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ps88q The Taconic State Parkway just got a whole lot friendlierAt least one Israeli airstrike shook the Lebanese capital of Beirut late Tuesday, moments after U.S. President Joe Biden said Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to ceasefire deal . At least 24 people have been killed in strikes across Lebanon, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens across the country’s north. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. Hezbollah began attacking Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, in support of the Palestinian militant group. More than a year of fighting in Lebanon escalated into all-out war in September with massive Israeli airstrikes across the country and an Israeli ground invasion of the south. In Gaza, more than 44,000 people have been killed and more than 104,000 wounded in the nearly 14-month war between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Here's the Latest: JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, clearing the way for the truce to take effect. Netanyahu’s office said the plan was approved by a 10-1 margin. The late-night vote came shortly before President Joe Biden was expected to announced details of the deal in Washington. Earlier, Netanyahu defended the ceasefire, saying Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah and could now focus its efforts on Hamas militants in Gaza and his top security concern, Iran. Netanyahu vowed to strike Hezbollah hard if it violates the expected deal. WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trump’s designate to be national security adviser, credited Trump’s victory with helping bring the parties together toward a ceasefire in Lebanon. “Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump,” he said in a post on X on Tuesday. “His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards deescalation in the Middle East.” He added: “But let’s be clear: The Iran Regime is the root cause of the chaos & terror that has been unleashed across the region. We will not tolerate the status quo of their support for terrorism.” BEIRUT — Israeli jets targeted a building in a bustling commercial area of Beirut for the first time since the start of the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel. The strike on Hamra is around 400 meters (yards) from the country’s central bank. A separate strike hit the Mar Elias neighborhood in the country’s capital Tuesday. There was no immediate word on casualties from either strike, part of the biggest wave of attacks on the capital since the war started. Residents in central Beirut were seen fleeing after the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings for four targets in the city. Meanwhile, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes on at least 30 targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including two strikes in the Jnah neighborhood near the Kuwaiti Embassy. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 13 people were injured in the strikes on the southern suburbs. BEIRUT — Hezbollah has said it accepts the ceasefire proposal with Israel, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Among the issues that may remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. The deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Netanyahu said the vote was expected later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal does not affect Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of ending. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s state media said Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed at least 10 people in Baalbek province the country’s east. At least three people were killed in the southern city of Tyre when Israel bombed a Palestinian refugee camp, said Mohammed Bikai, a representative of the Fatah group in the area. He said several more people were missing and at least three children were among the wounded. He said the sites struck inside the camp were “completely civilian places” and included a kitchen that was being used to cook food for displaced people. JERUSALEM — Dozens of Israeli protesters took to a major highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to call for the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as the country awaited news of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Protesters chanted “We are all hostages,” and “Deal now!” waving signs with faces of some of the roughly 100 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza, at least a third of whom are thought to be dead. Most of the other hostages Hamas captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack were released during a ceasefire last year. The prospect of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon has raised desperation among the relatives of captives still held in Gaza, who once hoped that the release of hostages from Gaza would be included. Instead of a comprehensive deal, the ceasefire on the table is instead narrowly confined to Lebanon. Dozens of Israelis were also demonstrating against the expected cease-fire, gathering outside Israel’s military headquarters in central Tel Aviv. One of the protesters, Yair Ansbacher, says the deal is merely a return to the failed 2006 U.N. resolution that was meant to uproot Hezbollah from the area. “Of course that didn’t happen,” he says. “This agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.” FIUGGI, Italy — Foreign ministers from the world’s industrialized countries said Tuesday they strongly supported an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and insisted that Israel comply with international law in its ongoing military operations in the region. At the end of their two-day summit, the ministers didn’t refer directly to the International Criminal Court and its recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over crimes against humanity . Italy had put the ICC warrants on the official meeting agenda, even though the G7 was split on the issue. The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, isn’t a signatory to the court and has called the warrants “outrageous.” However, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said all the other G7 countries were signatories and therefore obliged to respect the warrants. In the end, the final statement adopted by the ministers said Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, “must fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law.” And it said all G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – “reiterate our commitment to international humanitarian law and will comply with our respective obligations.” It stressed that “there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.” The ICC warrants say there's reason to believe Netanyahu used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. BEIRUT — An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. It was not immediately clear if anyone in particular was targeted, though Israel says its airstrikes target Hezbollah officials and assets. The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war, like the capital’s commercial Hamra district, where many people displaced by the war have been staying. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks in Lebanon during the final hours before a ceasefire is reached, sparked panic and sent residents fleeing in their cars to safer areas. In areas close to Hamra, families including women and children were seen running away toward the Mediterranean Sea’s beaches carrying their belongings. Traffic was completely gridlocked as people tried to get away, honking their car horns as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. The Israeli military also issued warnings for 20 more buildings in Beirut’s suburbs to evacuate before they too were struck — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. TEL AVIV, Israel — The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services. The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe. The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.” It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues. The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means. On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking. The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack. Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military says its ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River — a focal point of the emerging ceasefire. In a statement Tuesday, the army said it had reached the Wadi Slouqi area in southern Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah forces. Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border. The military says the clashes with Hezbollah took place on the eastern end of the Litani, just a few kilometers (miles) from the border. It is one of the deepest places Israeli forces have reached in a nearly two-month ground operation. The military says soldiers destroyed rocket launchers and missiles and engaged in “close-quarters combat” with Hezbollah forces. The announcement came hours before Israel’s security Cabinet is expected to approve a ceasefire that would end nearly 14 months of fighting. BEIRUT — Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the country’s only airport. Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based. The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes. FIUGGI, Italy — EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. (edited)NEW YORK (AP) — A piece of conceptual art consisting of a simple banana, duct-taped to a wall, sold for $6.2 million at an auction in New York on Wednesday, with the winning bid coming from a prominent cryptocurrency entrepreneur. “Comedian,” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was a phenomenon when it debuted in 2019 at Art Basel Miami Beach, as festivalgoers tried to make out whether the single yellow piece of fruit affixed to a white wall with silver duct tape was a joke or cheeky commentary on questionable standards among art collectors. At one point, another artist took the banana off the wall and ate it. The piece attracted so much attention that it had to be withdrawn from view. But three editions sold for between $120,000 and $150,000, according to the gallery handling sales at the time. Five years later, Justin Sun , founder of cryptocurrency platform TRON, has now paid more than 40 times that higher price point at the Sotheby’s auction. Or, more accurately, Sun purchased a certificate of authenticity that gives him the authority to duct-tape a banana to a wall and call it “Comedian.” The piece attracted heavy attention at the busy auction at Sotheby’s, with attendees in the crowded room holding up phones to take photos as two handlers wearing white gloves stood at both sides of the banana. Bidding started at $800,000 and within minutes shot up to $2 million, then $3 million, then $4 million, and higher, as the auctioneer, Oliver Barker, joked “Don’t let it slip away.” “Don’t miss this opportunity,” Barker said. “These are words I’ve never thought I’d say: Five million dollars for a banana.” The final hammer price announced in the room was $5.2 million, which didn’t include the about $1 million in auction house fees, paid by the buyer. In a statement, Sun said the piece “represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community.” But he said the latest version of “Comedian” won’t last long. “Additionally, in the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture,” Sun said. Sotheby’s calls Cattelan “among Contemporary Art’s most brilliant provocateurs.” “He has persistently disrupted the art world’s status quo in meaningful, irreverent, and often controversial ways,” the auction house said in a description of “Comedian.” Related Articles Entertainment | LeBron James says he’s taking a social media break for now Entertainment | Pamela Hayden, longtime ‘Simpsons’ voice actor, including Bart’s friend Milhouse, hangs up her mic Entertainment | Simone Biles to join Snoop Dogg as a guest mentor for an episode on NBC’s ‘The Voice’ Entertainment | Alec Baldwin wasn’t invited to ‘Rust’ premiere, incites anger of slain cinematographer’s family Entertainment | 'Euphoria' star Storm Reid not returning for season 3 The sale came a day after a painting by the Belgian surrealist René Magritte sold for $121.2 million, a record for the artist, at a separate auction. “The Empire of Light,” an eerie nighttime streetscape below a pale blue daytime sky, sold Tuesday as part of Christie’s sale of the collection of interior designer Mica Ertegun, who died last year at age 97. The sale lifts Magritte into the ranks of artists whose works have gone for more than $100 million at auction. Magritte is the 16th member of the club, which also includes Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, according to the market analyst firm Artprice. “The Empire of Light,” executed in 1954, was one of 17 versions of the same scene that Magritte painted in oil. Marc Porter, chairman of Christie’s Americas, called the sale “a historic moment in our saleroom.” The $121.2 million price included the auction house’s fees. The buyer was a telephone bidder whose identity was not disclosed.

