Level Up in Cybersecurity with InfosecTrain's Latest Courses 12-26-2024 09:42 PM CET | Science & Education Press release from: ABNewswire In the rapidly evolving world of technology, staying ahead of the curve is essential-especially for professionals in the cybersecurity field. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills, open doors to new opportunities, or specialize in a specific area of cybersecurity, InfosecTrain has just launched a series of new, cutting-edge courses designed to equip you with the knowledge and hands-on experience to take your career to the next level. InfosecTrain's latest offerings are tailored to tech-savvy professionals who are eager to tackle the challenges of an ever-changing digital landscape. Let's dive into the exciting new courses that are making waves in the cybersecurity industry: 1. CompTIA DataSys+ (DS0-001) Certification Training Data management and system security are becoming increasingly critical as businesses continue to generate massive amounts of data. If you're looking to specialize in data security, the CompTIA DataSys+ (DS0-001) certification is a must-have. This course is designed for IT professionals who want to gain expertise in the storage, management, and protection of critical data assets. What's in it for you? With the CompTIA DataSys+ certification, you'll be equipped to handle complex data systems, perform risk assessments, and implement robust data protection strategies. The training covers vital aspects of data management, such as data encryption, secure data handling practices, disaster recovery protocols, and how to ensure data availability and integrity. Why should you take this course? The CompTIA DataSys+ course [ https://www.infosectrain.com/courses/comptia-datasys-certification-training/ ] offers practical, hands-on experience to ensure you're not just familiar with concepts, but able to apply them in real-world scenarios. As businesses become more reliant on data, the demand for skilled professionals who can manage and protect this data will only continue to grow. This certification will give you a competitive edge in fields like cloud computing, data protection, and IT infrastructure management. 2. EC-Council E|CSS Certification Training Course In today's world, cybersecurity attacks are becoming more sophisticated, and organizations need experts who can defend against these ever-evolving threats. Enter the EC-Council E|CSS Certification Training Course [ https://www.infosectrain.com/courses/ec-council-certified-security-specialist-ecss-training-certification-course/ ] a dynamic program crafted to give you a deeper understanding of network defense strategies and ethical hacking methodologies. What's in it for you? The E|CSS course covers everything from secure network architecture to ethical hacking techniques that can be used to identify vulnerabilities and mitigate risks. As part of this comprehensive training, you'll learn how to use advanced tools to defend against cyberattacks, monitor and manage network security, and ensure compliance with international security standards. Why should you take this course? If you're interested in becoming a key player in your organization's cybersecurity defense, this course is a perfect fit. The EC-Council's reputation and the E|CSS certification will position you as an authority in cybersecurity, offering you the chance to work with some of the top organizations and tackle cybersecurity challenges at the highest level. 3. Splunk Practical Approach Training Course When it comes to handling large volumes of data in real-time, Splunk stands out as one of the most widely used and trusted platforms. InfosecTrain's Splunk Practical Approach Training [ https://www.infosectrain.com/courses/splunk-training/ ] Course is designed for cybersecurity professionals who want to develop a deep understanding of how to use Splunk for data analysis, monitoring, and security incident detection. What's in it for you? This course will teach you how to leverage Splunk's powerful features for log management, security data collection, real-time data monitoring, and security information and event management (SIEM). Through hands-on labs and real-world case studies, you'll gain practical experience using Splunk to uncover hidden threats and anomalies in network traffic. Why should you take this course? The Splunk Practical Approach Training Course is perfect for professionals looking to advance their skills in data analytics, security operations, and IT infrastructure management. With Splunk being a leading tool in the industry, expertise in this platform is highly sought after. This course is an investment in your future career as it will provide you with the practical skills needed to solve security challenges in real-time, making you an indispensable asset to any organization. 4. Generative AI Application Builder on AWS Training Course Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a game-changer in various industries, and cybersecurity is no exception. The Generative AI Application Builder on AWS Training Course [ https://www.infosectrain.com/courses/developing-generative-ai-applications-aws-course/ ] is InfosecTrain's newest offering, aimed at professionals who want to explore the intersection of AI and cloud computing, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. What's in it for you? This course provides you with the tools and knowledge to build AI-driven applications on the AWS platform. You'll learn how to leverage AWS's AI tools to develop smart applications, including security models, threat detection algorithms, and data protection mechanisms. With a focus on generative AI, you'll also explore how AI can be used to automate and optimize cybersecurity tasks, making organizations more resilient against evolving threats. Why should you take this course? AI and cloud computing are two of the most powerful forces shaping the future of cybersecurity. By mastering Generative AI on AWS, you'll gain the ability to create innovative solutions that enhance security, streamline processes, and reduce human error. This course will equip you with cutting-edge skills that will position you at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation, enabling you to tackle tomorrow's challenges today. Conclusion InfosecTrain's newly launched courses CompTIA DataSys+ (DS0-001) Certification Training, EC-Council E|CSS Certification Training