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Interview with Manasvini Krishna, Founder, Boss as a ServiceUN envoy urges soil, water action

More than 72 million people are expected to shop during Cyber Monday, according to the National Retail Federation . The end-of-year shopping surge provides a major boost for retailers. "The last six weeks of the year makes a big difference," said Brian Miller, owner of Geppetto's Toys in San Diego. "It can make or break your year as a retailer." Retailers already got a major bump from Black Friday spending. Consumers spent a record $10.8 billion online on Friday, according to Adobe Analytics . That's up more than 10% from last year. "It's not only bonanza for the shoppers, but it's bonanza for the stores," said Professor Alan Gin of the University of San Diego's Knauss School of Business. "People have just gotten a misconception of what was happening. Yes, prices are up, but in this recent time period here, what we've seen is that wages have risen faster than prices have increased. So, people's real incomes have gone up." Last month, consumer confidence hit its highest level in more than a year, according to the Conference Board, a nonprofit that tracks business and consumer sentiment. RELATED STORY | 'Essentially, I just gifted a scammer $100': Gift card draining costing shoppers and retailers Americans are paying with plastic for a lot of their shopping. According to a survey from the National Retail Federation, 39% of shoppers said they plan to use credit cards for their holiday spending. More than one in four shoppers say they plan to take on some debt during the holidays — either by carrying a credit card balance or using a buy now, pay later service, according to Bankrate . American credit card debt hit a record $1.17 trillion in the third quarter of this year. Experts say setting a budget and sticking to it can help people from overspending and taking on debt during the holidays.$355 per second: Insane numbers behind record contract

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two of President-elect Donald Trump's most controversial nominees, Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard, sought support from U.S. senators on Monday, but it remained uncertain whether they would get the near-unanimous Republican backing they will need to win confirmation. Former Fox News personality Hegseth held a second meeting with Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor seen as a key to the decorated Army National Guard veteran's hopes for becoming secretary of Defense. Ernst's statement afterward seemed to open the door to voting for Hegseth. She said the nominee had committed to completing a Pentagon audit and selecting an official who would address the issue of sexual assault within the ranks. "As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources," Ernst said. Hegseth faces concerns about allegations of misconduct in his professional and personal life, including accusations of sexual assault, which he denies. Several of his supporters have called for his accusers to come forward publicly. Trump has kept his support strongly behind Hegseth, predicting he will be confirmed. Hegseth told reporters the meeting with Ernst had gone well, saying, "The more we talk, the more we are reminded that we are two combat veterans and we are dedicated to defense." Trump's fellow Republicans will hold only a slim 53-47 Senate majority next year, meaning nominees can afford just three Republican no's and still be confirmed, if Democrats unite against them. Former Representative Gabbard, Trump's choice for director of national intelligence, arrived for Senate meetings as the abrupt fall on Sunday of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad prompted renewed scrutiny of her 2017 visit to Damascus. Gabbard, a former Democrat who lacks significant intelligence experience, is also seen as soft on Russia, although her supporters say she has a healthy skepticism about foreign U.S. military involvement, in keeping with the America First policies of Trump, whom she endorsed this year. Her selection to be director of national intelligence in November sent shock waves through the national security establishment, adding to concerns that the intelligence community would become increasingly political. Gabbard did not respond on Monday when reporters at the Capitol asked her to respond to events in Syria. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; editing by Jonathan Oatis)Kobe Sanders, Nevada beat Oklahoma St. for fifth place in Charleston

President-elect Donald Trump touted several products on the campaign trail, including sneakers, NFTs, and other items, but he has been silent on how he will keep those endeavors while serving as president again. The president-elect's brand had been used to sell products long before he entered politics. He resigned from the Trump Organization before first taking office in 2017, but he did not divest from his business . Before he became president, Trump announced he would put his personal holdings in a trust and had an ethics adviser ensure compliance with conflict of interest laws. As he prepares to enter the White House again, he will likely find himself in a similar situation. In an interview that aired Sunday on NBC News's Meet The Press, Trump avoided the question of whether he would divest from the Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates the social media platform Truth Social. "Well, I don’t know how I can divest," Trump said . "What does that mean? I’m not allowed to open it and use it? I mean, all I do is ... I don’t openly look at the company. I’m not even on the board of the company. I didn’t want to be on the board. I have other people, and they run it, and they run it very well because Truth has become a very, very successful platform." Trump did tell the outlet that he would not accept the presidential salary, just as he did not accept it during his first term. "I’m not going to accept a salary, no," Trump told the outlet. "And I’m giving up a lot of money, you know. Do you know — it amazes me, and maybe this isn’t right, but other than George Washington, and they’re not sure about that — every president has accepted their salary, except me." In addition to his social media network, Trump also has stakes in hotels, golf clubs, and other real estate, as well as cryptocurrency and other items, such as clothing and cologne. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER After years of not doing so, Trump has resumed posting on other social media platforms, including X and Instagram, but most of his posts still originate from Truth Social. The president-elect will likely provide more details about how he will handle his business interests before he takes office on Jan. 20, 2025. In 2017, he offered details on how he would separate himself from his business just over a week before being sworn in.

