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BingoPlus, the country’s premiere digital entertainment platform in the country, marked a historic milestone by awarding its biggest jackpot prize to date – a staggering ₱154,148,662. The event took place during the Bingo Mega jackpot awarding ceremony on November 25, 2024 at Diamond Hotel, celebrating a life-changing moment for the record-breaking winner. The lucky jackpot winner, a 32-year-old mother from Bukidnon, traveled to Manila to personally receive the symbolic grand check, amidst applause from notable media representatives and BingoPlus executives. As part of its commitment to responsible gaming, DigiPlus Interactive, the parent company of BingoPlus, ensured that this life-changing win was accompanied by the right tools in managing newfound wealth. Earlier in the day, the jackpot winner participated in a private financial coaching session conducted by financial expert Armand Bengco. This personalized session is part of BingoPlus Foundation’s ongoing initiatives to empower winners with the knowledge to sustain and maximize their winnings. “At DigiPlus, we are honored to create life-changing moments and multiply the fun that our games bring to our players. The ₱154 million jackpot is a testament to the possibilities we offer, but delivering such opportunities also comes with a responsibility we take seriously,” said Mr. Eusebio Tanco, Chairman of DigiPlus Interactive. “Through our Pusta de Peligro campaign and the initiatives of BingoPlus Foundation, we are committed to promoting responsible gaming by empowering players with the knowledge and tools to make smart and informed choices. Every win should be a celebration, and we’re here to help ensure those moments are enjoyed responsibly and sustainably. The coaching session builds on the success of Tamang Panalo, a seminar hosted by the BingoPlus Foundation just two weeks ago, where Mr. Bengco shared actionable financial strategies to help players make the most of their wins. These programs, part of the broader Pusta de Peligro campaign, underscore DigiPlus’ dedication to promoting responsible gaming and equipping players with lifelong skills for financial management. The ceremony was graced by Mr. Andy Tsui, President of DigiPlus Interactive, who presented the award and shared a heartfelt message with the winner: “We are deeply honored to witness this historic moment with you. Today is a celebration not just of your win but of the endless possibilities our games can create. To our jackpot winner, congratulations! Thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey. May your story inspire others to dream big, play smart, and embrace the exciting opportunities ahead.” DigiPlus President Mr. Andy Tsui and Bingo Mega Jackpot winner earnestly answers the questions from the media During a press conference following the event, the winner shared her excitement and offered advice to fellow players : “Maglaro lang kayo pag may extra money at laging ‘game responsibly’ talaga. Dapat maglaro ka lang if feeling mo mananalo ka at kapag magaan ang loob mo maglaro para mas malaki ang chance mo para swertehin. Maraming salamat sa BingoPlus kasi nabigyan nyo ako ng pagkakataon na manalo ng jackpot. Salamat din kasi marami din silang natutulungan na kagaya ko.” Moreover, Bingo Mega jackpot winner visited BingoPlus studio and had a chance to have a glimpse of the live action bingo games. BingoPlus hosts offered a song and dance number to the winner and were able to ask a few questions to the winner. Additionally, Bingo Mega jackpot winner strongly reminds co-players to always game responsibly and to only play whenever you have extra money from your pocket. This record-breaking jackpot win is a testament to BingoPlus’ commitment to creating extraordinary opportunities. Beyond the thrill of gaming, the platform continues to uphold its mission of promoting safe and responsible gaming through sustained efforts like Pusta de Peligro. Bingo Mega jackpot winner with BingoPlus hosts cheerfully posing for a souvenir photo As BingoPlus continues to innovate and expand its offerings, this milestone reinforces its role as a leader in the digital entertainment space, empowering Filipinos to multiply the fun while playing responsibly. Being business-savvy should be fun, attainable and A+. BMPlus is BusinessMirror's digital arm with practical tips & success stories for aspiring and thriving millennial entrepreneurs.HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has