live casino 247

live casino 247 'Wicked' movie fans finally will get to sing along — but not until Christmas DayNottingham Forest will assess Elliot Anderson on Friday before their trip to face Arsenal on Saturday. Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said the midfielder is still struggling with the foot injury he sustained against Crystal Palace last month. Anderson, 22, started the subsequent game against Leicester City and came off the bench in the last two Forest fixtures, against West Ham United and Newcastle United . Advertisement “We took advantage of the international break to try to manage some players who were struggling, and Elliot was one of them. Let’s see how he is tomorrow. But for now, we still have to assess him,” said Nuno at his pre-match press conference earlier on Thursday. The Portuguese coach said that, otherwise, Forest’s international players had all — with the exception of Paraguay international Ramon Sosa , who was yet to fly back to England — arrived back in Nottingham without injury issues. But both Murillo and Chris Wood will be given more rest ahead of the weekend, having travelled half way around the world to join up with Brazil and New Zealand. Murillo did not get any game time as Brazil drew 1-1 both in Venezuela and at home to Uruguay. But Wood scored twice in an 8-1 win over Vanuatu and a hat-trick as New Zealand won in Samoa. Nuno says the training levels of all the international players — and particularly Murillo and Wood — will be monitored to ensure they get as much rest as possible ahead of the weekend. “We will give them more time to rest. This is what we believe is better. We will not immediately try to prepare them. We will have players with jetlag and we have to manage that. Our approach is always that doing less is more,” said Nuno. (Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)AP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:32 a.m. ESTWith so many free VPNs available, why would you consider paying for one? The simple answer is that free VPNs are quite ineffective at unblocking the sites you need. Additionally, they can expose your data or steal your information, posing significant privacy and security risks. Explore all the main reasons why free VPNs cannot be trusted. With a free VPN, you might enjoy decent performance initially, but eventually you’ll notice that they fall short in unblocking websites. This can become increasingly frustrating over time, leading you to abandon it altogether. Streaming sites like Netflix have their own methods to detect VPN usage , often causing web pages to crash. While launching Netflix, I experienced crashes on the Edge browser. I had to give up eventually. I tried all the popular browser-based free VPNs , but none could help me access Netflix. The problem with streaming sites is also visible on gaming platforms, Zoom calls, and several social media websites. It’s very easy for most modern websites to detect VPN usage if a free VPN provider is involved. But, that is not the case with a top-ranked VPN like ExpressVPN, Surfshark or NordVPN . Each time you visit a website, your device makes a DNS request through your ISP or router to resolve the domain name into an IP address. In exchange, the website receives your real IP address. It can further use cookies and referrer headers to access your browsing history and online activities. The primary purpose of using a virtual private network (VPN) is to prevent IP address exposure. However, if your DNS information continues to leak to random websites , you cannot trust your free VPN. It’s only a matter of time before your real IP address is leaked. For most of the free VPNs I tested, I discovered they were exposing my DNS requests repeatedly. This is not how it’s meant to be. A good VPN ensures airtight security, preventing your DNS requests from being exposed. Top-rated commercial VPNs have built-in features that let you test for DNS leaks, WebRTC leaks , and IP address exposures. The adage, “if you’re not paying for it, you become the product” couldn’t be truer for free VPNs and proxies. While you might enjoy accessing region-restricted videos through a free VPN, data harvesters benefit even more. They gain extensive insights into your preferences and browsing habits. Since free VPNs need funding, they often sell your data to third parties. Who are these exactly? You may have encountered a few of the big ones: companies like Acxiom, Experian, River City Media, and LocalBlox. While these brokers only sell you targeted ads, the biggest threat comes from cybercriminals on the dark web that do a lot worse . Until a significant breach grabs our attention, such as the NPD data leak , or the AT&T breach , many of us tend to ignore this problem. In the past, I was quite lax about using free VPNs until it affected me personally. My credit card details were leaked online, and someone attempted to make purchases on Macy’s website. The sudden surge in online fraud is something we cannot ignore, and free VPNs are among the worst offenders. With free VPNs, you may expose yourself to having a hidden rootkit that is hard to get rid of, and it can put you at risk of a man-in-the-middle attack. They can also steal your login credentials, passwords, credit card information, and even take screenshots of whatever it is you’re doing. The key distinction between a reputable commercial VPN provider and a run-of-the-mill free VPN is its active adherence to a no-logs policy. Notably, there have been significant advancements in this area in recent years. For instance, both ExpressVPN and NordVPN have transitioned to RAM-only servers , which ensure that all user data is wiped out with every reboot. Given that these VPN providers are based in the British Virgin Islands and Panama, outside the Fourteen Eyes jurisdiction, users can enjoy an added sense of assurance. Even when a VPN provider is based in the United States, such as Hotspot Shield, they enforce explicit in-app no-logs policies. On the other hand, a majority of free VPNs do not have privacy policies that can be trusted. Some of them even made it clear that by using them, you allow your user data to be transferred to China or other countries. Since you may not read the small print, you’re not aware of what you’re agreeing to. Even if you’re indifferent about your data being sold to third parties, we cannot ignore the issue of cyber-surveillance. You might think you’re not important enough to be a target of spying, but many ISPs do track online activities. Government agencies, not necessarily from your own country, can monitor Internet traffic for intelligence, even if you’re not a high-profile individual. Many of these free VPNs lack clear privacy policies or measures to protect their users, increasing the likelihood that they could be designed by cyber-surveillance companies. Additionally, due to browser fingerprinting, your browser, device, and surfing habits create a unique identifier, which can trace you even when you delete cookies. This information is definitely valuable to surveillance agents, advertisers, eavesdroppers, and data thieves. Everybody loves free stuff. And when everyone is connected to the same free VPN service, it is inevitable that the speed is affected. Most free VPN services don’t have a lot of resources allocated, and when there are too many users, you will start to experience speed throttle or even a lost connection. Since free VPNs need to get their funds from somewhere, it’s not uncommon for them to sell your bandwidth to third parties. There is no way to know if the person using your bandwidth knows that they are using stolen bandwidth. Also, if the person using it is doing something illegal, (since it’s your bandwidth) you’re the one that’s going to get in trouble with authorities. We’ve discussed the biggest drawbacks of free VPN products, which should make you pause before using them again. The real question isn’t whether a free VPN can be trusted, but whether the VPN you choose offers genuine value. From a user experience point, the annoying advertisements, especially on mobile apps, is one of the worst aspects of using free VPNs. They always affect your Internet speed. In some cases, they have links to malicious sites. Moreover, free VPNs also limit your ability to select the country to connect to. They only have a handful of servers to begin with. If the free VPN also offers a paid service, they will limit you so you will eventually upgrade to the paid service. For example, the free tier of Hotspot Shield offers 500 MB/day respectively. You can barely watch a streaming movie on Netflix. Not all paid VPNs are created equal; some can be just as frustrating as free ones. This is why we rely on a select few top-tier VPNs that provide the most outstanding service. Our top two recommendations are ExpressVPN and NordVPN , though Surfshark , CyberghostVPN and PrivateInternetAccess are some of the others that are quite high on the list of top commercial VPNs. Image credit: Pixabay . All screenshots by Sayak Boral. Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox Sayak Boral is a technology writer with over eleven years of experience working in different industries including semiconductors, IoT, enterprise IT, telecommunications OSS/BSS, and network security. He has been writing for MakeTechEasier on a wide range of technical topics including Windows, Android, Internet, Hardware Guides, Browsers, Software Tools, and Product Reviews.

US senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be 'shot down, if necessary'CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released his most recent tax returns to the Tribune this month, with the documents showing he is less wealthy than his predecessors and does not earn outside income. Johnson’s tax returns show his family brought in just over $176,000 in wages for 2023, his first year as mayor of Chicago. His annual salary was $216,210 that year, and he began his term mid-May. After claiming the standard $27,700 deduction for filing jointly with his wife Stacie and a $6,000 child tax credit, records show Johnson paid $17,302 in federal taxes, an effective tax rate of 11.65%. Johnson didn’t claim any other income from investments, retirement fund distributions or capital gains in 2023. He separately paid just under $8,000 in state income taxes, after taking a $140 tax credit for the property taxes he paid on his Austin home. People are also reading... 2023 was the highest reported wage Johnson earned since 2019. Household income for the Johnson family will go up for next year’s return, since his 2024 wage as mayor of Chicago climbed to just over $221,000. The Tribune annually requests the Chicago mayor’s tax returns, a longstanding tradition in U.S. politics when it comes to major public offices. Politicians are not mandated to disclose their income tax forms, but many do so to demonstrate transparency about potential conflicts — a particular importance to many voters in Illinois, where generations of politicians have enriched themselves through their government roles. Johnson, who grew up in suburban Elgin and famously touts being a West Sider, has often drawn from his humble upbringing when pitching himself as a firebrand progressive seeking to enact a host of “tax the rich” proposals. During the 2023 campaign, he fought back against criticism over his unpaid water bills to the city by saying his debt indicates he understands the plight of struggling Chicagoans, although by then he was employed as a county commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union organizer. Still, Johnson’s tax forms show his income history is more modest than that of his predecessors, Lori Lightfoot and Rahm Emanuel, while they were in office. Lightfoot, who grew up in the working-class town of Massillon, Ohio, reported making $402,414 in adjusted gross income in 2021, the most recent year the Tribune requested her returns. She reported taking out $210,000 in early distributions from retirement accounts that year to supplement her mayoral salary. While working as a partner at the law firm Mayer Brown before becoming mayor, Lightfoot reported an average adjusted gross income of $971,626 from 2014 through 2017. Emanuel reported making $554,000 while mayor in 2017 , including $353,000 from interest, dividends and capital gains from investments. Johnson did not provide his full 2022 return, which the Tribune has also requested, but his latest filing and other returns dating back to 2018 that his campaign provided to the Tribune during the mayoral race show the family reported about $161,782 in 2022, $161,000 in 2021, and $160,000 in 2020. Between 2018 and 2022, Johnson worked two jobs as a county commissioner earning $85,000 annually, and a separate income for the Chicago Teachers Union. His pay at the union varied year to year. His highest gross salary before becoming mayor was in 2019, when he earned about $94,000 in addition to his county salary, according to CTU’s federal disclosures. Between 2018 and 2021, Johnson also reported income for his work as a “media personality.” He reported $1,350 in gross income for that side business in 2021, while wife Stacie reported just under $2,000 in income for work as a doula. Johnson was not paid for his show on radio station WCPT AM-820, but was compensated when filling in for other hosts, his campaign previously told the Tribune. As a candidate when running for mayor in 2023, Johnson released four years of tax returns to the Tribune, with the most recent year’s reported income being 2021. Johnson previously reported $108,019 in adjusted gross income for 2018 when he was a regional organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union. In 2019, Johnson reported $171,300 in gross adjusted income. He listed his occupation as regional organizer, though he also was serving his first full year on the county board. For 2020, Johnson reported $160,217 in gross adjusted income. Johnson also reported $2,530 in income as a “media personality.” The next year, Johnson reported $161,371 in gross adjusted income. He also reported $1,350 as a “media personality” but claimed $1,450 in expenses and reported a $100 loss. His wife also reported making $1,941 as a doula that year. Johnson’s most recent city economic disclosure statement reported no financial conflicts in 2023. The NAACP National Convention will hold its 117th annual gathering in Chicago in July 2026. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and other officials made the announcement on Sunday, Aug. 18, on the eve of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

