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https fb777 com Believe it or not, Cowboys might have hope yet after chaotic win at Washington FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A rare win as a double-digit underdog came just in time to let the Dallas Cowboys believe their playoff hopes aren't completely gone in 2024. Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press Nov 25, 2024 2:19 PM Nov 25, 2024 2:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy answers questions during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Cowboys won 34-26. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A rare win as a double-digit underdog came just in time to let the Dallas Cowboys believe their playoff hopes aren't completely gone in 2024. Cooper Rush probably will need three more victories in a row filling in for the injured Dak Prescott for any postseason talk to be realistic. The thing is, the Cowboys (4-7) could be favored in two of those games, and already are by four points as an annual Thanksgiving Day host against the New York Giants (2-9) on Thursday, according to BetMGM. Not to mention the losing record at the moment for each of the next four opponents for the defending NFC East champions, playoff qualifiers each of the past three seasons. The Cowboys have a chance to make something of the improbable and chaotic 34-26 win at Washington that ended a five-game losing streak. “Behind the eight ball,” Micah Parsons said, the star pass rusher acknowledging the reality that Dallas hadn't done much yet. “Let’s see how we can handle adversity and see if we can make a playoff run. But we got a long way to go.” It was a start, though, powered in part by the best 55 minutes from the Dallas defense since the opener, when the Cowboys dismantled Cleveland and looked the part of a Super Bowl contender. The last five minutes for the Dallas defense against the Commanders looked a lot like most of the nine games after that 33-17 victory over the Browns. Which is to say not very good. Jayden Daniels easily drove Washington 69 yards to a touchdown before throwing an 86-yard scoring pass in the final seconds to Terry McLaurin, who weaved through five defenders when a tackle might have ended the game. The Cowboys kept a 27-26 lead thanks to Austin Seibert's second missed extra point, and withstood another blunder when Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick recovery for a TD rather than slide and leave one kneel-down from Rush to end the game. Dallas will have to remember it did hold a dynamic rookie quarterback's offense to 251 yards before the madness of the ending in the Cowboys' biggest upset victory since 2010 at the New York Giants. That one was too late to save the season. This one might not be. “We needed it,” embattled coach Mike McCarthy said. “It’s been frustrating, no doubt. We’ve acknowledged that. We’ve got another one right around the corner here, so we have to get some wins and get some momentum.” What's working Rush ended a personal three-game losing streak with his best showing since the previous time he won as the replacement for Prescott, who is out for the season after surgery for a torn hamstring. The 117.6 passer rating was Rush's best as a starter, and the NFL's second-worst rushing attack played a solid complementary role with Rico Dowdle gaining 86 yards on 19 carries. What needs help KaVontae Turpin's electrifying 99-yard kickoff return did more than lift the Cowboys when it appeared an 11-point lead might get away in the final five minutes. It eased the worst day of special teams for Dallas since John Fassel took over that phase four years ago. Suddenly struggling kicker Brandon Aubrey had one field-goal attempt blocked and missed another. Bryan Anger had a punt blocked. For the second time in five games, Aubrey's attempt to bounce a kickoff in front of the return man backfired. The ball bounced outside the landing zone, putting the Commanders at the 40-yard line to start the second half and setting up the drive to the game's first touchdown. Stock up CB Josh Butler, whose NFL debut earlier this season came five years after the end of his college career, had 12 tackles, a sack and three pass breakups. The pass breakups were the most by an undrafted Dallas player since 1994. Stock down Rookie LT Tyler Guyton, who has had an up-and-down season with injuries and performance issues, was benched immediately after getting called for a false start in the fourth quarter. His replacement, Asim Richards, could be sidelined with a high ankle sprain that executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones revealed on his radio show Monday. Veteran Chuma Edoga, who was the projected starter at Guyton's position before a preseason toe injury, was active but didn't play against the Commanders. He's awaiting his season debut. Injuries The status of perennial All-Pro RG Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder) and LG Tyler Smith (ankle/knee) will be a question on the short week after both sat against Washington. Stephen Jones indicated Smith could be available and said the same of WR Brandin Cooks, who hasn't played since Week 4 because of a knee issue. TE Jake Ferguson may miss at least a second week with a concussion. The short week might make it tough for CB Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) to return. Key number 75% — Rush's completion rate, his best with at least 10 passes. He was 24 of 32 for 247 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His other game with multiple TDs and no picks was a 25-10 victory over Washington two years ago, when he went 4-1 with Prescott sidelined by a broken thumb. Next steps There's some extra rest after the short week, with Cincinnati making a “Monday Night Football” visit on Dec. 9. The next road game is at Carolina on Dec. 15. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Lions receiver Jameson Williams won't be charged for having a gun in a car Nov 25, 2024 2:29 PM The Giants were a no-show against the Bucs after releasing quarterback Daniel Jones Nov 25, 2024 2:26 PM Jayden Daniels and the offense stalling have the Commanders on a three-game losing streak Nov 25, 2024 2:16 PMPresident must shore up civil service, ERA, military

