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Amidst the swirling rumors and allegations, a sense of unease and unrest settled over the village. Long-standing friendships were tested, and divisions among the villagers became starkly apparent. Accusations and counter-accusations flew back and forth, heightening tensions and sowing distrust among the community.

Independence Blue Cross launches Epic Payer Platform to transform care coordination and boost member health outcomesjumped into in the standings with a , with , twice, scoring. came off the bench to inspire Barcelona to a fifth win in six games and push Dortmund, last season's runner-up, out of the top eight. Torres came on in the 71st to replace , who had a quiet game against his former club. Just four minutes later, Torres scored a goal on the rebound from 's shot. 's second goal of the game leveled the score at 2-2 but Torres scored again in the 85th off s pass on the counter. gave Barcelona the lead before equalized from the penalty spot. Raphinha and Guirassy are tied for second place in the scoring chart on six goals, behind Lewandowski's competition-high seven. The top eight qualify directly for and the teams placed No. 9-24 go into a two-legged playoff. Danger for City Manchester City plunged deeper into trouble in the Champions League by on Wednesday, the latest setback in a scarcely believable run of poor results for the ailing English champions. City dropped to standings, with only the top 24 advancing. Progressing to the next round of the new-look format looked a certainty before the season for a team that was European champion in 2022 and has won the last four Premier League titles. But not anymore as City manager Pep Guardiola battles injuries and an apparent loss of belief among his players. City has won just one of its last 10 matches in all competitions, with goals by inflicting the latest defeat and igniting Juventus' qualification hopes. In-form Julian Alvarez Man City could sure do with at the moment. With a brilliant curling finish to open the scoring, the Argentina striker helped beat and provide a timely reminder of what City is missing after selling him for more than $100 million in August. Alvarez has 12 goals for the season, with four coming in the Champions League. scored Atletico's other two goals at Metropolitano stadium as the Spanish team climbed to 11th place after a 10th straight win in all competitions. Arsenal beat Monaco 3-0 mainly thanks to two goals by Bukayo Saka to move into third place.Michigan State lands starting LB transfer from Air Force

Dissatisfied with the outcome and feeling aggrieved by the circumstances that led to his financial loss, the man decided to take legal action against the organizers of the self-discipline challenge, sparking a legal dispute that has attracted widespread attention and debate. The crux of the legal argument revolves around the terms of the challenge, the expectations placed on the participants, and the accountability of the organizers in ensuring a fair and transparent process for determining the winner.Furthermore, Dembélé's refusal to engage in contract negotiations or entertain offers from other clubs has only added to the brewing conflict between him and Barcelona. With his current contract set to expire in the near future, the club has been eager to secure his long-term commitment. However, Dembélé's reluctance to engage in talks or express a desire to remain at Barcelona has created uncertainty and tension within the organization. As the standoff continues, the prospect of Dembélé leaving the club as a free agent looms large, further intensifying the discord between player and club.

Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened weekThis photo taken on Oct. 11, 2024 shows a view of the 12345 citizen hotline service center in Beijing, capital of China. — Xinhua photo BEIJING (Dec 24): Braving the chilly winter morning, Guo Changyi, a bus driver for Beijing Public Transport, arrived at the company office before sunrise to inspect and clean the bus and adjust its interior temperature. Precisely on the scheduled time at 6:55 a.m., Guo’s bus arrived at a stop on Chaoyang Road in Beijing’s Chaoyang District to pick up pupils heading to Hujialou Central Primary School, about six kilometers away. This tailor-made direct bus route offers convenient and efficient transportation for primary and middle school students in the Chinese capital who travel between their communities and campuses without being accompanied by their parents. The service also helps alleviate traffic congestion and parking difficulties around schools during rush hours, often caused by parents driving their children to and from school. Beijing introduced the service in September 2023 to address urban traffic congestion. Through the joint efforts of local authorities, including education and transportation departments, over 300 such bus routes have been launched, transporting 23,000 students and parents daily, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport. The service is also accessible to parents who accompany their young children. The dedicated bus service reflects Beijing’s new approach to urban governance. In 2019, Beijing, home to over 20 million residents, launched an innovative “swift response to public complaints” initiative aimed at addressing public concerns promptly and resolving everyday challenges efficiently. The initiative has integrated more than 60 hotline services into a single unified hotline number — 12345 — which serves as the primary channel for residents to voice their concerns. Operating 24/7, the hotline is staffed by over 1,700 operators who work in shifts to address calls and handle requests covering nearly every aspect of urban life, including transportation, housing, education, healthcare, employment and business services. According to official data, in the past six years, Beijing has processed approximately 150 million public complaints, with both the resolution and satisfaction rates reaching nearly 97 per cent. People-centred urbanisation “The Beijing 12345 hotline dates back to 1987 with only one telephone and three operators,” said Wang Yue, an official of the Beijing Citizen Hotline Service Center. According to Wang, in the 1980s, dozens of large and medium-sized cities across China set up mayor’s hotline services, which were gradually unified into 12345 government hotlines around 2000. “There were hotlines before, why didn’t people call more often? Because even if you do call, the problem usually didn’t get solved,” said Liu Huan, an operator of Beijing’s 12345 hotline, adding that the appeal of the hotline service lies in the swiftness in addressing people’s concerns. Once a complaint is filed through Beijing’s 12345 hotline, it is promptly forwarded to relevant government departments and public service companies for resolution. The outcome is then evaluated by the complainants, ensuring active engagement, assessment and oversight in the city’s governance by the public. “The swift response to public complaints has significantly raised the awareness of staff at all levels to better serve the people,” said Yao Lei, director of the Beijing Citizen Hotline Service Center. “In particular, those directly providing services to citizens and the business community have made significant improvements in their work style.” As Beijing continues to refine and improve the mechanism, staff at the 12345 hotline, along with local authorities, are shifting from merely reacting to calls to proactively solving problems. Since 2021, Beijing has used big data analysis to identify key concerns of the residents and launched targeted monthly projects, such as installing elevators in old buildings, facilitating property ownership certificate applications, and upgrading traffic lights. Over the past four years, Beijing has addressed more than 60 categories of issues through special governance projects, completing over 1,800 tasks and introducing 400 policies, according to Sun Fang, deputy director of the Beijing municipal bureau of government service and data management. “I want to call 12345 again to thank everyone involved in resolving my issue,” said Yang Jiansheng, a resident of Xicheng District. Yang had previously contacted the hotline to complain about failing to obtain his property ownership certificate for a house he purchased over a decade ago. Thanks to concerted efforts by all involved parties, Yang recently received his certificate. ‘Chinese solution’ Over the years, “Need help? Dial 12345” has become a catchphrase among Beijing residents. With the increasing popularity of the hotline service, even foreigners choose to turn to it for help. “We often receive phone calls from foreigners in Beijing, mostly consulting about visa extensions and work permits, as well as other aspects of life in the city,” said Wang Shuo, an English operator of Beijing’s 12345 hotline. According to the Beijing Citizen Hotline Service Center, the foreign-language services are now available in English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese and Korean. Gleisi Hoffmann, president of Brazil’s Workers’ Party, praised Beijing’s 12345 hotline during a visit to the center in April. She said the platform that integrates resources and strength from all parties embodies the Communist Party of China’s philosophy and purpose of putting the people first and serving the people wholeheartedly. “The 12345 is a successful example of meeting people’s needs and solving complex problems in modern megacities. You have inspired all of us,” Andreas Grammatikogiannis, deputy mayor of Athens, said when addressing the 2024 Beijing Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints, which was held from Wednesday to Thursday. “The Beijing hotline integrates the human touch with the technological component. I think this is part of the wonderful innovation of the Beijing model,” said Erik Nilsson, an editor at China Daily, at the forum. An evaluation report on global city hotline services and governance effectiveness, released during the forum, highlights Beijing’s unique governance model, characterized by whole-process feedback, comprehensive services and citizen participation. This approach offers a “Chinese solution” to the global urban governance reform centered on city hotline services, the report said. — Xinhua

The decision to remain at Sporting CP reflects Nani's commitment to honoring his roots and staying true to the club that has been instrumental in his football journey. While the offers from Benfica and Porto may have been enticing, Nani's loyalty and affinity for Sporting ultimately guided his decision.As the newly appointed Secretary of the Party Group, Guan Zhiou will be tasked with overseeing the implementation of key policies and strategies related to natural resource management, environmental protection, and ecological conservation. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding the Ministry of Natural Resources towards achieving its goals of promoting green development, improving resource utilization efficiency, and protecting biodiversity.

