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casino 5 Osun retirees protest, demand N18,000 minimum wage implementation from state govtAP Race Call: Democrat Derek Tran wins election to U.S. House in California's 45th Congressional District, beating incumbent Michelle Steel

The New York Times published its first crossword puzzle on February 15, 1942, in the Sunday Magazine, created by Charles Erlenkotter and edited by Margaret Farrar. It was the first major newspaper to introduce a crossword puzzle at the time. Since then, the NYT has launched several popular games, including the Mini Crossword in 2014, followed by Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and Tiles. In 2022, the NYT released the highly popular Wordle, followed by Connections and Strands. NYT Strands is the newest addition to the NYT puzzle lineup. This daily game features fresh themes each day, where players are tasked with uncovering all the words on the grid, including a special Spangram that spans two sides of the board. NYT Strands December 24, 2024 – Hints, answers, Spangram Having trouble solving today’s NYT Strands puzzle? We’re here to help with some easy hints to fuel your curiosity even more. Plus, we’ve got today’s answer waiting for you – just keep reading. Today's NYT Strands puzzle theme The theme for today’s Strands is “Who on earth ...?''. Hints for today’s Strands Below, we’ve shared the hints, answers, and Spangram for today ’s NYT Strands puzzle. The hints may give away part or all of the Strands, so proceed with caution. Scroll down to continue: Hints The first word is the cheerful foliage adorning the holiday spaces. The second word is the elegant tree that moves like a dancer in the breeze. The third word is the serene stream that murmurs as it winds through the forest. The fourth word is the verdant crown, perfect for a poetic victor. The fifth word is the powerful current that shapes the earth beneath. The sixth word is the sweet, tangy pop of sunshine encased in a small rind. NYT Strands December 24, 2024 – Hints, answers, Spangram Spangram for today ‘Naturenames’ is the Spangram for today’s NYT Strands puzzle. Today's Strands’ answers: The first word is holly. The second word is willow. The third word is brook. The fourth word is laurel. The fifth word is river. The sixth word is clementine. What are NYT Strands and how to play the game? Strands is a puzzle game that blends elements of Connections, Spelling Bee, and classic crossword puzzles. Players are given 48 letters arranged on a 6 x 8-inch grid, along with a daily theme. The goal is to solve the Spangram and uncover all the theme-related words. To play, connect letters on the grid to form words by dragging your mouse or fingers (on a touchscreen) in horizontal, vertical, or diagonal directions. Start by identifying the central theme word or Spangram, which will help you understand the puzzle’s theme. In addition to the Spangram, you must also find other words related to the theme hidden in the grid. Once you’ve uncovered them all, the puzzle is complete. Tips for solving NYT Strands puzzle Identify the theme words: Fill in the grid with the theme words. Once found, they will be highlighted in blue and won't overlap with each other. Find the Spangram: Identify the Spangram, a key part of the puzzle that connects two opposite sides of the grid. It encapsulates the theme and may consist of two words. The Spangram will be highlighted in yellow once you’ve located it. Take advantage of hints: Pay attention to off-topic words for clues. For every three non-theme words you uncover, letters will be highlighted to give you a hint toward finding a theme word, without directly revealing it. Also Read: Wordle today: Clues and hints for December 24 2024Sempra Named Among Newsweek's 'Most Responsible Companies'Garcia's 16 help McNeese beat Illinois State 76-68

The Ministry of Defence has been ordered to find the medical records of nuclear veterans that have been hidden for 70 years. An internal investigation was announced in the wake of a BBC documentary into the Nuked Blood Scandal, and an alleged official cover-up of blood tests taken from troops during Cold War weapons tests. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Parliament yesterday it was “a really important issue” but did not respond to requests to meet the affected families and see their evidence for himself. Defence Secretary John Healey announced the internal inquiry when quizzed about the film by a Commons select committee on Thursday. * You can donate to the veterans’ crowdfunder HERE South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck asked the minister: “How long is the government and the MoD going to hold the line that nothing is being withheld from the veterans, and that their families aren’t suffering from the effects of radiation?” Mr Healey insisted nothing was being withheld, but records may have been lost. “What we’re doing is a detailed dig into what may be held, but we’ve not been aware of it,” he said. “If there are documents that the government holds in any part of the system then we will release them as they ask... some of this digging is not straightforward, and some of these records may not exist.” He praised the Mirror ’s 40-year campaign for the truth but said: “There’s not necessarily an inconsistency