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Eknath Shinde elected Shiv Sena leader in Maharashtra Assembly a day after Mahayuti’s massive win
Fans of the long-running ABC soap opera General Hospital are emotional at the thought of saying goodbye to a longtime cast member, as actor Chad Duell announced that he would be leaving the show — at least, for now. The 37-year-old, who has been on the series since he was 23 years old, opened up about the decision in a personal message for fans on social media. 🤩 📺 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter & get the scoop on the latest TV news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🤩 🎥 "After many incredible years with General Hospital, I’ve decided to step away from the show," Duell began his message. "This wasn’t an easy decision for me, but it feels like the right time in my life." He thanked General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini , as well as the cast and crew, noting that they "have been like family to me throughout this amazing journey." View the original article to see embedded media. Duell included a special note for the fans: "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support and for letting Michael Corinthos be a part of your lives. Your love and encouragement has meant the world to me :)." The actor concluded his announcement with a hint that he might return to General Hospital in the future, giving fans hope as he wrote, "This isn’t a goodbye—it’s a see you later. Much love, Chad." Valentini confirmed the news as well on his social media, writing , "I am sad to confirm the news of Chad Duell’s forthcoming exit from #GeneralHospital. I have loved working with Chad over the years and wish him nothing but the best." He also stated that the show doesn't plan to recast his character Michael Corinthos at this point, but added, "you never know in daytime." Fans reacted to the tough news, sharing support for Duell and his future while also lamenting the loss. "There’s never been a better Michael. You will be missed! Hope to see you on our screens in some other capacity soon," said one loyal fan, as another chimed in, "I’m heartbroken because you ARE Michael Corinthos!...i will support you always. They will miss your talent- very few could pull off the work you’ve done in the past 14 years!!!!" Duell first started on General Hospital in 2010, earning six Daytime Emmy nominations for his performance on the show, taking home the award in 2015. Next: Kelly Monaco Makes a Blunt Confession About Her General Hospital Exit After 21 Years on the ShowNone
PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Hurts is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol, forcing the Philadelphia Eagles to play against Dallas without their star quarterback. The Eagles will turn to backup Kenny Pickett on Sunday because Hurts is still dealing with the lingering effects of a concussion suffered against Washington. Hurts was injured early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said the Eagles would lean on the medical staff on a daily basis to know where Hurts — who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a pair of scores in the first meeting against Dallas in November — was in his recovery from the head injury. The 26-year-old Hurts did not practice this week, leaving Pickett — who suffered a rib injury in relief action against the Commanders — in line for his first start as an Eagle. Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards against the Commanders, throwing a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown and an interception. Related Story: Pickett’s Opportunity to Shine Pickett is from New Jersey and said when he was acquired from Pittsburgh that he had “great memories” of going to games at Lincoln Financial Field with his dad and grandfather since he was 5. The chance to run out of the home team tunnel — which he could get Sunday if he’s the starting QB — left him absolutely delighted. “It’s a big opportunity,” Pickett said this week. “I’ve been working hard to stay ready. I felt like I was in a good position last game with my preparation. Now, having a week to practice, I’ll feel even better going into the stadium.” Pickett, a first-round pick out of Pitt in 2022, went 14-10 as a starter for the Steelers. The Eagles will bump third-stringer Tanner McKee to the backup spot. The Eagles also signed QB Ian Book this week to the practice squad. Related Story: Recent Precedent for Concussion Recovery There has been recent precedent for quarterbacks to play a week after entering the league’s concussion protocol. Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence sustained a head injury while scrambling up the middle on the team’s final drive in Week 15 loss to Baltimore last season. Lawrence misfired on seven of his final eight passes after the hit, a stretch that raised concerns on the sideline about his health. Lawrence reported symptoms after the game. He entered the protocol but was cleared in time to start the next game at Tampa Bay. Related Story: Eagles’ Playoff Implications The Eagles (12-3) could decide to play it safe and rest Hurts with the team needing a win against Dallas or the New York Giants to clinch the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Hurts shook off a sluggish start over the first four games and has thrown 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions to turn the Eagles into Super Bowl contenders. Thanks in large part to the tush push, Hurts has 14 rushing touchdowns this season. The Eagles won the Super Bowl for the 2017 season behind backup QB Nick Foles when starter Carson Wentz went down with a late-season injury.