Apple AAPL.O is closing in on a historic $4 trillion stock market valuation, powered by investors cheering progress in the company's long-awaited AI enhancements to rejuvenate sluggish iPhone sales. The company has pulled ahead of Nvidia NVDA.O and Microsoft MSFT.O in the race to the monumental milestone, thanks to an about 16% jump in shares since early November that has added about $500 billion to its market capitalization. The latest rally in Apple shares reflects "investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and an expectation that it will result in a supercycle of iPhone upgrades," said Tom Forte, an analyst at Maxim Group, who has a "hold" rating. Valued at about $3.85 trillion as of the last close, Apple dwarfs the combined value of Germany .GDAXI and Switzerland's .SSMI main stock markets. More: 'Apple Card failures,' including mishandling disputes, trigger millions in penalties Holiday deals: Shop this season’s top products and sales curated by our editors. The Silicon Valley firm, driven by the so-called iPhone supercycles, was the first U.S. company to hit previous trillion-dollar milestones. In recent years, the company has attracted criticism for being slow to map out its artificial intelligence strategy, while Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta Platforms have pulled ahead to dominate the emerging technology. Shares of Nvidia, the biggest AI beneficiary, have surged more than 800% over the past two years, compared to the near doubling in shares of Apple during the same period. Apple earlier in December started integrating OpenAI's ChatGPT into its devices after unveiling plans in June to integrate generative AI technology across its app suite. The company expects overall revenue to increase "low- to mid-single digits" during its fiscal first quarter - a modest growth forecast for the holiday shopping season - sparking questions about the momentum for the iPhone 16 series. However, LSEG data showed analysts expect revenue from iPhones to rebound in 2025. "Although near-term iPhone demand is still muted ... it is a function of limited Apple Intelligence features and geographic availability, and as both broaden, it will help to drive an improvement in iPhone demand," Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring said in a note, reiterating Apple as the brokerage's "top pick" heading into 2025. The recent surge in shares has pushed Apple's price-to-earnings ratio to a near three-year high of 33.5, compared to 31.3 for Microsoft and 31.7 for Nvidia, according to LSEG data. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway BRKa.N has sold shares of Apple - its top holding - this year, as the conglomerate broadly retreated from equities on concerns over stretched valuations. "I suspect the stock in three years will not look as expensive as it does today," said Eric Clark, portfolio manager of the Rational Dynamic Brands Fund, which holds Apple shares. Apple faces the risk of retaliatory tariffs if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump delivers on his promise to slap tariffs of at least 10% on goods coming from China. "We believe it's likely Apple gets exclusions on products like iPhone, Mac and iPad, similar to the first round of China tariffs in 2018," Woodring said. Apple's shares tumbled last Wednesday amid a Wall Street selloff after the Federal Reserve forecast a slower pace of rate cuts next year but investors expect the broad trend of monetary easing to support stock markets next year. "Technology has been regarded by investors as a new form of a defensive sector because of their earnings growth," said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research. The Fed's action "could end up having a greater impact on some of the other cyclical areas such as consumer discretionary and financials and less so on technology." "Apple's approach to $4 trillion market cap is a testament to its enduring dominance in the tech sector. This milestone reinforces Apple's position as a market leader and innovator," said Adam Sarhan, chief executive officer of 50 Park Investments. Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan and Medha Singh in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Aditya Soni and Purvi Agarwal; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila

Steelers WR George Pickens returns to practice, hopeful to play against Chiefs PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was a full participant in practice on Monday, opening the door for him to return from a three-game absence on Wednesday when Pittsburgh hosts the Kansas City Chiefs. Canadian Press Dec 23, 2024 2:01 PM Dec 23, 2024 2:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens walks on the field as teammates work out prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was a full participant in practice on Monday, opening the door for him to return from a three-game absence on Wednesday when Pittsburgh hosts the Kansas City Chiefs. Pickens hasn't played since tweaking his hamstring earlier this month. The Steelers (10-5) have struggled to generate much in their passing game with their leading receiver watching from the sideline in sweatpants. Though Monday's practice was a walkthrough, Pickens said he felt good and hopes he'll be able to face the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. The 23-year-old was going through post-practice drills on Dec. 6 when he felt his hamstring tighten up, forcing him to miss the first games of his three-year career. Pittsburgh has gone 1-2 in his absence, including back-to-back losses to Philadelphia and Baltimore in which Russell Wilson passed for just 345 yards while missing one of the NFL's top downfield threats. Wilson is encouraged by the way the sometimes mercurial Pickens — who has been flagged and fined multiple times this season for infractions ranging from facemasks to unsportsmanlike conduct — has remained engaged. “He’s been great in the midst of his little trial here over the past few weeks,” Wilson said. “And so we’re excited to have him back if that’s the case fully and let him do his thing.” Safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) were also listed as full participants on Tuesday. Neither veteran has played since getting hurt against Cleveland on Dec. 8. While Pickens, Elliott and Ogunjobi could be available as Pittsburgh tries to hold off Baltimore for the AFC North lead, cornerback Joey Porter (knee) and WR Ben Skowronek (hip) are likely out after missing practice for a second straight day. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Bills offense is 'Cooking,' with running game adding a powerful new dimension Dec 23, 2024 1:43 PM Titans keep losing as coach Brian Callahan tries to show some progress Dec 23, 2024 1:31 PM Heavy ground game gives Anthony Richardson a chance to shine in Colts' latest victory Dec 23, 2024 1:29 PM

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Hexagon Composites names Dr Philipp Schramm as Chief Executive Officer OSLO, Norway, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Board of Directors of Hexagon Composites (OSE: HEX.OL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Philipp Schramm as Chief Executive Officer, effective 7 January 2025. Schramm will succeed Jon Erik Engeset, who on 16 April 2024 Philipp is an automotive industry executive, with more than 15 years of global experience in the automotive supplier industry. He recently served as the CEO and CFO of Brose, one of the world’s largest family-owned automotive parts suppliers, with approximately 32,000 employees across 24 countries and annual revenues of around EUR 8 billion. Since joining Brose in 2020 the company has grown by about 30%. Prior to his role at Brose, Philipp held several senior positions at Webasto, another leading automotive supplier. Schramm’s career started with PricewaterhouseCoopers with a focus on audit, M&A, restructuring and transaction services. His customer-focused approach and deep sector knowledge have driven significant growth and value creation in his previous positions where he has successfully identified new markets, geographies, and business opportunities in dynamic and fast changing environments. Chair of the Board of Hexagon Composites, said : “Philipp brings a broad industry experience, a proven track record of driving success as well as a value and people focused mindset, Philipp has worked in and understands all of Hexagon’s major markets. Our board believes he will be a transformative leader for our company and our industry.” , said : “The broad portfolio of technologies of Hexagon and its 38% stake in Hexagon Purus, which includes technologies for Renewable Natural Gas, Hydrogen and Battery Electric Solutions enable cost effective and environmentally friendly alternatives for the transportation and gas distribution industries. Throughout my career, I’ve been driven to unlock the power of people to effect change. As we face today’s challenges, it is crucial to utilize all available energy options. I am eager to collaborate with Hexagon’s leadership, employees, associates and partners to unlock Hexagon’s full potential,” Philipp holds a Ph.D. (business doctorate) and a Diploma in Business Administration from the Katholische Universitat Eichstatt-Ingolstadt, Germany, as well as the equivalent of an executive MBA from Harvard Business School. the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hexagon Composites names Dr Philipp Schramm as Chief Executive Officer, Cipher Neutron Adds Industry Veteran Dr Pierre Rivard to Its Board of Directors Canadian company Cipher Neutron Inc. (“Cipher Neutron”, the “Company” or “CN”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Pierre Rivard... Inomin Appoints Morten Stahl as Hydrogen Advisor Morten is an entrepreneur, seasoned climate tech investor, and the founder of Natural Hydrogen Ventures, the world’s first investment fund dedicated to the emerging... Hyundai Motor Company Appoints José Muñoz as Chief Executive Officer SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) today announced the appointment