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phil.lucky Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh DGP Dwaraka Tirumala Rao on Saturday claimed that the overall crime rate in the state declined by 5.7 per cent, while cybercrime had risen exponentially over the last 12 months. Addressing a press conference, Rao, the head of the police force in the southern state, stated that cybercrime, crimes against property, and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases were the three categories of crime that showed an upward trend. “In the last year, we have made commendable progress without compromising on police performance. Cybercrime has increased. Major sensational crimes were successfully detected, and criminals were arrested. We have extensively used technology,” said Rao. According to the top cop, 916 cybercrime cases were registered in 2024, marking a 34 per cent increase compared to 682 cases in 2023. “We are pleased that people are coming forward with complaints, even for the smallest offences, such as harassment,” he said. “However, there is no need to worry or be anxious, as cybercrime is rising globally, including in India.” Under the category of cybercrimes, people lost Rs 1,229 crore, a 610 per cent increase compared to Rs 173 crore in 2023. Similarly, Rs 225 crore was frozen under the cybercrime category in the current year. Rao also highlighted a 3 per cent rise in ganja (marijuana) cases under the NDPS category, from 1,761 cases in 2023 to 1,819 in 2024, while crimes against property rose slightly by 0.2 per cent. Police arrested 4,851 drug smugglers, seized 52,479 kg of ganja, and busted 15 inter-state gangs, among other breakthroughs. Crimes that showed a decline included crimes against women, and children, as well as crimes against SC/ST communities, road accidents, and cheating cases. A total of 7,863 people died in road accidents last year, compared to 8,136 in 2023, reflecting a decline of 3.35 per cent. In embracing technology for policing, Rao mentioned that police deployed 1,376 drones for crowd management and law-and-order operations, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As part of smart policing, AI-assisted investigation officers in determining whether a case was suitable for appeal, helped in chargesheet vetting, provided forensic tips, and more. AI also proved valuable in traffic management, issuing real-time alerts, and enabling predictive analysis. Police used traffic congestion analytics with AI and solved some highly elusive cases, such as the recent Bhimavaram parcel murder case. Further, the DGP noted that establishing an extensive CCTV network, utilising AI for smart policing, setting up cyber police stations, and expanding the use of drones are the way forward for Andhra Pradesh police.

Only four teams are left in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, and on Saturday they'll battle it out to earn a spot in MLS Cup on Saturday, December 7. Orlando City SC and NY Red Bulls are the last teams standing in the East, with Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders fighting for the Western Conference crown. Here at GIVEMESPORT, we're previewing each match and making our predictions. Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls Date: Saturday, November 30, 7:30 pm ET TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV Location: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL Odds: ORL (-125), Draw (+270), RBNY (+300) Last meeting: RBNY 1-0 ORL (Jun 1, 2024 - MLS Regular Season) Orlando City SC are playing in their first Conference Final since debuting as a club in 2015. The Lions knocked out Atlanta United in a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the Conference Semifinals, getting a first-half winner from in-form striker Ramiro Enrique off of an early set piece. Under head coach Óscar Pareja , Orlando are incredibly difficult to play against. They averaged the sixth-most tackles in the attacking third this season, pressing high and looking to close space and limit their opponent's ability to play the ball out from the back. With Enrique winning the starting No. 9 job, he leads a front-line that also includes Iván Angulo , Martín Ojeda and the always dangerous Facundo Torres . Behind them, the midfield pairing of Wilder Cartagena and César Araujo aren't the most creative duo, but they're incredibly hard-working and combative, setting the tone for how Orlando approach the game. Most importantly, goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has hit his stride in the postseason. The Peru Football international has allowed just one goal all postseason, and while he's benefited from a lock-down defense in front of him, he's stepped up when called on. On the other side, NY Red Bulls have hit their stride in the postseaso n. After sweeping the Columbus Crew SC in Round One, the Red Bulls dispatched New York City FC on the road in their conference semifinal match-up, with goals from Felipe Carballo and Dante Vanzier giving them an early and ultimately unassailable lead. As typical for a Red Bulls team, they base their game model around a high press with heavy emphasis on winning second balls and tackles in the attacking half, leading to plenty of turnovers close to goal. It's worked for them against two of the more possession-based teams in the MLS Eastern Conference , but Orlando pose a very different challenge. With both sides better against the ball than with it, it's hard to pick out a clear protagonist heading into things. Both Orlando and New York are more than capable of winning battles in midfield, but the Red Bulls have the edge when it comes to turning won tackles into ball progression. It looks like being a tight (and possibly ugly) match, but the Red Bulls have already beaten better opponents this postseason. Prediction: Orlando City SC 1-2 NY Red Bulls LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders Date: Saturday, November 30, 10:00 pm ET TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV Location: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA Odds: LA (-115), Draw (+270), SEA (+270) Last meeting: SEA 3-1 LA (Aug 8, 2024 - Leagues Cup Round of 32) The classic battle of an unstoppable force versus an immovable object, the MLS Western Conference final promises to be one of the best matches of these playoffs. Los Angeles Galaxy have been nothing short of dominant in the postseason. The swept the Colorado Rapids in Round One by an aggregate 9-1 scoreline and breezed past Minnesota United in the conference semifinals in a 6-2 route. Riqui Puig had a reasonable case to be the best player in MLS during the regular season, and he has upped the ante in the playoffs with a total of four goals and two assists. The entire team revolves around the FC Barcelona academy product, with Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec consistently making daring runs into space, knowing that Puig has the ability to find them. While their defense has been called into question all season, they've allowed just three goals and 0.87 expected goals per match, the second-lowest of any playoff