US prosecutors have decided to drop the criminal prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump for his attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Special counsel Jack Smith, a top prosecutor in the long-running case, asked a federal judge in Washington on Monday, local time, to formally dismiss the indictment against Mr Trump, bowing to the reality that Department of Justice policy forbids pursuing prosecutions against sitting presidents. The request by Mr Smith was his final acknowledgement that after two years of courtroom drama, prosecutors will not be able to hold Mr Trump accountable for his efforts to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election as he prepares to re-enter the White House. The department’s policy that sitting presidents may not be prosecuted “is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the government’s proof or the merits of the prosecution, which the government stands fully behind,” Smith wrote. “Based on the department’s interpretation of the Constitution, the government moves for dismissal without prejudice of the superseding indictment.” Even in seeking a dismissal of the case, Smith’s filing held out the possibility that the charges could be refiled again after Mr Trump completes his term in office. But it is also possible that after he returns to the White House, Mr Trump could try to pardon himself to spare him from possible legal jeopardy in the future. Mr Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, said the decision to abandon the case represented “a win for the rule of law”. “The American people and President Trump want an immediate end to the political weaponisation of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” The Department of Justice had charged Mr Trump in August 2023, accusing him of pressuring state officials to change election results after Joe Biden clinched victory in the 2020 presidential race. The 78-year-old’s legal team filed numerous challenges, halting the proceedings for months and winning a broad ruling from the Supreme Court that granted the ex-president legal immunity for actions taken while they were in office. The case was one of two criminal indictments Mr Smith brought against Mr Trump last year; the other was the attempted prosecution of the ex-president for illegally handling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort after his time in the White House. A Floridian judge, appointed by Mr Trump, dismissed that case in July. That ruling is under appeal, and Mr Smith has until December 2 to decide if he will dismiss that case, too. Mr Trump will return to the White House in January after a sweeping election victory earlier in November. — with New York TimesA Newhall resident in his 80s who thought he was helping his grandson make bail was scammed out of $54,000 by a suspect who’s been the subject of a monthslong investigation by the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, according to court records obtained by The Signal. The victim, whom The Signal has chosen not to identify, received a phone call from a person who identified themselves as “James Royce,” which detectives believe to be an alias. The man said the victim’s grandson had been in a car collision and he was now incarcerated. Payment was required in order for the grandson to be released from custody. The victim was instructed to put cash in a box and leave it for a Lyft driver to pick up and deliver it back to a person who was pretending to be his grandson’s attorney. Between July 22 and July 23, three boxes with payment inside were handed to separate drivers, which were identified in a detective’s court statement as totaling $54,000. The victim later was able to contact his grandson and learned that he had not been in an accident nor was he facing incarceration. After receiving the theft report, station detectives began trying to figure out who ordered the Lyft deliveries for the packages in October, with mixed results. All of the drivers were tracked down by station detectives using a combination of security footage from gated Friendly Valley home where the victim lived, which is a senior-only community, and electronic records. However, the drivers appeared to have no knowledge of what was in the packages they were driving around, according to the investigating officer’s report. Station officials did not release any information about the suspect Tuesday, only indicating that an arrest had not been made at this time. Deputy Robert Jensen, spokesman for the SCV Sheriff’s Station, described the incident as both heartbreaking and an important cautionary tale for a number of reasons. The first thing he wanted to make sure people were aware of is that the Sheriff’s Department will never solicit for money over the phone, even though the suspect in this crime actually was pretending to be an attorney representing the victim’s grandson. Such claims are part of common scam techniques, he said. However, Jensen also said there are two ways people can check if their loved one might be in a custody situation that could require a family member’s help. The two ways to check LASD custody records, he said: online, through the Sheriff’s Department’s custody records website, a person can tell if a loved one is in jail by searching at app5.lasd.org; but the surest way is to call the station at 661-260-4000, Jensen said. Someone there is happy to walk a member of the public through the next steps or look up the name of someone who might be in custody, if a person isn’t computer-savvy. He also mentioned any call from a jail would be recorded and indicate that it’s from an inmate before the start of the call. It’s also unfortunate, he said, because with artificial intelligence tools now available to criminals, they can not only clone phone numbers and email addresses to trick people, but scammers are also able to make a call with what sounds like a loved one’s voice. “The Sheriff’s Department takes crimes against the elderly, vulnerable populations and dependent adults very seriously — and in many cases, they come with bail enhancements,” Jensen said, referring to holds that can keep suspects in custody while they await a court date. He also shared a public-information video posted by LASD officials January 2020 called “Scam school,” which focuses on spotting cybercrime, technology, and current criminal techniques from the perspective of fictional scam artist Phillip Shampford’s Scam Training, or “PSST.”