of José Muñoz as the...What to know about the stadium-sized asteroid zooming by Earth Thanksgiving weekSalt Lake City, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novarad Corporation, a leader in augmented reality (AR) technology, has successfully enabled the first-ever augmented reality-guided brain surgery on a canine patient in the United States, potentially changing the future of veterinary neurosurgery. This pioneering procedure was performed on Geddy, who, as a six-week-old puppy, was abandoned in a high-speed chase involving a stolen car and gunfire in Northern Mississippi. She was rescued by local law enforcement and taken to a veterinarian. After being posted for adoption, Geddy was united with a loving family. During the summer of 2024, Geddy began experiencing seizures and neurological signs and was diagnosed with a brain tumor through MRI. The severity of her condition prompted a referral to the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) with veterinary neurosurgeon scientist Wojciech Panek, DVM, DACVIM, and neurology specialty intern Tessa Arendt, DVM. Panek and his research collaborator, human neurosurgeon and Director of the Penn Brain Tumor Center Nduka Amankulor, MD, from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) were familiar with an innovative AR technology emerging in human surgeries and recognized the potential for this technology to assist in Geddy’s operation. The augmented reality guidance system known as VisAR, developed by Novarad Corporation and co-invented by Novarad CEO Wendell Gibby, MD, is used in human medical procedures for its precision and accuracy. The decision was made to use VisAR in Geddy's surgery, led by the surgery team of Panek and Amankulor. During the operation, preoperative MRI images were superimposed with anatomical accuracy onto Geddy’s skull, allowing for precise biopsy and tumor resection. Novarad representative Darin Johnson assisted in the calibration of VisAR during surgery. The complex and delicate procedure was a success. “Geddy has recovered from surgery; her owners report no neurological signs nor seizures,” said Panek. “We will continue to monitor Geddy’s recovery, but I am incredibly pleased with her progress. I am extremely grateful to Dr. Gibby and the entire Novarad team for their willingness to partner with Penn Vet to implement their lifesaving AR surgical navigation system, VisAR, in this particularly sensitive canine brain surgery.” “This groundbreaking surgery marks a milestone in veterinary medicine and highlights the incredible potential and promising outcomes of augmented reality in animal healthcare,” said Gibby. “The successful use of VisAR in Geddy's brain surgery is a testament to the power of innovation, the dedication of the Penn Vet and PSOM neurosurgery team, their top-notch research, and the tireless efforts of Novarad to bring this life-saving technology to the forefront of medical care.” Geddy’s remarkable journey, from abandonment to a pioneer in canine veterinary neurosurgery, highlights the incredible advances in veterinary medicine, promising a brighter future for animals and their owners needing complex surgeries. About Novarad Corporation: Novarad Corporation is a leading provider of advanced medical imaging solutions, including cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) technologies. Their innovative products, such as VisAR, are designed to enhance precision and improve outcomes in both human and animal healthcare. Novarad’s solutions have been widely adopted across various medical disciplines and are paving the way for the future of medical procedures. Novarad and Penn Vet established a unique research collaboration to further validate and optimize its use in canine patients with neurological conditions, with several studies ongoing. Attachments Novarad Corporation marketing@novarad.net

WOBURN, Mass., Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Replimune Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: REPL), a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of novel oncolytic immunotherapies, today announced that it has submitted a biologics license application (BLA) to the FDA for RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) in combination with nivolumab for the treatment of adult patients with advanced melanoma who have previously received an anti-PD1 containing regimen. The submission was made under the Accelerated Approval pathway. The Company also announced that the FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to RP1 in combination with nivolumab in the same setting. Breakthrough Therapy designation is intended to expedite the development and review of therapies for serious diseases when preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the therapy may provide substantial improvement over existing available therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints. This Breakthrough Therapy designation is based on the safety and clinical activity observed in the anti-PD1 failed melanoma cohort of the IGNYTE clinical trial. “Today is an important milestone for Replimune and for the melanoma community as we are one step closer to having another potential treatment available for patients who have limited options after progressing on anti-PD1 containing regimens,” said Sushil Patel, Ph.D., CEO of Replimune. The confirmatory Phase 3 IGNYTE-3 trial of RP1 in combination with nivolumab in advanced melanoma