blackjack transformers

Coeptis Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. COEP shares traded higher on Thursday after the company announced the completion of its acquisition of the NexGenAI Affiliates Network platform and the launch of Coeptis Technologies. This new division is designed to diversify the company’s growth potential, specifically in highly regulated industries like biotech, pharmaceuticals, and multi-level marketing. The NexGenAI Affiliates Network platform, developed by NexGenAI Solutions Group, is an AI-powered marketing software and robotic process automation (RPA) solution. This tool helps marketers process large volumes of data, optimize campaigns, improve customer engagement, and streamline operations—key factors for success in the competitive and regulated sectors Coeptis serves. Also Read: SEALSQ Launches SEALQUANTUM.com Lab To Help Businesses Transition To Quantum-Safe Encryption Dave Mehalick, President and CEO of Coeptis, highlighted that integrating these AI-driven tools will be crucial for optimizing marketing strategies and driving measurable results in industries where competition and regulatory challenges are intense. Anshuman Dash, Lead Advisor behind the NexGenAI platform, emphasized that this acquisition aligns with Coeptis’ mission to revolutionize marketing and operational efficiency in the biopharmaceutical sector. By leveraging advanced AI and RPA technologies, Coeptis aims to enhance its service offerings and provide innovative solutions to overcome marketing challenges in the biotech, pharma, and MLM sectors, setting the stage for future growth. Price Action: COEP shares are trading higher by 45.8% to $0.2070 at last check Thursday. Read Next: Tech Bull Predicts 26% Upside For Apple Stock, Sees ‘Golden Era Of Growth’ For Cupertino Due To Multi-Year AI-Driven iPhone Upgrade Cycle Photo via Shutterstock. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full a dose of presidential pomp. And they held an impromptu meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria is gaining speed with news that they have reached the suburbs of the capital of Damascus. The government on Saturday was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus were reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander. They came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions. The factions are by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The DNC chair candidates discuss Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and winning Latino voters SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Four Democrats are running for Democratic National Committee chair, looking to take on the task of reinvigorating a party demoralized by a second loss to President-elect Donald Trump. Others may still get into the race as Democrats reckon with what went wrong in the 2024 election, which saw Trump gain with nearly every demographic group in a decisive repudiation of the incumbent party. The 448 DNC members will elect a successor for outgoing Chair Jaime Harrison on Feb. 1. The party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee is scheduled to meet next week to approve rules for the contest. 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor recalls confusion and chaos during Japanese bombing 83 years ago PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors are planning to return to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. They are each over 100 years old. They will join active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for a remembrance ceremony hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. Do weighted blankets help you sleep better? Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Weighted blankets are a popular choice to warm up in cold weather, but research on their effectiveness is limited. Such blankets come with extra heft in the form of glass beads, pellets or cotton. They're also more expensive than regular blankets. Scientists think the added pressure could calm the brain’s fight-or-flight response or signal the brain to produce what’s called the love hormone. There isn’t a ton of research on whether weighted blankets actually work, and the studies that do exist are on small groups. Experts say there’s no harm in giving them a try if you're willing to splurge.

Boeing busted by employee over plans to surveil workers, quickly reverses courseThe Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Abena Osei Asare has stated that President-elect, John Mahama’s Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) committee is unlawful and unconstitutional. The MP who doubles as the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry has also questioned the basis for the establishment of the five-member committee chaired by North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. She has asserted that the committee there are already various state agencies that are mandated to supervise corruption-related issues, hence a parallel committee is unnecessary. The MP wonders how the NDC government intends to implement their interest-based committee findings which will have no effect. She said the incoming government should not be in haste in pursuing an agenda that is not legally accepted by the Constitution. The Minister made these remarks during a thank-you tour in her constituency in the Eastern region. She said she has enjoyed goodwill from the constituent although Ghanaians may have been disappointed and voted against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 election. The MP noted that the party accepts the will of the people but expressed confidence they will bounce back. The committee is non-partisan, operating on pro bono, with no associated budget or financial burden, and is designed to ensure accountability and fairness. Despite the opposition particularly from some NPP members, former Obuasi East NPP MP, Edward Ennin has expressed readiness to give evidence of where looted assets are kept while former NPP General Secretary, Nana Obiri Boahen has also commended the initiative.

