50 jilicc

A federal lawmaker, Mustapha Tijjani, has called for the adoption of a homeschooling model as a solution to the challenges of poor access to education in the country. Homeschooling is an educational method in which parents or private tutors educate their children at home instead of sending them to traditional schools. Consequently, lawmakers have sponsored two bills that were recently introduced on the floor of the Green Chamber. The bills are the “Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and “Child’s Rights Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.” The Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act aims to provide a legal framework for homeschooling, addressing issues of access, quality, and inclusivity in education. In an interview with journalists on Friday, Tijjani, who represents Albasu/Gaya/Ajingi Federal Constituency of Kano State, explained the bill’s motivation, citing the lessons learnt during COVID-19. He said, “In the advanced world, children are not hindered; their education has not been hindered. But in this part of Africa and Nigeria in particular, the educational system has been hindered. This shouldn’t have been because a child should have a right to education.” He added that when a child is not learning at his/her formative stage, the intelligence quotient would be affected, thereby altering his/her future prospects. The New Nigeria People’s Party lawmaker lamented the huge number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, stressing that homeschooling can help bridge the gap. “The bill gives parents the option to educate their children at home, either by hiring a local teacher or teaching them personally, using the Nigerian curriculum,” he said. Related News Reps back bills to boost digital, technical education NWF prioritises wrestlers’ education ahead of national trials 2025 budget: Kano varsity applauds gov for 31% allocation to education He added that this initiative would benefit vulnerable children, including those in remote areas and Almajiri children, by providing them with opportunities for formal education. The lawmaker highlighted the potential economic advantages of homeschooling, saying, “Parents who choose homeschooling reduce the strain on government infrastructure and resources. It also minimises costs associated with uniforms, transportation, and other school-related expenses.” He also spoke on the moral dimension of the homeschooling model, noting that parents can better monitor their children’s moral development and shield them from negative influences often encountered in schools. “There are issues of immorality that happen in our primary and secondary schools. Therefore, we have to protect that. Parents do try as much as possible to give their children morals, to give them a good attitude,” he added. When asked about the challenges of implementing homeschooling, including the cost of technology and data for online learning, Tijjani clarified that the bill incorporates both online and traditional homeschooling methods. “Parents don’t necessarily need to connect to online platforms. They can follow the Nigerian curriculum with the help of local teachers or by teaching their children directly,” he said. Addressing concerns about a potential decline in educational standards, the Kano lawmaker argued that homeschooling could enhance quality by allowing personalised and focused learning. “Public schools often have overcrowded classrooms, making it hard for teachers to give individual attention. Homeschooling creates an environment where children can receive one-on-one guidance,” he said. He further added that the bill is not meant to replace conventional schooling but to act as an alternative form of learning. “It is optional. Parents who prefer conventional schools can continue, but those unable to afford it can now have a legal option to educate their children at home,” he said.50 jilicc 。

Dating Don't miss out on the headlines from Dating. Followed categories will be added to My News. Social media users have been left horrified after a young influencer shared a “disturbing” video of herself dancing next to her much older boyfriend, who was lying in a hospital bed. In the video, Bronwin Aurora, 22, boasts about being included in the 80-year-old’s will. Ms Aurora, who has 1.5 million followers, showed off her relationship — which has a 58-year age gap — by kissing her boyfriend’s forehead before breaking into a trending TikTok dance. She danced around the bed, which was surrounded by medical equipment, to the song Keep Up by Odetari. The lyrics include, “Keep up, I’m too fast, I’m too fast, push my foot up on that pedal, then I’m gone, G-g-g-gone, gone, gone.” She captioned the clip, “Guys, I got on the will, should I pull the plug?” Her frail partner watched on and seemed either unbothered or unaware of the message she was sending to her audience. The unsettling clip has left commenters shaken, with many sharing concerns about the relationship. This video, which some think might be satirical, has amassed nearly half a million views. An influencer has sickened the internet by sharing a clip of her dancing next to her elderly boyfriend's hospital bed. TikTok/Bronwin Aurora She says she is considering “pulling the plug” because she is on his will. TikTok/Bronwin Aurora One commenter quipped, “Love your care for humanity.” “Is that something to joke about?” asked someone else. A third commenter stated, “I’m going to cry. I hope he gives everything to his kids.” “A prelude to an episode of Law and Order ,” replied someone else. Meanwhile, others called the clip, “sickening”, “outrageous” and “a new low”. Some even suggested it appeared to be “elder abuse”, a term used when a trusted person mistreats an elderly person in a physical, social, psychological, sexual, or financial manner. “I have no words,” admitted another TikToker. The social media star, who also has an OnlyFans, is 22 and her partner is 80. TikTok/Bronwin Aurora She appears to have a “sugar daddy” arrangement with the man. TikTok/Bronwin Aurora Although Ms Aurora did not disclose her boyfriend’s medical condition, it appears he was out of the hospital by mid-November, as she posted another video of herself dancing near him in a jewellery store with the caption, “How should I repay him for spending $20K on Cartier for me?” This time, her boyfriend, who always remains silent in the clips, joined in, performing a slow boogie as she danced next to him. However in her most recent post, he can be seen in a wheelchair while the pair are out to dinner. The star doesn’t shy away from sharing the details of her relationship online, telling fans in one post that she “loves” him and “takes him to pound town” in exchange for lavish gifts. More Coverage Pedophile cheerleading coach abused 13yo Holly Christodoulou - The Sun Notorious vegan activist visited by teen thugs Brielle Burns Originally published as 22yo star’s ‘sick act’ while 80yo boyfriend in hospital bed More related stories Dating Mum reveals her ultimate dating rule A single mother and OnlyFans creator has revealed her ultimate dating rule to make sure men aren’t solely after her good looks. Read more Relationships ‘Younger generations would be horrified’: Truth about seniors’ sex lives Baby Boomers are living longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives – and that includes in the bedroom. But it’s an increasingly risky business. Read moreNEW YORK , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global log management market size is estimated to grow by USD 2.79 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.27% during the forecast period. Growing demand from it sector is driving market growth, with a trend towards integration of latest technologies into log management. However, high deployment cost poses a challenge. Key market players include Alert Logic Inc., Amazon.com Inc., AT and T Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Datadog Inc., Graylog, Intel Corp., International Business Machines Corp., LogicMonitor Inc., LogRhythm Inc., McAfee LLC, Open Text Corporation, New Relic Inc., Paessler AG, Rapid7 Inc., Sematext Group Inc., SolarWinds Corp., Splunk Inc., Veriato Inc., and Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2017 - 2021 Segment Covered Component (Solution and Services), Deployment (On-premises and Cloud-based), and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Alert Logic Inc., Amazon.com Inc., AT and T Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Datadog Inc., Graylog, Intel Corp., International Business Machines Corp., LogicMonitor Inc., LogRhythm Inc., McAfee LLC, Open Text Corporation, New Relic Inc., Paessler AG, Rapid7 Inc., Sematext Group Inc., SolarWinds Corp., Splunk Inc., Veriato Inc., and Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The Log Management Market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing cyberattacks