patients who have progressed on anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy, or who are not candidates for anti-CTLA-4 treatment is currently enrolling patients. For more information, visit https://replimune.com/clinical-trials/ignyte-3/ . About RP1 RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) is Replimune’s lead product candidate and is based on a proprietary strain of herpes simplex virus engineered and genetically armed with a fusogenic protein (GALV-GP R-) and GM-CSF, intended to maximize tumor killing potency, the immunogenicity of tumor cell death, and the activation of a systemic anti-tumor immune response. About Replimune Replimune Group, Inc., headquartered in Woburn, MA, was founded in 2015 with the mission to transform cancer treatment by pioneering the development of novel oncolytic immunotherapies. Replimune’s proprietary RPx platform is based on a potent HSV-1 backbone intended to maximize immunogenic cell death and the induction of a systemic anti-tumor immune response. The RPx platform is designed to have unique dual local and systemic activity consisting of direct selective virus-mediated killing of the tumor resulting in the release of tumor derived antigens and altering of the tumor microenvironment to ignite a strong and durable systemic response. The RPx product candidates are expected to be synergistic with most established and experimental cancer treatment modalities, leading to the versatility to be developed alone or combined with a variety of other treatment options. For more information, please visit www.replimune.com . Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding our belief regarding the effect that the breakthrough designation will have on the timing and development of RP1 and other statements identified by words such as “could,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees of future performance, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks related to our limited operating history, our ability to generate positive clinical trial results for our product candidates, the costs and timing of operating our in-house manufacturing facility, the timing and scope of regulatory approvals, the availability of combination therapies needed to conduct our clinical trials, changes in laws and regulations to which we are subject, competitive pressures, our ability to identify additional product candidates, political and global macro factors including the impact of the coronavirus as a global pandemic and related public health issues and the Russian-Ukrainian and Israel-Hamas political and military conflicts, and other risks as may be detailed from time to time in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our actual results could differ materially from the results described in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements. Investor Inquiries Chris Brinzey ICR Healthcare 339.970.2843 chris.brinzey@westwicke.com Media Inquiries Arleen Goldenberg Replimune 917.548.1582 media@replimune.comRIYADH (Reuters) - Hammad Albalawi, head of Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup bid, stated that the country has made significant progress in human rights while aiming to attract "more fans than ever" to the 48-team showpiece event. Saudi Arabia is the sole bidder for the 2034 World Cup, with FIFA set to vote on it next week amid concerns about the country's human rights record. Albalawi said that the strides in human rights, especially in labour laws, are part of Saudi Arabia's commitment to transforming its social and economic landscape under Vision 2030. "We have come a long way and there's still a long way to go. Our principle is to develop something that is right for us. Our journey started in 2016, not because of the World Cup bid," Albalawi told Reuters. "We've launched initiatives granting employees the freedom to move between employers. Documents of these employees are now uploaded into government systems, ensuring they have rights within their contracts. "Only a month and a half ago, the government announced a new government insurance policy... These are substantive examples, not because we're bidding for the World Cup, but because this is part of Vision 2030. This is part of who we are and what we are committed to. "Our aim and aspiration is to bring more teams and more fans into one place than ever before." Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) said last month that FIFA must halt the process to pick Saudi Arabia as hosts of the 2034 tournament unless major human rights reforms are announced before the vote. Albalawi said the World Cup will be held in a safe and family-friendly environment where visitors will enjoy both inside and outside the stadium regardless of the sale of alcohol, which was banned at the 2022 World Cup in neighbouring Qatar. "I think today what you see in Saudi Arabia is an environment that is family friendly, safe and secure – something that people can actually enjoy on and off the pitch," he said. "We've had over 100 global sporting events that already have taken place in Saudi Arabia. No alcohol was served in those tournaments. Yet, we had three million sports fans come in and enjoy those tournaments that have come and come again." Albalawi also pointed to the rapid development of Saudi women's football and its infrastructure as an example of the country's development and social changes. "Three years ago, there were zero girls playing football in school because the facilities weren't there," he said. "Today, the facilities are there and in two years after the facilities were built, we have over 80,000 girls playing football." (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City)

