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legit casino games philippines Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 LaLiga defeat at Athletic Bilbao as Kylian Mbappe missed from the penalty spot again. Alex Berenguer prodded the hosts ahead after 53 minutes before Mbappe – who failed to convert a Champions League penalty against Liverpool last week – sent his kick too close to Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Jude Bellingham appeared to have rescued a point for Real after scoring for the fourth successive league game 12 minutes from time. 📸 PORTERAZO. JULEN, JULEN! JULEN JULEN! #AthleticRealMadrid #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/w260s6xo79 — Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) December 4, 2024 But Federico Valverde’s mistake two minutes later gifted Gorka Guruzeta the winner in front of a delirious San Mames crowd. On a busy night of second-round Copa del Rey action, Villarreal suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Pontevedra while there were wins for Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano and Valencia. Fiorentina went out of the Coppa Italia to Empoli on penalties on an emotional night at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Viola were back in action after Edoardo Bove’s health scare forced their weekend league fixture with Inter Milan to be abandoned during the first half. Midfielder Bove collapsed on the pitch and required emergency medical treatment. He was taken to hospital but regained consciousness in intensive care. Esposito's penalty books Empoli's place in the next round 💪 #FiorentinaEmpoli pic.twitter.com/UUxghH9l6b — Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 4, 2024 Empoli led at half-time through Emmanuel Ekong’s fourth-minute opener before Moise Kean and Riccardo Sottil put Fiorentina ahead. Sebastiano Esposito struck 15 minutes from time to make it 2-2 and take the last-16 tie into extra time, Empoli eventually winning 4-3 on penalties. Benjamin Sesko opened the scoring and Luis Openda struck twice as RB Leipzig brushed aside Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in the German DFB Pokal. Second-half goals from Denis Vavro, Jonas Wind and Yannick Gerhardt saw Wolfsburg beat Hoffenheim 3-0. Cologne knocked out Hertha Berlin 2-1 after extra time with Dejan Ljubicic converting a penalty in the final seconds, while Augsburg prevailed 5-4 on penalties against Karlsruhe after a 2-2 draw.On Tuesday, Dec. 10, The Business Journal hosted its 11th annual Best of Central Valley Business Awards dinner. Some of the Valley’s biggest names in business were in attendance at Pardini’s Catering to celebrate their achievements and be featured as one of the Valley’s top honorees, voted on by readers of The Business Journal. Today, The Business Journal highlights its professional services and business support award recipients. Congratulations to all winners. 1st Finalist: Mike Karbassi 2nd Finalist: Nathan Magsig Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer has had a busy year capped off by readers voting him Best Elected Official for three years in a row. Dyer was re-elected as mayor in March, capturing over 81% of the vote for his second term. The mayor can tout some successes that resonated with voters, including addressing homelessness near freeways, graffiti, blight and lowering the crime rate. Dyer continues to spread his message of “One Fresno” to unify the city, and has also been a longtime advocate for the Downtown area. Just this October, he announced the start of infrastructure improvements to water and sewer systems in Downtown Fresno and Chinatown. Last month, Dyer visited the Persian Gulf country of Qatar to promote Fresno as a prime investment opportunity. The trip was funded by the Qatari Embassy. “They’ve already invested over $70 billion in the US, and I’m here to ensure they see Fresno as an excellent opportunity,” said Dyer. Dyer has also been active in bringing attention to the city’s Façade Improvement Program to enhance the public-facing side of small businesses. He has also been busy securing state funds to improve various facets of the city. Including $52.1 million in funding for improvements to local road and air transportation systems. 1st Finalist: Ratzlaff Tamberi & Wong 2nd Finalist: Moore, Grider & Co. Moss Adams LLP for the third year straight has been voted the best accounting firm in the Central Valley by Business Journal readers. “We’re always honored and humbled to be nominated for these kind of awards,” said Chris Morse, partner in charge at the Moss Adams Fresno branch. “I think it’s validation of all the hard work that the team puts in taking care of our clients, but also taking care of each other.” Founded in Seattle, Washington, Moss Adams got its start in the Valley in 2016 with a team of just 25 accountants, according to Morse. Today the Fresno branch alone has about 90 active accountants, each specialized in one or more industry groups. Going into the New Year, Morse said the Moss Adam team’s focus will be on the possible impacts of the “micro” and “macro” economy on their client base. “For us, it’s staying focused on our two main assets, which are our people and our clients, putting them at the forefront of our decisions,” Morse said. 1st Finalist: Fennemore Dowling Aaron 2nd Finalist: Baker Manock & Jensen Since 1951, McCormick Barstow LLP has grown to be one of the biggest law firms in the Central Valley with more than 80 attorneys working across three different states and representing clients in a variety of industries. For the 11th year in a row, McCormick Barstow LLP has secured its spot as Best Law Firm in the Central Valley. This accomplishment is thanks to the quality of not just the work that they do, but the quality of the lawyers they employ and a “client first” mentality, according to Dave McNamara, a partner with the firm. To McNamara, fostering a collaborative environment amongst the team, as well as mentoring younger lawyers, helps make the firm stronger and opens more doors for growth. “When I started with the firm, there were many people I could go to for mentoring,” said McNamara, who started with McCormick Barstow in 1987. “There’s always opportunities to learn and people have an open door policy, so here we get the benefit of learning, not only from your own mistakes, but those of your colleagues.” 