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan gave athletic director Warde Manuel a five-year contract extension Thursday on the heels of the Wolverines' upset over rival Ohio State and a strong start to the basketball season. Manuel, who has held the position since 2016, signed through June 30, 2030, the school announced. Manuel is also chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee. “During Warde’s tenure as director, Athletics has put a structure in place where our student-athletes compete for Big Ten and national championships, excel in the classroom, and proudly graduate with their University of Michigan degrees,” university President Santa J. Ono said in the announcement. Michigan had a disappointing football season, finishing 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten), but a 13-10 win over then-No. 2 Ohio State took some pressure off of the program. The Buckeyes were favored by 21 points, the widest point spread for the rivalry since 1978, according to ESPN Stats and Info. The Wolverines won the national championship last year in their final season led by coach Jim Harbaugh, whose tenure at the school involved multiple NCAA investigations for recruiting and sign-stealing allegations. Manuel supported Harbaugh through those processes. In basketball, the women's team made its season debut (No. 23) in the AP Top 25 this week. The men are 7-1 a season after firing coach Juwan Howard, who lost a school-record 24 games in 2023-24 as Michigan plummeted to a last-place finish in the Big Ten for the first time since 1967. Michigan has won 52 Big Ten championships since 2020. “Every day, I am thankful to work at this great institution and to represent Michigan Athletics," Manuel said in a statement. "I especially want to thank the student-athletes, coaches and staff who compete for each of our teams and who have helped us achieve unparalleled success athletically and academically. I am excited to continue giving back to a university that has provided me with so much over my career.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballJalen Hurts threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as Philadelphia outlasted upset-minded Carolina on Sunday while Minnesota routed Atlanta as both 11-2 teams neared an NFL playoff berth. Hurts completed 14-of-21 passes for 108 yards and ran eight times for 59 yards to hold off stubborn Carolina, which fell to 3-10. He scored on a 1-yard plunge early in the second quarter, connected with DeVonta Smith on a 4-yard touchdown pass 14 seconds before half-time for a 14-10 lead. After the Panthers grabbed the lead on Chuba Hubbard's 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, the Eagles answered with 75 seconds elapsed in the fourth quarter on a 4-yard Hurts touchdown pass to Grant Calcaterra and a 2-point conversion run by Saquon Barkley, who ran 20 times for 124 yards. At Minneapolis, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold completed 22-of-28 passes for 347 yards and five touchdown to power Minnesota over the Atlanta Falcons 42-21. The Vikings spoiled the return of ex-Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins, who threw for 344 yards but was intercepted twice. Minnesota needs losses by the Arizona Cardinals to Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams to Buffalo in later games to clinch a playoff berth. The Eagles need only an Arizona loss to secure their spot in the post-season. Later games also include the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) entertaining the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4). Tua Tagovailoa threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime to give the Miami Dolphins a 32-26 home triumph over the New York Jets. The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 10-3 as Russell Wilson threw for two touchdowns and Najee Harris ran for another in a 27-14 home victory over Cleveland. Baker Mayfield threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns to spark the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over visiting Las Vegas 28-13. Derek Carr threw for 219 yards and a touchdown as the New Orleans Saints edged the host New York Giants 14-11 while Tank Bigsby's 8-yard touchdown run with 6:46 remaining gave Jacksonville a 10-6 victory at Tennessee. js/bspThe Atlanta Braves were hard at work over the last five years, locking in as many of their homegrown stars as they could to long-term extensions. Unfortunately, there was one notable omission. Two-time All-Star starting pitcher Max Fried has spent his entire eight-year career in Atlanta, but recently hit free agency and declined the Braves' $21 million qualifying offer. And because their rotation is so deep behind him, Atlanta may be inclined to let Fried walk. Though the Braves are by no means a cheap organization, they've never been one for spending big on free-agent starting pitchers. They've got a solid crop of starters in-house, but one team that does not could be a solid bet to pick up Fried--the Baltimore Orioles. Tom Ruminski of The Score predicted recently that the Orioles would sign Fried after their own All-Star hurler, Corbin Burnes, signed elsewhere this winter. "The Orioles badly need to add a No. 1 starter with Burnes departing via free agency. With Kyle Bradish, who finished fourth