Middle East latest: Israeli strikes kill a hospital director in Lebanon and wound 6 medics in Gaza

Parliament NEW DELHI: Parliament is set to hold a discussion on the Constitution of India in the backdrop of the 75th anniversary of its adoption, but the landmark event may see the rivals using the stage to target each other instead. Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met Speaker Om Birla Wednesday and urged that the House should function and the December 13-14 discussion on Constitution should not fall prey to disruptions by BJP. The governing party said its intent was evident from the fact that dates were fixed in the two Houses with the idea of holding the discussion. PM, Shah to join Constitution debat It added that PM Modi would reply to the debate in Lok Sabha, and home minister Amit Shah would initiate the debate in Rajya Sabha on December 16. But the general belief is that the bitterness may result in the Constitution being reduced to a cover the rivals will use to corner each other with their political agenda. There was a hint of what is to come in Rahul's remarks to reporters on Wednesday when asked about disruptions and BJP's allegations about Congress's links to George Soros. "There is a commitment for debate on the Constitution on Dec 13. They can level any allegation against me, but it should happen. Govt does not want a discussion on Adani and they want to distract. But in the end, we will not spare them," Rahul said. With the two Houses having witnessed continuous disruption in the ongoing session in the wake of the govt's refusal to take up the Adani indictment, the debate on the Constitution presents the opposition with a readymade stage to try to embarrass govt and Modi. Issues such as caste census, removal of 50% cap on reservations, BJP's "controlling" of constitutional bodies, Manipur crisis, Places of Worship Act and incidents like Sambhal, communalism and bias against opposition-governed states are other subjects likely to dominate the speeches of Congress and the opposition. BJP is set to raise the issues of suspension of democracy by the Congress govt led by Indira Gandhi as well as efforts of non-BJP govts to roll out quotas for Muslims. It may retaliate against Congress's attack by creating openings to push its allegation that billionaire George Soros and Congress, including its representatives Sonia Gandhi and Rahul, had combined with "anti-India" forces. BJP has alleged Sonia had links to Forum of Democratic Leaders-Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation, an organisation financed by George Soros Foundation, which has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation. Sources in Congress said the party's charge will be led by Rahul. It will also check with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for second speaker, while it has the likes of Gaurav Gogoi, Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari among others. SP's Akhilesh Yadav is another major face in opposition camp who would use the national platform to send out a signal to the electorate in UP. Modi's reply to the debate will be designed to answer the opposition's political offensive and he is adept at cashing in on the privilege of having the last word. The 2024 LS poll results gave opposition a boost, but BJP's victories in Haryana and Maharashtra have neutralised much of anti-BJP camp's momentum. The debate may set the trajectory of the battle going forward. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Through their relentless pursuit of justice, Officer Zhang and his team were able to safeguard Ms. X from further financial harm and ensure that the scammer faced the consequences of their deceitful actions. The successful operation served as a powerful reminder of the importance of vigilance and caution in the face of online scams and fraudulent schemes.

As we navigate the digital landscape, it is essential to exercise prudence and skepticism, safeguarding ourselves against potential risks and scams. By staying informed, vigilant, and resilient, we can better protect ourselves and our loved ones from falling victim to the deceitful tactics of scammers lurking in the shadows of the online world.

