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rich9 sign up NoneShort Interest in Thai Oil Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:TOIPF) Grows By 38.7%The Mohajir Culture Day was celebrated in Karachi and Hyderabad on Tuesday. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) had announced plans to celebrate 'Mouhajir Culture Day' on Dec 24 in an effort to honour the cultural heritage and contributions of the Mohajir community. Urdu speaking youth in traditional kurta pajama took out rallies, while the central event took place at Governor House. Addressing the gathering, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori remarked that, for the first time, Mohajir Culture Day was being celebrated at state level. He said, "Our elders made great sacrifices, leaving behind their homes to migrate to the new country Pakistan." To this day, he said, this community continues to contribute to Pakistan through its sacrifices. "We ask every political party to work together on a single agenda - stabilise Pakistan economically and ensure it stands on its own feet." Governor Tessori emphasised, "The foundation of this movement is built on its martyrs and the missing persons. Our lives and efforts are devoted to Pakistan." MQM-P Chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said "for years, cultural days of Sindhi, Baloch, and other communities have been celebrated at the Governor House. Today, we are celebrating Mohajir Culture Day, which in fact is Pakistan's Culture Day." He said that the Mohajir people are the bearers of the national language and the custodians of the heritage of Pakistan movement. If anyone dares to cast an evil eye on it, they will be dealt with. Let me warn people living in this city along the sea, respect the limits." Siddiqui further declared, "Mohajirs are the true heirs of this nation. We do not need a certificate of loyalty. Our culture is our strength, and we will make it Pakistan's strength. Those who tried to obstruct migrants' progress have now given up." Senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar remarked, "for the first time, Mohajir Culture Day is being celebrated in a state institution. Over 70 years past the formation of Pakistan, the migrants continue to face the issue of identity. Why is it necessary to inquire about their parents' domiciles in addition to their own?" MQM-P leader Anees Qaimkhani shared, "my forefathers came to Pakistan, sacrificing the lives of two million people. They came here at the request of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. I came here to become Pakistani and live in Pakistan. While others take pride in being Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun, or Baloch, my elders taught me to take the greatest pride in being Pakistani. Pakistan runs in my blood." MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi said, "There is much to say, but today I thank Allah for the fact that, in prominent state institutions across Pakistan, the slogan of 'Mohajir' is being chanted. As long as migrants are alive, they will give their lives to protect Pakistan." The event concluded with a spectacular display of fireworks, and artists also showcased their talents, adding to the festivities. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our

