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International students are assisting local projects following a meet and greet event in the centre of town. Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) welcomed Glasgow School of Art (GSA) students based at the School of Innovation and Technology at Altyre to Forres Town Hall to discuss how they can help while completing their courses. GSA Highlands and Islands campus students attend Altyre for a one-year Masters in Design Innovation - project work is based on collaboration and live local issues. GSA spokesperson, Simon Beeson explained: “It is often difficult in such a short time for students, especially international students, to have the opportunity to meet and work with local groups. “The invitation from FACT to attend a community marketplace was a fantastic way for local groups to introduce some of the current issues faced by the town and possible opportunities for students to volunteer or collaborate on projects with them. “The engagement allows students time to begin planning their main individual research, which will be primarily in next summer.” Mr Beeson, confirmed the community marketplace event was inspired by the work of Nishabh Polke, one of last year’s students - who noted that Forres had a “vibrant network of volunteers and organisations” so proposed bringing the students and organisations together in a marketplace of ideas and opportunities. He said: “Students had the opportunity to learn, with a heightened sensitivity to their local context. Forres groups benefitted from innovative ideas proposed by the students. “The goal was to initiate conversations that dissolve the ‘them and us’ divide, fostering a sense of belonging and promoting social cohesion.” More than 60 students and staff from the Highlands and Islands campus met 20 local community groups including Film Forres, Forres Friends of Woods and Fields, Friends of the Falconer Museum, Forres Area Business Association, Rotary Club of Forres, the Dava Way Association, Trees for Life and House of Automata. The afternoon provided opportunities for the students to learn more about the area and the wide range of projects here. The campus at Altyre estate is a base for research and teaching led by design innovation thinking. The students study for one year on a Master of Design in Design Innovation in one of four specialisms: Interaction Design; Environmental Design; Circular Economy; and Future Heritage. Mr Beeson added: “The event grew from a project last year between a student a FACT. Hopefully in a year’s time we shall be able to see a positive result from the projects students choose to pursue and the impact their contribution can have locally. “Inherently optimistic, design innovation aims to address real world situations with possible new directions.” Film Forres administrator, Ruth Whitfield, helped to organise the event. She said: “It was gratifying to see the students so that we all had the opportunity to meet one another. It gave them a sense of connection and ownership, and the opportunity to meet local groups to collaborate. “They will be completed by July 2025 at the end of their summer term.” Film Forres chairman, Robert Kenny, added: “We showed the film ‘Local Hero’ to the student and staff at the end of the day. The content and storyline were were especially relevant, covering issues such as community, heritage, tradition, the environment, corporate power and responsibility. It also offered a glimpse of Scotland's natural beauty and traditions. “All of which are key components of the courses offered to the students at GSA Altyre!”The suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. News of his capture in Pennsylvania -- following a tip from a McDonald's worker --triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. No explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, its website says. A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. A former student who knew Mangione at the Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," this person said, asking that their name not be used. "Seemed to just be smiling, and kind of seemed like he was a smart kid. Ended up being valedictorian, which confirmed that," the former student said. Mangione went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on the online site goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a string of bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione called Kaczynski "rightfully imprisoned," while also saying "'violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." According to CNN, handwritten documents recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. ia/nro/dw'Innovative plan imperative for party building'

( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) Image by My Spicy Vanilla NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In today's fast-paced world, where distractions abound and meaningful connections can feel elusive, My Spicy Vanilla is offering a new way for couples to reconnect. With over 1 million personalized stories created and more than 70,000 users around the world, this innovative platform leverages technology and creativity to help partners build stronger bonds through shared experiences and personalized storytelling. A Fresh Approach to Intimacy Rather than allowing Technology to create distance, My Spicy Vanilla uses it to foster closeness. The platform provides tools for couples to co-create personalized love stories, plan unique date experiences, and explore romantic roleplay scenarios. By making these activities accessible and customizable, it encourages meaningful interactions that help couples rediscover each other. Key features include: Tapping Into a Cultural Shift The rise of“romantasy”-romantic fantasy-has captivated audiences worldwide. From novels to films, stories that blend love and escapism are more popular than ever. My Spicy Vanilla draws inspiration from this trend, enabling couples to craft their own imaginative adventures. Whether creating a whimsical fairy-tale romance or a playful escapade, the platform offers opportunities to transform traditional romance into deeply personal and memorable experiences. Meeting a Growing Need Amid increasing work demands and daily stressors, many couples are searching for ways to reconnect. My Spicy Vanilla addresses this need by offering: “My Spicy Vanilla started as a passion project for my partner and me-a way to explore our love through storytelling and creativity. It's incredible to see how this simple idea has transformed into a platform that's helping couples all over the world rediscover intimacy,” says the founder of My Spicy Vanilla.“Whether it's through laughter, adventure, or intimate storytelling, we want to make it easier for people to nurture their bond in today's busy world.” About My Spicy Vanilla My Spicy Vanilla combines technology and creativity to redefine intimacy for modern couples. With a mission to strengthen relationships through shared moments and imaginative storytelling, the platform offers tools that empower couples to prioritize their connection and rediscover the joy of being together. For more information, visit myspicyvanilla . Media Contact: Andrei Tolocica ... A photo accompanying this announcement is available at Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. MENAFN14122024003118003196ID1108993387 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Enovate L711. Lack of Accountability: The Daily Mail's reluctance to hold itself accountable for its mistakes and missteps undermined its credibility and trustworthiness as a news organization. By deflecting criticism and avoiding transparency, the newspaper failed to learn from its errors and improve its editorial standards.