in 2023 AL Cy Young voting, likely not returning until the end of next season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June, enter Max Fried," Ruminski said. "The two-time All-Star has posted a 2.87 ERA since 2021. Fried slots ahead of Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez to give Baltimore a solid top of the rotation to compete in the tough AL East." No team wants to lose a pitcher like Fried, who has three Gold Gloves, six career complete games, and a World Series ring to his name. But the Braves are better equipped to handle such a departure than most. If Baltimore is Fried's next destination, the Braves could take solace in the fact that he wouldn't face them until the World Series. Next, they'd have to determine who gets his spot in their 2025 rotation. More MLB: Proposed Phillies-Blue Jays blockbuster ships embattled $8M All-Star to Toronto

Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutions

By Anna Helhoski, NerdWallet The battle to get here was certainly an uphill one, but people are generally feeling better about the economy and their finances than they once did. On top of that, the economy has been easing into an ideal, Goldilocks-like position — not running too hot or cooling too quickly. Throughout 2024, consumer sentiment data showed people were fairly positive about the economy and their own finances, even if there’s remaining frustration over elevated prices compared to four years ago. Looking ahead, households are feeling more optimistic about their personal finances in the next year, as the share of those expecting to be in a better financial situation a year from now hit its highest level since February 2020. Combine positive personal vibes with a strong economic picture and it looks like 2024 wasn’t so bad for consumers, after all. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t bumps in the road or potential roadblocks ahead. To cap off the year, NerdWallet writers reflect on the top trends in personal finance and the economy this year — and what they think might be ahead in 2025. Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet’s economist What happened: In 2024, U.S. consumers have proven resilient following a period of high inflation and ongoing high interest rates. Wage growth has been strong, owing in part to rising productivity. This has driven robust spending throughout the year, which has kept the economy growing at a healthy pace. The labor market has remained steady, though cooler than 2023, and price growth continues to moderate towards the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation goal. What’s ahead: Barring significant changes to economic policy and significant shocks, the U.S. economy is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the coming year. Inflation will continue to moderate and the labor market will remain relatively healthy, all due in part to continued slow and deliberate rate cuts from the Fed. However, there are risks to this path. Higher tariffs and tighter immigration policies are likely, but the extent of these changes are yet unclear. The potential policy scenarios are many, and the economic outcomes complex. Increased tariffs are generally inflationary, and stricter immigration policies could impact the labor supply and economic growth. Consumers and small business owners with their eyes to the new year should focus on the things within their control. Margarette Burnette, consumer banking and savings writer What happened: High-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit offered elevated rates in 2024, rewarding savers with strong returns. Following the Federal Reserve rate cuts in the second half of the year, high-yield accounts had modest rate decreases, but they continued to outperform traditional savings accounts and CDs. What’s ahead: We’re watching for further Federal Reserve rate cuts, which could lead to more decreases in savings rates. Sara Rathner, credit cards writer What happened: Credit card debt levels hit record highs, with consumers turning to credit cards to pay for necessities. While the economy is doing well, many individuals have struggled to make ends meet, as incomes haven’t kept up with certain costs. What’s ahead: We may see some policy and regulation changes with the incoming administration that could affect folks when it comes to credit cards, debt and consumer protections. Ryan Brady, small business writer What happened : New businesses continued to blossom in 2024 as business applications remained well above pre-pandemic levels. Confidence in the future state of the U.S. economy also spiked after the presidential election, but that optimism was tempered by concerns over rising costs and labor quality. What’s ahead: All eyes are on the incoming administration as small-business owners brace for turbulence resulting from potential tariffs, tax policy changes and dismantled government regulations. We’re also watching the possibility of interest rate cuts in 2025 and small-business owners’ growing reliance on new technologies, such as AI. Holden Lewis, mortgages writer What happened: Home buyers struggled with elevated mortgage rates, rising house prices and a shortage of homes for sale. On top of that, a new rule required buyers to negotiate their agents’ commissions. What’s ahead: The Federal Reserve is