Article content Caitlin Clark raised the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both the college ranks and the WNBA, and Tuesday she was named the AP Female Athlete of the Year for her impact on and off the court. After leading Iowa to the national championship game, Clark was the top pick in the WNBA draft as expected and went on to win rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers tuned in to follow her journey. Clark’s exploits were far reaching, casting a light on other women’s sports leagues along the way. A group of 74 sports journalists from The Associated Press and its members voted on the award. Clark received 35 votes, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was second with 25 and boxer Imane Khelif was third, getting four votes. Clark is only the fourth women’s basketball player to be honored as the female athlete of the year since it was first presented in 1931, joining Sheryl Swoopes (1993), Rebecca Lobo (1995) and Candace Parker (2008, 2021). “I grew up a fan of Candace Parker and the people who came before me and to be honored in this way, is super special and I’m thankful,” Clark said in a phone interview. “It was a great year for women’s basketball and women’s sports.” Shohei Ohtani won the AP Male Athlete of the Year on Monday for the third time. Clark broke the NCAA Division I career scoring record for both men and women finishing her career with 3,951 points while guiding Iowa to its second consecutive national championship game. After her Hawkeyes lost to South Carolina for the title, Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley took the mic during her team’s celebration and said, “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport.” For all the success Clark has had and the attention she has brought to women’s basketball, she is often the centerpiece of debates and online toxicity towards her and other players in the league. For her part, Clark has disavowed the toxic discourse. Lobo also has been impressed with the way the 22-year-old Clark has handled the pressure and attention that has come her way. “I would say she’s navigated it almost flawlessly. she hasn’t had an big missteps or misspeaks at a time you’re under constant scrutiny,” Lobo said. “She’s seemed to say and do all the right things. That’s just incredible at a time when it’s constant attention and scrutiny. She has not done anything to tarnish this sort of mild persona she has.” As Clark handled the praise — and the backlash — during the heat of competition, it was hard for her to appreciate just what she was able accomplish over the past year. But after having time to reflect on the whirlwind tour, she appreciates those who were there alongside her for the ride. “I’m thankful for the people I got to do it with,” Clark said. “A year ago I was still in the early part of my senior year in college. ... How fast things change, and now I can see how great a college season it was.” Iowa sold out all of its games at home and on the road with Clark as the main attraction. That momentum continued into the pros. Her No. 22 jersey was prevalent wherever she played during her rookie season and will be retired at Iowa. “You’d be remiss not to acknowledge how crazy her fan base is and the eyes she gets with everything she does,” said Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was often spotted courtside at Clark’s Indiana Fever games. “It’s a different type of popularity, she’s one of the most popular athletes in the world. It’s not just women’s sports anymore. “It’s really cool to see and she just handles it with such grace.” Clark said she enjoys spending time with fans at games, usually taking a few minutes before and after games to sign autographs. “For me it’s still really fun,” she said. “Whether it’s 15 seconds or 10 seconds or 5 seconds can be very impactful in a young girl and young boys life. Seeing the fans going crazy an hour before tipoff, I never take that for granted. That’s super cool and I never want that to go away.” After a slow start to her WNBA career, Clark eventually found her stride there too. She set the single-game assist record with 19 and also had 337 assists on the season to break that mark as well. Clark, known for her logo-distance 3-pointers, was the fastest player to reach 100 3’s when she did it in 34 games which helped Indiana reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Lobo, who won the AP female athlete of the year award after lifting UConn to its first national championship, was on the court for launch of the WNBA two years later. The ESPN analyst sees Clark’s ascension as something different. “She’s brought unprecedented attention both in the building, but also viewership to the sport that was worthy of it but didn’t have it yet,” Lobo said. “There’s never been anything like this. “That timeframe from 1995-97 was a baby step in the progression of it all. This is a giant leap forward. I’ve never seen anything like this. There’s more attention then the sports ever had.” The numbers have been record breaking when Clark is part of a broadcast: — TV viewership in the WNBA was up 300% thanks in large part to Clark with ABC, CBS, ION, ESPN, and ESPN2 all having record viewers when Fever games were on. — The NCAA women’s championship game outdrew the men on TV for the first time in the sport’s 42-year history with 18.9 million viewers tuning it to watch the event. It was the second most watched women’s sporting event outside of the Olympics in the history of U.S. television. — The 2024 WNBA draft was the most-watched in league history with 2.4 million viewers. Clark credits the community of women athletes for the popularity increase of women’s sports, saying “we” did this or “we” did that when asked about it. “It’s fascinating, you don’t always appreciate how many people 18 million is,” Clark said. “You see that number against a college football game or the Masters or whatever it is as far as the biggest sporting events in our country and it puts it in perspective. We outdrew the men’s Final Four.”Star Sports Names Davies Chair as Wiseman Stands Down