India News | PM to Inaugurate ICA Global Cooperative Conference on MondayNEW YORK (AP) — Free agent pitchers Luis Gabriel Moreno and Alejandro Crisostomo were suspended for 80 games each by Major League Baseball on Friday following positive tests for performance-enhancing substances under the minor league drug program. Moreno tested positive for Nandrolone, and Crisostomo tested positive for Boldenone and Nandrolone, the commissioner’s office said. A 26-year-old right-hander, Moreno was released by the New York Mets’ Class A Brooklyn Cyclones on Tuesday. He was 5-1 with a 5.33 ERA in 12 relief appearances this season for Brooklyn after spending 2016-23 in the San Francisco Giants organization. Crisostomo, a 24-year-old right-hander, was released by Minnesota on Aug. 24 after going 0-1 with a 7.13 ERA this year with the Florida Complex League Twins. He signed with Boston in 2017, spent 2018 in the Dominican Summer League with the Red Sox, then signed with Minnesota and spent 2023 with the Twins DSL team. Nineteen players have been suspended this year for positive drug tests, including eight under the minor league program and nine under the new program for minor league players assigned outside the United States and Canada. Two players have been suspended this year under the major league drug program. Noelvi Marté , a 22-year-old infielder who is the Cincinnati Reds’ top prospect, missed the first 80 games following a positive test for boldenone. Toronto Blue Jays infielder Orelvis Martínez was suspended for 80 games on June 23 following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug clomiphene, an announcement made two days after his major league debut . AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbDenver Shines Brightly this New Year's Eve

Walker played the whole match in Turin but could not help Pep Guardiola’s team avoid a seventh defeat in 10 matches. England international Walker posted a screenshot of a message he received on Instagram from an unnamed user to his social media accounts on Thursday, which read: “Bro you can f*** around and die you stupid ass n****.” “No one should ever be subjected to the sort of vile, racist and threatening abuse I have received online since last night’s match,” Walker wrote on his X and Instagram accounts. “Instagram and the authorities need to stop this happening for the sake of all who are suffering this abuse. It is never acceptable. “To our fans, we will continue to work as a team to do better, to improve and to turn the corner together.” City quickly condemned the racist attack. A club statement read: “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse that Kyle Walker was subject to online following last night’s fixture. “We refuse to tolerate discrimination of any kind, regardless of whether that be in stadiums or online. “We will be offering Kyle our full support following the disgusting treatment he has received.” A Premier League statement read: “The Premier League condemns all forms of discrimination. Racism has no place in our game or anywhere in society. We encourage anyone who hears or sees discriminatory abuse to report it so action can be taken. “The Premier League will support Kyle Walker and the club to tackle online hate.” The PA news agency has contacted Instagram for comment.New Delhi [India], December 30 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday held a "Public Durbar" and directly interacted with groups and delegations from the public, in the presence of senior Central government officers, including those from NHAI, and UT government officers led by the Deputy Commissioner, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions. This was Jitendra Singh's second such public durbar in Ramban in recent months, as per the ministry. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Woman Gives Birth to Child at Makeshift Hospital in Mahakumbh Nagar (See Pics). Further, the statement said that several on-the-spot decisions were taken. Jitendra Singh patiently listened to the issues and issued immediate instructions to the officers of the concerned departments. The official release, citing Singh, said that the government has taken several path-breaking measures in the last decade to scale up infrastructure development in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir. Also Read | Akash Sagar, Social Media Influencer, Will Be Arrested Soon for Chanting 'Siya Ram Jai Jai Ram' Inside Church in East Khasi Hills, Say Meghalaya Police (Watch Video). The statement also added that the steps taken during this period were two-pronged. The first priority was to overcome the deprivations of the past and resume stalled projects, while the second was to initiate ambitious projects to boost connectivity in the district. Jitendra Singh mentioned that earlier, travel from Jammu to Ramban would take an entire day, but now the distance is covered in less than two hours. He highlighted the Syama Prasad Mukherjee Tunnel connecting Ramban with Udhampur as an example of improving connectivity in the region. He said the area is now home to several other tunnels, enhancing ease of travel for commuters. He emphasized the significance of this landmark tunnel, stating that it would serve as a source of inspiration for future generations, reminding them of Mukherjee's life and struggles, as he was taken through this route to Kashmir and killed, according to the release. Additionally, according to the release, the Union Minister further stated that the government is focused on bringing state-of-the-art facilities to rural areas of the country under the Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur programme, improving the grievance redressal mechanism, and ushering in more transparency in governance. Highlighting the role of public representatives in governance, the statement citing Singh added that members of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have been instrumental in bringing services to the grassroots and alleviating public suffering. He added that, together with the district administration, these representatives have been an essential part of the team serving common citizens over the past 10 years. Jitendra Singh expressed hope that the team will be further strengthened with the participation of newly elected MLAs, leading to better service for the people and improved living standards, aligning them with the constituents of the national mainstream. The Union Minister chaired the public durbar alongside district administration officials, during which he listened to the issues of several delegations. On the occasion, a host of public grievances were addressed, and matters of public importance were resolved on the spot. Jitendra Singh urged the administration to prioritize the resolution of public issues for their expeditious handling. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