team per American Soccer Analysis . ( Orlando City SC lead all playoff teams with 0.81 per match). Their ability to absolutely dominate teams in the final third, build out from the back, and simply outscore opponents no matter the scenario, make them the heavy favorites to lift MLS Cup at this point. Seattle Sounders weren't a trendy pick to make it this far, but they've absolutely earned their place with wins over Houston Dynamo and a heavily-favored Los Angeles FC side. Their defense has been the story of their 2024 campaign, allowing just 35 goals in the regular season, and a league-best 1.20 expected goals per game in the regular season and playoffs, per ASA. Stefan Frei has rediscovered his best form, impressing against LAFC behind an absolutely dominant defense. Yeimar Gómez and Jackson Ragen have developed into one of MLS's premier center-back duos, but Yeimar is a doubt for Saturday's match after coming off injured against LAFC. Nouhou Tolo and Reed Baker-Whiting are also battling injuries and illness, potentially depriving head coach Brian Schmetzer of three of his more important players. As good as Seattle's defense is, it's hard to see them keeping Puig & Co. quiet for a full 90 minutes. And while Jordan Morris has excelled as a No. 9 this season, the Sounders don't have the firepower to hang with the Galaxy in a shootout, at least on paper. The Sounders will go into the match looking to keep things tight and compact for as long as possible, but if Los Angeles can find an early goal, the game will inevitably blow wide open. Prediction: Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 Seattle Sounders RELATED MLS Roster Decisions: Updated News and Analysis for All 29 TeamsOracle, HP lead market cap stock movers on Wednesday

ATLANTA – As Anthony Edwards was finishing his pregame warmup Monday with his usual set of halfcourt shots, he got word from his cameraman and content creator Dontre’ McCain to look behind him at the opposite baseline. Edwards glanced and gave a quick smile as he saw his grandfather, Ben Edwards, sitting there watching his grandson warm up. After hoisting a few more shots, Edwards came running over, smiling from ear to ear as he greeted his grandfather, who was attending an NBA game of Anthony’s for the first time, and the first game of any kind Anthony has played in since high school. They chatted for a few minutes before the game and got to hang out near the Wolves locker room afterward. “This is my first NBA game with my granddad,” Anthony said after the Wolves lost to the Hawks 117-104. “Sad I ain’t get the W for him, but I’m just happy he was here. My heart was warm when I seen him. That was great.” Ben is 82, and he still lives in the same house that housed Anthony, his grandmother Shirley, mother Yvette and his three siblings for a while when Anthony was an adolescent and teenager growing up southwest of downtown Atlanta. Monday was the first time Ben had seen his grandson in two years, he said. “Hey man, it’s about time,” Ben said. “I’m 82, I’ll be 83 in February. I have to go see him at least once.” This past summer, Ben reconnected with Dana Watkins, a longtime mentor to Edwards and his former AAU coach, and Watkins put the bug in Ben’s ear that he should get out to see Edwards while he still could. They kept Ben’s arrival a surprise from Anthony until pregame warmups. “This man right here, talked to me like somebody who had some sense,” Ben Edwards said of Watkins. “I believe in him, and he just does what he says he’ll do.” Watkins spent the last several days making arrangements with other Edwards associates, the Hawks and the Wolves to get courtside seats under one of the baskets. He had let Anthony know a few weeks ago that he was trying to get Ben to come to the game, but Edwards didn’t think it would happen. His grandfather didn’t like to leave the house much. “He just like me, man,” Anthony said. “I wanna go to the house, be in my game room, play my [video] game. He wanna go sit on his couch, his little chair and watch his TV shows.” As Edwards grew up, his mother and grandmother attended a lot of his football games and AAU games out of state before they died when he was 13. His grandfather came to games occasionally and he saw Edwards some in high school, but Anthony’s high school games at Holy Spirit, in the Buckhead section of Northern Atlanta, was a long commute with traffic. Monday marked Ben’s first time seeing in person what his grandson has become as a basketball player, the same Anthony who scribbled on the walls of his grandparents’ house that he wanted to be a McDonald’s All-American one day. Ever since they reconnected over the summer, Watkins said Ben was steadfast he was coming. “You’re 82 years old, have a grandkid who’s able to ascend where he’s ascending, if you ain’t going to see it now, when you gonna see it?” Watkins said. “It’s about the now. Life’s about the now, taking advantage of it.” After Anthony greeted him before the game, Ben said, “It feels good, man.” He said he advised Anthony to go “kick that [butt]. It’d make me real happy.” Anthony didn’t quite do that on a night he scored just 16 points on 7-for-20 shooting with five turnovers. He did have a thunderous dunk at the hoop near where Ben was sitting, and Watkins said Ben’s reaction to that was “it’s about time.” When they met before the game, several cameras caught the interaction between Ben, Anthony and Watkins. At one point, Ben turned to Anthony and said he wanted the pictures everyone was taking printed out. After the game, Anthony was still smiling in the locker room even after the loss as he talked about Ben. He joked that Ben “ain’t go no swag,” but he did see an important quality of himself that he took from Ben. “I think I got my being down to Earth. Just being cool under all circumstances,” Anthony said. “I think I got that from him. Like he never let any circumstance get him out of who he is and stuff like that. Just being cool, calm and collected through everything.” Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. ET, American Airlines Center Wolves update: The Wolves have lost three straight and travel to Dallas for the first time since the Western Conference finals last postseason. They previously lost to Dallas 120-114 in Minnesota on Oct. 29. Anthony Edwards is 20-for-56 over his last three games with eight turnovers. Julius Randle is 18-for-45 over his last three games with 16 turnovers. Mavericks update: Dallas has won 10 of its past 12 games and Luka Doncic returned from a two-game absence to score 27 points in Dallas’ win over the Mavericks on Monday. Doncic is averaging 28.