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Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes
RFK Jr. Working With Lawyer Who Pushed FDA To Revoke Polio VaccineFREIBURG, Germany (AP) — Freiburg survived a late comeback to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 and move into fifth place in the Bundesliga on Friday. The sides started the day equal on points and Wolfsburg had won its last five games in the league and cup. But Lukas Kübler scored an opportunist opener three minutes before the break and added a second with his head six minutes into the second half to put Freiburg in the driving seat. Michael Gregoritsch added the third in the 62nd. Jonas Wind came off the bench to score his third goal in two games and Mattias Svanberg cut the deficit seven minutes from time as Wolfsburg desperately looked for a way into the game. But it was too late, and Freiburg moved above Wolfsburg to fifth place on the table and equal on points with Leipzig, which has a game in hand. The match was an important one for two teams vying for a Champions League place next year. Although Bayern Munich have a six-point advantage over second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, only eight points separate the next nine clubs. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Bruno Fernandes Named the 3 Toughest Premier League Opponents He's Faced
Stock market today: Wall Street slips as technology stocks drag on the market NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slipped as Wall Street closes out a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 1.6% Friday and the the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 475 points, or 1.1%. The Nasdaq composite is down 2%. Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the market. The S&P 500 is still headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. 10 tips from experts to help you change your relationship with money in 2025 NEW YORK (AP) — As the calendar changes to 2025, you might be thinking about how to approach your relationship with money in the new year. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated. If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share responsibility for the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO — although not as much as the person who pulled the trigger. So says a new poll from NORC at the University of Chicago. It finds that about 8 in 10 Americans say that the person who committed the killing has “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility for the Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson. Still, some see suspect Luigi Mangione as a heroic figure. About 7 in 10 adults say coverage denials or health insurance profits also bear at least “a moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death. Another jackpot surpasses $1 billion. Is this the new normal? Remember this moment because it probably won’t last: A U.S. lottery jackpot is projected to soar above $1 billion, and that's still a big deal. Friday’s Mega Millions drawing is worth an estimated $1.15 billion. The prize has evoked headlines across the country, despite the nation's top 10 jackpots already having boasted billion-dollar payouts. Jonathan Cohen is the author of the book “For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America.” He says he expects jackpots to continue to grow in size. Larger payouts attract more media attention, increase ticket sales and bring in new players. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Richard Parsons, prominent executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76 NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Parsons, one of corporate America’s most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, has died. He was 76. Parsons died Thursday at his Manhattan home. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015 and cited “unanticipated complications” from the disease for cutting back on work a few years later. Financial services company Lazard confirmed his death. Parsons was a longtime member of the company's board. His friend Ronald Lauder told The New York Times that the cause of death was cancer. Parsons stepped down Dec. 3 from the boards of Lazard and Lauder’s company, Estée Lauder, citing health reasons. He had been on Estée Lauder’s board for 25 years. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen has targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said Thursday's bombardment took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. At least three people were reported killed and dozens injured in the Sanaa airport strike. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose.Rain caused an interruption in the much-anticipated third test between Australia and India, right after lunch on day one in Brisbane. Australia, having been put in to bat by India captain Rohit Sharma, were 28 for no loss when the weather disrupted play. The five-test series is currently tied at 1-1, with India claiming victory in the first match in Perth, while Australia bounced back with a win in the second game in Adelaide. The teams are now fiercely contesting the pivotal third match. The inclement weather adds another layer of drama to an already intense series, as both teams aim to gain the upper hand. Fans eagerly await the resumption of play to see how the match will unfold following the rain delay. (With inputs from agencies.)Stock market today: Wall Street slips as technology stocks drag on the market NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slipped as Wall Street closes out a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 1.4% Friday and the the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 402 points, or 0.9%. The Nasdaq composite is down 2%. Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the market. The major indexes are still on track to close the week with gains, and the S&P 500 remains headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share responsibility for the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO — although not as much as the person who pulled the trigger. So says a new poll from NORC at the University of Chicago. It finds that about 8 in 10 Americans say that the person who committed the killing has “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility for the Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson. Still, some see suspect Luigi Mangione as a heroic figure. About 7 in 10 adults say coverage denials or health insurance profits also bear at least “a moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death. Another jackpot surpasses $1 billion. Is this the new normal? Remember this moment because it probably won’t last: A U.S. lottery jackpot is projected to soar above $1 billion, and that's still a big deal. Friday’s Mega Millions drawing is worth an estimated $1.15 billion. The prize has evoked headlines across the country, despite the nation's top 10 jackpots already having boasted billion-dollar payouts. Jonathan Cohen is the author of the book “For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America.” He says he expects jackpots to continue to grow in size. Larger payouts attract more media attention, increase ticket sales and bring in new players. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Richard Parsons, prominent executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76 NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Parsons, one of corporate America’s most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, has died. He was 76. Parsons died Thursday at his Manhattan home. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015 and cited “unanticipated complications” from the disease for cutting back on work a few years later. Financial services company Lazard confirmed his death. Parsons was a longtime member of the company's board. His friend Ronald Lauder told The New York Times that the cause of death was cancer. Parsons stepped down Dec. 3 from the boards of Lazard and Lauder’s company, Estée Lauder, citing health reasons. He had been on Estée Lauder’s board for 25 years. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen has targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said Thursday's bombardment took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. At least three people were reported killed and dozens injured in the Sanaa airport strike. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finnish police say authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables. It was the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure. Police and border guards boarded the Eagle S and took control as they investigate damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable. The cable brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea. The cable went down on Wednesday. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Both have been termed sabotage. Climate-friendly electricity sees big battery projects soar again for 2024 2024 was another banner year for a source of electricity that is better for people’s lungs, better for climate change and may be reaching your home now when you turn on the lights or turn up the thermostat — large banks of batteries. Storing extra power in batteries effectively extends the hours of solar and wind power in a day. Storage is also important as global electricity demand rises. Last, it is important for increasingly frequent extreme weather events, worsened by climate change. Texas and California are embracing the benefits of batteries, but some other regions are dragging their feet. Russian ship that sank in the Mediterranean was attacked, owner says MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian operator of a cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria says it has been hit by a series of explosions in an act of sabotage. Oboronlogistica is a state-controlled company that operated the Ursa Major freighter. The company said the vessel was wrecked by three powerful explosions just above the water line in what it described as a “terrorist attack” that caused it to sink on Monday. The company said in a statement carried by Russia’s state RIA Novosti news agency on Thursday that the explosions left a hole in the ship’s starboard and filled the engine room with acrid smoke. That hampered the crew’s attempts to access it.Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100
Microsoft is changing up how Copilot works on Windows yet again. After demoting Copilot to a Progressive Web App (PWA) earlier this year, Microsoft is now rolling out an update to Windows testers that replaces the PWA version of Copilot with a “native” experience that includes a new keyboard shortcut and quick view UI. The new quick view for Copilot floats above the taskbar, much like Microsoft’s new Companion apps that it’s currently testing for files, contacts, and calendar entries. The quick view can be triggered using a new Alt + Space keyboard shortcut, or through the system tray. The quick view doesn’t do anything special here, but it does float above all your other apps and remains always on top until you dismiss Copilot to the taskbar or trigger the Alt + Space shortcut again. The new keyboard shortcut here could get a little complicated though, depending on what apps you use. Other apps already use the Alt + Space shortcut, and it sounds like they’re going to be fighting Copilot for control here. “For any apps installed on your PC that might utilize this keyboard shortcut, Windows will register whichever app is launched first on your PC and running in the background as the app that is invoked when using Alt + Space,” says Microsoft. I am not sure why Microsoft made the choice to move Copilot to this Alt + Space shortcut when it previously reused the Windows key + C shortcut from Cortana with Windows Copilot before downgrading the experience to a web app and giving up on the keyboard shortcut in favor of a dedicated Copilot key. Microsoft even says “Copilot will continue to explore options related to the keyboard shortcuts for the app,” which sure reads like the AI assistant is suddenly calling the shots over at Microsoft now. This new keyboard shortcut and Copilot quick view will also be available on Windows 10 as well as Windows 11 PCs, despite Microsoft’s insistence that Windows 10 end of support really is happening in October 2025. Microsoft reopened beta testing for new Windows 10 features earlier this year as a way “to make sure everyone can get the maximum value from their current Windows PC.” Copilot originally started off life as Windows Copilot in Windows 11 last year, integrated into the operating system as a side bar that could appear across all apps. Microsoft then made Copilot less useful with its new Copilot Plus PCs, cutting the app back to a basic web app. Microsoft says this latest iteration is “a native version,” but it’s still just a web view of Copilot wrapped in a slightly more native implementation.Coffee-table book Pudhu Mandapam released in Madurai
Musk says SEC is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchasesRestoration Hardware emphasizes that it's " the worst housing market in 30 years"