when nuclear test veterans know they were medically tested at the time, or soon after, but now decades later those records may not exist or be partial, and that’s what we’re trying to get to the bottom of.” He said he wanted to avoid a lengthy judge-led inquiry because of the age and health of the veterans. Survivors have reported the only parts of their medical records missing are pages that relate to their time at the tests, and say the files appear to have been filleted rather than mislaid. Even if they have been unintentionally lost, it could still lead to massive compensation and an apology for medical negligence, with damages aggravated by the cover-up. There is also potential for a criminal investigation of officials who hid records behind bogus claims of national security. Human rights lawyer Jason McCue, who is leading the legal fight for the truth, welcomed the investigation but said the MoD had failed to engage with the potential £5bn claim, or the veterans’ offer to mediate with a one-year special tribunal to limit costs to the taxpayer. “It’s not about government saying they will meet and provide sympathy along with a photo call, they must meet the veterans’ demand for justice,” he said. “Clearly they are still frightened to engage or meet with the veterans’ legal representatives because they are frightened of the costs involved to make things right.” Britain’s Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story is available on iPlayer and will be screened in Parliament on Monday.STRENGTH & DISCIPLINE: Carter a big reason the Colonels are back in the playoffsLosses for big technology stocks pulled major indexes lower on Wall Street. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3% from its record high a day earlier, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.6%. Losses for Nvidia, Microsoft and Broadcom were the biggest weights on the market. Dell sank 12.2% after reporting revenue that fell shy of forecasts, and HP dropped 11.4% after giving a weaker-than-expected outlook. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. U.S. financial markets will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and will reopen for a half day on Friday. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks wavered in afternoon trading on Wednesday, as losses for several Big Tech companies offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% in afternoon trading, even though more stocks were rising than falling in the index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 135 points, or 0.3%, as of 3:05 p.m. Eastern time. Both indexes set records on Tuesday. The Nasdaq composite fell 0.5%. Losses for tech heavyweights helped pull the broader market lower. Semiconductor giant Nvidia slipped 1.6%. Its huge value gives it outsized influence on market indexes. Microsoft fell 0.9% Several personal computer makers added to Big Tech's heavy weight on the market following their latest earnings reports. HP sank 11.8% after giving investors a weaker-than-expected earnings forecast for its current quarter. Dell slumped 11.9% after its latest quarterly revenue fell short of Wall Street forecasts. Gains for financial and health care companies helped counter Big Tech's downward pull. Visa rose 0.9% and Thermo Fisher Scientific added 2.3%. The U.S. economy expanded at a healthy 2.8% annual pace from July through September, according to the Commerce Department, leaving its original estimate of third-quarter growth unchanged. The growth was driven by strong consumer spending and a surge in exports. The update follows a report on Tuesday from the Conference Board that said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Consumers have been driving economic growth, but the latest round of earnings reports from retailers shows a mixed and more cautious picture. Department store operator Nordstrom fell 8.5% after warning investors about a trend toward weakening sales that started in late October. Clothing retailer Urban Outfitters jumped 19.1% after beating analysts’ third-quarter financial forecasts. Weeks earlier, retail giant Target gave investors a discouraging forecast for the holiday season, while Walmart provided a more encouraging forecast. Consumers, though resilient, are still facing pressure from inflation. The latest update from the U.S. government shows that inflation accelerated last month. The personal consumption expenditures index, or PCE, rose to 2.3% in October from 2.1% in September. Overall, the rate of inflation has been falling broadly since it peaked more than two years ago. The PCE, which is the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, was just below 7.3% in June of 2022. Another measure of inflation, the consumer price index, peaked at 9.1% at the same time. The latest inflation data, though, is a sign that the rate of inflation seems to be stalling as it falls to within range of the Fed's target of 2%. The central bank started raising its benchmark interest rate from near-zero in early 2022 to a two-decade high by the middle of 2023 and held it there in order to tame inflation. The Fed started cutting its benchmark interest rate in September, followed by a second cut in November. Wall Street expects a similar quarter-point cut at the central bank's upcoming meeting in December. “Today’s data shouldn’t