49ers coach Kyle Shanahan expresses confidence in struggling kicker Jake MoodyTrump’s social media company is exploring a crypto payment service called TruthFiSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — When the San Francisco 49ers used a third-round pick to draft Jake Moody last year, the hope was it would settle their kicking position for years to come. A shaky second half to Moody's second season with San Francisco has put that into question headed to the offseason. Moody missed his sixth field goal in the past seven games last week, leading to questions about whether the 49ers will need to replace him or at least bring in competition for next season. Coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence in Moody on Thursday, attributing some of the struggles to a high ankle sprain he suffered in his kicking leg earlier in the season. “I still feel the same about him, that I believe he is going to be our guy," Shanahan said. “Everyone has got to perform and do things like that and I think he has had a tough year. ... I thought he was doing really well and then had a high ankle sprain to his kicking foot. Since he’s come back, he hasn’t been as consistent, obviously. But I think a lot of that probably has to do with that, just common-sense wise.” Moody got off to a strong start this season, making all six field goals he attempted in the season opener and going 13 for 14 before injuring his ankle while attempting to make a tackle on a kickoff return in Week 5. He missed three games and has struggled since he returned. He missed three field goals in first first game back at Tampa Bay, two more in the snow at Buffalo in Week 13 and then a 41-yarder last week against the Dolphins. “That’s the great thing about kicking is, you can be as talented as whoever and you can struggle,” Moody said. “I feel like this year, I’ve struggled. It doesn’t really waver my confidence or anything. I feel like, throughout my entire life, I’ve gone through struggles, I’ve gone through high points. The biggest thing is to just stay consistent, not change anything.” Moody had an up-and-down rookie season, making 21 of 25 field goals in the regular season and missing only one extra point. But he missed a potential game-winning kick in a loss at Cleveland and missed field goals in playoff wins against Green Bay and Detroit. Moody then made three field goals in the Super Bowl with two coming from more than 50 yards, including a go-ahead 53-yard kick late in the fourth quarter against Kansas City. But Moody also had an extra point blocked in that game. “I believe we’ve got the right guy and I think that eventually, I think he has shown that at times,” Shanahan said. "I thought he showed that at times his rookie year. I thought he showed that big time being 12 out of 13 to start this year. And I think he’ll show us all that in the future.” NOTES: The Niners placed LT Trent Williams on IR after his ankle injury hasn't healed as quickly as hoped. Shanahan didn't think there were any long-term issues. ... LB Dre Greenlaw (calf) will be shut down for the rest of the season after playing parts of two games in his return from a torn left Achilles tendon. ... OL Spencer Burford (calf) didn't practice but might be able to play this week. ... San Francisco has signed two OL this week, adding Matt Hennessy and Charlie Heck. ... RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring, foot) was limited but appears on track to play this week. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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Mind the Gap: Six Tips to Assess Your Healthcare Coverage Before the New Year

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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signs order to help economic growth amid job growth, budget shortfall(BPT) - The new year is a good time to reset. From a fresh start on lifestyle choices, hobbies or pursuits, to the less exciting — but no less important — aspects of life, like memberships, contracts and even health insurance. Health insurance deductibles reset in the new year, so it's a good idea to keep that in mind as you plan for healthcare expenses. Any changes made to your health insurance plan during open enrollment go into effect as well. "Even if you spent hours researching your health plan before making a selection, there's always a possibility for the occasional surprise once coverage kicks in, which is why it's important to assess your healthcare coverage and address any gaps before January 1," said Doug Armstrong, Vice President of Health Products and