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Paul Finebaum Puts College Football Playoff Contender on Upset AlertScience World coming to North Okanagan schoolsMiguel Tomley scores 28 to lead Weber State over Pepperdine 68-53 at Arizona Tip-OffNo. 5 UCLA stuns No. South Carolina, ends 43-game streak

The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressing support for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, although they reflect world opinion. Israel has faced growing international criticism over its conduct in Gaza as it fights Hamas militants, especially when it comes to humanitarian aid for desperate people in the besieged and heavily destroyed territory. Israeli airstrikes in northern and central Gaza killed at least 33 people overnight and into Wednesday, Palestinian medical officials said. Hospital records show one Israeli strike in northern Gaza killed 19 people in a home, including a family of eight — four children, their parents and two grandparents. The Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas militant in the vicinity of the hospital, part of a blistering offensive in Gaza’s isolated and heavily destroyed north . The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people, including children and older adults. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials. They say women and children make up more than half the dead but do not distinguish between fighters and civilians in their count. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Here's the latest: JERUSALEM — Israeli hospital officials say a young boy is fighting for his life after a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank. An Israeli bus came under fire from a suspected Palestinian attacker late Wednesday, the military said, and Israeli forces are searching for the shooter. Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem says at least three people were wounded in the shooting, which took place just outside the city in an area near major Israeli settlements. The hospital says the boy, who is about 10, is in grave condition. It says two other people, ages 24 and 55, were also hurt. UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban . The votes in the 193-nation world body were 158-9 with 13 abstentions to demand a ceasefire now and 159-9 with 11 abstentions to support the agency known as UNRWA. The votes culminated two days of speeches overwhelmingly calling for an end to the 14-month war between Israel and the militant Hamas group . General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they reflect world opinion. There are no vetoes in the assembly. Israel and its close ally, the United States, were in a tiny minority speaking and voting against the resolutions. BEIRUT — Israeli forces withdrew from a strategic town in southern Lebanon and handed it back to the Lebanese army in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, the two militaries said Wednesday, marking an important test of the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants. It appeared to be Israel's first pullout from a Lebanese border town captured during this fall’s ground invasion, and comes as part of the initial phase of the ceasefire. The Lebanese army said Wednesday it has deployed units to five positions around the town of Khiam coinciding with the Israeli army’s withdrawal. Israel's military confirmed this was the first town it has turned over to the Lebanese army under the truce, which — if it endures — would end nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has said the truce deal gives it the right to use military force against perceived ceasefire violations. Israel has launched near-daily strikes, mostly in southern Lebanon, that have killed at least 28 people and wounded 25 others since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27. Still, the shaky truce appears to be holding. Five people were killed Wednesday by at least three Israeli strikes in different towns in the southern municipality of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency said. The Lebanese army warned civilians to stay out of Khiam until it can clear the area of any unexploded munitions. The strategic hilltop town, located less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the border with Israel, saw some of the most intense fighting during the war. Thousands of Lebanese displaced by the war returned home two weeks ago after a ceasefire took hold , driving cars stacked with personal belongings and defying warnings from Lebanese and Israeli troops to avoid some areas. WASHINGTON — All Russian naval ships that were docked at the Syrian port of Tartus have left and it appears Moscow is now looking for a new base along the coast now that its key ally, Bashar Assad, has been ousted a ruler of Syria, a U.S. official said. It’s not clear where the ships will go, but Russia may seek a new port on the Mediterranean Sea along the African shoreline, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss U.S. assessments. The official did not say how many vessels Russia had in Syria at the time Assad was overthrown. Moscow has dedicated the bulk of its military assets to the war in Ukraine. Asked about Tartus on Wednesday, Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said that the U.S. is seeing some Russian forces and naval vessels leaving Syria. “They just had one of their key political allies, ousted,” said Singh. “We’re seeing Russia consolidate assets.” — By Lolita C. Baldor UNITED NATIONS – The Palestinians are urging United Nations member countries to vote in favor of resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supporting the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, which Israel has moved to ban in Palestinian territories. The Palestinian mission to the United Nations issued the urgent appeal to the 193 U.N. member nations ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s votes on the resolutions in the General Assembly, whose members have has been listening to two days of speeches overwhelmingly supporting the measures. Israel and close ally the United States have spoken against the resolutions. The Palestinians and their supporters went to the General Assembly after the U.S. vetoed a Security Council resolution last month demanding