announced significant improvements in the efficiency of its licensing processes, a key milestone in Governor Josh Shapiro ’s ongoing effort to make state government more responsive to the needs of businesses. The Bureau of Food Safety, tasked with issuing licenses critical to food manufacturers, restaurants, and dairy facilities, has substantially decreased the time required to process renewals, ensuring businesses can continue operations without delay. According to Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, the Bureau reduced the renewal time for Milk Inspector Licenses by 80%, cutting the process from 20 days in 2022 to just four days in 2023. Similarly, Food Establishment License renewals, covering manufacturers and processors, and Retail Food Facility License renewals, critical for restaurants and other food retail businesses, saw approval times drop by 85%, from a 20-day average to just three days. These efficiencies have been consistently sustained throughout 2024, even as the demand for renewals increased. “Governor Shapiro was adamant that government move at the speed of business,” said Redding. “He inspired our staff to take a step back and look at how we could speed up processes without sacrificing quality. Our staff took those marching orders seriously, and despite major increases in the volume of demand for license renewals, they doubled down and got it done for the businesses who rely on us.” The Bureau of Food Safety faced a surge in license renewal demand over the past year. Renewals for Milk Inspector Licenses—essential for maintaining the safety and quality of dairy product processing—rose from 20 in 2022 to 100 in 2023. Retail Food Facility License renewals increased statewide by 3.3%, from 24,064 to 24,858, while Food Establishment License renewals climbed from 6,200 to 8,292. These figures underscore the growing need for efficient processing to support Pennsylvania’s dynamic food industry. To achieve faster approvals, Bureau staff adopted a data-driven approach. They analyzed existing systems to identify bottlenecks, particularly regarding the inspections required prior to renewal. By prioritizing inspection scheduling for businesses approaching renewal deadlines, supervisors reduced delays. Proactive coordination minimized the need for rescheduling, creating a more efficient operation that has bolstered business confidence across the Commonwealth. The success of the Bureau of Food Safety aligns with Governor Shapiro’s broader reforms to modernize state government and remove barriers to economic growth. Earlier this week, the Governor unveiled a permitting “fast track” initiative aimed at expediting approvals for major economic development and infrastructure projects. Designed to create jobs and stimulate investment, this initiative builds on foundational reforms undertaken during Shapiro’s administration. A central pillar of these reforms is the establishment of the Office of Transformation and Opportunity (OTO), which serves as a one-stop-shop for businesses seeking to expand in Pennsylvania. OTO has worked to streamline complex permitting and licensing processes, enabling businesses to launch and grow with reduced administrative delays. Governor Shapiro also launched the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA) to enhance how residents and businesses interact with state government online. By leveraging technology, CODE PA has improved accessibility to state services and accelerated processing times, further demonstrating the administration’s commitment to efficiency. Together, OTO and CODE PA developed PAyback, an innovative money-back guarantee system. This program allows Pennsylvania workers and businesses to check their eligibility for a refund of permit, license, or certification fees. Designed as an accountability measure, it reflects the administration’s pledge to deliver reliable and timely services. The Shapiro Administration’s commitment to “moving at the speed of business” has yielded tangible results, with initiatives like the license renewal improvements demonstrating the practical benefits of government reform. For Pennsylvania businesses, these advancements translate to reduced operational uncertainty and greater confidence in the state’s regulatory framework. “These investments in efficiency and technology are not just about speeding up processes; they’re about creating an environment where businesses can thrive,” said Redding. “By aligning government operations with the needs of the private sector, we’re building a more resilient and dynamic economy for all Pennsylvanians.” The permitting and licensing reforms signify a broader shift in Pennsylvania’s approach, focusing on innovation and responsiveness to maintain its competitive edge. With these measures, the Commonwealth positions itself as a leader in fostering business growth while ensuring essential public safety standards remain uncompromised. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .Two senior members of the federal cabinet were in Florida Friday pushing Canada’s new border plan with Donald Trump’s transition team, a day after Trudeau himself appeared to finally push back at the president-elect over his social media posts about turning Canada into the 51st state. Both Trudeau and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who Trudeau has been courting to become Canada’s next finance minister, shared posts on X Thursday, a day after Trump’s latest jab at Canada in his Christmas Day message. It isn’t clear if Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who has repeatedly insisted Trump’s 51st state references are a joke, will raise the issue with Trump’s team when he and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly meet with them in Palm Beach. The two are there to discuss Canada’s new $1.3 billion border plan with just under four weeks left before Trump is sworn in again as president. He has threatened to impose a new 25 per cent import tariff on Canada and Mexico the same day over concerns about a trade imbalance, as well as illegal drugs and migration issues at the borders. The broad strokes of Canada’s plan were made public Dec. 17, including a new aerial intelligence task force to provide round-the-clock surveillance of the border, and improved efforts using technology and canine teams to seek out drugs in shipments leaving Canada LeBlanc’s spokesman, Jean-Sébastien Comeau, said the ministers will also emphasize the negative impacts of Trump’s threatened tariffs on both Canada and the U.S. Comeau said the ministers will build on the discussions that took place last month when Trudeau and LeBlanc met Trump at Mar-a-Lago just days after Trump first made his tariff threat. It was at that dinner on Nov. 29 when Trump first raised the notion of Canada becoming the 51st state, a comment LeBlanc has repeatedly since insisted was just a joke. But Trump has continued the quip repeatedly in various social media posts, including in his Christmas Day message when he said Canadians would pay lower taxes and have better military protection if they became Americans. He has taken to calling Trudeau “governor” instead of prime minister. Trudeau had not directly responded to any of the jabs, but on Thursday posted a link to a six-minute long video on YouTube from 2010 in which American journalist Tom Brokaw “explains Canada to Americans.” The video, which originally aired during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, explains similarities between the two countries, including their founding based on immigration, their trading relationship and the actions of the Canadian Army in World War 2 and other modern conflicts. “In the long history of sovereign neighbours there has never been a relationship as close, productive and peaceful as the U.S. and Canada,” Brokaw says in the video. Trudeau did not expand about why he posted a link to the video, posting it only with the words “some information about Canada for Americans.” Carney, who is at the centre of some of Trudeau’s recent domestic political troubles, also called out Trump’s antics on X Thursday, calling it “casual disrespect” and “carrying the ‘joke’ too far.” “Time to call it out, stand up for Canada, and build a true North American partnership,” said Carney, who Trudeau was courting to join his cabinet before Chrystia Freeland resigned as finance minister last week. Freeland’s sudden departure, three days after Trudeau informed her he would be firing her as finance minister in favour of Carney, left Trudeau’s leadership even more bruised than it already was. Despite the expectation Carney would assume the role, he did not and has not made any statements about it. LeBlanc was sworn in as finance minister instead the same day Freeland quit. More than two dozen Liberal MPs have publicly called on Trudeau to resign as leader, and Trudeau is said to be taking the holidays to think about his next steps. He is currently vacationing in British Columbia.