Services at AARP Services, Inc. "AARP members can take advantage of benefits available to them to help find the coverage and savings information they seek." 1. Examine your vision coverage Eye health is important to quality of life, both in terms of moving around safely and appreciating your surroundings. Regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist or optometrist can help make sure your vision is sharp while also monitoring for any issues. However, many health insurance plans don't include vision coverage. If you do see a gap in your coverage, AARP members have access to information on vision insurance options that offer individual and family plans, featuring a large doctor network, savings on frames, lens enhancements, progressives and more. 2. Plan for prescriptions While several health plans offer coverage for prescription drugs, discounts can vary, especially when it comes to different types of medication. AARP ® Prescription Discounts Provided by Optum RX ® can help with savings. This program offers a free prescription discount card that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on FDA-approved medications. Additional benefits for AARP members include home delivery, deeper discounts on medications, coverage for dependents and more. 3. Confirm your primary care With a new health insurance plan, you might find that your primary care physician is no longer in-network or that they no longer accept your insurance. Perhaps you have relocated and are in the market for a new doctor. Whatever the case, there's no time like the present to search for a new primary care physician who meets your needs. If you're on Medicare, Oak Street Health can be a great resource. The only primary care provider to carry the AARP name, Oak Street Health provides primary care for adults on Medicare and focuses on prevention with personalized care to help keep you healthy — physically, mentally and socially. Benefits include same-day/next-day appointments where available, convenient locations, a dedicated care team and a 24/7 patient support line. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health location. 4. Protect your smile Optimal dental care includes daily brushing and flossing and a visit to the dentist every six months. During your visit, the dentist can monitor for and treat any issues, such as cavities or gum disease. However, not all plans include dental insurance, which means you might end up paying out of pocket for your cleaning and other procedures. To avoid that, take a look at your coverage. If needed, explore information on dental insurance options that offer individual or family coverage for the most common dental procedures. Dental insurance generally pays for regular check-ups, so many people who purchase protection will benefit from it immediately. 5. Clarify your hearing coverage Hearing loss is a common age-related ailment. According to the National Institute on Aging , one-third of older adults have hearing loss, and the chance of developing hearing loss increases with age. Hearing aids can be an enormous help, improving socialization, boosting confidence and even helping to increase balance. However, many insurance plans do not include coverage for hearing aids. AARP ® Hearing SolutionsTM provided by UnitedHealthcare ® Hearing provides savings on hearing aids and hearing care . Members can save an average of $2,000 per pair on prescription hearing aids and 15% on accessories — no insurance needed. Plus receive a hearing exam and consultation at no cost and personalized support through a large nationwide network of hearing providers. 6. Consider physical therapy Often, the only times that people consider whether their health insurance covers physical therapy is if they already participate in it or after the doctor has prescribed it. As we age, though, physical therapy can be a useful tool in improving balance or recovering from an injury or procedure to help you remain active. Fortunately, the question of coverage or finding an in-network location doesn't have to derail you. AARP ® Physical Therapy At HomeTM by Luna accepts most insurances and Medicare and is available to members and non-members alike. Plus, Luna's experts come to you, so you can receive quality care from the comfort of your home. If you're creating an end-of-year to-do list, consider adding an assessment of your healthcare coverage. After all, the best time to realize you have a gap in coverage is before you need it. To learn more about AARP member benefits, visit aarp.org/benefits . AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.