Course, Splunk Practical Approach Training, and Generative AI Application Builder on AWS Training Course are a perfect match for tech enthusiasts who are serious about advancing their careers in cybersecurity. These courses combine expert-led training, practical experience, and cutting-edge technology to ensure you're fully equipped to navigate the complexities of today's digital world. If you're looking to boost your cybersecurity career, these courses provide a comprehensive learning experience that will not only enhance your skillset but also increase your employability in the competitive tech market. Don't miss out on the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and become a leader in the cybersecurity field. For more information or to enroll in any of these courses, visit InfosecTrain's website and take the next step in your cybersecurity career today! Media Contact Company Name: InfosecTrain (An Intiative by Azpirantz Technologies LLP) Contact Person: Vikas Agrawal Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=level-up-in-cybersecurity-with-infosectrains-latest-courses ] Phone: 18008437890 Address:B7, Sector 1 City: Noida State: Uttar Pradesh 201301 Country: India Website: http://www.infosectrain.com This release was published on openPR.Weeks before President-elect Donald Trump is to take office, a major rift has emerged among his supporters over immigration and the place of foreign workers in the U.S. labor market. The debate hinges on how much tolerance, if any, the incoming administration should have for skilled immigrants brought into the country on work visas. The schism pits immigration hard-liners against many of the president-elect’s most prominent backers from the technology industry — among them Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, who helped back Trump’s election efforts with more than a quarter-billion dollars, and David Sacks, a venture capitalist picked to be czar for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency policy. The tech industry has long relied on foreign skilled workers to help run its companies, a labor supply that critics say undercuts wages for American citizens. The dispute, which late Thursday exploded online into acrimony, finger-pointing and accusations of censorship, frames a policy quandary for Trump. The president-elect has in the past expressed a willingness to provide more work visas to skilled workers, but has also promised to close the border, deploy tariffs to create more jobs for American citizens and severely restrict immigration. Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and fervent Trump loyalist, helped set off the altercation this week by criticizing Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian American venture capitalist, to be an adviser on artificial intelligence policy. In a post, she said she was concerned that Krishnan, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in India, would have influence on the Trump administration’s immigration policies, and mentioned “third-world invaders.” “It’s alarming to see the number of career leftists who are now being appointed to serve in Trump’s admin when they share views that are in direct opposition to Trump’s America First agenda,” Loomer wrote on the social platform X, which is owned by Musk. Loomer’s comments surfaced a simmering tension between longtime Trump supporters, who embrace his virulent anti-immigrant rhetoric, and his more recently acquired backers from the tech industry, many of whom have built or financed businesses that rely on the government’s H-1B visa program to hire skilled workers from abroad. In response, Sacks called Loomer’s critiques “crude,” while Musk posted regularly this week about the lack of homegrown talent to fill all the needed positions within American technology companies. The expertise U.S. companies need “simply does not exist in America in sufficient quantity,” Musk posted Thursday, drawing a line between what he views as legal immigration and illegal immigration. Throughout the election cycle, Musk helped amplify the debunked theory that the Democratic Party was encouraging immigrants to illegally cross the border to vote, thus replacing American voters. A naturalized citizen born in South Africa, Musk has spoken out frequently against immigration, characterizing it as a threat to national sovereignty and endorsing messages calling noncitizens “invaders.” This week, however, he came out strongly in favor of H-1B visas, which are given to specialized foreign workers. Musk has said he held an H-1B before becoming a citizen, and his electric-car company, Tesla, obtained 724 of the visas this year. H-1B visas are typically for three-year periods, although holders can extend them or apply for green cards. Krishnan, Sacks and Musk did not respond to requests for comment. Loomer, reached by telephone, said she took on the visa issue because she didn’t trust the motivations of Musk and other tech magnates who helped elect Trump. She is worried, she said, that Musk, in particular, would try to use his sway to persuade the incoming president to allow more immigration rather than close the border as she and others on the right would prefer. “He’s not MAGA and he’s a drag on the Trump transition,” said Loomer, who said she believed that Musk was using his relationship with Trump to further enrich himself. “Elon wants everyone to think he’s a hero because he gave $250 million to the Trump campaign. But that’s not much of an investment if it allows him to become a trillionaire.” A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to a request for comment. Trump said on a podcast co-hosted by Sacks in June that any international student who graduates from an American university “should be able to stay in this country.” The taping followed a San Francisco fundraiser for Trump’s campaign hosted by Sacks. Since then, the leaders of tech companies who rely on skilled foreign labor, including Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Sundar Pichai of Google, have wooed Trump with calls, visits to Mar-a-Lago — Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, Florida — and donations for his inauguration. That’s a different dynamic from Trump’s first term, which began with the industry’s sweeping condemnation of the first Trump administration’s travel ban suspending the issuance of visas to applicants from seven countries, all of which had Muslim-majority populations. Tech leaders have also been taking an important role in the presidential transition, proposing associates for high-ranking administration positions and advising the president-elect on potential policies and foreign relations. Trump also tapped Musk to serve as co-leader of a new “government efficiency” commission. The rising importance of tech leaders in Trump’s circle is now drawing scrutiny from his base — and even some past rivals. Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina who ran for president against Trump and who in the past has called herself the “proud daughter of Indian immigrants,” slammed the tech industry and its leaders as “lazy” for automatically seeking out foreign workers to fulfill their needs. “If the tech industry needs workers, invest in our education system,” she wrote on X on Friday morning. “Invest in our American workforce. We must invest in Americans first before looking elsewhere.” On Friday, Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump confidant, hosted a series of influencers and researchers on his popular “War Room” podcast who critiqued “big tech oligarchs” for supporting the H-1B program and cast immigration as a threat to Western civilization. Others took a more sympathetic stance toward Silicon Valley’s desire to continue bringing in engineers and other skilled workers from abroad. Vivek Ramaswamy, the former Republican presidential candidate who last month was tapped to lead the government efficiency initiative alongside Musk, blamed American culture for creating people ill-suited for skilled tech positions. “The H-1B system is badly broken & should be replaced with one that focuses on selecting the very best of the best,” Ramaswamy said on X on Friday. The rancorous exchange over immigration soon grew to encompass another flashpoint on the right: online speech. Since acquiring what was then called Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion, Musk has characterized himself as a “free speech absolutist.” Among his first acts atop the company was reinstating accounts banned by the previous management, including Loomer’s, which had been taken down in 2018 after sharing anti-Muslim posts. But on Thursday, X temporarily blocked Loomer from posting on the site and removed her verified status, cutting her off from income from paid subscribers. Numerous other accounts reported losing their verified status as well, although only Loomer seems to have been blocked from posting or monetizing her account. Loomer said that starting Friday morning, she was able to post again but still had not regained her verified status. An X spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Loomer, whose account has 1.4 million followers, called it retaliation, pointing out that Musk on Thursday night endorsed a post from a popular pro-tech influencer stating “play stupid games, win stupid prizes,” in reference to Loomer. Loomer called the restriction “censorship.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the Defense Department may not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he won’t provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about $4.35 billion. Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Zelenskyy decide it’s time to negotiate. One senior defense official said that while the U.S. will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until Jan. 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the U.S. has provided more than $64 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement

Former CoD developer explains reasoning behind BO6 and Warzone integration issuesSINGAPORE: Festive gift-giving is getting a digital transformation in China and becoming the new battleground for Chinese social media apps as e-commerce competition heats up. Tencent’s WeChat has been testing out a new feature allowing users to browse, buy and send presents to friends and relatives, while Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, rolled out a similar gifting function back in January. WeChat, a multi-functional platform that offers services from messaging to mobile payment and gaming, has more than 1.3 billion monthly active users, making it one of the most widely used apps in the world. Its new “Send Gift” feature, added to its app store on Dec 19, allows users to “show appreciation” for their loved ones by searching for products priced at 10,000 yuan and below. The feature is “being rolled out gradually”, WeChat said in a statement, and for now, is only available to a selected number of users in mainland China. “We are still working hard to gradually improve the relevant functions,” the company said. Those able to use the function bought gifts like cosmetics and snacks and sent them on to their friends. One user who went by the name Diana, shared her experience of sending makeup foundation worth 480 yuan to a friend, praising the “practicality” of the new service and saying it was useful for holidays like Christmas and birthdays. She recalled her friend reacting with confusion upon receiving her WeChat gift. “(She thought) she was sent a meme, but it was actually a Christmas gift,” Diana said. The novelty of the new WeChat function also sparked discussion on the Xiaohongshu social media app, with some expressing excitement of being able to send gifts to friends and relatives quickly, with others commenting that they were eager for it to be rolled out on their accounts. Some Xiaohongshu bloggers also shared step by step tutorials showing users how to send and receive gifts. One user who went by the handle Momozi, expressed doubts, saying more improvements were needed and she did not see older app users trying out the gift giving function. “Firstly, a gift should be a surprise. If not I’ll simply send a red packet,” she said. “Why not simply just send money?” Irate users also left one star reviews on WeChat shop’s customer service platform, describing unfavourable experiences they had in dealing with unresponsive sellers and merchants who did not send out orders once placed, as well as the lack of refundable options. The feature allows users to purchase products from WeChat stores and send them to other users through a virtual gift format. Gifts are capped at 10,000 yuan, excluding jewellery and tutoring classes, with the option to hide prices from the recipient. After selecting a product, users would then click on “send