expected to cut short-term interest rates, but mortgage rates might not necessarily fall by a similar amount. Buyers will probably have more properties to choose from, and the greater supply should keep prices from rising a lot. Interest rates on home equity loans and lines of credit should fall, making it less expensive to borrow to fix up homes — either to sell, or to make the home more comfortable and efficient. Sam Taube, investing writer What happened: The stock market had a great year. The S&P 500 is up more than 25% due to falling interest rates, fading recession fears, AI hype, and the possibility of lighter taxes and regulations under the new administration. Cryptocurrency also saw big gains in 2024; the price of Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 mark for the first time in December. What’s ahead: A lot depends on how fast the Fed reduces rates in 2025. Another key unknown is Trump’s second term. Regulatory rollbacks, such as those he has proposed for the banking industry, could juice stock prices — but they also could create systemic risks in the economy. His proposed tariffs could also hurt economic growth (and therefore stock prices). Finally, it remains to be seen whether trendy AI stocks, such as NVIDIA, can continue their momentum into next year. It’s the same story with crypto: How long will this bull market last? Caitlin Constantine, assistant assigning editor, insurance What happened: Many people saw their home and auto insurance premiums skyrocket in 2024. In some states, homeowners are finding it harder to even find policies in the first place. Meanwhile, life insurance rates have started to decrease post-pandemic. We also saw more insurers offering online-only policies that don’t require a medical exam. What’s ahead: Auto and home insurance costs will likely continue to rise, although auto premiums may not rise as dramatically as they have over the past few years. And if you’re in the market for life insurance, expect to see competitive life insurance quotes and more customizable policies. Eliza Haverstock, student loans writer What happened: Borrowers received historic student loan relief, but lawsuits derailed an income-driven repayment plan used by 8 million whose payments are indefinitely paused. Uncertainty will carry into 2025 as a result of the presidential administration change. What’s ahead: Trump has pledged to overhaul higher education and rein in student loan relief. The fate of the SAVE repayment plan, student loan forgiveness options, FAFSA processing and more remain in the balance. Meghan Coyle, assistant assigning editor, travel What happened: People are willing to pay more for big and small luxuries while traveling, and airlines and hotels are taking note. Many airlines raised checked bag fees early in 2024, credit card issuers and airlines invested in renovated airport lounges, and major hotel companies continued to add luxury properties and brands to their loyalty programs. What’s ahead: Southwest will say goodbye to its open seating policy and introduce new extra-legroom seats, a major departure for the airline. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will unveil a unified loyalty program in 2025. Spirit Airlines may attempt to merge with another airline again after its 2024 bankruptcy filing and two failed mergers under President Biden’s administration. Travelers will find that they’ll have to pay a premium to enjoy most of the upgrades airlines and hotels are making. Laura McMullen, assistant assigning editor, personal finance What happened: This year, dynamic pricing expanded beyond concerts and travel to online retailers and even fast-food restaurants. This practice of prices changing based on real-time supply and demand received plenty of backlash from consumers and prompted the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how companies use consumers’ data to set prices. What’s ahead: Beyond an expansion of dynamic pricing — perhaps with added oversight — expect subscription models to become more prevalent and demand for sustainable products to grow. Shannon Bradley, autos writer What happened: New-car prices held steady in 2024 but remained high after a few years of sharp increases — the average new car now sells for about $48,000, and for the first time ever the price gap between new and used cars surpassed $20,000 (average used-car prices are now slightly more than $25,000). Overall, the car market returned to being in the buyer’s favor, as new-car inventories reached pre-pandemic levels, manufacturer incentives began making a comeback and auto loan interest rates started to decline. What’s ahead: The future of the car market is uncertain and depends on policies implemented by the incoming administration. Questions surround the impact of possible tariffs on car prices, whether auto loan rates will continue to drop, and if federal tax credits will still be available for electric vehicle buyers. Jackie Veling, personal loans writer What happened: Buy now, pay later continued to be a popular payment choice for U.S. shoppers, even while facing headwinds, like an interpretive ruling from the CFPB (which determined BNPL should be regulated the same as credit cards) and Apple’s discontinuation of its popular Apple Pay Later product. Large players like Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay continued to offer interest-free, pay-in-four plans at most major retailers, along with long-term plans for larger purchases. What’s ahead: Though more regulation had been widely anticipated in 2025, the change in administration suggests the CFPB will play a less active role in regulating BNPL products. For this reason, and its continued strength in the market, BNPL will likely keep growing. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Easing inflation was a bright spot in 2024. In June, the consumer price index fell below 3% for the first time in three years. Consumers saw prices level off or decline for many goods, including for groceries, gas and new and used vehicles. But prices haven’t fallen far enough or broadly enough to relieve the pinch many households feel. What’s ahead: The new and higher tariffs proposed by the Trump administration could reignite inflation on a wide range of goods. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Rent prices remain high, but annual rent inflation slowed significantly compared to recent years, staying around 3.5% for much of 2024, according to Zillow, a real estate website that tracks rents. A wave of newly constructed rental units on the market seems to be helping ease competition among renters and forcing landlords to offer better incentives for signing a lease. What’s ahead: If it continues, a softening rental market could work in renters’ favor. But construction is one of several industries that could see a shortage of workers if the Trump administration follows through on its promise to deport undocumented immigrants. A shortage of workers would mean fewer houses and apartments could be built. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: After a contentious presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump declared victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to lower inflation, cut taxes, enact tariffs, weaken the power of the Federal Reserve, deport undocumented immigrants and more. Many economists have said Trump’s proposals, if enacted, would likely be inflationary. In Congress, Republicans earned enough seats to control both houses. What’s ahead: It’s unclear which campaign promises Trump will fulfill on his own and with the support of the new Congress. He has promised a slew of “day one” actions that could lead to higher prices, including across-the-board tariffs and mass deportations. Most recently, Trump pledged to enact 20% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff on China. He has also promised to extend or make permanent the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; many of its provisions expire by the end of 2025. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: Fiscal year 2023-2024’s funding saga finally came to an end in March, then six months later, the battle to fund the fiscal year 2024-2025 began. The Biden Administration waged its own war against junk fees . Antitrust enforcers pushed back against tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta; prevented the Kroger-Albertsons merger; nixed the Jet Blue-Spirit Airlines merger; and moved to ban noncompete agreements. The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as a challenge to abortion pill access. SCOTUS also overruled its landmark Chevron case, which means every federal regulatory agency’s power to set and enforce its own rules are now weaker. What’s ahead: The election’s red sweep means the GOP will control the executive and legislative branches of government. They’ll face the threat of at least one more potential government shutdown; a debt ceiling drama comeback; and the beginning of the debate over extending or making permanent provisions of the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. More From NerdWallet Anna Helhoski writes for NerdWallet. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @AnnaHelhoski. The article What Trended in Personal Finance in 2024? originally appeared on NerdWallet .Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel gets 5-year contract extension

Calgary, Alberta–(Newsfile Corp. – December 5, 2024) – Olympia Financial Group Inc. (TSX: OLY) announces that its Board of Directors has declared a monthly cash dividend on its common shares of $0.60 per common share. The dividend will be payable on December 31, 2024, to shareholders on record as at December 18, 2024. The ex-dividend date is also December 18, 2024. Olympia Financial Group Inc. designates the entire amount of this taxable dividend to be an “eligible dividend” for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended from time to time. Please contact your tax advisor if you have any questions with regards to the designation of the eligible dividend. About Olympia Financial Group Inc. Olympia Financial Group Inc. (“OFGI”) conducts most of its operations through its subsidiary Olympia Trust Company, a non-deposit taking trust company. Olympia Trust Company is licensed to conduct trust activities in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Olympia Trust Company administers self-directed registered plan accounts, corporate trust, and transfer agency services. OFGI also provides currency exchange and global payment services through its subsidiary Olympia Currency and Global Payments Inc., and offers private health services plans and information technology services to exempt market dealers, registrants, and issuers through its subsidiary Olympia Benefits Inc. OFGI’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “OLY”. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232715 #distroElon Musk entertains idea of buying MSNBC