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. Dallas has the fourth-most efficient offense and 11th-rated defense. Kyrie Irving is averaging 23.5 points on 46% 3-point shooting. ©2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit startribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Even though hopping on a plane often means the start of an exciting trip and air travel is statistically very safe, I flying. Turbulence scares the bejeezus out of me, as does seeing the seatbelt sign light up at 30,000 feet. One complicating factor is that I also adore international travel ... which, of course, requires me to fly. So, my strategy is to make those , which helps cut down on my anxiety. This approach was truly put to the test earlier this year when I took six flights in 10 days — two overseas eight-plus-hour flights, two short connecting flights and two short in-country flights. To prepare, I picked up some travel items recommended by my — including , which were touted as ideal for airplane wear. After trying them out, I can vouch that these are an amazing option for anyone wanting to up their comfort level on a stuffy, uncomfortable multi-hour journey. Even better? You can score a pair for as little as $17 if you have Amazon Prime ($21 if you don't). These slip-ons are a godsend when you're in flight, but they're comfy enough to transport you no matter where you wear 'em. Heading to Norway to tackle some bucket-list adventures (northern lights! dog sledding! Troll Museum!) in late February meant I needed to fit lots of cold-weather necessities into limited luggage space. So, I opted to travel with just one pair of shoes — my heavy-duty winter boots. Facing the prospect of an eight-plus-hour flight in clunky boots, however, was less than appealing — as was the alternative of walking to and from the bathroom in my socks. recommended Scurtain slippers as a comfortable travel solution. Supportive and packable with a protective rubber sole, they seemed like the Goldilocks of travel slippers. They sure beat packing another pair of shoes to wear exclusively on planes, and they could easily be flattened and slipped into my carry-on, unlike heavier slip-on sneakers. These slippers proved to be a travel-day game changer. Shedding the heaviness and bulk of the boots for these lightweight, packable slippers was a relief. Their flexible design and lack of hard sides accommodated foot swelling during the flight. Most special about these slippers, however, were their relatively hard rubber bottoms. The sturdy soles provided enough support and protection for strolling around the cabin and airport without feeling like I was walking barefoot on dirty floors. Even through the Copenhagen airport and onto our connecting flight to Oslo, I confidently wore these slippers. Sure, I might have looked a bit unconventional, but the comfort and support were well worth it! I wore on every flight thereafter, including short trips to and from Tromsø to experience the Arctic Circle in winter. They performed flawlessly, doubling as comfortable house shoes during our stays in hotels and apartments. So, I decided to put them to an even greater test on our journey home: a four-hour layover in Copenhagen Airport. Would they hold up? I sure hoped so. Opting to leave my heavy winter boots in my checked luggage, I relied solely on these slippers for the 16-hour travel leg. This way, I didn't have to bring the boots in my carry-on, and I was able to use that space for other important essentials (like Scandinavian snacks). And, dear reader, the Scurtain slippers held up perfectly! I felt no shame in wearing them around the airport, though I did opt for the , which probably looked a little less slipper-y compared with other styles. Their supportive soles comfortably took me through security and customs at Københavns Lufthavn (Copenhagen Airport). Boarding our longest flight yet — over nine hours — they were just as comfortable and supportive en route home as they had been on our way out. I mentioned that I wore in regular settings as well during the trip, and since then, I've also worn them around my house. They're still my go-tos if I'm looking for something with a sole, versus soft-bottom slippers, which are more conducive to sitting on the couch. The only issue I've encountered is a slight squeak from the soles, especially on hard flooring like wood or vinyl. It's not a deal-breaker, but it does make me feel a bit like a clown at times. I don't recommend wearing them outside for extended periods unless it's just a quick trip to grab the mail or head into the garage. I learned this the slightly damp way when I had to wear them to the car after landing at JFK. They held up fine indoors, but once I stepped onto the slightly wet tarmac, well, the slippers became slightly wet too — which is to be expected. After all, they're slippers, not actual shoes! All in all, these were an absolute lifesaver on my two weeks of overseas travel, and I'm so glad I picked them up and didn't have to spend those flights in heavy boots or my stocking feet. I'm a big fan of ... and I'm not the only one! Over 6,800 Amazon shoppers have given them a five-star rating. "Perfect for travel," wrote . "Purchased for a trip to Europe for the plane. They worked great for that! They are not meant to be supportive, they are meant for comfort. They have a nice tread bottom for walking in the cabin of the airplane." "They fit my feet securely," wrote a . "I'm 74 and afraid of walking in flip-flops because I have fallen. These slippers make me feel secure when walking around the house. I will buy again." called them a "great slipper for travel," adding, "These slippers are well-made and pack easily for travel. They are great on wood and laminate floors and when in hotels with questionable carpeting. They slip on easily and stay on with a nice non-skid bottom that could be worn outside." "I really like these slippers, except for the insole sliding around when I move," explained another . "So I took some and glued the insole to the bottoms of the slipper and problem solved!" These come in all kinds of fun patterns — grab one pair for travel and another for around the house. Add some more cozy vibes to your otherwise crazy flight. Another Yahoo staff pick? This Napfun pillow. "I've tried what seems like all the travel pillows on the market and they have been rather disappointing. My latest purchase is this memory foam neck pillow. It was pretty helpful on a four-hour flight in keeping my head in the right place for rest, without the dreaded head flop or any cramping from truly ridiculous attempts at sleeping on planes. It cinches with an adjustable rope lock for the right fit and the cover is removable and washable, which is key for any item you bring through an airport." If you have , you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. . (And by the way, those without still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)BILLINGS — Weston Timberman feels pretty good about this past season, as he captured the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Resistol Rookie of the Year honors in bareback. The likable 20 year old from Columbus had a memorable season, qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and winning the first round of bareback with an 87-point ride abord Drunk Bunny on Dec. 5 in Las Vegas. Just six months after repeating as the College National Finals bareback champion for Clarendon College (Texas), Timberman finished his inaugural season in the PRCA fourth in the average at the NFR and seventh in the world standings with earnings of $292,509.46. On Saturday at First Interstate