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not play Sunday and head coach Kyle Shanahan said the lingering discomfort is a concern. Purdy sat out Friday after he participated in the start of Thursday's practice with the 49ers, then retreated indoors for what Shanahan said was a treatment session. Brandon Allen, 32, will start in Purdy's place, and the 49ers are also without defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique). Shanahan said players believe in Allen, even if he's an unknown. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said they are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy. Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. Shanahan said Allen's confidence grew throughout the week and he doesn't anticipate a major change in how he calls the offense. Left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) also missed practice for the third consecutive day. Without disclosing the nature of the ailment to Purdy's throwing shoulder, general manager John Lynch confirmed Friday an MRI exam took place to determine the severity of any injury. Allen worked with the first team most of Thursday and Friday with Joshua Dobbs also taking snaps. Lynch described Purdy's status for the 49ers (5-5) this week as "tenuous." "Hopefully, he makes progress, and we can have a shot at this weekend, but we'll see," Lynch said in an interview with KNBR in San Francisco. "I think it's tenuous." When Purdy was on the field this week, he primarily worked on the side in position-specific drills with QB coach Brian Griese. Williams played through an ankle injury last week after being listed as questionable but exited the stadium with an exaggerated limp on Sunday. Run game coordinator Chris Foerster said the 49ers aren't where they want to be at 5-5 because they haven't won close games, not because of injuries. "Seven games left is like an eternity," Foerster said. "So much can happen. Do the math. What was our record last year? It was 12-5. I was on a 13-win team that was nowhere near as good as the team last year." With or without Purdy, Foerster said the challenge for the 49ers is not to give up the ball to a defense that has 19 takeaways. The 49ers have 13 giveaways this season. --Field Level Media
WASHINGTON — A top White House official said Wednesday at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations were impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. FILE - The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Zhangjiakou, China, on Feb. 2, 2022. A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could grow. The U.S. believes the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden was briefed on the findings and the White House “made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” US officials recommend encrypted messaging apps amid "Salt Typhoon" cyberattack, attributed to China, targeting AT&T, Verizon, and others. The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack Tuesday after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages Wednesday. White House officials believe the hacking was regionally targeted and the focus was on very senior government officials. Federal authorities confirmed in October that hackers linked to China targeted the phones of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. The number of countries impacted by the hack is currently believed to be in the “low, couple dozen,” according to a senior administration official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House, said they believed the hacks started at least a year or two ago. The suggestions for telecom companies released Tuesday are largely technical in nature, urging encryption, centralization and consistent monitoring to deter cyber intrusions. If implemented, the security precautions could help disrupt the operation, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and make it harder for China or any other nation to mount a similar attack in the future, experts say. Trump's pick to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel was allegedly the target of cyberattack attempt by Iranian-backed hackers. Neuberger pointed to efforts made to beef up cybersecurity in the rail, aviation, energy and other sectors following the May 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline . “So, to prevent ongoing Salt Typhoon type intrusions by China, we believe we need to apply a similar minimum cybersecurity practice,” Neuberger said. The cyberattack by a gang of criminal hackers on the critical U.S. pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel used along the Eastern Seaboard, sent ripple effects across the economy, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the nation’s aging energy infrastructure. Colonial confirmed it paid $4.4 million to the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems as it scrambled to get the nation's fuel pipeline back online. Hackers can—and do—target public Wi-Fi networks at cafés and hotels to gain access to your personal information or install malware onto your device, particularly on unsecured networks. Travelers are especially vulnerable to these types of cybersecurity breaches because they are often more reliant on public Wi-Fi than they would be in their home countries where they have more robust phone plans. This reliance on public, unsecured networks means travelers are more likely to use those networks to perform sensitive tasks like financial transfers, meaning hackers can easily gain access to banking information or other passwords. One easy way to safeguard yourself against these breaches is to use a virtual private network, or VPN, while traveling. VPNs are apps that encrypt your data and hide your location, preventing hackers from accessing personal information. An added bonus is that VPNs allow you to access