Sukhbir’s ‘tankhah’: Akal Takht key meet on December 2

The Constitution still thrives, let it show India the wayVikings, Eagles win and move nearer to clinching playoff spots

Lead Plaintiff Deadline in The Toronto-Dominion Bank Class Action is Quickly Approaching – Contact Shareholder Rights Law Firm Robbins LLP for InformationSAN DIEGO, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins LLP reminds investors that a class action was filed on behalf of all persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Marqeta, Inc. (NASDAQ: MQ) securities between August 7, 2024 and November 4, 2024. Marqeta creates digital payment technology for innovation leaders. For more information, submit a form , email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003. The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that Marqeta, Inc. (MQ) Failed to Disclose the Impact of Regulatory Scrutiny on its Business Prospects According to the complaint, during the class period, defendants failed to disclose that Marqeta understated the regulatory challenges affecting its business outlook and therefore, would have to cut its guidance for the fourth quarter of 2024. The complaint alleges that on November 4, 2024, Marqeta announced third quarter 2024 financial results and revised its fourth quarter projections to "reflect[] several changes that became apparent over the last few months with regards to the heightened scrutiny of the banking environment and specific customer program changes." The complaint further alleges that Marqeta's CEO and CFO actually knew of the heightened regulatory scrutiny affecting the Company's business from the beginning of the year, which they revealed in connection with the November 4 announcement. On this news, Marqeta’s stock price fell $2.53 per share, or 42.5%, to close at $3.42 per share on November 5, 2024. What Now : You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Marqeta, Inc. Shareholders who want to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their application to the court by February 7, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here . All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. About Robbins LLP : A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. To be notified if a class action against Marqeta, Inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/53e69218-456a-4e86-81b7-b14619b1f825

Mike Tyson Family Make Statement About His Boxing Future

Non-release of fund: RG reps threaten to stage protest MANSEHRA: The chairmen of village and neighbourhood councils on Sunday warned the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of street protests if it failed to release development funds across the province. “The government has recently released funds to only 51 tehsil councils across the province, where Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairmen were elected in the local government elections held three years ago,” Basharat Ali Swati, the general secretary of Local Bodies Ittehad, told reporters here. Flanked by other office-bearers of the Ittehad, he said a meeting of village and neighbourhood councils was held in Mansehra. The meeting decided to launch street protests if the provincial government did not release funds to 4,211 villages and neighbourhood councils across the province. “The government has discriminated against tehsil chairmen from other political parties, as 80 tehsil councils are still deprived of these funds,” Swati added. He explained that the meeting, attended by chairmen of village and neighbourhood councils from various parts of the district, decided on the agitation plan if development funds were not released. “We are in constant contact with our provincial body in Peshawar, which is scheduled to meet today (Monday) to finalise our future course of action,” Swati said.The mighty caste system: Part - II It is believed that reservation is only opportunity Scheduled Castes have to break into mainstream Roy believes the statistics Singh cited may be flawed, but are unlikely to be drastically flawed. She notes, “They are a quarter of a century old now. Some new census-based information would help, but is unlikely to be forthcoming because the government is not interested in including caste in the census.” It is a common complaint of the Dalits that they don’t get justice from the courts. Roy, while citing a study, reveals 47 per cent of all Indian Supreme Court chief justices between 1950 and 2000 were Brahmins. “During the same period, 40 per cent of the associate justices in the high courts and lower courts were Brahmin.” It is not only some surveys that make such claims but a report by the Backward Classes Commission also revealed in 2007 that 37.17 per cent of the Indian bureaucracy was made up of Brahmins. “Most of them occupied the top posts.” The Indian media has also been dominated by upper-caste Hindus. Perhaps it was this reason that forced Ambedkar to say in 1945 that the 'Untouchables have no press'. He bitterly complained, “The