Hardeep Singh Puri (File photo) NEW DELHI: India's dependence on traditional fossil fuel energy will reduce to around 30% by 2047, when the country celebrates its 100th year of Independence, petroleum & natural gas minister Hardeep Puri said on Friday. "The transition (to clean fuels) is not a switch which you can turn on and off. You have to establish expensive infra to make the transition...The test lies in what we are achieving on the green front," Puri said. He added that ethanol blending has gone up from 1.4% in 2014 to 10% in 2022, and 20% would be achieved by 2025. The minister said India is moving forward in compressed biogas segment and around 80 plants are under commissioning. Puri said the country is moving towards making 15% of its energy mix through natural gas. He also slammed the opposition for protesting outside Parliament, rather than debating issues. "The nature of the protest reflects the maturity level of politics," he added. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Frustrated Dak reflects on Cowboys' lost seasonThe official line from the City of Winnipeg is that the 5.95 per cent property tax hike proposed in this week’s budget is a one-off. The city says it plans to return to annual tax increases of 3.5 per cent in 2026 and 2027. That’s a pipe dream. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * The official line from the City of Winnipeg is that the 5.95 per cent property tax hike proposed in this week’s budget is a one-off. The city says it plans to return to annual tax increases of 3.5 per cent in 2026 and 2027. That’s a pipe dream. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Opinion The official line from the City of Winnipeg is that the 5.95 per cent property tax hike proposed in this week’s budget is a one-off. The city says it plans to return to annual tax increases of 3.5 per cent in 2026 and 2027. That’s a pipe dream. Unless the provincial government comes to the table with a new funding/revenue model for the city, there is no way that will happen — not unless the city does far more to cut costs or increase revenue streams elsewhere, or both. In fact, it could be higher than 5.95 per cent in future years if nothing changes. Mayor Scott Gillingham and finance committee chairman Coun. Jeff Browaty unveiled the 2025 budget Wednesday. As expected, property taxes will rise beyond the 3.5 per cent Gillingham promised voters in the 2022 civic election. They had little choice. Even with the increase, the city’s financial situation remains dire. There are few contingencies in the budget for surprise cost increases, which will almost certainly arise. And the city’s financial stabilization reserve, which will be depleted this year to cover the 2024 deficit, is projected to be a paltry $4 million by the end of 2025. The city is broke and this week’s proposed tax hike will do little to change that. The city could do a better job of managing spending. The 2025 budget was disappointingly weak on cost controls. It focuses primarily on expanding services. Overall spending in the tax-supported budget is up 4.7 per cent in 2025 compared with 2024 — a bit steep considering the city’s fiscal challenges. Most of that is to pay for 115 new full-time equivalent staff. While some of that is in police (six general patrol officers, with another 30 coming in 2026 and 2027) and fire-paramedic (24 firefighters for Waverley West), most are in other departments such as public works, community services and planning, property and development. The city is adding 14 full-time equivalent positions to expand library hours and services. That’s a great benefit, but can the city really afford it? The city’s total salary and benefit costs are projected to rise by $53.7 million in 2025, a 5.3 per cent increase over 2024. For a city that has drained its financial reserve and has no real plan to replenish it, that seems awfully high. Worse, the city is planning to add a total of 226 full-time equivalent employees to its payroll over the next three years, according to the budget. That would increase total salary and benefit costs by $129 million, a 12.7 per cent increase from 2024 to 2027. There is some spending-control language in the budget. But most of it is vague goals about identifying savings and efficiencies. One concrete plan to save money is to implement a pilot project to clear streets after 15 centimetres of snow has fallen, up from the current 10. That’s a service cut, even though the city claims there are no service cuts in this budget. It was a bad choice for a city that already does bare-bones snow-clearing. Some of the cost controls in the budget are only temporary, including $20.5 million in “vacancy management” — a delay in filling existing city jobs. That only kicks the can down the road and doesn’t solve the city’s long-term fiscal problems. It was also disappointing that the city is proposing to freeze business property taxes while residential property owners, including low-income ones, bear the full brunt of the tax hike. The tax pain should have been spread more evenly. As the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg said this week, there should have been accommodation made for low-income property owners in the form of a rebate. It’s hard to see the fairness in freezing taxes for businesses, especially large ones, and hiking them for pensioners and others on fixed-incomes. Still, the financial problems can’t be solved through spending controls alone. It would help if the city did a better job of managing costs; it’s a little surprising it hasn’t, considering both Gillingham and Browaty are self-professed fiscal conservatives. But it wouldn’t change the reality that even a 5.95 per cent property tax hike will make little difference in the long run to the city’s bottom line. Gillingham and Browaty acknowledge that in the budget. “With the financial stabilization reserve expected to be depleted by the end of 2024, the 2025 property tax increase is a necessary step to close the gap,” they wrote. “However, this alone won’t be enough. The city will also require additional support from both the provincial and federal governments to fully address these financial challenges.” This problem isn’t going away anytime soon, even if the 5.95 per cent tax hike is extended for the next several years. The city can’t operate under the status quo. tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca Tom Brodbeck is a columnist with the and has over 30 years experience in print media. He joined the in 2019. Born and raised in Montreal, Tom graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and commerce. . Tom provides commentary and analysis on political and related issues at the municipal, provincial and federal level. His columns are built on research and coverage of local events. The ’s editing team reviews Tom’s columns before they are posted online or published in print – part of the ’s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Tom Brodbeck is a columnist with the and has over 30 years experience in print media. He joined the in 2019. Born and raised in Montreal, Tom graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and commerce. . Tom provides commentary and analysis on political and related issues at the municipal, provincial and federal level. His columns are built on research and coverage of local events. The ’s editing team reviews Tom’s columns before they are posted online or published in print – part of the ’s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement
has made it much easier to tell which case is which, either upon arrival at the airport carousel, or out in the field. Given that these are authentic Pelican cases, products sold through ColorCase are of the same quality and exceptionality as any other case bearing the Pelican name. Of course, this includes Pelican's lifetime warranty. ColorCase provided me with two cases to test. ColorCase had no input on this article, and no advance copy of this article was provided to ColorCase. I tested the larger Pelican 1595 Air ColorCase in trekking green with orange handles and latches. I also tested the carry-on sized Pelican 1535 Air ColorCase, in deep pacific with teal handles and latches. The new 1595 Air is a beast of a case. Positioned between the carry-on size and the largest checked baggage size, the 1595 was large enough for me to load all of my electronic gear for a headshot shoot in one case. Despite the fact that I jammed the case full of gear, I appreciate how light the Air versions actually are. I could easily roll it from location to location or check it with an airline. If I'm traveling by air, the case protects my gear, while its light weight means I can pack more options for each shoot without overweight fees. Given how much I'm traveling with my gear, this provides me with much-needed flexibility. The 1535 Air is designed to be the perfect carry-on. The original 1510s are quite heavy, weighing in at 12 lbs. The empty case alone takes up a good chunk of my carry-on allowance. The 1535 Air, on the other hand, is only 8.7 lbs. This means I can get more into my case. On my part, I'm fitting in an extra Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 in here. It seems that every single check-in desk employee at every airline is aware of how heavy Pelicans can be. I've never managed to get a Pelican by without a weigh-in. Using the 1535 Air gives me confidence that I'll be able to get my gear on board with me, where I can treat it with care if necessary. Pelican is proud of their super-light proprietary HPX Polymer that allows their cases to be light and crush-resistant. Pelican is known industry-wide for their robust cases. I work in extremely taxing environments. Some days I'm shooting in Canada's sub-Arctic, other days I'm somewhere below the Antarctic Circle, while other days see me in the middle of an African rainforest. Flying around the world with my gear for work is made much simpler with the Pelican Air cases. I can depend on their robustness while taking advantage of the lighter weight construction to pack more gear. The new Air cases also come with "Press and Pull" latches. I rarely use locks on my checked bags; if someone wants in, they'll get in. I do put zip ties on my cases as a minor deterrent. That said, the two-step process required to open the latches and then open the case means that an accidental spill is less likely. The 1595 comes with five of these multi-step latches. With this kind of security, there is only the smallest chance that this case will be opened accidentally by luggage workers at the airport. As I've mentioned before, I work in wet and very demanding environments. These Pelicans are certainly rain-resistant. Pelican Air cases are built with o-rings meeting IP67 ratings, sealing the contents of your case for up to 30 minutes while it's submerged in just over 3 feet of water. Related to the water resistance, there is also a pressure equalization valve on each of these Pelican cases. I didn't realize the value of this feature until we were out shooting and the temperature and related pressure changed significantly. I heard my case hiss. This hissing equalization protects the waterproof value of the case. So, you can dunk me and my case in 90 degrees, and you can also dunk me in the Churchill River with the polar bears right around 30 degrees. If I wanted, I could even jump into an Antarctic polar plunge below freezing with my case. If I wanted. The IP67 rating also means that the cases will protect your gear from dust, making them ideal for both transportation and storage in dirty environments. Offering a wide variety of colors and the ability to mix and match your case with different color latches and handles makes pulling my case out of a lineup fast and efficient. Of course, a fluorescent orange case is going to attract the wrong attention in airports around the world. So, ColorCase offers a variety of muted but still distinguishable colors. You can also choose the typical Pelican black and accent your case with a unique handle and latch set. Unique is easier to see than the ubiquitous black. I feel this also provides me with a bit of extra security, as I can distinguish my cases in a pile of other Pelicans from a distance. This means I can tell if someone is rooting around in my now-unique case instead of their own. That being said, if you're using your case for storage or for local shooting, there are some wildly fun colors to choose from. The oxblood is striking a particular aesthetic chord, reminding me of my teenage and Doc Martens years. I really liked the three handles on the larger 1595. I could pick my case up from almost any direction and easily maneuver it into the back of my car using three different touch points. The three handles also allowed me to get a better grip and secure my case more than a typical one- or two-handled large-sized case. The 1535 has two handles. As a smaller case, it doesn't really need three handles. The main suitcase handle is robust and allows for a good ergonomic grip. However, the vertical handle is much narrower and bites into my hand when I'm packing a heavier load. I understand that this handle is narrower than the vertical handle on the traditional 1510 to save weight, but I'd rather have a few extra grams and a more robust and ergonomic handle. These aren't cheap cases. But it does bring to mind the often-repeated advice: buy something cheap and buy it twice. Given how sturdy these cases are, they're a buy-it-once type of investment. These are clearly expensive, but they will last. Perhaps you're not ready to go and buy a whole new series of cases. Thankfully, ColorCase has a huge selection of colored handles and latches to personalize your case. You can quite easily install these on a typical black Pelican and make your case easy to identify. Mark is a Toronto based commercial photographer and world traveller who gave up the glamorous life of big law to take pictures for a living.