1st Finalist: Jeffery Scott Agency 2nd Finalist: Cohen Communications This year marks many things for JP Marketing, including continuing their now 11-year streak as Business Journal readers’ best marketing agency in the Central Valley. “It’s an honor, and we’re so excited to be able to be part of the business award since the very beginning. I’d like to say that we’re just really about celebrating and supporting Central Valley businesses. I know that we’re excited to see a lot of our business partners on the list,” said Jeanna Antonino, vice president of operations. Antonino also talked about how for around the last year and a half, the company has been refining its brand story and looking toward the future leading up to its 30th anniversary this month. Specifically, how they have tried to position themselves as the “creator” that collaborates closely with its clients, who it refers to as the “heroes” working to support the local community. “It’s important to us to make sure that we’re helping the community and helping our clients within the community achieve their goals,” Antonino said. Founded by current CEO Jane Olvera Majors in 1994, the company has kept its California/Central Valley focus helping its clients achieve their goals regardless of the type of campaign. Antonino explained how their team sees their role as “creators” helping “heroes.” In recent years the company has worked on campaigns like Beautify Fresno and the California Highway Patrol 2023 anti-street racing/sideshow campaign. 1st Finalist: Clovis Chamber of Commerce 2nd Finalist: Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce For the 11th straight year, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce has been voted as the best chamber of commerce. The Fresno Chamber of Commerce has won the award every year since the debut of the “Best of” awards in 2014, when it was known as the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce. Scott Miller has been CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce since 2021 when he took over as interim CEO. “We’re very appreciative,” Miller said of being named a finalist for the award. “We’re very honored that we have made the list again and can’t wait to come to the event.” It was another successful year for the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. One of the several bright sports was Leadership Fresno Class 39. Leadership Fresno is a nine-month program “designed to empower you to shape and understand our community like never before. Have conversations with our incredible LF alumni, hear their inspiring stories, and uncover the endless benefits this program offers,” according to a Facebook post from the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. While mentoring current community leaders through Leadership Fresno, the chamber is also preparing future leaders with its Junior Board program. “It is made up of mostly valedictorian level kids from around the county who are learning about all of the different things that it takes to make Fresno County run,” Miller said. “It’s really been a great year for the chamber.” 1st Finalist: Denham 2nd Finalist: Hire Up Staffing Services This year marks the ninth in a row that PrideStaff has been voted as best employment service in the Central Valley. Headquartered in Fresno, PrideStaff was founded in 1978, expanding with franchises in 1995. There is a total of 85 PrideStaff locations across the country, with more opening in 2025. PrideStaff works with more than 200 companies in the counties of Fresno, Kings, Madera and Tulare, issuing approximately 30,000 W-2 forms annually — with more than 5,000 of them being local. PrideStaff Vice President of Branch Operations Sean Akin said 2024 was both challenging and rewarding, with the team navigating a competitive talent market where finding skilled candidates remains a challenge. Despite the challenges, Akin said PrideStaff is able to connect their clients with the talent they needed. He said many professionals are reevaluating their career paths, leaving traditional industries for roles with more flexibility, work-life balance and opportunities in emerging fields. The transitioning presidential administration is leaving businesses optimistic, Akin said, and its expected demand for talent will continue across all sectors. He said the team at PrideStaff is honored to be nominated once again. “This nomination reflects the hard work and dedication of our team and the trust of our clients and candidates,” Akin said. “It’s a testament to our mission of making meaningful connections that drive success. Regardless of the outcome, we’re grateful for the recognition and inspired to continue delivering excellence in staffing.” 1st Finalist: Caltronics Business Systems 2nd Finalist: Automated Office Systems For the past 10 years straight, California Business Machines has been Business Journal readers’ best office equipment company. President Teri Brymer credits this decade’s achievement to their focus on customer service and flexibility for the future. “We’ve always had a mission that our customer comes first,” Brymer said. “We have to understand their needs and figure out what the solution is to their needs.” Founded by her parents in 1953 selling typewriters and adding machines, Brymer has grown the business since taking over in 2011 to now include but not limited to phone systems, EV chargers and copiers/printers. With no plans to end her run with the business, Brymer started making moves to have the company continue after her. Despite receiving many offers over the years, she searched for someone who held the same values as her and would keep both the company and employees intact. She would eventually find the perfect fit in WiZiX Technology Group, with the merger announced in August of this year. “[WiZiX] had its beginnings in Fresno, and they’ve operated in the Central Valley and then in the Northern California,” Brymer said. “So, I consider them still a local company or a small company. Rather than in our industry, there are what we call mega dealers.” As California Business Machines looks to the future, Brymer is confident that the WiZiX merger will only strengthen the company’s position as the premier office equipment provider in the region. With a renewed focus on growth and innovation, the next decade of excellence is sure to be even brighter. 