to friend” and complete payment. There is also no need to include a recipient’s delivery address, WeChat said and gift orders will not contain buyer information or payment details. Gifts are non-transferrable and users will not be allowed to cancel orders. But if gifts are not accepted by the recipient within 24 hours, the order would then be cancelled and the money refunded to the sender’s accounts. RESHAPING THE GIFT-GIVING CULTURE China’s e-commerce market is the largest in the world, generating billions in revenue and outpacing the United States. Giving money and gifts is a huge part of Chinese culture and in 2014, WeChat introduced virtual red packets linked to its digital payment service. The virtual red packets were a hit with users who received amounts of money in the form of transactions quickly and conveniently through their apps, and digitised a deeply-rooted Chinese tradition ahead of the new year. It also gave Tencent the edge in the digital payment battle against e-commerce rival Alibaba’s Alipay system, industry experts said. In 2017 alone, WeChat users exchanged around 46 billion digital red packets over the new year period in January. Just as WeChat changed the way people gave out traditional red packets, can it do the same with its new “gift-giving” feature? “Gifting is something deeply rooted in Chinese culture, just like red packets are,” said Li Jianggan, CEO of Singapore-based venture firm Momentum Works, adding that spending habits and gifting behaviour of younger Chinese differed substantially from elders. Analyst Dave Xie from the Oliver Wyman global management consulting firm, called the new feature “a strategic move” on Tencent’s part. “China's e-commerce landscape has undergone significant transformations in recent years, driven by emerging platforms, evolving consumer behaviors and strategic adaptations by established players,” Xie told CNA. WeChat’s “extensive” user base and established social connections could provide a unique advantage in driving e-commerce engagement, he added. With more than 1.3 billion active monthly users, WeChat is a “powerful tool” and has something “none of the Chinese e-commerce platforms have”, Li said, a huge user network and trusted social map. “As WeChat gradually gets deeper into social commerce and live commerce, there is a good possibility that the e-commerce competitive landscape (in China) will be reshaped.” But it is still “hard to predict” if the new gift-giving function will be as popular and widely used among WeChat users as digital red packets, Li said, adding that it was “safe to assume” it would have a smaller use as compared to payment. “That said, we believe that gifting is just one of the many attempts to effectively embed social commerce into the WeChat ecosystem.” In line with government internet restrictions, app-associated services like Facebook marketplace and Instagram Shopping aren’t made available to Chinese users. WeChat's new gift-giving function is also not the first in the Chinese market. Earlier this year, Douyin released a similar gifting function called “sui xin song” or “Gift as you wish” – allowing its users to send out gift vouchers. It also ran a special Chinese New Year campaign allowing users to send gifts to their loved ones, with gifts worth over 40 million yuan sent. Social gift giving “naturally” aligns with WeChat’s social DNA, Xie said, with the potential to “create unique social shopping experiences” for users on the platform. But success will depend on being able to convert “social engagement” into sustainable sales growth. One of the biggest challenges for the new gift-giving function would be how it functions and operates, Li said. “What is the selection of products available... and how do you manage the user experiences and expectations? How (can WeChat) regulate the system so that it doesn’t get abused by illicit merchants and scammers?” “This is something that Wechat can tap into if they find the right magic formula.”Pioneering Toxicology Research Takes Center Stage at 2025 ACMT Annual Meeting in Vancouver

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The very close election for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat heads next to a hand recount even as election officials announced a machine recount of over 5.5 million ballots resulted in no margin change between the candidates. The statewide machine recount — in which ballots were run again through tabulators — that wrapped up this week showed Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs with a 734-vote lead over Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin, who is a Court of Appeals judge. Most county election boards reported minor vote changes from the machine recount requested by Griffin. But State Board of Elections data showed the post-recount lead exactly the same as what Riggs held after all 100 counties fully completed their ballot canvass in November. Griffin led Riggs by about 10,000 votes on election night, but that lead dwindled and flipped to Riggs as tens of thousands of qualifying provisional and absentee ballots were added to the totals through the canvass. Griffin, who already has pending election protests challenging the validity of more than 60,000 ballots counted statewide, has asked for a partial hand-to-eye recount, which county boards will start Wednesday or Thursday. The partial hand recount applies to ballots in 3% of the voting sites in all 100 counties, chosen at random Tuesday by the state board. Once the partial recount is complete, a statewide hand recount would be ordered if the sample results differ enough from the machine recount that the result would be reversed if the difference were extrapolated to all ballots. Riggs, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2023 and now seeks an eight-year term, again claimed victory Tuesday. In a campaign news release, spokesperson Embry Owen said Griffin “needs to immediately concede – losing candidates must respect the will of voters and not needlessly waste state resources.” Riggs is one of two Democrats on the seven-member court. Through attorneys, Griffin has challenged ballots that he says may not qualify for several reasons and cast doubt on the election result. Among them: voter registration records of some voters casting ballots lack driver's license or partial Social Security numbers, and overseas voters never living in North Carolina may run afoul