LAHORE: Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has criticized the government’s policies, calling them detrimental to the people. Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah on Saturday, following a consultative meeting with Punjab’s leadership; he said the rule of fraudulent elements that came to power through fake Form 47 cannot resolve the nation’s problems. JI Chief said that the Prime Minister’s claims about reducing inflation are a pack of lies, he asserted, pointing to a staggering 319% increase in gas prices as evidence. “The government itself spreads fake news,” he said, adding that it imposed internet restrictions and suppressed dissent. “Dictatorship and censorship will not be accepted,” he asserted. In response to a question regarding the issue of madrasah registration, Rehman said Jamaat-e-Islami supports the process of registration but stressed the need to involve all stakeholders (boards of religious seminaries) to resolve the matter. He criticized the political practices of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), citing the 26th Amendment as a lesson for the nation. He highlighted that Jamaat-e-Islami’s “Haq Do Awam Ko” (give the people their rights) movement is ongoing, with plans for marches in Lahore and other major cities of Punjab to address farmers’ grievances. The JI chief strongly condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to Gulf countries, calling them equivalent to genocide. He also denounced Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, carried out with U.S. support, and demanded an immediate ceasefire. He announced a Million March in Islamabad on December 29 in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Rehman demanded the formation of an independent and empowered commission to investigate the killing of PTI protestors in Islamabad. He condemned the arrests of Pashtuns in the federal capital, calling it an attempt to foster division and prejudice. He said the government is lying about casualties during the protests, saying that Jamaat-e-Islami itself is aware of six to seven deaths. He announced the establishment of a legal assistance cell in Islamabad to aid those facing police harassment or other grievances. In response to another question regarding the deteriorating economic situation, Rehman criticized the government for failing to control soaring prices of electricity, petrol, gas, and essential commodities. He stated that 100 million people now live below the poverty line, with the poor and middle class struggling to survive. He condemned the government’s actions, such as slowing internet speeds, which he said are destroying the livelihoods of millions. “Such tactics are unacceptable,” he declared. He called on the government to end privileges for the ruling elite and urged them to pay taxes instead of burdening the poor and salaried class. He criticized the lack of fair prices for farmers’ produce, particularly sugarcane, and questioned why the government cannot provide agricultural subsidies while failing to tax feudal landlords. When asked, Rehman said that Jamaat-e-Islami will stage protests for farmers’ rights in Vehari, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang, and later in Lahore. He called for the benefits of Independent Power Producer (IPP) agreements to be used for reducing electricity prices. “The movement for public issues will continue,” he said, adding that grassroots public committees will be formed in urban and rural areas. He reiterated Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to fighting for democracy, the rule of law, and the rights of the people, while vowing to end the dominance of the ruling elite. Copyright Business Recorder, 2024Tributes pour as former PM Manmohan Singh passes away at 92: ‘History shall...’When Katja Vogt considers a Jaguar, she pictures a British-made car purring confidently along the Italian coastline — a vision of familiarity that conveys “that dreaming, longing feeling we all love.” She’s not sure what to think about Jaguar now after the 89-year-old company announced a radical rebranding that featured loud colors and androgynous people — but no cars. Jaguar, the company says, will now be JaGUar. It will produce only electric vehicles beginning in 2026. Say goodbye to British racing green, Cotswold Blue and black. Its colors are henceforth electric pink, red and yellow, according to a video that sparked backlash online. Its mission statement: “Create exuberance. Live vivid. Delete ordinary. Break moulds.” “Intrigued?” @Jaguar posted on social media. “Weird and unsettled” is more like it, Vogt wrote on Instagram. “Especially now, with the world feeling so dystopian,” the Cyprus-based brand designer wrote, “a heritage brand like Jaguar should be conveying feelings of safety, stability, and maybe a hint of rebellion — the kind that shakes things up in a good way, not in a way that unsettles.” Jaguar was one of several iconic companies that announced significant rebrandings in recent weeks, upending a series of commercial — and cultural — landmarks by which many modern human beings sort one another, carve out identities and recognize the world around them. Campbell’s, the 155-year-old American icon that artist Andy Warhol immortalized in pop culture decades ago, is ready for a new, soupless name. Comcast’s corporate reorganization means there will soon be two television networks with “NBC” in their name — CNBC and MSNBC — that will no longer have any corporate connection to NBC News, a U.S. legacy news outlet. One could even argue the United States itself is rebranding with the election of former President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Unlike Trump’s first election in 2016, he won the popular vote in what many called a