Arena at MetraPark prior to the Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo, Timberman said he's already fired up for the 2025 PRCA season. Chase Hawks is one of the first big events of the 2025 season. "I've never been hungrier to make the Finals than after the 10th round," Timberman said of his plans to qualify for the 2025 NFR. For a cowboy who in October of 2023 when he was in Billings for the NILE PRCA rodeo and at the time stated that he planned "to make the finals and win rookie of the year," those are strong words. Timberman earned $40,751 for his fourth-place finish in the NFR average race with an aggregate of 848.5 points on 10 head. "At the end of the day, it was just another rodeo, just a little bit more money added, but it was awesome," Timberman said. "I'm excited to go back." Timberman said he was blessed to experience an excellent year with his second-straight collegiate championship, PRCA rookie bareback honors, and NFR performance. "It's not something that I can complain about," said Timberman "It was a really cool year. I won a couple really cool rodeos throughout the year and got cool accolades with it. But at the end of the day, we're chasing that world title and I'm hungry for it." Timberman said he relished the opportunity to compete at Chase Hawks. The annual rough stock rodeo raises funds for the Chase Hawks Memorial Association's community crisis fund. "I'm pretty excited. There's a couple of hometown rodeos I consider, but this is kind of the closest one that hits home to me," he said. "I've watched this rodeo and been in awe of this rodeo for a while, so it's pretty cool to finally come and compete here." Timberman, who especially is grateful for his mom Lucinda's and father Chris' support, wanted to "make sure that I thank my family for everything that they do. They're my backbone, quite literally." With his talent, hunger, desire, and family support Timberman is aiming for a successful 2025 professional rodeo season. "Same goals as last year," he said. "I'm just going to go into the finals top five this year. That's kind of the game plan. Going top five, that just makes it a lot easier on you." Email Gazette Sports Editor John Letasky at john. letasky@406mtsports.com or follow him on X/Twitter at @GazSportsJohnL Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Salman Sagar visits fire victims in Khanyar, reviews snow-clearance operationsJhon Duran’s red card, Joao Pedro’s escape: A week of VAR and refereeing controversyTargeting “Proteolethargy” to Restore Protein Mobility May Represent Therapeutic Approach for Chronic Diseases

It’s time to take tough decisions: PM We have to decide whether we save Pakistan or allow sit-ins to take place, says PM ISLAMABAD/ MANSEHRA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday stressed the need for taking tough decisions to rid the country of politics of agitation and ensure stability. Addressing the federal cabinet meeting, he said: “We have to decide whether we save Pakistan or allow sit-ins to take place.” The premier said that no one ever imagined launching an “onslaught” on Islamabad before, stressing that tough decisions will have to be taken now through mutual consultation. “We have two paths which we can take, and it is obvious that we have to take the path of development and prosperity,” he said. The prime minister said that once again an assault was mounted on Islamabad, but on the previous (Tuesday) night, all the law enforcement agencies had collectively and with good strategy dispersed the protest and provided relief to the public. He also particularly mentioned that the army chief also extended cooperation over the law and order situation in the federal capital, while the intelligence agencies also played their part. The prime minister also appreciated the Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh police forces and other law enforcement agencies for quelling the latest onslaught on Islamabad. Speaking about the economic losses faced due to violent protests, the prime minister said businesses were shut as life in the twin cities — Islamabad and Rawalpindi — came to a halt. He said that as a result of such rioting, Islamabad in particular and the country in general, witnessed huge economic losses. “Businesses were closed, traders were raising hue and cry, owners of factories were in distress, daily wagers found it hard to get a one-time meal while patients were stranded.” “Our stock exchange, which had crossed 99,000, plunged by over 4,000 points on Tuesday due to the riots,” he regretted. “The economy is facing a loss of Rs190 billion daily due to the protests.” Recalling PTI’s 2014 sit-in in the capital, Shehbaz said the rioters caused violence for 126 days at a time when the Chinese president had to visit the country. However, he added, the high-level visit was cancelled due to the PTI’s sit-in. He further highlighted that the rioters had once again tried to create chaos ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the capital. “There was a wave of concern among our guests whether to visit Pakistan or not,” he said. Shedding light on the Belarusian president’s visit to Pakistan, the prime minister said the two countries will sign agreements in January. He said had the courts given strict punishment to the criminals of May 9, we would not have seen this day. “We have to decide after much deliberation which direction we need to take,” he added. Shehbaz said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was suffering from a resurgence of terrorism, adding that dozens of people were martyred in the Kurram clashes. “They [KP government] should have [resolved] the Parachinar and Kurram matters but they attacked Islamabad using government resources,” he added. The prime minister further said that this was not a movement but “sedition” and there was no room for sedition in politics. “This is a conspiracy and it must be brought to an end at all costs,” he added. “It is not a movement but terrorism and a Fitna. We’ll break the hand that wants to damage Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz stressed. He maintained the prime minister, members of the cabinet and parliamentarians would not let anarchy inflict further harm on the country’s economy. Earlier, during his interaction with journalists in the federal capital, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi termed social media reports claiming 33 bodies were brought to a hospital as “propaganda” and challenged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to name the deceased. The minister said PTI’s miscreants were looking for bodies in hospitals. He asked the PTI to prove if any policeman had a gun during the protests. The minister said that they would present a report on the PTI’s protest in the cabinet meeting and to the prime minister. Naqvi also asserted that life has returned to normal across Pakistan with roads cleared and mobile and internet services restored. Naqvi also announced that Afghan citizens would not be allowed to reside in Islamabad without a No Objection Certificate (NoC) after December 31, adding that those intending to stay must obtain clearance from the DC office. Meanwhile, talking to the media, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said the PTI narrative had failed and its leaders had to run to avoid arrest. The minister strongly rejected the PTI’s claims of killing their activists in firing by law enforcement agencies and termed it a baseless propaganda. He continued they concocted a fake story of workers deaths after the workers had martyred Rangers personnel in a hit-and-run incident and also martyred police personnel. He pointed out that the KP CM was accompanied by the provincial police personnel in plainclothes who were armed with modern weapons, including guns and teargas shells. Tarar explained that the rioters were using slingshots and sharp stones to harm the police and law enforcement agencies’ personnel. He noted since Tuesday morning, the PTI had started propaganda about the killing of party workers. He said the management of Polyclinic Hospital had issued a statement denying claims of any bodies being shifted there. He added that the PTI was the only political party that always made bogus claims of killing its workers. The minister said that on Tuesday night, he visited the area from D-Chowk to 7th Avenue but saw nothing which could prove PTI’s claims of firing on its workers. He remarked that the PTI leadership had run away from the scene to escape arrest and now they were creating a narrative of killings of protesters. He emphasized that if the PTI had proof of killings of their workers, they should present postmortem reports and other related evidence. He added that 37 Afghan nationals and dozens of criminals involved in terrorism, theft and robberies were arrested from the PTI protest scene. He questioned what justification would the PTI give for the use of weapons and firing of tear gas shells and slingshots by an unruly mob. He said that 45 guns and grenades were recovered from the miscreants belonging to the PTI. He contended that it was a preplanned sabotage of peace and damage to national economy to force the cancellation of Belarusian president’s visit. Tarar said the PTI leadership was so inefficient and weak that they could not arrange a sit-in without the backing of the establishment. He remarked that the 126-day sit-in of 2014 was also staged with the backing of certain elements in the establishment. He came hard on Bushra Bibi and charged that she wanted bodies to get political advantage, while Ali Amin Gandapur escaped to avoid arrest. He insisted that political movements cannot be run like this and PTI’s political ideology has flopped now. The minister said the PTI had the habit of concocting stories and it claimed that Rangers were killed by law enforcement agencies, but CCTV footage proved them wrong and now the culprits have been arrested from Abbottabad. He noted that many senior PTI leaders, including Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Atif Khan, Shehram Tarakai, Hammad Azhar and Waqas Akram stayed away from the entire protest. Tarar said the PTI suffered a major political setback, as its leaders fled from the federal capital. “If Ali Amin Gandapur is ashamed, then he will not wear a turban from today. Bushra Bibi and Amin Gandapur fled,” he remarked. He noted that while Qasim, Salman and Tyrian are growing up in Goldsmith’s house and all five children of Bushra Bibi are living a life of luxury, the PTI leadership uses children of the poor as shields. Referring to the sudden escape of the party leadership and workers from D-Chowk and Blue Area, he contended that protesters fled leaving behind their shoes, clothes and vehicles. “Running has become their habit. When fear grips a thief, he runs away,” he charged. He said that the PTI set its container on fire. “We did not want bloodshed. The interior minister was constantly monitoring the situation. The PTI people wanted to target important government figures and that they planned to capture the Parliament building.” Separately, in a press conference, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry refuted PTI’s allegations of widespread killings at D-Chowk, stressing that the operation was unarmed and intended to prevent casualties. Daniyal accused the PTI of attempting to incite deaths to disrupt the visits of foreign dignitaries. “PTI is spreading misleading propaganda regarding the deaths of its workers,” he said. He stated that a total of 900 hardened criminals were arrested, including proclaimed offenders, wanted criminals, and 37 Afghan nationals carrying weapons provided by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. Most of the protesters were brought to Islamabad with a payment of Rs5,000 per day. They engaged in street firing with the weapons, destroyed nearly 100 CCTV cameras, and set fire to 12 or 13 police vehicles, turning it into another May 9. Meanwhile, in a joint press conference at the Press Information Department, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Mohammad Ali Randhawa and Inspector General of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi said that it was not a protest but terrorism that resulted in heavy damage of lives of law enforcers with the destruction of public and private properties to the tune of billions of rupees. They said that no one would be allowed to use protests as a cover for terrorism. They revealed that Afghan nationals were among the participants of the PTI protests and announced plans to enforce a policy requiring foreign residents to obtain security clearance to remain in Islamabad. The IGP said that 900 protesters were arrested and 200 vehicles seized during the PTI protest in the capital. He emphasised that while everyone has the right to protest, acts of terrorism under the guise of protests will not be tolerated. IGP Rizvi said that law enforcement agencies faced direct gunfire during the protests. “Damaging property and engaging in terrorism is not protest and such individuals should be termed terrorists,” he stated. The officials emphasized their responsibility to uphold the rule of law, stating, “Ensuring the writ of the state is our responsibility, and no one will be allowed to challenge it.” They noted that all entry and exit routes in the federal capital have been reopened, and normal activities have resumed. The IGP mentioned that armed individuals attacked police and Rangers, highlighting the distinction between peaceful protests and acts of terrorism. “We will not tolerate terrorist activities disguised as protests,” he added. The IGP mentioned that in a joint operation that led to the arrest of 954 individuals and the seizure of 210 vehicles, protesters were found with heavy weapons, and sensitive automatic weapons, including Kalashnikovs and other SMGs. The law enforcers recovered 39 weapons, including 12 bore guns and other firearms which the law enforcers used. “This is not a protest when participants bring weapons, attack police, damage public property and force citizens to remain confined to their homes. Such acts constitute terrorism and it is our right to act against it,” Rizvi said. Five Rangers officials and one cop of the Punjab Police were martyred, and 71 security personnel were injured, including 27 wounded by gunshots. The police have registered seven cases under the anti-terrorism laws, he added. The protesters used firearms, masks and heavy equipment, including industrial fans, to direct tear gas back at law enforcement personnel, he said. Additionally, the demonstrators destroyed CCTV cameras, and video footage identified over 3,000 vehicles used to transport weapons and other supplies. The chief commissioner, telling details of the destruction, said protesters damaged green belts, Metro bus stations and Safe City cameras. He explained that fuel stations were temporarily closed due to intelligence reports of potential arson. Protesters also attacked journalists, prompting the removal of media personnel from protest sites. Randhawa stated that the court had allowed protests in the Sangjani area, but demonstrators insisted on moving toward sensitive zones, including the Blue Area and Red Zone. The protests damaged Islamabad’s green belts and overall infrastructure. He stated that the protests violated agreed-upon terms, as participants attempted to infiltrate sensitive areas like the Blue Area and the Red Zone. Both officials reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward individuals or groups disrupting peace in Islamabad, particularly foreign nationals involved in unlawful activities. Search operations in the area are ongoing, they added. Meanwhile, the administrations of Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC) and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) have jointly refuted social media claims regarding alleged deaths and severe injuries from the PTI protests in Islamabad on November 24 and subsequent days. Both hospitals labelled the news as baseless and clarified the nature of injuries treated during the clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel. According to a statement from the FGPC, reports about bodies brought to their hospital due to gunshot wounds, grenade injuries or other fatal incidents were ‘entirely false’. The administration urged the public to disregard such unverified information circulating on social media. Similarly, PIMS confirmed that during the protests, they treated a total of 66 law enforcement personnel and 36 civilians for injuries sustained in the clashes. Most of the individuals received first aid for minor injuries and were discharged. A few patients required further medical attention and were admitted. The administration strongly denied rumours of any deaths linked to the protest, terming such claims as fabricated. Both hospitals emphasised the importance of relying on verified information and condemned the spread of misinformation that could create unnecessary panic or distrust. They assured the public of their commitment to providing accurate updates on any developments concerning patient care and emergencies. Meanwhile, in a declaration issued here, the PTI Political Committee condemned in the strongest terms what it alleged was the government’s action of barbaric shooting of millions of peaceful Pakistanis. The committee claimed the protestors included children, youth, elderly and women, who came to Islamabad for a peaceful protest, who were targeted. The forum demanded a high-level judicial investigation to determine the government’s role in the ‘criminal massacre’ of unarmed citizens who came to Islamabad for peaceful protest. It demanded preparing a future action plan in the light of instructions of founding chairman Imran Khan will be announced soon. The meeting also called for strong action against PM Shehbaz and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for ‘killing’ peaceful and patriotic Pakistanis and injuring hundreds with live bullets. It strongly condemned the shelling and firing on the vehicle of former first lady Bushra Bibi and KP Chief Minister Gandapur, the attempt to kidnap them and endanger their lives. “The firing and attack on the KP CM, who was in Islamabad for a peaceful protest along with the people of his province by Shehbaz Sharif and Mohsin Naqvi, is strongly condemned, which is the attack on the Federation of Pakistan,” it claimed. The committee also condemned the burning of Bushra Bibi’s container by the government machinery, burning of private property, vehicles, etc, of citizens, and playing with fire and blood in the capital. The meeting paid a great tribute to the people and workers for “crossing the river of difficulties and obstacles” for a peaceful protest on the final call of Imran Khan and reaching Islamabad and facing the worst shelling, brutal violence and ‘shameful government treatment’ with patience and perseverance. Declaring the killing of workers who were allegedly martyred as a result of “brutal firing by the government under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif and Mohsin Naqvi” a national tragedy, the committee demanded that justice be provided to the families of innocent Pakistanis martyred by the government from the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of Pakistan. It also strongly condemned the injuries of hundreds of Pakistanis and PTI workers by direct shooting and the kidnapping of injured citizens from hospitals. It offered full condolences to the families of martyrs and the injured and expressed solidarity and sympathy. The meeting also decided to take special measures for their care. The entire nation, the meeting claimed, supported the final call of founding chairman Imran Khan for a peaceful protest for the restoration of fundamental constitutional rights, protection of the independence of judiciary, release of innocent political prisoners, and return of the 26th Constitutional Amendment. “Lakhs of Pakistanis from all parts of the country crossed a river of fire and blood to peacefully protest in favor of their legitimate legal and political demands and reached D-Chowk. The brutality and state terrorism that the Shehbaz government, deprived of public support and mandate, demonstrated to crush peaceful protests is unparalleled in the world history of civil rights movements,” it charged. Meanwhile, at a press conference at the Insaf Secretariat in Mansehra, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur vowed to continue the sit-in in Islamabad until asked by the party founder Imran Khan to end it. “Our sit-in at D-Chowk will continue, and we will not end it until our leader Imran Khan calls it off,” he said. Gandapur, Bushra Bibi, Opposition leader in the National Assembly Umar Ayub Khan, KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and others reached Mansehra in the early hours after law-enforcement agencies launched a crackdown on protesters in the federal capital. The chief minister, who is also the PTI KP chapter president, alleged that hundreds of PTI workers were killed or injured in direct firing by law-enforcement agencies. “We will compensate the families of those who lost their lives with Rs10 million each, and the injured will receive quality healthcare services,” he declared. Gandapur announced to lodge a first information report (FIR) against the law-enforcement