Ukraine must be in strong position for negotiations, Starmer saysTAMPA, Fla. — A federal judge said Monday that he is not inclined to give prison time in the case against members of the St. Petersburg-based Uhuru Movement, who were convicted in September of conspiring to act as Russian agents. In a sentencing hearing Monday for Augustus C. Romain Jr., a former member of the Black activist group and one of the four convicted defendants, U.S. District Judge William Jung said their conduct ultimately amounted to the exercise of free speech. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Ukraine must be in strong position for negotiations, Starmer saysDonald Trump Jr. has emerged as the most influential Trump family member in the transition as the president-elect builds the most controversial cabinet in modern U.S. history, according to a half dozen sources with knowledge of his role, elevating inexperienced loyalists over more qualified candidates for top positions in his administration. Trump, who fiercely prizes loyalty, has long relied on family members for political advice, but which relative has his ear is known to vary. This time, it is Don Jr., who has helped cabinet contenders sink or rise to the fore – from championing Senator JD Vance as Trump's running mate to blocking former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from joining the cabinet, according to the sources, who include donors, personal friends and political allies. Don Jr. is due to join conservative venture capital fund 1789 Capital, although one of the sources said he will continue to host his politics-focused podcast and support candidates that espouse Trump's brand of politics. He will provide advice to his father in the White House, the source added, although they cautioned that Don Jr. was unlikely to be involved in day-to-day deliberations. Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team. Don Jr. and the Trump-Vance transition team did not respond to a request for comment. In addition to ensuring candidates are loyal to his father, Don Jr. typically seeks out contenders who embrace an anti-establishment worldview, including protectionist economic policies, and a reduction in military interventions and overseas aid, according to a handful of the sources and Don Jr.'s own comments on social media site X and in public. Two of the candidates Don Jr. championed may face a rocky confirmation process in the Senate: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump plans to nominate as the top U.S. health official, and Tulsi Gabbard, who Trump plans to nominate as intelligence chief. Kennedy is an environmental activist who has spread misinformation on vaccines. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, implied that Russian President Vladimir Putin had valid grounds for invading Ukraine and stirred controversy when she met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of his bloody crackdown on dissidents in 2017. Influential – to a point Don Jr. was also instrumental in lobbying his father to pick his close friend Vance as Trump's running mate. Vance was popular with Trump's base, but his anti-corporate rhetoric, opposition to Ukraine aid and past comments panning some Democratic women as "childless cat ladies" gave some donors and supporters pause. Trump was ultimately happy with Vance, giving Don Jr. extra political capital as an adviser during the transition, one of the sources added. Not all of Don Jr.'s picks have landed jobs. He was keen on Ric Grenell, a personal friend and former ambassador to Germany, getting secretary of state, according to a separate source familiar with the matter. His father ended up picking Senator Marco Rubio, whose views are deemed by Trump's core supporters as too traditional and internationalist. Two of the sources close to Don Jr. said he does not weigh in on all personnel decisions and is not working on the transition process or at Mar-a-Lago full time. He is also not expected to play a big role in vetting candidates for lower-level jobs, one of the sources close to him said. "The reality this time is we actually know what we're doing," Don Jr. told Fox News earlier this month. "And it's about surrounding my father with people who are both competent and loyal." Following in his sister's footsteps Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were prominent in his 2016 presidential campaign, the subsequent transition and throughout his first term. This time, they are far less active, although Kushner, formerly Trump's senior adviser who focused on the Middle East, told Reuters that he is briefing real estate investor Steve Witkoff on his new job as special envoy to the region. "I have been working with Witkoff to get him up to speed on Trump's past efforts," Kushner said through a spokesperson. A half-dozen sources close to Kushner said they expect him to be involved in Middle Eastern policy in an unofficial capacity, with the goal of normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia under an expansion of the 2020 Abraham Accords. Kushner helped broker the accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and Arab nations. Kushner, Ivanka and sibling Eric Trump, who runs the Trump Organization business, do not plan to join the new administration, according to their representatives as well as sources. One source close to the transition said Trump does not appear to need his family for advice as much as in the past because of aides like Susie Wiles, who helped to run the most disciplined of his election campaigns to date. Trump has named Wiles as his chief of staff, a powerful position in Washington. "Stuff is really buttoned down," the source said of Trump's current team. "He may not need the family this time like he used to."