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Republican senators slammed US spy chiefs on Friday for operating “in the shadows” to cover up bombshell evidence of COVID-19 leaking out of a Chinese lab — and renewed calls for a thorough independent investigation of alleged meddling by political appointees into the pandemic’s origins. “For years, we’ve exposed the federal government’s role — especially the Intelligence Community — in concealing the origins of COVID-19, with the Biden administration complicit every step of the way,” Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) told The Post. “For this reason, I recently wrote to the Intelligence Community’s Office of Inspector General, giving these authorities records and additional critical support to launch an investigation into potential integrity breaches in the intelligence community COVID origins assessment process,” he said. “The US Intelligence Community operates in the shadows, but I will keep demanding sunlight, pushing for transparency and accountability, and fighting for answers for every American lost in this devastating pandemic,” Marshall added. In the first year of the pandemic, Defense Department and FBI scientists uncovered evidence that the virus causing COVID-19 had likely been engineered and later erupted in Wuhan, China, after a lab accident. However, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines never presented their findings to President Biden, sources familiar with the compiling of the agency’s August 2021 report told The Post on Thursday. That evidence included a 2008 scientific study from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) showing Chinese researchers — like the infamous “bat lady” Dr. Shi Zhengli — had optimized viruses for easier transmission to humans and trained up on their techniques while collaborating with a US lab in Texas years before the pandemic. It also comprised a highly detailed genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 as well as proof that the WIV scientists learned how to stitch new viruses together seamlessly, making it difficult to see whether the resulting virus is manufactured or not. But the trio of scientists at the Defense Intelligence Agency’s National Center for Medical Intelligence who revealed dozens of data points in favor of a so-called “lab leak” were “silenced” by their superiors and told to stop collaborating with the FBI on their parallel COVID origins probes, according to the sources. Months before the intel report was issued, Sen. Chuck Grassley had demanded Haines turn over information that would have contained much of the scientists’ lab leak findings — but agency higher-ups crushed that effort, the sources added. “Director Haines’ failure to fully respond to longstanding congressional oversight requests resulted in material information within the intelligence community from being shared with Congress, the American people, and even the President himself,” the Iowa Republican told The Post. “The individuals who politicized this administration’s COVID origins investigation performed a shameful disservice to the American people,” he added. Other sources close to the intelligence community’s efforts also pointed the finger at “political appointees” for pushing the theory of natural spillover from animals to humans as the origin of the pandemic — despite what one noted was a “paucity of evidence” in favor of the hypothesis. Spy bosses further forbade the three scientists from rebutting a since-debunked March 2020 paper on “the proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2” — prompted by then-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci — that sought to discredit the lab leak theory. Additionally, FBI scientist Jason Bannan, whose team was also providing evidence in favor of the lab leak theory, was left out of the White House briefing with Biden, 82, which ultimately informed the commander in chief that SARS-CoV-2 “was probably not genetically engineered.” “Being the only agency that assessed that a laboratory origin was more likely, and the agency that expressed the highest level of confidence in its analysis of the source of the pandemic, we anticipated the FBI would be asked to attend the briefing,” Bannan told the Wall Street Journal , which first reported on the scientists getting sidelined. “I find it surprising that the White House didn’t ask.” Marshall previously obtained whistleblower documents in November that had been left off Haines’ report used to brief Biden on Aug. 24, 2021, which he said revealed the intel community’s probe was deeply “flawed,” prompting him to demand that Intelligence Community Inspector General Thomas Monheim launch an investigation. “The [Office of the Director of National Intelligence] assessment remains flawed,” the Kansas Republican wrote in a Nov. 14 letter to Monheim, noting that some “conflicted individuals may have censored the laboratory-origin related intelligence. “[I]f true, this signals an alarming breach of integrity in the investigative process,” he added. “Today I write with urgency to request that your office investigate the federal government’s COVID-19 origin analytical process and results.” The whistleblower, Marine Corps. Lt. Col. Joseph Murphy, who serves in the military branch’s Warfighting Lab based in Quantico, Va., found in July 2021 that an unclassified grant proposal, known as Project DEFUSE, had been improperly uploaded to a classified portal