national referendum on American identity. Are we, then, the sum total of our consumer decisions — what we buy, where we travel and whom we elect? Certainly, it’s a question for those privileged enough to be able to afford such choices. Volumes of research in the art and science of branding — from “brandr,” an old Norse word for burning symbols into the hides of livestock — say those factors do contribute to the modern sense of identity. So rebranding, especially of heritage names, can be a deeply felt affront to consumers. “It can feel like the brand is turning its back on everything that it stood for — and therefore it feels like it’s turning its back on us, the people who subscribe to that idea or ideology,” said Ali Marmaduke, strategy director with the Amsterdam-based Brand Potential. He said cultural tension — polarization — is surging over politics, wars in Russia and the Mideast, the environment, public health and more, creating what he said is known as a “polycrisis”: the idea that there are several massive crises converging that feel scary and complex. “People are understandably freaked out by that,” he said. “So we are looking for something that will help us navigate this changing, threatening world that we face.” Trump’s “Make America Great Again” qualifies. So did President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” slogan. Campbell’s soup itself — “Mmm Mmm Good” — isn’t going anywhere, CEO Mark Clouse said. The company’s new name, Campbell’s Co., will reflect “the full breadth of our portfolio,” which includes brands like Prego pasta sauce and Goldfish crackers. None of the recent activity around heritage brands sparked a backlash as ferocious as Jaguar’s. The company stood as a pillar of tradition-loving British identity since World War II. Jaguar said its approach to the rebrand was rooted in the philosophy of its founder, Sir William Lyons, to “copy nothing.” What it’s calling “the new Jaguar” will overhaul everything from the font of its name to the positioning of its famous “leaper” cat. “Exuberant modernism” will “define all aspects of the new Jaguar world,” according to the company. The approach is thought to be aimed at selling fewer cars at a six-figure price point to a more diverse customer base. The reaction ranged from bewilderment to hostility. Memes sprouted up likening the video to the Teletubbies, a Benetton ad and — perhaps predictably — a bow to “woke” culture as the blowback intersected with politics. Get local news delivered to your inbox!None

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Friday the OPEC+ decision to push back the start of oil output rises by three months until April was based mainly on fundamentals. “There are so many things going on over the next two months but primarily the decision to delay bringing these barrels to the second quarter is tied to the issue that the first quarter is not a good quarter to bring in volumes as it is known to be a quarter for building stocks,” Prince Abdulaziz told CNBC in an interview, when asked how the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump would impact OPEC’s strategy. OPEC+, which groups the de facto Saudi-led Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) with allies including Russia, on Thursday also extended the full unwinding of cuts by a year until the end of 2026 due to weak demand and booming production outside the group. The decision “also gives you a meaningful way to have a better understanding not necessarily of what will happen with regard to the U.S., respectfully, but there are so many other things – growth in China, growth in Europe, and lack of it thanks to transitioning, and what is happening in the U.S. economy, interest rates, inflation.” “There are too many moving parts. But honestly the primary cause for moving or shifting – bringing these barrels – is based on fundamentals,” Prince Abdulaziz said. OPEC+, which pumps about half the world’s oil, had been planning to start unwinding cuts from October 2024 but a slowdown in global demand and rising output elsewhere forced it to postpone the plans on several occasions. “I think the reality check that we had to attend to was that we have the double task of attending to the fundamentals yet put together something that mitigates these negative sentiments, within of course the controls of what OPEC+ can do,” Prince Abdulaziz said. “We honestly believe the market next year will be better than what is being projected.” OPEC+ members are holding back 5.86 million barrels per day of output, or about 5.7% of global demand, in a series of steps agreed since 2022 to support the market. The steps include cuts of 2 million bpd by the whole group, 1.65 million bpd of first stage of voluntary cuts by eight members and another 2.2 million of second stage of voluntary cuts by the same eight members. On Thursday, OPEC+ agreed to extend the 2 million bpd and the 1.65 million bpd of cuts until the end of 2026 from the end of 2025, according to statements issued by the group. The gradual unwinding of 2.2 million of cuts will start from April 2025 with monthly increases of 138,000 bpd, according to Reuters calculations, and lasting 18 months until September 2026. “What is not helpful was the accumulation of the lack of compensation,” Prince Abdulaziz said, referring to member countries’ plans to trim output over time for prior production above quotas agreed with OPEC+. Iraq, Russia and Kazakhstan have presented OPEC with compensation plans. They were extended to a year and a half from one year “because, again, we took serious commitments at the highest level,” Prince Abdulaziz said. “These things will be delivered if we can extend the period of compensation.” Source: Reuters (Reporting by Maha El Dahan and Nadine Awadalla; writing by Yousef Saba, editing by Jason Neely, Louise Heavens and David Evans)