of state residency requirements. State and county boards are considering the protests. Griffin's attorneys on Monday asked the state board to accelerate the matters before it and make a final ruling early next week. "Our priority remains ensuring that every legal vote is counted and that the public can trust the integrity of this election,” state Republican Party spokesperson Matt Mercer said in a news release. Final rulings by the state board can be appealed to state court. Joining Griffin in protests are three Republican legislative candidates who still trailed narrowly in their respective races after the machine recounts. The Supreme Court race and two of these three legislative races have not been called by The Associated Press. The key pending legislative race is for a House seat covering Granville County and parts of Vance County. Republican Rep. Frank Sossamon trails Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn by 228 votes, down from 233 votes before the recount. Sossamon also asked for a partial hard recount in his race, which was to begin Tuesday. Should Cohn win, Republicans will fall one seat short of the 72 needed in the 120-member House to retain its veto-proof majority — giving more leverage to Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein in 2025. Senate Republicans already have won 30 of the 50 seats needed to retain its supermajority in their chamber. The AP on Tuesday did call another legislative race not subject to a protest, as Mecklenburg County GOP Rep. Tricia Cotham won her reelection bid over Democrat Nicole Sidman. A machine recount showed Cotham ahead of Sidman by 213 votes, compared to 216 after the county canvass. Cotham’s switch from the Democrats to the Republicans in April 2023 secured the Republicans' 72-seat veto-proof majority so that Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes could be overridden by relying solely on GOP lawmakers.

Michael Essien’s journey from the dusty football fields of Dansoman, a suburb of Accra, to becoming one of Africa’s most celebrated footballers is a story of dedication, resilience, and humility. Essien, whose career spans top clubs in Europe, rose to prominence through a combination of raw talent and an unwavering commitment to his craft. His love for the game began in his early years, where, like many young footballers in Africa, he idolized foreign stars. Among these idols was Paul McGrath, a legendary defender who played for Manchester United and Aston Villa. While McGrath wasn’t a household name in Ghana, Essien, whose father was a staunch Villa supporter, grew up watching him play and learning from his disciplined style. In the dusty streets of Dansoman, Essien began developing his skills, often mimicking the moves of McGrath, who was revered for his versatility. Although his early attempts to replicate McGrath’s playing style were not always successful, Essien’s resilience never wavered. He was determined to improve, and his hard work eventually paid off when he joined Liberty Professionals, one of Ghana’s respected local clubs, where he began his professional journey. Essien’s breakthrough came at the 1999 U-17 World Cup, where his exceptional performances in midfield helped Ghana secure third place. It was here that European clubs began to take notice of the young talent. Manchester United, among others, expressed interest in signing him, but due to issues with obtaining a work permit, Essien was unable to make the move to the Premier League. Instead, he signed with Belgian side Royal Antwerp. However, Essien’s mother, Aba Gyandoh, advised him to move to France, and he heeded her advice, eventually signing with French club Bastia in 2000. Essien’s time at Bastia was marked by positional experimentation, as the club sought to find the best role for him on the pitch. Although his first season saw limited appearances, he began to shine in the 2002-03 season, playing as a central midfielder. His impressive performances, which included scoring seven league goals, caught the attention of France’s top clubs, with Lyon emerging as the frontrunner. At Lyon, Essien quickly made his mark, winning the hearts of fans with his powerful performances in midfield, including a memorable debut goal. During his time in France, he helped Lyon win multiple Ligue 1 titles, and his reputation continued to grow, with Essien being named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 2005. In the summer of 2005, Chelsea made their move, signing Essien for a then-record fee. The pressure of such a high-profile transfer weighed heavily on him, but Essien soon established himself as a key player for the club. Under the guidance of manager José Mourinho, he became a mainstay in Chelsea’s midfield, helping the club secure two Premier League titles and numerous cup victories. Despite a significant knee injury in 2006, which temporarily sidelined him, Essien’s performances continued to be outstanding, earning him recognition as one of the best midfielders in the world. Essien’s international career with Ghana was similarly storied, though not without its setbacks. A key player for the Black Stars in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Essien’s career was hampered by knee injuries, which forced him to miss the 2010 World Cup. Despite these challenges, Essien’s resilience and determination to return to top form never faltered. His commitment to both his club and country earned him widespread respect and admiration. Reflecting on his career, Essien’s journey underscores several key lessons: the importance of patience, the power of resilience, and the value of hard work. From his early days in Ghana to his rise to prominence in Europe, Essien has been a model of perseverance, always willing to put in the work to achieve his goals. He also credits much of his success to his family, especially his mother, whose guidance was crucial in shaping his career decisions. Essien’s story is not just about football; it’s about the journey of a young man who, despite facing numerous challenges, remained grounded, humble, and focused on his goals. From the streets of Dansoman to becoming a footballing legend in Europe, Michael Essien’s legacy is one of hard work, perseverance, and the belief that no obstacle is too great to overcome. His name will forever be etched in the history of African football as one of the continent’s finest exports to the world of football.

