Trump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretariesSenedd agrees 16% budget increase ahead of expansion

Zoom Communications Inc ZM reported third-quarter financial results after the market close on Monday. Here’s a look at the key details from the quarter . Q3 Earnings: Zoom reported third-quarter revenue of $1.18 billion, beating the consensus estimate of $1.16 billion. The communications company reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.38 per share, beating analyst estimates of $1.31 per share. Zoom has now beat analyst estimates on the top and bottom lines in nine consecutive quarters, according to data from Benzinga Pro . Total revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. Enterprise revenue was up 5.8% year-over-year, while online revenue was flat year-over-year. Zoom noted online monthly average churn reached an all-time low of 2.7% in the quarter. Net cash provided by operating activities was $483.2 million in the third quarter, down 2% year-over-year. Free cash flow came in at $457.7 million, up 1% year-over-year. Zoom ended the quarter with approximately 192,400 enterprise customers; 3,995 of those customers were contributing more than $100,000 in trailing 12 months revenue at quarter’s end, up approximately 7.1% year-over-year. The company said it ended the quarter with $7.7 billion in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Zoom said its board authorized the repurchase of an additional $1.2 billion of its common stock in November, bringing the total remaining amount under the buyback to $2 billion. See Also: CrowdStrike Q3 Earnings Preview: Analysts Anticipate Recovery, ‘Customers Remain Confident’ Guidance: Zoom expects fiscal fourth-quarter revenue to be in the range of $1.175 billion to $1.18 billion versus estimates of $1.17 billion. The company sees fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.29 to $1.30 per share versus estimates of $1.28 per share. Zoom expects full-year revenue of $4.656 billion to $4.661 billion versus estimates of $4.64 billion. Full-year earnings are expected to be between $5.41 and $5.43 per share versus estimates of $5.35 per share. “At Zoomtopia we announced major milestones such as AI Companion 2.0 and paid add-ons for AI Companion and industry-specific AI customization, further cementing our vision to deliver a differentiated AI-first work platform that empowers customers to achieve more than ever,” said Eric Yuan , founder and CEO of Zoom. Zoom announced that it changed its name from Zoom Video Communications to Zoom Communications on Monday. Management will further discuss the quarter on a conference call with analysts and investors at 5 p.m. ET. ZM Price Action: Zoom shares were down about 2.31% after hours, trading at $86.97 at the time of publication, according to Benzinga Pro . Read Next: Copper’s High-Wire Act: Can EVs, New Tech Power The Metal’s Next Big Surge? Photo: Shutterstock. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Soda taxes don't just affect sales: They help change people's minds

Around one in every five people aged below 50 around the world is infected with incurable genital herpes, researchers have newly estimated. According to a new paper in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections , 846 million people worldwide are genitally infected with the herpes simplex virus—which causes both genital and oral herpes—with 42 million new cases in 2020 alone. During the same year, the researchers predict that over 200 million 15 to 49-year-olds likely had at least one outbreak of the infection. This marks an increase in estimated cases from previous years, indicating that the development of new treatments and vaccines is urgently needed. " Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2 infections are lifelong, globally prevalent, and cause a significant disease burden, including symptomatic genital ulcer disease (GUD), and economic costs," the researchers wrote in the paper. There are two forms of herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2, both spread via skin-to-skin contact. HSV-1 primarily causes oral herpes, while HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes, though both types can cause infection in both locations. HSV infections are incurable, establishing a latent infection in nerve cells , and can cause occasional flare-ups of painful blisters or sores. Around the mouth, these are often known as cold sores, or genital ulcer disease when around the genitals. "In addition to the painful genital sores, genital herpes is associated with a range of social and psychological adverse outcomes, including effects on sexual relations, quality of life, and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem," the researchers wrote. According to the paper, the number of people aged 15–49 years with genital infections from HSV-2 or HSV-1 worldwide in 2020 was 846.1 million. Some 520 million of these are thought to be due to HSV-2, with 26 million new cases of HSV-2 being recorded in 2020. Of these new cases, 15.6 million were female and 10 million were male. Around 4 billion people worldwide—two-thirds of the global population—are thought to be infected with HSV-1, the majority of which only have the oral form of the