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Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death rowLooking back at Washington Huskies’ past trips to the Sun Bowl

The Council of Advisers, in its meeting today, approved in principle the draft "Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024," presented by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting, which approved the draft ordinance, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division. "The key purpose is to keep cyberspace safe for all," said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy. Referring to crimes committed in cyberspace, including bullying, he emphasised that it is the government's responsibility to ensure cyberspace remains safe for everyone. On December 17, Transparency International Bangladesh's Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman welcomed the decision to repeal the Cyber Security Act, which he said had been used as a tool to suppress dissent and silence the media. He called the repeal a relief for all citizens and a public welfare-oriented step by the interim government. The Law and Rules Branch of the Information and Communication Technology Department prepared the draft of the "Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024" to replace the previous law, which violated freedom of speech and expression. During the same meeting, the Council of Advisers approved a proposal to establish the 'July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum' at Gono Bhaban. According to the Press Secretary, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will implement this initiative. Additionally, the Council approved a proposal to address the grievances of retired government officials who were deprived of promotions. This approval is subject to necessary actions based on discussions at the meeting. The Council of Advisers, in its meeting today, approved in principle the draft "Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024," presented by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting, which approved the draft ordinance, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division. "The key purpose is to keep cyberspace safe for all," said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy. Referring to crimes committed in cyberspace, including bullying, he emphasised that it is the government's responsibility to ensure cyberspace remains safe for everyone. On December 17, Transparency International Bangladesh's Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman welcomed the decision to repeal the Cyber Security Act, which he said had been used as a tool to suppress dissent and silence the media. He called the repeal a relief for all citizens and a public welfare-oriented step by the interim government. The Law and Rules Branch of the Information and Communication Technology Department prepared the draft of the "Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024" to replace the previous law, which violated freedom of speech and expression. During the same meeting, the Council of Advisers approved a proposal to establish the 'July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum' at Gono Bhaban. According to the Press Secretary, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will implement this initiative. Additionally, the Council approved a proposal to address the grievances of retired government officials who were deprived of promotions. This approval is subject to necessary actions based on discussions at the meeting.Lendmark Financial Services Announces the Elevation of Bret Hyler to President & Chief Operations Officer and Retirement of Two C-Suite Members

I wanted to write in concerning not using rugs and towels at animal shelters. I have to wonder what sort of “shelter” is being offered to dogs and cats where it gets so cold and wet that the cloth can freeze. Not to mention the possibility of the poor animal freezing to death! Are they saying these indoor animals are being kept outside? Or are their facilities not being properly heated and dry? This is shocking to me! I hope they can explain themselves. — Frank, the letter was referring to feral cats and other outdoor animals. Shelter cats and dogs usually have a better situation than those that are born wild or mistreated by their owners. In my opinion, no animal should be kept outside in the winter if they have owners with a warm house. Sadly, there are too many abandoned cats and dogs that have no one to look after them, making their existence difficult and their lives short. Straw is the best solution to helping these animals stay warm, provided that there is plenty of straw to snuggle in for warmth inside of some type of enclosure. There are a variety of such houses for animals online, and most aren’t expensive. — I often use paper-towel rolls and toilet-paper rolls to keep artificial flower stems together. I also cut them lengthwise to put on gift-wrapping paper rolls. If the paper roll is too thin to keep a cardboard roll on, then I use a rubber band to secure the roll. Your readers have given me so much I can use. I thank you and thank them, too. — Jackie, I like your cardboard roll ideas. Lately, I’ve received several letters stating that readers use the cardboard roll in paper towels and toilet paper to start a fire in their fireplace. Some also use a toilet roll of cardboard to gather a number of loose cords together. Others use a paper-towel roll to wrap tree lights around when putting them into storage. All of these are great ideas, as well. — Our glass pie plates wouldn’t get clean, so