Congress Press is closed to them and is determined not to give them the slightest publicity.” It is asserted that in the past the staff of the Associated Press in India, which is the main news distributing agency in India, was entirely drawn from the Madras Brahmins. Dalits claim that indeed the whole of the press in India had been in Brahmin hands in the past because they were Congress supporters and they didn’t allow any news hostile to Congress to get publicity. Roy quotes a 2006 survey by the CSDS on the social profile of New Delhi's media elite. She notes, “Of the 315-key decision-makers surveyed from thirty-seven Delhi-based Hindi and English publications and television channels, almost 90 per cent of the decision-makers in the English language print media and 79 per cent in television were found to be 'upper caste'. Of them, 49 per cent were Brahmins. Not one of the 315 was a Dalit or an Adivasi; only 4.0 per cent belonged to castes designated as Shudra, and 3.0 per cent were Muslim (who make up 13.4 per cent of the population). Of the four most important English national dailies, three are owned by Vaishyas and one by a Brahmin family concern.” She notes that caste is also visible in the South Indian media landscape. “In southern India, caste manifests itself somewhat differently. For example, the Eenadu Group – which owns newspapers, the largest film city in the world and a dozen TV channels, among other things – is headed by Ramoji Rao of the Kamma peasant caste of Andhra Pradesh, which bucks the trend of Brahmin-Bania ownership of Big Media.” India witnessed several riots and protests over the issue of reservations in universities and for jobs in state-run bodies for those who belong to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It is believed that reservation is the only opportunity Scheduled Castes have to break into the mainstream. But unfortunately, the policy does not apply to Dalits who have converted to other religions but continue to face discrimination. Even benefitting from this reservation is very difficult for Dalits because to be eligible for the reservation policy, a Dalit needs to have completed high school but 71.3 per cent of Scheduled Caste students drop out before they matriculate, which means that even for low-end government jobs, the reservation policy only applies to one in every four Dalits. The minimum qualification for a white-collar job is a graduate degree. According to the 2001 Census, only 2.24 per cent of the Dalit population are graduates. But detractors of Dalits assert that the liberalisation of the economy has provided ample opportunities to everyone. They assert it is because of this that Vaisyas, despite being low in the social hierarchy, made it to the list of richest Indians. But Roy believes this didn’t benefit Dalits, who constitute an overwhelming majority among India's poor. “In a nation of 1.2 billion, more than 800 million people live on less than Rs20 a day. A list of dollar billionaires published by Forbes magazine a few years ago, features 55 Indians. The novelist noted the figures, naturally, are based on revealed wealth. “Even among these dollar billionaires, the distribution of wealth is a steep pyramid in which the cumulative wealth of the top ten outstrips the forty-five below them. Seven out of those top ten are Vaishyas, all of them CEOs of major corporations with business interests all over the world. Of the remaining forty-five, nineteen are Vaishyas too. The rest are for the most part Parsis, Bohras and Khatris (all mercantile castes) and Brahmins. There are no Dalits or Adivasis in this list.” So, it seems that industrialisation in India didn’t bring the much-vaunted social reforms that could have put an end to social hierarchy based on caste and religion. It is also interesting to note that, while the Western bourgeoisie was anti-clergy and progressive, the business classes of the largest democracy are still very superstitious. From wedding dates to the inauguration of new projects, they are said to be heavily dependent on semi-literate religious leaders. The Western bourgeoisie deprived the priests of political clout but the Indian bourgeoisie brought Yogi Adityanath into the power corridors of Lucknow by gifting him the crown of India’s most populous province. They also fund several religious places besides bankrolling a number of mystics with a medieval mindset. Perhaps the Indian bourgeoisie believes that the inhuman religious and social hierarchy was one of the factors fueling their wealth which is why they don’t want to abolish this archaic system. They are trying to create an impression that this system is also open to the Dalits whose chamber of commerce is believed to be financed by upper-caste Hindu capitalists. But many among the Dalits believe that without radical change, emancipation is not possible. The solution doesn’t lie in enriching a few Dalits but in breaking the shackles created in the name of religion. They also dismiss top government posts that are sometimes given to Dalits, arguing that until structural reforms are carried out, nothing will change. Many Dalit leaders believe that such change can only be brought through a violent revolution which can end Brahmin domination and capitalist supremacy. Concluded The writer is a freelance journalist who can be reached at: egalitarianism444@gmail.com