and, as a result, was left out of the ODNI report a month later. The proposal, which scientists have said contains a “blueprint” for creating SARS-CoV-2 , was submitted by EcoHealth Alliance, a Manhattan-based nonprofit that received more than $1.4 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal grants for research between 2014 and 2021 at the WIV. The grant funding went toward “genetic experiments to combine naturally occurring bat coronaviruses with SARS and MERS viruses, resulting in hybridized (also known as chimeric) coronavirus strains,” according to a 2023 Government Accountability Office report. The DEFUSE proposal was never funded, but NIH officials have since acknowledged that the WIV conducted so-called “gain of function” research that made viruses more infectious during that period — and the Wuhan lab was debarred last year from receiving US taxpayers’ money for the next 10 years . EcoHealth Alliance has also been suspended from receiving federal grants, and a US House committee recommended its president, Dr. Peter Daszak, for prosecution after his organization approved experiments under likely unsafe lab conditions and failed to submit a progress report on its WIV grant for nearly two years. Daszak had previously tried to “ downplay ” the involvement of Chinese researchers in the 2018 DEFUSE grant proposal — and former federal officials like ex-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield suggested on a biosecurity panel in October that even unfunded projects can be tested under other research grants. At least one of the US-based collaborators on one of the WIV grants that EcoHealth did fund, University of North Carolina researcher Dr. Ralph Baric, also was consulted by ODNI as part of its COVID origins probe, posing a direct conflict of interest, according to Marshall. NIH officials and EcoHealth reps have repeatedly denied that any of the experiments could have resulted in the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan more than 800 miles from the closest bats that could have infected humans. The virus went on to kill more than 1.2 million Americans. Biden had ordered ODNI to launch an investigation in May 2021 into whether the COVID-19 pandemic began with a laboratory accident or had a natural origin. The agency released another unclassified report in June 2023 that still maintained: “Almost all IC [intelligence community] agencies assess that SARS-CoV-2 was not genetically engineered .” Reps for the Office of the Intelligence Community Inspector General did not respond to a request for comment.
The 12-year-old Messi played with the No. 10 jersey of an Inter Miami youth team, which lost 1-0 on Monday to host Newell’s Old Boys in the traditional under-13 competition. The team also played Tuesday. Lionel Messi took his first steps as a footballer in the Argentinian club in Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of capital Buenos Aires. Thiago's mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and several members of his family, including grandparents Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, were in the stands to watch him play. Lionel Messi did not attend. Thiago, who was substituted in the second half, played with his friend Benjamín Suárez, son of Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, Messi's teammate and close friend at Barcelona and now at Inter Miami. Messi and Suárez are in Rosario after Inter Miami’s early elimination in the MLS playoffs. On Sunday, they watched a friendly game of Inter Miami's U13 team against Unión at the same sports complex. The youth tournament in Argentina brings together eight teams from North and South America. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerWoman suffers serious injuries after falling through ice in Stittsville
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Scientists have raised concerns about hospitality staff coming into contact with second-hand smoke at work after the Government rowed back on plans to make it illegal to smoke in pub beer gardens. Concerns have also been raised about the “renormalisation” of smoking. Dr Rachel O’Donnell, senior research fellow at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health, said restrictions on smoking in outdoor places can “reinforce” a message that smoking “isn’t a socially acceptable thing to do” and could also help smokers to kick the habit. In November, it emerged that the UK Government is to scrap plans to ban smoking in the gardens of pubs and restaurants in England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the hospitality industry has “taken a real battering in recent years” and it is not “the right time” to ban smoking outside pubs. But smoking and vaping could be banned in other public places in England – such as in playgrounds or outside of schools – under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. According to the World Health Organisation, there is no safe level of second-hand smoke exposure. In a briefing for journalists, Dr O’Donnell said decision-making “should be on the basis of all the evidence that’s available”. She added: “Any debate about legislation on smoking in outdoor settings shouldn’t only focus on air quality and second-hand smoke exposure levels, because the impacts of restrictions in outdoor settings are also evident on our social norms.” Smoke-free outdoor environments “reinforce smoke-free as the acceptable norm”, she said. “This, I