my husband had the successful idea to use a ceramic cooktop cleaner! The pie plates are sparkling now! — My mom was never really happy with any gift I gave her. Since she relied on Social Security, money was tight, so I started to give her a goody box. I usually used an empty paper box and filled it with toiletries and products that I knew she used. I also included postage stamps and gift cards for car washes. She would love her goody box and looked forward to it every year. One year, my aunt was visiting from the old country at Christmas, so I made up a smaller box for her. I found out that she loved a certain brand of canned corn, so I included six cans. She was over the moon! It was also easy for me, as I would add things to the box all year long, making it easier on my time and budget. — Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to . Get local news delivered to your inbox!By Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A senior White House official on Thursday said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an "emerging threat" to the United States. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer's surprise revelation underscored how far the once-close ties between Washington and Islamabad have deteriorated since the 2021 U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. It also raised questions about whether Pakistan has shifted the objectives of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs long intended to counter those of India, the victor in three major wars they have fought since 1947. Speaking to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Finer said Pakistan has pursued "increasingly sophisticated missile technology, from long-range ballistic missile systems to equipment, that would enable the testing of significantly larger rocket motors." If those trends continue, Finer said, "Pakistan will have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States." The number of nuclear-armed states with missiles that can reach the U.S. homeland "is very small and they tend to be adversarial," he continued, naming Russia, North Korea and China. "So, candidly, it's hard for us to see Pakistan's actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States," Finer said. His speech came a day after Washington announced a new round of sanctions related to Pakistan's ballistic missile development program, including for the first time against the state-run defense agency that oversees the program. The Pakistani embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Islamabad casts its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs as deterrents against Indian aggression and intended to maintain regional stability. Two senior administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the U.S. concerns with Pakistan's missile program have been long-standing and stemmed from the sizes of the rocket engines being developed. The threat posed to the United States is up to a decade away, said one official. Finer's comments, the officials said, were intended to press Pakistani officials to address why they are developing more powerful rocket engines, something they have refused to do. "They don't acknowledge our concerns. They tell us we are biased," said the second U.S. official, adding that Pakistani officials have wrongly implied that U.S. sanctions on their missile program are intended "to handicap their ability to defend against India." Finer included himself among senior U.S. officials who he said repeatedly have raised concerns about the missile program with top Pakistani officials to no avail. Washington and Islamabad, he noted, had been "long-time partners" on development, counter-terrorism and security. "That makes us question even more why Pakistan will be motivated to develop a capability that could be used against us." Pakistan has been critical of warm ties U.S. President Joe Biden has forged with its long-time foe India, and maintains close ties with China. Some Chinese entities have been slapped with U.S. sanctions for supplying Islamabad's ballistic missile program. It conducted its first nuclear weapons test in 1998 - more than 20 years after India's first test blast - and has built an extensive arsenal of ballistic missiles capable of lofting nuclear warheads. The Bulletin of the American Scientists research organization estimates that Pakistan has a stockpile of about 170 warheads. U.S.-Pakistani relations have undergone major ups and downs, including close Cold War ties that saw them support Afghan rebels against the 1979-89 Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Pakistan also was a key partner in the U.S. fight against al Qaeda following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, and has been a major non-NATO ally since 2004. But ties also have been hurt by coups staged by the Pakistani military, its support for the Taliban's 1996-2001 rule and its nuclear weapons program. Several experts said Finer's speech came as a major surprise. "For a senior U.S. official to publicly link concerns about proliferation in Pakistan to a future direct threat to the U.S. homeland - this is a mighty dramatic development," said Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center think tank. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay; additional reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina; Editing by Leslie Adler, Jonathan Oatis and Sonali Paul)

8 arrested in undercover child sex sting operation in SummerlinNoneSANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In a groundbreaking move for the property management and inspection industry, DrBalcony ( drbalcony.com ) introduces its cutting-edge app, a pioneering digital platform designed to revolutionize the balcony inspection process. This innovative tool empowers homeowners, property managers, and Homeowner Associations (HOAs) with a streamlined, intuitive experience, eliminating inefficiencies and redefining how inspections are managed. With a user-friendly interface and advanced features, the DrBalcony App transforms what was once a complex, time-consuming process into one that is seamless and efficient. Users can now obtain instant quotes, create and manage projects, and schedule inspections—all with just a few taps on their devices. “At DrBalcony, we are passionate about reimagining property management through technology,” said Greg, VP of Sales of DrBalcony. “The app reflects our dedication to simplifying inspections while upholding safety and compliance standards. With over 2,500 inspections completed, we’re proud to offer a solution that sets a new benchmark for convenience and reliability.” FEATURES THAT SET THE DRBALCONY APP APART Instant Quotes: Receive transparent, accurate pricing for inspections without waiting days for a response. Project Management Made Simple: Track, manage, and oversee your inspection projects effortlessly from start to finish. Hassle-Free Scheduling: Book inspections at a time that works best for you—no back-and-forth emails or phone calls required. The DrBalcony App is tailored to meet the specific needs of California property owners, offering features designed to ensure the integrity of balcony structures while making compliance with state laws like SB 721 and SB 326 more accessible than ever. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/services/ A SOLUTION BACKED BY REAL RESULTS “For years, the balcony inspection process has been frustrating and inefficient,” shared Omid, CEO of DrBalcony. “This app eliminates unnecessary complications. From instant quotes to straightforward scheduling, it’s a game-changer.” DOWNLOAD THE DRBALCONY APP TODAY The DrBalcony App is now available for download and marks a significant leap forward in property management. By addressing common pain points in the inspection process, DrBalcony ensures peace of mind for property owners, engineers, and HOAs, all while maintaining safety and compliance with California’s strict balcony safety regulations . About DrBalcony: DrBalcony leverages innovative technology to enhance balcony inspection, focusing on efficiency, safety, and customer-centric solutions. With a mission to simplify the complex, DrBalcony has become a trusted name in the balcony inspection industry, ensuring compliance and safety standards are met with ease. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/ . Your property’s safety has never been simpler—download the DrBalcony App today! NEWS SOURCE: DrBalcony Keywords: Real Estate, DrBalcony, Balcony Inspections, home inspection, safety, app, solution, service, SB 326, SB 721, SANTA ANA, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (DrBalcony) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122836 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/drbalcony-app-redefines-balcony-inspections-with-unparalleled-efficiency/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.

Turkey removes two more pro-Kurdish mayors from office for links to banned groupMarketing Cloud reinforces mid-market excellence in marketing automation across seven categories and 71 reports. TORONTO , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A perennial “High Performer,” Maropost Marketing Cloud broke new ground in G2’s Winter 2025 Reports, earning “Easiest to Use” recognition to complement its ongoing “Easiest to Do Business With” accolades. Marketing Cloud secured badges across 71 categories—including nine for mid-market performance—while maintaining its “Users Love Us” status. The platform received multiple distinctions for its outstanding Marketing Automation and Marketing Analytics capabilities. Key achievements from G2 Winter 2025 Reports Customers validate Marketing Cloud’s value and performance Marketing Cloud is Maropost’s AI-powered marketing automation platform. It was built to help fast-growing commerce brands build and segment audiences , customize customer journeys, and automatically personalize communications. Recent G2 reviews highlight why Marketing Cloud earned “High Performer” status and its new ease-of-use recognition across twelve Winter Report categories: Building on ease of use Maropost Founder and CEO Ross Andrew Paquette says, “Our customers have consistently praised Marketing Cloud’s performance and flexibility. Now, they’re validating what we’ve known all along—that enterprise-grade marketing automation can be both powerful and easy to use. “In 2025, we’ll push this commitment further by launching our connected commerce platform, which will unify commerce and marketing operations so brands can leave disjointed, standalone software behind and refocus on growth.” About Maropost The Maropost platform revolutionizes how mid-market merchants operate by unifying the essential marketing, ecommerce, retail, search, merchandising, and helpdesk tools they need. It seamlessly delivers real-time access to combined customer profiles and business performance data, empowering leaders and front-line associates to make smarter decisions that accelerate growth, maximize sales, and elevate the customer experience. Trusted by more than 5,000 global commerce brands, including Victoria Beckham , Sandro Paris , Draper James, Scripps Media, Blue Bell Creameries, UNTUCKit, and Fujifilm Canada, Maropost has been featured on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 list and G2’s leaderboard. Learn more at maropost.com . SOURCE Maropost Inc.Twins trade lefty reliever Jovani Moran to Boston for utilityman Mickey Gasper

