacy-marie ishmael. ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The Raiders have locked up boom winger and fullback option Xavier Savage with a multi-year contract extension. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer > “The Canberra Raiders can confirm the re-signing of Xavier Savage, who will remain with the club until the end of the 2027 season,” the club confirmed in a statement. The two-year extension will see Savage remain a Raider for the next three seasons, as he looks to build on his impressive start to his NRL career. Savage played 24 matches at NRL level in 2024, scoring 15 tries and establishing himself in the NRL team with his best season in green. Savage said the decision to stay in Canberra was an easy one, and he’s keen to build on his achievements in 2024 over the next three seasons. “I’m clearly very happy here and I am happy to stay here with the Raiders. I’m just glad that the deal is done and I’m locked in for a further two years. I just can’t wait,” Savage said. MORE NRL NEWS FIFTH IN LINE: This Titan is part of a pack with four Origin stars and wants to join ‘SURREAL’: Inside Cook’s unlikely Dragons comeback and the Red V signing coup ‘REACHED MY POTENTIAL’: May torches Roosters reasons for ‘jaw dropping’ release “I’m very happy with how I went last year but I’ve definitely got a lot more left in the tank. Now it’s time to keep training hard and turn it up again next year. It’s exciting. “This has become my second home now. I love Canberra and I’m trying to build a legacy down here” Raiders CEO Don Furner said Savage was key component in the Raiders plans moving forward and looked forward to his continued development as an NRL player. “We’ve always known Xavier had the talent to make it in the NRL, but this year in particular he showed the club his desire to work hard and take his game to the next level,” Furner said. “Xavier is still very young at age 22 and we know he still has his best football in front of him and we’re happy it’s with the Raiders.” FULL TRANSFER CENTRE BRONCOS 2025 squad: Adam Reynolds (2025), Ben Hunt (2026), Ben Te Kura (2026), Billy Walters (2026), Blake Mozer (2025), Brendan Piakura (2027), Coby Black (2026), Corey Jensen (2025), Cory Paix (2025), Deine Mariner (2027), Delouise Hoeter (2025), Ezra Mam (2029), Fletcher Baker (2025), Hayze Perham (2025), Israel Leota (2025), Jack Gosiewski (2025), Jaiyden Hunt (2025) Jesse Arthars (2026), Jock Madden (2026), Josh Rogers (2026), Jordan Riki (2027), Kobe Hetherington (2025), Kotoni Staggs (2025), Martin Taupau (2025), Patrick Carrigan (2028), Payne Haas (2026), Reece Walsh (2029), Selwyn Cobbo (2025), Tristan Sailor (2025), Tyson Smoothy (2025), Xavier Willison (2027) Development players: Hayze Perham (2025), Josh Rogers (2026) 2025 gains: Ben Hunt (Dragons) 2025 losses: Tristan Sailor (St Helens), Corey Oates (retired), Jordan Pereira (retired) Coach: Michael Maguire (2027) RAIDERS 2025 squad: Albert Hopoate (2025), Ata Mariota (2026), Chevy Stewart (2026, MO 2027), Corey Horsburgh (2027), Corey Harawira-Naera (2025, PO 2026), Danny Levi (2025), Emre Guler (2025), Ethan Strange (2028), Ethan Sanders (2027), Hudson Young (2027), Jamal Fogarty (2025, CO 2026), Joseph Tapine (2027, PO 2028), Josh Papali’i (2024, MO 2025), Jordan Martin (2025), Kaeo Weekes (2027), Matty Nicholson (2027), Matthew Timoko (2026), Michael Asomua (2026), Morgan Smithies (2026), Myles Martin (2027), Pasami Saulo (2026), Savelio Tamale (2026), Sebastian Kris (2027), Simi Sasagi (2025), Tom Starling (2025), Trey Mooney (2027), Vena Patuki-Case (2025), Xavier Savage (2027), Zac Hosking (2026) Development players: Noah Martin (2026) 2025 gains: Myles Martin (Newcastle Knights), Matty Nicholson (Warrington Wolves), Ethan Sanders (Parramatta Eels), Savelio Tamale (St George Illawarra Dragons). 2025 losses: Zac Woolford (Huddersfield), Elliott Whitehead (Catalans), Nick Cotric (Catalans), James Schiller (Knights), Jordan Rapana (Hull FC), Hohepa Puru (Sharks), Adrian Trevilyan (Northern Pride) Coach: Ricky Stuart (2029) BULLDOGS 2025 squad : Blake Taaffe (2025), Blake Wilson (2025), Bronson Xerri (2027), Connor Tracey (2026), Daniel Suluka-Fifita (2025), Drew Hutchison (2025), Jacob Kiraz (2027), Jacob Preston (2027), Jaeman Salmon (2025), Jake Turpin (2025), Jordan Samrani (2025), Josh Curran (2026), Karl Oloapu (2026), Kitione Kautoga (2025), Kurt Mann (2025), Matt Burton (2027), Max King (2027), Mitch Woods (2027), Marcelo Montoya (2026) Reed Mahoney (2026), Ryan Sutton (2025), Samuel Hughes (2026), Stephen Crichton (2027), Sitili Tupouniua (2028), Toby Sexton (2025), Viliame Kikau (2026) Development players: 2025 gains: Tom Amone (Leigh Leopards), Sitili Tupouniua (Roosters), Marcelo Montoya (Warriors), Enari Tuala (Knights) 2025 losses: Josh Addo-Carr (released), Poasa Faamausili (retired), Jordan Samrani (Parramatta Eels), Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), Zane Tetevano (retired) Coach: Cameron Ciraldo (2027) SHARKS 2025 squad: Addin Fonua-Blake (2028), Billy Burns (2025), Blayke Brailey (2026), Braden Hamlin-Uele (2026), Braydon Trindall (2028), Briton Nikora (2027), Cameron McInnes (2025), Chris Vea’ila (2025), Daniel Atkinson (2025), Jayden Berrell (2025), Jesse Colquhoun (2026), Jesse Ramien (2026), Hohepa Puru (2025), Kade Dykes (2025), Kayal Iro (2026), Michael Gabrael (2026), Nicho Hynes (2029), Niwhai Puru (2025), Oregon Kaufusi (2025), Ronaldo Mulitalo (2025), Sam Stonestreet (2025), Sione Katoa (2026), Siosifa Talakai (2026), Siteni Taukamo (2024), Teig Wilton (2025), Thomas Hazelton (2024, CO 2025), Toby Rudolf (2026), Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha (2025), William Kennedy (2025) Development players: Dylan Coutts (2025), Liam Ison (2025), Mawene Hiroti (2025) 2025 gains: Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Hohepa Puru (Raiders) 2025 losses: Jack Williams (Eels), Royce Hunt (Tigers) Coach: Craig Fitzgibbon (2027) DOLPHINS 2025 squad: Connelly Lemuelu (2025), Daniel Saifiti (2027), Felise Kaufusi (2025), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (2027), Harrison Graham (2025), Herbie Farnworth (2026), Isaiya Katoa (2028), Jack Bostock (2027), Jake Averillo (2026), Jamayne Isaako (2026), Jeremy Marshall-King (2028), Josh Kerr (2025), Kenneath Bromwich (2025), Kodi Nikorima (2026), Mark Nicholls (2025), Mason Teague (MO 2025), Max Plath (2027), Oryn Keeley (2026), Ray Stone (2026), Sean O’Sullivan (2025), Thomas Flegler (2027) Tom Gilbert (2028), Trai Fuller (2026) Development players: Jeremiah Simbiken (2024, CO 2025), Michael Waqa (2025), Ryan Jackson (2024, CO 2025), Elijah Rasmussen (2025), Aublix Tawha (2025) 2025 gains: Junior Tupou (Tigers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Max Feagai (Dragons) 2025 losses: Jesse Bromwich (retirement), Tevita Pangai Junior (Catalans), Euan Aitken (Souths), Lachlan Hubner (Souths), Edrick Lee (retired), Tesi Niu (Leigh Leopards) Coach: Kristian Woolf (2026) TITANS 2025 squad: AJ Brimson (2030), Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira (2026), Beau Fermor (2026), Brian Kelly (2026), Carter Gordon (2026), Chris Randall (2027), David Fifita (2026), Harley Smith-Shields (2025), Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (2025), Jaimin Jollife (2026), Jayden Campbell (2026), Jaylan de Groot (2025), Jojo Fifita (2025), Josiah Pahulu (2025), Keano Kini (2026), Ken Maumalo (2025), Kieran Foran (2025), Klese Haas (2027), Moeaki Fotuaika (2027), Phillip Sami (2026), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (2027), Ryan Foran (2025), Sam Verrills (2026), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (2026, PO until 2033) Development players: Arama Hau (2025, CO 2026), Ben Liyour (2025), Seth Nikotemo (2025), Tuki Simpkins (2026), Zane Harrison (2025), Sam Stephenson (2025) 2025 gains: Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Eels), Carter Gordon (upgraded), Sam Stephenson (Development contract), Zane Harrison (Development contract, Tuki Simpkins (Development contract, from Norths Devils) 2025 losses: Tanah Boyd (Warriors), Erin Clark (Warriors), Isaac Liu (unsigned), Keenan Palasia (Leeds Rhinos), Aaron Schoupp (Sea Eagles) Coach: Des Hasler (2026) SEA EAGLES 2025 squad: Aaron Schoupp (2025), Ben Trbojevic (2027), Brad Parker (2025), Clayton Faulalo (2025), Corey Waddell (2024), Daly Cherry-Evans (2025), Ethan Bullemor (2025), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (2025), Haumole Olakau’atu (2031), Jakob Arthur (2025), Jake Trbojevic (2026), Jake Simpkin (2026), Jazz Tevaga (2025), Jason Saab (2029), Joey Walsh (2027), Josh Aloiai (2027), Josh Schuster (2027), Karl Lawton (2024), Lachlan Croker (2026), Luke Brooks (2027), Nathan Brown (2026) Raymond Vaega (2025), Reuben Garrick (2026), Sio Siua Taukeiaho (2025), Taniela Paseka (2026), Tom Trbojevic (2026), Toafofoa Sipley (2025), Tolutau Koula (2026, PO 2027), Tommy Talau (2025) Development players: 2025 gains : Sio Siua Taukeiaho (Catalans), Jazz Tevaga (Warriors), Joey Walsh (rugby union) 2025 losses: Jamie Humphreys (Rabbitohs), Karl Lawton (Cowboys), Aaron Woods (retirement), Jaxson Paulo (Cowboys), Ben Condon (Leigh Leopards), Matt Lodge. Coach: Anthony Seibold (2025) STORM 2025 squad: Alec MacDonald (2028), Ativalu Lisati (2024), Bronson Garlick (2025), Cameron Munster (2027), Christian Welch (2025, MO 2026), Dean Ieremia (2024), Eliesa Katoa (2027), Harry Grant (2026), Jonah Pezet (2025), Josh King (2025), Lazarus Vaalepu (2025), Marion Seve (2024), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (2027, MO 2028) Nick Meaney (2026), Ryan Papenhuyzen (2026), Sua Fa’alogo (2028), Shawn Blore (2026), Stefano Utoikamanu (2027)m Tepai Moeroa (2024), Trent Loiero (2025), Tui Kamikamica (2025), Tyran Wishart (2025, PO 2026), William Warbrick (2026), Xavier Coates (2026), (2024) Development players: 2025 gains: Moses Leo (Rugby union), Stefano Utoikamanu (Tigers) 2025 losses: Young Tonumaipea (released) Coach: Craig Bellamy (2025) KNIGHTS 2025 squad: Adam Elliott (2025), Bradman Best (2027), Brodie Jones (2025), Dane Gagai (2025, MO 2026), Dylan Lucas (2027), Greg Marzhew (2026), Fletcher Sharpe (2025), Jack Cogger (2026), Jack Hetherington (2025), Jackson Hastings (2025), Jacob Saifiti (2027), James Schiller (2027), Jayden Brailey (2025), Jed Cartwright (2025), Jermaine McEwen (2027), Kai Pearce-Paul (2025), Kalyn Ponga (2027), Krystian Mapapalangi (2024), Leo Thompson (2025), Mathew Croker (2024), Matt Arthur (2025), (Myles Martin (2024), Paul Bryan (2025), Phoenix Crossland (2026), Riley Jones (2025), Ryan Rivett (2024), Sebastian Su’a (2025), Thomas Cant (2026), Taj Annan (2027), Tyson Gamble (2026), Tyson Frizell (2024, PO 2025, MO 2026), Will