websites that may be blocked or unavailable in the country you are visiting. To use a VPN, simply download a VPN app on your phone or computer, create an account, choose a server, and connect. Pickpockets, scammers, and flagrant, snatch-your-phone-right-out-of-your-hand thieves can be found pretty much everywhere. In London, for instance, a staggering 91,000 phones were reported stolen to police in 2022 , breaking down to an average of 248 per day, according to the BBC. Whether you're visiting a crowded tourist attraction or just want peace of mind, travel experts advise taking precautions to make sure your phone isn't physically stolen or compromised while traveling. There are several antitheft options to choose from. If you want a bag that will protect your phone from theft, experts recommend looking for features like slash-resistant fabric, reinforced shoulder straps, hidden zippers that can be locked, and secure attachment points, like a cross-body strap or a sturdy clip. For tethers, look for those made of tear-resistant material with a reinforced clip or ring. If your phone falls into the wrong hands, there's a good chance you won't be getting it back. Out of those 91,000 phones stolen in London in 2022, only 1,915 (or about 2%) were recovered. The good news is that you can take precautions to make the loss of your phone less devastating by backing up your data before you travel. With backed-up data, you can acquire a new device and still access your photos, contacts, messages, and passwords. Moreover, if you have "Find My Device" or "Find My Phone" enabled, you can remotely wipe your stolen phone's data so the thief cannot access it. It's safest to back up your data to a hard drive and not just the cloud. That way, if you have to wipe your device, you don't accidentally erase the backup, too. In order for the previous tip on this list to work, "Find My Phone" must be turned on in advance, but remotely wiping your device isn't the only thing this feature allows you to do. The "Find My Phone" feature enables you to track your device, as long as it's turned on and not in airplane mode. This is particularly helpful if you misplaced your phone or left it somewhere since it can help you retrace your steps. While this feature won't show you the live location of a phone that has been turned off, it will show the phone's last known location. With "Find My Phone," you can also remotely lock your phone or enable "Lost Mode," which locks down the phone, suspends any in-phone payment methods, and displays contact information for returning the phone to you. If your phone was stolen, experts caution against taking matters into your own hands by chasing down the thief, since this could land you in a potentially dangerous situation and is unlikely to result in getting your phone back. Strong passwords for important accounts help protect your information while you travel, but it's just a first step. The National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends creating long, unique, and complex passwords for every account and combining them with multifactor authentication to create maximum barriers to entry. If you're worried about remembering these passwords, password managers can be a vital tool for both creating and storing strong passwords. Password managers are apps that act as secure vaults for all your passwords. Some even come with a feature that allows you to temporarily delete sensitive passwords before you travel and then easily restore them once you return. Story editing by Mia Nakaji Monnier. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Spokeo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Jonah Pierce had 20 points in Presbyterian's 67-42 win against Youngstown State on Friday night. Pierce added nine rebounds for the Blue Hose (4-3). Kory Mincy scored 12 points, shooting 5 for 11, including 2 for 5 from beyond the arc. Kobe Stewart had 11 points and finished 4 of 9 from the field. The Penguins (2-3) were led by Ty Harper, who posted 12 points. EJ Farmer added 10 points and three steals for Youngstown State. Nico Galette also had five points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Shoplifting incidents in Sault Ste. Marie have surged, with a 22 per cent increase in reported cases compared to last year. In response, local law enforcement is ramping up efforts to tackle the issue through preventative measures, collaboration with the Crown’s office, and enhanced data analysis. This rise comes despite an overall decline in crime across the city. Property crimes such as break-ins and vehicle thefts have dropped significantly — by 32 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively — according to statistics presented at Monday’s police board meeting. “We know something is going on because there are fewer thefts of autos and break-ins,” said Police Chief Hugh Stevenson. “The criminal sub-culture doesn’t have to go to that bother — they simply go into the store, steal the product, and walk out.” Much of the theft involves low-value, consumable items often linked to substance use. “It becomes a low-end commodity to support, basically, a fentanyl habit in this city,” said Stevenson. The economic and social consequences of shoplifting are felt widely, the police board heard. Store owners face increased security costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers, contributing to higher costs of living. “I think sometimes when we see shoplifting, we think, ‘Well, that’s not an important issue.’ It is an important issue because it affects a lot more people than violent crimes,” said Stevenson, adding that many shoplifting offenders may become violent in the future. While major franchises such as Circle K are often targeted, small businesses also bear the brunt. An employee at Krazy Ernie’s noted, “People steal all the time. It’s sometimes so small that we don’t bother to call it in, but it’s frustrating.” The employee, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that shoplifting appears to be improving, now occurring about once a week compared to once every couple of days during the summer. In the downtown core, shoplifting has been a persistent concern. Ashton Carter, coordinator for the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association (DTA), emphasized the financial and safety impacts. “Shoplifting in our downtown core is a real concern that not only impacts local businesses financially but also affects the sense of safety for residents, employees, and visitors,” said Carter in a statement. The DTA has collaborated with law enforcement, community organizations, and merchants to address the issue through various initiatives. The Downtown Ambassador program, launched by the CMHA in 2022, provides on-the-ground support for vulnerable individuals and addresses safety concerns. In June, Norpro Inc. began a downtown security patrol program using “track tick tags,” a technology that monitors patrol movements to optimize their effectiveness and work better in tandem. To curb shoplifting, police have consulted with 11 businesses as of Monday, providing advice on preventative measures such as installing mirrors and raising counter heights to deter theft. Crime Stoppers has also intensified efforts, using “Wanted Wednesday” posts to spotlight repeat offenders. Repeat offenders, especially those committing multiple thefts in a single day, are now being held for bail with the support of the Crown’s office. Police believe stricter bail conditions can help connect offenders with treatment and support. “It will not stop until we apply bail release issues as they were over the last 20 years, where people are held until they get the help, get the treatment, and they can get on with their lives,” said Stevenson. The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government.BERKELEY, Calif. , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bamboo Technology , a mental health technology innovation company, is announcing its participation in Batch 19 of the prestigious UC Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program for startup acceleration. The company's HereHear AI therapist solution will be the key focus of the program, driven by the vision of revolutionizing mental health with AI-powered virtual solutions. To learn more about HereHear, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngU32WgiWf4 "HereHear is here in the US, and I am truly grateful to the Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program for recognizing its potential," noted Lynia Huang , Bamboo Technology's CEO. "As important as mental health has become in recent years, there is a shortage of mental health providers and access to support is low — and HereHear is paving the way for AI to bridge that gap as a first line of defense." A growing case for incorporating AI into mental healthcare With data showing that the US is in a mental health crisis, the CDC recently noted a dire need for public health initiatives that create environments centered around mental health. Specific to the workplace, the Society for Human Resource Management's Employee Mental Health in 2024 Research Series found that 44% of US employees feel burned out at work. The combination of a shortage of mental health providers in the US with the flourishing capabilities of AI builds a strong case for the technology to be deployed in the form of human-guided mental health solutions. HereHear's YangYang: A personalized 3D virtual therapist As organizations seek out ways to empower team members to take better care of their mental health, AI is increasingly emerging as a solution for on-demand, personalized support. Offering a more engaging interaction than chatbots, HereHear's 3D virtual therapist YangYang was launched in January 2024 and offers: YangYang has already been implemented in several therapy clinics and has helped 70% of users improve stress and depression levels by 25% within 3 months. Taking the form of a sheep further distinguishes her — this functions both to provide a 'cute' aspect lending to the warm, healing emotional support she provides, while also helping users who are struggling emotionally to keep in perspective that their interactions are ultimately not with a human. Bringing success in Taiwan to the US market Bamboo Technology's acceptance into the Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program is a major accomplishment as the platform seeks to enter the US market. Batch 19 has only 117 startups out of around 2300 applications, and the program will support HereHear to develop, pilot and launch, as well as to pitch for funding. The company aims to target the app in the human resources space—as a tool for companies to offer staff for on-demand, privacy-first mental health support. Back in Taiwan , the app already has hospitals, mental health clinics, universities, publicly listed companies, and government agencies that use it, similarly spurred by a shortage of mental health workers. About Bamboo Technology Established in November 2018 , the Taipei -based Bamboo Technology is a mental health technology innovation company that focuses on improving public mental health with voice emotion analysis technology. It embraces a belief that a universal, objective, and scientific mental health system can effectively solve the problem of deteriorating mental health in today's society — a core tenet upheld by its many psychologists; social workers; and information management, AI and big data experts. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bamboo-technologys-herehear-virtual-ai-therapist-joins-berkeley-skydeck-ipp-program-302325187.html SOURCE BAMBOO TECHNOLOGY LTD.Has Brooklyn Nets 2023 first-round draft pick Noah Clowney shown enough to be a major part of the Nets’ rebuild ? Brooklyn entered the season with an eye toward next season following their failed experiment of “going” all in for a championship. The Nets have long been considered to be sellers this season as they gear up for a major rebuild starting this summer. Brooklyn got the ball rolling early with the Mikal Bridges trade, pulling in a five-first-round draft pick haul from New York . The Nets then netted two-round picks and perhaps a trade asset in De’Anthony Melton ‘s salary from Golden State or Dennis Schroder . Plenty of NBA rumors are swirling about Cam Johnson , Dorian Finney-Smith , and maybe Bojan Bogdanovic may not be in Brooklyn much longer. Has the 2023 First Round Pick Done Enough To Be Part Of Brooklyn Nets Future? Despite all the turmoil, Brooklyn (12-18) played good basketball through the first 19 games. While the Nets have had some injury issues throughout the season, they have been really snake-bitten over the last dozen games. Since Cam Thomas went down with a hamstring injury, the Nets have posted a 12-18 record with a -8.4 scoring differential. More significantly, only two Nets— Keon Johnson and Shake Milton —played in all 12 contests, and six have made 10 or more appearances. In total, coach Jordi Fernandez has played 17 guys over this 12-game stretch. There is a silver lining to all of Brooklyn’s injuries: Fernandez has gotten an extended look at the Nets’ youngsters. Jalen Wilson , Tyrese Martin , Day’Ron Sharpe , Dariq Whitehead , Johnson, and Clowney have all received extended minutes over this stretch. Clowney, Martin and Sharpe has been the players who have taken advantage of their extra chances. While Sharpe may be the most talented of the trio, the Nets know who the 23-year-old is. So, it is more important for Clowney to get some run. Who Is Noah Clowney? Clowney was a surprise first-round pick last year, as the Nets selected him with the No. 21 selection after just one season at Alabama. He wasn’t great in his lone season with the Crimson Tide, but the Nets chose the then-18-year-old due to his athleticism, upside, shooting, and defensive potential. “Age, inconsistency, and limited off-the-dribble skill suggest Clowney is a few years away,” said Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman in his scouting report of Clowney on 2023 draft day. “But the combination of 6’10” size, shooting range, shot-blocking, and active rebounding still create an enticing, valued archetype for patient coaches. Clowney, who showed some glimpses of his potential during the 2023-24 preseason, was slowed by injuries early in his rooking season. The 6-9 forward began his career in the G-League (on November 10) and didn’t appear in a game for Brooklyn until the end of November. As was the plan, Clowney spent most of the time in the G-League with the Long Island Nets, though he was shuffled back and forth between teams. He was good but not great with Long Island, but most importantly, he got experience. Clowney played on occasion with Brooklyn last season, though it was sporadic. However, he had an impressive run at the end of the season, during which he received regular minutes. Improvement Clowney worked hard on his game after the season, and it paid dividends immediately. He showed improvement in efficiency during the 2024 Las Vegas Summer League action and continued to develop his overall game through training camp and the preseason. Clowney began the season as the Nets fourth big. He has steadily become more productive and consistent throughout the season. Clowney has been excellent over the last four games after putting up a stinker against Cleveland on December 16. As he has seen an increase in playing time, Clowney has scored in double figures and grabbed at least four boards in each of these recent contests. “ My main goal since the Cleveland game has been to be better energy-wise for my team ,” Clowney told New York Post’s Brian Lewis. “ A lot of body language issues I had, and I’m trying to be an energy-giver. I feel like — I was told — [there’s] no neutral energy. It’s either bad or good. So try to give good energy. So that’s been my main goal regarding how I play. [You] make shots sometimes, you don’t make shots sometimes. Do what you can on the defensive end. Just try to control what you can .” Over the last 10 games, Clowney has averaged 11.2 points, 2.6 threes, and 4.1 boards, with shooting splits of 46.3/41.9/76.9. He has reached double-digits seven times, tallying 39 points on 13 of 23 shooting over the last two contests. “Yeah, he’s been able to shoot regardless, playing at the perimeter spot or a five,” Fernandez said about Clowney’s ability. “And the good thing is the versatility. One of the coaches I worked for said the more spots you can play, the more minutes you’ll be able to play or fight for. ” “So right now, just his versatility of playing the five at times, but also playing whatever — one-through-four, or two-through-four — that just allows him to be on the court. If he can guard one through five, then there are even more possibilities for minutes of rebounding. He’s doing a great job. He’s really helping himself, but most importantly, is helping the team.” Clowney Should Be Franchise Cornerstone Clowney is just 20 years old and still has a lot of untapped potential. He is potentially under team control for two more years. The Nets have already exercised his third-year option, and he has until the start of next season to do the same for his fourth season. If the Nets do so, which seems like a guarantee at this point, they can