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The largest artificial intelligence data center ever built by Facebook’s parent company Meta is coming to northeast Louisiana, the company said Wednesday, bringing hopes that the $10 billion facility will transform an economically neglected corner of the state. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry called it “game-changing” for his state's expanding tech sector, yet some environmental groups have raised concerns over the center's reliance on fossil fuels — and whether the plans for new natural gas power to support it could lead to higher energy bills in the future for Louisiana residents. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, is expanding its existing supercomputer project in Memphis, Tennessee, the city's chamber of commerce said Wednesday. The chamber also said that Nvidia, Dell, and Supermicro Computer will be “establishing operations in Memphis,” without offering further details. Louisiana is among a growing number of states offering tax credits and other incentives to lure big tech firms seeking sites for energy-intensive data centers. The U.S. Commerce Department found that there aren’t enough data centers in the U.S. to meet the rising AI-fueled demand, which is projected to grow by 9% each year through 2030, citing industry reports. Meta anticipates its Louisiana data center will create 500 operational jobs and 5,000 temporary construction jobs, said Kevin Janda, director of data center strategy. At 4 million square feet (370,000 square meters), it will be the company's largest AI data center to date, he added. “We want to make sure we are having a positive impact on the local level,” Janda said. Congressional leaders and local representatives from across the political spectrum heralded the Meta facility as a boon for Richland parish, a rural part of Louisiana with a population of 20,000 historically reliant on agriculture. About one in four residents are considered to live in poverty and the parish has an employment rate below 50%, according to the U.S. census data. Meta plans to invest $200 million into road and water infrastructure improvements for the parish to offset its water usage. The facility is expected to be completed in 2030. Entergy, one of the nation's largest utility providers, is fast-tracking plans to build three natural gas power plants in Louisiana capable of generating 2,262 megawatts for Meta's data center over a 15-year period — nearly one-tenth of Entergy's existing energy capacity across four states. The Louisiana Public Service Commission is weighing Entergy's proposal as some environmental groups have opposed locking the state into more fossil fuel-based energy infrastructure. Meta said it plans to help bring 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy onto the grid in the future. Louisiana residents may ultimately end up with rate increases to pay off the cost of operating these natural gas power plants when Meta's contract with Entergy expires, said Jessica Hendricks, state policy director for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, a Louisiana-based nonprofit advocating for energy consumers. “There’s no reason why residential customers in Louisiana need to pay for a power plant for energy that they’re not going to use," Hendricks said. "And we want to make sure that there’s safeguards in place.” Public service commissioner Foster Campbell, representing northeast Louisiana, said he does not believe the data center will increase rates for Louisiana residents and views it as vital for his region. “It’s going in one of the most needed places in Louisiana and maybe one of the most needed places in the United States of America,” Foster said. “I’m for it 100%.” Environmental groups have also warned of the pollution generated by Musk's AI data center in Memphis. The Southern Environmental Law Center, among others, says the supercomputer could strain the power grid, prompting attention from the Environmental Protection Agency. Eighteen gas turbines currently running at xAI’s south Memphis facility are significant sources of ground-level ozone, better known as smog, the group said. Patrick Anderson, an attorney at the law center, said xAI has operated with “a stunning lack of transparency” in developing its South Memphis facility, which is located near predominantly Black neighborhoods that have long dealt with pollution and health risks from factories and other industrial sites. “Memphians deserve to know how xAI will affect them,” he said, “and should have a seat at the table when these decisions are being made.” Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Matt O’Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed to this report. Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96Virginia football in need of veteran transfer QB in wake of Colandrea's exit