an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza. It was supported by the 14 other Security Councilmember nations, but the U.S. objected because the resolution did not include a link to an immediate release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The General Assembly resolution being voted on Wednesday mirrors the Security Council language: It “demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties, and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.” Unlike the Security Council, there are no vetoes in the General Assembly. But while council resolutions are legally binding, assembly resolutions are not, though they do reflect world opinion. The second resolution being voted on supports the mandate of the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA which was established by the General Assembly in 1949. It “deplores” legislation adopted by Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Oct. 28 banning UNRWA’s activities in the Palestinian territories, which takes effect in 90 days. It calls on the Israeli government “to abide by its international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of UNRWA and uphold its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip.” JERUSALEM — Israel has lifted restrictions on public gatherings and outdoor activities in areas near the Lebanese border in the northern Golan Heights, two weeks after a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The army’s Home Front Command said it was changing its public safety guidelines to “full activity” from “partial activity.” Israel had tightened restrictions on Nov. 25, reflecting concerns that fighting could intensify ahead of any possible cease-fire between Israel and Lebanese militants. The truce went into effect on Nov. 27. In recent days, Israeli tanks and troops have advanced out of Israeli-held territory in the Golan Heights and pushed into a buffer zone inside Syria — a move Israel said it took to prevent attacks on its citizens. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally, except by the United States. BEIRUT - Syria-based Palestinian factions have formed a unified delegation to meet with the country's new rebel-led authorities. The factions said in a statement after their meeting Wednesday at the Palestinian Embassy that they stand by the side of the Syrian people. The factions condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Syria over the past few days that have destroyed much of the assets of the Syrian army. The factions decided to form a joint committee to run the affairs of Palestinians in Syria as well as to be in contact with the new insurgent-led transitional government, following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians live in Syria, many of them refugees, and the factions that have been based in Damascus were close to Assad’s government. Hamas was based in Syria until it left in 2012 a year after the county's civil war began. PRETORIA, South Africa — The United Nations chief says the fall of Syria’s authoritarian government has brought hope to the troubled Middle East, and pledged the global body’s support to the country's new leaders to ensure a smooth transition. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the U.N. wants to see “an inclusive political process in which the rights of all minorities will be fully respected, and paving the way towards a united sovereign Syria, with its territorial integrity fully re-established.” The jihadi-led Syrian rebels took control of the capital Damascus after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving many areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. A Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed force also controls large parts of northeastern Syria. Guterres said he fully trusts the people of Syria to be able “to choose their own destiny”. “I think it is our duty to do everything to support the different Syrian leaders in order to make sure that they come together and are able to guarantee a smooth transition, an inclusive transition in which all Syrians can feel that they belong," Guterres said. “The alternative does not make any sense.” Guterres is in South Africa to discuss the country’s role as it takes over the G20 presidency, among other issues. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli strike in central Gaza Strip killed four people and injured 16 others Wednesday, health officials said. Those killed and injured were taken to Awda Hospital after the strike hit a house in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, according to the press center at the hospital. Since Israel’s war in Gaza began in October last year, at least 44,805 people have been killed and 106,257 others have been injured, according to the latest update by the Gaza Health ministry. BEIRUT — The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East was in Lebanon on Wednesday meeting with the head of the Lebanese army. In the wake of shocking overthrow of the government in neighboring Syria, the two military leaders discussed the security situation in Lebanon, a statement from the country's army said. U.S. Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, who leads U.S. Central Command, met with the head of the Lebanese army Gen. Joseph Aoun to discuss ongoing American support for the implementation of the U.S.