U.S. senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be 'shot down, if necessary'

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Dec. 30: President Ramchandra Paudel has extended his heartfelt wishes for happiness, peace and good health to all Nepali brothers and sisters on the occasion of Tamu Lhosar, a major festival of the Gurung community. In his message, the President said that festivals like Tamu Lhosar help foster mutual goodwill, tolerance and brotherhood among all Nepalis by strengthening national unity. Additionally, it will inspire everyone to contribute towards building an economically and socially prosperous nation and continue to progress along the path of development, he said. Meanwhile, Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav also extended his best wishes to all Nepalis both in the country and abroad. In his message, he said that our festivals play a vital role in preserving the cultural diversity of Nepal by keeping the community's language, culture, clothing and traditional customs alive. He said that it was important to promote these festivals by linking them with tourism, which would add positive energy to Nepal's tourism sector. The cultural programmes held during these festivals also contribute to increasing economic activity at the local level. Likewise, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has wished good health, longevity and progress of Nepali people on the occasion of Tamu Lhosar in a statement issued on Monday. The Gurung community, residing in the Himalayan and high-hilly regions of Nepal, traditionally celebrates Tamu Lhosar with joy and enthusiasm as the beginning of the new year. This festival is celebrated with great fanfare in various districts where the Gurung community is in the majority. The festival also reflects the Gurung community's customs and lifestyle. It provides an opportunity to let go of the mistakes of the old year and welcome the new year with happiness, excitement and enthusiasm.