Title: Lindelof Expected to Make Europa League Return Midweek, Evans and Shaw Return Dates Uncertain

Under the previous system, medical procurement processes often faced challenges due to rigid evaluation criteria that did not take into account the specific needs of different healthcare facilities. This resulted in inefficiencies, delays, and missed opportunities for cost savings. The new regulations aim to address these issues by introducing a more flexible and adaptive approach to evaluating the performance of suppliers.Sanchez scores 15 in Wagner's 50-43 victory against NJIT

ISLAMABAD — Pakistani police Monday fired tear gas canisters at supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to stop them from entering the capital, where they hoped to stage a sit-in to demand his release, officials said. The firing of tear gas came shortly after demonstrators — who traveled 93 miles from the restive northwest — began arriving and gathering near Islamabad. They defied a lockdown, previous tear gas and widespread arrests despite a ban on rallies in the city. The development came a day after the leadership of Khan’s party went ahead with the “long march” even as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived for a three-day visit. He was received at an airport near the capital by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday evening. Authorities said at least one police officer was killed and several officers and demonstrators were injured in clashes. The marchers appeared determined to enter Islamabad, where the lockdown, which has been in place for two days, has disrupted daily life. The government was in talks with Khan’s party to avoid any further violence, officials said. Khan, who has been in jail for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases, remains popular. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, says the cases are politically motivated. A convoy of vehicles carrying protesters was expected to enter the capital Monday night. Security officials say they expect between 9,000 and 11,000 demonstrators, while the PTI says the number will be much higher. Video on social media showed Khan supporters donning gas masks and protective goggles. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible. Ambulances and cars were seen turning back from areas along the key Grand Trunk Road highway in Punjab province, where shipping containers were used to block roads. Video circulating online showed some protesters operating heavy machinery to remove the containers.Following his ouster, al-Bashir was arrested by the military and placed under house arrest. In August 2019, a transitional government was established in Sudan, comprising civilian and military leaders tasked with leading the country through a transition to civilian rule. As part of this transition, al-Bashir was charged with corruption and money laundering, among other crimes, and in December 2019, he was sentenced to two years in a rehabilitation facility for elderly people.

In conclusion, the partnership between Amazon and Perplexity represents a major turning point in the world of online gambling. By harnessing the power of AI, these two tech giants have the potential to revolutionize the way that people gamble online, creating a more personalized, immersive, and engaging experience for players. However, with this power comes a responsibility to ensure that AI is used in a responsible and ethical manner, to protect players and promote responsible gambling practices. Only time will tell how this partnership will reshape the gambling industry, but one thing is for sure – big changes are on the horizon.The surge in passenger traffic during the end of year and beginning of the new year period poses significant challenges to the railway industry. To address this, the National Railway Administration has initiated a targeted effort to conduct comprehensive safety inspections and implement corrective measures. The goal of this campaign is to enhance the overall safety performance of the railway network and ensure the well-being of passengers and staff.Juventus, led by their experienced and tactically astute manager, Max Allegri, will be looking to defend their title and secure a place in the quarter-finals. With a squad boasting the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala, and Matthijs de Ligt, Juventus has the firepower and quality to challenge any team in Europe. Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, is no stranger to the pressure of big games and will be eager to lead his team to victory once again.Word Count: 800+

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Through reflection, introspection, and a willingness to learn from past mistakes, Tenghaag can begin to unravel the intricate threads of cause and effect that led to his less-than-ideal outcome. By cultivating a deeper understanding of the connections that shape his life and his choices, Tenghaag can transform adversity into opportunity, failure into growth.