NEW YORK , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Viking Therapeutics, Inc. ("Viking" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: VKTX ). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Viking and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On November 3, 2024 , Viking released positive trial data for VK2735, the Company's anti-obesity drug, as part of a presentation at the Obesity Week medical meeting, causing Viking's stock price to climb 9% during intraday trading on November 4, 2024 . However, analysts were quick to note that Viking may face production problems for VK2735, especially for 100mg or higher doses. Analysts at Deutsche Bank stated in a note that scaling up production for the drug "will be costly with capital requirements and expertise beyond what [Eli] Lilly (LLY) and Novo [Nordisk] (NVO) currently have[.]" Following these reports, Viking's stock price fell $9.74 per share, or 13.36%, to close at $63.14 per share on November 4, 2024 . Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York , Chicago , Los Angeles , London , Paris , and Tel Aviv , is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz , known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud , breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLPBy Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. The start of a new year can bring a surge of motivation around setting new goals, including financial resolutions. One way to help those goals become reality, financial experts say, is to make them as specific as possible. Then, track your progress, while allowing flexibility for unexpected challenges. “It’s easier to track progress when we know where we are going,” says Sylvie Scowcroft, a certified financial planner and founder of The Financial Grove in Cambridge, Massachusetts. That’s why she encourages her clients to set clearly defined goals, often related to paying off a specific debt, saving a certain amount per month or improving their credit score. Here are more tips from financial experts about crafting 2025 financial goals : Trying to accomplish too much can feel overwhelming. Instead, pick your priorities, says Cathleen Tobin, CFP and owner of Moonbridge Financial Design in Rhinebeck, New York. She suggests focusing on those big, often emotionally-driven goals to find motivation. “It’s more compelling than just a number,” she says. For example, do you want to make sure you’re on track for retirement or save money for a house? “Start there.” Scowcroft says she sees clients get tripped up by selecting overly broad goals, such as “get better with money.” Instead, she encourages people to select specific action items, such as “sign up for a budgeting tool and set aside time each month to learn where my money is going.” That level of specificity provides direction so you know what steps to take next, she adds. For example, if your top priority is to become debt-free, then your specific goal might be to pay off an extra $200 of your debt balance each month. Tobin says labeling savings accounts so they correspond with goals can also help. An emergency fund could be named something like “Peace of mind in 2025,” so you remember why you’re saving every time you make a transfer. “It’s more motivating than just ‘emergency fund,’” Tobin says. Measuring your progress as the year unfolds is also a critical component of successful goal setting, Tobin says. She compares it to weight loss. If you want to lose 20 pounds by June, then you need to lose about a pound a week for the first six months of the year. Similarly, she says it helps to break savings goals into microsteps that specify what you need to do each week. Schedule a weekly or monthly check-in with yourself to make sure you are meeting those smaller goals along the way. You might want to review your debt payoff progress or check your credit score , for example. “Being able to break it down into steps that can be done each week or twice a month really helps,” Tobin says. If your goal is to save more money , then setting up an automatic transfer each month can help turn that goal into reality, as long as you know you have the money in your checking account to spare. “It reduces the mental load,” says Mike Hunsberger, CFP and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning in St. Charles, Missouri, where he primarily supports veterans and current members of the military. He recommends starting small to ease into the change. “I wouldn’t jump to double what you’re currently saving,” he says. For example, when it comes to saving in a retirement account, if you’re starting with a 3% contribution, you might want to bump it up to 4%, then slowly increase it from there. “My number one piece of advice is to start small, but make sure you scale over time,” Hunsberger adds. “Because it’s gradual, you probably won’t notice it impacting your lifestyle.” “Stay flexible,” Scowcroft says. “Part of it is just being kind to yourself and not being too rigid.” When unexpected challenges come up, such as a big unplanned expense, you might have to pause making progress on your goal and reset. You might even need to change your goal. Scowcroft says that doesn’t mean you “failed,” just that life changed your plans. Dwelling on any negativity won’t help your forward progress. Sharing your goals with a friend can also make it easier to reach them, Scowcroft says. “It really helps to have an accountability buddy,” she says. She suggests putting a regular “money date” with your friend on the calendar so you can ask each other how you’re doing, brainstorm any challenges or even budget together side-by-side . “It’s a fun excuse to meet up with a friend.” More From NerdWallet Kimberly Palmer writes for NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer. The article The Secret to Making Successful Financial New Year’s Resolutions originally appeared on NerdWallet .