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- The Board of Directors of NewMarket Corporation (NYSE: NEU) (the “Company”) approved a new share repurchase program authorizing management to repurchase up to $500 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock through December 31, 2027, as market conditions warrant and covenants under the Company’s existing debt agreements permit. The new repurchase program will replace the Company’s existing $500 million repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors in October 2021, which will expire on December 31, 2024. Under the new program, the Company may conduct share repurchases in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, through block trades or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The new program does not require the Company to acquire any specific number of shares and may be terminated or suspended at any time. NewMarket Corporation is a holding company operating through its subsidiaries Afton Chemical Corporation (Afton), Ethyl Corporation (Ethyl), and American Pacific Corporation (AMPAC). The Afton and Ethyl companies develop, manufacture, blend, and deliver chemical additives that enhance the performance of petroleum products. AMPAC is a manufacturer of specialty materials primarily used in solid rocket motors for the aerospace and defense industries. The NewMarket family of companies has a long-term commitment to its people, to safety, to providing innovative solutions for its customers, and to making the world a better place. Some of the information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although NewMarket’s management believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to, the availability of raw materials and distribution systems; disruptions at production facilities, including single-sourced facilities; hazards common to chemical businesses; the ability to respond effectively to technological changes in our industries; failure to protect our intellectual property rights; sudden, sharp, or prolonged raw material price increases; competition from other manufacturers; current and future governmental regulations; the loss of significant customers; termination or changes to contracts with contractors and subcontractors of the U.S. government or directly with the U.S. government; failure to attract and retain a highly-qualified workforce; an information technology system failure or security breach; the occurrence or threat of extraordinary events, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, wars and health-related epidemics; risks related to operating outside of the United States; political, economic, and regulatory factors concerning our products; the impact of substantial indebtedness on our operational and financial flexibility; the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; resolution of environmental liabilities or legal proceedings; limitation of our insurance coverage; our inability to realize expected benefits from investment in our infrastructure or from acquisitions, or our inability to successfully integrate acquisitions into our business; the underperformance of our pension assets resulting in additional cash contributions to our pension plans; and other factors detailed from time to time in the reports that NewMarket files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024, which are available to shareholders at www.newmarket.com . You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by NewMarket in the foregoing discussion speaks only as of the date on which such forward-looking statement is made. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We have no duty to, and do not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this discussion after the date hereof, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that the events described in any forward-looking statement made in this discussion, or elsewhere, might not occur. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210821417/en/ CONTACT: FOR INVESTOR INFORMATION CONTACT: William J. Skrobacz Investor Relations Phone: 804.788.5555 Fax: 804.788.5688 Email: investorrelations@newmarket.com KEYWORD: VIRGINIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CHEMICALS/PLASTICS ENERGY MANUFACTURING OIL/GAS SOURCE: NewMarket Corporation Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 05:01 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 05:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210821417/enThe retired NFL star stopped by the North Carolina college's homecoming weekend to belt out the '80s power ballad Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Fans shouldn't miss out on "Total Eclipse of the Heart ( 's Version)." In a now-viral shared by user @mad.is.onnn, Jason, 37, can be seen belting out during a tailgate at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. "Nothing like a snowy Homecoming at App State, especially when Jason Kelce brings the house down with a live rendition of 'Total Eclipse of the Heart’ at the tailgate!!!" the TikTok user captioned the video shared on Nov. 23. The Philadelphia Eagles alum sported a pair of gold and black striped overalls over a black hoodie and a winter hat. Amid flurries in the air, students gathered around Jason at a microphone as he sang the '80s power ballad. The former center went for it, hitting the high notes and embracing the song's passionate words. At one point, he forgot the lyrics, but finished strong. Kevin Sabitus/Getty Related: Fans were quick to comment on the TikTok, praising Jason's skills. "I’m [losing] count of all of Jason's side quests since lol," one user said. "I’ll never skip a Jason video," another wrote, while a third person chimed in, "He’s a national treasure." Others commented on his multitasking, pointing out his grip on two beers in one hand and a cup in the other. "Man does not need to say Hold my Beer. He just does the thing holding 3 beers!!" someone joked. The TikTok account for Jason's podcast which he cohosts with brother — also commented on the clip, writing, "He WENT for it 😂." Kevin Sabitus/Getty Related: The broadcaster's singing skills go beyond this impromptu tailgate performance. Jason is part of the with Eagles players and . The group released their third holiday album, , on Nov. 22, with profits benefitting local charities in Philadelphia. The album features Jason called and "Santa Drives an Astrovan," performed with . , 35, and Jason's wife are also featured.