SINGAPORE: Hold your palm over a scanner for two seconds, then wait a few more for payment to be processed. That’s how some Visa employees have been paying for their coffee at a cafe near Tanjong Pagar. The Visa-Tencent pay-by-palm machine at the Alchemist 71 Robinson was set up in October, but for now, it's only available to selected employees of the payments giant. When the pilot is expanded, Visa cardholders from DBS, OCBC and UOB will be able to pay using their palms as well. This is likely to be available at the Alchemist first, before other stores get on board. HOW IT WORKS Visa has not said when it plans to expand the pilot. But when the time comes, here’s what you need to know. It starts with a terms of use agreement that spells out how your data will be collected, stored and used. Biometric data will be collected from scanned images, but the original images will not be stored, according to the Tencent Palm Pay privacy policy used during the pilot. The final four digits of credit card numbers will also be collected to facilitate payment. Information collected would be used to set up an account, verify and authenticate transactions, comply with its legal obligations and enforce its legal rights. The terms of use may not be exactly the same when the public starts using palm payment. Once you click accept, the machine will prompt you to scan your palm. Using Tencent’s palm recognition technology, the machine verifies both the palm print and the unique pattern of veins under the skin. The biometric data is then converted into a template, which is like a string of code, and stored in the system. Once the conversion is complete, the raw biometric data is deleted. Next, tap a Visa card on the screen to pair it with the palm that has been scanned. The cardholder will receive a notification from the bank that issued the card for approval, similar to the process of authentication when making an online transaction. After that is completed, the machine will charge the card when your palm is presented. The entire process takes just about one minute according to early tests, but could be faster in future, Visa said. IS PALM PAYMENT NEW? Palm payment has been available in Singapore since as early as 2019, though it has yet to become a mainstream form of payment. Octobox, which runs a chain of unmanned smart convenience stores, allows customers to link their palm to their DBS PayLah! wallet. Its first store opened in July 2019 at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and it is set to open its seventh outlet in January next year. Customers are also required to scan their palms to enter the store. Mr Jeffrey Sun, founder and CEO of Octobox, said 200,000 people have registered their palms, though they may choose to pay for their items using other methods besides palm payment. At the NUS outlet, around 3,000 to 5,000 people enter the store each day, he told CNA. The palm scanning technology used in Octobox stores can be linked to credit cards, but Mr Sun said the company would probably consider doing so only if the processing fee can be lowered. Those who want to use credit cards in Octobox can still do so using traditional point-of-sale systems. CONVENIENT, BUT SECURITY CONCERNS REMAIN The main advantage of palm payment is convenience for consumers, said Mr Dmitry Volkov, chief executive of Group-IB, a cybersecurity firm. “You can leave behind your cash, wallet, bank card or electronic device, but your palm is always accessible,” he said. Your palm is also not something that can be misplaced, which makes this method of payment more reliable, he added. But fraudsters are always coming up with new schemes, experts said. Mr Arun Kumar, regional director of technology management company ManageEngine, said artificial intelligence and deepfake technology could be used to create fake versions of palms. “Countermeasures, such as liveness detection, need to be in place to detect whether there are spoofed or impersonated identities,” he said. Liveness detection refers to techniques used to determine if a person is alive and real. Companies must also ensure their systems are secure and protected. “While individuals can replace a stolen credit card, it would be challenging to replace someone’s palm if their biometric data is stolen,” he said. Mr Chua Zong Fu, head of managed security services at Ensign InfoSecurity, said palms are more difficult to spoof because they use two forms of data – the palm print and the vein pattern. But it is still another set of personally identifiable information. “It raises similar privacy concerns as it could potentially be abused for surveillance or unauthorised tracking.” IS SINGAPORE READY FOR PALM PAYMENT? Besides security concerns, another barrier could be the cost of setting up pay-by-palm machines in stores, said Mr Chua. “Palm payment technology requires new hardware to be purchased by merchants. Mobile devices are not able to natively perform pay-by-palm,” he said. Some stores may also find that the machine – about the size of a laptop – would take up space on their countertops. He noted that consumers have embraced contactless payment, including the forms that involve biometric authentication – facial or fingerprint recognition. But the added convenience of pay-by-palm may be limited since most people carry their mobile devices around and can already use that for payment. Mr Kumar of ManageEngine said some may find it more challenging to accept biometric payments. “As compared to iris scans at airports, where the data of citizens is stored by the government, individuals are more wary about private companies handling their biometric data.” Younger people are generally more accepting of new digital payment methods because they value convenience and have grown up around technology, he added. When CNA visited the Alchemist 71 Robinson, at least one customer asked the staff about the pay-by-palm machine and how it would work. Octobox’s Mr Sun said consumers care less about their palms. “The palm is useless,” he said. “For fingerprints, you can open your door at home, you can use it at customs, maybe at the office.” He said Visa and Tencent’s foray into palm payment affirms Octobox’s decision to focus on this in 2019. “It makes us feel that our strategy was right,” said Mr Sun. “We’re happy about that.”New images appear to show suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO killer in back of taxi