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. donors gave $3.6 billion on Tuesday, an increase from the past two years, according to estimates from the nonprofit GivingTuesday . The Tuesday after Thanksgiving, now known as GivingTuesday, has become a major day for nonprofits to fundraise and otherwise engage their supporters each year, since the 92nd St Y in New York started it as a hashtag in 2012. GivingTuesday has since become an independent nonprofit that connects a worldwide network of leaders and organizations who promote giving in their communities. “This just really shows the generosity, the willingness of American citizens to show up, particularly collectively,” said Asha Curran, CEO of the nonprofit GivingTuesday. “We are just seeing the power of collective action and particularly collective giving over and over and over again.” This year, about 18.5 million people donated to nonprofits and another 9.2 million people volunteered, according to GivingTuesday's estimates. Both the number of donors and the number of volunteers increased by 4% from the group's 2023 estimates. “For us, it’s not just about the number of dollars," Curran said. "It’s about the number of people who feel like they have agency over the way their communities progress forward into the future.” The nonprofit GivingTuesday estimates the amount of money and goods donated and the number of participants using data from donor management software companies, donation platforms, payment processors and donor-advised funds. Curran said they are purposely conservative in their calculations. Nonprofits in the U.S. raised $3.1 billion in both 2022 and 2023 on GivingTuesday. That mirrored larger giving trends where the overall amount of donations dropped in 2022 and mostly held steady in 2023 after accounting for inflation. It’s never easy to predict current giving trends, but Una Osili, associate dean at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, said there were economic forces pushing in both directions. “At the very same time, there’s a lot of uncertainty, especially around prices, the cost of living, the supermarket toll that people are expecting to continue even though inflation has moderated,” she said. Donating or volunteering with nonprofits aren't the only ways people participate in their communities. Many give to crowdfunding campaigns , political causes or support people directly in their networks. But tracking charitable donations is one way that researchers use to understand people's civic engagement. “This country is undeniably in a lot of pain and very divided right now,” Curran said. “And so to have a day that felt as hopeful and as optimistic as yesterday did, I’m sure was not only comforting to me, but to many, many millions of people.” Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy .AT&T to Release Fourth-Quarter 2024 Earnings on January 27The Philadelphia Flyers are playing their best hockey of the season, but a fresh challenge awaits Thursday when they host the defending champion Florida Panthers. Philadelphia is 4-0-1 over its last five games with three overtime wins during that stretch. Rookie winger Matvei Michkov has scored OT goals in two of those victories. The 19-year-old Russian has three OT tallies in the last nine games, including Saturday's 3-2 win at St. Louis. "We've had some confidence with (overtime)," Philadelphia coach John Tortorella said. "Michkov has helped us quite a bit there. Last year, we struggled with it." The Flyers have had a nice break since Saturday's victory, though, so it remains to be seen if their recent momentum will carry over into Thursday's contest. One area that could help against Florida is the potential return of No. 1 goaltender Samuel Ersson, who has been out since Nov. 11 with a lower-body injury. Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov have split time in net during Ersson's absence with mixed results. Tortorella is grateful for the opportunity to evaluate both of his team's backup goalies, but he also wants to continue assessing Ersson, who is in his first full season as a team's primary netminder. "All this stuff with the injuries, the goalie, our No. 1 guy gone, it gives us an idea of what we have," Tortorella said. "And that's a big part of this year and, quite honestly, next (year) because there are no free agents coming. We have to keep on evaluating what we have in the organization." Florida, of course, knows what it has in its top goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky. However, the Russian netminder has been out lately while awaiting the birth of his child. He likely will miss Thursday's contest, as well, which could mean another start for Spencer Knight. Knight allowed five goals on 16 shots in Tuesday's overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins that left Panthers coach Paul Maurice with mixed emotions. "It was alright. I think that's how we felt about it," Maurice said. "I don't think we gave up a tremendous amount. I don't think we took advantage of some things that we normally do. I'm not 100 percent sure how I feel about that one." After winning their previous three games by a combined margin of 17-4, the Panthers trailed the Penguins 4-1 with under 14 minutes remaining. However, Matthew Tkachuk registered a goal and two assists in the third period to help force the extra session before his team ultimately fell short. "I guess it's a point that we're happy to get," said Tkachuk, who finished with two goals and two assists to surpass 600 points for his career. He now has 603 in his ninth season. "But when we fight back, you just really want to get that win." Joining Tkachuk with a multi-point effort was Jesper Boqvist (two assists), while his brother Adam Boqvist was among the other goal scorers for Florida. "We just know when we go out there that we can wear teams down," Adam Boqvist said. "I think we almost showed that tonight with the third period. Just move on from this." The Panthers defeated the Flyers 4-3 in a shootout last month in Florida. The teams will meet again Jan. 13 in Philadelphia. --Field Level Media