infection. However, in 2020, 376 million 15–49 year olds had the genital form of HSV-1, and 17 million new people were infected that year. About 13% of the 🌐 population aged 15 to 49 lived with #herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in 2016. HSV-2 is almost exclusively sexually transmitted, causing genital herpes. Infection can lead to recurring, often painful, genital sores in up to 1/3 of people infected. pic.twitter.com/aNgaxDKpA3 Genital herpes is spread via sexual contact , with infection being most likely if someone has sores and is experiencing a flare-up. HSV-2 tends to shed more frequently than HSV-1 in the genital area, and people who recently acquired the infection are more likely to experience shedding than those who have had the virus for a long time. After infection from HSV, many people never develop symptoms . However, others may experience severe pain from the sores, especially during the first outbreak . The virus never goes away, lying dormant in the nerve cells, and may occasionally reactivate and cause recurrent sores. These flare-ups may be triggered by illness, stress, injuries, sun exposure, or even menstruation. The researchers also found that about 188 million people with HSV-2 and 17 million people with HSV-1 had at least one episode of genital sores in 2020 alone. During periods where a flare-up is not occurring, the virus isn't usually transmissible, although asymptomatic shedding can occur periodically in both HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections, even in people who have no visible outbreaks. Daily suppressive therapy with antivirals can reduce the frequency of asymptomatic shedding, lower the risk of transmission, and also prevent flare-ups of sores. However, they cannot completely clear the virus from the body. This study shows that huge numbers of people around the world are infected with herpes. In the U.S., herpes infections are also incredibly prevalent: CDC data shows that there were 572,000 new genital herpes infections in the U.S. in 2018 alone. In 2023, the CDC recorded 209,000 cases of syphilis, 600,000 cases of gonorrhea, and over 1.6 million cases of chlamydia. The researchers note that therefore there is a widespread need for more sophisticated treatment for HSV, as it affects so many and has such a large stigma attached to it. "Available prevention modalities, including condoms and antiviral therapy, are insufficient to control infection transmission and have, at best, had a modest population impact in reducing incidence rates," the researchers wrote. "There is a need for HSV prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines as a strategic approach to control transmission and to curb the disease and economic burdens of these infections." Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about sexually transmitted infections? Let us know via science@newsweek.com. References Harfouche M, AlMukdad S, Alareeki A, et al. (2024) Sex Transm Infect. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2024-056307

TUNDE OYESINA writes that stakeholders in the justice sector have put forward divergent views on the strategy to be adopted in decongesting the apex court of the land Some stakeholders in the justice sector, including senior lawyers have expressed mixed feelings on how the decentralization of the Supreme Court could help in decongesting the apex court of too many cases. The arguments were sequel to a Bill seeking to decentralize the Supreme Court currently being considered at the House of Representatives. The Bill sponsored by Hon. Mansur Manu Soro, representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, seeks to amend the Constitution to provide for the establishment of five divisions of the Supreme Court of Nigeria for timely dispensation of matters brought before the apex court. In his arguments, the lawmaker questioned the provisions of Section 230 of the 1999 Constitution that creates only one Supreme Court for the whole country without establishing divisions. He maintained that it is now time to establish divisions for the Supreme Court in the geo-political zones of the country to enhance access to the highest justice, minimize the logistical cost of accessing justice and ensure timely dispensation of matters brought before the apex court. The Bill has already scaled the first reading at the green chamber. Proponents of Supreme Court’s decentralization New Telegraph Law recalls that a retired Justice of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Peter Ige, had during his valedictory session in 2023 called for the decentralization of the Supreme Court for more effective administration of justice. He said there was nothing wrong if the apex court has divisions in the nation’s six geopolitical zones like the appeal court. He added that decentralizing the Supreme Court would help to bring justice to the grass-roots. The retired jurist explained that the decentralization of the Supreme Court would reduce its burden and enable it to deliver justice without delays. In a similar vein, another retired Judge of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi had also in 2022 called for the decentralization of the Supreme Court to allow for speedy dispensation of justice in the