The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange listed group, has released its voluntary operating update for the period ended 30 September 2024, showcasing resilient top-line growth despite challenging conditions. The company’s sales momentum continued into the third quarter, with double-digit growth in gross flows, supporting the ongoing improvement in net client cash flow. “In South Africa, the formation of the Government of National Unity and the 25-basis point interest rate cut had a positive impact on investor and customer sentiment, though tangible improvements in capital investments and disposable income remain constrained,” the company said. “In our Africa regions, excluding South Africa, the economic climate continued to be affected by elevated inflation and currency depreciation in some markets.” Following the recent elections in South Africa, a historic coalition was established as 10 political parties, representing a broad range of ideologies, united to form the GNU. Although tangible improvements in capital investments and disposable income remain constrained, Old Mutual’s diversified distribution strategy and strong performance in certain segments, such as life assurance and wealth management, helped drive sales. The has also highlighted that Old Mutual’s life assurance sales increased by 6% from the prior period, driven by good risk sales in the Mass and Foundation Cluster across all distribution channels. Personal Finance delivered higher guaranteed annuity sales, better savings, and funeral sales, while Wealth Management reported good sales growth in tax-free savings, wealth life, and investment funds. The company’s gross flows increased by 19% from the prior period, mainly driven by excellent inflows in Wealth Management, which saw a significant uplift across all platforms. Net client cash flow improved materially, benefiting from robust inflows and reduced levels of outflows in Wealth Management. Old Mutual’s regulatory solvency ratio for Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (South Africa) Limited (OMLACSA) marginally reduced to 198% and remains within the target range of 175%-210%. The Group’s discretionary capital balance increased to R1.6 billion from the R1.4 billion reported at 30 June 2024. The implementation of the two-pot retirement regime, effective 1 September, is expected to have an impact on Old Mutual’s operations. However, the company said it remains well-positioned to manage the increase in claims volumes, having paid 93% of the 240,000 claims submitted, amounting to R2.4 billion, as of the end of October 2024. Old Mutual operates in 13 African countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and eSwatini. The Group has a niche business in China.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Gov.-elect Mike Braun on Thursday said he will rearrange state agencies into a Cabinet-style model for better efficiency and accountability. Braun said his Cabinet will consist of his chief of staff, the lieutenant governor, the superintendent of the Indiana State Police, the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard, and eight secretaries responsible for a different policy area. Some of the secretaries’ titles are familiar, namely the secretary of commerce and the secretary of education. Their portfolios will be larger. In addition to the Indiana Economic Development Corp., the secretary of commerce now will oversee the Indiana Destination Development Corp. and the Ports of Indiana. The secretary of education, meanwhile, will oversee the Commission for Higher Education and the School for the Blind and School for the Deaf in addition to the Indiana Department of Education. Other positions are completely new. Chief among them is a secretary of public safety. The Department of Correction, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Indiana Department of Homeland Security and a new Office of School Safety will report to them, though the state police will still report directly to the governor. The Indiana Department of Health, the Family and Social Services Administration and the departments of Child Services and Veterans Affairs will answer to a new secretary of health and family services. Indianapolis Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will answer to a new secretary of transportation and infrastructure. Braun said in a statement the secretaries will be empowered to drive progress within their policy areas and will be held responsible for agency performance and improvement. The Cabinet will also be allowed to implement cross-government initiatives. “By aligning agencies and reorganizing the executive branch, we can drive accountability for leaders and agencies, promote better coordination and communication between our administration and the Indiana General Assembly, and create efficiency across state government,” Braun said in the statement. Like other gubernatorial appointments, Braun’s Cabinet secretaries will not require approval by the state Senate.Raiders’ Pierce after win hurts draft order: ‘We don’t do this to lose’