1st Finalist: Turner Security Systems, Inc. 2nd Finalist: Geil Enterprises, Inc. D.B.A. CIS Security Matson Alarm Co. is once again victorious in the Best Local Security Company category for The Best of Central Valley Business Awards. Trina Paige, general manager of Matson Alarm, expresses her deep gratitude for the award. She notes that the company has a long history in the Central Valley, dating back to 1974. “Founded in 1974 by brothers Larry and Mike Matson, Matson Alarm joined the Pye-Barker Fire & Safety family of companies in 2022 with the goal of enhancing its service offerings to customers and providing more growth opportunities for its team members,” said Paige. They offer a full selection security products for commercial and residential customers, such as alarm monitoring, fire alarm systems, commercial security systems, cameras, video monitoring, and access control systems. Paige explains that they always consider the needs of their consumers first. “The Matson Alarm team is local to the community, and work is completed in-house by individuals who know the area and are committed to protecting the community,” said Paige. “While local, the company also has the advantage of being supported with additional resources and the expertise of Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, the U.S. leader in fully integrated life safety systems.” Paige mentions that security is important today because there have been “emergent threats” to people’s and businesses’ safety. They want to collaborate with their customers to help them feel safe. “With modern technology used by Matson, customers are empowered to manage their properties from wherever they are and know that they are backed by 24/7 monitoring,” said Paige. “That peace of mind is important.” On Tuesday, Dec. 10, The Business Journal hosted its 11th A Fresno County wildlife sanctuary is being recognized for its Party City, a national retail chain specializing in party supplies, A Fresno area nonprofit organization whose goal is to reduceEnzo Maresca savoured chants of ‘we’ve got our Chelsea back’ from travelling fans following a 5-1 Premier League thrashing of 10-man Southampton at St Mary’s. Blues supporters also sang the name of head coach Maresca during the closing stages of an emphatic success sealed by goals from Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and substitute Jadon Sancho. Bottom club Southampton briefly levelled through Joe Aribo but were a man down from the 39th minute after captain Jack Stephens was sent off for pulling the hair of Marc Cucurella. Chelsea, who have endured an underwhelming period since Todd Boehly’s consortium bought the club in 2022, climbed above Arsenal and into second place on goal difference, seven points behind leaders Liverpool. “It was a very good feeling, especially because you can see that they are happy, that is our target,” Maresca said of the atmosphere in the away end. “We work every day to keep them happy and tonight was a very good feeling, especially the one that they can see that Chelsea’s back. This is an important thing.” Maresca rotated his squad in Hampshire, making seven changes following Sunday’s impressive 3-0 win over Aston Villa. Following a sloppy start, his side, who stretched their unbeaten run to six top-flight games, could easily have won by more as they hit the woodwork three times, in addition to squandering a host of chances. “I’m very happy with the five we scored,” said the Italian. “I’m not happy with the first 15, 20 minutes, where we struggled. The reason why we struggled is because we prepared the game to press them man to man and the first 15, 20 minutes we were not pressing them man to man. “After 15, 20 minutes we adjust that and the game was much better. For sure we could score more but five goals they are enough.” Southampton manager Russell Martin rued a costly “moment of madness” from skipper Stephens. The defender’s ridiculous red card was the headline mistake of a catalogue of errors from the beleaguered south-coast club as they slipped seven points from safety following an 11th defeat of a dismal season. “I don’t think anyone will be as disappointed as Jack,” Martin said of Stephens, who was sent off for the second time this term after tugging the curls of Cucurella as Saints prepared to take a corner. “I haven’t got to sit down and talk with him about that at all. He will be hurt more than anyone and it’s changed the game for us tonight, which is disappointing. “I think they have to describe it as violent conduct; it’s not violent really but there’s no other explanation for that really. It’s a moment of madness that’s really cost us and Jack.” Southampton repeatedly invited pressure with their risky attempts to play out from defence, with goalkeeper Joe Lumley gifting Chelsea their second goal, scored by Nkunku. While Saints were booed off at full-time, Martin, who was missing a host of key players due to injuries and suspensions, praised the effort of his depleted team. “When they see such a big scoreline and a couple of the goals we concede, I understand it (the jeers),” he said. “It’s football, it’s emotive, people feel so much about it, it’s why it’s such a special sport in this country and so big. “I understand it but I feel really proud of the players tonight, some of the football we played at 11 v 11 was amazing. “For an hour with 10 men we’ve dug in so deep, there were some big performances. I’m proud of them for that and I’m grateful for that because that’s not easy in that circumstance.”

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WASHINGTON , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- It is with deep sadness that Universities Space Research Association (USRA) announces the passing of Dr. Berrien Moore III , an internationally recognized leader in Earth Science and an invaluable member of the USRA Board of Trustees. Dr. Moore passed away on December 17, 2024 , in Norman, Oklahoma . He was the Dean of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and Director of the National Weather Center at the University of Oklahoma . Dr. Moore was elected to the USRA Board of Trustees in 2019 and re-elected for a second term in 2022. He served in multiple leadership capacities on the Board, including Chair of the Compensation Committee, inaugural Chair of the University Engagement Committee, and, since 2021, Vice Chair of the Board. Gen Lester Lyles , Chair of the USRA Board of Trustees said, "We are profoundly grieved by the loss of Berrien Moore , a treasured member of our Board. Berrien was a strong leader and a dedicated advocate for Earth Science. With his wit and charm, Berrien was more than just a colleague, he was a true friend to everyone. On behalf of the entire Board, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Berrien's family and loved ones during this challenging time." Dr. Jeffrey Isaacson , President and CEO of USRA commented, "At USRA, we are deeply saddened by this news. This is a terrific loss for our Association, but we are grateful to have had the privilege of working with Berrien and are indebted by his many contributions. All of us at USRA extend our heartfelt condolences, prayers, and support to his family." Dr. Moore served in several capacities with NASA including as Principal Investigator of NASA's Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory (GeoCarb) mission that placed University of Oklahoma at the forefront of climate research. He also served as chair of NASA's Space and Earth Science Advisory Council, as a member of the NASA Advisory Council, and was on several other committees. As a Coordinating Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, he contributed to the body of work that garnered the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. His honors include NASA's highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Medal for outstanding service, the NOAA Administrator's Recognition Award, and the 2007 Dryden Lectureship in Research medal by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Dr. Moore is survived by his wife Lucia and his daughter Leila. About USRA Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology, and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities and conducts other major research and educational programs. It is an association with 121 university members. It engages the broader university community, employs in-house scientific talent, and offers innovative research, development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu . PR Contact: Suraiya Farukhi sfarukhi@usra.edu 443-812-6945 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usra-mourns-the-loss-of-dr-berrien-moore-iii-a-distinguished-member-of-the-board-of-trustees-302337533.html SOURCE Universities Space Research AssociationNEW YORK (AP) — Stocks wavered in afternoon trading on Wall Street Monday at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%. A handful of technology companies helped support the gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 63 points, or 0.2% as of 1:18 p.m. Eastern time. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite rose 0.7%. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, rose 3%. Broadcom jumped 5.2% to also help support the broader market. Japanese automakers Honda Motor and Nissan said they are talking about combining in a deal that might also include Mitsubishi Motors. Honda rose 3.8% and Nissan rose 1.6% in Tokyo. Eli Lilly rose 3% after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first and only prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Department store Nordstrom fell 1.7% after it agreed to be taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. The Conference Board said that consumer confidence slipped in December. Its consumer confidence index fell back to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Wall Street was expecting a reading of 113.8. The unexpectedly weak consumer confidence update follows several generally strong economic reports last week. One report showed the overall economy grew at a 3.1% annualized rate during the summer, faster than earlier thought. The latest report on unemployment benefit applications showed that the job market remains solid. A report on Friday said a measure of inflation the Federal Reserve likes to use was slightly lower last month than economists expected. Worries about inflation edging higher again had been weighing on Wall Street and the Fed. The central bank just delivered its third cut to interest rates this year, but inflation has been hovering stubbornly above its target of 2%. It has signaled that it could deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next year than it earlier anticipated because of concerns over inflation. Expectations for more interest rate cuts have helped drive a 24% gain for the S&P 500 in 2024. That drive included 57 all-time highs this year. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market's path ahead and shifting economic policies under an incoming President Donald Trump. "Put simply, much of the strong market performance prior to last week was driven by expectations that a best-case scenario was the base case for 2025," said Brent Schutte, chief investment officer at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Treasury yields edged higher in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.58% from 4.53% late Friday. European markets were mostly lower, while markets in Asia gained ground. Wall Street has several other economic reports to look forward to this week. On Tuesday, the U.S. will release its November report for sales of newly constructed homes. A weekly update on unemployment benefits is expected on Thursday. Markets in the U.S. will close early on Tuesday for Christmas Eve and will remain closed on Wednesday for Christmas.