-and French-brokered ceasefire agreement, which ended more than a year of war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Israel has said the truce deal gives it the right to use military force against perceived ceasefire violations. Israel has launched near-daily strikes, mostly in southern Lebanon, that have killed at least 28 people and wounded 25 others since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27. Still, the shaky truce appears to be holding. Five people were killed Wednesday by at least three Israeli strikes in different towns in the southern municipality of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency said. On Tuesday, Kurilla was in eastern Syria visiting U.S. military bases and meeting with members of a Kurdish-led Syrian force that is backed by the U.S. He was assessing what CENTCOM described as efforts to counter a resurgence of the Islamic State group. He also visited Baghdad for talks with Iraqi officials on regional security and counter-IS operations. DAMASCUS — With the fall of Damascus, security forces of the deposed Bashar Assad government and staff withdrew from the Damascus International airport, grounding flights and stranding passengers. The airport has not been functional since. Now, security members of the rebel alliance in control of Syria have taken control of the airport, hoping to restore security, a sense of confidence, and the legitimacy needed to restart flights out of the capital, and from one of the country’s three international airports. “Damascus international airport is the heart of the city because it is the gateway for international delegations and missions,” Omar al-Shami, a security official with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the faction that led the shock offensive that led to the fall of Assad, told The Associated Press, calling it "the passage for Syria to breathe.” Al-Shami said security was restored at the international airport nearly 12 hours after the fall of Damascus. The factions entered the capital before dawn, and security members of the rebel alliance took charge before sunset on Sunday. He said he hoped the airport would be operational in less than a week. On Wednesday, a handful of engineers were inspecting four planes that were on the tarmac. Cleaning staff were removing broken furniture, glass windows, and trash from ransacking by looters following the fall of Damascus. The attack, reportedly by mobs and looters from the neighboring areas, left parts of the airport halls destroyed, with smashed furniture and merchandise. “There was a lot damage in the airport’s equipment and facilities in 90% of the sections,” Anis Fallouh, the head of the airport, told the AP. Fallouh said the operations to clean up the airport aim to convince international airlines to resume their flights to Damascus. “Soon in the coming days, flights will resume when we reopen air traffic to Syria and inform countries that Damascus airport is operational. We may start with domestic or test flights to ensure that everything in the airport is operational and avoid any mistakes. Then we can resume international flights.” Engineers were inspecting the four planes on the tarmac, from two Syrian airlines. Some administrative staff were visiting the airport as the new administrators of Damascus work to convince state officials to return to their posts. “We are on the Airbus 320, the technical team. Because of the security vacuum that happened on Sunday, some ill-intentioned people tried to cause damage but thank God the plane is fine — the body, the engines and its systems. Some things are missing and we are trying to fix that,” said Bassam Radi, the engineer in charge of maintenance, said. BERLIN — German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday addressed Berlin's reservations but also willingness to work the Syrian militant group in control of Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. “Nobody overlooks the origins of HTS in the al-Qaeda ideology. It is therefore clear that we will measure HTS by its actions,” Baerbock told reporters in Berlin. “Any cooperation presupposes that ethnic and religious minorities are protected, women’s rights are respected and acts of revenge are prevented.” She said that “whether we like it or not, the HTS militia ... is one of the decisive actors for the future of Syria.” “Together with our partners, we are therefore looking for an adequate way of dealing with HTS, with whom many have had no direct contact for good reasons,” she added. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the insurgent leader also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicted himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike near the southern Lebanese town of Bin Jbeil killed one person and wounded another, the state news agency reported. National News Agency said Wednesday’s airstrike hit a home. It gave no further details and there was no immediate comment from Israeli military. More than a dozen people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since a ceasefire went into effect on Nov. 27, ending the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war. WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East this week on his 12th visit since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad . Assad's departure has sparked new fears of instability in the region now wracked by three conflicts despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Blinken will travel to Jordan and Turkey on Thursday and Friday for talks expected to focus largely on Syria but also touch on long-elusive hopes for a deal to end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the territory since October 2023. The State Department said Blinken would meet Jordanian officials, including King Abdullah II, in the port of Aqaba on Thursday before flying to Ankara for meetings with Turkish officials Friday. Other stops in the region are also possible, officials said. Blinken “will reiterate the United States’ support for an inclusive, Syrian-led transition to an accountable and representative government,” department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. BEIRUT — Insurgents have set on fire the tomb of Syria’s former President Hafez Assad in his hometown in the northwest, a war monitor and a local journalist said Wednesday. Hafez Assad had ruled Syria for 30 years until his death in 2000, when his son, Bashar, succeeded him. Both ruled Syria with an iron fist and were blamed for crackdowns that left tens of thousands dead, mainly in the central city of Hama in 1982, and in much of the country since the civil war in 2011. Bashar Assad was ousted over the weekend and fled to Russia where he was given political asylum. Rami Abdurrahman of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian journalist Qusay Noor told The Associated Press that the tomb was set on fire Wednesday in the town of Qardaha in Latakia province. JERUSALEM — The United Nations is asking donors for over $4 billion to fund humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territories, most of it earmarked for war-ravaged Gaza. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also called for the “lifting all impediments to the entry of aid” in its appeal issued Wednesday. U.N. agencies say aid operations in Gaza are hindered by Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of law and order. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames the U.N. for not distributing it within the territory. The appeal for 2025 includes $3.6 billion for Gaza and about $450 million for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has destroyed vast areas of the besieged territory and displaced around 90% of its population of 2.3 million. Many have been displaced multiple times and are now crammed into squalid tent camps with little in the way of food or other essentials. Most of the population relies on international aid. JERUSALEM — The president of Paraguay addressed the Israeli parliament Wednesday ahead of the reopening of the country’s embassy in Jerusalem. The decision to reopen the embassy in Jerusalem and recognize the city as the capital of Israel is a diplomatic win for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and puts Paraguay in a small group of countries that have taken the move. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in 1967 but it wasn't recognized by the international community, and most countries run their embassies out of Tel Aviv. “Without Jerusalem, the land of Israel is a body without a soul,” President Santiago Peña said in a speech to the Knesset. “So I say here today that without an embassy in Jerusalem, diplomatic relations with Israel do not have a real heart.” He said he hoped the move would inspire other countries to do the same. The embassy is set to open Thursday. Pena’s move was welcomed by Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, along with other Israeli leaders. “Tomorrow we will inaugurate together the embassy of Paraguay in our eternal capital, and that will happen not for the first time, but for the second time,” Netanyahu said. Paraguay had an embassy in Jerusalem in 2018, under Former President Horacio Cartes. That embassy was moved back to Tel Aviv by Cartes’ successor, Mario Abdo Benitez, prompting Israel to close its embassy in Asuncion. Israel reopened its embassy in September. MOSCOW — Russia said Wednesday it has maintained contacts with the new authorities in Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “we are monitoring most closely what is happening in Syria.” “We, of course, maintain contacts with those who are currently controlling the situation in Syria,” Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. “This is necessary because our bases are located there, our diplomatic mission is located there and, of course, the issue related to ensuring the security of these facilities is extremely important and of primary significance.” Peskov wouldn’t give details of those contacts, saying only that Russia has contacted “those who are controlling the situation on the ground.” He wouldn’t give the number of Russian troops in Syria. Asked to comment about Israel’s seizure of a buffer zone on the border with Syria, Peskov called them destabilizing. “The strikes and actions in the Golan Heights area, in the buffer zone area, are unlikely to help stabilize the situation in an already destabilized Syria,” he said. Russia has granted political asylum to ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and his family after they fled rebels who seized Damascus over the weekend. TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the recent events in Syria, including the fall of its government, were part of a joint plan by the United States and Israel. “There should be no doubt that what has happened in Syria is the result of a joint American and Zionist plan," Khamenei said in a speech in Tehran on Wednesday that was broadcast on state TV. “We have evidence, and this evidence leaves no room for doubt.” The Supreme leader added: “A neighboring state of Syria has played a clear role in this matter, and it continues to do so. Everyone can see this.” Khamenei also rejected speculation by analysts who have said that Iran will be weakened by the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government. “Those ignorant analysts are unaware of the meaning of resistance. They think that if resistance weakens, Islamic Iran will also weaken. But I say, with the help and power of God — by the will of Almighty Allah — Iran is powerful and it will become even more powerful," he said.Trump's pick for energy secretary, Colorado's Chris Wright, says the real crisis is 'energy poverty'Stock market today: Stocks drift higher as US markets reopen after a holiday pause

Baltimore lawyers begin presenting $5 billion request for ‘full response to the opioid epidemic’

Penn State rolls past Maryland, clinches berth in Big Ten title gameErrors committed when speaking sometimes, sadly, result in word entanglements that are simply beyond repair. None of us is immune. And, getting out of verbal messes can be as difficult as sticking quills back into the goose. Some folks of national renown are known for their misspoken words, particularly when they open their mouths only to change feet ... — Two great examples were prominent in professional baseball. I reference the late Casey Stengel and Yogi Berra, remembered for countless entangled remarks. They are endless, real morsels to research if you enjoy hearing hilarious verbal foul-ups. One of Berra’s best lines was about a popular restaurant. “Nobody goes there anymore; it’s too crowded.” — Many similar “goofs” are found throughout the world of sports, certainly not limited to baseball. They continue today; a couple are worthy of revisiting, even though one may have been intentional, but probably ill-advised. Only days separated laughs by NFL TV analysts in Dallas and Philadelphia. Perhaps weary of watching the Dallas Cowboys’ meek surrender to the Philadelphia Eagles, veteran sportscaster Jim Nantz said that “the Keystone Cops had taken over.” (Sometimes too much truth is spoken. Remarks like this not only irk fans of the Cowboys, but could ignite team owner Jerry Jones. He might order Nantz to find the nearest exit and take it, or the next train, and be under it.) — A few nights later in Philadelphia, another veteran announcer, Al Michaels, mentioned the crack in the “Liberty Bowl.” Millions of viewers