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McLean, Duax lead FGCU over Florida International 60-59I’m a progressive Californian, a Black man, and I did not vote for Democratic presidential contender Kamala Harris this year or Donald Trump. I voted for Claudia De La Cruz, the Peace and Freedom Party candidate for president. The decision was easy. With two exceptions over the last four decades of presidential elections, I have always voted for a progressive third-party presidential candidate. (The two exceptions? Hillary Clinton in 2016 because I liked the idea of breaking the glass ceiling. And Walter Mondale in 1984 because of my distaste for Ronald Reagan.) I reject the guilt-trip knock about how a third-party vote is a throwaway vote, or worse, one that opens the door for big, bad bogeyman candidates. And I don’t make my choices thinking it doesn’t matter because in my “blue” state a Democrat will win anyway. I mark my ballot the way I do because it reflects my conscience and deepest political beliefs. I’ll admit that this year I didn’t tell most of my friends and family my plan. I would have been ripped from pillar to post, verbally mugged: “It’s a wasted vote.” “It will hurt the cause.” “It is downright silly to vote for someone who almost no one has heard of in a party that hasn’t been relevant since the Vietnam War.” My relatives and associates were passionate supporters of Harris. Their enthusiasm was understandable. They would have regarded my vote as wrecking the history-making chances for a Black woman with East Indian roots to sit in the Oval Office. I understood, and I had no illusion that I could change their minds. In any case, the issue for me was not Harris, her policy positions or her campaign. (I won’t engage in the onslaught of second, third and fourth guessing about what sunk her.) The issue was and is the two-party system itself. Republican and Democratic politics are an iron chain that tethers the American electorate. Voting for De La Cruz was my way of taking a hammer to that chain. I prize independence, the right to exercise freedom of choice, and I believe that more choices are true to the spirit of democracy. This is not a starry-eyed delusion. Many countries have a pluralistic representative system with multiple political parties. Their citizens have a real choice to vote their beliefs and interests. The parties they can vote for are not on the fringe. They win offices. They hold seats in parliaments and assemblies. They often form coalitions with other parties to gain a more powerful seat at the table. The multiplicity of parties gives more people a distinct voice in how their government works. But baked into U.S. politics is the notion that there can only be two parties, and the winner takes all. The Constitution doesn’t demand it, and every four years, I hear people wishing for other choices, other parties that could have a shot at making an impact. With either a Republican or a Democrat guaranteed to take power, special interests make their bets. This year, both campaigns had king’s-ransom war chests flowing with donations from regular people but mainly from fat-cat corporations, industry and trade groups, big-gun labor unions and a parade of millionaires and billionaires. The two-party system also guaranteed that only Republican and Democratic agendas got media exposure, major endorsements and nonstop public attention. Other approaches to our challenges, our security or our role in the world just didn’t have a chance. Let me be clear again. My vote for De La Cruz was not a deliberate snub of Harris, and I have no regrets. I simply believe that for our democracy to be a democracy, the people must have choices, and those choices should not exclusively come marked with a Republican or Democrat label. Earl Ofari Hutchinson’s latest book is“ ‘President’ Trump’s America.” His commentaries can be found at thehutchinsonreport.net. ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Lightchain AI Price Prediction How Much Should You Put In LCAI Today To Make $1 Million When Price Reaches $50?