change views of the likely path for disinflation, however bumpy," said David Alcaly, lead macroeconomic strategist at Lazard Asset Management. "But a lot of observers, probably including some at the Fed, are looking for reasons to get more hawkish on the outlook given the potential for inflationary policy change like new tariffs.” President-elect Donald Trump has said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China when he takes office in January. That could shock the economy by raising prices on a wide range of goods and accelerating the rate of inflation. Such a shift could prompt the Fed to rethink future cuts to interest rates. Treasury yields slipped in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.25% from 4.30% late Tuesday. The yield on the two-year Treasury, which more closely follows expected actions by the Fed, fell to 4.22% from 4.25% late Tuesday. U.S. markets will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and will reopen for a half day on Friday. Damian J. Troise And Alex Veiga, The Associated Press

Taylor Morrison director William Lyon sells $1.8m in stockNew pro-European coalition approved in Romania amid period of political turmoilNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Brian Callahan insisted Monday he's busy preparing to coach the Tennessee Titans against the Jacksonville Jaguars, not what controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk thinks of his first season. “It’s a bottom line business and we’ve got to show progress and we haven’t shown enough,” Callahan said. “I would like to see more and we got two more opportunities to do it." The Titans have lost four straight after a 38-30 defeat in Indianapolis , dropping the season series to their AFC South foe. They also have lost six of seven to drop to 3-12, putting the franchise two losses from matching the most in a season set in 2014 when the NFL played a 16-game schedule. Asked if he thinks he will have to make a case to keep his job when this season ends, Callahan said he has no idea. “My job is to coach the football team and get ready to go play Jacksonville,” Callahan said. “That’s the only thing that I focus on. And anything other than that, is out of my control.” What’s working The Titans played a season-high 10 rookies in Indianapolis. Even with all that youth, they were flagged only four times matching their second-lowest total of the season. That was a huge improvement from the week before when Tennessee was penalized 12 times for 110 yards. What needs help Callahan said every time they try to fix one thing, another issue pops up. Against Indianapolis, t he run defense simply disappeared . They gave up 335 yards rushing, the most in franchise history since Oct. 1, 1961. They gave up touchdown runs of 65 and 70 yards to Jonathan Taylor. A defense that entered Week 16 ranked 12th allowed Taylor to average 7.5 yards per carry and meant Anthony Richardson needed to throw just 11 passes. The Titans gave up 38 consecutive points — the third most allowed in a game all season just a week after giving up 37 in a loss to Cincinnati. Stock up TE Chig Okonkwo. He led the Titans with nine catches and 81 yards receiving — both career highs. He also scored his the second 2-point conversion of his career. He became the first tight end with nine or more receptions in a game since Delanie Walker had nine Nov. 13, 2016, against Green Bay. Stock down Mason Rudolph. Callahan defended the veteran's three interceptions with one going off running back Tony Pollard's hands and the third a last-gasp play to end the game and said he thought Rudolph had a good performance. That said, Rudolph's numbers are almost a mirror image of the quarterback he replaced. Rudolph has eight touchdown passes and eight interceptions. He's completing 63.8% of his passes and has a 78.8 passer rating. That's nearly the same as Will Levis completing 63.7% of his passes with 12 TD passes and 12 interceptions. Callahan said turnovers from the quarterback spot has sort of been “our Achilles' heel” swinging games. But he also hasn't made a decision yet on who starts Sunday, saying stats don't always paint the full picture. “My goal is to try to put the best chance to win on the field for us and we’ll see what that looks like,” Callahan said. Injuries Callahan said K Nick Folk might have a chance to be back after an abdominal injury sidelined the veteran in Indianapolis. The Titans are practicing with a walk-through Tuesday and taking Wednesday off for Christmas so the coach said he'll have a better handle on injuries Thursday. Folk's replacement Brayden Narveson missed a 53-yard field goal that would have given Tennessee a 10-0 lead. Folk is 21 of 22 on field goals this season. Key num ber 121 — Number of points allowed off turnovers this season. It's the most in a season for the Titans since at least 2000, topping the 108 given up in 2015. The Titans lead the NFL with 32 turnovers, which Callahan called their biggest issue. “That’s insanity,” Callahan said. Next steps The Titans visit Jacksonville on Sunday for their final road trip, trying to avoid being swept by their division rival. Then it's back home for the regular-season finale, hosting Houston before more changes this offseason in some form. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press