Pryce (2025) Development players: Tyrone Thompson (2025), Connor Votano (2025) 2025 gains: Tyrone Thomspon (rugby union), Taj Annan (rugby union), Francis Manulelua, James Schiller (Raiders), Matt Arthur (Eels) 2025 losses: David Armstrong (Leigh), Myles Martin (Raiders), Daniel Saifiti (Dolphins), Enari Tuala (Bulldogs), Jed Cartwright (Hull) Coach: Adam O’Brien (2027) COWBOYS 2025 squad: Braidson Burns (2025) Coen Hess (2024), Griffin Neame (2025), Helium Luki (2029), Jake Clifford (2025), Jaxson Paulo (2026), Jason Taumalolo (2027), Jeremiah Nanai (2027), Jordan McLean (2025), Kaiden Lahrs (2025), Kai O’Donnell (2026), Karl Lawton (2026), Murray Taulagi (2026), Reece Robson (2025), Reuben Cotter (2028), Robert Derby (2025), Sam McIntyre (2026), Scott Drinkwater (2027), Thomas Duffy (2025), Thomas Dearden (2029), Tom Chester (2025), Thomas Mikaele (2026, PO 2027), Viliami Vailea (2025), Zac Laybutt (2025) Development players: Emarly Bitungane (2025), Wil Sullivan (2025), Mason Kira (2025), Zac Herdegen (2025) 2025 gains: Karl Lawton (Sea Eagles), Kai O’Donnell (Leigh), Jaxson Paulo (Sea Eagles) 2025 losses: Valentine Holmes (Dragons), Chad Townsend (Roosters), Kyle Feldt (St Helens), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), Jake Granville 2026 losses: Reece Robson Coach: Todd Payten (2026) EELS 2025 squad: Bailey Simonsson (2027), Brendan Hands (2025), Bryce Cartwright (2025), Dean Hawkins (2026), Dylan Brown (2025, PO until 2031), Haze Dunster (2024, MO 2025), Isaiah Iongi (2027), Jack Williams (2027), J’maine Hopgood (2027), Joey Lussick (2025), Joe Ofahengaue (2025), Junior Paulo (2026), Jordan Samrani (2026) Kelma Tuilagi (2026), Ky Rodwell (2024), Luca Moretti (2025), Matt Doorey (2025), Mitchell Moses (2026, PO 2029), Ryan Matterson (2025, PO 2026), Sean Russell (2025), Shaun Lane (2025, MO 2026), Toni Mataele (2025), Will Penisini (2025, PO 2026), Wiremu Greig (2025), Zac Lomax (2028) Development players : Charlie Guymer (2025, NRL 2026), Saxon Pyke (2025), Richard Penisini (2025, NRL 2026) 2025 gains: Jack Williams (Sharks), Zac Lomax (Dragons), Isaiah Iongi (Panthers), Joash Papalii (Bulldogs), Jordan Samrani (Bulldogs), Dean Hawkins (Rabbitohs) 2025 losses: Clint Gutherson (Dragons), Maika Sivo (Super League), Blaize Talagi (Panthers), Ethan Sanders (Raiders), Matt Arthur (Knights), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (release, Titans), Lorenzo Mulitao (Burleigh Bears), Daejarn Asi, Zac Cini, Maika Sivo, Ofahiki Ogden, Makahesi Makatoa, Morgan Harper (all unsigned) Coach: Jason Ryles (from 2028) PANTHERS 2025 squad: Asu Kepaoa (2025), Brad Schneider (2025), Blaize Talagi (2027), Casey McLean (2028), Brian To’o (2027), Daine Laurie (2025), Dylan Edwards (2028), Harrison Hassett (2025), Isaiah Papali’i (2027), Isaah Yeo (2027), Izack Tago (2028), Jack Cole (2026), Jesse McLean (2028), Liam Henry (2026), Liam Martin (2027), Lindsay Smith (2026), Luke Garner (2026), Luke Sommerton (2025), Luron Patea (2027), Mavrik Geyer (2025), Mitch Kenny (2027), Moses Leota (2027), Nathan Cleary (2027), Paul Alamoti (2027), Preston Riki( 2025), Scott Sorensen (2026), Soni Luke (2025) Development players: Riley Price (2025), Trent Toelau (2026), Billy Scott (2027) 2025 gains: Isaiah Papali’i (Tigers), Blaize Talagi (Eels) 2025 losses: Sunia Turuva (Tigers), Jarome Luai (Tigers), James Fisher-Harris (Warriors), Isaiah Iongi (Eels), Tyrone Peachey (retirement), Taylan May (released) Coach: Ivan Cleary (2027) DRAGONS 2025 squad: Alec Tu’itavake (2024), Ben Hunt (2024), Clint Gutherson (2027), Ben Murdoch-Masila (2024), Blake Lawrie (2026), Cody Ramsey (2024), Daniel Russell (2024, MO 2025), Francis Molo (2026), Hame Sele (2026), Jack de Belin (2024), Jack Bird (2024, MO 2025), Jacob Liddle (2025, MO 2026), Jaydn Su’A (2026), Jesse Marschke (2024), Kyle Flanagan (2025), Mathew Feagai (2026), Max Feagai (2024), Michael Molo (2024), Mikaele Ravalawa (2026), Moses Suli (2027), Paul Turner (2024), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (2025), Ryan Couchman (2025), Savelio Tamale (2024), Sione Finau (2025), Tom Eisenhuth (2024), Toby Couchman (2025), Tyrell Sloan (2026), Viliami Fifita (2025), Zac Lomax (2024), Christian Tuipulotu (2025), Luciano Leilua (2026), Lachlan Ilias (2026) Development players: Connor Muhleisen (2024), Corey Ackers (2025), Dylan Egan (2025), Hamish Stewart (2027), Jackson Shereb (2024), Josh Coric (2024) 2025 gains: Clint Gutherson (Dragons), Damien Cook (Souths), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys), Lachlan Ilias (Rabbitohs) 2025 losses : Ben Hunt (TBC), Zac Lomax (Eels), Jack Bird (Tigers), Savelio Tamale (Raiders), Alec Tuitavake, Dan Russell, Jackson Shereb, Jesse Marschke, Max Feagai, Nu Brown (all unsigned) Coach: Shane Flanagan (2026) RABBITOHS 2025 squad : Alex Johnston (2025), Benjamin Lovett (2025), Cameron Murray (2028), Campbell Graham (2027), Cody Walker (2025), Damien Cook (2025), Davvy Moale (2025), Dean Hawkins (2024), Isaiah Taas (2027), Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson (2024), Jack Wighton (2027), Jacob Host (2025), Jai Arrow (2027), Josiah Karapani (2024), Jye Gray (2024), Keaon Koloamatangi (2026), Latrell Mitchell (2027), Leon Te Hau (2024), Michael Chee Kam (2024), Peter Mamouzelos (2027), Sean Keppie (2026), Shaquai Mitchell (2025), Siliva Havili (2025), Taane Milne (2024), Tallis Duncan (2025), Tevita Tatola (2028), Thomas Burgess (2024), Tyrone Munro (2025) Development players: Richard Kennar (2024), Dion Teaupa (2024), Ethan Ferguson (2025), Haizyn Mellars (2025), Liam Le Blanc (2025), Thomas Fletcher (2024) 2025 gains: Jamie Humphreys (2026), Josh Schuster (2025), Euan Aitken, Lewis Dodd (St Helens) 2025 losses: Damien Cook (Dragons), Tom Burgess (Huddersfield), Lachlan Ilias (Dragons) Coach: Ben Hornby (interim - 2024), Wayne Bennett (from 2025) ROOSTERS 2025 squad: Angus Crichton (2026), Billy Smith (2027), Blake Steep (2026), Brandon Smith (2024, PO 2025), Connor Watson (2027), Daniel Tupou (2026), Dominic Young (2027), De La Salle Va’a (2025), Egan Butcher (2025), James Tedesco (2026), Junior Pauga (2027), Lindsay Collins (2026), Mark Nawaqanitawase (2026), Nat Butcher (2027), Naufau Whyte (2026), Robert Toia (2025), Sam Walker (2027), Sandon Smith (2026), Siua Wong (2026), Spencer Leniu (2027), Victor Radley (2027) Development players: Xavier Va’a (2026) 2025 gains: Chad Townsend (Cowboys) 2025 losses: Luke Keary (Catalans), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Hull KR), Joseph Sua’ali’i (rugby union), Joseph Manu (Japanese rugby union), Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs) Coach: Trent Robinson (2028) WARRIORS 2025 squad: Adam Pompey (2025), Ali Leiataua (2027), Bunty Afoa (2025), Chanel Harris-Tavita (2026), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (2025), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (2025), Demitric Sifakula (2025, CO 2026), Dylan Walker (2025), Edward Kosi (2025), Freddy Lussick (2026), Jackson Ford (2027), Jacob Laban (2026), James Fisher-Harris (2028), Kurt Capewell (2026), Luke Metcalf (2026), Marata Niukore (2026), Motu Pasikala (2027), Mitchell Barnett (2027), Rocco Berry (2026), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (2026), Selumiela Halasima (2026), Taine Tuaupiki (2026), Tanah Boyd (2026), Te Maire Martin (2025), Tohu Harris (2025), Tom Ale (2025), Wayde Egan (2027), Zyon Maiu’u (2026) Development players: Jett Cleary (2027), Tanner Stowers-Smith (2025), Kalani Going (2025), Kahu Capper (2026) 2025 gains: Tanah Boyd (Titans), Erin Clark (Titans), James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Motu Pasikala (upgraded), Sam Healey (Sharks) 2025 losses: Jazz Tevaga (Sea Eagles), Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Jazz Tevaga (Manly), Shaun Johnson (retired), Marcelo Montoya (Bulldogs) Coach: Andrew Webster (2026) TIGERS 2025 squad: Adam Doueihi (2025), Alex Twal (2027), Alex Seyfarth (2025), Apisai Koroisau (2026), Brandon Tumeth (2024, PO 2025), Brent Naden (2025), Charlie Staines (2025), David Klemmer (2025, MO 2026), Fonua Pole (2027), Jack Bird (2026), Jahream Bula (2026, MO 2027), Jarome Luai (2029), Jayden Sullivan (2027), John Bateman (2026), Jordan Miller (2026), Josh Feledy (2025), Justin Matamua (2025), Justin Olam (2026), Kit Laulilii (2025), Lachlan Galvin (2026), Latu Fainu (2027), Royce Hunt (2027), Samuela Fainu (2027), Solomone Saukuru (2025), Starford To’a (2026), Tallyn Da Silva (2026), Terrell May (2027), Tony Sukkar (2025) Development players: Alex Lobb (2025), Chris Fa’agutu (2025), Solomona Faataape (2025), Reuben Porter (2025), Heath Mason (2025), Will Craig (2025) 2025 gains: Jack Bird (Dragons), Royce Hunt (Sharks), Sunia Turuva (Panthers), Jarome Luai (Panthers), Jeral Skelton (Bulldogs), Terrell May (Roosters) 2025 losses: Isaiah Papali’i (Panthers), Junior Tupou (Dolphins), Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm) Coach: Benji Marshall (2027)

slotvip. ph

hunter slot vip Phase 3 Study Results Demonstrated Three Year, Disease-Free Survival of 96% THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. , Dec. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced new data demonstrating that adding BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) to chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival (DFS) in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard risk (SR) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) of average or higher risk of relapse. The data are from a Phase 3 study (AALL1731) conducted by the Children's Oncology Group. The results were simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine and will be presented during the plenary session on Sunday, Dec. 8 , at 2 p.m. PT at the 66 th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego . "Over the last decade, BLINCYTO has reshaped the treatment landscape for B-ALL, offering a critical lifeline for thousands of adult and pediatric patients," said Jay Bradner , M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development and chief scientific officer at Amgen. "These powerful new data leave us little doubt about the profound impact of this medicine for a large number of children affected by this disease. We are grateful to the Children's Oncology Group, along with the patients, families and clinical teams, for their dedication and partnership in advancing this critical study to improve the lives of children with cancer." Based on the results of the first pre-specified interim analysis for efficacy, the study met its primary endpoint of DFS and study randomization was terminated early based on the recommendation from the data and safety monitoring committee due to the benefit observed in the BLINCYTO arm compared to the chemotherapy-only arm. Overall, the 3-year DFS was 96.0% for patients treated with chemotherapy plus BLINCYTO compared to 87.9% for those treated with only chemotherapy. The hazard ratio (HR) was 0.39 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24-0.64], indicating a 61% reduction in the risk of disease relapse, secondary malignant neoplasm or remission death with BLINCYTO. At 3 years, more patients remained alive and cancer free when treated with BLINCYTO plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. "The AALL1731 study results are truly practice-changing, further solidifying blinatumomab's role as the standard of care for a large number of children with B-ALL," said Sumit Gupta , M.D., Ph.D., FRCPC, co-chair of the Children's Oncology Group AALL1731 study and oncologist and clinician investigator, Division of Haematology/Oncology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Toronto . "These breakthrough data showing a significant improvement in disease-free survival are poised to bring substantial clinical value to children with newly diagnosed B-ALL." The addition of BLINCYTO to chemotherapy in standard risk patients resulted in outcomes similar to those previously achieved in only the most favorable pediatric risk subsets. Among SR-Average patients, 3-year DFS was 97.5% for patients treated with BLINCYTO compared to 90.2% for those treated with only chemotherapy (HR 0.33, CI 0.15-0.69). For SR-High patients, 3-year DFS was 94.1% for those treated with BLINCYTO compared to 84.8% for those treated with only chemotherapy (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.24-0.85). "Relapsed ALL remains a major cause of pediatric cancer mortality, with nearly half of the relapses occurring in children with standard-risk B-ALL," said Rachel E. Rau , M.D., co-chair of the Children's Oncology Group AALL1731 study, pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Seattle Children's Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington . "These findings underscore the progress made with blinatumomab in preventing relapse and support its role as a critical addition to current therapeutic strategies." Safety results are consistent with the known safety profile of BLINCYTO. BLINCYTO has demonstrated a positive balance of benefits and risks, with only 0.3% of first courses associated with Grade 3+ cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and 0.7% with seizures. A higher risk of infections was observed in the BLINCYTO arm. These results provide the first evidence supporting BLINCYTO for use in the consolidation phase in newly diagnosed pediatric Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) B-ALL patients. This groundbreaking first-in-class Bispecific T-cell Engager (BiTE ® ) therapy is now backed by additional evidence reinforcing its role in redefining a standard of care for both adult and pediatric patients, starting from one month old, regardless of measurable residual disease (MRD) status. The findings further establish BLINCYTO as a versatile first-line consolidation therapy across all ages and treatment backbones. The NCI's Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), which sponsored the study will share data with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as part of their ongoing communications relating to the trial. About The Children's Oncology Group The Children's Oncology Group (childrensoncologygroup.org), a member of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), is the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. The Children's Oncology Group unites over 10,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 200 leading children's hospitals, universities and cancer centers across North America , Australia , New Zealand and Saudi Arabia in the fight against childhood cancer. Today, more than 80% of the 15,000 children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States are cared for at Children's Oncology Group member institutions. Research performed by Children's Oncology Group institutions over the past 50 years has transformed childhood cancer from a virtually incurable disease to one with a combined 5-year survival rate of 86%. The Children's Oncology Group's mission is to improve the cure rate and outcomes for all children with cancer. About AALL1731 (NCT03914625) The AALL1731 study was a Phase 3 randomized trial to determine if two non-sequential cycles of BLINCYTO added to chemotherapy improved disease-free survival (DFS) in children with newly diagnosed pediatric National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard risk (SR) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The study enrolled 4,264 newly diagnosed NCI SR B-ALL patients, of whom 2,334 were risk stratified at the end of induction therapy as either SR-Average or SR-High. At the first planned interim efficacy analysis (data cutoff June 30, 2024 ), 1,440 of the eligible and evaluable patients had been randomized. The AALL1731 study was designed and conducted independently from industry. The Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) of the NCI sponsored the trial and provided funding to the Children's Oncology Group to conduct the study. NCI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition, Amgen provided BLINCYTO and support through an NCI Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. About Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) ALL, also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is a fast-growing type of blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow and can sometimes spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and central nervous system. ALL is a rare disease, with an estimated 6,550 new cases, affecting both children and adults, diagnosed in the U.S. in 2024. 1 B-ALL begins in immature cells that would normally develop into B-cell lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that grow in bone marrow. 2,3 B-ALL is the most common type of ALL, constituting approximately 75% of cases in adults and approximately 88% in children, the most common cancer in children. 4,5 About BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) BLINCYTO is the first globally approved Bispecific T-cell Engager (BiTE ® ) immuno-oncology therapy that targets CD19 surface antigens on B cells. BiTE ® molecules fight cancer by helping the body's immune system detect and target malignant cells by engaging T cells (a type of white blood cell capable of killing other cells perceived as threats) to cancer cells. By bringing T cells near cancer cells, the T cells can inject toxins and trigger cancer cell death (apoptosis). BiTE ® immuno-oncology therapies are currently being investigated for their potential to treat a wide variety of cancers. BLINCYTO was granted Breakthrough Therapy and Priority Review designations by the U.S. FDA and is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of: In the European Union (EU), BLINCYTO is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of: BLINCYTO ® IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME and NEUROLOGICAL TOXICITIES including IMMUNE EFFECTOR CELL-ASSOCIATED NEUROTOXICITY SYNDROME Contraindications BLINCYTO ® is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to blinatumomab or to any component of the product formulation. Warnings and Precautions Adverse Reactions Dosage and Administration Guidelines INDICATIONS BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) is indicated for the treatment of CD19-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adult and pediatric patients one month and older with: Please see BLINCYTO ® full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNINGS. About Bispecific T-Cell Engager (BiTE ® ) Technology BiTE technology is a targeted immuno-oncology platform that is designed to engage a patient's own T cells to any tumor-specific antigen, activating the cytotoxic potential of T cells to eliminate detectable cancer. The BiTE immuno-oncology platform has the potential to treat different cancer types through tumor-specific antigens. The BiTE platform has a goal of leading to off-the-shelf solutions, which have the potential to make innovative T-cell treatment available to all providers when their patients need it. For more than a decade, Amgen has been advancing this innovative technology, which has demonstrated strong efficacy in hematological malignancies and now a solid tumor with the approval of IMDELLTRA. Amgen remains committed to progressing multiple BiTE molecules across a broad range of hematologic and solid tumor malignancies, paving the way for additional applications in more tumor types. Amgen is further investigating BiTE technology with the goal of enhancing patient experience and therapeutic potential. To learn more about BiTE technology, visit BiTE ® Technology 101 . About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative medicines to help millions of patients in their fight against some of the world's toughest diseases. More than 40 years ago, Amgen helped to establish the biotechnology industry and remains on the cutting-edge of innovation, using technology and human genetic data to push beyond what's known today. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline that builds on its existing portfolio of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, inflammatory diseases and rare diseases. In 2024, Amgen was named one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company and one of "America's Best Large Employers" by Forbes, among other external recognitions . Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average ® , and it is also part of the Nasdaq-100 Index ® , which includes the largest and most innovative non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization. For more information, visit Amgen.com and follow Amgen on X , LinkedIn , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube and Threads . Amgen Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the current expectations and beliefs of Amgen. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including any statements on the outcome, benefits and synergies of collaborations, or potential collaborations, with any other company (including BeiGene, Ltd. or Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.), the performance of Otezla ® (apremilast) (including anticipated Otezla sales growth and the timing of non-GAAP EPS accretion), Amgen's acquisitions of Teneobio, Inc., ChemoCentryx, Inc., or Horizon Therapeutics plc (including the prospective performance and outlook of Horizon's business, performance and opportunities, any potential strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities expected as a result of such acquisition, and any projected impacts from the Horizon acquisition on Amgen's acquisition-related expenses going forward), as well as estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial metrics, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, reimbursement activities and outcomes, effects of pandemics or other widespread health problems on Amgen's business, outcomes, progress, and other such estimates and results. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and more fully described in the Securities and Exchange Commission reports filed by Amgen, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Unless otherwise noted, Amgen is providing this information as of the date of this news release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those Amgen projects. Discovery or identification of new product candidates or development of new indications for existing products cannot be guaranteed and movement from concept to product is uncertain; consequently, there can be no guarantee that any particular product candidate or development of a new indication for an existing product will be successful and become a commercial product. Further, preclinical results do not guarantee safe and effective performance of product candidates in humans. The complexity of the human body cannot be perfectly, or sometimes, even adequately modeled by computer or cell culture systems or animal models. The length of time that it takes for Amgen to complete clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval for product marketing has in the past varied and Amgen expects similar variability in the future. Even when clinical trials are successful, regulatory authorities may question the sufficiency for approval of the trial endpoints Amgen has selected. Amgen develops product candidates internally and through licensing collaborations, partnerships and joint ventures. Product candidates that are derived from relationships may be subject to disputes between the parties or may prove to be not as effective or as safe as Amgen may have believed at the time of entering into such relationship. Also, Amgen or others could identify safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products, including its devices, after they are on the market. Amgen's results may be affected by its ability to successfully market both new and existing products domestically and internationally, clinical and regulatory developments involving current and future products, sales growth of recently launched products, competition from other products including biosimilars, difficulties or delays in manufacturing its products and global economic conditions. In addition, sales of Amgen's products are affected by pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny and reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers, including governments, private insurance plans and managed care providers and may be affected by regulatory, clinical and guideline developments and domestic and international trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment. Furthermore, Amgen's research, testing, pricing, marketing and other operations are subject to extensive regulation by domestic and foreign government regulatory authorities. Amgen's business may be impacted by government investigations, litigation and product liability claims. In addition, Amgen's business may be impacted by the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities. If Amgen fails to meet the compliance obligations in the corporate integrity agreement between Amgen and the U.S. government, Amgen could become subject to significant sanctions. Further, while Amgen routinely obtains patents for its products and technology, the protection offered by its patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by its competitors, or Amgen may fail to prevail in present and future intellectual property litigation. Amgen performs a substantial amount of its commercial manufacturing activities at a few key facilities, including in Puerto Rico, and also depends on third parties for a portion of its manufacturing activities, and limits on supply may constrain sales of certain of its current products and product candidate development. An outbreak of disease or similar public health threat, such as COVID-19, and the public and governmental effort to mitigate against the spread of such disease, could have a significant adverse effect on the supply of materials for Amgen's manufacturing activities, the distribution of Amgen's products, the commercialization of Amgen's product candidates, and Amgen's clinical trial operations, and any such events may have a material adverse effect on Amgen's product development, product sales, business and results of operations. Amgen relies on collaborations with third parties for the development of some of its product candidates and for the commercialization and sales of some of its commercial products. In addition, Amgen competes with other companies with respect to many of its marketed products as well as for the discovery and development of new products. Further, some raw materials, medical devices and component parts for Amgen's products are supplied by sole third-party suppliers. Certain of Amgen's distributors, customers and payers have substantial purchasing leverage in their dealings with Amgen. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of Amgen's products that implicate an entire class of products could have a material adverse effect on sales of the affected products and on its business and results of operations. Amgen's efforts to collaborate with or acquire other companies, products or technology, and to integrate the operations of companies or to support the products or technology Amgen has acquired, may not be successful. There can be no guarantee that Amgen will be able to realize any of the strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities arising from the Horizon acquisition, and such benefits, synergies or opportunities may take longer to realize than expected. Amgen may not be able to successfully integrate Horizon, and such integration may take longer, be more difficult or cost more than expected. A breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach of Amgen's information technology systems could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Amgen's systems and Amgen's data. Amgen's stock price may be volatile and may be affected by a number of events. Amgen's business and operations may be negatively affected by the failure, or perceived failure, of achieving its environmental, social and governance objectives. The effects of global climate change and related natural disasters could negatively affect Amgen's business and operations. Global economic conditions may magnify certain risks that affect Amgen's business. Amgen's business performance could affect or limit the ability of the Amgen Board of Directors to declare a dividend or its ability to pay a dividend or repurchase its common stock. Amgen may not be able to access the capital and credit markets on terms that are favorable to it, or at all. Any scientific information discussed in this news release relating to new indications for Amgen's products is preliminary and investigative and is not part of the labeling approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the products. The products are not approved for the investigational use(s) discussed in this news release, and no conclusions can or should be drawn regarding the safety or effectiveness of the products for these uses. CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks Elissa Snook , 609-251-1407 (media) Justin Claeys , 805-313-9775 (investors) References View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blincyto-blinatumomab-added-to-chemotherapy-significantly-improves-survival-in-newly-diagnosed-pediatric-patients-with-b-cell-precursor-acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia-b-all-302325381.html SOURCE Amgen

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Police Debunk ‘Green Coconut’ Rumors Spreading on Social Media

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr sustained a left hand injury and possible concussion in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 14-11 victory over the New York Giants. The Saints feared Carr fractured the hand, per reports, and he was slated to undergo further testing. He reportedly had a cast on the hand when exiting the stadium. Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi said Carr may have to enter the concussion protocol. Carr was injured when he tried to leap for a first down late in the final quarter. He was near the sideline and went airborne, landing hard on the left hand with this face then slamming into the turf as he landed out of bounds with 3:59 left in the game. Jake Haener finished up the game for the Saints. Carr completed 20 of 31 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and one interception for New Orleans. Overall, Carr has passed for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He missed three games earlier this season due to an oblique injury. --Field Level MediaPhase 3 Study Results Demonstrated Three Year, Disease-Free Survival of 96% THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. , Dec. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced new data demonstrating that adding BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) to chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival (DFS) in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard risk (SR) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) of average or higher risk of relapse. The data are from a Phase 3 study (AALL1731) conducted by the Children's Oncology Group. The results were simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine and will be presented during the plenary session on Sunday, Dec. 8 , at 2 p.m. PT at the 66 th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego . "Over the last decade, BLINCYTO has reshaped the treatment landscape for B-ALL, offering a critical lifeline for thousands of adult and pediatric patients," said Jay Bradner , M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development and chief scientific officer at Amgen. "These powerful new data leave us little doubt about the profound impact of this medicine for a large number of children affected by this disease. We are grateful to the Children's Oncology Group, along with the patients, families and clinical teams, for their dedication and partnership in advancing this critical study to improve the lives of children with cancer." Based on the results of the first pre-specified interim analysis for efficacy, the study met its primary endpoint of DFS and study randomization was terminated early based on the recommendation from the data and safety monitoring committee due to the benefit observed in the BLINCYTO arm compared to the chemotherapy-only arm. Overall, the 3-year DFS was 96.0% for patients treated with chemotherapy plus BLINCYTO compared to 87.9% for those treated with only chemotherapy. The hazard ratio (HR) was 0.39 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24-0.64], indicating a 61% reduction in the risk of disease relapse, secondary malignant neoplasm or remission death with BLINCYTO. At 3 years, more patients remained alive and cancer free when treated with BLINCYTO plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. "The AALL1731 study results are truly practice-changing, further solidifying blinatumomab's role as the standard of care for a large number of children with B-ALL," said Sumit Gupta , M.D., Ph.D., FRCPC, co-chair of the Children's Oncology Group AALL1731 study and oncologist and clinician investigator, Division of Haematology/Oncology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Toronto . "These breakthrough data showing a significant improvement in disease-free survival are poised to bring substantial clinical value to children with newly diagnosed B-ALL." The addition of BLINCYTO to chemotherapy in standard risk patients resulted in outcomes similar to those previously achieved in only the most favorable pediatric risk subsets. Among SR-Average patients, 3-year DFS was 97.5% for patients treated with BLINCYTO compared to 90.2% for those treated with only chemotherapy (HR 0.33, CI 0.15-0.69). For SR-High patients, 3-year DFS was 94.1% for those treated with BLINCYTO compared to 84.8% for those treated with only chemotherapy (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.24-0.85). "Relapsed ALL remains a major cause of pediatric cancer mortality, with nearly half of the relapses occurring in children with standard-risk B-ALL," said Rachel E. Rau , M.D., co-chair of the Children's Oncology Group AALL1731 study, pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Seattle Children's Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington . "These findings underscore the progress made with blinatumomab in preventing relapse and support its role as a critical addition to current therapeutic strategies." Safety results are consistent with the known safety profile of BLINCYTO. BLINCYTO has demonstrated a positive balance of benefits and risks, with only 0.3% of first courses associated with Grade 3+ cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and 0.7% with seizures. A higher risk of infections was observed in the BLINCYTO arm. These results provide the first evidence supporting BLINCYTO for use in the consolidation phase in newly diagnosed pediatric Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) B-ALL patients. This groundbreaking first-in-class Bispecific T-cell Engager (BiTE ® ) therapy is now backed by additional evidence reinforcing its role in redefining a standard of care for both adult and pediatric patients, starting from one month old, regardless of measurable residual disease (MRD) status. The findings further establish BLINCYTO as a versatile first-line consolidation therapy across all ages and treatment backbones. The NCI's Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), which sponsored the study will share data with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as part of their ongoing communications relating to the trial. About The Children's Oncology Group The Children's Oncology Group (childrensoncologygroup.org), a member of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), is the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. The Children's Oncology Group unites over 10,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 200 leading children's hospitals, universities and cancer centers across North America , Australia , New Zealand and Saudi Arabia in the fight against childhood cancer. Today, more than 80% of the 15,000 children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States are cared for at Children's Oncology Group member institutions. Research performed by Children's Oncology Group institutions over the past 50 years has transformed childhood cancer from a virtually incurable disease to one with a combined 5-year survival rate of 86%. The Children's Oncology Group's mission is to improve the cure rate and outcomes for all children with cancer. About AALL1731 (NCT03914625) The AALL1731 study was a Phase 3 randomized trial to determine if two non-sequential cycles of BLINCYTO added to chemotherapy improved disease-free survival (DFS) in children with newly diagnosed pediatric National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard risk (SR) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The study enrolled 4,264 newly diagnosed NCI SR B-ALL patients, of whom 2,334 were risk stratified at the end of induction therapy as either SR-Average or SR-High. At the first planned interim efficacy analysis (data cutoff June 30, 2024 ), 1,440 of the eligible and evaluable patients had been randomized. The AALL1731 study was designed and conducted independently from industry. The Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) of the NCI sponsored the trial and provided funding to the Children's Oncology Group to conduct the study. NCI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition, Amgen provided BLINCYTO and support through an NCI Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. About Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) ALL, also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is a fast-growing type of blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow and can sometimes spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and central nervous system. ALL is a rare disease, with an estimated 6,550 new cases, affecting both children and adults, diagnosed in the U.S. in 2024. 1 B-ALL begins in immature cells that would normally develop into B-cell lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that grow in bone marrow. 2,3 B-ALL is the most common type of ALL, constituting approximately 75% of cases in adults and approximately 88% in children, the most common cancer in children. 4,5 About BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) BLINCYTO is the first globally approved Bispecific T-cell Engager (BiTE ® ) immuno-oncology therapy that targets CD19 surface antigens on B cells. BiTE ® molecules fight cancer by helping the body's immune system detect and target malignant cells by engaging T cells (a type of white blood cell capable of killing other cells perceived as threats) to cancer cells. By bringing T cells near cancer cells, the T cells can inject toxins and trigger cancer cell death (apoptosis). BiTE ® immuno-oncology therapies are currently being investigated for their potential to treat a wide variety of cancers. BLINCYTO was granted Breakthrough Therapy and Priority Review designations by the U.S. FDA and is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of: In the European Union (EU), BLINCYTO is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of: BLINCYTO ® IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME and NEUROLOGICAL TOXICITIES including IMMUNE EFFECTOR CELL-ASSOCIATED NEUROTOXICITY SYNDROME Contraindications BLINCYTO ® is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to blinatumomab or to any component of the product formulation. Warnings and Precautions Adverse Reactions Dosage and Administration Guidelines INDICATIONS BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) is indicated for the treatment of CD19-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adult and pediatric patients one month and older with: Please see BLINCYTO ® full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNINGS. About Bispecific T-Cell Engager (BiTE ® ) Technology BiTE technology is a targeted immuno-oncology platform that is designed to engage a patient's own T cells to any tumor-specific antigen, activating the cytotoxic potential of T cells to eliminate detectable cancer. The BiTE immuno-oncology platform has the potential to treat different cancer types through tumor-specific antigens. The BiTE platform has a goal of leading to off-the-shelf solutions, which have the potential to make innovative T-cell treatment available to all providers when their patients need it. For more than a decade, Amgen has been advancing this innovative technology, which has demonstrated strong efficacy in hematological malignancies and now a solid tumor with the approval of IMDELLTRA. Amgen remains committed to progressing multiple BiTE molecules across a broad range of hematologic and solid tumor malignancies, paving the way for additional applications in more tumor types. Amgen is further investigating BiTE technology with the goal of enhancing patient experience and therapeutic potential. To learn more about BiTE technology, visit BiTE ® Technology 101 . About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative medicines to help millions of patients in their fight against some of the world's toughest diseases. More than 40 years ago, Amgen helped to establish the biotechnology industry and remains on the cutting-edge of innovation, using technology and human genetic data to push beyond what's known today. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline that builds on its existing portfolio of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, inflammatory diseases and rare diseases. In 2024, Amgen was named one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company and one of "America's Best Large Employers" by Forbes, among other external recognitions . Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average ® , and it is also part of the Nasdaq-100 Index ® , which includes the largest and most innovative non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization. For more information, visit Amgen.com and follow Amgen on X , LinkedIn , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube and Threads . Amgen Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the current expectations and beliefs of Amgen. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including any statements on the outcome, benefits and synergies of collaborations, or potential collaborations, with any other company (including BeiGene, Ltd. or Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.), the performance of Otezla ® (apremilast) (including anticipated Otezla sales growth and the timing of non-GAAP EPS accretion), Amgen's acquisitions of Teneobio, Inc., ChemoCentryx, Inc., or Horizon Therapeutics plc (including the prospective performance and outlook of Horizon's business, performance and opportunities, any potential strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities expected as a result of such acquisition, and any projected impacts from the Horizon acquisition on Amgen's acquisition-related expenses going forward), as well as estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial metrics, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, reimbursement activities and outcomes, effects of pandemics or other widespread health problems on Amgen's business, outcomes, progress, and other such estimates and results. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and more fully described in the Securities and Exchange Commission reports filed by Amgen, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Unless otherwise noted, Amgen is providing this information as of the date of this news release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those Amgen projects. Discovery or identification of new product candidates or development of new indications for existing products cannot be guaranteed and movement from concept to product is uncertain; consequently, there can be no guarantee that any particular product candidate or development of a new indication for an existing product will be successful and become a commercial product. Further, preclinical results do not guarantee safe and effective performance of product candidates in humans. The complexity of the human body cannot be perfectly, or sometimes, even adequately modeled by computer or cell culture systems or animal models. The length of time that it takes for Amgen to complete clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval for product marketing has in the past varied and Amgen expects similar variability in the future. Even when clinical trials are successful, regulatory authorities may question the sufficiency for approval of the trial endpoints Amgen has selected. Amgen develops product candidates internally and through licensing collaborations, partnerships and joint ventures. Product candidates that are derived from relationships may be subject to disputes between the parties or may prove to be not as effective or as safe as Amgen may have believed at the time of entering into such relationship. Also, Amgen or others could identify safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products, including its devices, after they are on the market. Amgen's results may be affected by its ability to successfully market both new and existing products domestically and internationally, clinical and regulatory developments involving current and future products, sales growth of recently launched products, competition from other products including biosimilars, difficulties or delays in manufacturing its products and global economic conditions. In addition, sales of Amgen's products are affected by pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny and reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers, including governments, private insurance plans and managed care providers and may be affected by regulatory, clinical and guideline developments and domestic and international trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment. Furthermore, Amgen's research, testing, pricing, marketing and other operations are subject to extensive regulation by domestic and foreign government regulatory authorities. Amgen's business may be impacted by government investigations, litigation and product liability claims. In addition, Amgen's business may be impacted by the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities. If Amgen fails to meet the compliance obligations in the corporate integrity agreement between Amgen and the U.S. government, Amgen could become subject to significant sanctions. Further, while Amgen routinely obtains patents for its products and technology, the protection offered by its patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by its competitors, or Amgen may fail to prevail in present and future intellectual property litigation. Amgen performs a substantial amount of its commercial manufacturing activities at a few key facilities, including in Puerto Rico, and also depends on third parties for a portion of its manufacturing activities, and limits on supply may constrain sales of certain of its current products and product candidate development. An outbreak of disease or similar public health threat, such as COVID-19, and the public and governmental effort to mitigate against the spread of such disease, could have a significant adverse effect on the supply of materials for Amgen's manufacturing activities, the distribution of Amgen's products, the commercialization of Amgen's product candidates, and Amgen's clinical trial operations, and any such events may have a material adverse effect on Amgen's product development, product sales, business and results of operations. Amgen relies on collaborations with third parties for the development of some of its product candidates and for the commercialization and sales of some of its commercial products. In addition, Amgen competes with other companies with respect to many of its marketed products as well as for the discovery and development of new products. Further, some raw materials, medical devices and component parts for Amgen's products are supplied by sole third-party suppliers. Certain of Amgen's distributors, customers and payers have substantial purchasing leverage in their dealings with Amgen. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of Amgen's products that implicate an entire class of products could have a material adverse effect on sales of the affected products and on its business and results of operations. Amgen's efforts to collaborate with or acquire other companies, products or technology, and to integrate the operations of companies or to support the products or technology Amgen has acquired, may not be successful. There can be no guarantee that Amgen will be able to realize any of the strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities arising from the Horizon acquisition, and such benefits, synergies or opportunities may take longer to realize than expected. Amgen may not be able to successfully integrate Horizon, and such integration may take longer, be more difficult or cost more than expected. A breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach of Amgen's information technology systems could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Amgen's systems and Amgen's data. Amgen's stock price may be volatile and may be affected by a number of events. Amgen's business and operations may be negatively affected by the failure, or perceived failure, of achieving its environmental, social and governance objectives. The effects of global climate change and related natural disasters could negatively affect Amgen's business and operations. Global economic conditions may magnify certain risks that affect Amgen's business. Amgen's business performance could affect or limit the ability of the Amgen Board of Directors to declare a dividend or its ability to pay a dividend or repurchase its common stock. Amgen may not be able to access the capital and credit markets on terms that are favorable to it, or at all. Any scientific information discussed in this news release relating to new indications for Amgen's products is preliminary and investigative and is not part of the labeling approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the products. The products are not approved for the investigational use(s) discussed in this news release, and no conclusions can or should be drawn regarding the safety or effectiveness of the products for these uses. CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks Elissa Snook , 609-251-1407 (media) Justin Claeys , 805-313-9775 (investors) References View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blincyto-blinatumomab-added-to-chemotherapy-significantly-improves-survival-in-newly-diagnosed-pediatric-patients-with-b-cell-precursor-acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia-b-all-302325381.html SOURCE Amgen

No. 14 ASU, No. 17 Iowa State front-runners for possibly wild Big 12 finishOptimization technology offers TikTok Shop Live sellers viewer insights to boost sales NEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stickler today announced its launch as the first – and only – Live Selling Analytics Platform in the TikTok Shop App Store. With TikTok Shop rapidly expanding its global footprint in live commerce, Stickler's app sets a new standard for data-driven optimization, enabling brands, agencies and sellers to scale their live selling with ease and at very low cost. Stickler's solution also supports every local language where TikTok Shop operates to empower sellers worldwide by providing unparalleled insights into their live stream performance. "We've tracked over 100,000 hours of Live Commerce and understand the best practices of live selling and what makes it work. We're very happy to partner with TikTok Shop to release our technology through the App Store to help merchants in the U.S. when going live on TikTok Shop," said Stickler founder and CEO Fionn Hyndman . TikTok Shop guards its total retail sales closely, but Hyndman said he expects TikTok Shop will be delivering over $3 billion a month in GMV in the U.S. over November and December, and the number of live streams and session length should increase 30-60%, month-on-month. "We think it's safe to say that clients who go live are seeing it generate a return," Hyndman said. "Very few sellers are optimizing their live selling for TikTok's algorithm or the consumer. They need a tool like Stickler to give them the insight they lack. Insights drive effectiveness. Effectiveness drives results. And results drive spend. It has always been that way." TikTok Shop's Product Lead noted Stickler's app is the "best-in-class product that I've seen so far on the market when it comes to serving a global market and the challenges and nuances that come with Eastern and Western markets." Hyndman and team have been offering Stickler's custom app to brands in Southeast Asia since 2023, working with some of the region's leading traditional and direct-to-consumer brands. The Stickler live-selling app is now available now in the U.S. TikTok Shop App Store and across all TikTok Shop markets globally through custom application. For further information about the company and its services, visit http://www.stickler.live/ or please