offer him a rookie scale extension during his last season. It will be interesting to see how exactly Nets general manager Sean Marks plays the rebuild. The Nets projects to have $77 million in cap space available. Marks will likely eat into a little of that with trades before the February deadline. Anyway, Marks will likely rebuild the right way and not overreach for an overpriced veteran “under the need to compete guise.” I’m not saying Marks shouldn’t search for a star or rising star in his trades or free agency, but his approach has to be judicial. Moreover, Clowney should be at least a top seven or eight rotation player, if not a starter, for the Nets. If he continues to develop, Clowney has the potential to be a solid starting role player at worst. Clowney needs to improve his finishing at the rim, as he is well below average in that department this year. He also needs to improve his efficiency, which likely means attempting less than 70% of his shots from deep and finishing through contact. Additionally, he needs to improve defensively, especially in cutting down on fouls. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.
Donald Trump’s return to the White House is forcing one of Wall Street’s more jargon-filled corners to rethink its talking points. Investment managers targeting climate change — a concept Trump has referred to as both a “scam” and a “hoax” — say it’s time to start speaking in terms that don’t alienate the millions of Americans who voted for the president-elect. “We need to change the language we’re using when we talk about climate and the energy transition,” said Joe Sumberg, a former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. managing director who now runs real estate investments at billionaire Tom Steyer’s Galvanize Climate Solutions. The goal should be to “make sure that we don’t sound like a bunch of coastal elites coming into middle America telling people that they need to install carbon capture at their properties and compost toilets on industrial properties,” he said in an interview. It’s one of a number of takeaways from the Nov. 5 election that investors targeting a whole range of ESG (environmental, social and governance) strategies are now busy analyzing. The consensus view forming among green asset managers is that many of the policies themselves are popular, based on their uptake in many Republican states. But the way that ESG professionals tout what they do is polarizing. The election “is a wake-up call for people who label what they do as ESG or even, frankly, sustainable investing,” said Ian Simm, the chief executive of Impax Asset Management, which oversees about $50 billion dedicated to investing in the clean-energy transition. “These are relatively new terms and they don’t always sit well with a traditional or mainstream view of fiduciary duty,” Simm said in an interview. “People who are using these ESG and similar phrases to reflect a values-driven or even ethical view of investment are now increasingly and probably unavoidably forced to declare their hands.” Since Trump’s election victory, investors have dumped stocks associated with high-profile ESG themes such as wind and solar. And analysts have even advised ESG professionals to keep their lawyers close, given the new political environment. The president-elect has made clear he plans to ratchet up fossil-fuel production, wind back environmental protections and embrace deregulation. That follows more than two years of ESG bans and legal threats in mostly Republican states. How the ESG investment industry communicates its agenda in a GOP-dominated America will be crucial in shaping its survival. So far, there has been “a lot of confusion and frankly a lot of laziness around definitions and the framing of these issues,” Simm said. “ESG as a phrase or label has been with us for far too long and needs to be replaced with clearer language.” As the political environment grows increasingly hostile toward all things labeled ESG, those whose business depends on it are being told to quickly adapt. The day after the U.S. election, analysts at Jefferies predicted ESG professionals will stop touting their efforts in terms that once defined their work. Aniket Shah, the lead analyst of the Nov. 6 Jefferies note, said the ongoing backlash should result in a more “focused and pragmatic” approach to handling and talking about ESG. Even before Trump’s election victory, efforts by GOP-led states to sue climate-finance alliances were forcing a rethink in the ESG industry. Maslansky + Partners, a New York-based consultancy that focuses on language use, warned last year that the words ESG professionals use risk “alienating half the population.” And BDO, an international network of accounting and tax consultancies, said in September that ESG programs need to stop using “technical terms that can be hard to grasp” and instead start to “communicate in the language of the business” they serve. Ultimately, the business case should speak for itself, Sumberg said. “We’re not ignorant to the fact that if a different administration was in office, they probably would be more supportive,” he said. “But at the core of it, this is already profitable.” Sumberg just oversaw a third green real estate deal this year for Steyer, with the purchase of an industrial property in New Jersey. The goals, as with the other properties Galvanize has bought, are lower energy costs and emissions, as well as higher property values. He cautions against assuming that a Trump presidency will coincide with a major retreat from green investing. “The last time Trump was in power, the tax credits were extended for wind and solar,” he said. And Trump’s first presidency also coincided with a significant increase in energy-transition investments, he said. “The reason wasn’t because the administration at that time was adding subsidies to that sector,” Sumberg said. “The reason was because it’s profitable.” ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