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Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion dealPakistan becomes 3rd largest sesame exporter Pakistan and Turkiye agree to strengthen agricultural cooperation, aiming to enhance bilateral trade An image of sesame seeds. — Unsplash/File ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has become the world’s third-largest exporter of sesame, achieving annual exports exceeding $1 billion, the government announced Thursday. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain lauded sesame as a high-value cash crop with vast export potential during an international sesame investment conference here Thursday. “Sesame’s success highlights its role as a transformative crop for Pakistan’s economy,” Hussain said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to further boosting production and exploring global markets for the crop. He highlighted Pakistan’s remarkable progress in sesame production over the past five years, noting a 455 percent increase that brought annual production to 1.119 million tons. Export volumes also soared by 327 per cent, reaching 0.760 million tons annually, while the export value climbed by 366 per cent to $1.073 billion per year, positioning Pakistan as the world’s third-largest sesame exporter. Hussain credited the transformation of sesame from a neglected crop into a vital contributor to the economy to its inclusion in the National Oilseeds Enhancement Program (NOEP). “This success is the result of collaboration between the federal ministry and provincial agriculture departments,” he remarked. The minister urged stakeholders to focus on improving processing technology, adding value to sesame products, and exploring new international markets. He also called on the Ministry of Commerce to play a pivotal role in promoting Pakistani sesame products globally. “Increasing sesame production will not only reduce edible oil imports but also significantly enhance the agricultural sector’s contribution to the economy,” he stated, emphasizing the crop’s strategic importance in bolstering Pakistan’s export portfolio. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Turkiye agreed to strengthen agricultural cooperation, aiming to enhance bilateral trade and technology transfer under the Strategic Economic Framework (SEF). Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain held talks with the Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan here Thursday, emphasizing the mutual benefits of collaboration in agriculture. Key agreements include joint ventures in agricultural mechanization, aquaculture breeding and advanced irrigation systems. Both sides committed to improving trade through adherence to international Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards and facilitating Turkish investment in Pakistan’s agriculture and livestock sectors. Minister Hussain highlighted Pakistan’s ability to supply quality agricultural products, including rice, wheat, mangoes, dry fruits and livestock products to the Turkish market. The Turkish delegation acknowledged the potential for increased economic ties and expressed interest in expanding cooperation. “Pakistan is ready to not only expand exports but also create long-term partnerships with Turkiye to boost agricultural productivity and economic opportunities for both nations,” Hussain said after the meeting. The two countries agreed to develop an actionable plan to achieve these objectives, focusing on technology transfer, disease control and improved agricultural trade.

2024 marked a watershed year for the US autonomous vehicle industry with the ride-hailing market also experiencing a fresh boost after a slowdown in 2022 and 2023. Advertisement According to Straits Research, the global autonomous vehicle market size was pegged at $23.36 billion in 2024, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.1% during 2025 and 2033 to reach $65.30 by 2033. Advertisement Europe, with strong government support and increasing demand for AVs led the pack among countries worldwide, with Germany and the UK particularly standing out. Europe was followed by North America, where, apart from favourable government policies, the presence of industry leaders is expected to provide an impetus to demand in the coming years. According to Autonomous Vehicle Pilots Across America, over 50% of US cities are preparing to develop their roads for self-driving vehicles. takes a look at all the major developments that the industry leaders underwent in the last year, and what lies ahead for them in 2025. Waymo emerges as the frontrunner in robotaxi services Alphabet-owned Waymo emerged as the frontrunner in the autonomous driving industry as the company announced an investment of $5 billion into the self-driving startup. Waymo unveiled its sixth-generation Waymo Driver system and with 800 self-driving vehicles in operation currently in California and Phoenix, Waymo became the only AV company to be collecting fares in the US. In 2025, the company will expand its robotaxi services to Austin, Atlanta, and Miami, with rides available via the Uber app. The company also announced its first international foray in Tokyo, with a start made by collaborating with Japan-based taxi operator Nihon Kotsu. It will commence test rides in early 2025. It has also partnered with Hyundai in October for the integration of Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 SUV into the AV startup’s fleet of vehicles. The Waymo Ioniq 5s will also begin testing by late 2025. According to a , Waymo co-CEOs Tekedra Mawakana and Dmitri Dolgov, told employees at an all-hands meeting in November