Children and their parents are being told in an Usborne book that refugees “enrich our country”. Usborne has published a book for ages seven and up called Lift the Flap: Questions and Answers About Refugees, which informs readers that “we all have roots in other countries”. Teaching material has been provided alongside the book which sets out classroom activities including having children write to MPs to express how much refugees “enrich our countries”. Further guidance seeks to educate mothers and fathers on the importance of their children learning about the “array of multicultural foods” and “population numbers” provided by refugees who also drive “growth”. The book, which has been branded “indoctrination” by critics, has been stocked by local council libraries, and free copies have been distributed to schools following its release in 2023. The children’s book was created with help from the Refugee Council, and contains 14 illustrated pages with lifting flaps providing answers to questions about issues . One page covers the “big risks” faced by those in small boats, while another page is titled “Refugees Welcome”, and shows a crowd with placards stating “our home is your home” and “bridges not borders”. The final page urges children to talk about how “we all have roots in other countries”, and how refugees “enrich our countries”. Usborne teaching resources paired with the book outline lesson objectives, including “to know that positive action is possible”, with one activity stating: “People in power can do a lot to help – but they don’t always choose to. “Governments want to be popular with their own people, so one way to encourage them to support refugees is by showing them how important refugees’ safety is to you.” It adds: “You could also write a letter to your local MP or councillor. Try to include some facts about why refugees need our help and how they can enrich our countries.” Usborne has also created “notes for grown-ups to help explain why it’s important to talk to children about refugees”. These notes urge parents to drill home to their children the point that “without migration we would not have access to the vast array of multicultural foods that we are lucky to enjoy”. Parents are assured that there are “so many” positives to the arrival of refugees, who “fill gaps in the labour market”. The material claims it is cheaper to recruit foreign doctors than train British medical staff. Low-skilled arrivals additionally “do dirty, difficult, dangerous or dull jobs that locals do not wish to do”, adding that “ageing societies with a shrinking native working-age population benefit from the arrival of younger refugees” who “support population numbers, and thus investment and growth”. Around via small boats in 2024, most of whom claim asylum. The total cost for maintaining the system of migrant hotels is now estimated at £5.4 billion a year. The notes further claim that “people who have been uprooted from one culture and exposed to another tend to be more creative” and they can “help spark new ideas and technologies”. The Arts Council-backed Books Trust has since supported a promotion which promised to distribute 500 copies to UK schools to mark an occasion called “Empathy Day”. The children’s book and the accompanying material has been criticised by Rupert Lowe, the Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, who has pushed for transparency on the costs of migration. He said: “This is disgraceful indoctrination, which is sadly widespread in schools across the country. “Parents need to be incredibly cautious about what is being shown to their children in schools - I would advise parents to take a far more proactive role in monitoring their school’s curriculum where possible. “We need to remove activist teachers, remove activist material and remove all political activism from British schools. Teach children how to think, not what to think.” Usborne has been contacted for comment.'You’re under arrest, please stay online': How mobile phone has become ‘Akshaya Patra’ of cyber criminals in Tamil NaduMan accused in burning death of a woman on New York subway appears in court

Drew Lock matched his career high of four touchdown passes and also rushed for a score and the New York Giants snapped their franchise-record 10-game losing streak with an entertaining 45-33 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. Malik Nabers had seven receptions for a career-best 171 yards and two touchdowns to exceed 100 receptions and 1,000 yards during his strong rookie campaign. New York (3-13) registered a season best for points scored by more than tripling its league-worst season average of 14.3 per game. The setback eliminated the Colts (7-9) from the AFC playoff race. Lock completed 17 of 23 passes for 309 yards and Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Stayton also had receiving scores for the Giants, who won at home for the first time this season. Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Joe Flacco started for Indianapolis with Anthony Richardson (back/foot) sidelined and completed 26 of 38 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns. But he also was intercepted twice and lost a fumble. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries, Michael Pittman Jr. had nine receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown and Alec Pierce caught six passes for 122 yards and a score. Indianapolis pulled within 35-33 on Flacco's 7-yard touchdown pass to Pittman with 6:38 remaining. The Giants answered with Lock's 5-yard scramble with 2:57 left to push the lead to nine. After Flacco was picked off by Dru Phillips, Graham Gano tacked on a 30-yard field goal 37 seconds later to put it away. New York held an eight-point halftime lead before Smith-Marsette fielded the opening kickoff of the second half and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown to give the Giants a 28-13 advantage. The Colts answered with Taylor's 26-yard run to move within eight with 11:03 left in the third quarter. Flacco threw a 13-yard touchdown catch to Pierce with 10:53 remaining in the game to move Indianapolis within two. A trick play on the two-point conversion failed. New York increased its lead to nine just more than two minutes later when Nabers caught a short pass at midfield and easily shed two tacklers before sprinting down the right sideline for a 59-yard score. Lock tossed three first-half touchdown passes as the Giants led 21-13 at the break. Nabers caught a short pass in the right flat and raced 31 yards for a score to give New York a 7-3 lead with 1:05 left in the opening quarter. He finished the day with 104 receptions for 1,140 yards. Lock tossed touchdown passes of 32 yards to Slayton and 5 yards to Robinson while increasing the lead to 21-6. Taylor scored on a 3-yard run with 20 seconds remaining. --Field Level Media

