Markets Decline In Early Trade Amid Unabated Foreign Fund Outflows, Weak Global TrendsNEW YORK — An NYPD unit initially tasked with tackling quality-of-life complaints across the city has exploded in size but remains a shadow group within the department without any publicly defined parameters or mission statement, the city’s Department of Investigation said in a Tuesday report. While the NYPD’s Community Response Team has been repeatedly hailed on social media for cracking down on illegal street vendors, ghost cars and dirt bike and ATV riders over the last two years, the group isn’t mentioned on the department’s website, DOI investigators discovered. Nor is it easy to determine if or to what extent the group’s crackdowns actually help the communities they’re assisting — even though the team has grown tenfold in the past two years, the report notes. “CRT has expanded significantly, with a team in every patrol borough, without a corresponding expansion of publicly available information about the work of this unit,” DOI Inspector General Jeanene Barrett said Tuesday, adding that the unit’s lack of transparency “risks noncompliance with the law, ethical breaches and negative policing outcomes.” The DOI recommended that the NYPD immediately release a mission statement for the amorphous group on the department website, as well as information on how the department recruits and trains CRT members and evaluates team performance. “The creation of public policies and procedures [will] enhance knowledge of and confidence in CRT’s mission, as well as facilitate future oversight,” Barrett said. The report was the first phase of a continuing investigation of CRT, DOI officials noted. The next phase will concern how many CRT members have been disciplined or are facing discipline. The CRT was initially formed in 2022 by NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, Chief of Patrol John Chell and Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry as a citywide unit “intended to respond to rising numbers of quality-of-life complaints from elected officials and community members,” according to the report. At first, it was considered a pilot program with 16 officers and two sergeants focused on combating illegal cannabis trucks, ghost cars (cars with altered or forged license plates) and unlicensed street vendors. But, over the last two years, the team has ballooned to 165 members and now operates in every borough, the DOI said. Initially, the team — nicknamed the “khaki boys” for their modified uniforms, which include khaki cargo pants and shirts with the NYPD logo on them — was considered “ragtag” by one senior NYPD official for “its informal nature and lack of official status within the department,” the report noted. Unit members were in a pilot program staffed by members who were not formally assigned to CRT, but were asked to conduct CRT operations two or three times a week. Today, the unit operates in all five boroughs and has its own unit commander. Yet, still very little is publicly disclosed about how the unit is run, what they’re tasked with doing, and how successful they are. The recruitment procedures for the team are just as vague, the report said, noting that “there had not been an official recruitment process for CRT.” “According to members, some officers applied, were interviewed and were temporarily transferred into the unit to see if they were a good fit,” the report states. “Other officers worked with a member of CRT before joining, which enabled them to join the unit without an interview.” While unit leaders said their members are sent to communities with high numbers of 311 calls for quality-of-life concerns, the CRT doesn’t have a mechanism to see if the 311 calls decreased or increased following one of their operations. Anecdotally, DOI investigators were told by the CRT members they interviewed that communities are “applauding the work of CRT officers in public, including approaching CRT leadership and officers to say thank you.” Yet the DOI also met with “several community advocacy and violence interrupter groups who reported instances of intimidation, questionable stops by CRT, and fear of CRT by community members,” the report states, noting that investigators were “unable to speak with a fully representative sample of community members impacted by CRT’s work.” One of the biggest supporters of CRT is Daughtry, who repeatedly cheers the unit’s work on X. But even then, the successes Daughtry applauds vary wildly. On Monday alone, Daughtry hailed CRT’s crackdown on illegal street vendors on Sixth Ave. in Manhattan, then applauded three CRT members for arresting a man who pulled a gun on them in the Bronx. “Our officers in their unmarked police vehicle observed a group of men drinking alcohol on a street in the middle of the afternoon. As they watched them, one male looked at the car and asked our officers if they had a problem, removed a loaded firearm and held the gun in front of his waistband,” Daughtry wrote on