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Caught in the debateWASHINGTON — A Texas man who was the first rioter to go on trial for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was resentenced on Friday to nearly seven years in prison after he delivered an angry, profane rant to the judge who agreed to modestly reduce his original sentence. Guy Reffitt benefitted from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that led to the dismissal of his conviction on an obstruction charge. His new sentence — six years and eight months — is seven months lower than his original sentence. Reffitt repeatedly shook his head and appeared to be agitated as he listened to U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich and a prosecutor describe his role in a mob’s attack on the Capitol. He told the judge that he was “in my feelings” and upset about the “lies and the craziness” that he perceived. “I was not there to take over no government,” Reffitt said. “I love this country.” “No one has a problem with your feelings,” the judge said. “It’s the actions you took with your feelings.” Reffitt stormed the Captiol with a holstered handgun on his waist. He also was carrying zip-tie handcuffs and wearing body armor and a helmet equipped with a video camera when he advanced on police officers outside the building. He retreated after an officer pepper sprayed him in the face, but he waved on other rioters who ultimately breached the building. Prosecutors said Reffitt told fellow members of the Texas Three Percenters militia group that he planned to drag House Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of the Capitol building by her ankles, “with her head hitting every step on the way down.” “His objective was to overtake Congress, physically and with violence,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nestler. “In his own words,” Nestler added, “Congress was the demon and he was going to cut the head off the demon.” Reffitt is one of several Jan. 6 defendants to be resentenced after a Supreme Court ruling in June limited the government’s use of a federal obstruction law. The high court ruled 6-3 that a charge of obstructing an official proceeding must include proof that a defendant tried to tamper with or destroy documents — a distinction that applies to few Jan. 6 criminal cases. A jury convicted Reffitt of four other counts, including a charge that he threatened his two teenage children after returning to their in home in Wylie, Texas, after the riot. Reffitt’s son Jackson, then 19, testified that his father told him and his younger sister, then 16, that they would be traitors if they reported him to authorities and warned them that “traitors get shot.” Reffitt’s two daughters spoke favorably of their father during his resentencing. They described him as a caring father who doesn’t pose a danger to anybody. Prosecutors said Reffitt’s recent communications from jail indicate that he “views his imprisonment as an injustice and as part of a greater cause, and that he maintains pride in actions on January 6 and his involvement in the community of those who he believes have been wrongly prosecuted for their crimes on that day.” More than 1,500 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related crimes. About 1,000 of them have pleaded guilty. Roughly 250 others have been convicted by a judge or jury after a trial.spin winph99 。

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xcoub, a rising star in the decentralized finance (DeFi) staking space, has successfully closed a $7 million Series A funding round. Although the investors remain undisclosed, this significant investment highlights the growing confidence in Xcoub's ability to revolutionize the staking ecosystem. Renowned for its state-of-the-art technology, multi-chain compatibility, and user-centric design, Xcoub is quickly establishing itself as the go-to platform for secure and flexible staking solutions worldwide. Driving Innovation in DeFi Staking At the core of Xcoub's success is its advanced multi-chain staking platform, supporting over 10 leading blockchain networks, including Ethereum (ETH), Aptos (APT), and Optimism (OP). Xcoub's diverse staking options empower users to maximize returns while effectively managing risks, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced investors. The platform is constantly evolving, introducing intuitive features that streamline the staking process and cater to both retail and institutional users. With a robust roadmap centered on technological growth and user satisfaction, Xcoub is paving the way for the next era in DeFi staking. Security First: The Bug Bounty Program Xcoub has launched a comprehensive Bug Bounty Program, offering up to $100,000 in rewards for identifying potential platform vulnerabilities. This proactive initiative fosters collaboration with global developers and security experts, ensuring the platform maintains top-tier security and reliability. By prioritizing user asset safety, Xcoub builds trust and sets a high standard for security in the DeFi space. Scaling Globally and Setting New Standards Armed with $7 million in Series A funding, Xcoub plans to expand its global reach, strengthen its presence in key markets, and grow its community of users. The funds will fuel infrastructure upgrades, the introduction of new features, and scaling efforts to meet the demands of DeFi enthusiasts worldwide. By focusing on scalability, innovation, and user empowerment, Xcoub is poised to set new benchmarks for DeFi staking. Its commitment to delivering high-performance, secure, and user-friendly staking solutions makes it a key player in the evolving decentralized finance landscape. A Vision for the Future As a pioneer in decentralized finance, Xcoub envisions a future where staking is accessible, secure, and profitable for everyone. Through continuous innovation and a focus on simplifying complex processes, Xcoub is ready to lead the next wave of DeFi evolution. Its dedication to addressing user challenges positions the platform as a transformative force in the industry. About Xcoub Xcoub is a decentralized finance (DeFi) staking platform built to simplify and elevate the staking experience for users worldwide. Supporting over 10 major blockchain networks, Xcoub offers secure, flexible, and high-yield staking opportunities. With a focus on innovation, user experience, and security, Xcoub is redefining DeFi staking and setting new standards for the industry. Xcoub Dapp: Xcoub.com Media Contact: Name: Eric Smith, Xcoub Finance Website: https://xcoub.com/ Email: support@xcoub.com Disclaimer: This content is provided by Xcoub Finance . The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b57ed6e-4d4f-4ec1-b668-af9b68d563fa https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8556f13d-4808-4be5-bea1-0643a9572c41 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/24cc26e8-be06-4113-b2d6-cede8e5478ae https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/28fc6951-66b1-469a-8f3b-410c2a8220be © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.A 7-year-old dispute between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO. Musk also wanted the job, according to emails revealed as part of the court case, but grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence , or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. Musk didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration. —————————— The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives. Matt O'brien, The Associated Press