agencies and those responsible for allegedly firing at Bushra Bibi and him directly in Islamabad. “Bushra Bibi and I, the KP chief minister, were directly targeted by snipers in an assassination attempt. We both escaped unhurt luckily in the federal capital, which is supposed to symbolise national unity,” he alleged. Gandapur added: “If a chief minister narrowly escapes bullets during a peaceful protest, one can only imagine the brutalities faced by ordinary party workers and protesters.” He emphasized that PTI’s ongoing peaceful sit-in in the federal capital was for the supremacy of law and the Constitution and for securing Imran Khan’s release. “We firmly stand with our workers who have faced bullets for Imran Khan and those who have been arrested will be provided legal assistance by party lawyers for security their early release,” Gandapur said. During the press conference, which turned into a public gathering, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Umar Ayub accused the Punjab police of entering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to arrest PTI workers. “We are going to file an FIR against the Punjab police for crossing into KP’s jurisdiction and arresting our workers,” he said. Umar Ayub demanded an impartial inquiry into the killing of members of the Rangers force. He alleged that he, like other party leaders, narrowly escaped direct fire. “We will not allow the federal government to continue killing our workers without accountability,” he added. Earlier in the day, a meeting chaired by CM Gandapur was held at the New Circuit House to discuss the situation arising from the crackdown on the sit-in in the federal capital. The meeting, attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, Secretary Home Abid Majid, Hazara Commissioner Zaheerul Islam, and Deputy Inspector General of Police Tahir Ayub, lasted for half an hour. Gandapur, along with Bushra Bibi and other party leaders, left for Peshawar by helicopter. Meanwhile, talking to senior anchorperson Hamid Mir in Geo News show Capital Talk, PTI Member of National Assembly Latif Khosa said, “Today I feel sad and surprised. We had claimed that we’d come to D-Chowk. Even after so many hurdles, people reached Islamabad.” He claimed that they had killed 278 people and injured 1,900 but he failed to provide any evidence in this regard. Khosa said it was wrong to say that the federal government was attacked by the province. “The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have the same right over the federation as in other provinces. The capital is for everyone,” Khosa said. “Imran Khan’s wife is our sister and leader. For God’s sake, call her name with honour and respect,” he added. He asked when did Bushra Bibi took the name of Saudi Arabia, adding that she quoted General Bajwa as saying it. “Muhammed bin Salman is a close friend of Imran Khan. Bajwa was hell-bent on ruining their relationship.” He said that in the FIR, Mohsin Naqvi, IG Islamabad and the prime minister would be named. “We will try to register an FIR in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We know no one will register our FIR in Islamabad.” FIRs would be registered on the basis of testimonies of workers, he said. The crowd used to charge because of the few words uttered by Bushra Bibi. Khosa claimed that Barrister Saif was flown in by a jet to meet the PTI founder. The government was ready to release the founder, our demand was immediate release. There was also a public meeting in Sangjani but we did not agree to it. The movement does not end with violence. “We are still there [in Islamabad] and the movement is still there. We will come to Islamabad and the government will be ours. Neither the PTI can be banned not there can be the governor’s rule in the KP,” he said. He asked the rulers to have some sense saying that if they wanted to build smaller states in Pakistan. “Do you want to separate Balochistan and KP?”Georgia QB Carson Beck announces plan to enter NFL draft after season-ending elbow injury

Brentford boss Thomas Frank claimed Brighton forward Joao Pedro should have been sent off during his side’s goalless Premier League draw at the Amex Stadium. Pedro escaped punishment after swinging an arm at Bees substitute substitute Yehor Yarmoliuk without making contact. VAR reviewed the second-half incident but deemed there was no violent conduct. Frank and Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler disagreed about the decision. “As I understand the rules, you can’t swing your arm to try to hit someone,” said Frank. “If you hit them or not, it’s a red, that’s the way I understand the rules.” Frank spoke to the match officials, including referee Andy Madley, about the flashpoint at full-time. “They haven’t seen the situation yet, not on TV afterwards,” said Frank. “To be fair to him, I think the angle can be tricky so that’s why you’ve got VAR.” Asked about Frank’s assessment, Hurzeler replied: “Interesting opinion. I see it completely different. “For me, it’s not a red card. He tried to get free from a person.” Brighton were booed off after their winless run was stretched to six top-flight games. Albion dominated for large periods and hit the woodwork inside four minutes through Julio Enciso. Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken made some important saves before being forced off injured in the 36th minute, albeit his replacement Hakon Valdimarsson was rarely tested on his Premier League debut. The Seagulls remain 10th ahead of Monday’s trip to Aston Villa, with Brentford a position and two points below moving towards their New Year’s Day showdown with Arsenal. Hurzeler thought the jeers at full-time were unfair. “The team doesn’t deserve that because in all the games we had in the last weeks they were all good, they were all intense, they were all where we thought we deserved more” said the German, whose team have lost to Fulham and Crystal Palace and drawn with Southampton, Leicester and West Ham in recent matches. “We try to work hard to satisfy our supporters, we try to give them what they deserve, we try to make them proud. “But the Premier League is tough. We know there will be (tough) periods we have to go through, especially with this young squad. “We try to stick together, find the positive and keep on going.” Brentford, who remain without a top-flight away win this term, had an early Yoane Wissa finish ruled out for offside following VAR intervention but barely threatened, despite an improved second-half showing. Frank, who is awaiting news on Flekken and defender Ben Mee, who also left the field injured, said: “I thought it was a fair point. “Brighton were better in the first half, no big, clearcut chances, and I thought we were better second half. “Overall, I’m happy with the performance, especially the way we defended. “We haven’t had too many clean sheets this season, so in that context I thought it was very impressive against a good Brighton team. “We know we have a lot of players out – we get two more injuries during the game. “The way the players showed their mentality and character and dug in was hugely impressive.”