X. “Our officers jumped out with their guns drawn and immediately apprehended the suspect and recovered his deadly weapon.” Daughtry said the arrest “marks the 100th gun your Citywide Community Response Team has removed from NYC streets this year.” The DOI sent a copy of its report to the NYPD on Nov. 7. The department has 90 days to respond to the report once it’s publicly released, a DOI spokeswoman said. “We thank the DOI for its review of the policies and procedures relating to the Community Response Team,” an NYPD spokesman said. “We look forward to reviewing the report and carefully considering its recommendations.” Meanwhile, Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Mayor Eric Adams, said the CRT Unit’s mission, basically, “is the same as that of all NYPD officers.” “Our Community Response Teams were created to rapidly address New Yorkers’ concerns about safety and have been effective since day one — the report doesn’t call any of that into question,” she said. “While we are still reviewing the report, CRT’s mission is the same as that of all NYPD officers, starting with listening to the community and addressing their needs. CRT members — along with the entire NYPD — work every day to improve life in New York City by partnering with the community to enforce laws, keep the peace, reduce fear and maintain order.” ------- ©2024 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday nominated Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the US ambassador to France, in the latest of several controversial picks. Kushner "is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests," Trump said on his Truth Social website, adding that Jared "worked closely with me in the White House." Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

The county was left with no Conservative MPs for the first time in recent history, after losing their seats in Banbury, Witney, Didcot and Wantage, as well as Henley and Thame. While the Labour party won by a landslide nationally, the Lib Dems were the major winners in Oxfordshire. READ MORE: Marcham crash driver jailed after killing three teens Henley and Thame had been represented by a Conservative MP for 114 years until it turned Lib Dem in the general election. Freddie van Mierlo, the new Lib Dem MP, said: “It has been an historic year for Henley and Thame and after more than 100 years of Conservative representation, the constituency has elected a Lib Dem MP. (Image: Newsquest) “For the first time since 1777, Oxfordshire no longer has a Conservative MP. “It is an honour to represent such an incredible part of the country, and I am committed to rebuilding trust in politics that has been severely damaged over the past 14 years. “Transparency, accountability, and responsiveness are my priorities. “I want to be the constituency dedicated MP Henley and Thame has lacked. “I hold regular public surgeries by appointment, and I am working hard to help residents on individual cases.” Long-standing Conservative MP Victoria Prentis, who had represented Banbury since 2015, lost her seat to the Labour candidate Sean Woodcock. (Image: Sean Woodcock) Reflecting on his win, Mr Woodcock MP said: “4 July shows how badly the Conservative Party lost the trust of people even in their previous heartlands. “They crashed the economy leaving us with low growth, rising national debt, and a £22bn black hole in the public finances. “By the time they left office, the NHS waiting list was at 7.6 million. And they lost control of our borders with immigration at nearly one million last year. Alongside the worst housing crisis in generations. Since July, they’ve shown no signs of learning from the result; doubling down on stuff that is irrelevant to the majority of the population.” Lib Dem MP Calum Miller became the first ever MP for the newly created constituency, Bicester and Woodstock. (Image: Charlotte Coles, Newsquest) He said: “Since July, it has been an immense honour to serve as your MP. “I’ve enjoyed the privilege of attending dozens of events and meeting hundreds of residents. I have spoken with many of you about the challenges you face. “My team and I have tried to help directly. “I’ve also raised with Ministers your many concerns including flooding, provision for children with SEND, access to health and social care and funding rural transport. “Next year, I’m committed to ensuring the needs of our area are heard in government.” Anneliese Dodds retained her seat in Oxford East and was appointed to Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, as well as Minister for Women and Equalities in the Department of Education. (Image: Contribution.) She said: "People in Oxford East were desperate for change – so that's what Labour has been delivering. “Living costs are sky high here, so we’ve boosted the Minimum and National Living Wage. “The new government is also funding 40,000 more NHS appointments a week, supporting public investment (including for East-West rail), put in new Respect Orders and measures against domestic violence and knife crime; launched Great British Energy to deliver green power and is setting up pilot free breakfast club schools. “And there’s much more to come with our Plan for Change set out earlier this month". Charlie Maynard, newly elected MP for Witney, David Cameron’s former constituency, said: “I’m loving being your MP, thank you so much for voting for me. “By far the hardest task has been building a team from zero after the election. That is now done. (Image: Miranda Norris) “I have a fantastic, experienced team who are an enormous help both to constituents and to me. “Over the last few months I’ve also been helped by a lots of volunteers who stepped in at very short notice to help set things up and I will be forever be grateful to them. “I am hard at work on the issues that you elected me on. I’ve just been asked to join the committee on the Water Bill which is making its way through parliament. “I am working with district and county colleagues both to bring more health services into Witney from Oxford and to rebuild the railway line between Oxford, Eynsham, Witney and Carterton to help mitigate our dire transport and housing problems. “I’ve been elected on the business and trade select committee and am pushing for policies which will get our economy growing again, funding our public services and bringing down the exorbitant cost of living.” Lib Dem MP Layla Moran retained her seat in Oxford West and Abingdon, while Lib Dem Olly Glover gained the Didcot and Wantage seat from the Conservatives.Muscat: The highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) of OQ Base Industries (OQBI) (Under Transformation) began on Sunday and will remain open for five days for retail investors and eight days for institutional investors. This Islamic Sharia compliant IPO, that marks a pivotal milestone in OQBI’s journey, offers approximately 1.7 billion shares, representing 49% of OQBI’s total issued share capital, with a projected value exceeding OMR180 million. OQ Base Industries is the fourth company from OQ Group to launch an IPO, transitioning into a publicly-listed company. This initiative is part of the group’s broader strategy to support Oman’s economic diversification, attract investment, and advance Oman Vision 2040 goals. The plan focuses on converting state-owned assets into publicly traded companies, fostering private sector participation, promoting sustainable growth, and enhancing the capital market by boosting liquidity and investor appeal at both local and international levels. Engineer Ali Mohammed Al-Lawati, Chief People & Technology Officer of OQ Group and Chairman of OQBI, emphasised the offering’s importance, stating, “This IPO reflects our commitment to enhancing Oman’s economic policies and solidifying the Muscat Stock Exchange as a dynamic emerging market attractive to global investors.” He further highlighted that, with this IPO, OQ Group has completed the divestment of four companies over the past two years, transitioning them into publicly- listed companies. Al Lawati also noted that OQBI plays a vital role in enhancing Omani exports and supplying essential raw materials to global industries, adding that the IPO positions the company for future growth, aligned with OQ Group’s vision for the energy sector. Building on this, Khalid Khalfan Al-Asmi, CEO of OQBI, described the IPO as a unique opportunity. “Investors are being offered a chance to participate in a company with robust foundations and a proven track record of success,” he said. To familiarise the public with the IPO, OQBI is organising six roadshows in collaboration with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ahmed Suleiman Al-Kindi, International Cooperation Expert at Muscat Clearing and Depository Company (MCDC), highlighted MCDC’s role in supporting OQ Base Industries’ IPO roadshows across various governorates. He emphasized the importance of obtaining an investor number as a prerequisite for participating in subscription and investment activities on the Muscat Stock Exchange. Al-Kindi noted that the roadshows play a key role in raising awareness about the registration process and empowering investors with the knowledge required to navigate equity investments effectively. These sessions, scheduled from Sunday, November 24, to Thursday, November 28, are designed to provide a detailed overview of the public offering. The schedule includes: Sunday: South Al Batinah Governorate at Rustaq OCCI Monday: Ash Sharqiyah North Governorate at Ibra’s OCCI, and in Muscat Governorate at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tuesday: Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate at Nizwa OCCI, Wednesday: Al Batinah North Governorate at Sohar OCCI Thursday: Dhofar Governorate at Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah. These meetings underscore OQBI’s commitment to transparency and engaging potential investors from across Oman, paving the way for an inclusive and impactful IPO process.

LSU 109, UCF 102, 3OT

LSU 109, UCF 102, 3OTThe streets of Tucson have recently been filled with an unexpected sight: groups of people dancing in complete silence as they loop downtown. Welcome to the world of Silent Adventures, a quirky yet captivating combination of the trendy silent disco paired with a walk through downtown Tucson with the vibes and feeling of a discotheque. Silent discos — where participants, usually in a venue of some sort, don wireless headphones to listen to music, leaving the surrounding area blissfully quiet — have found a home in Tucson. Silent Adventures Tucson provides the music, headphones and everything needed for a unique way to experience a walk through downtown Tucson. “Silent discos are perfect for Tucson,” said co-organizer Aria Levin. “We have this fantastic combination of beautiful weather, outdoor space and a love for music. It’s a way to bring people together without disturbing the peace of our city.” The experience begins with attendees picking their adventure through Silent Adventures’ website . While most of the tours are ticketed, some are free for the public. The adventures are 60 minutes long, open to all ages and include different themes for each adventure like “Disney or (an) early 2000s theme,” Levin added. After picking your adventure and showing up, attendees pick up their headphones from the group organizers before being led on a guided tour of downtown Tucson while dancing along the way and being shown specific dances by the guide. “All the music centers around the theme of the adventure,” Levin said. “It’s the most fun game of ‘follow the leader’ we can do. Whoever is leading the adventure has a microphone that projects into the headphones and they will give dance moves for the group to do as we’re going along the mile loop.” While on the tour, the group also stops along the way to do fun activities like a dance-off, fashion show and “other silly things that keep the party alive,” Levin added. The tour ends at the same spot it started, and the adventures take place in the afternoons so attendees can explore more of downtown or grab dinner when they are done. For many, the allure of silent discos lies in the freedom they provide, Levin added. Without the loud thumping bass or shouting over the noise of a traditional nightclub, people can dance as they please, socialize without screaming or simply enjoy the music at a comfortable volume. The flexibility also makes these events family-friendly, and they’ve quickly gained popularity among diverse crowds ranging from college students to families with young kids and even to older dance enthusiasts. The adventures are 60 minutes long, open to all ages and include different themes for each adventure like “Disney or (an) early 2000s theme,” Levin added. “It’s really fun when we have kids and families on the adventures. We keep it very fun for everyone,” Levin said. “With our themed adventures, we want to get as many groups of people out as possible.” Silent Adventures started in Scotland by two DJs and quickly expanded throughout Europe. After Levin’s co-organizer, Bridget Gee, attended an adventure in summer 2023, she knew she wanted to bring the adventures to Tucson. Gee got together with Levin and organized with Silent Adventures founders to bring the experience to the United States. Tucson is the first location in the U.S. for Silent Adventures. “I think Tucson is embracing it because it fits into our laid-back, community-focused culture,” Levin said. “People are excited about trying something new, and the silent disco allows for a more personal experience.” Upcoming adventures include a free dance, rage-therapy adventure Saturday, Nov. 23 at 3 p.m., followed by a ticketed ‘80s- and ‘90s-themed adventure at 4:30 p.m. To check for other adventures, visit their website or keep up with them on Instagram . In December, Silent Adventures will also be hosting tours in Winterhaven for the neighborhood’s annual Festival of Lights. “It’s so fun doing adventures in Winterhaven,” Levin said. “We have a fun Christmas playlist, we dance through Winterhaven and it’s a fun new way to experience Winterhaven especially if you’ve been before.” Silent Adventures also rents out their equipment to people who want stationary silent discos for birthday parties, wedding celebrations and more. “Our goal with starting Silent Adventures in Tucson was to bring good sober family fun to the Tucson community,” Levin said. “It’s such a different experience and people always tell us it’s a unique and fun way to experience a city tour.” With the success of silent discos in Tucson, it seems likely that the trend will continue to grow, potentially becoming a fixture in the city’s already diverse scene. Whether it’s a low-key Disney dance party with the kids or an all-out rave with friends, Tucson’s Silent Adventures is showing no signs of slowing down. For now, the rhythm of Tucson’s disco dancers pulses in the silence — every beat felt, but never heard. CMOV@TC has indoor and outdoor exhibits with daily activities and programming for kids and families that mesh with the environmental focus of Tohono Chul, teaching all about the culture, animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert ! What does "supported by" mean? Click here to learn more. Become a #ThisIsTucson member! Your contribution helps our team bring you stories that keep you connected to the community. Become a member today.BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Robert Lewandowski converted a first-half penalty kick to become the third player to score 100 goals or more in the Champions League, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Lewandowski calmly sent a low shot into the net from the spot in the 10th minute to give Barcelona a 1-0 lead against Brest. He scored his 101st goal from inside the area in second-half stoppage time to seal the Catalan's club 3-0 victory. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara released a statement Friday slamming the "100% false" media reports that suggested he had thrown his final pass for the Hawkeyes. McNamara has been sidelined since sustaining a concussion during the Oct. 26 win against Northwestern. Backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan has started the last two games for the Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) but is out with an ankle injury for Saturday's game at Maryland (4-6, 1-6). Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said earlier this week that Jackson Stratton will be the likely starter against the Terrapins if McNamara is unavailable. McNamara's cloudy status prompted speculation on a podcast this week that he was "not mentally ready to play." The podcast hosts from the Des Moines Register and The Athletic also suggested that McNamara -- who played three years at Michigan (2020-22) before transferring to Iowa -- is not "fit to play quarterback in the Big Ten right now." "We don't want to bury his career yet, but it does seem like that interception against Northwestern was his last snap as a Hawkeye," Leistikow said. McNamara, who passed for 1,017 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games this season, released a statement updating his current status. "My status is the same as it's always been -- a proud member of this football team," he said. McNamara said he has not yet been cleared to play. He said he was cleared to practice on Sunday but suffered an "adverse reaction" and was unable to practice this week and therefore unable to travel with the team to Maryland. "I have been working with the University of Iowa doctors and trainers, a concussion specialist focused on vision training, as well as engaging in hyperbaric treatments as frequently as possible," McNamara said. "I have every intention to play versus Nebraska next Friday night and I am confident that my teammates will return from Maryland with a win." Including his time with the Wolverines, McNamara has completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 4,703 yards with 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 34 games. --Field Level MediaEMERYVILLE, Calif. , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynavax Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: DVAX), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing innovative vaccines, today announced that the Company will present at the 7th Annual Evercore HealthCONx Conference on Tuesday, December 3 at 2:35 p.m. ET . The presentation will be webcast and may be accessed through the "Events & Presentations" page on the "Investors" section of the Company's website at https://investors.dynavax.com/events-presentations . About Dynavax Dynavax is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing innovative vaccines to help protect the world against infectious diseases. The Company has two commercial products, HEPLISAV-B® vaccine [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted], which is approved in the U.S., the European Union and Great Britain for the prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults 18 years of age and older, and CpG 1018® adjuvant, currently used in HEPLISAV-B and multiple adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccines. For more information about our marketed products and development pipeline, visit www.dynavax.com . For Investors/Media: Paul Cox pcox@dynavax.com 510-665-0499 Nicole Arndt narndt@dynavax.com 510-665-7264 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dynavax-to-present-at-the-7th-annual-evercore-healthconx-conference-302315117.html SOURCE Dynavax TechnologiesPresident-elect Donald Trump on Saturday nominated Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the US ambassador to France, in the latest of several controversial picks. Kushner "is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests," Trump said on his Truth Social website, adding that Jared "worked closely with me in the White House." The choice is in keeping with Trump's pattern, so far, of selecting people, often wealthy, who are close to his family or of proven loyalty. Kushner is a multimillionaire real estate executive and former attorney; his son was a senior adviser during Trump's first term. Trump did not mention, however, that the elder Kushner once served jail time -- a two-year sentence, most of it served in a federal prison. Kushner, who is now 70, pleaded guilty in 2004 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign contributions. The case, which was prosecuted by then US attorney Chris Christie, included sordid details, to which Kushner admitted: that he had hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, a man cooperating in a campaign finance inquiry, and then videotaped the encounter and sent it to the man's wife, Kushner's sister, to dissuade her from testifying against him. Christie, who worked on Trump's first presidential transition team and then opposed him in this year's Republican primary contests, later said Kushner had committed a "loathsome" and "disgusting crime." In 2020, Trump issued a pardon to Kushner, whose conviction had resulted in him being disbarred in three states. Nominees for key ambassadorships are often business associates of a president-elect, or major political donors. But it is rare, if not unprecedented, to name a convicted felon. The first two men to fill the prestigious Paris post were famed inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin and a future president, Thomas Jefferson. If confirmed, Kushner would succeed Denise Bauer, a former ambassador to Belgium who was a major Democratic fundraiser and donor. md/bbk/md

Stand-offs like Rashford and Amorim at Manchester United rarely end in true reconciliation