and the need for Business Intelligence. Cloud-based log management is a major trend, allowing SMEs and large enterprises in various industries like Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Energy & Utilities, to manage machine data from IT infrastructure, including perimeter devices, Windows event logs, endpoint logs, application logs, proxy logs, and IoT logs. Predictive analytics, AI, and ML are integrated for threat intelligence and user behavior analytics. Cybersecurity concerns drive the market, with stringent security compliances and advance persistence threats requiring strong security controls. Hybrid Information Management, including SaaS programs and strategic agreements, offers cross-platform compatibility and user-friendly interfaces. Automation, orchestration, and professional services ensure efficient resource management and system performance. The market includes revenue pockets in emerging economies and open-source solutions. Import export analysis and standard log formats cater to domestic and localised needs. Sumo Logic and Microsoft products lead the market, with collaborations and training & education programs enhancing offerings. Businesses are generating vast amounts of log data due to the proliferation of IT and emerging technologies like IoT. This machine data grows 50 times faster than traditional business data, according to Logic Monitor. By applying Machine Learning (ML) to log analysis, more data can be utilized to create algorithms, as more logs are collected in a log analysis tool. These log intelligence algorithms identify patterns, saving time by reducing the need to manually sift through logs. The use of log intelligence, or automated and AI-powered log analysis, is increasingly popular among businesses seeking to efficiently manage and gain insights from their log data. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This log management market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Solution- The log management market is segmented into services and solutions based on components. The solution sector is expected to lead the market due to increasing demand from businesses for security, productivity enhancement, and cost-effective management solutions. Log management solutions help manage application logs, security logs, and system logs, enabling recognition of various events such as alerts, errors, audit failures, and success events. By collecting, organizing, and storing log data from multiple sources in a centralized location, these solutions offer a single access point for crucial network and application data. This benefits is driving the growth of the solution segment in the global log management market. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017 - 2021) Research Analysis The log management market is a growing segment in the IT industry, driven by the increasing importance of managing and analyzing log data for various purposes. Log data, including audit records, audit trails, event-logs, and machine data, is generated by IT infrastructure components and systems as they operate. This data is essential for business intelligence, identifying technical problems, resource management, system performance, and security. Cyberattacks have heightened the demand for log management solutions, as they provide valuable information for threat intelligence and incident response. Cloud-based log management is a popular deployment model, offering scalability and flexibility. Predictive analytics, AI, and ML are increasingly being used to gain insights from log data and improve security and performance. Log management solutions cater to enterprises of all sizes and industry verticals, providing services to help manage and analyze log data effectively. These solutions enable organizations to gain valuable insights, improve security, optimize IT operations, and ensure regulatory compliance. Market Research Overview The Log Management Market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing number of cyberattacks and the need for Business Intelligence. Cloud-based log management solutions are gaining popularity, offering Predictive Analytics, AI, and ML capabilities for Threat Intelligence. IT infrastructure, including SMEs, requires effective Log Analysis to mitigate Security Risk and improve System Performance. Hybrid Information Management, SaaS programs, and Automation are key trends, with User-friendly interfaces and Cross-platform compatibility essential. Energy and utilities, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and other Industry Verticals face unique Log Management challenges. Machine data, including Event logs, Audit records, and Audit trails, provide valuable Security controls and insights into Network logs, Security vulnerabilities, Malicious activities, and Stringent security compliances. Log Management Market revenue pockets include Professional services, Managed services, Consulting, Training and education, Support and maintenance, and Cloud or On-premises deployment. The Market is driven by Cybersecurity concerns, Awareness and education, User behavior analytics, Machine learning integration, Cloud adoption, IoT proliferation, and the need for Automation and Orchestration. Key areas of focus include the Australian Signals Directorate's cybercrime reports, Consumers, Microsoft products, Strategic agreements, and Collaborations. Log Management Market components include Perimeter device logs, Windows event logs, Endpoint logs, Application logs, Proxy logs, IoT logs, and Component Deployment. The Market caters to Large Enterprises and caters to various Enterprise Sizes and Industry Verticals. Log Management Market growth is influenced by Cyber threats, Artificial intelligence, Analytical advantages, Modernization, Emerging economies, Open-source, Standard log format, Import export analysis, Domestic and localised requirements, and Revenue pockets. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/log-management-market-to-grow-by-usd-2-79-billion-2024-2028-it-sector-demand-fuels-revenue-growth-report-explores-ai-driven-market-transformation---technavio-302322476.html SOURCE Technavio

After a thrilling double-overtime win over Fresno State, California Baptist makes the nearly 2,500-mile trip to Orlando to face Central Florida on Sunday. The Lancers (5-3) capped their time at the Acrisure Holiday Invitational in Palm Springs, Calif., with an 86-81 victory over the Bulldogs on Wednesday. That followed a last-second, 79-77 loss to SMU the day before. Dominique Daniels Jr. played 45 minutes against Fresno State and led California Baptist with 29 points. He paces the Lancers with 20.3 points per game, while Kendal Coleman averages 15.1 points and is shooting 59.7 percent form the floor. However, coach Rick Croy's team has struggled from 3-point range, shooting just 30.7 percent entering its first true road game this season. UCF (5-2) is coming off of an 84-76 win over Milwaukee last Wednesday despite being outrebounded 41-31. The Knights were helped by the heroics of senior guard Darius Johnson, who had 28 points as he shot a career-best 8-for-10 from beyond the arc. "Darius was terrific," UCF coach Johnny Dawkins said. "He's so comfortable in his leadership role now, he's leading our team and running the show, and our new players are becoming more comfortable playing with him. He's been a rock for us this season, and you love to see it out of a senior point guard." "I had an extraordinary night shooting the ball from three," Johnson said. "I rarely think that would happen again, but it's great. I know my teammates are going to have nights like that as well." Johnson is among the nation's leaders in minutes per game (36.6) and is shooting a team-high 50 percent from 3-point range (23 of 46). He, along with his fellow guard Jordan Ivy-Curry, are each averaging 16.9 points to lead UCF. The Knights opened the season with an impressive win over Texas A&M, now No. 20 in the AP poll, but lost both games at last weekend's Greenbrier Tip-Off, including a triple-overtime defeat against LSU on Sunday. UCF has not reached the NCAA Tournament since 2018-19. This will be the first meeting between the Knights and the Lancers, who will each have time off afterwards. UCF won't play until Dec. 8 against Tarleton State, while California Baptist is idle until its Dec. 11 game at San Diego State. --Field Level MediaNone