, /PRNewswire/ -- SaferWatch, a leader in advanced safety and security solutions, has unveiled its comprehensive , designed to provide unmatched security for high-profile individuals and their teams. With state-of-the-art LTE panic buttons, 24/7/365 professional monitoring, and direct connection to local law enforcement, SaferWatch is setting a new standard in personal and professional safety. At the heart of this service are the SaferWatch LTE panic buttons, which allow users to communicate live with local law enforcement and the SaferWatch monitoring center at any time, from anywhere in . These discreet, portable devices ensure that assistance is only a button press away, providing peace of mind in any situation. Key features of SaferWatch's Executive Protection solution include: "Executive protection requires a level of reliability and precision that traditional security methods often cannot provide," said , CEO of SaferWatch. "With our integrated solutions, we're empowering individuals and their security teams to stay connected, protected, and prepared, no matter where they are." SaferWatch's innovative approach not only enhances physical security but also integrates seamlessly with existing protocols, making it an indispensable tool for executives, public figures, and other high-risk individuals. For more information about SaferWatch's Executive Protection service or to schedule a demo, visit . SaferWatch is a leading safety and security platform dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities with innovative tools to enhance safety. From schools and businesses to law enforcement and personal protection, SaferWatch delivers reliable, technology-driven solutions that save lives. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE SaferWatchPrime Minister Robert Abela on Monday avoided addressing the scandal involving two ministers who were found to have breached ethics by the Standards Commissioner. Abela was speaking in Parliament during the debate on the budget estimates regarding the Office of the Prime Minister. Rebutting accusations of fraud listed by Opposition Leader Bernard Grech in his earlier address, Abela described his political opponent as the prime tax evader, making reference to Grech's tax controversy of four years ago. Abela accused the Opposition of wanting to obscure the benefits emanating from the budget, which aims to put the country on the road towards better quality. The tax cut delivered in the budget intended to provide reprieve to the middle class, he said, saying that the measure the government undertook was more than double what Labour had promised in its electoral manifesto. "This was possible because public finances are on a sound footing," Abela said. The Opposition was unable to present a finished pre-budget document in time, let alone be responsible for public finances, Abela said, saying the PN should not be trusted with the administration of public finances. Abela said the budget, apart from introducing tax cuts, had improved social benefits, higher pensions, and described the government's plans for more green spaces without compromising economic growth. The government was able to do this by the third budget in this legislature and new targets will now be set as the country needs to continue moving forward, "and this is why we are embarking on Vision 2050," Abela said. "We are committed to create new prosperity for all Maltese and Gozitans and this is why we are working for better quality," Abela said. Abela said that the 2025 Budget not only builds on previous budgets but is of the best presented by a Labour government, more so during the midterm of his legislature. Abela added that under the PN government, their midterm budget actually raised duties whilst they bragged about increasing the COLA. In light of recent positive results from financial authorities such as Moody's, Abela said that the EU commission is set to revise the Maltese economic forecasts for the better partially due to the country's use of AI and digitization. "This faith puts a greater responsibility on us, since on the other side is absolutely empty," Abela said pointing out that the PN's pre-budget document wasn't published. "It is easy to come and criticise but when you cannot complete a pre-budget document that shows the incompetence. Their own friends said 'It needs more beef' and they are still looking for it." Abela said that whilst abroad, in countries with greater economies, tax rates are booming, "We didn't present a budget of burden but one which gives peace of mind to everyone in society." He said that in the last few months the PN tried to scare people that the Labour's energy economy wasn't sustainable but he pointed out, "We were always clear that this policy was the best measure we took to buffer against inflation and keep up the economy's competition," adding that the government was "the biggest cushion against inflation". Abela said that the labour government was a "shield to our businesses and families from great economic shocks". He added that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, "We were in a situation worse than back then but we still came out on top." With regards to the PN's income tax proposals, Abela said that they were poorly and quickly made and with "regressive measures" which would set parents back if implemented.