contact; Fionn Hyndman [email protected] STICKLER FACT SHEET Founded in 2022, Stickler is a software-as-a-service platform focused on live commerce optimization. Stickler combines cutting-edge analytics with scalable optimization tools. Its three flagship products –Stickler, LiveScope, and LiveStage – empower brands to maximize their live selling results efficiently and effectively. Key Features of Stickler's TikTok Shop Integration Exclusive Analytics for Live Selling: Stickler is the only platform providing comprehensive analytics for TikTok live streams, capturing video, audio and engagement metrics. Auto-Reporting: Automatically generates detailed post-stream reports, including sales data, audience engagement and actionable insights. Real-Time Monitoring: Seamlessly connects to clients' TikTok Shop accounts to capture every stream and track likes, comments, shares, follows, and gifts. Host and Messaging Analysis: Transcribes audio to identify impactful host actions, promotions, and messaging that resonate—or have a negative affect. Multi-Market and Multi-Language Support: Fully operational in every TikTok Shop market, with tailored support for local languages and cultural nuances. Why Live Commerce Analytics & Optimization Matter As live commerce emerges as a ascendent form of online retail, TikTok Shop continues to lead with its innovative approach to engaging consumers and selling through a marketplace that is more similar to Amazon than Meta. Stickler amplifies this success by equipping sellers with the tools to: Understand What Drives Sales: Correlate host actions, promotions and offers with spikes in engagement and revenue. Protect Brand Safety: Detect any messaging misalignments to safeguard brand reputation. Improve ROI: Use actionable insights from Stickler's analytics to optimize future streams. Stickler's Unique Selling Points Stickler was built to address the complexities of live commerce at scale. Its integration with TikTok Shop's App Store means brands and sellers can – for the first time – access real-time, actionable insights to optimize their live streams across markets. No more guesswork – just data-driven decisions to drive engagement, sales, and ROI. Many companies, brands and prominent sellers have told Stickler they don't understand this new way of going live via TikTok. Looking at available data, most successful brands go live for many more hours on TikTok Live than on other platforms. Stickler has cracked the best, most-effective way to optimize customer engagements and is making it globally available for sellers in every local language where TikTok Shop operates across 10 countries and markets. About Stickler Pte Ltd Stickler is a Live Commerce (Live Selling) enablement platform. We work with brands, creators, agencies and ecommerce companies to help them scale Live Commerce. We help manage the work flow and optimisation and help sellers do more with less resource. We don't believe in multi-streaming, we believe in being as effective as possible when you do stream. We are a multi-platform tool, designed with sellers at heart, aiming to make their Life, and their Lives easier Press Contact: Fionn Hyndman 16462432994 http://www.stickler.live SOURCE Stickler Pte Ltd

Smith scores 23 in Furman's 69-63 win against PrincetonOLIVER: Progressives are out of step with voters in North America

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaquil Barrett is rejoining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs signed the two-time Super Bowl champion on Saturday, while also announcing safety Jordan Whitehead was activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers. Barrett spent five seasons with Tampa Bay from 2019 to 2023. He led the NFL with a franchise-record 19 1-2 sacks in his first year with the Bucs, then helped the team win its second Super Bowl title the following season. In all, Barrett started 70 games with Tampa Bay, amassing 45 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He was released last winter in a salary cap move, signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins in free agency, then abruptly announced his retirement on social media before the start of training camp in July. Barrett, who also won a Super Bowl during a four-season stint with the Denver Broncos, decided to unretire last month. He signed with the Bucs after clearing waivers earlier in the week. Whitehead has missed the past four games with a pectoral injury. His return comes of the heels of the Bucs placing safety Christian Izien on IR with a pectoral injury. On Saturday, the Bucs also activated rookie wide receiver Kameron Johnson from IR and elevated punter Jack Browning to the active roster from the practice squad. ___ NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

A former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has applauded the emerging global status of the yearly Okpoama International Beach Carnival at the Brass Island saying it has added to the steady growth of the country’s entertainment industry. Sylva particularly applauded the performances of Patoranking, Nyanya, Spiro, and other emerging musical and comic artists that stormed Bayelsa and thrilled guests, tourists, and residents who attended the carnival. The former Minister of State for Petroleum described the event as beautiful sights and sounds from this year’s Okpoama International Beach Carnival. He said: “The best of our country’s musical talents performed and enjoyed the ambiance of Brass Island,” he said. “Indigenous musical prospects were given the chance to perform alongside Internationally recognized stars in a deliberate act of raising their stock. “Ultimately, the dream of making Okpoama a proper globally recognized tourism destination is in sight.” Okpoama International Beach Carnival has always paraded top musical and comic artists yearly and attracted multitude of tourists from within and outside the state. In the time past, Timaya, Davido, Wizkid, and Tiwa Savage were among the top artists who identified with and thrilled visitors at previous events. The event has always presented an indispensable opportunity for people outside the state to enjoy Bayelsa hospitality and savour local state delicacies. The 2025 Okpoama International Beach Carnival, which MC Senibo coordinated as the Master of Ceremony is usually organized by Sylva’s team and political associates including Kojo Sam to highlight the potential of Okpoama and Brass Island as a destination of choice for tourists.

Even Dr. Oz Can’t Break MedicareMum-of-four Coleen Rooney screamed in fear and admitted "I'm glad it's all over" as she teamed up with the other finalists for the last Bushtucker trial of the series Heading down to the trial area, the trio were introduced to ‘The Towers of Terror.’ Hosts Ant and Dec explained that all three of them would have to complete the two parts of the trial in order to win a final feast in camp. In return for stars, they’d be winning a starter, main course, dessert and drink in camp. In the first part of the trial, all three of them were placed in position in the first tower, lying on their backs with Coleen in the top section, Danny Jones in the middle and Rev Richard Coles at the bottom. As the trial began they had to guide the stars one by one down to one another to the very bottom of the tower, into the yellow win zone. And of course, they weren’t alone, as they were joined by snakes. With the trial underway, Coleen screamed, as she said: “Ahh, something’s wrapping round my foot!”. Ant and Dec then told Coleen they’d never seen her that scared before. Fans were shocked to see Coleen terrified and panicked for the first time in the last few weeks of the jungle. One fan said on social media: "First time I’ve seen Coleen actually panic!" while another posted: "Most panicked I’ve seen Coleen yet!" One claimed she was 'faking' her fear to appear brave during the final. They wrote: "Coleen has been silent in all the trials so far but on the last one she’s freaking out? It’s giving acting scared to appear brave." Another pointed out how she's been mostly quiet during the trials, writing: "Bless her, I think this is the most I've heard, Coleen, 'scream' etc, a few little "arghs/eurghs", over the last few weeks 'n that, but nothing major, she's pretty stoic the majority of the time... She's still smashing it, though, as per!" Successfully completing the first part of the trial within the ten minute time limit, they then headed to the second larger tower, for the final part of their trial where they had a further ten minutes to win their remaining stars. Ant told the celebrities: “Now you’ve already taken on the smaller one, the Dec Tower, it’s time for the much taller, Ant tower!” Again tiered on three different levels, they all had to release star pieces in their individual sections and get them down to Danny in the bottom tier whose task it was to piece them together in a puzzle style formation to win stars for camp. Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .EAST RUTHERFORD — Joe Schoen apologists will tell you that he hasn’t had a chance to “pick” his own quarterback. Yet all he did this season was assemble one of the worst quarterback rooms in modern football history. Three quarterbacks have tried and three quarterbacks have failed miserably in this putrid Giants offense — the latest example coming Sunday at MetLife Stadium when Drew Lock had poor pocket presence and missed open receivers in the Giants’ 14-11 loss to a bad Saints team. “Obviously we could’ve done a better job in certain areas whether it’s protection, reads, throws, calls — whatever it may be,” said head coach Brian Daboll, who has also failed at being the offensive mastermind that the Giants hired him two years ago to be. “It’s a collective thing. Put it on me.” Look, the obvious caveat is that it would be difficult for many quarterbacks to thrive in this environment. The 2-11 Giants are down to backups at both offensive tackle spots, lost two more linemen during Sunday’s game, and don’t have a legitimate pass-catching tight end. No one is asking for Tom Brady-level production, though, and it’s undeniable that the front office didn’t help its cause by signing lousy quarterbacks who don’t elevate an offense in any shape or form. Remember when Schoen thought he could somehow neutralize Daniel Jones’ deficiencies by drafting wide receiver Malik Nabers instead of picking a new quarterback like J.J. McCarthy or Bo Nix, who is going to win Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Broncos? Remember when the staff didn’t have enough faith in Tommy DeVito to name him the backup this season, but suddenly wanted the No. 3 quarterback to start after benching Daniel Jones in Week 12, then changed their minds after DeVito missed one game due to injury? Or remember when they thought Lock was a legitimate backup to sign in the first place, rather than pursue a more provenly successful veteran like Russell Wilson? None of it has worked out. Schoen has made numerous miscalculations that he must own, and it’s no longer realistic for fans to trust that he’s the right man to find a franchise quarterback with one of the first picks in next year’s draft. Just how bad was Lock against the Saints’ 29th-ranked passing defense? He didn’t complete a pass until the second quarter after eight straight incompletions, and he had only 81 passing yards entering the fourth quarter, when the Giants trailed by double digits. “Just missed some easy ones,” Lock said. “One of those (first) halves where you’re gonna go back and be frustrated. They were giving us some stuff, and, ah, man, just didn’t maximize the opportunities they gave us. As the quarterback and how I feel, it’s the classic ‘shoot myself in the foot.’ Found some plays where we had opportunities and didn’t take them, didn’t make them.” Lock even went viral on social media in the second quarter for inexplicably cutting to the outside on a scramble when he had a first down if he continued running straight. Even when the Giants miraculously had a chance to tie or take the lead late, Lock rolled to his right and threw an interception with 1:52 remaining from the Giants’ 38-yard line. Then the Giants got the back ball thanks to their defense forcing the Saints to punt for the seventh time, yet their last-minute drive stalled at the Saints’ 17-yard line and fittingly ended with a blocked field goal. “They were giving us a lot of Tampa (defensive coverage) on that final drive,” Lock said in explaining the second- and third-down incompletions. “Flipped around a couple guys around in the huddle. Put Wan’Dale (Robinson) at 3, (Malik Nabers) at the X, tried to get it to him on one of the boundary safeties. They gave me Tampa, Wan’Dale did a great job of getting around 56, put a low ball to Wan’Dale and guy made a good play on that. “The last play it was, we’ve got the field goal, they’re gonna be playing off, can’t get tackled in bounds. If we do, we better get up on the ball. But at that point it was end zone, incomplete or out of bounds, and it ended out of bounds.” The only positive to come out of Sunday was that with a fourth-quarter touchdown, the Giants are still averaging 14.9 points per game. That’s 0.1 higher than the worst scoring average in team history (minimum 16-game schedule) set by the 1979 Giants. But there’s plenty of time for that record to be broken with four more opponents who all have a chance to make the playoffs and will be almost certainly be tougher than the Saints. The Giants are also on pace to finish with the most losses (at least 14) in franchise history after recording 13 in 2021 and 2017. They have finished with two wins or fewer five other times (not since 1974), except all of those seasons contained no more than 14 games. It’s not an ideal way to celebrate your 100th year as a franchise, but this is what happens when you run a systemic failure from the top all the way down, starting with a dreadful quarterback room. So where do the Giants turn to for answers in the final month of the season? “Each other,” said wide receiver Darius Slayton, who has endured five losing seasons in six years with the Giants. “Nobody is gonna come make the plays. We’ve got to make the plays. We’ve got to run, catch, throw and block. So got to do that better.”

Hubbard scores 14 of his 25 points late as Mississippi State pulls away from Prairie View A&M, 91-84

Legislation passed by the House of Representatives has the potential to change Social Security payments for millions of beneficiaries, but the Senate has yet to act. On 12 November, the House passed the Social Security Fairness Act, which now heads to the Senate with strong bipartisan support. About 2.8 million Americans who work for federal, state, and local governments would see their Social Security benefits reduced under two federal laws that would be repealed under the measure. Earlier this fall, the bill made headlines when its House sponsors, Louisiana Republican Garret Graves, and Virginia Democrat Abigail Spanberger, were successful in forcing a vote on the bill by filing a discharge petition, a procedure that brings a bill to the floor of the House for consideration without a report from the committee responsible. A new law that will change the Social Security system in 2025 The Social Security Fairness Act, if enacted, would repeal the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision. Even if they have paid into Social Security through other jobs during their careers and are otherwise eligible for benefits, the WEP reduces Social Security benefits for people who receive pensions from public sector jobs, such as state and federal employees, that do not or were not required to pay Social Security payroll taxes. About 2 million beneficiaries are currently affected by this provision. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces spousal or survivor benefits for retired federal, state, and local government employees who did not make payroll tax contributions to the Social Security system. This regulation affects about 800,000 retirees. In brief, the bill would: How will this new bill impact Social Security benefits? If passed by the Senate and signed by the President, the bill would increase benefits for everyone currently covered by the WEP and GPO. According to an analysis by the Urban Institute in 2020, repealing both provisions would increase benefits for 4.5 percent of all beneficiaries by 2025, or about $7,300 more per year on average. However, the Congressional Budget Office has calculated that it will increase government deficits by about $195 billion over ten years. A Senate vote date has yet to be scheduled. If and when it is finally passed, it will apply to all benefits due to be paid after December 2023. In the letter released this week, Spanberger and Graves joined Senate sponsors Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell to bring a bill before Parliament and vote on it. They claimed that Americans covered by the provisions would be punished for doing things like delivering our mail, helping our neighbors and families, educating our children, and caring for our veterans. In conclusion, the Social Security Fairness Act seeks to eliminate disparities in benefits caused by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) , improving benefits for millions of Americans, particularly public-sector retirees, and eliminating penalties that influence spousal and surviving payments. However, despite bipartisan support, the bill’s passage in the Senate is doubtful because of worries about a projected ten-year deficit rise of $195 billion. Senate action and broader budgetary responsibility issues will now determine the fate of this groundbreaking measure.

Bluesky isn’t the ‘new Twitter,’ but its resemblance to the old one is drawing millions of new usersCavaliers' unexpected 17-1 start to season also produces unexpected star: reserve guard Ty Jerome

Lions WR Jameson Williams won’t face gun charges, per prosecutor’s officeDetails on Air Force's late-night visit to Reno, where it has played nothing but close games. Kickoff: 8:30 p.m., Mackay Stadium TV/Stream: FS1 – channel 11.1 in Colorado Springs on Comcast/Infinity (Channel 55/775 HD), DirecTV (Channel 219) and Dish (Channel 150). The game will also be streamed through Fox Sports website and app. Broadcast crew: Trent Rush (play-by-play), Petros Papadakis (analyst) Radio: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, 104.3 the Fan in Denver, SIRUS 387 Air Force broadcast crew: Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst) The Gazette’s Brent Briggeman identifies items of intrigue he’ll be tracking during the game. Can the defense do it again? The offense has been the primary driver of Air Force’s recent turnaround, picking up 47 first downs in the two games and running the clock. But the defense has obviously been a part of that. However, here’s another chance for the defense to show just how good it is. Against Fresno State, the Bulldogs offense was on the field for just 14:52 but averaged 7.5 yards per play. Part of that ability to quickly get off the field In a shutout came from stops, but part came from four scoring drives that averaged just 99 seconds apiece. In a shutout of Oregon State the Falcons were playing against a backup quarterback with only five career pass attempts prior to the game. Nevada, with an offense presumably intact, provides Air Force’s defense another opportunity to show how far is has come this season. Another close game? Air Force and Nevada have made a habit of playing close games, and that has especially been the case in games in Reno. The Falcons are 2-1 at Nevada, losing 45-42 in 2013, winning 45-42 in 2017 and prevailing 41-39 after three overtimes in 2021. The only game for Air Force this season that came down to the final possession was its 21-13 loss to Colorado State. History certainly suggests this could be another. The big picture(s) A two-game winning streak has placed Air Force in position where, if it can win its final two games, if just might land itself in a bowl game as a 5-7 replacement team should the slate not be filled. A loss would eliminate that hope. Also, sophomores have been emerging in recent weeks, with QB Quentin Hayes, OL Alec Falk, OLB David Santiago, ILB Blake Fletcher, DB Lincol Tuioti-Mariner and SS Houston Hendrix among the expected starters this week and fullback Owen Allen serving as the top backup at a prolific position on the offense. Can more sophomores (and juniors) continue to establish themselves, aiding the program as it nears the end of the season? Starting combinations for Air Force’s offensive line this season, only six teams have used more. However, the Falcons have started the same line for the past four games. Air Force’s national rank in rushing yards with 209.4 yards per game. The Falcons have finished in the Top 10 all but once since 1986. They ranked 36th just two weeks ago before running for a combined 614 yards in the past two games. Receptions for Air Force slot receiver Cade Harris, the most in a season for the Falcons since Geraud Sanders had 30 catches in 2019. Players on Nevada’s roster who transferred from teams in power conferences. Nevada’s third-down conversion percentage, the second best in the Mountain West and No. 14 nationally.

Israel launches new airstrikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to ceasefire with Hezbollah