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin will make his 700 th career NHL game when he takes the ice against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday at Wells Fargo Center. Hanifin, in his first full season with the Golden Knights, scored 65 goals with 232 assists in his 10 NHL seasons. “He’s calm out there. He’s got good composure. He doesn’t get rattled and plays a lot of minutes for us. Plays in all situations. I think he knows what he is,’ Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “He’s a guy that can really use his feet to help him in many areas of the game. ... He wants to initiate. I like that about Noah. Every play, he wants to be involved. He wants to make something happen. You got to be careful with that when your feet are that good that you don’t chase the game. He’s done a good job letting the game come to him most nights.” About the Flyers The Flyers come into the game off a 3-2 overtime victory on Nov. 23 against the Chicago Blackhawks. Philadelphia is 9-10-2 on the season. “They’re more grinder [team]. They work really hard,” Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl said. “They don’t leave any pucks behind. It’ll definitely be a tough game. They’re more straightforward: forecheck hard and grind it.” The Flyers are a gritty team that will attempt to clog the shooting lanes and block shots. Cassidy said the team has to be aware of this and not get frustrated when shots are going through. “They’re a hard-working team. They’re a team that works hard to block shots. The preparation today is you got to create your shooting lanes,” Cassidy said. “You got to hang around the front of the net. There are going to be opportunities. You’re going to get frustrated because they do a good job.” Paul Delos Santos is the Las Vegas sports insider for Dice City Sports. Follow him on X at @PaulDelos_ . This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks fired coach Luke Richardson on Thursday, signaling their frustration with the state of the franchise's rebuilding project. Chicago has dropped four in a row to fall to an NHL-worst 8-16-2 on the season. It was outscored 41-27 while going 3-9-1 in its last 13 games. Anders Sorensen was elevated to interim coach. Sorensen had been coaching the team's top minor league affiliate in Rockford. “Today I made the difficult decision to move on from Luke as our head coach,” general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. “We thank him for his efforts and contributions to the organization and our community. As we have begun to take steps forward in our rebuilding process, we felt that the results did not match our expectations for a higher level of execution this season and ultimately came to the decision that a change was necessary.” Chicago had expected to be more competitive in Richardson's third season. It signed Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, Alec Martinez and Craig Smith on a busy first day of free agency this summer. It also had Connor Bedard coming back for his second season after winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year. But Bertuzzi and Teravainen have struggled, and Martinez has been hampered by injuries. Bertuzzi has five goals and five assists in 26 games going into Saturday's matchup with Winnipeg. Teravainen has three goals and two assists in his last 21 games. Of course, the most important player for Chicago is the 19-year-old Bedard — and it's his lack of production that likely led to Richardson's dismissal. While the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft has shown some positive developmental signs, the young center has struggled offensively. Bedard stopped a 12-game drought when he scored in a 6-2 victory against Dallas on Nov. 27. He has five goals and 14 assists in 26 games after he had 11 goals and 10 assists at the same point last season. “We're not happy with the record, for sure,” Richardson said after his last game, a 4-2 loss to Boston on Wednesday night. "The guys are trying to work within the system and the right way and unfortunately, like I said before, we don't seem to have one kind of Achilles' heel. There's not one problem with our team. “It's like one night there's one area — maybe our defense or our forward or one player — and the next night it's another area, like a different player.” While Chicago has been plagued by a variety of problems, it's clear that offense is its biggest issue. It is averaging 2.42 goals per game, ranked No. 31 in the NHL ahead of only Nashville going into Thursday night's games. The Blackhawks finished with a league-low 178 goals last season. Richardson, 55, had a 57-118-15 record in Chicago. The former NHL defenseman was an assistant on Montreal’s coaching staff when he was hired by the Blackhawks in June 2022 . When Dominique Ducharme was diagnosed with COVID-19 during the 2021 playoffs, Richardson took over as coach for six games and helped lead the Canadiens to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1993. Sorensen, 49, is a familiar face for many of the Blackhawks. He was originally hired by the organization as a development coach ahead of the 2013-14 season. He has a 117-89-16-7 record in 229 career AHL games as a head coach, all with Rockford. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl