g shock megamall

g shock megamall More than 35 arrests in 3 weeks in downtown Guelph as police service increases officer presence

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an 8-under 64 for his first lead after any round. Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had a bigger cause for celebration Friday in the RSM Classic. Dahmen made a 5-foot par putt on his final hole for a 2-under 68 in tough conditions brought on by the wind and cold, allowing him to make the cut on the number and get two more days to secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He is No. 124 in the FedEx Cup. "I still got more to write this weekend for sure," said Dahmen, who recently had said his story is not yet over. "But without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year." Fishburn took advantage of being on the easier Plantation course, with trees blocking the brunt of the wind and two additional par 5s. He also was helped by Maverick McNealy, who opened with a 62 on the tougher Seaside course, making two bogeys late in his round and having to settle for a 70. Fishburn, who already has locked up his card for next year, was at 11-under 131 and led McNealy and Lee Hodges (63) going into the weekend. Michael Thorbjornsen had a 69 and was the only player who had to face Seaside on Friday who was among the top five. What mattered on this day, however, was far down the leaderboard. The RSM Classic is the final tournament of the PGA Tour season, and only the top 125 in the FedEx Cup have full status in 2025. That's more critical than ever with the tour only taking the top 100 for full cards after next season. Players like Dahmen will need full status to get as many playing opportunities as they can. That explains why he felt so much pressure on a Friday. He didn't make a bogey after his opening hole and was battling temperatures in the low 50s that felt even colder with the wind ripping off the Atlantic waters of St. Simons Sound. He made a key birdie on the 14th, hitting a 4-iron for his second shot on the 424-yard hole. Dahmen also hit wedge to 2 feet on the 16th that put him on the cut line, and from the 18th fairway, he was safely on the green some 40 feet away. But he lagged woefully short, leaving himself a testy 5-footer with his job on the line. "It was a great putt. I was very nervous," Dahmen said. "But there's still work to do. It wasn't the game-winner, it was like the half-court shot to get us to halftime. But without that, and the way I played today, I wouldn't have anything this weekend." His playing partners weren't so fortunate. The tour put three in danger of losing their cards in the same group — Zac Blair (No. 123), Dahmen and Wesley Bryan (No. 125). The cut was at 1-under 141. Blair and Bryan came to the 18th hole needing birdie to be assured of making the cut and both narrowly missed. Now they have to wait to see if anyone passes them, which is typically the case. Thorbjornsen in a tie for fourth and Daniel Berger (66 at Plantation) in a tie for 17th both were projected to move into the top 125. Dahmen, indeed, still has work to do. Fishburn gets a weekend to see if he can end his rookie year with a win. "I've had a lot of experience playing in cold growing up in Utah, playing this time of year, kind of get used to playing when the body's not moving very well and you've got to move your hands," said Fishburn, who played college golf at BYU. "Just pretty happy with how I played." Ludvig Aberg, the defending champion and No. 5 player in the world competing for the first time in more than two months because of knee surgery, bounced back with a 64 on Plantation and was back in the mix. Aberg played with Luke Clanton, the Florida State sophomore who looks like he belongs each week. Clanton, the No. 1 player in the world amateur ranking who received a sponsor exemption, had a 65 at Plantation and was two shots off the lead. Clanton already has a runner-up and two other top 10s since June. "Playing with him, it's pretty awesome to watch," Clanton said. "We were kind of fanboying a little it. I know he's a really good dude but to be playing with him and to see what he's done over the last couple years, it's pretty inspirational."

Wall Street Lunch: Banks To Put A Limit On Overdraft Fees

Golden at-bat idea brings critics to the plate: 'Absolutely stupid and ridiculous'NEW YORK (AP) — A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire , New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said, adding that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Thompson was shot at least once in the back and once in the calf, Tisch said. The shooter, who wore a jacket, face mask and large backpack, fled through Midtown on foot before pedaling an electric bike into Central Park a few blocks away, police said. The assailant remained at large Wednesday afternoon, sparking a search that included police drones, helicopters and dogs. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the insurer’s Minnetonka, Minnesota-based parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., said in a statement. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.” Police issued a poster showing a surveillance image of the man pointing what appeared to be a gun and another image that appeared to show the same person on a bicycle. Minutes before the shooting, he stopped at a nearby Starbucks, according to additional surveillance photos released by police on Wednesday afternoon. They offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Eric Werner, the police chief in the Minneapolis suburb where Thompson lived, said his department had not received any reports of threats against the executive. The killing shook a part of New York City that's normally quiet at that hour, happening about four blocks from where tens of thousands of people were set to gather for Wednesday night’s tree lighting. Police promised extra security for the event. The hotel is also a short walk from other tourist sites, including the Museum of Modern Art and Radio City Music Hall, and is often dense with office workers and visitors on weekday mornings. Many security cameras are nearby. “We’re encouraging New Yorkers to go about their daily lives and their daily business but to be alert,” NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the shooter fled. They were also searching Thompson's hotel room, interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues and reviewing his social media, Kenny said. Police initially said the shooter rode into Central Park on a bicycle from the city’s bike-share program, CitiBike. But a spokesperson for the program’s operator, Lyft, said police officials informed the company Wednesday afternoon that the bike was not from the CitiBike fleet. Health care giant UnitedHealth Group was holding its annual meeting with investors to update Wall Street on the company's direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompson's death. “I’m afraid that we — some of you may know we’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members,” a company official told attendees, according to a transcript. “And as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today. ... I’m sure you’ll understand.” Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with the company since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years. UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on the social platform X that the state is “sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.” “This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” the Democrat wrote. Associated Press writers Tom Murphy in Indianapolis, Steve Karnowski in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, contributed to this story.

Front Row made the claim in a court filing and said it involved its proposed purchase of the charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Front Row said the series would only approve it if Front Row and 23XI Racing dropped their court case. “Specifically, NASCAR informed us that it would not approve the (charter) transfer unless we agreed to drop our current antitrust lawsuit against them,” Jerry Freeze, general manager of Front Row, said in an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina. The two teams in September refused to sign NASCAR's “take-it-or-leave-it” final offer on a new revenue sharing agreement. All other 13 teams signed the deal. Front Row and 23XI balked and are now in court. 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan has said he took the fight to court on behalf of all teams competing in the top motorsports series in the United States. NASCAR has argued that the two teams simply do not like the terms of the final charter agreement and asked for the lawsuit be dismissed. Earlier this week, the suit was transferred to a different judge than the one who heard the first round of arguments and ruled against the two teams in their request for a temporary injunction to be recognized in 2025 as chartered teams as the case proceeds. The latest filing is heavily redacted as it lays out alleged retaliatory actions by NASCAR the teams say have caused irreparable harm. Both Front Row and 23XI want to expand from two full-time cars to three, and have agreements with SHR to purchase one charter each as SHR goes from four cars to one for 2025. The teams can still compete next season but would have to do so as “open” teams that don't have the same protections or financial gains that come from holding a charter. Freeze claimed in the affidavit that Front Row signed a purchase agreement with SHR in April and NASCAR President Steve Phelps told Freeze in September the deal had been approved. But when Front Row submitted the paperwork last month, NASCAR began asking for additional information. A Dec. 4 request from NASCAR was “primarily related to our ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR,” Freeze said. “NASCAR informed us on December 5, 2024, that it objected to the transfer and would not approve it, in contrast to the previous oral approval for the transfer confirmed by Phelps before we filed the lawsuit,” Freeze said. “NASCAR made it clear that the reason it was now changing course and objecting to the transfer is because NASCAR is insisting that we drop the lawsuit and antitrust claims against it as a condition of being approved.” A second affidavit from Steve Lauletta, the president of 23XI Racing, claims NASCAR accused 23XI and Front Row of manufacturing “new circumstances” in a renewed motion for an injunction and of a “coordinated effort behind the scenes.” “This is completely false,” Lauletta said. Front Row is owned by businessman Bob Jenkins, while 23XI is owned by retired NBA Hall of Famer Jordan, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and longtime Jordan adviser Curtis Polk. NASCAR had been operating with 36 chartered teams and four open spots since the charter agreement began in 2016. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. The teams contend they must be chartered under some of their contractual agreements with current sponsors and drivers, and competing next year as open teams will cause significant losses. “23XI exists to compete at the highest level of stock car racing, striving to become the best team it can be. But that ambition can only be pursued within NASCAR, which has monopolized the market as the sole top-tier circuit for stock car racing,” Lauletta said. "Our efforts to expand – purchasing more cars and increasing our presence on the track – are integral to achieving this goal. “It is not hypocritical to operate within the only system available while striving for excellence and contending for championships,” he continued. “It is a necessity because NASCAR’s monopoly leaves 23XI no alternative circuit, no different terms, and no other viable avenue to compete at this level.” AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racingThis is the time of the year that Lawyers wind down, temporarily close shop, and rest from the herculean and dauntless task of lawyering in a challenging environment like ours. Christmas Day is tomorrow. How will Nigerian Lawyers spend this season of thanksgiving and celebration? Your guess is as good as ours. In spite of the inclement economic atmosphere that presently pervades the country, most Lawyers positively state that the season will be joyous, if only to show gratitude to God for seeing us through the year. THISDAY LAWYER Team sampled the views of some senior Lawyers NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN – A time for Introspection, evaluation, and decision-making For me, Christmas is a joyous celebration of God’s unconditional love, demonstrated through the gift of His child. It is a season when we commemorate the extraordinary act of God’s kindness and love to us all. It is also a reminder of the importance of extending love, compassion, and empathy to those around us. This special season offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, foster meaningful relationships, and create lasting memories. Also, as the year draws to a close, the beginning of the new year also invites us to reflect on our experiences, accomplishments, and challenges. I equally use the time for introspection, evaluation, and decision-making, allowing me to set new goals and aspirations for the upcoming year. May this Christmas season be a time of joy, love, and renewal for you and your loved ones. Dame Priscilla Kuye, First Female NBA President (17th) – A time for spiritual examination This is a time when we should examine ourselves spiritually and prepare to receive Jesus, the newborn baby, worthily, in our hearts. It teaches me detachment from the world in certain ways, as Jesus was born in a shamble in Bethlehem. I will spend time with my family. I shall attend all the relevant Masses, worship, and thank God. I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a happy and prosperous 2025 and beyond. O.C.J. Okocha, OFR, SAN, the 19th/Millennium NBA President – It’s a time for love and joy Christmas is the Christian Celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah. Even though a Christian Feast, it is celebrated worldwide by all. For me, Christmas is a time for joy, love and goodwill to all, especially family and friends. I always try to celebrate Christmas at home with my family, and we all celebrate the love of God. And, at this time, I wish all my fellow citizens of Nigeria, and all of our humanity, joy, love and peace. Funke Aboyade, SAN – I’ll be exploring new places Christmas/New Year for me, is a period to shut down physically and mentally, then to take stock of the year, with gratitude for God’s mercy. It’s also a time for poignant memories of my Dad, Professor Ojetunji Aboyade, who passed away in 1994 on New Year’s Eve. I’m an adventurous traveller and love exploring new places, so, I’ll spend the period doing just that. Aare Muyiwa Akinboro, SAN, former NBA General Secretary – I’ll spread and show love Apart from the religious aspect of Christmas, which is the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, Christmas is a time for personal assessment of the year, a period to count your wins, and also areas that call for improvement. It is a period to refocus in preparation for the new year. Also, it’s a time for Thanksgiving. It is a period to spread love and show love, to not only our friends and neighbours, but also to the needy and the less privileged. To me, Christmas is a period when we should put on our best clothes of kindness and gratitude to God, because it’s only by Grace that we are counted among those who are celebrating. I have travelled a lot this year, and I definitely will be spending the Christmas in the company of my family and my loved ones, taking it slow in a fun filled way. I have a lot to thank God for. Sam Zibiri, SAN – A reminder of the Greatest Gift Christmas is a celebration of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, a time to reflect on God’s boundless love and the hope He brought to the world. It’s a season to express gratitude, share His love with others, and spread joy through acts of kindness and compassion. For me, Christmas is a reminder of the greatest gift we’ve received, and the call to give selflessly in return. This year, I’ll be celebrating with family, focusing on fellowship, worship, and thanksgiving. As we step into the New Year, I look forward to embracing God’s purpose with renewed faith and hope for the future. Ricky Tarfa, SAN – I’ll engage in acts of charity The true essence of Christmas is the celebration of the incarnation of God’s love, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. It is a festive season and time to commemorate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who brought hope, redemption, and salvation to humanity. Christmas is a reminder of God’s unconditional love, mercy, and grace, and the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. As we exchange gifts, spend time with family, loved ones, and engage in acts of charity, we are called to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas: the selfless love of God, manifested in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, and the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in our lives. We shall be spending the Christmas and New Year in celebration with family, loved ones, clients, friends, colleagues, well-wishers and praying that God almighty, in his infinite mercy, will continue to bless and prosper us in the new and blessed year 2025. Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN – It’s a time to be with my brood of Grandchildren I will spend my Christmas with my large brood of lovely grandchildren, nine in number, both girls and boys. I look forward to them giving my wife and I special Joy of the Christmas season, as we remember our Lord and Saviour whose Birth almost 2000 years ago, is the most revolutionary spiritual event of all time. I wish everyone an opportunity to enjoy this great season, in spite of the great challenges. My advice is be happy and grateful to God, for everything. Temitope Abiodun – A time to share and be merry Christmas means a time for me to celebrate Our Lord Jesus Christ with family, friends and loved ones; offer praises and thanksgiving to God and reflect on the significance of the birth of Christ. It means a time to share, a time to be merry, a time to show good will and forgiveness, a time to reach out to the needy and generally put smiles on the faces. I will be spending my Christmas and New Year with my family, friends and loved ones. Uche Val Obi, SAN – Despite hard times, we’ll do something for the Vulnerable Christmas is a season that gives us joy, love, and hope. It is a special festive season among Christians to spend time with family and loved ones, share special meals, exchange gifts, and adorn our homes and premises with Christmas decorations such as trees, lights, and sing Christmas carols. Apart from these secular connections to Christmas as a joyful period of merriment typified by the generous, happy and entertaining Santa Clause, we also connect to Christmas celebration spiritually reflecting on Jesus’ mission of salvation, identifying him as the Light of the World, and his role as the Prince of Peace, Servant King and the source of eternal life. It is therefore, a season to demonstrate patience, love and generosity. Obviously times are hard, but we could do something little that could still impact the vulnerable ones amongst us. Wishing all Christians a joyful Christmas season and holidays. Augustine Alegeh, CON, SAN FCIArb [UK], 27th NBA President – Christmas means everything to me Christmas is a period to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, who saved us all from condemnation and offered himself as the supreme sacrifice to cleanse our sins, so that all who believe in him can enjoy everlasting life in heaven. In celebrating his birth, we also celebrate the unique opportunity he has given us to enjoy everlasting life. Christmas means everything to me, as a Christian. Christmas and New Year holidays, will be spent with family and friends. It’s a time to celebrate the blessings and grace of God in our lives in 2024 and to pray for more grace, protection and blessings in the New Year. Pauline Abulimen, SAN – We should prepare our hearts to receive Jesus Christmas is an annual Christian festival, commemorating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians, we should prepare our hearts to receive Jesus, putting smiles on the faces of those less privileged and reaching out to our neighbours, families and friends. But, regrettably, we are all preparing for the fun fair, and neglecting to do the needful most times. We think it is all about buying new clothing, and eating jollof rice and chicken. Let’s use this season to prepare our hearts, and make sure they are clean and sacred enough for our Lord’s coming and dwelling. I will be having a quiet Christmas with my family and friends, while we all strive to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus, and keeping him in our hearts always. Sebastine Hon, SAN – I will mingle with the local folks It is the tradition of my Church to have an annual retreat during the Christmas period, so, I do not necessarily celebrate it. I normally travel home to mingle with the local folks, after the retreat. I have also, for the past nine years, organised the S.T. Hon Unity Football Cup Competition in Gboko. Thereafter, I wait for and participate in the Crossover Night, on the eve of new year till the early hours of new year. I then receive visitors in my house for celebrations, which is at times done in my mother’s residence. Charles Ajuyah, SAN, former Delta State A-G – I will share goodies with neighbours To me, Christmas signifies a time of joy, marking the fulfilment of God’s promise of redemption and love for mankind. It is celebrated in remembrance, much like any significant event in a person’s life, and it embodies the very essence of the season. By the grace of God, I will be celebrating Christmas with love, prayer, and by sharing with my neighbours. These acts reflect the spirit and expectations of this special time. As we approach the new year, 2025, Christmas also fills us with hope, a hope for a better and more fulfilling year ahead. I aspire for Nigeria to become a better place, where the government genuinely supports the less privileged. I pray for safety in our communities, impactful power supply, accessible medical care, effective educational policies, and increased employment opportunities for our youth. Mike Igbokwe, SAN – I will spend time thanking God for His mercies, goodness and faithfulness Christmas means to me the time to celebrate the birth of my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ and appreciate Him for saving my soul, and for the work of redemption on the cross that I have been enjoying. I will be spending Christmas with my family and friends. On New Year’s Eve into the New Year, I will be attending an event called Open Heavens that is organised by the House of Praise Church, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Artists such as Joe Mettle, Don Moen, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Todd Delaney and Ryan Ofei will be performing, whilst Pastors Wale Akinsiku and Tope Akinsiku will be ministering too. Admission is free and attendance is both in person and virtual at open heavenstoronto.com . It promises to be a great event, that I don’t want to miss. During the day I will spend time thanking God for His mercies, goodness, faithfulness, love and for all He has done for us, and for letting my family and I see 2025. Thereafter, I will spend time with family and friends. Prof Roland Otaru, SAN – Time for sober reflection Christmas symbolises peace, grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a time for sober reflection, and for us to leverage on the sacrifices of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. To all Nigerians, a Merry Xmas and a prosperous New Year in advance Omoruyi Omonuwa, SAN, former Edo State Attorney-General – I will be praying for peace in Edo State This is a season of love, joy, and togetherness. It is a period of sharing. It reminds us of the beauty of giving, the hope of new beginnings, and the light that shines even in the darkest times. This Christmas for me, will afford another opportunity to be with family and share good times with loved ones. I will also use the time to pray for peace in my State, Edo State given the political tension that is palpable there. It’s a time to celebrate the gift of life, reflect on my blessings, and share peace and kindness with everyone around me. Ayo Akintunde, SAN – Embracing joy and warmth of the season Christmas is a time of reflection, gratitude, and joy. It is a season to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a season to spend quality time with my loved ones, create lasting memories, and show appreciation. For me, it is also a time to spread kindness and generosity to the less privileged, and sharing the joy of the season. This Christmas and New Year, I plan to spend quality time with my family, embracing the joy and warmth of the season. We will exchange thoughtful gifts, extend kindness to others, and participate in activities that bring happiness to those around us. Our celebrations will also include attending charity events, gatherings, and special occasions. We will visit loved ones, reflect on the past year, and plan for the year ahead. Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN – I will be sending prayerful greetings to friends Christmas is a season of joy, peace, happiness, goodwill towards all men, and a period of rejoicing among families, friends and acquaintances. It is a season that significantly demonstrates the love of God for humanity. Hence, He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who was named Emmanuel because God sent Him to save and to reconcile man back to Him. That is why we say, Jesus is the reason for the season. I recognise that, the period is a time for rest and renewed Grace. So, I take my rest during this period. I renew my vow of love and worship with God, acknowledging His Grace to see the season once again, of course, with members of the family. I will send as I usually do, season’s and prayerful greetings to my friends and loved ones. I also know as I do, that it is a season to give and be a blessing to others, as the Lord enables one to do. Prof Ernest Ojukwu, SAN – It will be extra special for my family, as one of my daughters is getting married Christmas is a season of profound significance to me. It embodies love, hope, and renewal—a time to reflect on the blessings of the year, to give thanks, and to extend kindness and generosity to those around us. As a Christian, the celebration of Christ’s birth reminds me of God’s ultimate gift and calls me to embrace humility, service, and compassion. This season is also about fostering unity and strengthening relationships with family and friends, cherishing the bonds that sustain us throughout the year. It is a time to pursue peace, and celebrate life in its fullness. This Christmas is extra special for my family and me, as one of my daughters will be getting married. The occasion adds a deeper sense of joy and gratitude, to the season. It will be a time of family togetherness and celebration, blending the beauty of Christmas with the joy of a wedding. Alongside this, I also plan to engage in moments of spiritual reflection and thanksgiving, appreciating the privilege of witnessing such significant milestones. I hope to find ways to give back to the community, and share this spirit of joy and love with others around me. This Christmas promises to be one of unforgettable memories, a celebration of love in its many forms—faith, family, and the union of hearts. Boma Alabi, SAN, former President of Commonwealth Lawyers Association – A time of thanksgiving I know it has become fashionable to have “happy holidays” instead of a “merry Christmas “. In this case, I actually can have my cake and eat it. Christmas is the reason for the season, and very central in my Christmas. I make every effort to follow HIS injunctions, as conveyed to us in the Holy Bible. The fact that advent also marks the end of the year means that, it is additionally for me, a time of Thanksgiving. I love Lagos during this period. There is so much to do. Musicals, concerts, plays, and of course, the beaches. Most enjoyably, spending quality time with family and friends. Emeka Obegolu, SAN, Past NBA General Secretary – I will spend time with kith and kin in the village Christmas for me is a period of celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour, but, the Christmas season or period is also a period of stock taking and review of performance targets that I set for myself for the year in review. It is a season of reflection, a season of thanksgiving and love. As a family, we will travel down to the village to spend time with kith and kin, participate in community activities and development programmes, and generally engage the grassroots with a view to share knowledge and perspectives. Jean Chiazor-Anishere, SAN – I will be cooking and sharing meals For me, Christmas is a time to reflect on themes of hope, love, joy and peace. Beyond its religious significance, Christmas is characterised by gift-giving, festive meals, family gatherings, parties and acts of kindness. I love Christmas Season, because it also symbolises togetherness, gratitude and the spirit of generosity. I will spend it with my loved ones, cooking, sharing my meals and wines. I also love to decorate my huge Christmas tree with friends and loved ones, and it is a time I give out gifts to my clients in appreciation of their patronage over the year and exchange gifts with friends and loved ones. I look forward to visiting the Jazz club with friends. Its merry making with my son, who will be visiting from England. Well, it’s not only party all the way, but I will also have some personal reflection by attending Church service and carol nights because its only at Christmas, that one gets to listen to and sing the evergreen and melodious Christmas carols. For the New Year, 2025, I look forward to the exciting fireworks and the New Year’s Eve gathering to count down to midnight. I look forward to writing meaningful and achievable resolutions and goals for the New Year. I hope to use the first days of the New Year to relax, reset and focus on self-care.Then as the New Year settles in, make plans with my son on his work in England and other projects. The New Year celebrations to me, is not complete without going to the beach for a good picnic with my son and some old friends of his and mine. Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN – I will visit the Motherless Babies Home Christmas is a time to renew our minds, with the knowledge of God’s love for mankind. It is a time to remind ourselves of the Jesus Christ who came into world, to demonstrate the love of God in salvation. I will spend the Christmas and New Year with family and friends, visit the Motherless Babies Home and attend Christmas Carols. Epilogue For Nigerian Lawyers, there will obviously be little work and plenty play, this Christmas and New Year Season. Letting down our hair this week and the next, resting from court appearances and our busy schedules, it will be Lawyers merry-making in the cities and their villages, in the spirit of the Yuletide. Despite the economic hardship that Nigerians have faced this year, this season is always a time of joy and thanksgiving to God. THISDAY LAWYER Team wishes all Lawyers an extremely Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2025 and beyond.Ohio Senate passes bill to preserve intent of Alford plea