Authored by Eric Utter via AmericanThinker.com, This is going to be controversial to many, but I am going to tell it like I see it, so damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. The Biden administration, set up as it was by the Obama administration, has been a clear and present danger to the United States of America. In almost every way imaginable. It has tanked an economy that otherwise was on the way to (an almost inevitable) rapid, post-pandemic recovery, causing pain to countless American families. Speaking of the pandemic, its ludicrous lockdown policy, and a host of other counterproductive and destructive policies, caused immeasurable physical, mental, and emotional harm to millions of people—and summarily destroyed many small businesses, particularly restaurants. It fostered a growing oligarchy by ensuring certain government-approved giant corporations prospered while the small businesses were devastated. It nourished this budding fascism even as it took every opportunity to baselessly label Donald Trump and his supporters as “fascists.” Similarly, it incessantly talked of “saving our democracy” even as it tried to destroy it by pushing for the end of the Electoral College and the filibuster, supporting the advent of congressional representation for Washington, D.C., urging the granting of statehood to Puerto Rico, and, most egregiously, going to any and all lengths to get rid of its chief political opponent, Donald J. Trump. It is still doing all it can to obstruct the will of the people, as was evident in its post-election auctioning off materials for the border wall for pennies on the dollar, as well as in placing various other roadblocks in front of the incoming administration. (In other words, it is doing everything possible to counteract the will of the people. Doesn’t sound very democratic to me.) Leaving the border wide open for years has created the greatest current—and latent—security threat the nation has ever faced. Period. In colluding with the social media giants to suppress the Hunter Biden laptop story, or with foreign agents to concoct the Russian-collusion hoax, Democrats have shown, time and again, they will do anything to attain and retain power. The Biden administration made that abundantly clear...seven ways from Sunday. In its constant use of lawfare and its “accountability for thee but not for me” perversion of the justice system, it has created a two-tiered system of justice that is deeply anti-American and monstrously pernicious. And that is troubling—and frightening—to most Americans. The Biden administration has helped make a mockery of common sense—if not of reality itself —with its official inability to define what a woman is, and to simultaneously approve of “gender reassignment” surgeries and procedures (even for the very young)...and biological men in women’s locker-rooms, bathrooms, and on their sports teams. It has done grievous damage to our culture—and unity—by endlessly promoting the absurd ideologies of DEI and CRT. Its unwillingness to ever be available, accountable, or transparent is only matched by its overwhelming desire and propensity to lie to the very citizens it is supposed to serve. Which we have seen in its attempts to protect itself, smear Trump and his supporters, give a pass to the Chinese spy balloon, and in its flat-out refusal to tell Americans anything resembling the truth about the drone fiasco that has been ongoing for over a month. The non-answers and gibberish that has spewed from the mouths of “government officials,” has been truly mind-blowing...on this and numerous other matters. As if all of this weren’t enough, its foreign policy may yet lead to our destruction. It essentially surrendered to goat-herders in Afghanistan, leaving behind billions of dollars of high-end military equipment, more than a dozen dead Americans, and our reputation and dignity. It has bizarrely coddled Iran while playing hardball with Israel, the only liberal democracy in the Middle East. And it seems almost determined to get us directly involved in a shooting war with Russia, if not a nuclear one. To me, this is far worse than incompetence, more than malfeasance. To me, it spells T-R-E-A-S-O-N . Were this an age of reason , what other conclusion could be reached?