country. Oniyangi who made this call during a valedictory session to mark his retirement from the Bench, submitted that the nation should consider establishing an appellate court in every state in the country to reduce the volume of pending cases. He said: “The Supreme Court has a number of cases but my question is why is the Supreme Court not decentralized in every geopolitical zone? The headquarter can be here in Abuja, as well as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. But, when that division is created, the Justices of the Supreme Court sent there will attend to matters in that geopolitical zone, but it will be the same one Supreme Court, no division.” “Abuja is full to the brim, cases are pending. The justices are trying, but the number of justices cannot cope with the pressure of jobs going on.” A Civil Rights Group, Justice and Transparency had also earlier this year called for the decentralization of the apex court. Speaking at a workshop, Executive Director of the Group, Henry Ikebuaku said: “We require an extreme decentralization of the entire criminal justice framework. This will empower states and surprisingly local communities to operate correctional centers to decrease the degree of dehumanization that inmates experience in our stuffed detention facilities. “The Supreme Court should be decentralized with the making of Supreme Courts at the six geopolitical zonal headquarters. The Court of Appeal has previously been decentralized, and the states have already been enabled to operate High Courts. “Establishment of Zonal Supreme Courts to treat specific classes of cases exception of those on fundamental human rights or constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens, is earnestly called for. Lawyers’ position In his comments, a rights activist, Onesimus Ruya, maintained that there cannot be more than one Supreme Court in the country because it’s the highest court in the land. Ruya said: “I think they should rather have more justices. There is no reason why we shouldn’t have up to 100 Supreme Court justices to reduce the workload. The only challenge they have is the workload. There are three courtrooms at the Supreme Court, most times only one is used. “The mover of the Bill is not looking at the real challenges, they are looking at politics. As we are now, we have courts of appeal in most of the geopolitical zones which will do the same work. Unless they are saying that those at the appeal court should end there, which gives litigants only one right of appeal which is not fair enough. “There would still be delays and also confusion or conflicting court decisions. I think what we need to decide and part of the restructuring process is the number of cases that get to the Supreme Court. There are too many of them that go to the Supreme Court on appeal”. Speaking in the same vein, a senior lawyer, Bright Enado, said decentralizing the Supreme Court will not reduce the delay of cases at the apex court. “A decentralized Supreme Court could only reduce the number of people going to Abuja for their cases for it would still be the same Supreme Court and the same number of people but now divided among the geopolitical zone. “We may have more Justices of the Supreme Court but I’m not too sure that it will reduce congestion. What can reduce congestion is to look internally at the kind of cases that find their way to the Supreme Court. That is the starting point, not every case should get there. It should be difficult to go to the Supreme Court. “People must learn to accept decisions of the appeal court and let it stop there. But, virtually every case that gets to the Court of Appeal gets to the Supreme Court and that is the problem. It’s not so much about the number of Supreme Courts that should be established. It should be on the number of cases that are allowed into the Supreme Court”. However, in his submissions, a senior lawyer, Edward Nwaogu, argued that decentralizing the apex court will improve the dispensation of justice. According to him, “Yes, if that would help us, we should amend the law and make the Supreme Court at Abuja the headquarters and make two to three zones. The Supreme Court too can have Divisions like the Court of appeal. We can then they find out how they can be managed together to streamline cases. “If they give conflicting judgements, there should be a process by which they streamline it. “The Court of Appeal that has Divisions has been able to manage the system in such a way that if they find conflicting judgement, they find a way of resolving it. If a Division in Enugu has given a decision that contradicts an earlier judgement of Lagos Division or whatever, you go to the whole process of which one to follow. “If the later judgement is seen to be given in ignorance of an earlier one, the law is quite clear that the law is given ‘per incuriam’. It denotes the idea that it is decided through inadvertence or ignorance of the relevant law. “The later judgement would bring in some other things that would have shown that this later one has overruled the earlier. So, the fear of conflicting judgement from different Divisions should not be a hindrance to it. “If decentralizing the Supreme Court will solve the problem of delay, it should be what we call reform”.

House rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics report

AP News Summary at 6:42 p.m. ESTOSAKA, Japan and MONTREAL , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan ; President: Toichi Takino; "Ono") announced that it has entered into a drug discovery collaboration agreement with Congruence Therapeutics (Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec, Canada ; CEO: Clarissa Desjardins; "Congruence") to generate novel small molecule correctors against multiple protein targets in the oncology area by leveraging Congruence's proprietary drug discovery platform, RevenirTM. Under the terms of the agreement, Congruence will generate small molecule correctors by leveraging Congruence's proprietary drug discovery engine called, RevenirTM. Ono will obtain an exclusive option right to develop, manufacture and commercialize the identified small molecule correctors worldwide. Congruence will be eligible to receive an upfront payment, research expenses, milestone payments based on research and development progress and sales, as well as tiered royalties based on net sales. "We believe that this collaboration with Congruence may help generating novel small molecule correctors for validated targets in the oncology area by leveraging their own technologies in protein dynamics and computational biology, leading to our development pipeline," said Seishi Katsumata , Corporate Officer / Executive Director, Discovery & Research of Ono. "We will be committed to delivering innovative new drugs to cancer patients as soon as possible." "Congruence is thrilled to partner with Ono, which has established itself as a global leader in drug development, particularly in the oncology space. We believe that our RevenirTM platform and capabilities in protein dynamics will accelerate the discovery of novel therapies for compelling targets of interest to both companies," said Sharath Hegde PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Congruence. About RevenirTM Drug Discovery Platform RevenirTM, Congruence's proprietary computational drug discovery platform, captures the dynamic biophysical changes caused by mutations in proteins, offering unique insights into protein defects and their correction. By examining surface features and a spectrum of biophysical descriptors across an ensemble of protein conformers, RevenirTM predicts small molecule induced correction of the underlying defect. About Congruence Therapeutics Congruence is a computationally-driven biotechnology company building a unique pipeline of transformative small molecule correctors rationally designed to rescue aberrant protein function. Congruence's proprietary scalable platform, RevenirTM, captures the biophysical features of proteins across their conformational ensembles, in order to identify novel allosteric and cryptic pockets which are virtually screened to generate novel chemical matter. For more information, please visit www.congruencetx.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ono-enters-into-drug-discovery-collaboration-agreement-with-congruence-therapeutics-to-generate-novel-small-molecule-correctors-in-the-oncology-area-302324452.html SOURCE Ono Pharmaceutical co., ltd.Liverpool maintain unbeaten Champions League start

Crispr Therapeutics: From Casgevy Success To A Catalyst-Rich 2025Rosen Law Firm Encourages Winnebago Industries, Inc. Investors to Inquire About Securities Class Action Investigation - WGO

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? National Politics | Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump’s mass deportation effort The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.Published 4:58 pm Thursday, November 21, 2024 By Data Skrive The Oklahoma Sooners versus the UNLV Rebels is one of four games on Friday’s college basketball schedule that has a ranked team in play. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Get the latest news sent to your inbox Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own Akila Selvaraj has consistently proven herself as an experienced professional in product management and AI integration, blending over 17 years of expertise in product management, AI integration, and enterprise architecture. As Chief of Products and AI Product Manager at a leading tech firm, Akila has delivered significant projects leveraging artificial intelligence, big data, and IoT to address industry needs to meet evolving industry demands. Her career spans impactful roles across sectors like finance, manufacturing, and quick-service restaurants, where she has successfully delivered on complex projects and steered cross-functional teams across global locations. “In today’s tech landscape, innovation isn’t optional –- it’s the foundation on which successful solutions are built,” Akila emphasizes, summarizing her career philosophy. Akila’s current role involves leading an ambitious AI-driven product line that targets environmental sustainability through advanced monitoring systems. Her team developed an air quality monitoring solution powered by machine learning algorithms and AI avatars, which provides real-time updates, safety recommendations, and connections to service providers. This solution has offered users tailored guidance on air quality while also addressing the market’s growing demand for user-friendly, actionable data on environmental health. “AI facilitates monitoring, predicting, and responding to environmental issues with improved efficiency and accuracy,” Akila explains. Her work in this domain showcases her ability to leverage AI to provide meaningful, real-time insights, bridging technology and user needs. Akila’s experience is