LONDON — Pooches in pullovers paraded past Buckingham Palace on Saturday for a gathering of dogs in Christmas sweaters to raise funds for rescue charities. About 130 pets, and their owners, walked Saturday from St. James's Park and along the Mall, the wide boulevard that leads to the royal palace as part of the Christmas Jumper Parade. Prizes were awarded for best-dressed pets, with contenders including canine Santas, puppy elves and a French bulldog dressed in a red beret and pink jacket adorned with red bows. The event was organized by Rescue Dogs of London and Friends to raise money for charities that rehome dogs from overseas. Christmas sweater animal parades have become something of an annual tradition in London. There are more to come this year, including an event for corgis — the late Queen Elizabeth II's favorite breed — on Dec. 7 and the dachshund-friendly Hyde Park Sausage Walk on Dec 15. People are also reading... Matt Rhule, Luke Fickell both downplay postgame encounter between Fickell, Donovan Raiola Wisconsin officer grabbing Donovan Raiola's arm a 'misunderstanding,' UW police say ‘I don’t care who’s played': Nebraska’s Dana Holgorsen on personnel changes at tight end Man found dead in north Lincoln, police say Arrest made in 55-year-old cold case of Nebraska teen stabbed to death Here's how Nebraska doctors are finding 'more opportunities to save lives' from lung cancer Amie Just: Bring out the tissues — and the brooms — for Nebraska volleyball's emotional win Cover Five: With pressure rising, Matt Rhule delivers Nebraska a bowl bid in Year 2 Lincoln restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day Nebraska GOP to seek hard-right social policies in 2025 legislative session Signing Day: Meet Nebraska volleyball's five-player 2025 class Here's what Nebraska volleyball's loss to Penn State means for Huskers' Big Ten title hopes Just Askin': What is the best-case scenario for Nebraska football’s bowl destination? Driver of car dead after crash in downtown Lincoln; part of O Street closed Nebraska medical marijuana petitions ruled valid; law set to go into effect Dec. 12HONEYWELL AND BOMBARDIER SIGN LANDMARK AGREEMENT TO DELIVER THE NEXT GENERATION OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY; HONEYWELL UPDATES 2024 OUTLOOKChic on the cheap in Japan

GM to sell its stake in Michigan battery plant to LG Energy Solution

Dave & Buster’s expects to open its first Killeen location in the summer of 2025 according to a spokesperson for the company. The new entertainment and restaurant center will have more than 100 arcade games, innovative drinks and a chef-crafted food menu according to the spokesperson. It will also include a massive 40-feet high-definition TV designed to offer an unrivaled viewing experience at its state-of-the-art sports bar. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

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After dominant byelection win CM Adityanath puts BJP in pole position again in UP

Sebastian Zapeta, 33, who federal immigration officials said is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the US illegally, was arraigned in Brooklyn criminal court. He appeared briefly before a judge and wore a white jumpsuit over a weathered black hooded sweatshirt. He did not speak. He will remain jailed ahead of his next court date on Friday. The apparently random attack occurred on Sunday morning on a stationary F train at the Coney Island station in Brooklyn. Police said on Tuesday that identification of the victim was still “pending at this time”. Authorities say Zapeta approached the woman, who was sitting motionless in the train car and may have been sleeping, and used a lighter to set her clothing on fire. The woman quickly became engulfed in flames, while the suspect then sat at a bench on the subway platform and watched, according to police. Video posted to social media appeared to show the woman standing inside the train ablaze as some people look on from the platform, and at least one officer walks by. NYPD chief of transit Joseph Gulotta said that several officers had responded to the fire and one stayed to keep the crime scene “the way it’s supposed to be” while the others went to get fire extinguishers and transit workers. They were eventually able to douse the fire, but “unfortunately, it was too late”, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said — the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. During Zapeta’s court hearing on Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg said Zapeta at one point fanned the flames on the woman using his shirt. He said a 911 call from a subway rider helped identify Zapeta. Mr Rottenberg added that under interrogation Zapeta claimed he did not know what happened, noting that he consumes alcohol. But he alleged that Zapeta identified himself to interrogators in images related to the attack. Zapeta was taken into custody on Sunday afternoon while riding a train on the same subway line after police got a tip from some teenagers who recognised him from images circulated by the police. A Brooklyn address for Zapeta released by police matches a shelter that provides housing and substance abuse support. The shelter did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Federal immigration officials said Zapeta had been previously deported in 2018 but at some point reentered the US illegally. The crime — and the graphic video of it that ricocheted across social media — deepened a growing sense of unease among some New Yorkers about the safety of the subway system in a city where many residents take the subway multiple times each day.