President-elect Donald Trump’s repeated calls to defund public media have put organizations like NPR and PBS on high alert . Trump has long criticized outlets like NPR and PBS, accusing them of promoting liberal bias, and has vowed to cut all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports public media, The Guardian reports . In April on Truth Social, Trump called NPR a “total scam” and demanded an end to its funding. His criticism follows a longstanding pattern of Republican efforts to reduce or eliminate public media funding, dating back to the 1967 creation of the CPB. The CPB provides grants to over 1,500 public radio and TV stations across the country, helping ensure editorial independence while also allowing for local fundraising. Also Read: Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Quantum Computing, Tesla, AMD — And Whales Buy 270 Million Dogecoin Over 4 Days Trump’s allies, including Elon Musk , have joined the chorus. Musk, after labeling NPR as “state-affiliated media” in 2023, has called for the defunding of NPR, echoing Trump’s anti-public media stance, the report adds. His recent collaboration with Vivek Ramaswamy to reduce government spending includes proposed cuts to the CPB’s $535 million budget. Despite these efforts, public media remains deeply embedded in American life, with 99% of the population within reach of public radio or TV, The Guardian adds. Yet the U.S. spends far less on public media compared to other countries. Critics argue that defunding public media would harm rural communities, where stations are often crucial for local news and emergency alerts. While bills to defund NPR and PBS are currently before Congress, the challenge of transferring emergency alert responsibilities and the two-year funding cycle for the CPB could slow these efforts. Read Next: ExxonMobil Stock Navigates Death Cross: Market Signals Turn Bearish For Oil Giant © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Blake Snell, Dodgers agree to five-year, $182M contract: Reports

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Beauty and skincare trends may come and go, but there are a few that have proven themselves to be effective and stand the test of time. One of these trends? The use of light therapy, both in and out of doctors’ offices. Once considered a very niche skin treatment, light therapy’s popularity has grown exponentially over the last decade. As someone who loves to get skincare treatments, I have to admit that I was hesitant when LED (light emitting diode) light therapy devices became available for private home use outside that of dermatologist and aesthetician offices. Not only did I struggle to understand how a home device could be as efficacious as those used in professional office settings, but it seems counterintuitive that this kind of technology is both effective and accessible at a range of price points. But I was wrong! There are quite a few brands with either a light mask or wand in their repertoire but there’s one that caught my eye from the moment it became available. And, of course, it’s the most expensive option. I simply cannot help my taste level, it’s a blessing and a curse. After months of seeing rave reviews online, both from customers and beauty professionals alike, I made one of my very first big beauty splurges and bought the Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro light mask , which retails for a cool $455. Needless to say, I was eager to see if my purchase was made in vain — and dear readers, I am pleased to report that it was worth every hard-earned cent. As it turns out, there’s a reason the mask is used by celebrities and influencers like Salma Hayek , Charlotte McKinney , and Lucy Hale. It really, truly works — if you are willing to play the long game. So, what does this best-selling light mask actually do? It uses LED lights over your entire face to target the look of both wrinkles and breakouts. This is ideal if, like me, you are perpetually trying to deal with both. You’ve likely seen similar-looking masks and wands floating around, but Dr. Dennis Gross’ FDA-cleared technology uses a combination of 100 red lights and 62 blue lights that work together to target these common skin issues. Red light supports natural collagen production, which helps to smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles and diminish visible discoloration, scars, and damage, while blue light targets acne-causing bacteria, helping shorten the length of breakouts, calm red skin, and prevent future breakouts. The mask has three settings: red light, blue light, and a third with purple light, a combination of the other two colors. I’ve found that aside from the price tag, something that often discourages people from making the leap is the fact that the brand recommends