LONDON (AP) — Brighton had most of the chances but could not find the net in a 0-0 draw with Brentford that extended the south coast club’s winless run in the Premier League to six games on Friday. It was a frustrating night for the home side and especially Julio Enciso. The Paraguay striker had a host of opportunities to score but couldn’t make them count. Along with Southampton, Brentford has the worst away record in the league with seven losses and two draws and it was easy to see why in this toothless performance. Brentford had an early goal from Yoane Wissa ruled out for offside and, although it came a bit more into the game in the second half, it failed to pressure Icelandic goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, who made his Premier League debut eight minutes before halftime when Mark Flekken went off with a thigh injury. One bright spot for the home side was the return of winger Solly March. He came on as a late substitute to make his first appearance for Brighton since injuring a knee against Manchester City 14 months ago. The result leaves Brighton in 10th place with 26 points, one spot and two points ahead of the Bees. Arsenal was hosting Ipswich in Friday's other game in the Premier League, ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press

Police in Georgia on Saturday fired water cannons to disperse pro-EU protesters rallying for a ninth consecutive day against the prime minister's decision to shelve talks on joining the European Union. The Caucasus nation has been engulfed in turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party declared that it had won a disputed October 26 election. The party's critics have accused it of creeping authoritarianism and of steering the country back towards Russia. Thousands of defiant pro-EU protesters in Georgia began to rally Friday eve after the prime minister claimed victory in a "battle" against the opposition. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets since the election to protest against alleged electoral fraud. Fresh rallies took place across the country after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced last week that Georgia would not hold talks on European Union membership until 2028. Police have fired tear gas and water cannon against pro-EU protests in Tbilisi and hundreds of arrests have been made, triggering outrage at home and mounting international condemnation. France, Germany and Poland condemned what they called the government's "disproportionate" use of force against protesters and opposition leaders in a joint statement Friday. Shortly after midnight on Saturday, riot police in full gear moved in with water cannons to disperse the rally outside the parliament building, making arrests as the crowd retreated a few metres (yards), an AFP reporter witnessed. Earlier on Friday evening, several thousand people blocked the street outside parliament, with some blowing whistles and others setting off firecrackers. The crowd was smaller than on previous nights and the mood quieter, but protesters rejected claims the movement was dying out. "People will continue the protest," said one demonstrator, 23-year-old Giorgi, wearing a Georgian flag and a back scarf pulled over his nose. "They're patient, I will be here for the rest of my life if it is necessary to save my country." Separate protests were held outside Georgia's Public Broadcaster -- accused of being a government propaganda tool -- as well as the education ministry and the country's tourism administration offices. Shalva Alaverdashvili, founder of the Georgian hotels' federation, told AFP that the "unexpected and unacceptable" suspension of EU accession talks has severely hit the country's tourism industry, which accounts for seven percent of the country's GDP. Thousands have also staged anti-government rallies in the second city of Batumi on the Black Sea coast. On Friday evening, a court in Tbilisi put a 19-year-old youth activist in pre-trial detention. Zviad Tsetskhladze had been arrested during the protests on charges of "organising, leading, and participating in group violence". Tsetskhladze told the judge: "Democracy in Georgia is no more. The rule of law has been crushed. "Our actions are a form of resistance, aimed at preserving the rule of law, defending democracy, and protecting the rights of every individual." Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! Earlier Friday Prime Minister Kobakhidze praised his security forces for "successfully neutralising the protesters' capacity for violence". "We have won an important battle against liberal fascism in our country," he told a news conference, using language reminiscent of how the Kremlin in Russia targets its political opponents. "But the fight is not over. Liberal fascism in Georgia must be defeated entirely," Kobakhidze said, repeating an earlier threat to "complete the process of neutralising the radical opposition". With both sides ruling out a compromise, there appeared to be no clear route out of the crisis. The leader of the opposition Lelo party, Mamuka Khazaradze, said the ruling party "no longer has the strength or resources to stand against the people." The government "has resorted to arresting young activists and political opponents out of fear of relentless public protests and growing civil disobedience by public servants," he told AFP. The interior ministry said police had detained three more individuals Friday for "participating in group violence", punishable by up to nine years' jail. Masked officers have raided several opposition party offices and arrested opposition leaders earlier this week, while around 300 people have been detained at rallies. On Friday Nika Gvaramia, leader of the