wondered if they heard him correctly, then said it again. There was no mistaking the gaffe. To his credit, a few minutes later he asked, “Did I say ‘Liberty Bowl’? I meant ‘Liberty Bell’.” Apology accepted ... — Some professional athletes are remembered more for what they say than how they perform in games. One baseballer said he could bat from either side of the plate. “I can bat left-handed and I can bat right-handed,” he bragged. “Thank God I’m amphibious.” Another claimed that he has “overcome a lot of diversity.” — Many “goofs,” of course, never make national headlines, but still are enjoyed greatly by locals. Years ago, a young lady from the news department of an Abilene TV station “filled in” for the sports guy. When she tried to report the baseball scores, fans of the game quickly realized that she wasn’t. She said something like, “New York beat Cleveland, four points to three points, Chicago topped Houston, six points to three points, and Philadelphia won over Atlanta, one point to no points.” — I dare not leave out my late friend, Gene Hendryx, longtime owner of Radio Station KVLF in Alpine, TX. One day during a stock market report, he cited prices for ewes. Trouble was, he called ‘em “e-wees.” — During my growing-up years in Brownwood, twins Jimmy and Eddy Farren, best known for “pickin’ and singin’” around the area, owned Radio Station KEAN. Remote broadcasting — then called “telephonic reporting” — had just begun when Jimmy “covered” the dedication of a colorful spraying water fountain at the old traffic circle. His voice sparkled with excitement as he described the first gushes from the fountain. “Folks, if you can possibly do so, come on down here,” he invited. “I’ve just never seen such colorful spewers spewing, and some of the spewers are spewing higher than the other spewers are spewing.” (Okay, so maybe he was a better fiddle player than he was a radio guy.) — I don’t intend to exempt myself from classic blunders. I had a daily sports show on the other radio station KBWD, during college. At the close of each broadcast, I said, “Don Newbury, reminding everyone that if you can’t play a sport, you can be one, and a good one.” One New Year’s eve, I added to the usual closure: “And a happy NEWBURY to one and all.”ATLANTA — Georgia tax collections rose by 2.3% last month compared with November of last year, the state Department of Revenue reported Wednesday. The revenue agency brought in $2.38 billion in November, an increase of $52.9 million over the same month last year. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Cardlytics reports that card-linked cash-back offers represent a strategic stocking stuffer for smart shoppers navigating the expensive holiday landscape. Click for more. Holiday spending hacks: How to unwrap savings without sacrificing festive cheer

Ituka scores 18 off the bench, Jacksonville State downs East Carolina 86-78NEW YORK , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global insurtech market size is estimated to grow by USD 77.41 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 42.35% during the forecast period. Increasing need to improve business efficiency is driving market growth, with a trend towards investors collaborating with insurtech firms. However, high cost of investment poses a challenge. Key market players include Acko Technology and Services Pvt. Ltd., Allianz SE, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Charles Taylor Ltd., Cuvva Ltd., Cytora Ltd., DeadHappy Ltd., Flock Ltd., Friendsurance, Kin Insurance Technology Hub LLC, KYND Ltd., Laka Ltd., Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., Milvik AB, Nimbla Ltd., Quantemplate Technologies Inc., simplesurance GmbH, Slice Insurance Technologies Inc., Uinsure Ltd., Urban Jungle Services Ltd., Wrisk Ltd., ExtraCover Ltd., and F2X Group Ltd.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF InsurTech Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 42.35% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 77.41 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 40.22 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 51% Key countries US, China, India, UK, and France Key companies profiled Acko Technology and Services Pvt. Ltd., Allianz SE, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Charles Taylor Ltd., Cuvva Ltd., Cytora Ltd., DeadHappy Ltd., Flock Ltd., Friendsurance, Kin Insurance Technology Hub LLC, KYND Ltd., Laka Ltd., Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., Milvik AB, Nimbla Ltd., Quantemplate Technologies Inc., simplesurance GmbH, Slice Insurance Technologies Inc., Uinsure Ltd., Urban Jungle Services Ltd., Wrisk Ltd., ExtraCover Ltd., and F2X Group Ltd. Market Driver InsurTech, the fusion of Insurance and Technology, is creating waves in the industry. This innovation is revolutionizing the creation, distribution, and administration of insurance products. From social insurance to life & health, auto, marine, liability, buildings, and commercial buildings insurance, InsurTech is transforming business lines and product lines. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are driving personalized solutions for niche customers. Real-time tracking and monitoring information enable better risk monitoring and decision making. Customer data is the new currency, with predictions based on purchase quantity and consumer needs. Cloud computing, blockchain, IoT, and digital solutions are the new norm. InsurTech is transforming insurance planning with big data, chatbots, and on-premise solutions. Insurance carriers are embracing digital transformation, leveraging technology to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. The future of InsurTech lies in continuous innovation and meeting evolving customer needs. Investors are showing heightened enthusiasm towards partnering with InsurTech firms, as evidenced by the recent conference where 1,500 investors, entrepreneurs, and insurance executives convened. The primary objective of the event was to explore how technology is revolutionizing the insurance sector. Technological advancements have significantly impacted the insurance value chain, streamlining costing processes, enhancing consumer experience, increasing transparency, reducing fraud through data analysis, and simplifying claims for customers. InsurTech companies are prioritizing the growing consumer demand for tailored insurance products and personalized services. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The InsurTech market is revolutionizing the insurance industry by creating and distributing innovative insurance products using technology. Challenges in insurance creation and administration are being addressed through the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Social insurance and customer data analysis help insurers make accurate predictions and personalized decisions for insurance planning. Real-time tracking and monitoring information are crucial for risk monitoring and customer satisfaction. Insurance carriers are embracing digital solutions to meet consumer needs, including cloud computing, IoT, and blockchain. Business lines and product lines are catering to niche customers with specific risk profiles. Machine learning algorithms help insurers assess purchase quantity and make informed decisions. Big data and chatbots streamline customer interaction and improve decision-making processes. Solutions providers are leading the digital transformation in insurance, offering cloud-based and on-premise solutions for life & health, auto, marine, liability, buildings, and commercial buildings insurance. IoT devices provide real-time data for dwelling coverage, contents coverage, and risk monitoring. The integration of technology in insurance is a game-changer, enabling insurers to provide customized solutions and improve overall customer experience. Insurance firms are embracing the sale of products through the latest technology, known as InsurTech. However, this new approach necessitates specialized training for insurance staff to effectively use the technology and understand the insurance offerings. Retraining is essential to ensure that employees can provide clients with suitable insurance solutions. Many firms are integrating technology with banking and broking services, but managing these systems effectively requires technical expertise, which some firms may lack. Therefore, investing in trainers for staff and brokers is crucial for successful implementation of InsurTech solutions. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This insurtech market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 Marketing and distribution 1.2 IT support 1.3 Claim management 1.4 Policy administration and management 1.5 Others Deployment 2.1 On-premises 2.2 Cloud Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 Middle East and Africa 3.5 South America 1.1 Marketing and distribution- The InsurTech market's marketing and distribution segment is poised for significant growth during the forecast period. The widespread use of smartphones and easy internet access have fueled digital marketing and distribution of insurance policies through advanced technologies. Regulations mandating electronic promotion system certifications ensure security. Mobile point-of-sales in e-retail is gaining acceptance, providing insurance companies with opportunities to cater to busy customers. InsurTech platforms offer chatbots for live customer interaction and resolution of queries, enhancing the digital experience. Customer-centricity and high ROI are driving segment growth. InsurTech startups disrupt traditional financial services with increased access, transparency, and lower costs. Automation through pattern recognition algorithms and predictive coding reduce industry overheads and improve process efficiency. Deregulation of equity crowdfunding and private startup investments attract investors, further fueling market growth. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis Insurance Technology, or InsurTech, refers to the use of technology to create, distribute, and administer insurance products. This innovative sector is revolutionizing the industry by enabling the creation of ultra-customized policies tailored to individual needs. Social insurance, life & health, auto, marine, liability, buildings, and commercial buildings insurance are just a few areas benefiting from InsurTech. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are key technologies driving personalized offerings. Customer data is analyzed to provide accurate risk assessments and pricing. Cloud computing and deployment models allow for flexible and scalable solutions. Blockchain ensures secure and transparent transactions. Business analytics and IoT devices provide real-time data for risk assessment and claims processing. InsurTech is transforming various insurance sectors, including life & health, auto, marine, liability, buildings, and home insurance. Dwelling coverage and contents coverage are now offered with greater precision and efficiency. The future of insurance is technology-driven, offering customized policies and improved customer experiences. Market Research Overview The InsurTech market refers to the use of technology to create, distribute, and administer insurance products. This includes social insurance, life & health, auto, marine, liability, buildings, and commercial buildings insurance. Customer data is a crucial element, with machine learning and artificial intelligence used for predictions based on consumer needs, purchase quantity, and decision making. Real-time tracking and monitoring information are essential for insured parties, and businesses are leveraging digital solutions to streamline insurance planning. Cloud computing, blockchain, IoT, and big data are transforming the industry, with solutions providers offering digital transformation through on-premise and cloud-based platforms. Chatbots and insurance carriers are also part of this landscape, enhancing customer experience and enabling efficient claim processing. Overall, InsurTech is revolutionizing the insurance industry by providing innovative digital solutions for various business lines and niche customers. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Marketing And Distribution IT Support Claim Management Policy Administration And Management Others Deployment On-premises Cloud Geography North America Europe APAC Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/insurtech-market-to-grow-by-usd-77-41-billion-2024-2028-driven-by-business-efficiency-needs-and-ai-impacting-market-trends---technavio-302328190.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