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Pure Storage Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial ResultsA lawsuit filed by a conservative legal group against California voting officials takes aim at the state’s “make-it-easy” approach to voting. In May, Judicial Watch , on behalf of the Libertarian Party of California , sued California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and the state itself — and listed 27 registrars, including Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties — claiming that officials violated federal law between 2020 and 2022 by not adequately purging voting rolls of so-called irregular voters. Specifically, Judicial Watch argues that officials haven’t lived up to rules established by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the “motor voter” law aimed at making voter registration easier and voter rolls more accurate and up-to-date. Though the lawsuit doesn’t cite any evidence showing significant numbers of votes being illegally cast or counted — and no evidence exists to support widespread voter fraud — Judicial Watch argues that officials upped the odds for voter fraud by not expunging the names of irregular voters in the manner required under federal law. Purging ineligible voters from state voter rolls was a hot topic during the just concluded election season, sparking debates about ballot security and voter access. Conservative groups have fueled doubts of the legitimacy of recent elections, particularly after President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in 2020. And this year, prior to the November election in which Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump claimed without evidence that his opponents were engaged in cheating . One of the related efforts, taken up by conservative groups including the Republican National Committee , has been the challenge of voter roll maintenance. Robert Popper, an attorney for Judicial Watch, said the group has never alleged fraud in its lawsuits but that outdated voter rolls create opportunities for it. “The point isn’t fraud, but these removals do affect the potential for fraud in several ways,” he said. Popper argued that outdated registrations, such as those for people who have moved or died, open the door to potential voter fraud, including voter impersonation or double voting — both of which are felonies in California . “All of the opportunities for these kinds of fraud diminish when you conduct voter list maintenance and get rid of outdated registration,” Popper said. The problem Popper’s group hopes to stamp out is almost non-existent. In California, a state with about 22.6 million registered voters, there were 64 known cases of voter impersonation or double voting over the past two decades, according to research by the Heritage Foundation. Legal experts say the claim that counties are endangering election integrity by having more registered voters than voting-age citizens — a key to the Judicial Watch lawsuit — is based on flawed methodology. “It compares apples to oranges,” said Justin Levitt, a Loyola Law School professor. “It’s a little like complaining that your odometer doesn’t align with your speedometer — they exist to measure two different things.” Levitt also noted that leaving inactive voters on the rolls serves as a safeguard to make sure eligible voters aren’t removed by mistake. The specific complaints in the lawsuit regarding voter rolls for Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties in the lawsuit are as follows: Judicial Watch alleged Orange County is among 19 California counties that did not report any data about the number of voter registrations canceled from November 2020 to November 2022. According to a letter from the state Department of Justice, Orange County did report removing 77,691 voter registrations during that time. However, because the county couldn’t identify the exact number of voters removed who didn’t respond to notices asking them to confirm their address or those who hadn’t voted in two consecutive federal elections — a rule known as Section 8(d)(1)(B) of the NVRA — the registrar reported that the data was unavailable. That answer is consistent with the federal Election Administration and Voting Survey, which is conducted by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission as a way to gather data from election jurisdictions across the country. The federal voting survey allows counties to report certain data as “unavailable” if necessary and to provide an explanation why that is the case. That option explains why Orange County marked the data on the Section 8(d)(1)(B) removals as “unavailable.” Bob Page, the county registrar, said he cannot speak to the merits of the claims made by Judicial Watch since the county is not a direct party to the lawsuit. But he pointed to an explainer on the registrar’s website that details how the the office maintains its voter registration file. Page and Keith Bogardus, the chief assistant district attorney, also said in a briefing to reporters before Election Day that since Page took control of the office in 2022 there have been no cases of individuals prosecuted for trying to vote multiple times or impersonate other voters. It was the same situation in Riverside County , where the registrar was unable to determine the total number of removals under Section 8(d)(1)(B) using the county’s existing data system and reported that the data was unavailable. According to the justice department, the county estimated that during the two-year window listed in the lawsuit 750 voters were removed under Section 8(d)(1)(B). When reached for comment, Riverside County spokesperson Elizabeth Florer referred inquiries to the secretary of state’s office, which said it doesn’t comment on ongoing litigation to “protect the integrity” of the process. According to the justice department, San