opposition Akhali party, was sentenced to 12 days in prison. Alexandre Elisashvili, leader of the Strong Georgia opposition group, was remanded in custody for two months of pretrial detention. More trouble is expected after December 14, when Georgian Dream lawmakers elect a loyalist to succeed pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili. She has vowed not to step down until the parliamentary polls are re-run. Local media has also reported protests across the country, including in the cities of Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Rustavi and Telavi. Critics of Georgian Dream are enraged by what they call its betrayal of Tbilisi's bid for EU membership, enshrined in the constitution and supported by around 80 percent of the population. Several ambassadors, a deputy foreign minister, and other officials have resigned over the suspension of EU talks. Georgian Dream, in power for more than a decade, has advanced controversial legislation in recent years, targeting civil society and independent media and curbing LGBTQ rights. Brussels warned such policies were incompatible with EU membership, while domestic critics accuse the government of copying Russia's playbook. Georgia's own rights ombudsman has accused the police of "torture" against those arrested. ub-im/sbkThe Dallas Cowboys are shutting down CeeDee Lamb for the rest of the season after the star wideout played through a shoulder injury for nearly two months. Lamb initially sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder on Nov. 3 but has not missed any of the Cowboys' first 15 games this season. "Additional examinations and scans this week on CeeDee Lamb's shoulder have determined that his injury has now progressed to a point that he will be listed as ‘Out' for the remaining two games of the season," a team spokesperson said in a statement to media outlets. "He will undergo a process of treatment and rehabilitation for his shoulder, is not currently expected to require surgery and is projected to make a full recovery." The Cowboys (7-8), eliminated from playoff contention, face two division rivals to close the season. They visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and will host the Washington Commanders in Week 18. Lamb, 25, hauled in 101 receptions for 1,194 yards and six touchdowns this season. It marked his fourth straight 1,000-yard season, and he may be selected to a fourth straight Pro Bowl for his efforts. Lamb signed a four-year, $136 million contract extension in August, covering the 2025-28 seasons. --Field Level Media

Middle East latest: Syria's forces withdraw from Homs, a key link between the capital and coastChina's permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong Photo: VCG The US on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, drawing harsh criticism from most of the UN members. The US consistent biased support of Israel and its repeated use of its veto at the UN have been a major factor contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, expert said. The draft, put forward by the council's 10 non-permanent members, demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The 15-member council voted 14-1 in favor of the resolution, and the US used its veto as a permanent council member to block it. When the US cast its first veto on October 18 last year, nearly 3,000 civilians had been killed in Gaza. By the time the US cast its second veto, 17,000 people had been killed as a result of Israeli bombardment. With its continued use of veto, when the US cast its fifth veto on April 18 this year, the death toll in Gaza had surged to 34,000. Now, nearly 44,000 people have been killed in Gaza, and the US still do not hesitate to use its veto, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at a Security Council meeting on Wednesday. Speaking after the vote, Robert Wood, deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, said that Washington had made clear it would only support a resolution that explicitly calls for the immediate release of hostages as part of a ceasefire, according to Xinhua. "The resolution would have sent a dangerous message to Hamas that there was no need to come back to the negotiating table," he said. The US move to block the resolution drew harsh criticism from most of the members. "China is very disappointed with the result of today's vote," Fu said, noting that the US single use of the veto has shattered the Gazan people's hope for survival and pushed them further into darkness and desperation. "The loss of each and every one of them means eternal pain for the surviving relatives. People cannot help but ask: do Palestinian lives mean nothing? Can the deaths of 44,000 people not win even a little bit of sympathy from the United States? How many more people have to die to wake them up from pretending asleep?" Fu asked. The insistence on setting preconditions for a ceasefire is tantamount to giving the green light to prolong the war and condone the continued killing, Fu said. "We call on the US to take its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Council seriously, stop being passive and evasive, and stop the deliberate procrastination. Instead, it should act with a sense of responsibility to history, and support the Council in taking all necessary actions to achieve an immediate ceasefire, save lives, and restore peace," the Chinese envoy said. Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said on Wednesday that "It is shocking that the US has vetoed an effort to save the lives of Palestinians and Israelis. Though perhaps we should not be surprised about it," Sputnik News reported. "It is deeply regretted that due to the use of the veto this council has once again failed to uphold its responsibility to maintain international peace and security," Malta's UN Ambassador Vanessa Frazier said, adding that the text of the resolution "was by no means a maximalist one," Reuters reported. France's delegate stated that "international humanitarian law is being trampled underfoot," while Slovenia's delegate lamented "There is an entire generation of children in Gaza we are failing," according to the UN website. Liu Zhongmin, a professor from the Middle East Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday that the US has repeatedly abused its veto power on critical issues like a ceasefire in Gaza, and backed Israel disregard immense pressure from international community and humanitarian tragedy. "This stance has not only isolated both the US and Israel on the international stage but also deepened political divisions within the US," Liu said. The expert specified that the differences between the US and its Western allies, particularly European countries, regarding the Gaza crisis are intensifying. Meanwhile, the opposition to Washington from developing countries and the Islamic world has become an increasingly evident trend since this round of the Israel-Palestine conflict, Liu said. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 43,985, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Wednesday. According to a report by Brown University's Watson Institute, the US has spent $22.76 billion in support of Israel's war on Gaza and operations against the Houthis in Yemen, Al Jazeera reported in October. The US consistent biased support of Israel and its repeated use of its veto at the UN have been a major factor contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Liu said.Need some assistance with NYT Strands today? Today's theme — "Prepare to be eaten" — is quite tricky, even when you have a few answers on the board. Below, we've compiled some useful hints for Strands #279, as well as the answers, should it come to that. We'll start off with some clues, before building up to the full answer for Strands #279, so read on if you need a little help. Warning: Spoilers lie ahead for Strands #279. Today's NYT Strands answer — Today's theme and hints The official theme for NYT Strands #279 is... "Prepare to be eaten". And here's an unofficial hint from me: "How do you like your carbs?" If you're still in the dark, here are some useful words to give you those valuable clue tokens: Still struggling? The spangram will give you a hint about the connection word. Today, it starts with 'H' and ends with 'O'. Scroll down to find out what it is... It's HOTPOTATO. Today's Strands answers So, what are today's Strands answers for game #279? Drumroll, please... ...and the spangram was HOTPOTATO. Strands #279 “Prepare to be eaten” 🔵🔵🔵💡 🔵🟡🔵🔵 Hi Strands fans. I found this one quite tricky, even when I'd stumbled on a few answers by chance. The theme of "Prepare to be eaten" suggests something a bit more cannibalistic than what it ultimately proved to be about: ways of preparing potatoes. I found BAKED first on the top line of the grid. That made me assume this was just about general cooking methods, which led me to FRIED in the bottom left and ROASTED in the matching top corner. But then I ran out of cooking methods to find (I did find "poach" but it turned out to be nothing, hence it's amongst the clue words above), so I opted to use a clue which revealed MASHED. Right, so this is about potatoes then? That makes things a bit easier. I duly got the spangram of HOTPOTATO spelt backwards from bottom to top, and then tried to unpick the remaining two anagrams. FONDANT was the one on the left of the board, while SCALLOPED was on the right. Good thing I used the clue, as I'd never have got either of those otherwise... Yesterday's Strands answers Reading this in a later time zone? You can find the full article on yesterday's Strands answers for game #278 right here .

Article content Mayor Olivia Chow says she never got the emails — but the Toronto Sun got ’em. Recommended Videos Dozens of pages worth of emails, released to the Sun after a freedom-of-information request, appear to show at least two messages about the Oct. 7 vigil were delivered to Chow’s inbox well before the event took place. The vigil, hosted by the United Jewish Appeal Federation in North York, was held one year after the attack on Israel by Hamas to honour the 1,200 people who were slain. Several politicians attended, including city councillors and Premier Doug Ford, but not Chow. Arianne Robinson, who until recently was Chow’s press secretary, told the Sun ’s Joe Warmington shortly after the vigil that the mayor’s office “didn’t receive an invitation.” The documents released to the Sun tell a different story. On Sept. 6, the Jewish humanitarian group Ve’ahavta sent its newsletter to a list of email addresses that included Chow. That email ended with a link to register for the UJA vigil. On Oct. 1, Marni Blustein, director of strategic community initiatives and engagement with the UJA, was more personal — and direct. “Enough is enough!” Blustein began the email. “On Oct. 7, my community has organized a peaceful vigil in honour of the victims. Countless counter-protests are already been (sic) organized — what are you going to do to keep us safe? Whose side are you on?” Chow does not appear to have replied to either message. However, other emails lend credence to Chow’s story that an invitation, sent Sept. 23, was lost to the digital ether. Michelle Stock is a vice-president with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, which worked with the UJA on the invitations for the vigil. In October, she shared with the Sun an email sent to the mayor’s office on Sept. 23 that invited Chow to the event. She said that message followed emails to Chow on Sept. 3 and 10. A series of emails