FBI Director Christopher Wray announces resignation

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FBI Director Christopher Wray announced he will resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term, paving the way for President-elect Donald Trump's nominee, Kash Patel, to potentially take over . "This is the best way to avoid dragging the Bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important in how we do our work," Wray said during a town hall on Wednesday . Trump responded on social media, calling Wray's resignation a "great day for America." Trump appointed Wray during his first term but criticized him and the FBI's search for classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home. Although Wray still had years left in his term, Trump nominated Kash Patel to lead the agency. Trump's cabinet picks continue their fight to secure confirmation on Capitol Hill. "It's about earning support in this process in ongoing conversations," said Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary . Controversial Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth met with Senator Susan Collins for more than an hour on Wednesday. Collins said she pressed him on various claims of misconduct, which he denies, but fell short of saying she would support him. "We had a good discussion, I'm not going to go into every question I asked," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. Momentum appears to be shifting in Hegseth's favor. "I had a good exchange, and we'll see what the process bears," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. "He's much better off this week than he was last week," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina. Analysts say Hegseth is not the only one under pressure. "There have been some challenges to some senators. There's been some real arm twisting in terms of the threat of mounting primary challenges against them," said Todd Belt of George Washington University. Also on the Hill, Secretary of Homeland Security nominee and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem pushed back on allegations that she neglected her state during major flooding this year.Charities to get £15m fund to use surplus or unwanted food from farms

Miguel Tomley scores 28 to lead Weber State over Pepperdine 68-53 at Arizona Tip-Off

The Washington Capitals look to extend their franchise-record road winning streak to 10 games when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night. The Blue Jackets have lost four of five games, including a 5-3 defeat to the visiting Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. Kent Johnson had a goal and an assist, Zach Werenski and Sean Monahan scored, and Elvis Merzlikins allowed five goals and made 20 saves for the Blue Jackets, who trailed by scores of 3-0 and 5-1. "We just fed into their forecheck," Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. "When you don't feel comfortable going forward, you turn back, and all you do is invite pressure. Tonight, we played south and played soft instead of going north and playing hard." Monahan's goal gave him 13 points in the last 13 games (three goals, 10 assists). It was the 14th game in a row that the Blue Jackets have allowed a power-play goal, and they'll be facing a Capitals team whose power play is much-improved of late. "We've got to throw (Tuesday's game) out," Evason said. "Obviously, we haven't skated for a bit, so we'll get a good burn (Wednesday) and get our legs going again." The Capitals roll into Columbus with an 11-2-0 road record and a place atop the Metropolitan Division. Despite playing without injured superstar Alex Ovechkin for the past nine games, the Capitals own a plus-35 goal differential for the season. And Washington is getting good news on the injury front. Ovechkin continues skating on his own and took some passes from former linemate Nicklas Backstrom (long-term injured reserve) on Wednesday morning. Team owner Ted Leonsis told NHL.com that Ovechkin "probably still got two or three weeks (before returning). I don't want him to rush it." Forward Tom Wilson, who took a shot in the face from teammate Jakob Chychrun in Montreal on Saturday and returned to score two goals, told reporters he has a small fracture of a bone in the sinus cavity area. His doctor wants him to wear a full shield for four weeks, but he expects to be able to play Thursday. "I look a lot better now, if you can believe it, than I did a few days ago. When I got home after the flight? Oh man, it wasn't good," Wilson said of the left side of his face. "You go in to get a coffee somewhere and everyone's like ... they were kinda looking at you funny." Washington has been off since the come-from-behind 4-2 win at Montreal. Wilson scored two straight goals in the third period, Pierre-Luc Dubois had a goal and an assist, and Logan Thompson made 22 saves for Washington, which is 6-0-1 in its past seven games. "It's a really fun group," Wilson said after the game. "We enjoy coming together and bearing down and finding ways to gut out these tough wins. So, it's a great group in here. I've been saying that all year and we're just having fun playing for the guy next to us." Washington's third-period comeback win was its third this season. In the previous meeting between the teams, Connor McMichael scored twice, Ovechkin had a goal and two assists, and the Capitals routed the Blue Jackets 7-2 on Nov. 2 in Washington. --Field Level MediaFor many women, words from an emboldened fringe of “manosphere” influencers who have seized on Republican Donald Trump ’s presidential win to amplify misogynistic derision and threats online represent a worrying harbinger of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive and women’s rights. Many of those right-wing influencers have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice” at women online and on college campuses. Isabelle Frances-Wright, director of technology and society at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue , a think tank focusing on polarization and extremism, said she had seen a “very large uptick in a number of types of misogynistic rhetoric immediately after the election,” including some “extremely violent misogyny.” The phrase “Your body, my choice” has been largely attributed to an Election Day post on the social platform X from Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust-denying white nationalist and far-right internet personality who dined at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida two years ago (In statements responding to criticism of that event, Trump said he had “never met and knew nothing about” Fuentes before he arrived). Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the UC Davis School of Law, said the phrase transforms the iconic abortion rights slogan into an attack on women. “The implication is that men should have control over or access to sex with women,” said Ziegler, a reproductive rights expert. Fuentes’ post had 35 million views on X within 24 hours, according to a report by Frances-Wright’s think tank. The phrase spread rapidly to other social media platforms. Women on TikTok have reported seeing it inundate their comments. The slogan also has made its way offline with boys chanting it in middle schools or men directing it at women on college campuses, according to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue report and social media posts. School districts have sent notices about the language to parents. T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase were pulled off Amazon. Sadie Perez, a 19-year-old political science student in Wisconsin, said she has seen men respond to shared Snapchat stories for their college class with “Your body, my choice.” “It makes me feel disgusted and infringed upon,” she said. “... It feels like going backwards.” Misogynistic attacks have been part of the social media landscape for years. But Frances-Wright and others who track online extremism and disinformation said language glorifying violence against women or celebrating the possibility of their rights being stripped away has spiked since the election. Online declarations for women to “Get back in the kitchen” or to “Repeal the 19th,” a reference to the constitutional amendment that gave women the right to vote, have spread rapidly. In the days surrounding the election, the extremism think tank, which has an office in Washington D.C., found that the top 10 posts on X calling for repeal of the 19th Amendment received more than 4 million views collectively. A man holding a sign with the words “Women Are Property” sparked an outcry at Texas State University . The man was not a student, faculty or staff, and was escorted off campus, according to the university’s president . Anonymous rape threats have been left on the TikTok videos of women denouncing the election results. And on the far-flung reaches of the web, 4chan forums have called for “rape squads” and the adoption of policies in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a dystopian book and TV series depicting the dehumanization and brutalization of women. “What was scary here was how quickly this also manifested in offline threats,” Frances-Wright said, emphasizing that online discourse can have real-world impacts. Previous violent rhetoric on 4chan has been connected to racially motivated and antisemitic attacks, including a 2022 shooting by a white supremacist in Buffalo that killed 10 people . We have launched our year-end campaign. Our goal: Raise $50,000 by Dec. 31. Help us get there. Times of San Diego is devoted to producing timely, comprehensive news about San Diego County. Your donation helps keep our work free-to-read, funds reporters who cover local issues and allows us to write stories that hold public officials accountable. Join the growing list of donors investing in our community's long-term future. The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism reported similar rhetoric, with “numerous violent misogynistic trends” gaining traction on right-wing platforms such 4chan and spreading to more mainstream ones such as X since the election. Throughout the presidential race, Trump’s campaign leaned on conservative podcasts and tailored messaging toward disaffected young men . As Trump took the stage at the Republican National Convention over the summer, the song “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown blared from the speakers. One of several factors to his success this election was modestly boosting his support among men , a shift concentrated among younger voters, according to AP VoteCast, survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide. But Trump also won support from 44% of women age 18 to 44, according to AP VoteCast. To some men, Trump’s return to the White House is seen as a vindication, gender and politics experts said. For many young women, the election felt like a referendum on women’s rights and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris ’ loss felt like a rejection of their own rights and autonomy. “For some of these men, Trump’s victory represents a chance to reclaim a place in society that they think they are losing around these traditional gender roles,” Frances-Wright said. None of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump or anyone in his immediate orbit. But Trump has a long history of insulting women , and the spike in such language comes after he ran a campaign centered on masculinity with repeated attacks on Harris over race and gender . “With Trump’s victory, many of these men felt like they were heard, they were victorious,” said Dana Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics. Brown said some young men feel they’re victims of discrimination and have expressed mounting resentment for successes of the women’s rights movement, including #MeToo . The tension also has been influenced by socioeconomic struggles. As women become the majority on college campuses and many professional industries see increasing gender diversity, it has “led to young men scapegoating women and girls, falsely claiming it’s their fault they’re not getting into college anymore as opposed to looking inward,” Brown said. Get Our Free Daily Email Newsletter Get the latest local and California news from Times of San Diego delivered to your inbox at 8 a.m. daily. Sign up for our free email newsletter and be fully informed of the most important developments. Sign Up (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});