beyond environmental technology, as she also led the development of a virtual hosting service. Designed to enhance customer engagement, the AI-powered system incorporates video, voice, and chatbots to deliver personalized interactions that cater to both B2B and B2C clients. This service has significantly increased client conversion rates by providing a dynamic, human-like user experience, which is particularly effective in retargeting campaigns. Reflecting on her goals for the project, Akila says, “Our objective is to create interactions that feel personal and intuitive. AI has the potential to transform how we engage with customers by making every touchpoint a meaningful one.” During her tenure at a global data solutions company, Akila served as Big Data Architect for a renowned quick-service restaurant chain. She played a key role in a landmark cloud migration project that transitioned their order processing system to a cloud-based architecture, integrating AI-powered analytics for order forecasting and dynamic promotions. This transformation not only improved order accuracy but also enhanced speed and operational cost efficiency—an outcome that positioned her client as a frontrunner in the industry. In addition to this achievement, Akila led the development of an AI-powered forecasting engine that enabled real-time analysis of customer purchasing patterns. This tool empowered her client to make data-informed promotional offers, which improved customer engagement and sales. “The project integrated predictive intelligence into business operations, improving decision-making and efficiency, aligning technology with business strategy in a way that directly impacted profitability,” she notes. Prior to her role in the quick-service domain, Akila held a leadership position at a prominent IT services firm, where she managed next-gen big data initiatives for a major manufacturing client. She spearheaded the migration of legacy ETL workflows to modern, cloud-based platforms, introducing tools like Talend and Spark to optimize data processing times and model efficiency. Her efforts reduced data processing time by 30%, enabling faster and more informed decision-making for the client. Akila’s expertise in data integration also led her to architect reusable data quality frameworks that set new operational benchmarks for accuracy and consistency in data handling. This accomplishment earned her recognition within the organization and became a foundational model for subsequent projects. “Quality data is the bedrock of any AI or data-driven initiative; without it, we’re building on sand,” she says, underscoring her commitment to data integrity. Akila’s experience with cloud technology is extensive, particularly in managing the migration of enterprise data to platforms like AWS and Redshift. Her migration strategy included robust data mapping and testing protocols that ensured zero data loss and seamless system integration, delivering scalable, cost-effective solutions for her clients. Her approach not only streamlined operations but also allowed her clients to leverage the power of cloud computing for enhanced analytics. Her notable projects in this field include the cloud migration of a financial services client’s data infrastructure, resulting in improved scalability and cost savings, and a retail client’s archival and compliance solutions, which allowed for streamlined, efficient data retention aligned with regulatory standards. Akila has demonstrated her expertise through her work on AI-powered mobile applications. At her previous organization, she led the development of an app that used machine learning to deliver personalized restaurant recommendations based on user preferences, location, and dietary needs. By harnessing AI for real-time, tailored recommendations, this app helped her client significantly boost customer engagement and repeat business, exemplifying how targeted, data-informed experiences enhance user satisfaction. Reflecting on this, Akila states, “In the digital era, personalization has become a standard for user engagement. We aim to create applications that anticipate needs and make experiences memorable.” Akila’s career is marked by accolades and recognitions that speak to her dedication to innovation and excellence. From “Employee of the Month” awards for her technical leadership to special acknowledgments for significant contributions to AI and cloud migration projects, she has continually demonstrated her value as a forward-thinking leader. At her current organization, she received recognition for her transformative work in personalized marketing campaigns, underscoring her expertise in AI product development and user engagement strategies. As Akila looks to the future, her goal remains clear: to drive the next generation of AI and data-driven products that solve real-world challenges across industries. Her career highlights the application of technical expertise and strategic thinking to create meaningful impact in a rapidly evolving field. “The potential of AI is only limited by our ability to innovate and adapt. I’m committed to pushing these boundaries to create value at every step,” she shares. Akila Selvaraj’s career reflects her commitment to pushing the envelope of technology and bringing purposeful, AI-powered solutions to life. Her work demonstrates the potential for user-centered innovation in addressing technological challenges. Jon Stojan is a professional writer based in Wisconsin. He guides editorial teams consisting of writers across the US to help them become more skilled and diverse writers. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and children.