show that Sara King, Chow’s executive assistant, was in touch with the city clerk’s office’s IT department on Oct. 8 and 9 regarding that invitation. “I’m still having issues with this email that supposedly was sent to me. The sender insists I would have received it,” King wrote. “Could you do whatever is in your IT power to check if any incoming mail was rejected (or) bounced back from my inbox on Sept. 23 at 14:24?” That evening, King was told: “The results indicate that the email did not reach the city servers. The messaging team will look into this further, and will report back to me tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted.” It’s unclear if anything else came of the matter, and the Sun can’t rule out that Chow’s office did receive the CIJA emails. That’s because of the 135 pages of emails disclosed to the Sun , all but 44 are fully redacted — nothing but blank grey pages. “An unjustified invasion of privacy” was cited as the reason. (Bradley Hammond, Chow’s new director of communications, referred a question about these pages back to the office of the city clerk, which made the redactions.) Blustein’s email wasn’t the only one from the UJA that Chow received over the time span — all of September and the first 10 days of October — covered by the Sun ’s freedom-of-information request. About an hour before Blustein’s message, Florence Glickman, a donor relations representative for the UJA, urged Chow to do more about “hate” — presumably referring to anti-Israel protests. “I am asking for your help in ensuring that the city of Toronto be a safe place. Hate has no place in Toronto. We implore you to have the appropriate steps to ensure police monitor these events for incitement and hate speech,” Glickman wrote. (Chow also did not appear to respond to this email.) In a statement, Chow told the Sun she “should have been at the Oct. 7 vigil hosted by UJA.” “My lack of attendance hurt members of the Jewish community,” Chow added, “and I have offered my deepest apologies. I am very sorry and take full responsibility for missing such an important event. “As mayor, I should have been there to show the Jewish community how much I care about their safety and well-being in this city, especially during this time of rising antisemitism and hate. Antisemitism and acts of hate have no place in Toronto.” Councillor James Pasternak has said he personally asked Chow before the vigil if she would attend. In a statement to the Sun , he acknowledged that feelings were hurt, but “the mayor has apologized and it’s time to move on.” “That being said,” he added, “when a part of our mosaic in Toronto, in this case the Jewish community, is in grief and under siege it is vital that the mayor remain a source of healing, unity and collective safety no matter what the blowback is in social media or on the streets. These hateful mobs do not represent the vast majority of Torontonians.” Representatives with the UJA and CIJA declined to get into specifics about the emails, echoing Pasternak’s comment about the mayor having already apologized. jholmes@postmedia.com RECOMMENDED VIDEOHow to teach your kids right from wrong without laying the groundwork for them to become a complete pushover in later life? That’s the conundrum explored in Hsaio Ya-chuan’s Old Fox , the Taiwanese submission for the Best International Feature Oscar . Set in 1990, at the height of Taiwan ’s economic bubble, it concerns an 11-year-old boy named Liao Jie (Bai Run-yin), who lives with his widowed father Liao Tai-Lai (Liu Kuan-Ting). Liao Tai-Lai is a gifted musician who dreams of opening his own barber shop but cannot afford it. By chance, Liao Jie comes to befriend his neighborhood’s notorious landlord, Mr. Xie (Akio Chen), and the difference between the two men — one kind but poor, the other ruthless but rich — forces the youngster to wonder which might be the most effective role model. “The inspiration actually came from the questions that my kids asked me when they were about the same age as Liao Jie,” Hsaio at said Deadline’s Contenders International award-season event. “They asked me questions about whether there is fairness and justice in this world, and I couldn’t answer those questions easily. So I kept on asking myself, ‘Is there? And what should I teach my kids?’ Those questions just stayed with me, and that’s how I came to make this film, by trying to answer those questions.” RELATED: Best International Feature Film Oscar Winners Through The Years: Photo Gallery Significantly, the film takes place during a specific period in Taiwan’s recent history. “So, a little background about 1990 and Taiwan,” said Hsaio. “In 1987, martial law was finally lifted. After that, a lot of the regulation changed for the stock market, and the market started to boom drastically. ... That was when the gap between the poor and the rich started to change so much, and that’s why I chose that time period for the story. Back then, some people got super-rich because of the stock market. Back in my college days, the whole street [I lived on] belonged to one person — the same landlord.” Unusually for a film of this kind, Old Fox is subtle about the lessons that Liao Jie learns; Hsaio’s story is more concerned with the way the boy considers his options. “I think it’s about making a moral choice, which is really, really universal,” said Hsaio. “Even nowadays, in 2024, we still experience the same situation. The gap between the rich and the poor didn’t disappear. It actually became even more drastic. The rich are definitely way richer, and the poor are way poorer. So, we are still in this same situation.” RELATED: Contenders International — Deadline’s Complete Coverage The inequality between rich and poor won’t go away any time soon, and Hsaio is realistic about his film’s