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 6, 2024-- Certain BlackRock closed-end funds (the “Funds”) announced distributions today as detailed below. Municipal Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/31/2024 National Funds Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust * BYM $0.055500 - BlackRock Long-Term Municipal Advantage Trust * BTA $0.049500 - BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc .* MUA $0.055500 - BlackRock Municipal Income Fund, Inc. * MUI $0.055000 - BlackRock Municipal Income Trust * BFK $0.050000 - BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust, Inc. * BKN $0.057000 - BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II * BLE $0.054000 - BlackRock Municipal 2030 Target Term Trust BTT $0.046400 - BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund * MHD $0.059500 - BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund II, Inc. * MQT $0.051000 - BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc .* MQY $0.058000 - BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. * MUE $0.051000 - BlackRock MuniVest Fund II, Inc. * MVT $0.054000 - BlackRock MuniYield Fund, Inc .* MYD $0.054500 - BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. * MYI $0.055500 - BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. * MVF $0.036000 - BlackRock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust BMN $0.093750 - State-Specific Funds Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. * MUC $0.053500 - BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust * BFZ $0.059000 - BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund, Inc .* MIY $0.054500 - BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund, Inc. * MUJ $0.054000 - BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund, Inc. * MHN $0.051500 - BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. * MYN $0.051200 - BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust * BNY $0.051000 - BlackRock MuniYield Pennsylvania Quality Fund * MPA $0.066000 - BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust * BHV $0.051500 - Taxable Municipal Fund: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 Fund Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust * BBN $0.092900 - Taxable Fixed Income Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 Fund Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust * BGT $0.120280 - BlackRock Core Bond Trust * BHK $0.074600 - BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust * BIT $0.123700 - BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. * BKT $0.088200 - BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust * BLW $0.113200 - BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust * BTZ $0.083900 - BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. * DSU $0.098730 - BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc .* EGF $0.041000 - BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. * FRA $0.123840 - BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. * HYT $0.077900 - Equity Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 Fund Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust* BMEZ $0.178090 0.001190 BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust* BSTZ $0.218000 0.002510 BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust * BIGZ $0.086760 0.000430 Multi-Asset Funds: Declaration- 12/6/2024 Ex-Date- 12/16/2024 Record- 12/16/2024 Payable- 12/23/2024 Fund Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust* BCAT $0.289190 0.000650 BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust * ECAT $0.306840 0.001810 * In order to comply with the requirements of Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), each of the Funds noted above posted to the DTC bulletin board and sent to its shareholders of record as of the applicable record date a Section 19 notice with the previous distribution payment. The Section 19 notice was provided for informational purposes only and not for tax reporting purposes. This information can be found in the “Closed-End Funds” section of www.blackrock.com . As applicable, the final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions in 2024 will be made after the end of the year. BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE: BCAT), BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE: ECAT), BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (NYSE: BSTZ), BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (NYSE: BMEZ) and BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (NYSE: BIGZ) have adopted a managed distribution plan (a “Plan”) to support a level monthly distribution of income, capital gains and/or return of capital, or in the case of BMEZ, BSTZ, BIGZ, ECAT and BCAT a monthly distribution based on an annual rate of 12% (for BMEZ, BSTZ and BIGZ) and 20% (for ECAT and BCAT) of the Fund’s 12-month rolling average daily net asset value calculated 5 business days prior to declaration date of each distribution. The December 2024 distribution for each of BMEZ, BSTZ, BIGZ, ECAT and BCAT was calculated based on the average net asset value from 11/28/2023 to 11/27/2024. Below are the 12-month rolling average daily net asset values used to calculate BMEZ, BSTZ, BIGZ, ECAT and BCAT’s December distributions: BMEZ: $17.808095 BSTZ: $21.799921 BIGZ: $8.675040 ECAT: $18.410000 BCAT: $17.351032 The fixed amounts distributed per share or distribution rate, as applicable, are subject to change at the discretion of each Fund’s Board of Directors/Trustees. Under its Plan, each Fund will distribute all available investment income to its shareholders, consistent with its investment objectives and as required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). If sufficient income (inclusive of net investment income and short-term capital gains) is not available on a monthly basis, a Fund will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return capital to its shareholders in order to maintain a level distribution. Each Fund’s estimated sources of the distributions paid as of November 29, 2024 and for its current fiscal year are as follows: Estimated Allocations as of November 29, 2024 Fund Distribution Net Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital BMEZ 1 $0.176900 $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.176900 (100%) BSTZ 1 $0.215490 $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.215490 (100%) BIGZ 1 $0.086330 $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.086330 (100%) BCAT 1 $0.288540 $0.032627 (11%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.255913 (89%) ECAT 1 $0.305030 $0.015937 (5%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.289093 (95%) Estimated Allocations for the Fiscal Year through November 29, 2024 Fund Distribution Net Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital BMEZ 1 $1.512960 $0.040694 (3%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $1.472266 (97%) BSTZ 1 $1.801010 $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.619326 (34%) $1.181684 (66%) BIGZ 1 $0.747140 $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.747140 (100%) BCAT 1 $2.359050 $0.244754 (10%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $2.114296 (90%) ECAT 1 $2.554050 $0.163438 (6%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $2.390612 (94%) 1 The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net-realized capital gains in the current fiscal year; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment is paid back to the shareholder. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income’. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share. The amounts and sources of distributions reported are only estimates and are being provided to you pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information: Fund Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5-year period ending on 10/31/2024 Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of 10/31/2024 Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through 10/31/2024 Cumulative fiscal year distributions as a percentage of NAV as of 10/31/2024 BMEZ* 5.15% 12.30% 4.83% 7.74% BSTZ 11.57% 11.80% 11.18% 7.24% BIGZ* (14.24%) 12.60% (0.66%) 8.04% BCAT* 4.90% 20.66% 10.23% 12.35% ECAT* 6.70% 20.43% 12.89% 12.55% * Portfolio launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented for this Fund reflects data from inception to 10/31/2024. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the Fund’s current distributions or from the terms of the Fund’s Plan. BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (NYSE: EGF), BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE: DSU), BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE: FRA), BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust (NYSE: BGT), BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (NYSE: HYT), BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust (NYSE: BTZ), BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust (NYSE: BLW), BlackRock Core Bond Trust (NYSE: BHK), BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (NYSE: BIT), BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (NYSE: BKT) and BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust (NYSE: BBN) have adopted a Plan to support a level monthly distribution of income, capital gains and/or return of capital. The fixed amounts distributed per share are subject to change at the discretion of each Fund’s Board of Directors/Trustees. Under its Plan, each Fund will distribute all available net income to its shareholders, consistent with its investment objectives and as required by the Code. If sufficient income (inclusive of net investment income and short-term capital gains) is not available on a monthly basis, a Fund will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return capital to its stockholders in order to maintain a level distribution. Each of the above-listed Funds is currently not relying on any exemptive relief from Section 19(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Each Fund expects that distributions under the Plan will exceed current income and capital gains and therefore will likely include a return of capital. Each Fund may make additional distributions from time to time, including additional capital gain distributions at the end of the taxable year, if required to meet requirements imposed by the Code and/or the 1940 Act. Each Fund’s estimated sources of the distributions paid as of November 29, 2024 and for its current fiscal year are as follows: Estimated Allocations as of November 29, 2024 Fund Distribution Net Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital EGF 2 $0.041000 $0.030660 (75%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.010340 (25%) BKT 2 $0.088200 $0.040551 (46%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.047649 (54%) DSU 2 $0.098730 $0.077696 (79%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.021034 (21%) FRA 2 $0.123840 $0.096014 (78%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.027826 (22%) BBN 2 $0.092900 $0.084923 (91%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.007977 (9%) BGT 2 $0.120280 $0.091087 (76%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.029193 (24%) HYT 2 $0.077900 $0.065724 (84%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.012176 (16%) BTZ 2 $0.083900 $0.060993 (73%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.022907 (27%) BLW 2 $0.113200 $0.099226 (88%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.013974 (12%) BHK 2 $0.074600 $0.048859 (65%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.025741 (35%) BIT 2 $0.123700 $0.083688 (68%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.040012 (32%) Estimated Allocations for the Fiscal Year through November 29, 2024 Fund Distribution Net Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital EGF 2 $0.451000 $0.331478 (73%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.119522 (27%) BKT 2 $0.970200 $0.375393 (39%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.594807 (61%) DSU 2 $1.086030 $0.814092 (75%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.271938 (25%) FRA 2 $1.362240 $1.085287 (80%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.276953 (20%) BBN 2 $1.021900 $0.834551 (82%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.187349 (18%) BGT 2 $1.323080 $0.982460 (74%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.340620 (26%) HYT 2 $0.856900 $0.660644 (77%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.196256 (23%) BTZ 2 $0.922900 $0.620538 (67%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.302362 (33%) BLW 2 $1.213400 $1.026867 (85%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.186533 (15%) BHK 2 $0.820600 $0.519873 (63%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.300727 (37%) BIT 2 $1.360700 $0.846067 (62%) $0 (0%) $0 (0%) $0.514633 (38%) 2 The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net-realized capital gains in the current fiscal year; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment is paid back to the shareholder. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income’. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share. The amounts and sources of distributions reported are only estimates and are being provided to you pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Each Fund will send its stockholders a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will illustrate how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information: Fund Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5-year period ending on 10/31/2024 Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of 10/31/2024 Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through 10/31/2024 Cumulative fiscal year distributions as a percentage of NAV as 10/31/2024 EGF (1.59%) 4.90% 1.39% 4.08% BKT (1.52%) 8.78% 1.76% 7.32% DSU 6.42% 11.08% 7.55% 9.24% FRA 6.63% 11.46% 7.56% 9.55% BBN (0.57%) 6.35% 2.66% 5.29% BGT 6.71% 11.42% 7.65% 9.52% HYT 5.53% 9.61% 8.34% 8.01% BTZ 2.98% 8.81% 6.47% 7.34% BLW 4.81% 9.62% 8.22% 7.79% BHK (0.49%) 8.45% 2.97% 7.04% BIT 5.58% 10.16% 7.65% 8.47% No conclusions should be drawn about a Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the Fund’s distributions or from the terms of the Fund’s Plan. The amount distributed per share under a Plan is subject to change at the discretion of the applicable Fund’s Board. Each Plan will be subject to ongoing review by the Board to determine whether the Plan should be continued, modified or terminated. The Board may amend the terms of a Plan or suspend or terminate a Plan at any time without prior notice to the Fund’s shareholders if it deems such actions to be in the best interest of the Fund or its shareholders. The amendment or termination of a Plan could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund's shares. About BlackRock BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate Availability of Fund Updates BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Funds on a monthly basis on its website in the “Closed-end Funds” section of www.blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Funds. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release, and other statements that BlackRock or a Fund may make, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to a Fund’s or BlackRock’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. BlackRock cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BlackRock assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. With respect to the Funds, the following factors, among others, could cause actual events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for the Funds or in a Fund’s net asset value; (2) the relative and absolute investment performance of a Fund and its investments; (3) the impact of increased competition; (4) the unfavorable resolution of any legal proceedings; (5) the extent and timing of any distributions or share repurchases; (6) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (7) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to a Fund or BlackRock, as applicable; (8) terrorist activities, international hostilities, health epidemics and/or pandemics and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (9) BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (10) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time; and (11) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions. Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of the Funds with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on BlackRock’s website at www.blackrock.com , and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Funds. The information contained on BlackRock’s website is not a part of this press release. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206448100/en/ 1-800-882-0052 KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: BlackRock Closed-End Funds Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/06/2024 04:56 PM/DISC: 12/06/2024 04:56 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206448100/enA controversy is unfolding in Israel over the leak of classified military documents to international media that prosecutors say may have harmed efforts to free hostages held by Hamas. An aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been charged. He is accused of passing on top-secret information with the intent to sway public opinion and damage state security. An Israeli soldier was separately charged for handing over the documents, which were allegedly retrieved from Gaza. Mr Netanyahu has not been charged, but questions have been raised by opposition politicians, Israeli media and hostage families over his involvement. There has been speculation the leaks were aimed at giving the prime minister political cover over failed ceasefire talks in September. The information emerged days after six hostages were found executed in a Hamas tunnel in southern Gaza, which sparked mass protests in Israel and outraged hostage families. Mr Netanyahu's office has denied any wrongdoing, downplaying the affair and publicly calling for the gag order to be lifted. The prime minister said the person in question "never participated in security discussions, was not exposed to or received classified information, and did not take part