Couple Riley Statham and Katie Dean were looking to adopt a kitten and get engaged — and they did both at the Oregon Humane Society, in that order. For his proposal, Statham enlisted the help of the animal shelter’s staff, who placed a custom heart-shaped tag on the kitten they had chosen to take home. The tag was engraved with a question: “Marry Me?” “I’ve been meaning to propose to Katie for so long,” Statham said. “I’ve always known that when I was going to propose, it was going to include a cat or a kitten in some way, and luckily, Katie has been wanting a new cat for so long that she wasn’t going to suspect anything.” On Dec. 21, the couple drove from their home in Brush Prairie, Washington, to the Oregon Humane Society’s Portland campus. They’d been talking about adopting a kitten as a companion for their older cat, Willow, who also came from the Oregon Humane Society. About a week ago, Statham contacted shelter staff to say he was thinking of proposing when they came to adopt. By all accounts, this would be the shelter’s first marriage proposal. Staff were thrilled. Chloe Retallack, a community resource center specialist with Oregon Humane Society, suggested the collar with a “Marry Me?” tag. “It was such a great idea, and instantly everyone was so excited about it,” Retallack said. “Animals are so important to relationships and people. It makes sense to have them involved in the engagement.” After looking at adoptable pets on the shelter’s website, Statham and Dean spotted a kitten named Kynareth (after a character from Skyrim video game), and made an appointment to see her. The meet and greet went well, and after they decided to officially adopt Kynareth, shelter staff took the kitten in the back and brought her back out with the tag. Statham pulled out a diamond ring. Dean said yes to both the kitten and the man. “I had no idea,” Dean said. “It was just shock.” After the proposal, they walked out to the lobby where their parents and siblings had gathered to congratulate them. Dean and Statham were high school sweethearts at Vancouver’s Mountain View High School. They had picked out an engagement ring together, though the timing of the proposal was a surprise. “We’ve been talking and dreaming about getting married for like 16 years,” Dean said. “After prioritizing other things in our life like trying to save up for a home, things like that, the wedding took a backseat.” Since their story was shared by the Oregon Humane Society and picked up by local news stations, readers have suggested they name the kitten Mary. Dean and Statham are waiting to see what the kitten’s personality tells them. They’re opening to changing her name but are calling her “Kynnie” for now. “I hope that a couple of kittens or dogs or puppies will be adopted from this,” Dean said. “And maybe a couple of people will get engaged, I don’t know.” Just remember, cats — like spouses — are ideally a lifetime commitment. ©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit oregonlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion

(The Center Square) – After an Iranian national was arrested on Monday in a Boston suburb for his alleged ties to a terrorist attack that killed three U.S. service members, the town's leaders unanimously voted to pass a sanctuary city ordinance. On Monday, Iranian-born Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, a resident of Natick, Mass., was charged in federal court in Boston "with conspiring to export sophisticated electronic components from the United States to Iran in violation of U.S. export control and sanctions laws," The Center Square reported. Sadeghi and others allegedly conspired to evade U.S. export control and sanctions laws by procuring goods, services, and technology from American companies and exporting them to an Iranian-based company that contracts with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a US-designated foreign terrorist organization. The company allegedly manufactured the drones used by the IRGC that killed U.S. soldiers stationed in Jordan in January. Sadeghi faces up to 20 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy that goes back nearly 10 years , according to the complaint . His arrest occurred after an unprecedented number of Iranian and special interest aliens were apprehended after illegally entering the U.S., The Center Square reported . It also occurred after Islamic terrorist incidents increased under President Joe Biden and after he extended a national emergency regarding Iran last month. The U.S. has been in a perpetual state of national emergency related to Iran since Nov. 14, 1979, The Center Square reported . Forty-eight hours after Sadeghi's arrest , on Wednesday night, Natick's Select Board members unanimously passed a sanctuary city policy, 5-0. It prohibits taxpayer-funded town employees from inquiring about or collecting information about residents' citizenship status, among other provisions. Natick joined Boston, Somerville, Northampton, Amherst Cambridge, Concord, Lawrence and Newton in adopting so-called sanctuary city policies ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's stated mass deportation policy. The policy is being implemented in response to more than 14 million illegal border crossers being reported under the Biden administration as crime and national security threat escalated, The Center Square reported. Natick's actions followed the all-Democratic Boston City Council unanimously voting to reaffirm the Boston Trust Act, which prohibits Boston Police Department officers from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with some exceptions. It also comes after Boston's mayor said the city wasn't planning on cooperating with ICE, The Center Square reported. Massachusetts' sanctuary policies work against law enforcement tasked with protecting residents, Todd Lyons, acting assistant director of field operations for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations in New England, argues. Elected officials "preaching their sanctuary city status are making it easier for those who commit sex crimes and fentanyl dealers. We need cities and towns to work with us to keep these criminals out of neighborhoods. "We focus on the worst of the worst and all the political rhetoric is not helping," he told the Boston Herald. Democratic leaders describing Massachusetts "as a sanctuary to the international community and that they won't cooperate with federal authorities, sends a dangerous signal to bad actors around the world," the chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, Amy Carnevale, said , "It tells them that Massachusetts is a safe haven where they can evade prosecution from the United States federal government." Last year, Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll urged residents to house illegal border crossers, saying, " step up if you're willing to have an additional family be part of your family." One year later, the state converted an empty former prison to house them, resulting in local outrage, The Center Square reported . Carnevale said it was time for Driscoll to "stand with the people of Massachusetts and declare that our state will no longer serve as a sanctuary for criminals whether they're here legally or illegally. For the safety and security of our communities, Massachusetts must send a clear message: there is no sanctuary for international criminals in our Commonwealth." ICE agents have been arresting violent criminals in Massachusetts, including men convicted of aggravated rape, assault and battery, and fugitives wanted in their home countries for violent sexual crimes. In many cases, sanctuary jurisdictions refused to cooperate with ICE, and instead released violent offenders into the community who then committed additional crimes, The Center Square reported . New Hampshire's incoming-Gov. Kelly Ayotte has had harsh words for Massachusetts, saying, "Our neighbors to the south seem intent on proving that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. As they struggle with a billion-dollar illegal immigrant crisis, they are instead choosing to double down," she told Fox News Digital. Ayotte, who is replacing outgoing Gov. Chris Sununu, ran on a campaign against the "Mass-i-fication" of New Hampshire. "Here in New Hampshire, we are going to ban sanctuary policies and give law enforcement the tools to work together to ensure this crisis never comes to our towns," she said.MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 20, 2024-- Leap Financial today announced a $3.5 million seed raise led by Fuel Venture Capital , with investment in the Miami-based fintech startup coming from Ascendo Venture Capital. Leap provides a seamless service that allows financial and non-financial institutions to participate in cross-border money flows, eliminating inefficiencies and helping immigrants send money home. Leap specializes in embedded remittances and embedded payments, offering AI-enhanced engagement, efficient cross-border transactions, and integrated end-to-end payment solutions. Leap Financial combines its proprietary X-Border Payments Platform with a Native AI super agent (Lola) and its existing embedded financial banking and payment services infrastructure. Leap is the leading contender in embedded digital remittances, transforming how traditional cross-border transfers work to remove cash from the equation and leverage more secure, compliant and cost-effective digital remittances. While traditional money transmitters average 6-10% on the total cost of remittance, Leap provides remittances under 1% of the cost, leaving the difference for partners to decide the price. "Many companies attempt to tackle remittance and fintech, but they often excel in technology while lacking the necessary financial expertise,” said Maggie Vo, Managing General Partner and Chief Investment Officer for Fuel Venture Capital. “Leap stands out with their team’s deep understanding of remittance, banking infrastructure, and compliance—knowledge that the founders have built over many years in the industry. We don’t just invest in good tech and AI, we see the future in Leap’s AI-driven approach, supported by experienced professionals who ultimately know this business inside and out." “Leap was founded to help immigrants overcome disparity and change the 100-year-old ways that allow incumbents to take 10% cuts for check cashing services, 5% for simple international money transfers or drain bank accounts with shady fees from hard-working people who barely make a living,” said Lionel Carrasco, CEO and Co-Founder of Leap. “We can do better than that and still be able to make profits. Like Jeff Bezos’s famous quote, ‘Your margin is my opportunity,’ we say, ‘Your inefficiency is our opportunity.’” The capital raised will help Leap respond to the growing demand and new customers generated by its strategic partnership with Mastercard and additional business development activity. Leap will also use new resources to acquire talent to boost its AI component, making it easy for any financial or nonfinancial services organization to employ AI agents to provide personalized services. “As an immigrant myself, Leap’s vision to help immigrants send money back to their loved ones truly resonates with me, and I understand the unique challenges faced in this space and by immigrants from emerging markets who are trying to assist their families," adds Vo. Founded by Lionel Carrasco and Marcela Henao, Leap partnered with federal banks to originate remittances leveraging Mastercard and aggregators to send money to debit cards and wallets globally, removing intermediaries and creating cost efficiencies, all while enhancing anti-money laundering controls for maximum and frictionless compliance. Leap provides a white label solution that allows remitters to pay with digital methods and instantly deliver money to cards and wallets with full regulatory compliance, making the ecosystem more resilient to bad actors. About Fuel Venture Capital Fuel Venture Capital is committed to propelling groundbreaking ideas into world-changing companies and democratizing access to the creative economy to shape the future of society. A core team leads the firm's "founder-focused, investor-driven" approach with over 100 years of combined experience in investment banking, wealth management, executive leadership, and entrepreneurship. The fund boasts a portfolio of 34 companies based around the globe across numerous sectors, bringing positive impact to virtually all corners of our modern economy. To learn more about Fuel VC, visit fuelventurecapital.com . Follow Fuel VC on social media via Twitter , Instagram , and LinkedIn . About Leap Financial Leap Financial is at the forefront of fintech innovation, seamlessly integrating generative AI to revolutionize financial service delivery. Specializing in embeddable instant domestic and cross-border payments, conversational AI agents, and comprehensive end-to-end payment and co-branded banking solutions, we empower businesses to elevate their financial interactions and customer experience. Our mission is to drive a new era of inclusive financial technology, enabling companies to “Leap” forward in today’s dynamic landscape. For more information, visit leapfinancial.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219265861/en/ Jared Shapiro, Managing Director - The Tag Experiencejared@thetagexperience.com KEYWORD: FLORIDA LATIN AMERICA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PAYMENTS FINANCE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY FINTECH DIGITAL CASH MANAGEMENT/DIGITAL ASSETS SOURCE: Fuel Venture Capital Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/20/2024 01:30 PM/DISC: 12/20/2024 01:28 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219265861/en