that they should scale up as aggressively as possible but do so with safety at the forefront of all their efforts. Therefore, simultaneously, to assure the public of safety in its service, the company has developed a large public affairs operation, published more detailed safety reports in 2024, and is working closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, first responders and authorities in the cities where it operates. Will Tesla finally deliver on its AV promises in 2025? While Waymo has made strides towards commercialisation and mainstream adoption, Tesla still lags behind. Tesla’s robotaxi promises remained unfulfilled in 2024, even though Tesla CEO Elon Musk did reveal the look and feel of the company’s “dedicated robotaxi” in October. Called Cybercab, the company plans to produce the robotaxi by 2027. At the same event, Tesla also unveiled the ‘Robovan’, its autonomous bus, however, despite these innovations, Tesla has not yet obtained permits for commercial robotaxi services in key US markets. While bullish investors say Tesla will deliver on its driverless technology promises as early as next year, looking at Tesla’s missed deadlines on robotaxis, critics have their doubts. Musk, on the other hand has attributed the delays to US regulations. Current regulations cap the number of self-driving vehicles a manufacturer can deploy at 2,500 annually under special exemptions. Efforts to increase that limit to 100,000 have repeatedly failed in Congress due to legislative gridlock. On a Tesla earnings call on Oct. 23, Musk said he would use his sway with now President-elect Donald Trump to establish a “federal approval process for autonomous vehicles.” Separately, after the US elections on November 18, that Trump’s transition team had signalled plans to prioritise the development of a federal framework for fully autonomous vehicles. Tesla’s stock reacted positively to the news, surging over 5% on trading platforms like Robinhood in what can be seen as a signal for the road ahead for Tesla with Trump in power. However, in a for Internet and Society, AV policy expert Bryant Walker Smith has rejected the idea that regulatory hurdles have curtailed the robotaxi business. “AVs can be — and in fact are — lawfully deployed and regulated under existing federal statutory law,” he said, highlighting Waymo’s example. How Zoox’s unique approach shows promise Amazon-backed Zoox has shown promise with its self-driving shuttles. These vehicles, described as “toasters on wheels,” lack a steering wheel or driver’s seat and feature inward-facing seats, making them ideal for urban environments. In 2024, Zoox secured permits to carry passengers in Foster City, California, expanding to Las Vegas and San Francisco through its Zoox Explorers program. According to CNBC, in March, the company expanded the environmental conditions its AVs can handle on public roads to include “nighttime driving, driving under light rain and damp road conditions, and at speeds up to 45 mph. The company’s leadership, including CEO Aicha Evans, has focused on scaling operations while maintaining safety standards. Zoox is now aiming to offer free rides to a wider group of the general public early next year, before opening up to paying customers and the general public, CNBC said. The service will start in Las Vegas and expand to San Francisco, the company told CNBC. It will begin with an early rider program called Zoox Explorers, allowing select users to ride in a Zoox for free and provide feedback. A recent hire, Zheng Gao, formerly Tesla’s autopilot hardware lead, signals Zoox’s commitment to attracting top talent. GM’s withdrawal from the AV sector stunned industry Despite growing demand for robotaxi services in the US, GM stunned industry observers by announcing its withdrawal from the sector earlier this month. “Cruise was making great progress in the robotaxi space, but deploying a fleet involves significant operational complexities,” GM CEO Mary Barra explained during a call detailing the strategic shift. The Detroit-based automaker will now concentrate on developing “personal autonomous vehicles” rather than pursuing robotaxi ventures. GM has not yet disclosed how many of Cruise’s 2,300 employees will transition to its broader technology team. Cruise founder Kyle Vogt, who sold the company to GM in 2016 and departed in late 2023, criticized the decision on X, writing, “If it wasn’t obvious before, it is now: GM doesn’t get it.” The road ahead for autonomous vehicles In 2024, though the AV industry overall still faced a lack of sufficient capital to support technology, investment announcements like Alphabet’s added a milestone. S&P Global Mobility’s September 2024 describes sales of autonomous vehicles growing slowly in the US. According to S&P Global Mobility’s September 2024 Autonomy forecasts, in 2034, sales of autonomous light vehicles in the US is forecasted to reach about 230,000 autonomous mobility-as-a-service units, suggesting a market share of less than 1.5% per year a decade from now. In mainland China, development is progressing more quickly. In that market, S&P forecasts potentially 1.5 million autonomous vehicles sold in the country in 2034, or about 5% of light-vehicle sales. Europe is expected to advance more slowly than the US, however, with sales beginning later than either the US or mainland China and rising to only 37,000 units in 2034. “Will autonomous vehicle technology prove to be as elusive as a strong hydrogen economy, something for which scale deployment seems perpetually 15 to 20 years in the future? Investment and expansion in 2024 are encouraging in the US market, but challenges remain,”None