DOCOMO PACIFIC supports Guam Basketball ConfederationThe Maharashtra polls held this year were undoubtedly crucial, as it was for the first time two major parties in the state, the NCP and Shiv Sena, entered the poll battle following a split. Maharashtra Assembly Polls: The thumping victory for the Bharatiya Janata-led Mahayuti alliance has certainly given some serious dents to the future prospects of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP (Sharad Pawar)). The Maharashtra polls held this year were undoubtedly crucial, as it was for the first time two major parties in the state, the NCP and Shiv Sena, entered the poll battle following a split. The Assembly elections were also pivotal, as these polls cleared the air on many questions that were creating a buzz in the political circles of Maharashtra. As these polls saw the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) reeling, they also left a bunch of questions surrounding the future of Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. MVA comprises Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP). As far as the Shiv Sena vs. Shiv Sena battle is concerned, the people of Maharashtra have given their verdict about “who is the real Shiv Sena?". The MVA's defeat in Maharashtra is likely to lie the heaviest on the shoulders of former CM Uddhav Thackeray, who, in a span of three years, not only lost power in the state but also his party. Today’s defeat at the hands of Mahayuti made matters even worse for Uddhav, who apparently lost the legacy of his father, Balasaheb Thackeray. The Shinde-led faction slammed Thackeray and accused him of trading in his father's principles for power and pitched the electoral battle as a test of "Who is the real Shiv Sena?" but has lost no time to announce it as an ideological victory. Thackeray, whose Shiv Sena won a mere 20 out of the 95 seats it contested, admitted that he was unable to understand how the electorate, which had inflicted a drubbing on the ruling alliance in the Lok Sabha elections only five months ago, changed its mind. In the Lok Sabha polls, the opposition camp bagged 30 out of 48 seats, giving an exceptional performance. With so much to think about and assess, Uddhav Thackeray’s significance in the politics of Maharashtra will remain a talking point in the near future. Big Setback For Sharad Pawar Sharad Pawar, who led the NCP faction to a massive victory in the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra; however, five months later, the 83-year-old suffered one of the worst setbacks in his five-decade-long political career on Saturday. The rout of the Sharad Pawar-led faction has raised questions over his political future, with a potential risk of a further slide in the party flock in the future. Similar to the story with the Shiv Sena, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who led a split in the NCP in July 2023, has emerged as the true inheritor of his uncle's political legacy. NCP. In contrast, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) won just four seats and led in six others with the latest trends. The Ajit-led NCP had contested 59 seats and the NCP (SP) 86 out of the 288 constituencies. Ajit Pawar’s faction bagged 41 out of 59 seats, while Sharad Pawar's camp won 12 out of The defeat is specifically personal for Sharad Pawar, as his grandnephew Yugendra Pawar is trailing by 99,000 votes from home turf, Baramati, against Ajit Pawar, the sitting MLA. Five months back, Sharad Pawar's daughter and Baramati MP Supriya Sule had comfortably overcome the challenge posed by Ajit's wife Sunetra in Lok Sabha polls and retained the seat. In his 57-year-long political career, Sharad Pawar has represented Baramati in the assembly as well as in the Lok Sabha, and currently he is a member of the Rajya Sabha. Before the assembly elections, he had indicated that he would bid farewell to his parliamentary career after his current term ends next year. The NCP (SP)'s poor performance in the assembly polls stands in contrast to the Lok Sabha elections, when it had won eight out of 10 seats contested. Sharad Pawar had not been complacent following the Lok Sabha elections. He toured the state extensively and inducted BJP leaders, including Samarjit Ghatge and Harshvardhan Patil. The latest assembly elections followed a split in the party in 2023, with nephew Ajit Pawar walking away to join the ruling coalition. It seems the senior Pawar's appeal to voters to defeat "all the traitors" by decisive margins did not elicit much response. Following the split, Ajit Pawar and senior NCP leader Praful Patel showed no signs of regrets and claimed that they committed no treachery, as Sharad Pawar himself had wanted to join the BJP-led alliance but backed out at the last moment. To this, Sharad Pawar never issued any clarification. With the INDIA bloc’s good show at the general elections, which saw it achieve success in cutting down the saffron party’s tally in the Lower House, it was expected that Pawar would be able to replicate the results and even dislodge the BJP from power in the state. Following the Maharashtra polls, one thing is confirmed: veteran NCP leader Sharad Pawar has a lot of assessment to do and a lot of ground to cover. (With PTI Inputs) Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.

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

Rosen Law Firm Encourages Light & Wonder, Inc. Investors to Inquire About Securities Class Action Investigation - LNWNoneJI concerned over law, order situation