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Dayle Haddon, an actor, activist and trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination by reentering the industry as a widow, has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found Haddon, 76, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man police later identified as Walter J. Blucas of Erie was hospitalized in critical condition. Responders detected a high level of carbon monoxide in the property and township police said Saturday that investigators determined that “a faulty flue and exhaust pipe on a gas heating system caused the carbon monoxide leak.” Two medics were taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide exposure and a police officer was treated at the scene. As a model, Haddon appeared on the covers of Vogue , Cosmopolitan, Elle and Esquire in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She also appeared in about two dozen films from the 1970s to 1990s, according to IMDb.com, including 1994’s “Bullets Over Broadway,” starring John Cusack . Haddon left modeling after giving birth to her daughter, Ryan, in the mid-1970s, but then had to reenter the workforce after her husband's 1991 death. This time she found the modeling industry far less friendly: “They said to me, ‘At 38, you’re not viable,’” Haddon told The New York Times in 2003. Working a menial job at an advertising agency, Haddon began reaching out to cosmetic companies, telling them there was a growing market to sell beauty products to aging baby boomers. She eventually landed a contract with Clairol, followed by Estée Lauder and then L’Oreal, for which she promoted the company's anti-aging products for more than a decade. She also hosted beauty segments for CBS’s “The Early Show.” "I kept modeling, but in a different way," she told The Times, “I became a spokesperson for my age.” In 2008, Haddon founded WomenOne, an organization aimed at advancing educational opportunities for girls and women in marginalized communities, including Rwanda, Haiti and Jordan.' Haddon was born in Toronto and began modeling as a teenager to pay for ballet classes — she began her career with the Canadian ballet company Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, according to her website. Haddon's daughter, Ryan, said in a social media post that her mother was “everyone’s greatest champion. An inspiration to many.” “A pure heart. A rich inner life. Touching so many lives. A life well lived. Rest in Light, Mom,” she said.A non-executive director of Parthian Partners, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, has said that Nigeria’s economy will begin to exit the most painful phase of the reform adjustment process in 2025. He made the assertion at the Parthian Economic Discourse 2024 (PED24), held in Lagos recently. The Parthian Economic Discourse 2024 brought together leading economic experts, policymakers, and business executives to discuss the future of Nigeria’s economy. Held at Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos, the event focused on “Policy Shifts: Strengthening Economic Institutions for Sustainable Growth.” It provided a platform for thought leaders to deliberate on the country’s critical challenges and opportunities as it approaches 2025. In his keynote presentation on Nigeria’s 2025 macroeconomic outlook, Mr Rewane delivered a hopeful yet pragmatic assessment of the nation’s economic trajectory. He projected that the economy would begin to recover from the most challenging phase of its reform adjustments by 2025, emphasizing the importance of strategic policy implementation and institutional reforms. Rewane highlighted several key points during his address. He noted that while Nigeria’s exchange rate fundamentals indicate that the Naira should be more robust, achieving stability depends on an efficient and effectively managed FX system. He stressed that the primary challenge lies not in the reforms themselves but in their management, citing poorly sequenced policy changes and insufficient structural reforms as significant obstacles. The keynote speaker also underlined the critical role of investment in driving economic growth. “Revenue alone is not enough,” Rewane stated. “Investment is key, but it is influenced by confidence, transparency, and the right policies.” He also called attention to persistent challenges, such as power supply inefficiencies and the lack of transparency in the oil and gas sector, which require immediate attention through structural reforms. A panel session followed the keynote, offering more profound insights into the reforms needed for sustainable growth. Moderated by Dr Benson Uwheru, Group Executive/GCOO of Parthian Group, the session featured Professor Olayinka David-West, Associate Dean of Lagos Business School; Olufemi Shobanjo, CEO of NGX Regulation Limited; The DG/CEO of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Chinyere Almona, and Executive Director of Parthian Group, Yemi Sadiku. The panelists proposed actionable strategies to address Nigeria’s economic challenges. Professor David-West emphasized the importance of adopting a “digital-first mindset,” advocating for using technology and AI to improve fiscal discipline and economic planning. Dr Almona identified high energy costs as a significant driver of inflation and stressed the need to resolve power supply issues to stabilize prices. Olufemi Shobanjo discussed the role of liquidity in capital markets, emphasizing initiatives that enhance investor confidence and ensure market stability. Yemi Sadiku highlighted the need for an environment that enables infrastructure investment, urging the government to create policies that encourage private sector participation. The discourse concluded with a reinforced call to tackle the root causes of Nigeria’s economic challenges to achieve long-term sustainable growth. Rewane aptly remarked, “The things outside our control far exceed what we can control, but by addressing these root causes, Nigeria can unlock sustainable growth and economic stability.”