chances of changing the status quo. “I definitely think it’s hard to have an impact on a massive global impact in such a short time and just with a movie,” he said, “But what we can do is that we can start [the conversation] within ourselves. So that’s one reason also I’m making this film, to have this dialogue with my children about the choices you make, if you want to be more like Boss Xie or if you want to be more like Liao Tai-Lai or if you can find your own way, somewhere in the middle, to be a little selfish but also have a heart — to be able to care about others and not harm them in a very bad way. With this movie, I can plant some seeds in the audience’s head. Although they might not change overnight, they can definitely start to think about this topic.” Check back Monday for the panel video. RELATED: The 2025 Oscars: Everything We Know So Far About The Nominations, Ceremony, Date & Host

High street giant with over 1,000 shops to shut branch as mystery surrounds shopping centre futureMiddle East latest: Israeli strikes kill a hospital director in Lebanon and wound 9 medics in Gaza

Large political rallies, both for and against Yoon, expected today in run-up to impeachment vote Published: 07 Dec. 2024, 07:00 LEE SOO-JUNG [email protected] Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI Protesters rally and call for the resignation of President Yoon Suk Yeol in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul on Friday. [NEWS1] Political rallies, both for and against, Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment are set to begin across the capital on Saturday. Traffic controls are expected to follow. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said on Friday that it will restrict traffic in the Yeouido area near the National Assembly as tens of thousands of protesters are likely to gather in Saturday’s demonstration. Over 230 police officers will be deployed for traffic control and safety measures. The protestors are expected to flock on the streets of Uisadang-daero, Yeouigongwon-ro and Eunhaeng-ro, adjacent roads near the parliament in western Seoul. As it marks the first weekend since the six-hour-long introduction of martial law on late Tuesday, a large crowd is expected to gather to protest Yoon. Related Article 70% support Yoon's impeachment after martial law debacle: Survey Public turns out for candlelight vigils protesting Yoon after martial law order — in pictures Large-scale rally paralyzes downtown Seoul as unionists demand Yoon's resignation The liberal Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) said it will stage an assembly and march near the parliament from 2 p.m. on Saturday. The KCTU also added that a public candlelight vigil will start at 3 p.m. on the same day. Kim Bong-sik, head of the Seoul police agency, said its personnel will “manage the protests based on public safety and peace” regarding the mass demonstration planned in western Seoul. Also, a conservative civic group will stage a protest advocating Yoon and condemning Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung on the same day at 3 p.m. in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The group reported that around 12,000 participants will gather at its rally. BY LEE SOO-JUNG [ [email protected] ] var admarutag = admarutag || {} admarutag.cmd = admarutag.cmd || [] admarutag.cmd.push(function () { admarutag.pageview('3bf9fc17-6e70-4776-9d65-ca3bb0c17cb7'); });

Large political rallies, both for and against Yoon, expected today in run-up to impeachment vote Published: 07 Dec. 2024, 07:00 LEE SOO-JUNG [email protected] Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI Protesters rally and call for the resignation of President Yoon Suk Yeol in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul on Friday. [NEWS1] Political rallies, both for and against, Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment are set to begin across the capital on Saturday. Traffic controls are expected to follow. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said on Friday that it will restrict traffic in the Yeouido area near the National Assembly as tens of thousands of protesters are likely to gather in Saturday’s demonstration. Over 230 police officers will be deployed for traffic control and safety measures. The protestors are expected to flock on the streets of Uisadang-daero, Yeouigongwon-ro and Eunhaeng-ro, adjacent roads near the parliament in western Seoul. As it marks the first weekend since the six-hour-long introduction of martial law on late Tuesday, a large crowd is expected to gather to protest Yoon. Related Article 70% support Yoon's impeachment after martial law debacle: Survey Public turns out for candlelight vigils protesting Yoon after martial law order — in pictures Large-scale rally paralyzes downtown Seoul as unionists demand Yoon's resignation The liberal Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) said it will stage an assembly and march near the parliament from 2 p.m. on Saturday. The KCTU also added that a public candlelight vigil will start at 3 p.m. on the same day. Kim Bong-sik, head of the Seoul police agency, said its personnel will “manage the protests based on public safety and peace” regarding the mass demonstration planned in western Seoul. Also, a conservative civic group will stage a protest advocating Yoon and condemning Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung on the same day at 3 p.m. in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The group reported that around 12,000 participants will gather at its rally. BY LEE SOO-JUNG [ [email protected] ] var admarutag = admarutag || {} admarutag.cmd = admarutag.cmd || [] admarutag.cmd.push(function () { admarutag.pageview('3bf9fc17-6e70-4776-9d65-ca3bb0c17cb7'); });