The common murre, a large black-and-white seabird native to northern waters, has become far less common in Alaska over the past decade due to the impacts of climate change. A study published Thursday in Science reveals that a record-breaking marine heat wave in the northeast Pacific from 2014 to 2016 triggered a catastrophic population collapse, wiping out four million birds -- about half the species in the region. Strikingly, they have shown little signs of rebounding, suggesting long-term shifts in the food web that have locked the ecosystem into a troubling new equilibrium. "There's a lot of talk about declines of species that are tied to changes in temperature, but in this case, it was not a long term result," lead author Heather Renner of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge told AFP. "To our knowledge, this is the largest mortality event of any wildlife species reported during the modern era," she and her colleagues emphasized in their paper. The finding triggers "alarm bells," Renner said in an interview, as human-caused climate change makes heat waves more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting. With their dapper, tuxedoed look, common murres are sometimes called the "penguins of the north." Their slender wings power them across vast distances in search of food and make them expert divers. But even these hardy seabirds were no match for an unprecedented environmental catastrophe. The largest marine heat wave ever recorded began in the late fall of 2014, spanning a massive swath of the northeast Pacific Ocean from California to Alaska. It persisted for over two years, leaving devastation in its wake. During this time, some 62,000 emaciated murres washed ashore along the North American Pacific coastline -- dead or dying from starvation. Experts point to two key reasons for the bird deaths: elevated ocean temperatures reduced both the quality and quantity of phytoplankton, impacting fish like herring, sardines, and anchovies -- the mainstay of the murre diet. At the same time, warmer waters increased the energy demands of larger fish, such as salmon and Pacific cod, which compete with murres for the same prey. "We knew then it was a big deal, but unfortunately, we couldn't really quantify the effects," explained Renner. For years after the event, breeding colonies failed to produce chicks, complicating efforts to assess the full impact. Earlier estimates pegged the number of deaths at around a million, but a more robust analysis -- drawing on data from 13 murre colonies -- revealed the toll was four times higher. "It is just so much worse than we thought it was," Renner said of the new findings. The marine heat wave didn't just impact common murres. Pacific cod stocks collapsed, king salmon populations dwindled, and as many as 7,000 humpback whales perished. Yet the crisis created an uneven playing field: some species emerged unscathed, while others even thrived. Thick-billed murres, which often share nesting cliffs with common murres, were largely unaffected, possibly due to their more adaptable diet, Renner noted. For common murres, however, the fallout lingers. Despite nearly a decade since the heat wave, their numbers show no sign of bouncing back -- and the losses may well be permanent. Part of the reason lies in the long-term decline of some of their prey. Another factor is murres' survival strategy relies on numbers: they aggregate in massive colonies to protect their eggs from opportunistic predators like eagles and gulls. With their populations slashed, these birds have lost their critical safety buffer. Still, Renner offered a glimmer of hope. While addressing global warming is essential for curbing long-term climate change, conservation efforts can make a difference in the short term, she said. Removing invasive species like foxes and rats from murre nesting islands could also provide the beleaguered birds with a fighting chance. ia/desHALIFAX - Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston named an expanded 21-member cabinet Thursday during a ceremony in downtown Halifax that excluded reporters in a departure from a long-standing tradition of open coverage. In an address that was livestreamed, Houston said his newly re-elected government would continue to deal with issues that matter to Nova Scotians, including health care, housing and affordability. “This term will also be very focused on growing our economy and continuing to lower taxes,” the premier said. “We have to grow our economy to be better able to support the services that Nova Scotians have a right to expect.” Before the election, in which the Tories won 43 of the legislature’s 55 seats, Houston led a 17-member cabinet. The government allowed only one television outlet to have a pool camera at the ceremony held at the Halifax Convention Centre, citing “limited capacity” inside the building that occupies a full city block. Journalists who tried to enter Thursday were turned away by building security. Houston was asked by reporters as he arrived why the media were not being given access to the new cabinet members. “It’s all live streamed ... It’s a really exciting day, you guys have lots of access, and you guys know that,” he said. Reporters were allowed to attend the swearing-in ceremony held at the same venue after the Tories were first elected in 2021, although it was during the COVID-19 pandemic and they were placed in a separate room to monitor the event before interviewing ministers. In the new cabinet, Houston will be joined by veterans John Lohr, who becomes finance minister, Becky Druhan, who moves from education to justice, and Michelle Thompson, who continues as minister of health. There are five new members, including political newcomer Leah Martin as minister of Communications Nova Scotia and L’ nu affairs and Fred Tilley, a former Liberal who crossed the floor just before the Nov. 26 election and becomes minister of public works. The other new ministers are Dave Ritcey in the tourism portfolio, Nolan Young, who is minister of labour, and Scott Armstrong as minister of opportunities and social development — formerly the Department of Community Services. In another departmental change, veteran minister Colton LeBlanc will head the new Department of Growth and Development, which was formerly known as economic development and will now also oversee housing. Composed of 14 men and seven women, the cabinet will see Barbara Adams return as minister of seniors and long-term care and serve as deputy premier. Tim Halman retains the environment portfolio and Tory Rushton stays on in natural resources, while Kim Masland moves from public works to the Department of Emergency Management. The former community services minister, Brendan Maguire, takes over education and also assumes the duties of advanced education from Brian Wong, who was dropped from cabinet along with Susan Corkum-Greek, the former minister of economic development. Alex Marland, a political scientist at Acadia University, said the government could have found room for reporters had it wanted to. “This isn’t a new government, so there are some experienced hands who at a minimum could have been made available,” Marland said. He added that in general, there are governments that feel the need to control their message, and that also tend to be cautious with newer ministers who lack media training. “If this is a pattern and it persists, that’s going to be a problem for the Houston government,” he said. “But if this is a one off and by January things are a little different because people have gone through media training, then a lot of it will be forgotten.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. — With files from Lyndsay Armstrong

Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped

Running back Nick Chubb says it is "important" that he returns for an eighth season with the Cleveland Browns after his current contract expires this spring. "I would say it's important. I started here. I'd like to finish here," Chubb said, per Dan Labbe of cleveland.com. "Cleveland just means a lot to me. Everything we've been through, ups and downs, but I'm proud to be drafted here." The report comes two days after Chubb told Cleveland fans he was "a Brown for life" during a charity event, per Denise Polverine Manoloff of Cleveland Magazine . Chubb, selected by the Browns in the second round of the 2018 draft, missed 21 straight regular-season games after suffering a severe knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 campaign. The incident marked the second potentially career-ending left knee injury of Chubb's career. He also suffered a serious injury to the same knee while playing for Georgia in 2015. Chubb returned to the NFL field for the first time in over a year during the Browns' Week 7 loss to the Bengals. In seven starts since, he has recorded 93 carries for 291 yards and three touchdowns, adding five catches and a receiving touchdown. He is averaging 3.1 yards per carry, which would mark a full-season career-low and a significant departure from the 5.0 yards per attempt he recorded during his last full season in 2022. The Browns meanwhile head into Week 15 ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing offense. That lack of offense on the ground, combined with the team's struggles under center, led to Cleveland being eliminated from playoff contention in Week 14. Chubb played the 2024 season on a reworked deal with the Browns, which converted most of his original $11.75 base salary into incentives hinging on on offensive categories including playing time, receptions, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. The Browns could consider offering Chubb a similarly incentive-laden contract in order to bring him back on a lower-risk deal in 2025.Chardan Capital reissued their buy rating on shares of Metagenomi ( NASDAQ:MGX – Free Report ) in a report released on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $15.00 target price on the stock. Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on shares of Metagenomi from $22.00 to $17.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 15th. HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $7.00 price target on shares of Metagenomi in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $15.50. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Metagenomi Metagenomi Trading Up 3.8 % Institutional Investors Weigh In On Metagenomi Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MGX. Rhumbline Advisers purchased a new position in shares of Metagenomi during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its position in shares of Metagenomi by 130.9% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 12,799 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 7,256 shares in the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Metagenomi during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Metagenomi during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Finally, Resolute Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Metagenomi by 165.0% during the 2nd quarter. Resolute Advisors LLC now owns 26,500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $108,000 after buying an additional 16,500 shares in the last quarter. Metagenomi Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Metagenomi, Inc, a genetic medicines company, develops therapeutics for patients using metagenomics-derived genome editing toolbox in the United States. The company's genome editing toolbox includes programmable nucleases, base editors, and RNA and DNA-mediated integration systems, such as prime editing systems and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated transposases. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Metagenomi Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Metagenomi and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .None