in secret visits". A full picture of the case is yet to emerge, but the indictment and other legal documents tell part of the story. This is what we know. How it all started At the centre of the case is an article published in Germany's tabloid newspaper the Bild on September 6. It was labelled as an exclusive and claimed to outline the hostage plans of Hamas. The report cited documents said to have been taken from the computer of the organisation's then-leader, Yahya Sinwar. The documents detailed how the militant group was purportedly drawing out ceasefire and hostage talks as a form of psychological warfare to increase public pressure on the Israeli government. The article came out as the United States, Qatar and Egypt were mediating ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, which also included a deal to release hostages. Hamas rejected the demand and accused Mr Netanyahu of deliberately sabotaging the talks. Israel blamed Hamas for the deadlock. Mr Netanyahu pointed to the article after it was published, saying it vindicated his hardline position on a hostage deal. "Last weekend, the German newspaper Bild published an official Hamas document that revealed its action plan: To sow discord among us, to use psychological warfare on the hostages' families ... to tear us apart from within, and to continue the war until further notice," he said in remarks ahead of a cabinet meeting. Another article had appeared earlier in the London-based Jewish Chronicle newspaper claiming that Sinwar planned to smuggle himself and Israeli hostages out of Gaza through the border area with Egypt known as the Philadelphi Corridor. In the ceasefire talks, Mr Netanyahu was also calling for lasting Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor. The Jewish Chronicle later withdrew the article. Next, the arrests An investigation was launched into the articles, jointly conducted by the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, the Israeli police and the military. Little had been known about the case until the Rishon Le-Zion Magistrates' Court partially lifted a gag order late last month. It revealed that several arrests had been made, and identified the central suspect in the case as Eli Feldstein. Mr Feldstein was one of Mr Netanyahu's media advisers, according to Israeli media reports. The magistrate's ruling said classified and sensitive intelligence information was illegally taken from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) systems, which may have caused "serious damage to the state's security and posed a risk to information sources". "As a result, there could have been damage to the security forces' ability to achieve the goal of releasing the hostages, as part of the war objectives," it said. The court referred to Mr Feldstein as a "civilian" and said three other suspects in the case were members of the military and security establishment. They have not been publicly named. The media reported that Mr Feldstein was hired weeks after October 7, 2023, and previously worked as an adviser to far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Mr Netanyahu has said the person in question "never participated in security discussions, was not exposed to or received classified information, and did not take part in secret visits". Indictment reveals more details An Israeli state attorney has now indicted Mr Feldstein. He has been charged with leaking classified information with the intent of harming state security and obstruction of justice. An Israeli soldier was also charged, accused of passing on the documents. Both men deny the charges, which carry lengthy prison terms. The indictment identified two other Netanyahu aides as being connected to the incident, but they were not charged. Rather than leaking the information to Israeli media, Mr Feldstein is accused of handing it to Bild to bypass local censors, who would have banned its publication. The indictment said the two suspects had created a mechanism for passing on information that bypassed accepted protocols for sharing such documents. "The two charged suspects acted in order to extract information that was classified to the most confidential level, while taking the concrete risk of causing serious harm to critical national security interests," it said. It added that the the leaks were meant "to create media influence on the public discourse in Israel in regards to the handling of the hostage situation, after the news of the murder of six hostages". Asked about the investigation earlier this month, Bild said that it did not comment on its sources. "The authenticity of the document known to us was confirmed by the IDF immediately after publication," it said. The country reacts Mr Netanyahu has faced criticism from families of the hostages in Gaza, who blame him for the failure to reach a deal. They were among the tens of thousands of protesters taking to the streets, accusing the prime minister of torpedoing the ceasefire talks for political reasons. Hamas has said there would be no hostages-for-prisoners swap deal with Israel unless the war in the Palestinian enclave ended. The militant group, which Australia lists as a terrorist organisation, stormed southern Israel on October 7 last year, taking about 250 hostages to Gaza, according to Israeli authorities. About 1,200 people were killed in the terror attacks. Israel's subsequent strikes on Gaza have claimed the lives of more than 43,000 Palestinians , according to the Gaza Health Ministry. About 97 people taken captive by Hamas on October 7, 2023, remain in Gaza. At least a third of them have been declared dead by Israeli authorities. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group that represents many of the families of the hostages still held in Gaza, has called the leaks "one of the greatest frauds in the country's history". "The [hostage] families demand an investigation against all those suspected of sabotage and undermining state security," the forum said in a statement. The Bild article came out six days after Hamas killed a group of hostages as Israeli troops closed in on them. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said Mr Netanyahu was either incompetent or "complicit in one of the most serious security offences" on the books. In a video posted to social media, the prime minister called the investigation a "witch-hunt" targeting him and his advisers. ABC/Wires ABC

On pardons, Biden weighs whether to flex presidential powers in broad new waysNEW YORK (AP) — After acquiring Juan Soto for a one-year rental and failing to keep him as a free agent, the New York Yankees are taking the same chance with Devin Williams. New York acquired the All-Star closer from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin on Friday. The Yankees will send $2 million to the Brewers as part of the trade. “He's a year away from free agency but someone that we’ve tried to acquire for a number of years,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “I’m sure we weren’t the only bidders here in the end.” A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn’t make his season debut until July 28 . “Certainly not trying to downplay the impact the Devin had, but we feel like we still have a good amount of strength there with our bullpen,” Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said. Williams was 14 for 15 in save chances with a 1.25 ERA, striking out 38 and walking 11 among 88 batters over 21 2/3 innings. His fastball averaged 94.7 mph and he threw it on 53.5% of his pitches, mixing in 45% changeups — known as the “Airbender” — and around 1.5% cutters. William's 43.2% strikeout percentage was the highest in the major leagues among pitchers with at least 20 innings. “Certainly doesn’t seem to be afraid,” Cashman said. “You can’t do that job if you’re afraid of the big stage.” An All-Star in 2022 and 2023, Williams was a second-round pick in the 2013 amateur draft. He is 27-10 with a 1.83 ERA and 68 saves in 78 chances over six seasons, striking out 375 and walking 112 in 235 2/3 innings over 241 games. Milwaukee declined a $10.5 million club option in favor of a $250,000 buyout last month, making Williams eligible for arbitration. Williams joins a bullpen that includes Luke Weaver, who took over as closer from Clay Holmes in September, Jake Cousins and Ian Hamilton. The Yankees don’t have a left-handed reliever on their 40-man roster. “If you have right handers that can neutralize lefties, that’s a benefit. It limits your desperation for immediately a left on left,” Cashman said. Cortes, who turned 30 on Tuesday, was an All-Star in 2022 when he went 12-4 with a career-best 2.44 ERA in 28 starts. He made just one start after May 30 in 2023 because of a strained left rotator cuff and was sidelined late in the 2024 season by a flexor strain in his left elbow. He returned for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and entered in the 10th inning