consistent use for up to 10 weeks to see optimal results. That said, you only need to use it for three minutes a session, so it doesn’t take up a huge chunk of time out of each individual day. But I get it. Ten weeks feels like a really long time! Let me assure you that if you’re using it primarily for acne and breakouts, you may see results almost immediately. I get awful acne along my cheeks when the seasons change. My tender skin doesn’t know how to deal with the onslaught of extreme temperature changes, summer humidity, or winter dryness. During this time, I use my light mask nearly daily, and it’s shocking how quickly my breakouts dry up, and the accompanying scars fade. During this time, I primarily use the blue light setting. During what I like to call my “acne off-season,” I use the purple light 2-3 times a week for regular upkeep. I find that it keeps my skin soft, smooth and healthy and is a lovely supplement to my skincare routine. I can definitely attest that my skin feels smoother after regular use for at least 90 days, which makes it a perfect investment if you have a big event coming up. I loaned my mask to my now-sister-in-law in the months leading up to her wedding a few years back, and she was thrilled with the results. Another thing I love about this light mask is that it truly stands the test of time. I’ve had it for at least four years, and it’s never failed me or had any maintenance issues, and that’s with very regular use. So yes, it’s quite the investment up front, but you’ll be able to reap the benefits for many years to come. I like to use it right after washing my face on bare skin. The eye holes and lack of constraining wires make it easy to go about my business during the three short minutes that it takes to do its thing. Make a snack, take a selfie, drink some wine through a straw — the world is your robo-face oyster. Once it turns off automatically, I continue with my skincare routine as normal. It truly couldn’t be easier to add this step into your regime. A purchase of the Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro light mask includes a USB charging cord, a detachable and adjustable head strap, a storage bag and user manual to get you started. Even if you aren’t a beauty or skincare fanatic, you won’t regret adding this device to your rotation. The reviews truly speak for themselves. Add it to your birthday wishlist or save up and treat yourself because you absolutely deserve it. I always like to round out a pricey recommendation with more affordable ones, so I’ve included a few other popular options below in case you want to try out light mask technology before you make the big leap. Keep reading to make them yours. 1. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro mask Treat yourself to this game-changing skincare device. Not only is it an easy, convenient way to stay on top of your appearance, but it's also a great gift if you really want to wow a beauty lover in your life. And while it's a big financial investment up front, think of how much you'll save in professional treatments. Promising reviews: "I’ve been consistent with using this for an entire year now. I use it every night before bed. No problems with the charging or strap or anything. I’m in my mid 30’s and my skin has been pretty good to me for the past year. My rosacea has reduced, I’ve had absolutely no acne at all, my wrinkles are barely noticeable, and overall my skin just looks and feels better. I started using a pricy moisturizer too, but I’m sure it’s everything combined. Good purchase!" — Corina Grace "I was hesitant to purchase because of the price. However I am in love with this mask. I have been using it for 2 weeks now and I can already see results. Worth every penny !!!!" — k. owen "It's pricey but it works. This product is expensive but worth the investment if can afford it and will commit to consistent, daily use. I’ve been using for three weeks and can already see improvement in my nasal folds and laugh lines (around my mouth) in photos as well as in the mirror. I typically look for bargains and saw there were similar products for much cheaper, but this mask only needs 3 minutes per cycle and most of the cheaper versions require 20. I’m a career woman and new mom (at 37) and don’t have 20 extra minutes daily. The time savings made it worth it to me and I’m very happy with the purchase." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $455 (available in two colors). 