Chance of direct attack by Russia ‘remote’, says UK armed forces chief

Chance of direct attack by Russia ‘remote’, says UK armed forces chiefWASHINGTON — The Supreme Court seemed likely Wednesday to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices' decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which restrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people. The Biden administration's top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender health care for minors. Supporters of transgender rights rally Wednesday outside the Supreme Court in Washington. In arguments that lasted more than two hours, five of the six conservative justices voiced varying degrees of skepticism over arguments made by the administration and Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer for Tennessee families challenging the ban. Chief Justice John Roberts, who voted in the majority in a 2020 case in favor of transgender rights, questioned whether judges, rather than lawmakers, should weigh in on a question of regulating medical procedures, an area usually left to the states. "The Constitution leaves that question to the people's representatives, rather than to nine people, none of whom is a doctor," Roberts said in an exchange with Strangio. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who wrote the majority opinion in 2020, said nothing during the arguments. The court's three liberal justices seemed firmly on the side of the challengers, but it's not clear that any conservatives will go along. People attend a rally March 31, 2023, as part of a Transgender Day of Visibility, near the Capitol in Washington. Justice Sonia Sotomayor pushed back against the assertion that the democratic process would be the best way to address objections to the law. She cited a history of laws discriminating against others, noting that transgender people make up less than 1% of the U.S. population, according to studies. There are an estimated 1.3 million adults and 300,000 adolescents ages 13 to 17 who identify as transgender, according the UCLA law school's Williams Institute. "Blacks were a much larger part of the population and it didn't protect them. It didn't protect women for whole centuries," Sotomayor said in an exchange with Tennessee Solicitor General Matt Rice. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said she saw some troubling parallels between arguments made by Tennessee and those advanced by Virginia and rejected by a unanimous court, in the 1967 Loving decision that legalized interracial marriage nationwide. Quoting from that decision, Jackson noted that Virginia argued then that "the scientific evidence is substantially in doubt and, consequently, the court should defer to the wisdom of the state legislature." ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio, left, and plaintiff Joaquin Carcano address reporters after a June 25, 2018, hearing in Winston-Salem, N.C., on their lawsuit challenging the law that replaced North Carolina's "bathroom bill." Justice Samuel Alito repeatedly pressed Strangio, the first openly transgender lawyer to argue at the nation's highest court, about whether transgender people should be legally designated as a group that's susceptible to discrimination. Strangio answered that being transgender does fit that legal definition, though he acknowledged under Alito's questioning there are a small number of people who de-transition. "So it's not an immutable characteristic, is it?" Alito said. Strangio did not retreat from his view, though he said the court did not have to decide the issue to resolve the case in his clients' favor. There were dueling rallies outside the court in the hours before the arguments. Speeches and music filled the air on the sidewalk below the court's marble steps. Advocates of the ban bore signs like "Champion God's Design" and "Kids Health Matters," while the other side proclaimed "Fight like a Mother for Trans Rights" and "Freedom to be Ourselves." Four years ago, the court ruled in favor of Aimee Stephens, who was fired by a Michigan funeral home after she informed its owner she was a transgender woman. The court held that transgender people, as well as gay and lesbian people, are protected by a landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace. The Biden administration and the families and health care providers who challenged the Tennessee law urged the justices to apply the same sort of analysis that the majority, made up of liberal and conservative justices, embraced in the case four years ago when it found that "sex plays an unmistakable role" in employers' decisions to punish transgender people for traits and behavior they otherwise tolerate. Demonstrators against transgender rights protest Wednesday during a rally outside of the Supreme Court in Washington. The issue in the Tennessee case is whether the law violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, which requires the government to treat similarly situated people the same. Tennessee's law bans puberty blockers and hormone treatments for transgender minors, but allows the same drugs to be used for other purposes. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, called the law sex-based line drawing to ban the use of drugs that have been safely prescribed for decades and said the state "decided to completely override the views of the patients, the parents, the doctors." She contrasted the Tennessee law with one enacted by West Virginia, which set conditions for the health care for transgender minors, but stopped short of an outright ban. Gender-affirming care for youth is supported by every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Chance of direct attack by Russia ‘remote’, says UK armed forces chiefHOUSTON , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nauticus Robotics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KITT), a leading innovator in autonomous subsea robotics and software, recently completed a project for a second global supermajor oil and gas company in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) to perform a subsea field inspection utilizing its flagship underwater vehicle, Aquanaut Mark 2. Nauticus' Autonomous Solutions team completed the inspection in the GOM last month. The scope involved multiple days of executing visual inspections of subsea assets. This demonstration aimed to validate the ability of Nauticus' technology to fulfill the customer's subsea technology roadmap. Nauticus and the customer are discussing 2025 projects. Nauticus' CEO and President, John Gibson , commented, "We are excited to be in collaboration with another critical customer. Our mutual goal is the enhancement of decision-making while minimizing environmental impact. By deploying autonomous technology, we can materially reduce daily diesel fuel consumption and associated emissions for each Aquanaut in operation." About Nauticus Robotics Nauticus Robotics, Inc. develops autonomous robots for the ocean industries. Autonomy requires the extensive use of sensors, artificial intelligence, and effective algorithms for perception and decision allowing the robot to adapt to changing environments. The company's business model includes using robotic systems for service, selling vehicles and components, and licensing of related software to both the commercial and defense business sectors. Nauticus has designed and is currently testing and certifying a new generation of vehicles to reduce operational cost and gather data to maintain and operate a wide variety of subsea infrastructure. Besides a standalone service offering and forward-facing products, Nauticus' approach to ocean robotics has also resulted in the development of a range of technology products for retrofit/upgrading traditional ROV operations and other third-party vehicle platforms. Nauticus' services provide customers with the necessary data collection, analytics, and subsea manipulation capabilities to support and maintain assets while reducing their operational footprint, operating cost, and greenhouse gas emissions, to improve offshore health, safety, and environmental exposure. Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Act as well as protections afforded by other federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: the expected timing of product commercialization or new product releases; customer interest in Nauticus' products; estimated operating results and use of cash; and Nauticus' use of and needs for capital. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events, or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by, or include the words "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "plans," "scheduled," "anticipates," "intends," or "continue" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results, or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Nauticus' management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. There can be no assurance that the events, results, or trends identified in these forward-looking statements will occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Nauticus is not under any obligation and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter, or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports which Nauticus has filed or will file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for a more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and that could cause actual outcomes to be materially different from those indicated in the forward-looking statements made by the Company, in particular the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in documents filed from time to time with the SEC, including Nauticus' Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 10, 2024 . Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties, or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. The documents filed by Nauticus with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nauticus-robotics-completes-aquanaut-mark-2-evaluation-agreement-with-a-global-supermajor-oil--gas-customer-302319802.html SOURCE Nauticus Robotics, Inc.

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