Legendary singer-songwriter Elton John has said he had to delay the release of his upcoming album due to an eye infection that has significantly impaired his vision. Speaking on ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday, the 77-year-old said he has not been able to see out of his right eye for four months, impacting his ability to work. Elton John lost sight in his right eye following a severe eye infection. Credit: AP “I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the South of France ... And my left eye’s not the greatest,” he said. “I’m kind of stuck at the moment because I can do something like this [interview], but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know because I can’t see a lyric for a start.” During a speech at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame ceremony last year, John revealed he had a new album on the way with lyricist Bernie Taupin. It would mark his first studio album including all original material since Wonderful Crazy Night in 2016. However, his eye infection has delayed its release. “It’s never fortunate for anything like this to happen, and it kind of floored me. I can’t see anything, I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything,” John said. The pop star is undergoing unspecified treatment and remains optimistic he will recover. “There’s hope and encouragement that it will be OK. At the moment, that’s really what we’re concentrating on.” The interview comes almost three months after he told fans on social media that he had contracted a severe eye infection that left him with limited sight in the impacted eye. “I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process,” he wrote on Instagram in September. Despite his impaired vision, John has made multiple appearances over the past few months, including joining pop star Dua Lipa on stage at her Royal Albert Hall concert in October, where they performed their popular duet Cold Heart . The EGOT winner, who retired from touring last year, also attended the premiere of his new Disney+ documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late , in both London and Toronto. Directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, the documentary tracks John’s 50-year career, as he prepared for his final concert at the Dodger Stadium in the US. “I’m so proud of the documentary. I’m proud of my sons. I’m proud of my attitude toward myself and what’s going on,” he said. “I’m just very lucky and I’m very grateful.” John became an EGOT winner at the 2023 Emmy Awards in January after winning the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category. However, he was unable to attend as he was recovering from knee replacement surgery, which he underwent at the beginning of the year. He had a second knee replacement on his other knee in March. “To be honest with you, there’s not much of me left,” he joked while at a screening of his documentary at the New York Film Festival in October. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday .State Rep. Gayle Manning honors Avon Eagles football team at StatehouseSupreme court judge Dr Esther Kitimbo Kisaakye has fled to exile, fearing for her life due to ongoing threats, according to documents obtained by URN. The documents, including a series of emails, written by Washington-based law firm Covington & Burling LLP outline the situation in which Kisaakye is living. “Justice Kisaakye continued to live in fear for her life based on reports of threats she continued to receive,” reads one of the documents. It adds Kisakye fled the country out of fear for her life and now lives in exile. The acquired materials added that in July 2023, Kisaakye received a report of an imminent threat to her life from her lawyer, which they had received from a person who identified himself as a member of one of the security agencies in Uganda. The materials received, addressed to several organizations including the Centre for Human Rights, International Bar Association Human Rights Institute, International Commission of Jurists, Lawyers for Lawyers, and the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, reveal ongoing efforts to raise awareness about Kisaakye's situation. The law firm is mobilizing support and coordinating initiatives to bring attention to her plight as a judge in exile who is facing retaliation for fulfilling her judicial responsibilities, with her safety still at risk. Kisaakye’s challenges date back to 2021 when she disagreed with eight justices over decisions related to the presidential election petition filed by former candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine challenging the election of President Yoweri Museveni for the sixth term. Kyagulanyi had sought the court’s permission to amend and also introduce new evidence to support his election petition. However, the eight justices, led by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, dismissed the application, citing the strict timelines for determining presidential election petitions, which, they argued, could not be amended. Kisaakye accused the chief justice of attempting to suppress her constitutional right to deliver a minority judgment in which she disagreed with