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Victims’ families and others affected by crimes that resulted in federal death row convictions shared a range of emotions on Monday, from relief to anger, after President Joe Biden commuted dozens of the sentences . Biden converted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The inmates include people who were convicted in the slayings of police, military officers and federal prisoners and guards. Others were involved in deadly robberies and drug deals. Three inmates will remain on federal death row: Dylann Roof , convicted of the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; the 2013 Boston Marathon Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. This combination photo shows federal death row inmates Robert Bowers, from left, the gunman who massacred 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, Dylann Roof, who committed racist slayings of nine members of a Black South Carolina congregation, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicted for carrying out the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon bombing attack. (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, from left, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, FBI via AP, File) This combination photo shows federal death row inmates Robert Bowers, from left, the gunman who massacred 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, Dylann Roof, who committed racist slayings of nine members of a Black South Carolina congregation, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicted for carrying out the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon bombing attack. (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, from left, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, FBI via AP, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Opponents of the death penalty lauded Biden for a decision they’d long sought. Supporters of Donald Trump , a vocal advocate of expanding capital punishment, criticized the move as an assault to common decency just weeks before the president-elect takes office. Victims’ families and former colleagues share relief and anger Marissa Hurst, wife of slain officer Bryan Hurst, left, hugs Sgt. Donnie Oliverio, after Oliverio paid tribute to Bryan, during a service in Columbus, Ohio, on Jan. 11, 2005. (Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, File) Marissa Hurst, wife of slain officer Bryan Hurst, left, hugs Sgt. Donnie Oliverio, after Oliverio paid tribute to Bryan, during a service in Columbus, Ohio, on Jan. 11, 2005. (Fred Squillante/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Donnie Oliverio, a retired Ohio police officer whose partner was killed by an inmate whose death sentence was commuted, said the execution of “the person who killed my police partner and best friend would have brought me no peace.” “The president has done what is right here,” Oliverio said in a statement also issued by the White House, “and what is consistent with the faith he and I share.” Heather Turner, whose mother, Donna Major, was killed in a bank robbery in South Carolina in 2017, called Biden’s commutation of the killer’s sentence a “clear gross abuse of power” in a Facebook post, adding that the weeks she spent in court with the hope of justice were now “just a waste of time.” “At no point did the president consider the victims,” Turner wrote. “He, and his supporters, have blood on their hands.” Dylann Roof enters the court room at the Charleston County Judicial Center on April 10, 2017, in Charleston, S.C. (Grace Beahm/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool, File) Dylann Roof enters the court room at the Charleston County Judicial Center on April 10, 2017, in Charleston, S.C. (Grace Beahm/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Decision to leave Roof on death row met with conflicting emotions There has always been a broad range of opinions on what punishment Roof should face from the families of the nine people killed and the survivors of the massacre at the Mother Emanuel AME Church. Many forgave him, but some say they can’t forget and their forgiveness doesn’t mean they don’t want to see him put to death for what he did. Felicia Sanders survived the shooting shielding her granddaughter while watching Roof kill her son, Tywanza, and her aunt, Susie Jackson. Sanders brought her bullet-torn bloodstained Bible to his sentencing and said then she can’t even close her eyes to pray because Roof started firing during the closing prayer of Bible study that night. Tyrone Sanders and Felicia Sanders comfort each other at the graveside of their son, Tywanza Sanders, on June 27, 2015, at Emanuel AME Cemetery in Charleston, S.C. (Grace Beahm/The Post And Courier via AP, File) Tyrone Sanders and Felicia Sanders comfort each other at the graveside of their son, Tywanza Sanders, on June 27, 2015, at Emanuel AME Cemetery in Charleston, S.C. (Grace Beahm/The Post And Courier via AP, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More In a text message to her lawyer, Andy Savage, Sanders called Biden’s decision to not spare Roof’s life a wonderful Christmas gift. Michael Graham, whose sister, Cynthia Hurd, was killed, told The Associated Press that Roof’s lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the country means he is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for. “This was a crime against a race of people,” Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.” But the Rev. Sharon Richer, who was Tywanza Sanders’ cousin and whose mother, Ethel Lance, was killed, criticized Biden for not sparing Roof and clearing out all of death row. She said every time Roof’s case comes up through numerous appeals it is like reliving the massacre all over again. “I need the President to understand that when you put a killer on death row, you also put their victims’ families in limbo with the false promise that we must wait until there is an execution before we can begin to heal,” Richer said in a statement. Richer, a board member of Death Penalty Action, which seeks to abolish capital punishment, was driven to tears by conflicting emotions during a Zoom news conference Monday. “The families are left to be hostages for the years and years of appeals that are to come,” Richer said. “I’ve got to stay away from the news today. I’ve got to turn the TV off — because whose face am I going to see?” Biden is giving more attention to the three inmates he chose not to spare, something they all wanted as a part of what drove them to kill, said Abraham Bonowitz, Death Penalty Action’s executive director. “These three racists and terrorists who have been left on death row came to their crimes from political motivations. When Donald Trump gets to execute them what will really be happening is they will be given a global platform for their agenda of hatred,” Bonowitz said. Anti-death penalty activists protest in front of the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., on Jan. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler, File) Anti-death penalty activists protest in front of the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., on Jan. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Politicians and advocacy groups speak up Biden had faced pressure from advocacy organizations to commute federal death sentences, and several praised him for taking action in his final month in office. Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement that Biden “has shown our country — and the rest of the world — that the brutal and inhumane policies of our past do not belong in our future.” Republicans, including Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, on the other hand, criticized the move — and argued its moral ground was shaky given the three exceptions. “Once again, Democrats side with depraved criminals over their victims, public order, and common decency,” Cotton wrote on X. “Democrats can’t even defend Biden’s outrageous decision as some kind of principled, across-the-board opposition to the death penalty since he didn’t commute the three most politically toxic cases.” Liz Murrill, Louisiana’s Republican attorney general, criticized the commuted sentence of Len Davis, a former New Orleans policeman convicted of orchestrating the killing of a woman who had filed a complaint against him. “We can’t trust the Feds to get justice for victims of heinous crimes, so it’s long past time for the state to get it done,” the tough-on-crime Republican said in a written statement to the AP. One inmate’s attorney expresses thanks — and his remorse Two men whose sentences were commuted were Norris Holder and Billie Jerome Allen, on death row for opening fire with assault rifles during a 1997 bank robbery in St. Louis, killing a guard, 46-year-old Richard Heflin. Holder’s attorney, Madeline Cohen, said in an email that Holder, who is Black, was sentenced to death by an all-white jury. She said his case “reflects many of the system’s flaws,” and thanked Biden for commuting his sentence. “Norris’ case exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said. “Norris has always been deeply remorseful for the pain his actions caused, and we hope this decision brings some measure of closure to Richard Heflin’s family.” ___ Swenson reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers Jim Salter in O’Fallon, Missouri, and Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, contributed to this report.

The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse?NASSAU, Bahamas — Scottie Scheffler brought a new putting grip to the Hero World Challenge and felt enough improvement to be satisfied with the result, a 5-under 67 that left him three shots behind Cameron Young on Thursday. Young was playing for the first time since the BMW Championship more than three months ago and found great success on and around the greens of Albany Golf Club, chipping beautifully and holing four birdie putts from 15 feet or longer for his 64. He led by two shots over Justin Thomas in his first competition since his daughter was born a few weeks ago. Thomas ran off four straight birdies late in his round and was a fraction of an inch away with a fifth. The big surprise was Scheffler, the No. 1 player in golf who looked as good as he has all year in compiling eight victories, including an Olympic gold medal. His iron play has no equal. His putting at times has kept him from winning more or winning bigger. He decided to try to a "saw" putting grip from about 20 feet or closer — the putter rests between his right thumb and his fingers, with his left index finger pointed down the shaft. "I'm always looking for ways to improve," Scheffler said. Scheffler last year began working with renowned putting instructor Phil Kenyon, and he says Kenyon mentioned the alternative putting grip back then. "But it was really our first time working together and it's something that's different than what I've done in the past," Scheffler said. "This year I had thought about it from time to time, and it was something that we had just said let's table that for the end of the season, take a look at it. "Figured this is a good week to try stuff." He opened with a wedge to 2 feet and he missed a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-5 third. But he holed a birdie from about the same distance at the next par 5, No. 6, and holed a sliding 6-footer on the ninth to save par. His longest putt was his last hole, from 12 feet for a closing birdie. "I really enjoyed the way it felt," he said. "I felt like I'm seeing some improvements in my stroke." Young, regarded as the best active player without a PGA Tour victory, is treating this holiday tournament as the start of a new season. He worked on getting stronger and got back to the basics in his powerful golf swing. And on this day, he was dialed in with his short game. He only struggled to save par twice and kept piling up birdies in his bogey-free round on an ideal day in the Bahamas. "The wind wasn't blowing much so it was relatively stress-free," Young said. Patrick Cantlay, along with Scheffler playing for the first time since the Presidents Cup, also was at 67 with Ludvig Aberg, Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala. Thomas also took this occasion to do a little experimenting against a 20-man field. He has using a 46-inch driver at home — a little more than an inch longer than his regular driver — in a bid to gain more speed. On a day with little wind, on a golf course with some room off the tee, he decided to put it in play. "Just with it being a little bit longer, I just kind of have to get the club out in front of me and get on top of it a little bit more," Thomas said. "I drove the hell out of it on the back, so that was nice to try something different and have it go a little bit better on the back." Thomas said the longer driver gives him 2 or 3 mph in ball speed and 10 extra yards in the air. "It's very specific for courses, but gave it a try," he said. Conditions were easy enough that only four players in field failed to break par, with Jason Day bringing up the rear with a 75. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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 e-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 said the e-bike that the shooter used to ride into Central Park came from the city’s bike-share program, CitiBike. A spokesperson for Lyft, which operates the program, said police had not yet contacted the company. 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.

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