Hillenbrand Declares First Quarter Dividend of $0.225 Per Share

SaferWatch Elevates Executive Protection with 24/7/365 Monitoring, Live Communication, and Direct Law Enforcement ConnectivityOnline Fundraising Tools Market Dazzling Worldwide | Big Giants GoFundMe, Kickstarter, Indiegogo 12-23-2024 07:53 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Pvt. Ltd. Online Fundraising Tools Market HTF MI recently introduced Global Online Fundraising Tools Market study with 143+ pages in-depth overview, describing about the Product / Industry Scope and elaborates market outlook and status (2024-2032). The market Study is segmented by key regions which is accelerating the marketization. At present, the market is developing its presence. Some key players from the complete study are GoFundMe, Kickstarter, Indiegogo, JustGiving, Fundly, Patreon, Crowdfunder, Givebutter, Donorbox, PayPal Fundraiser, Classy, CauseVox, FundRazr, Qgiv, Fundable. Download Sample Report PDF (Including Full TOC, Table & Figures) 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/2618165-global-online-fundraising-tools-market-2?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash According to HTF Market Intelligence, the Global Online Fundraising Tools market is expected to grow from 3 Billion USD in 2024 to 7 Billion USD by 2032, with a CAGR of 9.8% from 2024 to 2032. The Online Fundraising Tools market is segmented by Types (Peer-to-Peer, Crowdfunding, Nonprofit, Corporate Giving Platforms), Application (Charities, Startups, Education, Emergency Relief) and by Geography (North America, LATAM, West Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Oceania, MEA). Definition: Includes software and platforms that enable individuals, organizations, and nonprofits to raise funds online for causes, projects, or businesses. Growth is fueled by the increasing adoption of digital payment systems, social media integration, and the need for accessible fundraising solutions. Dominating Region: • North America Fastest-Growing Region: • Asia-Pacific Market Trends: •Live Fundraisers, Mobile Apps, AI-Driven Campaigns Market Drivers: •Rising Donations, Social Media Influence, FinTech Growth Market Challenges: •Trust Issues, Platform Fees, Donor Retention Have a query? Market an enquiry before purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/2618165-global-online-fundraising-tools-market-2?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below: In-depth analysis of Online Fundraising Tools market segments by Types: Peer-to-Peer, Crowdfunding, Nonprofit, Corporate Giving Platforms Detailed analysis of Tank Container Shipping market segments by Applications: Charities, Startups, Education, Emergency Relief Geographically, the detailed analysis of consumption, revenue, market share, and growth rate of the following regions: • The Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, Egypt, etc.) • North America (United States, Mexico & Canada) • South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, etc.) • Europe (Turkey, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) • Asia-Pacific (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia). Buy Now Latest Edition of Online Fundraising Tools Market Report 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=2618165?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash Online Fundraising Tools Market Research Objectives: - Focuses on the key manufacturers, to define, pronounce and examine the value, sales volume, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis, and development plans in the next few years. - To share comprehensive information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (opportunities, drivers, growth potential, industry-specific challenges and risks). - To analyze the with respect to individual future prospects, growth trends and their involvement to the total market. - To analyze reasonable developments such as agreements, expansions new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. - To deliberately profile the key players and systematically examine their growth strategies. FIVE FORCES & PESTLE ANALYSIS: In order to better understand market conditions five forces analysis is conducted that includes the Bargaining power of buyers, Bargaining power of suppliers, Threat of new entrants, Threat of substitutes, and Threat of rivalry. • Political (Political policy and stability as well as trade, fiscal, and taxation policies) • Economical (Interest rates, employment or unemployment rates, raw material costs, and foreign exchange rates) • Social (Changing family demographics, education levels, cultural trends, attitude changes, and changes in lifestyles) • Technological (Changes in digital or mobile technology, automation, research, and development) • Legal (Employment legislation, consumer law, health, and safety, international as well as trade regulation and restrictions) • Environmental (Climate, recycling procedures, carbon footprint, waste disposal, and sustainability) Get 10-25% Discount on Immediate purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/request-discount/2618165-global-online-fundraising-tools-market-2?