Police nab notorious suspected kidnapper in KwaraBruno Fernandes urges United to forget City’s problems and focus on own issuesNikita Hand said the Dec. 9, 2018, assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. His lawyer had called Hand a gold digger. The fighter, once the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship but now past his prime, shook his head as the jury of eight women and four men found him liable for assault after deliberating about six hours in the High Court in Dublin. He was mobbed by cameras as he left court but did not comment. He later said on the social platform X that he would appeal the verdict and the "modest award." Hand's voice cracked and her hands trembled as she read a statement outside the courthouse, saying she would never forget what happened to her but would now be able to move on with her life. She thanked her family, partner, friends, jurors, the judge and all the supporters that had reached out to her online, but particularly her daughter. "She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice," she said. "I want to show (her) and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served." The Associated Press generally does not name alleged victims of sexual violence unless they come forward publicly, as Hand has done. Under Irish law, she did not have the anonymity she would have been granted in a criminal proceeding and was named publicly throughout the trial. Her lawyer told jurors that McGregor was angry about a fight he had lost in Las Vegas two months earlier and took it out on his client. "He's not a man, he's a coward," attorney John Gordon said in his closing speech. "A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is." Gordon said his client never pretended to be a saint and was only looking to have fun when she sent McGregor a message through Instagram after attending a Christmas party. He said Hand knew McGregor socially and that they had grown up in the same area. She said he picked her and a friend up in a car and shared cocaine with them, which McGregor admitted in court, on the way to the Beacon Hotel. Hand said she told McGregor she didn't want to have sex with him and that she was menstruating. She said she told him "no" as he started kissing her but he eventually pinned her to a bed and she couldn't move. McGregor put her in a chokehold and later told her, "now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times," referring to a UFC match when he had to admit defeat, she said. Hand had to take several breaks in emotional testimony over three days. She said McGregor threatened to kill her during the encounter and she feared she would never see her young daughter again. Eventually, he let go of her. "I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn't tell anyone so he wouldn't hurt me again," she testified. She said she then let him do what he wanted and he had sex with her. A paramedic who examined Hand the next day testified that she had never before seen someone with that intensity of bruising. A doctor told jurors Hand had multiple injuries. Hand said the trauma of the attack had left her unable to work as a hairdresser, she fell behind on her mortgage and had to move out of her house. Police investigated the woman's complaint but prosecutors declined to bring charges, saying there was insufficient evidence and a conviction was unlikely. McGregor, in his post on X, said he was disappointed jurors didn't see all the evidence prosecutors had reviewed. He testified that the two had athletic and vigorous sex, but that it was not rough. He said "she never said 'no' or stopped" and testified that everything she said was a lie. "It is a full blown lie among many lies," he said when asked about the chokehold allegation. "How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings." McGregor's lawyer told jurors they had to set aside their animus toward the fighter. "You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him – there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise," attorney Remy Farrell said. "I'm not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch." The defense said the woman never told investigators McGregor threatened her life. They also showed surveillance video in court that they said appeared to show the woman kiss McGregor's arm and hug him after they left the hotel room. Farrell said she looked "happy, happy, happy." McGregor said he was "beyond petrified" when first questioned by police and read them a prepared statement. On the advice of his lawyer, he refused to answer more than 100 follow-up questions. The jury ruled against Hand in a case she brought against one of McGregor's friends, James Lawrence, whom she accused of having sex with her in the hotel without consent.