Bernardino County follows a “general program” of notifying inactive registrants under Section 8(d)(1)(B) and removes records when people move or sit out two consecutive elections or don’t contact the registrar to correct their address. In the 2020-2022 reporting period, however, the county was unable to remove registration records because it determined that its notices did not use the specific language required under the federal motor voter law. San Bernardino County, which has 1.2 million registered voters, issued more than 200,000 new notices in 2023, according to the justice department. When reached for comment, registrar spokesperson Melissa Eickman said the county cannot comment on the specific allegations contained in the lawsuit, but that the registrar is “in compliance with the law.” While the secretary of state’s office declined to comment for the story, it said in a letter sent Sept. 27 to all county clerks and registrars that mass challenges of voter eligibility recently submitted to election offices are “not authorized.” “First, we are well into the 90-day quiet period where such activities are prohibited,” the letter said, alluding to a blackout period mandated by federal law that limits when election officials can change their voter rolls unless a registrant requests asks to be removed. Another issue raised in the letter is that information submitted by any third party, including Judicial Watch, can’t be the sole reason to expunge a registered voter. Information submitted by a third party does not constitute a “removal at the request of the registrant,” the secretary of state’s office wrote. Levitt said private parties don’t have the ability to legally contest voter registration data that has been reported to the Election Assistance Commission. “Even if there’s been a violation of a mandate, that’s not the sort of thing that private parties can enforce,” he said. Popper said there should be no debate about his group’s claims in the lawsuit, which he said are “uncontroversial.” “We look at voter rolls every year .. and they should just be following the law,” he said. The state recently asked U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi to dismiss the case, a move that is typical in civil lawsuits. If that request is denied, Popper said his group will seek a settlement similar to deals it has struck in previous lawsuits. In 2019, Judicial Watch sued Los Angeles County over similar questions raised in the current legal tussle, and that litigation resulted in the state and county agreeing to purge more than 1 million inactive voter registrations. Related Articles

Trudeau told Trump Americans would also suffer if tariffs are imposed, a Canadian minister saysTALLAHASSEE — An appeals court Thursday upheld a circuit judge’s ruling that rejected five candidates for municipal offices in the Palm Beach County city of Riviera Beach because they used debit cards — instead of checks — to pay qualifying fees. A three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal issued a one-paragraph opinion that provided little explanation. But in a Dec. 12 ruling that blocked the five candidates, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Reid P. Scott cited a state law that requires qualifying fees to be paid with a “properly executed check drawn upon the candidate’s campaign account.” Scott wrote that the law “does not make an exception for the use of a debit card to pay the qualifying fee. The court finds that the plain language of the statute is clear and unambiguous.” Thursday’s appeals-court opinion shared by Judges Robert Gross, Spencer Levine and Jeffrey Kuntz cited a precedent in another election-qualifying case that said the law must be enforced “as written.” The rulings blocked mayoral candidates Kendrick Wyly and Kendra Wester and city council candidates Joseph J. Bedford, Sr., Madelene Irving-Mills and Douglas Lawson from running in March municipal elections. After a November qualifying period, other candidates challenged a decision by the city clerk that Wyly, Wester, Bedford, Irving-Mills and Lawson had properly qualified to appear on the ballot. Orlando’s top federal prosecutor touts surge in cases amid uncertain future The qualifying fee for the mayor race was $1,212, while the qualifying fee for the council races was $1,140, according to a brief filed in the appeals court by Mark Herron, an attorney for the five blocked candidates. In appealing Scott’s decision, Herron focused, in part, on another state law that allows political candidates to use debit cards to pay campaign expenses. Under that law, he wrote, debit cards are considered bank checks for such expenses. He wrote that the two laws — about paying qualifying fees and campaign expenses — need to be construed together. “Thus, payment of a candidate’s qualifying fees by a debit card linked to the candidate’s campaign account is authorized by Florida law,” Herron wrote. But attorney Dedrick Straghn, who represents the other candidates, filed a brief that drew a distinction between the two laws. That brief contended that campaign “expenditures and qualifying fees are not interchangeable.” “The Florida Election Code contains no explicit language allowing the use of debit cards as payment for qualifying fees,” Straghn wrote. “If this (appeals) court were to construe the Election Code allowing payment of the qualifying fee with debit cards in the absence of specific language, it would literally be legislating by reinserting the language. This is beyond the court’s power. Moreover, allowing such payments would undermine the statutory framework intended to ensure transparency, traceability, and immediate fund verification.” Straghn represents Mayor Ronnie Felder, Councilman Tradrick McCoy and council candidate Fercella Panier.US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, in push to get aid out before leaving office