Eurozone inflation to take centre stage as growth worries resurface

AP Business SummaryBrief at 5:02 p.m. ESTOTTAWA — Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario's threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol. On Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford said Ontario is contemplating restricting electricity exports to Michigan, New York state and Minnesota if Trump follows through on a threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada. "That's OK if he that does that. That's fine," Trump told American network CNBC when asked Thursday about Ford’s remarks on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. “The United States is subsidizing Canada and we shouldn’t have to do that," Trump added. "And we have a great relationship. I have so many friends in Canada, but we shouldn’t have to subsidize a country," he said, claiming this amounts to more than US$100 billion annually in unspecified subsidies. Meanwhile, an official in the Ford government says it's considering restricting the Liquor Control Board of Ontario from buying American-made alcohol. The province says the Crown agency is the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world. The province also says it could restrict exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric-vehicle batteries, and bar American companies from provincial procurement. Ford doubled down Thursday on the idea of cutting off energy exports. The province says that in 2013, Ontario exported enough energy to power 1.5 million homes in those three states. "It's a last resort," Ford said. "We're sending a message to the U.S. (that if) you come and attack Ontario, you attack livelihoods of people in Ontario and Canadians, we are going to use every tool in our tool box to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Let’s hope it never comes to that." Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the province would rather have co-operation with the U.S., but has mechanisms to "end power sale into the U.S. market" the day Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith ruled out following suit. "Under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports," she said. "Our approach is one of diplomacy, not threats." Michael Sabia, president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, said "it's not our current intention" to cut off Quebec's exports to Massachusetts or New York state, but he conceded it might be possible. "Our intention is to respect those contracts, both because they're legally binding, but also because it's part of, in our view, a sound relationship with the United States," he said. "It's a questionable instrument to use in a trade conflict." Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew would not directly say whether Manitoba would threaten to withhold hydroelectric exports. "We are preparing our list and starting to think through what those options should look like," he said. "I'm not going to make specific news today about items that we're looking at." Kinew added that some premiers felt retaliatory measures wouldn't work in a call Trudeau held Wednesday. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said "we have no interest in stopping" the export of energy to the U.S., adding that a trade war would hurt both countries. "We hope it is just bluster; we're preparing as if it is not," he said. Canada supplies more oil to the U.S. than any other country. About 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 per cent of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada sold $170 billion worth of energy products last year to the U.S. It also has 34 critical minerals and metals the Pentagon is eager for. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tax on all products entering the United States from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Canadian officials have said it is unfair to lump Canada in with Mexico. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Canada since has promised more border security spending to address Trump's border concerns. Ford said that will include more border and police officers, as well as drones and sniffer dogs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press, Liam Casey in Toronto, Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Steve Lambert in Winnipeg. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press

King and PM honour former US president Jimmy Carter after his death aged 100TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — A U.S. senator has called for mysterious drones spotted flying at night over sensitive areas in New Jersey and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region to be “shot down, if necessary,” even as it remains unclear who owns the unmanned aircraft. “We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday, as concerns about the drones spread across Capitol Hill. People in the New York region are also concerned that the drones may be sharing airspace with commercial airlines, he said, demanding more transparency from the Biden administration. The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels. “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby said, echoing statements from the Pentagon and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh has said they are not U.S. military drones. In a joint statement issued Thursday afternoon, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said they and their federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, “continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.” The agencies said they have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and that reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. “There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space,” according to the statement. The drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security. The number of sightings has increased in recent days, though officials say many of the objects seen may have been planes rather than drones. It’s also possible that a single drone has been reported more than once. The worry stems partly from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights switched off. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey appeared to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said he was frustrated by the lack of transparency, saying it could help spread fear and misinformation. “We should know what’s going on over our skies,” he said Thursday. John Duesler, president of the Pennsylvania Drone Association, said witnesses may be confused about what they are seeing, especially in the dark, and noted it’s hard to know the size of the drones or how close they might be. “There are certainly big drones, such as agricultural drones, but typically they are not the type you see flying around in urban or suburban spaces,” Duesler said Thursday. Duesler said the drones — and those flying them — likely cannot evade detection. “They will leave a radio frequency footprint, they all leave a signature," he said. "We will find out what kind of drones they were, who was flying them and where they were flying them.” Fantasia, a Morris County Republican, was among several lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the sightings from the New York City area across New Jersey and westward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia. It is unknown at this time whether the sightings are related. Duesler said the public wants to know what's going on. “I hope (the government agencies) will come out with more information about this to ease our fears. But this could just be the acts of rogue drone operators, it’s not an ‘invasion’ as some reports have called it,” Duesler said. “I am concerned about this it but not alarmed by it.” Associated Press reporters Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and reporter Darlene Superville and videojournalists Serkan Gurbuz and Nathan Ellgren in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.