of the opener, retiring Shohei Ohtani on a foulout with his first pitch and giving up a game-ending grand slam to Freddie Freeman on his second. "He’s had a fully healthy offseason," Arnold said. “We expect him to come into camp ready to go as normal.” Known for his many deliveries, Cortes is 33-21 with a 3.80 ERA in 86 starts and 49 relief appearances over seven seasons. He is eligible for arbitration and also can become a free agent after next season. “He brings a real stability, I think, to our rotation,” Arnold said. “Somebody that's been a major piece of a really good championship-caliber team in the New York Yankees, I think will fit us very well, especially after the loss of Willy Adames .” New York had an excess of starters after reaching a $218 million, eight-year agreement with left-hander Max Fried that is pending. The rotation also is projected to include ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt, with Marcus Stroman also available. Durbin, who turns 25 in February, hit .287 with 10 homers, 60 RBIs and 29 stolen bases this year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. “We just felt it was harder to acquire someone at the level of Devin Williams than it would be to try to figure out the infield circumstances,” Cashman said. Durbin was with the big league team last spring training “I think he’s a stud,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said last month. “Great bat-to-ball, elite ability on the bases as a base stealer, good defender in the middle of the diamond, second base. He’s really started over the last year-plus to create some position flexibility, too. He’s played some short, he’s played some third. We introduced him to some outfield this year.” Durbin hit .312 with five homers, 21 RBIs and 29 steals in 24 games at the Arizona Fall League. “We love the style of game that he brings to our team,” Arnold said. “I think that’s going to be a really nice fit with Pat Murphy's style of baseball.” Cashman said he's spoken with Scott Boras about the agent's remaining free agent clients, who include third baseman Alex Bregman and first baseman Pete Alonso. “Certainly respect the player and his ability and how much winning he’s been a part of,” Cashman said of Bregman, “but that’s about as far as I will say at this point.” This story has been corrected to note New York is sending cash to Milwaukee, not the other way around. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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NoneThe Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, has promised to immediately set up a technical committee to work with the California State (of the United States) Transport Agency. According to a statement signed by Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Press & Public Relations, the arrangement is to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing between Nigeria and USA on transportation development, climate change and best practices. Alkali gave the pledge when a delegation of the California State Transport Agency led by Tokunbo Odusakin, the California Secretary of Transportation came on a Collaboratory and knowledge-sharing visit to the Minister at Abuja on Friday. The California State Transport Agency Team was piloted to visit the Federal Transportation Ministry by the Chairperson of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri, who stated whatever good the Nigeria Diasporas have to offer must be channelled to get to the country; she declared that Tokunbo Odusakin is one of the bright stars of Nigeria operating in the best heights of the world. The California State Transport Agency Team, which was coming in straight from Kenya, was composed of the Senior Adviser on Transportation to California Transport Agency, Giles F. Giovinazzi and Prof. Aditya Ramji, the Director of Global South Clean Transportation Centre, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis. The California State Transport Agency Team was received by the Honourable Minister of Transportation supported by the Ministry’s permanent secretary, Adeleye Adeoye, the Director of Legal Services in the Ministry, Pius Oteh; the Director, Rail Development in the Ministry, Engr. Zirra Fimbarr; the Director of Road Mass Transit, Mr. Ibrahim Musa; the Director of Transport Planning and Coordination, Mrs Gladys Akanbi; the Director of Reform Coordination in the Ministry, the Director of Special Duties in the Ministry, Dr. Vivian Nwosu; the Director of Press and Public Relations, Olujimi Oyetomi and the Senior Special Adviser to the Transportation Minister, Hon. Umar Ahmed Nafada. Heads of Agencies of the Transportation Ministry were also present to meet with the California State Transport Agency Team. These include the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura (FUTD), Prof Umar Adam Katsayal, mni; the Acting Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Ben Iloanusi; Dr Bayero Farrah, the Director General of the Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Dr. Nkiruka Madueke of the National Council on Climate Change who represented the Honourable Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abass Lawal. The Minister of Transportation had earlier highlighted the need to have partners from California State to help the retrofitting programme of the Nigeria Railway Corporation The Ministry, the minister disclosed. has tried retrofitting NRC locomotive engines to use mostly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) rather than 100 per cent use of diesel. Alkali stated that this would be in line with the greener energy alternative programme. He expatiated that “the one we retrofitted went with about 25% Diesel and 75% LNG usage over a distance of about 200 kilometres between Abuja and Kaduna.” To further buttress the federal government’s effort towards combating fossil fuel combustion, Alkali highlighted some of the efforts undertaken by the government including the delivery of hybrid and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to enhance the country’s transportation system; a move which he stated is meant to transit from petrol and diesel to CNG. Others are when the Federal Government of Nigeria adopted the Green Bond Initiative to manage and coordinate the implementation of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition National Action Plan to reduce short-lived climate pollutants in the country. While speaking earlier, the California Secretary of Transportation, Tokunbo Odusakin revealed that the objective of the visit of the California-Africa partnership, a project of the State of California is to look for partners across the African continent, and focus on Nigeria may just enhance that. He acknowledged that the vast opportunities in sustainable public transportation, policy and technical exchange opportunities in Nigeria can be leveraged. Odusakin requested further meetings with the Honourable Minister of Transportation, and the Ministry’s transportation team to plan out the California Climate and Trade Delegation Summit scheduled to be held in 2025. While he weighed in on the proposal for a possible partnership, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Transportation, Professor Umar Adam Katsayal requested exchange programmes that would foster capacity development and skill acquisition between candidates from FUTD and the Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis. He considered this collaboration as a veritable platform through which the citadel will enhance skill acquisition and capacity development by Nigerian Scholars, students, and staff of FUTD to bridge the skills and capacity gap in Nigeria. The Director General of the National Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Dr. Farah Bayero, in his intervention, identified the skills gap prevalent amongst Nigerian technicians. To him, NITT has keyed into the clean energy project of the Federal Government, in actively engaging in the conversion of vehicles from running on premium motor spirit (PMS) to compressed natural gas (CNG) with 9 centres currently engaged in this process across the country. “Developing the capacity of e-vehicles (EVS) technology is also underway by the Institute.” Bayero solicited collaboration and support from the CalSTA to realise these ideals. On his part, the Acting Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Ben Iloanusi, stated that the NRC has achieved the retrofitting of some of its locomotives and test run these on the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor; the Corporation seeks to introduce this admixture of diesel-Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) technology across existing rail corridors. This technology, he said, is not only clean and environmentally friendly but also cost-efficient. The NRC, he said, is open to partnership and collaboration for a full-fledged deployment of this technology nationwide.