Canadian dollar up as stock markets rally ahead Christmas

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COMEX, Amar A. Babood during his recent visit to Pakistan, underscored the importance of strengthening the economic and cultural ties between Oman and Pakistan. In an interview with APP, Babood emphasized the shared history, culture, and potential that bind the two nations and also focussed on expanding trade, business interactions, and collaborative initiatives, “This is my first visit to Pakistan, and I’ve had the opportunity to visit both Karachi and Islamabad,” said Babood. “We are close neighbors, with just an hour’s distance from Karachi, and we share a deep connection in history, society, and culture. We have been following Pakistan’s developments closely, and now, we are looking to deepen our business and diplomatic relations.” COMEX, one of Oman’s leading organizations in the ICT sector, has long been eyeing Pakistan for its untapped market potential. The two countries, despite having a robust cultural connection, have seen relatively low trade volumes, which Babood believes is an area ripe for growth. “Oman and Pakistan have a lot to offer each other,” he added. “There is great potential, particularly in sectors like ICT, where Pakistan has impressive expertise. Oman’s Vision 2040 underscores the importance of working closely with global partners to unlock these opportunities, and we are eager to explore ways we can collaborate with Pakistan.” Oman is already working closely with the Pakistani Embassy in Muscat to facilitate business-to-business interactions, with a focus on expanding trade in key areas such as ICT, agriculture, and tourism. Babood also highlighted the ongoing GCC-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement negotiations, which are expected to create new avenues for bilateral trade and investment. “Oman is committed to fostering an environment of open trade and business. With the introduction of policies like 100% foreign ownership in certain sectors, we are positioning ourselves as an attractive destination for global investors,” Babood said. “In Pakistan, we see a unique opportunity to tap into a vast and growing market, especially with its strong agricultural and tourism sectors. We are also exploring joint ventures that will benefit both countries.” During his trip, Babood attended the IDEAS Expo 2024, where he interacted with Pakistani ministers for Energy, Science and Technology, as well as various entrepreneurs. The event provided valuable insights into new business trends, especially in sectors like AgriTech, which Babood sees as a key area for future cooperation. “Pakistan is making significant strides in AgriTech, and Oman can learn a great deal from these innovations,” he remarked. “Likewise, Oman’s tourism sector is evolving rapidly, with a growing emphasis on sustainable tourism and the protection of indigenous culture. There’s potential for collaboration in cultural tourism, which will benefit both our nations.” Oman is also increasingly focused on green energy, particularly solar power and green hydrogen, as part of its commitment to renewable energy. Babood mentioned that while Oman is a late developer in the renewable energy sector, it has made substantial progress in solar energy and is now prioritizing green hydrogen as a critical area of focus. “We believe that green hydrogen will play a major role in the future of energy, and Oman is keen to explore this sector further,” he explained. “Our investment tools are designed to make it easier for businesses to enter these emerging sectors, which will contribute to both national and regional sustainability goals.” Looking ahead, Babood reaffirmed Oman’s strategic role in fostering cooperation across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and beyond. He pointed out that Oman’s diplomatic ties with various nations, including Egypt and Qatar, allow it to play a vital role in resolving regional conflicts and fostering peace. “As a nation, Oman values its neutrality and diplomatic relations. We are proud to be a bridge between nations, fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” Babood concluded. “We look forward to continued cooperation with Pakistan, as we work together to realize the untapped potential in trade, business, and culture.” COMEX is a leading Omani company specializing in information and communication technology (ICT). With a focus on fostering innovation and digital transformation, COMEX is committed to building bridges between businesses and governments to drive economic growth and technological advancement in Oman and beyond.