Yet another stowaway managed to board a major airline’s plane – renewing serious questions and concerns about airport safety during the busiest travel season of the year. This time, a stowaway tried to hitch a ride on Delta Air Lines Flight 487 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Christmas Eve. The unticketed passenger was discovered while the plane was still taxiing out for takeoff to Honolulu, Delta Air Lines told CNN. The Transportation Security Administration and the Port of Seattle confirmed the incident to CNN. The incident came less than a month after another stowaway boarded a Delta airplane Thanksgiving week. That unticketed passenger made it all the way from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Paris before she was eventually arrested . Delta Air Lines planes are seen parked at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on June 19, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. And on Christmas Eve, a body was found in a wheel well of a United Airlines plane shortly after it traveled from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and landed in Maui. Hiding in a plane’s wheel well is the most common method used by stowaways , the Federal Aviation Administration said. Stowaways often get crushed when the landing gear retracts, and oxygen levels plummet as a plane reaches higher altitudes. In the Seattle incident, the stowaway went through a TSA security checkpoint the evening before the flight but wasn’t holding a boarding pass, an airport spokesperson told CNN. The next day, the person “gained access to the loading bridge without a scanned ticket at the gate,” airport media relations manager Perry Cooper said. Once the person was discovered, the Airbus A321neo returned to the gate to remove the unticketed passenger, Delta said. Port of Seattle police officers were dispatched to gate B1 at the airport around 1:05 p.m. for “a report of a suspicious circumstance” on the Delta flight. The person “ran out” of the aircraft before officers arrived, Cooper told CNN Friday. “The aircraft returned to the terminal and the subject departed the aircraft,” the Port of Seattle said. “With the help of video surveillance, POSPD were able to locate the subject in a terminal restroom. The subject was arrested for criminal trespass.” The unticketed passenger didn’t have any prohibited items, the TSA told CNN. “The aircraft was swept by K9 as well as all areas in the terminal accessed by the subject,” the Port of Seattle said. “The aircraft was deplaned and all passengers were escorted by TSA to return to the security checkpoint for rescreening.” CNN has reached out to the Port of Seattle for additional comment. Delta said the flight was delayed by two hours and 15 minutes. After the rescreening, it continued to Honolulu at 3 p.m. “As there are no matters more important than safety and security, Delta people followed procedures to have an unticketed passenger removed from the flight and then apprehended,” the Atlanta-based airline said in a statement. “We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels and thank them for their patience and cooperation.” TSA said it “takes any incidents that occur at any of our checkpoints nationwide seriously. TSA will independently review the circumstances of this incident at our travel document checker station at Seattle/Tacoma International.” How the person got through airport security is a question many want answered. There are a number of factors at play, according to former commercial airline pilot and aviation analyst, John Nance. “There are multiple causes that come into this, and they probably involve not only a bit of lackadaisical inattention,” Nance told CNN affiliate KING . “It may be training, it may be compliance, but it’s probably all of that.” It’s “embarrassing” for this situation to happen twice to the same airline and TSA, according to former Department of Homeland Security official Keith Jeffries, who was federal security director when he left the DHS in 2022. In his 20 years working with DHS and the TSA, Jeffries said he’s seen these situations multiple times. “It has happened before. It will happen again until they continue to strengthen that vulnerability,” Jeffries said. “The fact that it happened to the same airline, of course, couldn’t be more embarrassing, especially back-to-back, and during the holiday season, when there’s an extra alertness associated with the large holiday season,” Jeffries added. During the holidays, Jeffries explained, there’s typically more staffing at the airports being “extra vigilant.” TSA, airlines and airports have even more people present to ensure things like this don’t fall through the cracks, making these cases “even more concerning,” he said. If there is a “silver lining,” Jeffries said, it’s that Delta did catch the stowaway during the taxi, and they didn’t make it to Hawaii. The stowaway also didn’t have prohibited items when scanned through TSA, which is another plus, he said. “Everybody’s going to have to work together; TSA and the airlines on how they can strengthen both of those vulnerabilities, and in some cases, even work with the airport,” he said. Congress will likely scrutinize these incidents, Nance added. “But there will be no one paying more attention than the airlines themselves,” he said. ___ CNN’s Holly Yan, Pete Muntean, Amanda Musa and Nicole Chavez contributed to this report. Elise Mertens, of Belgium, serves against Naomi Osaka, of Japan, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, on March 11, 2024, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Fans interfere with a foul ball caught by Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the New York Yankees, on Oct. 29, 2024, in New York. 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Kings finally back home to face surging OilersLONDON — A woman who claimed mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse was awarded nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) on Friday by a civil court jury in Ireland. Nikita Hand said the Dec. 9, 2018, assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. His lawyer had called Hand a gold digger. The fighter, once the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship but now past his prime, shook his head as the jury of eight women and four men found him liable for assault after deliberating about six hours in the High Court in Dublin. He was mobbed by cameras as he left court but did not comment. He later said on the social platform X that he would appeal the verdict and the "modest award." Hand's voice cracked and her hands trembled as she read a statement outside the courthouse, saying she would never forget what happened to her but would now be able to move on with her life. She thanked her family, partner, friends, jurors, the judge and all the supporters that had reached out to her online, but particularly her daughter. "She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice," she said. "I want to show (her) and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served." The Associated Press generally does not name alleged victims of sexual violence unless they come forward publicly, as Hand has done. Under Irish law, she did not have the anonymity she would have been granted in a criminal proceeding and was named publicly throughout the trial. Her lawyer told jurors that McGregor was angry about a fight he had lost in Las Vegas two months earlier and took it out on his client. "He's not a man, he's a coward," attorney John Gordon said in his closing speech. "A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is." Gordon said his client never pretended to be a saint and was only looking to have fun when she sent McGregor a message through Instagram after attending a Christmas party. He said Hand knew McGregor socially and that they had grown up in the same area. She said he picked her and a friend up in a car and shared cocaine with them, which McGregor admitted in court, on the way to the Beacon Hotel. Hand said she told McGregor she didn't want to have sex with him and that she was menstruating. She said she told him "no" as he started kissing her but he eventually pinned her to a bed and she couldn't move. McGregor put her in a chokehold and later told her, "now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times," referring to a UFC match when he had to admit defeat, she said. Hand had to take several breaks in emotional testimony over three days. She said McGregor threatened to kill her during the encounter and she feared she would never see her young daughter again. Eventually, he let go of her. "I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn't tell anyone so he wouldn't hurt me again," she testified. She said she then let him do what he wanted and he had sex with her. A paramedic who examined Hand the next day testified that she had never before seen someone with that intensity of bruising. A doctor told jurors Hand had multiple injuries. Hand said the trauma of the attack had left her unable to work as a hairdresser, she fell behind on her mortgage and had to move out of her house. Police investigated the woman's complaint but prosecutors declined to bring charges, saying there was insufficient evidence and a conviction was unlikely. McGregor, in his post on X, said he was disappointed jurors didn't see all the evidence prosecutors had reviewed. He testified that the two had athletic and vigorous sex, but that it was not rough. He said "she never said 'no' or stopped" and testified that everything she said was a lie. "It is a full blown lie among many lies," he said when asked about the chokehold allegation. "How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings." McGregor's lawyer told jurors they had to set aside their animus toward the fighter. "You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him – there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise," attorney Remy Farrell said. "I'm not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch." The defense said the woman never told investigators McGregor threatened her life. They also showed surveillance video in court that they said appeared to show the woman kiss McGregor's arm and hug him after they left the hotel room. Farrell said she looked "happy, happy, happy." McGregor said he was "beyond petrified" when first questioned by police and read them a prepared statement. On the advice of his lawyer, he refused to answer more than 100 follow-up questions. The jury ruled against Hand in a case she brought against one of McGregor's friends, James Lawrence, whom she accused of having sex with her in the hotel without consent. Get local news delivered to your inbox!( MENAFN - Newsfile Corp) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 13, 2024) - Carlyle commodities Corp. (CSE: CCC) (FSE: BJ4) (OTC: CCCFF) (" Carlyle " or the "Company" ) is pleased to announce that, further to the news releases dated September 27, 2024, and December 6, 2024, it has completed the Acquisition of Miramis mining Corp. (" Miramis ") pursuant to an amalgamation agreement dated September 27, 2024 (the " Amalgamation Agreement ") among Carlyle, Miramis, and 1500285 B.C. Ltd. (" Subco "), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Carlyle. Miramis Mining Corp. Incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)(the " BCBCA ") in October of 2012, Miramis is an unlisted reporting issuer in British Columbia and Alberta with a focus on the exploration and development of mineral property interests. Miramis currently holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in certain mineral claims comprising the Nicola East property (subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty to be retained by the optionors), which is located 24 kilometers northeast of Merritt, British Columbia in an area of high geological potential known as the southern Quesnel Trough. The southern Quesnel Trough hosts numerous copper and gold occurrences associated with porphyry-type deposits including the Highland Valley Copper Complex, the New Afton Mine and the former producing Ajax Deposit, among others. Transaction Summary Pursuant to the Amalgamation Agreement, Carlyle acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Miramis (" Miramis Shares ") by way of a "three-cornered" amalgamation (the " Amalgamation ") whereby Subco and Miramis amalgamated pursuant to the provisions of the BCBCA to form one corporation, which continued under the name "Miramis Mining Corp." (" Amalco "), as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the " Transaction "). In connection with the Transaction, each of the Miramis Shares were cancelled and, in consideration for such Miramis Shares, each Miramis shareholder (collectively, the " Miramis Shareholders ") received one (1) common share in