UPI transactions surge to Rs 223 lakh crore in Jan-Nov

Elastic ( NYSE:ESTC – Get Free Report ) had its price objective upped by equities researchers at DA Davidson from $75.00 to $115.00 in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “neutral” rating on the stock. DA Davidson’s target price would indicate a potential upside of 6.45% from the company’s current price. ESTC has been the subject of a number of other reports. William Blair raised Elastic from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, October 14th. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on Elastic from $110.00 to $80.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 30th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Elastic from $98.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on shares of Elastic from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on shares of Elastic from $100.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Elastic has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $122.00. Get Our Latest Report on Elastic Elastic Stock Up 14.8 % Elastic ( NYSE:ESTC – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 29th. The company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.25 by $0.10. Elastic had a net margin of 4.39% and a negative return on equity of 13.54%. The company had revenue of $347.42 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $344.67 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned ($0.35) EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 18.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Elastic will post -0.92 earnings per share for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CFO Janesh Moorjani sold 6,941 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.25, for a total transaction of $487,605.25. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 195,550 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $13,737,387.50. This represents a 3.43 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, CEO Ashutosh Kulkarni sold 19,649 shares of Elastic stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.25, for a total value of $1,380,342.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 432,648 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $30,393,522. This represents a 4.34 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last three months, insiders have sold 37,406 shares of company stock valued at $2,627,772. Company insiders own 15.90% of the company’s stock. Institutional Trading of Elastic A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Asset Dedication LLC grew its stake in Elastic by 1,333.3% in the 2nd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 301 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the period. AlphaCentric Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Elastic in the second quarter valued at about $40,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Elastic during the second quarter worth about $40,000. Lynx Investment Advisory acquired a new position in shares of Elastic during the 2nd quarter worth about $43,000. Finally, Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in Elastic by 44.1% in the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 389 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. 97.03% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Elastic ( Get Free Report ) Elastic N.V., a data analytics company, delivers solutions designed to run in public or private clouds in multi-cloud environments. It primarily offers Elastic Stack, a set of software products that ingest and store data from various sources and formats, as well as performs search, analysis, and visualization on that data. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Elastic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Elastic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .For Barcelona, the potential addition of Jonathan David could provide a much-needed boost to their forward line. With questions surrounding the future of some of their key attackers, including the departure of Lionel Messi, the arrival of a young and dynamic talent like David could inject fresh energy and creativity into the team. His ability to play across the front line and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates makes him an appealing prospect for the Catalan giants.CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes continues to build great chemistry with his tight end — just not the one you might think. Mahomes threw two touchdown passes to Noah Gray for the second straight week as the on Sunday. A week after losing at Buffalo, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (10-1) maintained their position atop the AFC. Mahomes completed a 35-yard touchdown strike to Gray on the game’s opening possession and found him again for an 11-yard TD in the second quarter. Gray has four touchdown catches in the last two weeks — twice as many as nine-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce has all season — and has become a weapon in the passing game for the Chiefs, who lost top wide receiver Rashee Rice to a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Kelce was still a factor Sunday with a team-high six catches for 62 yards, although the four-time All-Pro looked dejected after dropping one easy pass. Kelce has 62 receptions for 507 yards this season, while Gray has 26 catches for 249 yards. But Gray’s development is a good sign for the Chiefs — and he’s on the same page with Mahomes. On his second TD, Gray said Mahomes “gave me the answer to the test there” before the play. “He told me what coverage it was pre-snap,” said Gray, who had four receptions for 66 yards. “That’s just the blessing you have of playing with a quarterback like that. Offensive line did a great job blocking that up and the receivers did a great job running their routes to pop me open. Really just a group effort right there on that touchdown.” Gray said that’s nothing new. “Pat’s preparation, his leadership is just something that I’m fortunate enough to play alongside,” Gray said. “I love it. It gets me motivated every time we go out there for a long drive. Having a leader like that, that prepares every single week in-and out, knows defenses, knows the game plans. “I’m just fortunate enough to play alongside a guy like that.” Mahomes completed 27 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three TDs, and he knew what to do on the second TD to Gray. “It’s not just me, it’s the quarterback coaches and the players, we go through certain checks you get to versus certain coverages,” Mahomes said. “I was able to see by the way they lined up they were getting into their cover-zero look. I alerted the guys to make sure they saw what I saw and I gave the check at the line of scrimmage.” ___ AP NFL:

Verstappen captures 4th F1 championship after Mercedes sweep of Las Vegas Grand Prix LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship Saturday night by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen needed only to finish ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to give Red Bull a fourth straight driver championship. The Dutchman started fifth but was already up to second by the 10th lap around the street circuit that includes the famed Las Vegas Strip. Norris, who had to score at least three points more than Verstappen to extend the championship fight, finished sixth. The race was won by George Russell who was followed by Lewis Hamilton in the first 1-2 sweep for the Mercedes drivers since 2022. Dartmouth sorority, two members of fraternity face charges after student who attended party drowned HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A sorority at Dartmouth College and two members of a fraternity faces charges related to the death of a student who drowned after attending an off-campus party. The Hanover, New Hampshire police department, where Dartmouth is located, said Friday that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house. Two members of the Beta Alpha Omega face a charge of providing alcohol to a person under 21. Won Jang, 20, of Middletown, Delaware, had attended an off-campus party in July hosted by Alpha Phi sorority. Police said the alcohol was provided by Beta Alpha Omega. Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards are marching in downtown Barcelona to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living." The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States. The average rent for Spain has doubled in the last decade. In cities like Barcelona, rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Jason Kelce's wife announces she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce's wife is announcing she's pregnant with the couple's fourth child. Kylie Kelce posted a photo on Instagram on Friday of the couple's three young daughters reacting to the news. The oldest daughter, Wyatt, appears to be cupping her head in shock. The middle daughter, Ellioette, is smiling. The youngest, Bennett, is in tears. A caption attached to the photo reads: “I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page!” Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE is missing. Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnapped DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in the United Arab Emirates has gone missing, with Israeli authorities raising the suspicion he may have been kidnapped as tensions remain high with Iran. The Israeli prime minister’s office said that Zvi Kogan has been missing since noon Thursday. It said that against the backdrop of information that this was a terrorist incident, an extensive investigation has been opened in the country. Emirati officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State-run media in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, did not immediately report the incident. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Michael B. Jordan uses timeout at women's college basketball game to sign smoldering photo LOS ANGELES (AP) — Snoop Dogg strolled in wearing a jacket with JuJu Watkins’ name and number on the front and back. Michael B. Jordan thrilled a USC female fan with an impromptu autograph during a timeout. The stars came out to the showdown between third-ranked Southern California and No. 6 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish won 74-61 to remain undefeated in the nationally televised game. The woman held up a smoldering magazine photo of the actor and he indicated he'd sign it. With the arena DJ egging her on, she climbed out of the stands and met Jordan at his seat. He leaned in to ask her name, signed and they shared an embrace.The trial in a Virginia federal court is Google's second US antitrust case now under way as the US government tries to rein in the power of big tech. In a separate trial, a Washington judge ruled that Google's search business is an illegal monopoly, and the US Justice Department is asking that Google sell its Chrome browser business to resolve the case. The latest case, also brought by the Justice Department, focuses on ad technology for the open web -- the complex system determining which online ads people see when they surf the internet. The vast majority of websites use a trio of Google ad software products that together, leave no way for publishers to escape Google's advertising technology, the plaintiffs allege. Publishers -- including News Corp and Gannett publishing -- complain that they are locked into Google's advertising technology in order to run ads on their websites. "Google is once, twice, three times a monopolist," DOJ lawyer Aaron Teitelbaum told the court in closing arguments. Presiding judge Leonie Brinkema has said that she would deliver her opinion swiftly, as early as next month. Whatever Brinkema's judgment, the outcome will almost certainly be appealed, prolonging a process that could go all the way to the US Supreme Court. The government alleges that Google controls the auction-style system that advertisers use to purchase advertising space online. The US lawyers argue that this approach allows Google to charge higher prices to advertisers while sending less revenue to publishers such as news websites, many of which are struggling to stay in business. The US argues that Google used its financial power to acquire potential rivals and corner the ad tech market, leaving advertisers and publishers with no choice but to use its technology. The government wants Google to divest parts of its ad tech business. Google dismissed the allegations as an attempt by the government to pick "winners and losers" in a diverse market. The company argues that the display ads at issue are just a small share of today's ad tech business. Google says the plaintiffs' definition of the market ignores ads that are also placed in search results, apps and social media platforms and where, taken as a whole, Google does not dominate. "The law simply does not support what the plaintiffs are arguing in this case," said Google's lawyer Karen Dunn. She warned that if Google were to lose the case, the winners would be rival tech giants such as Microsoft, Meta or Amazon, whose market share in online advertising is ascendant as Google's share is falling. The DOJ countered that it simply "does not matter" that Google is competing in the broader market for online ads. "That is a different question" than the market for ads on websites that is the target of the case, said Teitelbaum. Google also points to US legal precedent, saying arguments similar to the government's have been refuted in previous antitrust cases. Dunn also warned that forcing Google to work with rivals in its ad products would amount to government central planning that the court should reject. If the judge finds Google to be at fault, a new phase of the trial would decide how the company should comply with that conclusion. And all that could be moot if the incoming Trump administration decides to drop the case. The president-elect has been a critic of Google's, but he warned earlier this month that breaking it up could be "a very dangerous thing." arp/dw

"28 Days Later" Sequel "28 Years Later" First Trailer Released, Set to Premiere in North America on June 20 Next YearSky: Calafiori, Zaniolo, Mancini, and Ibanez Absent from Open TrainingThe slippery appeal of RFK Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again movement