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Online Fundraising Tools Market: Chapter 01 - Online Fundraising Tools Executive Summary Chapter 02 - Market Overview Chapter 03 - Key Success Factors Chapter 04 - Global Online Fundraising Tools Market - Pricing Analysis Chapter 05 - Global Online Fundraising Tools Market Background or History Chapter 06 - Global Online Fundraising Tools Market Segmentation (e.g. Type, Application) Chapter 07 - Key and Emerging Countries Analysis Worldwide Online Fundraising Tools Market Chapter 08 - Global Online Fundraising Tools Market Structure & worth Analysis Chapter 09 - Global Online Fundraising Tools Market Competitive Analysis & Challenges Chapter 10 - Assumptions and Acronyms Chapter 11 - Online Fundraising Tools Market Research Methodology Key questions answered • How Global Online Fundraising Tools Market growth & size is changing in next few years? • Who are the Leading players and what are their futuristic plans in the Global Online Fundraising Tools market? • What are the key concerns of the 5-forces analysis of the Global Online Fundraising Tools market? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors? • What are the different prospects and threats faced by the dealers in the Global Online Fundraising Tools market? Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter-wise sections or region-wise report versions like North America, LATAM, Europe, Japan, Australia or Southeast Asia. Nidhi Bhawsar (PR & Marketing Manager) HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Phone: +15075562445 sales@htfmarketreport.com About Author: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting is uniquely positioned to empower and inspire with research and consulting services to empower businesses with growth strategies. We offer services with extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events, and experience that assist in decision-making. This release was published on openPR.

Hillenbrand Declares First Quarter Dividend of $0.225 Per Share

Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to from other nations. Related Articles The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. His status for Sunday is uncertain

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Kutay Tanir BBVA Argentina ( NYSE: BBAR ) is one of the largest banks in that South American nation. From this point, it could see a major capital appreciation in the stock as the Argentinian public finances experience an impressive recovery due to Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government placed sanctions on seven companies on Friday in response to recent U.S. announcements of military sales and aid to Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims as part of its territory. The sanctions also come in response to the recent approval of the U.S. government’s annual defense spending bill, which a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said “includes multiple negative sections on China.” China objects to American military assistance for Taiwan and often imposes sanctions on related companies after a sale or aid package is announced. The sanctions generally have a limited impact, because American defense companies don’t sell arms or other military goods to China. The U.S. is the main supplier of weapons to Taiwan for its defense. The seven companies being sanctioned are Insitu Inc., Hudson Technologies Co., Saronic Technologies, Inc., Raytheon Canada, Raytheon Australia, Aerkomm Inc. and Oceaneering International Inc., the Foreign Ministry statement said. It said that “relevant senior executives” of the companies are also sanctioned, without naming any. Any assets they have in China will be frozen, and organizations and individuals in China are prohibited from engaging in any activity with them, it said. U.S. President Joe Biden last week authorized up to $571 million in Defense Department material and services and military education and training for Taiwan. Separately, the Defense Department announced that $295 million in military sales had been approved. The U.S. defense bill boosts military spending to $895 billion and directs resources toward a more confrontational approach to China. It establishes a fund that could be used to send military resources to Taiwan in much the same way that the U.S. has backed Ukraine. It also expands a ban on U.S. military purchases of Chinese products ranging from drone technology to garlic for military commissaries. Zhang Xiaogang, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson, said earlier this week that the U.S. is hyping up the “so-called” threat from China to justify increased military spending. “U.S. military spending has topped the world