While the Mahayuti coalition parties are denying any dispute over the chief minister’s post in Maharashtra, the final decision on the top post is likely to be taken in Delhi. Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the Mahayuti leaders and the saffron party leadership will decide who will be the next chief minister of the state. In a day of hectic political activities, all three Mahayuti parties — BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP — held separate meetings to decide their future course of action. BJP national joint general secretary Shiv Prakash and Bawankule met Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is the front runner for the CM post, at the latter’s Sagar residence in South Mumbai. The meeting came on the backdrop of reports of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh strongly backing the former CM to become the head of the state again. However, Bawankule said that the decision about the next CM’s face will be taken jointly by the Mahayuti leaders and the top BJP leadership. Senior Shiv Sena MLA Deepak Kesarkar also reiterated that there is no dispute and the decision on chief minister will be taken in Delhi. Kesarkar said that the new government has to be sworn in by November 25 as the term of the outgoing Vidhan Sabha ends on November 26. Meanwhile, the newly elected members of the Shiv Sena have authorised Eknath Shinde to hold talks with the ruling Mahayuti allies for the formation of the next government in the state. He was also authorised to appoint the legislature party group leader, chief whip and other office bearers. The NCP also elected Ajit Pawar as its leader. In a meeting chaired by party state president and Lok Sabha MP Sunit Tatkare, Pawar was appointed as the leader of the legislative party and his colleague Anil Patil was reappointed as the chief whip. Patel said that there were no differences among the Mahayuti alliance partners over the CM’s post. “There is complete coordination between the three parties. Barring a couple of seats, there was complete coordination between all three parties even while finalising the seat-sharing formula. When it comes to the CM's post, every party wants to lead, but a decision in this regard will be taken after discussion between the three parties,” he added. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance retained power in Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha by winning a whopping 230 of the 288 seats. The term of the current Ekanth Shinde-led government will expire on Tuesday and there are merely 48 hours left for the political parties to form the new government. However, a source from the Legislative Assembly said it is not mandatory for a new government to be formed or a new Chief Minister to take the oath before November 26. “The assumption that President’s Rule will automatically come into effect in the state after midnight on Nov 26, due to the term of the existing Assembly expiring, is incorrect,” the source said. The Deputy Election Commissioner of Election Commission of India Hirdesh Kumar and Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra State S. Chockalingam called on Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan and presented copies of the Gazette containing names of members elected to the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra and ECI's Notification at Raj Bhavan Mumbai on Sunday. The results of General Elections to Maharashtra Legislative Assembly were declared on 23rd November. The names of elected candidates in the election were published in Maharashtra Government State Gazette vide Election Commission of India’s Notification dated 24th November 2024. This was done as per the provisions contained in Section 73 of the Representation of People Act, 1951. The Deputy Election Commissioner, ECI and the State Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra presented copies of the said Gazette containing ECI’s Notification to the Governor.Former minister Madhukar Pichad, 84, passed away on Friday at a hospital in Nashik following a prolonged illness. Pichad, a prominent leader from the tribal community who represented Akole assembly constituency from 1980 to 2009, served as a minister in multiple Congress governments till 1995. He quit the Congress and joined Sharad Pawar's NCP in 1999. He also served as the tribal development minister in the Vilasrao Deshmukh-led government. In 2019, he and his son Vaibhav Pichad, a former MLA, switched loyalty to the BJP. Following his demise, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Senior BJP leader Madhukarrao Pichad's passing has caused the loss of a dedicated leader who tirelessly worked for the tribal community.” Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, expressed that the community had lost a great leader who fought for the rights of the tribal society. “Madhukar Pichad made significant contributions in the tribal areas. He consistently raised the issues of tribal people. He was always dedicated to ensuring employment opportunities for the tribal community,” he said. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in his tribute to Pichad said, “He worked tirelessly for the development of the tribals, as well as for the political and social landscape of Maharashtra.” NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar tweeted, “My old colleague Madhukarrao Pichad passed away. During his political career, he was instrumental in strengthening the position and voice of the tribal community. His career will always be remembered.”