think, is a critically important point at a time where in the media, over the last year, we’ve seen various reports and questions as to whether we might be on the cusp of renormalisation of smoking for various reasons, and so smoke-free public environments still have a critically important role to play. “If you reduce opportunities to smoke, it can also help individuals who smoke themselves to reduce the amount they smoke or to make a quit attempt.” Dr O’Donnell said visibility of tobacco products and smoking is a “form of marketing for tobacco companies” as she pointed to studies highlighting the increasing number of tobacco depictions on screen. She went on: “The more often young adults observe smoking around them, the more likely they are to believe that smoking is socially acceptable, which feeds back into this idea of renormalisation of smoking. “So, restrictions on smoking in outdoor public places have other positive knock-on effects, potentially for young people as well, just sending out that clear message that this isn’t a socially acceptable thing to do and see, and this could help to discourage smoking initiation among young people at quite a critical time.” On being exposed to second-hand smoke at work, she added: “I think sometimes when we think about exposure to second-hand smoke in outdoor settings, in pubs, in restaurants, we think about that sort of occasional customer exposure, the nuisance element of it when people are out enjoying a meal with friends, but we also need to be reminded that this is a repeated occupational exposure for those who are working in hospitality and serving drinks and food. “Now, as we’ve already seen, concentrations of second-hand smoke in these settings are generally low, and they’re likely to present a low risk to health for most healthy people. “But ... there’s no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, and so any individual with pre-existing heart, lung or respiratory conditions may be particularly vulnerable even to low levels of exposure. “We know that second-hand smoke is its known carcinogen, and on that basis those exposed in the hospitality sector have a right to be protected. “On that basis, there’s a need to protect them, as there is anybody in any workplace setting from second-hand smoke exposure in all areas of workplaces and spaces.” Sean Semple, professor of exposure science at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health, said: “I think that if I were a policy-maker, which I am not, then I would be looking at those occupational exposures as well. “I have asthma, if I was being occupationally exposed to SHS (second-hand smoke), and knowing that I was one of a very small number of workers now being legally exposed to SHS in the workplace, then I might not be very happy about that.” A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “As part of our 10 Year Health Plan we are shifting focus from sickness to prevention, including tackling the harms of smoking and passive smoking. “The landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill is the biggest public health intervention in a generation and will put us on track towards a smoke-free UK.”Election canvassers getting used to talking to Ring doorbells and ‘apathy bordering on anger’First steps being taken to repeal Troubles immunity and replace legacy case laws, says Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn
STARKVILLE, Miss. — KeShawn Murphy scored a season-high 20 points and Mississippi State led from start to finish in thumping No. 18 Pittsburgh 90-57 on Wednesday night in the SEC/ACC Challenge. Mississippi State (7-1) opened a 35-point advantage in the second half and was never threatened. Michael Nwoko had his first double-double of the season with a career-high 18 points and 11 rebounds. Josh Hubbard scored 12 for the Bulldogs, while Claudell Harris and RJ Melendez each had 10 points. Jaland Lowe led Pittsburgh (7-2) with 19 points and Brandin Cummings added 12 for the Panthers, who shot 31% and were outrebounded 49-27. Takeaways Pittsburgh: After making their season debut in the AP Top 25 poll this week, the Panthers were blown out from the start during their second loss in three games. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs bounced back from their first loss of the season, 87-77 to Butler last Friday in the Arizona Tipoff championship game. Key moment Mississippi State jumped on Pitt right away and built a 25-11 cushion on a 3-pointer by Hubbard. The Bulldogs led by 23 in the first half and were up 47-25 at the break. Pittsburgh guard Jaland Lowe (15) shoots the ball past Mississippi State guard Claudell Harris Jr. (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Starkville, Miss. Credit: AP/Rogelio V. Solis Key stats Pitt went 3 of 11 from 3-point range in the first half. The Panthers took only two free throws and committed eight turnovers before halftime. Mississippi State shot 54% in the opening period and went 4 of 13 beyond the arc. The Bulldogs outscored the Panthers 11-0 in points off turnovers. MSU also controlled the glass, 27-14, including 10 offensive boards. Up next Pittsburgh: Plays at Virginia Tech on Saturday to open ACC play. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs host Prairie View A&M on Sunday.
Republicans lash out at Democrats’ claims that Trump intelligence pick Gabbard is ‘compromised’
Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on treatments for transgender minorsNone