2. TheraFace PRO handheld facial massage device While only marginally less expensive than the Dr. Dennis Gross light mask, the TheraFace offers the benefits of light therapy alongside that of percussive massage therapy. It's a versatile, multi-use product that is great for someone who wants a 6-in-1 device that can target multiple skincare issues. It comes with three percussive attachments that massage tired, sore muscles and can ease the pain of TMJ. A facial cleansing brush to ensure the deepest fresh clean. A microcurrent head that works to tighten skin and more. Like the aforementioned light mask, it uses three different light modes: one to target skincare, another to prevent and heal acne and a third that is the combination of both. Promising reviews: "I have always had decent skin. I am very prone to blackheads because I have larger pores, but overall I only suffered from very mild acne. For the most part, if I’m breaking out or having trouble spots of dry skin or any hyperpigmentation, it’s because I slacked on my skincare. As far as fine lines/wrinkles I have them on my forehead (main skin concern) and around my eyes a bit. If my skin is dryer then I’ll have slight smile lines but nothing that bothers me. This thing is a lazy persons best friend when it comes to at home treatments. With the exception of the microcurrent feature, all of the treatments require no rinsing after. (So I can literally use this sitting on the couch or laying in bed) I enjoy skincare and use at least 3-5 face masks per week. Sometimes more. Since getting this, I’ve used less masks but have seen incredible results. It’s almost too good to be true! My skin has a much healthier glow to it, that you can’t get from any cream or serum. It’s just healthy looking and clear. I cannot wait to see what my skin looks like after using this for the next few months. This plus a good spf is literally all I need. Therabody never misses!" — Jessie Marie "This all-in-one tool has made me happy. I definitely have fewer fine lines and my skin is tighter. Don’t expect the results you would receive with a facelift, but there is a noticeable difference after using this for several months." — K. Amin Get it from Amazon for $249 (available in two colors). 3. Newkey 7 light mask This popular and highly rated mask boasts seven different light settings that purport to solve myriad skin issues. Like the above, red and blue light targets skin and acne issues. The company also offers green light it says can help improve pigmentation, yellow light that can soothe skin and reduces redness, purple light to stimulate lymph nodes and relax you, light blue light to soothe allergy-reactive skin and white light to accelerate tissue metabolism. The suggested operating time is between 15 and 20 minutes, though you'll probably want to start slow just a few times a week as you try out the different settings and see what works for you. Promising review: "It works. I was skeptical about this and had my eye on it for a while. I thought it was too expensive. But then I added up how much I was spending on facials including LED, I realized it may pay for itself. I’ve used it a few times and can see a difference. My skin is more even toned and looks younger. Fine lines seem even finer. Worth every penny." — Poolmomof3 Get it from Amazon for $150.89 . 4. LightStim for acne This LightStim wand combines blue and red wavelengths of therapeutic light to help treat and control mild to moderate acne, and its small compact nature makes it easy to use while on the go. It comes with a power adaptor, goggles and guide, so you know you're doing it right. Promising review : "It works! It works for me, I love it. I alway get acne on my jawline and forehead. I like the warm light, IT works when you use it daily until all the acne disappears." — Carrie Get it from Dermstore for $169 . 5. Skin Gym WrinkLit LED mask Skin Gym's mask uses three lights — blue, red, and orange — to help eliminate pesky zits, diminish redness, and leave dull skin fresh and glowing. It's wireless, so you don't have to be tied to a plug while it works, and it's pretty cute, if you ask me. Promising review : "Useful! It’s definitely awesome and worth every penny. I have acne prone skin and I can definitely see that my blemishes and pores are minimizing and fading away. Love this Mask!" — Naomi Get it from Bloomingdale's for $99 . 6. Solawave advanced skincare wand with red light therapy If a mask feels too cumbersome, then you may want to check out Solawave's red light wand. It helps depuff the skin along with providing the benefits of red light therapy like reducing the look of wrinkles, fine lines and dark circles over time. It's super portable and can accompany you on your travels with a charge that lasts up to 12 uses. Promising review : "Love this thing! As a previous cosmetologist of 14 years, I know changes in my skin when I see them! I noticed changes after the first time using this one it helps with acne and wrinkles and overall brightening of the skin. It will always be something I use in my routine!" — Katherine B. Get it from Solawave for $169 (available in three colors). 