“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea-battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a masterclass in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in post-production with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. “Gladiator II” — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: Premieres in theaters Nov. 21. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.Oracle Announces Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Financial Results
New Jersey fines sports betting firms for taking bets after games had already endedQld’s draconian bill not just a sop to Murdoch — it would fundamentally change the justice system
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 9, 2024-- Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ: INTU) and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced a multi-year strategic partnership to empower millions of Amazon sellers to manage their finances, stay compliant, access capital, and grow their business. By leveraging Intuit’s AI-driven expert platform, millions of Amazon sellers will be able to discover and access Intuit’s platform seamlessly, benefiting from powerful financial insights like profitability, cash flow, and estimated tax liabilities to fuel their growth. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209817038/en/ Intuit and Amazon expand strategic partnership (Graphic: Business Wire) QuickBooks will become Amazon’s preferred partner for financial management solutions integrated directly in Amazon Seller Central, the Amazon site where sellers manage their businesses. “Intuit and Amazon are providing financial tools for millions of Amazon sellers to thrive in Amazon’s store,” said Intuit CEO Sasan Goodarzi. “We know businesses that use Intuit’s QuickBooks platform have a nearly 20-point higher success rate than those who don’t. We’re proud to partner with Amazon to bring the benefits of our AI-driven expert platform to help sellers boost their revenue and profitability, save time, and grow with confidence.” “Amazon is innovating on behalf of sellers every day to support the growth and success of their businesses, which includes providing sellers with streamlined access to third-party tools that offer additional efficiencies and capabilities to help them operate their business,” said Dharmesh Mehta, VP WW Selling Partner Services at Amazon. “Together with Intuit, we’re working to equip our selling partners with additional financial tools and access to capital to help them scale efficiently.” This partnership will help Amazon sellers manage and grow their businesses with real-time financial updates, powered by new integrations. Sellers will have the ability to bring their existing Amazon data into Intuit’s AI-powered business platform, ultimately making it easier for sellers to understand and optimize profitability, manage cash flow, access capital, and simplify taxes with confidence. Key benefits for sellers include: A pathway to growth Intuit’s AI-powered business platform helps small and mid-market businesses gain deep insights into where they stand and helps them stay compliant and organized so they can focus on growing their business. This includes access to a robust financial and workforce management platform, with multi-entity financial management, payroll, bill pay and payments, marketing automation, live expert help, third-party integrations, and more. Intuit's objective is to leverage its platform capabilities to grow with Amazon sellers and fuel their success. A strong commitment to responsible AI and data stewardship Intuit’s AI-driven expert platform and products are built in keeping with the company’s commitment to data privacy, security, and responsible AI governance. Intuit safeguards customer data and protects privacy using industry-leading technology and practices and adheres to responsible AI principles. Intuit is a member of the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute Consortium, established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Availability Intuit and Amazon will start rolling out these capabilities in mid-2025. The companies will initially focus on delivering capabilities for sellers in the U.S., with international availability to follow. About Intuit Intuit is the global financial technology platform that powers prosperity for the people and communities we serve. With approximately 100 million customers worldwide using products such as TurboTax , Credit Karma , QuickBooks , and Mailchimp , we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to prosper. We never stop working to find new, innovative ways to make that possible. Please visit us at Intuit.com and find us on social for the latest information about Intuit and our products and services. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209817038/en/ CONTACT: Media Contact: Sara Day, Intuit PR 650-336-3123 sara_day@intuit.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE ACCOUNTING ONLINE RETAIL INTERNET PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUSINESS FINTECH ELECTRONIC COMMERCE TECHNOLOGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RETAIL FINANCE SOURCE: Intuit Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/09/2024 04:00 PM/DISC: 12/09/2024 04:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209817038/en
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