Putin says Russia will keep testing new missile in combat

Anoto Group AB (the " Company " or " Anoto ") hereby announces the outcome of the Company’s rights issue of approximately SEK 50 million (the “ Rights Issue ”) for which the subscription period ended on 19 December 2024. The Rights Issue has been subscribed to approximately 37.5 percent with and without the support of subscription rights. Underwriting commitments of 259,308,520 shares, corresponding to approximately 62.5 percent of the Rights Issue, will thus be utilized. The Rights Issue provides the Company with proceeds of approximately SEK 50 million before transaction costs and before set-off of loans. Final outcome In the Rights Issue, 154,891,590 shares were subscribed for with subscription rights, corresponding to approximately 37.3 percent of the Rights Issue. In addition, 623,720 shares were subscribed for without the support of subscription rights, corresponding to approximately 0.2 percent of the Rights Issue. Together, subscription with and without the support of subscription rights thus corresponds to approximately 37.5 percent of the Rights Issue. Thus, guarantee commitments of 259,308,520 shares, corresponding to approximately 62.5 percent of the Rights Issue, will be utilised. This entails that the authorisation to decide on an over-allotment issue if the Rights Issue was oversubscribed, which was resolved by the extraordinary general meeting on 26 November 2024, will not be utilised. The proceeds from the Rights Issue, together with the directed issue of approximately SEK 15 million (the “ Directed Issue ”) and the set-off issue of approximately SEK 21 million (the “ Set-off Issue ”) as announced on 25 October 2024 and resolved by the EGM on 26 November 2024, amounts to approximately SEK 86 million before transaction related costs. Of the issue proceeds, approximately SEK 47 million relates to set-off of loans in the issues. The last day of trading with BTAs is expected to occur on or about 8 January 2025. The first day of trading the new shares on Nasdaq Stockholm is expected to be 16 January 2025. Notice of allotment Allotment of shares has taken place in accordance with the allotment principles set out in the prospectus that was published on 29 November 2024. Notice of allotment to the persons who have subscribed for shares without subscription rights is expected to be distributed on 27 December 2024. Such subscribed and allotted shares shall be paid for in cash in accordance with the instructions on the contract note. Subscribers who have subscribed for shares through a nominee will receive notification of allocation in accordance with the respective nominee’s procedures. Only those who have been allotted shares will be notified. Compensation for guarantee commitments In connection with the Rights Issue, a number of investors have provided guarantee commitments consisting of a so-called bottom guarantee of approximately SEK 21.2 million, corresponding to approximately 42.6 percent of the Rights Issue, and a so-called top guarantee of approximately SEK 13.6 million, corresponding to approximately 27.3 percent of the Rights Issue. For the guarantee undertakings a fee of 14 percent of the guaranteed amount will be paid in cash compensation or in the form of new shares, in the form of a directed set-off issue. The subscription price for shares issued as compensation for guarantee commitments is set at SEK 0.12 per share, which corresponds to the subscription price in the completed Rights Issue. A resolution on a directed set-off issue to the underwriters, if any, will be announced through a separate press release. New number of shares Through the Rights Issue, including the shares to be issued in connection with the Directed Issue and the Set-off Issue, the number of shares in Anoto will increase by 770,503,691 shares from 331,859,066 shares to 1,102,362,757. Advisers Setterwalls Advokatbyrå is acting as legal advisor and Berg Securities AB is acting as Sole Global Coordinator and Bookrunner to the Company in connection with the issues. This press release was published, through the agency of the contact persons set out below, at 01:00 on 30 December 2024. For further information, please contact: Kevin Adeson, Chairman of the board of Anoto Group AB (publ) For more information about Anoto, please visit www.anoto.com or email ir@anoto.com Anoto Group AB (publ), Reg.No. 556532-3929, Flaggan 1165, SE-116 74 Stockholm About Anoto Group Anoto is a publicly held Swedish technology company known globally for innovation in the area of information-rich patterns and the optical recognition of those patterns. It is a lead-er in digital writing and drawing solutions, having historically used its proprietary technology to develop smartpens and related software. These smartpens enrich the daily lives of millions of people around the world. Anoto currently has three main business lines: Livescribe retail, Enterprise Forms and OEM. Anoto also holds a stake in Knowledge AI, a leading AI based education solution company. Anoto is traded on the Small Cap list of Nasdaq Stockholm under ANOT. Attachment Anoto Press Release 30 December 2024 (SV)