and keeps increasing every year,” he said at a press conference. “This fully exposes the belligerent nature of the U.S. and its obsession with hegemony and expansion.” The Foreign Ministry statement said the U.S. moves violate agreements between the two countries on Taiwan, interfere in China’s domestic affairs and undermine the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Taiwan’s government said earlier this month that China had sent dozens of ships into nearby seas to practice a blockade of the island, a move that Taiwan said undermined peace and stability and disrupted international shipping and trade. China has not confirmed or commented on the reported military activity.Debunking false claims about US drone sightings | Fact check roundup

Syracuse linebacker says he will explore transfer optionsDec 5 (Reuters) - Zooming in on surveillance footage of a gun that could have had a silencer fitted to it. Scouring the web to identify the brand of a backpack. Triangulating data of a rental bike to uncover an escape route. Wednesday's shocking murder in Manhattan of UnitedHealthcare (UNH.N) , opens new tab CEO Brian Thompson - what police called a targeted killing - brought out a bevy of sleuths and true-crime fans across social media looking for clues about the killer's motivation and how he managed to flee from the scene and seemingly disappear into the city of more than 8 million people. By Thursday, police were examining evidence ranging from surveillance video to items discarded nearby that could contain DNA to find the killer. Authorities also asked for the public's help, releasing a photo with a clear view of his face. Meanwhile, platforms including Bluesky, Reddit and X sprouted hundreds of posts from amateur gumshoes poring over video and photos. "Dude had a suppressor, which is an extremely difficult thing to acquire, especially in a state like New York," wrote one Reddit user. Such forums are rife with so-called internet detectives who pick through publicly available reports to uncover information in the aftermath of major crimes. Sometimes, they succeed: Online sleuths helped investigators identify numerous rioters who took part in the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, following Joe Biden's presidential election victory in 2020. But such "crowd-sourced investigations" also can go awry. Following the April 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Reddit users spread theories that pointed at the wrong people , which were later amplified by publications including the New York Post. The FBI released pictures of their leading suspects to quell the speculation. Social media helps people connect around a shared subject, but it also blurs the line between news and speculation, said Tahneer Oksman, a professor in Marymount Manhattan College's communications department in New York. "So many people are no longer making the important distinctions between getting vetted information and chatting/speculating about such vetted information," she said. A Reddit post about Thompson on the subreddit MorbidReality, which has more than 1 million members, garnered over 260 comments. Users speculated the killer's weapon was a Station 6 pistol or an "exotic firearm called a B&T VP9." Others focused on the backpack, calling it a "Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L, Camera Bag." On X, some users tried to chase leads on Citi Bike - New York's bicycle rental system - for clues. One user posted details about a bike that seemed to have been the only one that left the area shortly after the shooting and headed toward Central Park. Police later told media outlets they believe that the killer likely used an unmarked e-bike, not a Citi Bike. Early Thursday, users examined another crumb: reports that the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were carved into the shell casings found at the scene. The words evoke the title of a 2010 book critical of the insurance industry titled "Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It." Those comments set off more chatter about the shooter's motivation, ranging from an early 2024 federal investigation into the company to a lawsuit filed by a Florida pension fund alleging insider trading. Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer on Thursday posted a 26-minute video on X laying out thoughts on the murder, saying the killer knew exactly where Thompson would be and when. "That just tells me there likely could be somebody on the inside, somebody that knew when he would be leaving," she said. Coffindaffer did not respond to attempts to contact her on X or LinkedIn. Sign up here. Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; editing by Jonathan Oatis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabSandstorm Gold Royalties Provides Updates on Producing and Key Development AssetsCentre to soon define powers of J&K govt

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