the capital of Carlyle (each, a " Carlyle Share ") at a deemed price of $0.03 per Carlyle Share for every Miramis Share held by such Miramis Shareholders. An aggregate of 23,843,411 Carlyle Shares were issued to the Miramis Shareholders in exchange for their respective Miramis Shares, having a deemed aggregate value of $715,302.33. Additionally, the holders of the issued and outstanding common share purchase warrants of Miramis (the " Miramis Warrants ") will be entitled to receive, upon exercise thereof, Carlyle Shares, instead of Miramis Shares, on the basis of one Carlyle Share for every Miramis Warrant held immediately prior to the closing of the Amalgamation. Of the 460,800 Miramis Warrants that may be exercised to acquire Carlyle Shares (in accordance with the adjustment provisions of such Miramis Warrants), 144,000 Miramis Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.05 until July 17, 2025; 257,600 Miramis Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.05 until November 23, 2025; and 59,200 Miramis Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.05 until December 5, 2025. Immediately following the closing of the Transaction, there are 91,180,089 Carlyle Shares issued and outstanding, of which Miramis Shareholders hold approximately 26.15% of the issued and outstanding Carlyle Shares. The Board of Directors and management of Carlyle will remain the same post Transaction closing. The Company relied on Section 2.11 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions for an exemption from the prospectus requirements for the issuance of the Carlyle Shares to the Miramis Shareholders. Additionally, the Carlyle Shares issued to the Miramis Shareholders on closing of the Transaction are subject to a 120-day escrow restriction, pursuant to which 1/3rd of such Carlyle Shares were released from escrow on the closing date, 1/3rd of such Carlyle Shares will be released from escrow on February 11, 2025, and 1/3rd of such Carlyle Shares will be released from escrow on April 12, 2025. In the coming days, the Company intends to apply for Amalco to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws. All registered Miramis Shareholders are encouraged to complete, sign and return the letter of transmittal, which has been previously delivered and is available under Miramis' SEDAR+ profile on , with accompanying Miramis share certificate(s) and/or DRS advice-statement(s) (if applicable) to Odyssey Trust Company as soon as possible, if they have not already done so. Non-registered Miramis Shareholders are encouraged to contact their broker or other intermediary for instructions and assistance in receiving the Carlyle Shares to which they are entitled. Quesnel Gold Project Field Program The Company is also pleased to provide an exploration update for its 100% owned Quesnel Gold Project located in the Cariboo Mining Division, 30 kilometers northeast of Quesnel in Central British Columbia covering 1,607.34 hectares. Field crews from Hardline Exploration Corp. completed a multi day bio-geochemical survey at the Quesnel Gold 1 Property. The program was designed to test for potential on strike extensions of the historic G-South mineralization. The program included 53 biogeochemical treebark samples. Historic exploration has determined that gold and copper mineralization occur on the Property. This mineralization is hosted in veins, shears and stockworks occurring in the andesitic rocks in close proximity to the contact with intrusive rocks of the Naver intrusives and the Jurassic Polaris plutonic group. The mineralization has been outlined near surface via trenching and limited diamond drilling (Robb, 2024, please see the Technical Report on the Quesnel Gold 1 Property, dated October 30, 2024 and prepared by Warren Robb, P. Geo., available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+). Due to the late season snow cover, a biogeochemical survey was conducted to assess for extension of the known mineralization in areas of overburden. The Quesnel Gold Project is proximal to main highways and power lines facilitating year-round access and workability. The Quesnel Gold Project is situated within the Quesnel Trough within a subdivision of the Intermountain Tectonic Belt, and on trend with the historic "G-South" historical gold resource. Corporate Update Carlyle has been busy since September when it announced its proposed amalgamation with Miramis and the completion of the Company's acquisition of an undivided 100% right, title and interest in the Quesnel Gold Project. Since September the Company has completed its acquisition of the Quesnel Gold Project and its first field exploration program at the property. Last week the shareholders of Miramis overwhelmingly voted in favor of the company's amalgamation with Carlyle. The amalgamation of the two companies has provided Carlyle with a more diversified asset portfolio in British Columbia, more shareholder distribution by way of the addition of 100 plus new shareholders via Miramis, and cash from the Miramis treasury. Additionally, the amalgamation is expected to lower operating and overhead costs, and increase shareholder liquidity, trading and capital markets exposure. The Company is particularly pleased with its now 100% right, title, and interest in the 1,607.34 hectare Quesnel Gold Project where it has already completed its first field exploration program. Furthermore, the Company is thrilled with the approval of the amalgamation by Miramis Shareholders at the Miramis special meeting held last week December 6, 2024, to approve the amalgamation. With the completion of Carlyle's amalgamation with Miramis the Company now also holds the option to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the prospective Nicola East Mining Project. The Nicola East Mining Project The Nicola East Mining Project is located approximately 25 km east of the mining town of Merritt, British Columbia, where field crews from Hardline Exploration Corp. recently completed a multi day prospecting program. The program was aimed to follow up on 2023 results which included a grab sample which returned 3.04 g/t Au in a previously untested area. Field crews collected 35 samples which included samples from several quartz veins that contained up to 3% chalcopyrite and 1% chalcocite with copper oxide staining. Mineralization was hosted in quartz veins generally
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