NEW YORK — The man accused of shooting and killing the CEO of UnitedHealthcare pleaded not guilty Monday to state murder and terror charges while his attorney complained that comments coming from New York’s mayor would make it tough to receive a fair trial. Luigi Mangione, 26, was shackled and seated in a Manhattan court when he leaned over to a microphone to enter his plea. The Manhattan district attorney charged him last week with multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism. Mangione’s initial appearance in New York’s state trial court was preempted by federal prosecutors bringing their own charges over the shooting. The federal charges could carry the possibility of the death penalty, while the maximum sentence for the state charges is life in prison without parole. Prosecutors say the two cases will proceed on parallel tracks, with the state charges expected to go to trial first. One of Mangione’s attorneys told a judge that government officials, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, turned Mangione into a political pawn, robbing him of his rights as a defendant and tainting the jury pool. “I am very concerned about my client’s right to a fair trial,” Karen Friedman Agnifilo said. Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stood among a throng of heavily armed officers Thursday when Mangione was flown to a Manhattan heliport and escorted up a pier after being extradited from Pennsylvania. Friedman Agnifilo said police turned Mangione’s return to New York into a choreographed spectacle. Adams is himself scheduled to stand trial on federal corruption charges next year. He pleaded not guilty and vowed to remain in office as he fights the charges. Authorities say Mangione gunned down Brian Thompson as he was walking to an investor conference in midtown Manhattan on the morning of Dec 4. Mangione was arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s after a five-day search, carrying a gun that matched the one used in the shooting and a fake ID, police said. Mangione is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail alongside several other high-profile defendants, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Pep Guardiola's side has been performing well this season, but there are areas that require strengthening, such as the defensive midfield position. While there are talented midfielders in La Liga, such as Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona or Marcos Llorente of Atletico Madrid, negotiating a deal that is financially viable for Manchester City may prove to be a hurdle.

NVIDIA Under Antitrust Investigation in China: Promises Full Cooperation with RegulatorsBut that's not all – along with its TGA announcement, "Mystical Creature Paluru" has teased that there may be some exciting surprises in store for fans. Speculations and theories are running wild in the gaming community, with players eagerly anticipating what the developers have in store for them. Could it be a new expansion pack, a special in-game event, or perhaps even a collaboration with another beloved franchise? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – the anticipation is palpable.In a recent statement, President Donald Trump reiterated his firm stance on immigration by calling for the expulsion of millions of illegal immigrants from the United States. This declaration has once again stirred up controversy and drawn sharp criticism from opponents, while receiving strong support from his base. Trump's unwavering commitment to cracking down on illegal immigration has been a cornerstone of his presidency, and he shows no signs of backing down from his hardline approach.

Titans kicker Nick Folk dealing with soreness so Tennessee added insurance

While Rashford's departure would undoubtedly be a blow to the fans, it could also be seen as a necessary sacrifice to ensure the club's long-term success. The business side of football often requires tough decisions to be made, and Manchester United's hierarchy may feel that selling Rashford is in the best interests of the club's future.In conclusion, the new preview of "Bleach: Soul Awakening" featuring Sosuke Aizen is a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Soul Reapers and the machinations of one of anime's most captivating villains. With its stunning animation, compelling storytelling, and unforgettable characters, this series is sure to leave a lasting impression on fans old and new alike. Stay tuned for the release of "Soul Awakening" and prepare to be swept up in the epic journey that awaits!