7. Aphrona LED light treatment mask Aphrona's mask penetrates the skin to the cellular level to treat issues such as fine lines, wrinkles and acne. It uses red, blue and green light to accelerate healing and support skin rejuvenation. It does have to be plugged in during use, so be prepared to stay put. Promising review : "First, I love this LED mask. I don’t find the heaviness of the mask to be that bad. What I do is place my nose in the nose slot first, then resting the mask directly to my forehead meaning my forehead and nose are in direct contact with the plastic mask/shield. The mask isn’t made of rubber and therefore it won’t conform to your face on all parts. The application I use gets the biggest bang for your buck in terms of getting your skin/face as close to the mask as possible. The closer your face is to the mask the better the LED’s do their job. If you do research, every inch that your face is from the mask, it’s power declines by a certain percent. In terms of the quality of the mask, the wavelength amounts for each color are excellent, as they have to be in a certain and specific range for them to do what they say they will do." — Privy Liyy Get it from Amazon for $169.99+ (available in two colors). 8. A box of sterile alcohol pads Don't forget to clean your mask after use, or else all your hard work will be for naught. I like to keep a box of medical-grade alcohol swabs handy and wipe the inside of the mask down a couple of times a week to keep it clean. This Medpride box includes 100 pads you can use as needed. Get them from Amazon for $4.25 (also available in a 200-pack). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Sorber scores 22 as Georgetown beats Coppin State 83-53

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SOME significant changes are coming in the New Year for Social Security recipients, including a check increase. About 72.5 million Americans depend on a program from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Those programs offer financial support to those who are retired , disabled, or survivors after the death of a spouse, divorced spouse, child, or dependent of someone who paid Social Security taxes . Most recipients know that the monthly check they get in the mail as part of their benefits arrives on Wednesdays, depending on their birthday. They also know that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is announced in October of each year, which will determine how much money they get in the following year. Cost-of-living adjustments are made based on inflation rates and determine what monetary amount would help Americans comfortably get what they need to live in the current economy. Read More on Social Security The COLA adjustment announced on October 10 was 2.5%, the lowest increase in about four years. Still, it's floating around the historical average of about 2.6% and means an additional $48 per month for each check throughout the year, or $576 total. With the COLA adjustment, the average Social Security payment will be $1,968. Although retirees could benefit even more. Most read in Money WAIT IT OUT So long as they wait until what's defined as the full retirement age , determined by the SSA, they can get 100% of benefits. That number is 67 for anyone born after 1960 and means those who wait until then to stop working get $4,018 per check. This is up from $3,822 last year. Single disabled, widows, and widowers will see their payments bumped up to $1,832. Those who are disabled with a spouse and one or more children will have an increase to $2,826 monthly. It's important to note that all of the listed totals are expected averages and are subject to change depending on factors personal to each recipient. Social Security payments are issued on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month based on the recipient's birthdate: Second Wednesday : For individuals born between the 1st and 10th of the month Third Wednesday : For those born between the 11th and 20th Fourth Wednesday : For those born between the 21st and 31st Increases will arrive when payments for 2025 begin in January. TAX CONSIDERATIONS Those Americans still working should also remember that there is a limit on the amount of earnings that can be taxed by the SSA. It's defined as the "maximum taxable earnings" and changes annually along with the COLA based on increases in average wages nationwide. As a result, the more you make, the more is taxed. In 2025, maximum earnings will go up to $176,100 from $168,600. Read More on The US Sun There could also be extraordinary money some Americans could save if President-elect Donald Trump makes specific changes to Social Security. Still, an economist exclusively told The U.S. Sun that Social Security is quietly "screwing people it was designed to help."