Hyderabad: To encourage people to connect with nature and make them aware of the importance of forests, the Telangana Forest Development Corporation Ltd (TGFDC) is organising “Rock Bay Nature Camp” at the Forestrek Park of Manchirevula in Chilkur Reserve Forest under the brand name “Deccan Woods & Trails.” The Friday night overnight camping experience is provided at a fully established campsite for nature lovers, school and college students in an eco-friendly way. School children hailing from Radiant High School of Naspur in Mancherial district enjoyed the first overnight-stay nature camp which was launched on Friday, December 13. It was supervised by TGFDC FRO eco-tourism S Srinivas, projects manager of eco-tourism K Suman and head naturalist Akhil among other staff. The campers assembled at the park’s entrance where they were briefed about the scheduled events, timings, and the do’s and don’ts. The camp started with a nature walk along with an explanation of the uses of various forest trees. The participants were taken to adventurous activities like rock climbing, rappelling, commando-net and sky-walk. The school children were given a demo on how to pitch a tent and remove it. The participants pitched their tents at the campsite where a bonfire was organised, along with a few events that the participants enjoyed. On Saturday morning the children were taken for a bird-walk and trekking. The campers were provided bird-walk brochures and binoculars to identify the birds they could see through the various hillocks in the park. Team building activities like the roller-coaster, number stamping, balloon train, and transporting the water were held. “Our aim is to make the participants connect with nature and know the importance of forests, as many were lacking it. TGFDC will organise only alcohol-prohibited camps, where every family can participate and take immense pleasure in the company of nature,” executive director of eco-tourism Ranjeet Nayak told Siasat.com

A new chapter in the city of Lagos’ architectural landscape is about to unfold with Veritasi Homes, a brand synonymous with innovation and excellence in the Nigerian real estate market, set to launch its newest masterpiece – Tinuola Towers, on December 1st, 2024. Situated in one of the most sought-after locations in Lagos, the towers promise to redefine what it means to live in luxury. The strategic positioning offers more than just spectacular views of the city’s vibrant horizon; it places residents at the pulse of convenience, proximity to top-notch amenities, and a lifestyle that few will be fortunate enough to experience. Developed by Veritasi Homes, a name that needs no introduction to those familiar with the luxury real estate sector. With a proven track record of delivering world-class developments, Veritasi has earned its reputation as a trusted builder and visionary in the Nigerian property market. Their commitment to quality, precision, and sustainable design has made them a trusted partner for discerning homeowners. Tinuola Towers is set to take this legacy to new heights, offering an unmatched living experience in Lagos. From fixtures to fittings, every piece of the development reflects the meticulous attention to detail that Veritasi Homes is known for, combining opulence with modern functionalities that speak to the discerning tastes of high-end buyers. In a groundbreaking move, Veritasi Homes have seamlessly integrated environmentally conscious design elements into the towers, setting a new benchmark for upscale developments in Nigeria. This fusion of luxury with sustainability marks a significant turning point in the Nigerian real estate sector. With energy-efficient systems, water-saving technologies, and eco-friendly building materials, Tinuola Towers is not just about living in style, but living responsibly. The sustainability features of Tinuola Towers are a first for luxury residential developments in Nigeria. It’s a bold step forward in a country that is increasingly aware of the need to reduce its carbon footprint while embracing modern comforts. This initiative is bound to resonate with those who desire the best of both worlds — a prestigious address that aligns with their values and priorities. As the countdown to the official launch of Tinuola Towers continues, the excitement surrounding this exceptional development is palpable. With only a limited number of units set to be released in this first phase, this is an opportunity for those who value true exclusivity, luxury and privacy, to own a piece of a future-forward living space that combines impeccable design, sustainable living, and the legacy of a trusted real estate developer. As December 1st, 2024 approaches, will you be among the few to call Tinuola Towers home? The opportunity is rare, the offering exclusive, and the lifestyle—extraordinary. Keep your eyes on the horizon as Veritasi Homes unveils a new era in luxury living in Nigeria. —- Veritasi Homes & Property is Africa’s fastest-growing real estate development company, recently recognized by Financial Times as one of the continent’s fastest-growing businesses. This prestigious ranking positions Veritasi as the only Nigerian real estate company to make the list. Additionally, Veritasi is the first Indigenous African real estate company to receive the coveted B/stable global investment rating from the respected European credit rating agency, Scope Ratings. A true disruptor in the real estate industry, Veritasi Homes is transforming the market by delivering world-class, innovative, and value-driven properties. The company focuses on creating exceptional living spaces in prime locations across Nigeria, all while prioritizing customer satisfaction at every step.