Protesters of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's bill to eliminate collective bargaining rights for many state workers pack the rotunda at the State Capitol in Madison, Wis. on Feb. 17, 2011. Andy Manis/The Associated Press Wisconsin public worker and teachers unions scored a major legal victory Monday with a ruling that restores collective bargaining rights they lost under a 2011 state law that sparked weeks of protests and made the state the centre of the national battle over union rights. That law, known as Act 10, effectively ended the ability of most public employees to bargain for wage increases and other issues, and forced them to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. Under the ruling by Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost, all public sector workers who lost their collective bargaining power would have it restored to what was in place prior to 2011. They would be treated the same as the police, firefighter and other public safety unions that were exempted under the law. Republicans vowed to immediately appeal the ruling, which ultimately is likely to go before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. That only amplifies the importance of the April election that will determine whether the court remains controlled 4-3 by liberal justices. Former Gov. Scott Walker, who proposed the law that catapulted him onto the national political stage, decried the ruling in a post on the social media platform X as “brazen political activism.” He said it makes the state Supreme Court election “that much more important.” Supporters of the law have said it provided local governments more control over workers and the powers they needed to cut costs. Repealing the law, which allowed schools and local governments to raise money through higher employee contributions for benefits, would bankrupt those entities, backers of Act 10 have argued. Democratic opponents argue that the law has hurt schools and other government agencies by taking away the ability of employees to collectively bargain for their pay and working conditions. Union leaders were overjoyed with the ruling, which affects tens of thousands of public employees. “We realize there may still be a fight ahead of us in the courts, but make no mistake, we’re ready to keep fighting until we all have a seat at the table again,” said Ben Gruber, a conservation warden and president of AFSCME Local 1215. The law was proposed by Walker and enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature in spite of massive protests that went on for weeks and drew as many as 100,000 people to the Capitol. The law has withstood numerous legal challenges over the years, but this was the first brought since the Wisconsin Supreme Court flipped to liberal control in 2023. The seven unions and three union leaders that brought the lawsuit argued that the law should be struck down because it creates unconstitutional exemptions for firefighters and other public safety workers. Attorneys for the Legislature and state agencies countered that the exemptions are legal, have already been upheld by other courts, and that the case should be dismissed. But Frost sided with the unions in July, saying the law violates equal protection guarantees in the Wisconsin Constitution by dividing public employees into “general” and “public safety” employees. He ruled that general employee unions, like those representing teachers, cannot be treated differently from public safety unions that were exempt from the law. His ruling Monday delineated the dozens of specific provisions in the law that must be struck. Wisconsin Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he looked forward to appealing the ruling. “This lawsuit came more than a decade after Act 10 became law and after many courts rejected the same meritless legal challenges,” Vos said in a statement. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state’s largest business lobbying organization, also decried the ruling. WMC President Kurt Bauer called Act 10 “a critical tool for policymakers and elected officials to balance budgets and find taxpayer savings.” The Legislature said in court filings that arguments made in the current case were rejected in 2014 by the state Supreme Court. The only change since that ruling is the makeup of Wisconsin Supreme Court, attorneys for the Legislature argued. The Act 10 law effectively ended collective bargaining for most public unions by allowing them to bargain solely over base wage increases no greater than inflation. It also disallowed the automatic withdrawal of union dues, required annual recertification votes for unions, and forced public workers to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. The law was the signature legislative achievement of Walker, who was targeted for a recall election he won. Walker used his fights with unions to mount an unsuccessful presidential run in 2016. Frost, the judge who issued Monday’s ruling, appeared to have signed the petition to recall Walker from office. None of the attorneys sought his removal from the case and he did not step down. Frost was appointed to the bench by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who signed the Walker recall petition. The law has also led to a dramatic decrease in union membership across the state. The nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum said in a 2022 analysis that since 2000, Wisconsin had the largest decline in the proportion of its work force that is unionized. In 2015, the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature approved a right-to-work law that limited the power of private-sector unions. Public sector unions that brought the lawsuit are the Abbotsford Education Association; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Locals 47 and 1215; the Beaver Dam Education Association; SEIU Wisconsin; the Teaching Assistants’ Association Local 3220 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 695.JACKSONVILLE STATE 86, EAST CAROLINA 78