the rest of the panel. She claimed her judgment was confiscated. Despite this, using a duplicate copy, Kisaakye delivered her minority judgment. With the lights and speakers switched off, she sat alone on the bench, as the eight other justices and the respondents’ lawyers had left the room. According to materials from Covington & Burling LLP, these events were followed by two and a half years of persecution, discrimination, and retaliation against Kisaakye by the chief justice and other Supreme court staff. The retaliation took different forms which included; removing her as an administrative judge, denying her any new work, removal of her research officer, denying of leave and medical benefits, and falsely accusing her of failure to write judgments in appeals when she was not a member of the coram or the designated judge to originate the lead judgments. In April 2021, the Uganda Judicial Service Commission initiated an inquiry into Kisaakye's conduct. Two months later, the permanent secretary of the judiciary suspended her salary and benefits for two and a half months, citing ongoing covert investigations by the Commission. By October 2022, after failing to resolve her issues through internal processes within the Ugandan judiciary and other relevant institutions, Kisaakye filed a petition in the Constitutional court. In her petition, she sought several declarations stating that the actions and omissions of five respondents—namely the chief justice of Uganda, the permanent secretary of the judiciary, the Judicial Service Commission, the attorney general, and the chief registrar and commissioner of Human Resources, violated her rights under Uganda's Constitution and undermined judicial independence. Despite her petition, the Judicial Service Commission continued its work, and in February 2023, it issued a report recommending that the President of Uganda establish a tribunal to investigate whether Kisaakye should be removed from office for alleged misconduct that occurred on March 18 and 19, 2021. As a lawyer, Kisaakye took action by filing another petition to quash the commission's report and to postpone the appointment of the tribunal until her initial petition was resolved. however, her case has never been granted any hearing dates. In the set of documents received by URN, it is indicated that; “Unofficially, Justice Kisaakye received information that the deputy chief justice, who will be retiring at the end of the year, is not willing to cause list her Petitions and applications, and that many judges at the Constitutional court were also not ready to hear her Petitions and applications either, because of the political sensitivities involved.” With more than seven years left on her term serving on the Supreme court bench, Kisaakye sought to bring an early end to her career by informing the appointing authority, the President, of her decision in a letter dated July 18. In her letter, she challenged the constitutionality of various administrative actions taken against her, including being investigated on allegations without the disclosure of specific offences, the freezing of her salary, and her removal as head of administration of the Supreme court. Kisaakye’s resignation came five months after the Judicial Service Commission recommended her removal from office due to alleged misconduct and a verbal confrontation with Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo regarding the 2021 presidential election petition. In response to her resignation and the letter from the Judicial Service Commission, President Museveni chose to reject her resignation. He stated that while he could not obstruct her wishes, her decision to resign would "preempt the work of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry or the tribunal." Kisaakye has also since filed another petition in the Supreme court challenging the legality of the president’s decision to stop her from taking early retirement. She noted that despite the refusal to accept her retirement, she has not been given any work in the judiciary since. “Whereas my early retirement was unconstitutionally denied by the President, I have also been denied any judicial work at the Supreme court and as a result, I have been kept in a state of being neither a serving justice nor as a retired justice of the Supreme court,” Kisaakye’s affidavit in support of her application reads in part. When contacted, Covington & Burling LLP, confirmed assisting Kisaakye with her advocacy efforts in promoting the rule of law, good governance, and judicial independence in Uganda and beyond. “In 2022 and 2023, Justice Kisaakye filed two constitutional petitions with the Constitutional Court of Uganda seeking to protect judicial independence and halt the Judicial Service Commission’s unconstitutional inquiry. Thus far, the Constitutional court has failed to follow its duties to hear constitutional cases expeditiously and in the order in which they have been received, as other cases filed after Justice Kisaakye’s have been adjudicated. We are aware that Justice Kisaakye has now filed a third constitutional petition seeking the Ugandan Government’s recognition of her retirement from the Supreme Court and the full payment of her retirement benefits,” an email signed by Amanda Reisinger from the law firm reads in part. The spokesperson of the Judiciary Ereemye Mawanda didn’t respond to our messages and phone calls to his known telephone. [loadposition inarticle}