After rough start under coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks' defense has become a strengthMacom technology director Charles Bland sells $311,208 in stock

Fans were taken aback as they spotted the contestant's reaction to the Fright Bus challenge I'm A Celebrity viewers are convinced Dean McCullough's run of doing every Bushtucker Trial will come to an end. The Radio 1 DJ has struggled with the challenges presented by the jungle so far. However, his reactions to the trials have only served to encourage the general public as he has been voted to complete six Bushtucker Trials in a row. Dean was once again tasked with competing the challenge on Monday's show with Jack and the Scream Stalk. The DJ was forced to ascend a castle rock climbing frame and put his hand in 12 different compartments to win a star. However, each box was filled with a number of critters. Dean looked like he had overcome his fears as he put in his best performance yet and won 12 stars for the camp. Viewers following the show on social media platform X are keen for Dean's continuous run of being voted for trials to come to an end. Laura said: "Really hope Dean isn't doing next trial." Suzy commented: "I will give Dean credit. He did well on that trial. But please DON'T vote him again." Laura commented : "Right SERIOUSLY... anyone who saw that preview of The Fright Bus needs to vote for someone that isn't Dean for the trial" @Geeky said: "Please don’t vote Dean for the trial on @imacelebrity give others a chance." Viewers are convinced Dean's replacement as the Bushtucker Trial guinea pig could come in the form of Maura Higgins. The Love Island star entered the camp as a late addition last week and is yet to be voted for a challenge. However, viewers were taken aback by her scared reaction to the Fright Bus challenge, which will be broadcast in tomorrow's episode. The challenge gives stars the opportunity to win a piece of luggage each from the luggage rack, described to contain holiday essentials, and even a tasty treat. Maura was worried about the prospect and relied on some words of reassurance from Alan. The contestant sat at the back of the bus as she hoped this is where she would be safest. However, she was stunned to realised this was actually the worst seat for the challenge as it means she will have to endure the longest trip. Viewers said Maura's scared reaction will mean she is likely to be nominated by the public to complete the trials and could take the position that has been held by Dean so far in the contest. @Twellywatcher said: "Maura will scream which will probably get her to become the new Dean" Chlo posted: "Maura is going to be the next Dean and getting voted for all the trials after that" Daisy commented: "I reckon Maura is not going to do well with these bugs, she may well be the new Dean" Sara said: "Who is going to scream the loudest, Maura or Dean". I'm A Celebrity continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV and ITV XBrie Larson debuts shocking new pixie haircut for upcoming role in ‘Elektra’AP News in Brief at 6:09 p.m. EST

Former President delivered the keynote address at the 2024 Obama Democracy Forum on Thursday night in Chicago. This year’s theme was “pluralism.” In classic Obama style, he illustrated the concept with homey examples like a church and a mosque agreeing to share a parking lot. The kind of “pluralism” that seemed to most interest him, though, was that of divergent political factions that can “form coalitions, compete for support and elect representatives who will then go and negotiate and compromise and hopefully advance our interests.” He studiously avoided saying the name of the president-elect, but the presence of hung over the whole event like a particularly grotesque balloon at a . Obama’s remarks celebrating the way flourishing liberal democracies are supposed to work, in the context of , are a vivid reminder that in the United States of America today, the machinery isn’t exactly humming along in perfect order. Obama’s characteristic rhetorical virtues were on full display. He was a constitutional law professor before he was a politician, and he still sounds like one. At the same time, he was a once-in-a-generation talent as a political communicator. He knows how to convey a complex set of ideas in a digestible and appealing way. But there was a massive gaping hole at the center of his speech. He still doesn’t understand why his eight years in power culminated in the rise of Trump. Despite his considerable talents, his brand of centrist liberalism is fundamentally inadequate to the historical moment in which he now finds himself. And his speech in Chicago offered nothing but more of the same. In Obama's telling of the story of America’s experiment in political pluralism, the system worked pretty smoothly in the 20th century, but all wasn’t well beneath the surface. “Democracy,” he said, “was built on top of a deeply entrenched caste system — formal and informal, based on race and gender and class and sexual orientation.” One at a time, various marginalized and underrepresented groups got a “seat at the table.” When this happened, pluralism became far more difficult, because the political conflicts exposed by this enriching of our democracy went deeper than the old “fights about roads and taxes.” But if pluralism is now more challenging, he suggested, it’s therefore become that much more urgent. The word “inequality” appeared exactly twice in the nearly 5,000 words of Obama’s speech. One reference was too vague for it to be clear who exactly was “unequal” to whom. The other specified that he was thinking of the inequalities between “urban” and “rural” populations and “knowledge workers” and those who work with their hands. These are certainly real forms of economic imbalance. But the income gap between an office worker in a city and a rural manual laborer is a rounding error on the scale of the inequality between any of these people and, say, Capital One CEO Richard Fairbank, whose annual salary is in the tens of millions, and whose net worth seems to hover over a billion. To put that number in perspective, if we imagine an immortal vampire crossing the ocean with Christopher Columbus in 1492 and somehow earning the exact equivalent of one thousand dollars every day since then, the vampire would have only about $194 million today. (As one of the Obama Democracy Forum’s sponsors, the Capital One logo regularly appeared on the livestream’s lower-third graphics.) It should go without saying that the small number of Americans with that kind of wealth have a tremendously concentrated amount of power in the economic domain, where they can gain or forfeit power over the lives of vast numbers of employees by buying and selling companies, as well as far more political influence than ordinary citizens. This kind of inequality, though, seems to be entirely outside of Obama’s sphere of concern. Even the use of the word “class” in the phrase “race and gender and class and sexual orientation” is highly telling. The kind of centrist liberalism represented by Obama sees social justice in terms of making sure that the best and brightest members of each demographic group have an equal shot at rising to the top of society, where they can become CEOs themselves, or become politicians and participate in the process he rhapsodized about earlier, whereby bright and competent technocrats “negotiate and compromise and hopefully advance our interests.” When “class” is simply one more item on this list of identity characteristics, it’s clear that he’s talking about making sure that particularly bright and deserving individuals from working-class backgrounds can rise to the top. He’s not interested in giving the working class as a whole more structural power in our economy or our society. In other words, this is the same old centrism. Obama’s version of “pluralism” has always been integral to his message. He first came to national prominence with his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, where he charismatically spoke about how we should resist the efforts of pundits to “slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States” rather than seeing us simply as the United States. His message has always been anti-polarization. As president, Obama did get an incremental form of health care reform through Congress — the Affordable Care Act, aka “Obamacare” — but it was one that preserved the fundamental injustices of the system. Many Americans stay in jobs they hate for fear of losing their employer health insurance. Others don’t have insurance at all, which sometimes leads to grisly outcomes like diabetics dying when they try to ration out their insulin. And even those lucky enough to be insured often are often faced with a bureaucratic nightmare when they have medical emergencies. For-profit insurance companies have every incentive to “Delay, Deny and Defend” when clients make claims. This phrase is the title of a 2010 book on the industry by Rutgers law professor Jay Feinman. And the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” were reportedly written on the casings of the bullets found at scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in New York the day before Obama’s speech. If you want an indication of whether the reforms in Obamacare were sufficient to allay ordinary Americans’ anger about our health care system, look no further than the online reactions to that shocking act of violence. During Obama’s eight years in power, America’s wars in the Middle East ground slowly onward. This was a crucial factor in the rise of Trump, who was able to (deceptively) market himself as “anti-war.” And on the economic front, Obama continued George W. Bush’s policy of bailing out “too big to fail” banks while leaving homeowners who lost their houses in the 2008 crash underwater. He oversaw eight years of mounting economic inequality. Those eight years saw flashes of left-wing populist outrage like Occupy Wall Street and the first Bernie Sanders campaign. These were handily defeated by the powers-that-be, though, from the NYPD clearing the protesters from Zuccotti Park to the Democratic Party quelling the Sanders insurgency. And at the end of the day there was nowhere for all that populist energy to go but Trump. Obama’s liberalism is far more concerned with shattering glass ceilings for deserving strivers than raising the floor of material security for everyone. And that’s exactly the kind of liberalism that failed the first time — so spectacularly that a grotesque pseudo-populist demagogue was Obama’s immediate successor. Now Obama’s vice president, Joe Biden, is running out the clock on his presidency, and Trump is returning to power, this time with far more working-class support. Meanwhile, more than a few Americans have despaired so thoroughly of fixing our society through politics that they’re willing to cheer for an assassin murdering a health care CEO in broad daylight on the streets of Manhattan. We urgently need a far better response to the current crisis than anything the dominant faction of the Democratic Party is offering. And the first step is to stop listening to Barack Obama.Montgomery's 21 lead Southern Miss past Alabama State 81-64

Global stocks mostly rose Thursday following strong earnings from artificial intelligence leader Nvidia as bitcoin prices zoomed near $100,000 and oil prices rose. Nvidia itself had a volatile day, finishing modestly higher after several reversals. The chip company reported a whopping $19 billion in profits, although investors wondered if its current rate of stupendous growth is sustainable. But stocks rose as a "relief trade" after the Nvidia report, said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare, who noted that investors had feared a disappointing Nvidia announcement would spark a tech sell-off. All three major US indices rose, led by the Dow, which won more than one percent. The pickup on US markets also helped European bourses shake off early weakness. O'Hare called Thursday's rally a "broad-based move," noting nine of 11 US sectors rose and adding that investors are hopeful about a year-end rally. But worsening tensions between Russia and Ukraine also loom as a risk. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the conflict in Ukraine had characteristics of a "global" war and did not rule out strikes on Western countries. Putin spoke out after a day of frayed nerves, with Russia test-firing a new generation intermediate-range missile at Ukraine. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky branded the strike a major ramping up of the "scale and brutality" of the war by a "crazy neighbor", while Kyiv's main backer the United States said that Russia was to blame for escalating the conflict "at every turn". The tension helped push oil prices up around two percent and played a role in lifting natural gas prices to their highest level in a year. The dollar also continued to push higher, boosted by the falling odds of further Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, as well as the greenback's status as a haven currency. But the day's most impressive action may have been bitcoin, which soared above $99,000. The cryptocurrency has been lifted by expectations that Donald Trump, spurred by cryptocurrency cheerleader Elon Musk, will bring it further into everyday use upon re-entering the White House in January. "Will Americans be able to use crypto to pay their taxes in the future? There is a bigger possibility of this happening now than before the election," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB. In Asia, shares in Indian conglomerate Adani Group tanked after US prosecutors charged its owner Gautam Adani with handing out more than $250 million in bribes for key contracts. Flagship operation Adani Enterprises dived almost 20 percent, while several of its subsidiaries -- from coal to media businesses -- lost 10 to 20 percent. Among other companies, Google parent Alphabet tumbled 4.6 percent after the Justice Department asked a federal court to order Google to sell its widely used Chrome browser in a major antitrust crackdown. DOJ also asked the court to ban deals for Google to be the default search engine on smartphones and prevent it from exploiting its Android mobile operating system. New York - Dow: UP 1.1 percent at 43,870.35 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.5 percent at 5,948.71 (close) New York - Nasdaq: UP less than 0.1 percent at 18,972.42 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.8 percent at 8,149.27 (close) Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.2 percent at 7,213.32 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.7 percent at 19,146.17 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.9 percent at 38,026.17 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 19,601.11 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,370.40 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0476 from $1.0544 on Wednesday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2587 from $1.2652 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 154.54 yen from 155.44 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 83.20 pence from 83.33 pence Brent North Sea Crude: UP 2.0 percent at $74.23 per barrel West Texas Intermediate: UP 2.0 percent at $70.10 per barrel bur-jmb/md