S&P/TSX down more than 100 points, U.S. markets mixed ahead of rate decision

Will TikTok be banned in January? Here's where things stand as deadline nearsFew actually enjoy —it's crowded, sniffles are everywhere, and despite the festive nature of the season, everybody seems mad. But nothing is more enraging than just to learn that you've chosen the lucky seat with the broken ahead of a five-hour flight. Thankfully, peace of mind—and a major upgrade for any Spirit or —costs just $10 on , and shoppers are stocking up before heading out. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.Turkish champions Besiktas will go head-to-head with German side Borussia Dortmund in what is set to be an intriguing matchup. With both teams possessing talented players, this match has the potential to produce plenty of goals.

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Title: China's shift from "prudent" to "moderately accommodative" monetary policy sends positive signalsIn conclusion, Huang Xiaoming's commitment to charity has become a defining aspect of his life and legacy. Through his philanthropic endeavors, he has demonstrated a deep sense of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility. By making charity an integral part of his life, Huang Xiaoming has not only made a positive impact on society but has also inspired others to follow in his footsteps. As a role model and advocate for social change, Huang Xiaoming continues to uphold the values of kindness, generosity, and empathy, making the world a better place for all.Models Attempt To 'Streak' in Risqué Santa-Themed Outfits At 49ers Game

Despite these criticisms, Woodward's reputation as a shrewd negotiator and his vast experience in the football industry make him an attractive candidate for the role of sporting director at Arsenal. The Gunners have been undergoing a period of transition and restructuring, with a renewed focus on building a competitive and sustainable footballing model. Woodward's track record in commercial operations could also prove beneficial as Arsenal seek to maximize their revenue streams and grow their global brand.

Liverpool FC Watching Flint Pong and K77 Amid Rumors of Arnold and Salah DepartureMoreover, the technical director highlighted the technical challenges involved in remaking a game, especially one as complex and intricate as "Yakuza." From updating the game engine to reworking character models, environments, and animations, every aspect of the game must be carefully reexamined and improved upon. This process requires a high level of expertise, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the intricacies of game development.The absence of Karafiori, Timber, and the other two players raised eyebrows among the fans and media alike. These players are known for their crucial roles in the team, and their absence from a public training session sparked concerns and questions about their fitness and availability for upcoming matches.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the investigation is focused on a secretive agreement between Google and Meta that allegedly allowed the two tech giants to share sensitive information about their advertising strategies and pricing. This partnership, which reportedly dates back several years, is said to have given Google and Meta an unfair advantage over other players in the digital advertising industry.