super ace tips and tricks

super ace tips and tricks Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has once again condemned the latest antisemitic attack in Australia, following an assault on the Jewish community in Sydney. The attack in Woollahra on Wednesday involved the torching of a car and the defacing of buildings with disturbing antisemitic graffiti, including the phrase "kill Israel" and others. This marks the second time in three weeks that Woollahra, a prominent Jewish neighbourhood in Sydney's east, has been targeted in a hate crime. Mr Albanese, who has faced mounting criticism for his handling of previous antisemitic incidents, addressed the latest attack in a statement and called it “an outrage”. “I stand with the Jewish community and unequivocally condemn this attack. There is no place for hatred or antisemitism in our community,” the Prime Minister said. He recently faced scathing criticism for attending donor drinks and playing tennis instead of visiting the Adass Israel Synagogue in the aftermath of the recent terror attack. The Jewish community has battled rising levels of antisemitism since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. The Prime Minister said the latest attack in Sydney was a hate crime in an interview with ABC’s RN Breakfast on Wednesday. “There’s no place for antisemitism in this country or anywhere else,” Mr Albanese told Patricia Karvelas. “This is an attack on people because they happen to be Jewish. “This is not a political act. This does not change anything that is occurring on the ground in the Middle East. This is an attack against their fellow Australians.” The Albanese government has been accused by the opposition of “emboldening and enabling” antisemitic crime through its dialogue and foreign policies. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has drifted from previous bipartisan support of Israel and Australia recently voted in favour or Palestinian statehood at the UN. The decision led Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blame the government for the rise in domestic levels of antisemitism. Shadow finance minister Jane Hume told ABC RN the Albanese government had “wishy washy language” in its response to attacks on the Jewish community. The Prime Minister, who spoke after Ms Hume, rejected the remarks as “yet again, a divisive comment”. “This (is) a time for unity, not a time to seek political advantage or to seek to divide,” Mr Albanese said. “This is a time where we should unite around our common Australian values, and those values are respect for each other.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress, as lawmakers released the conclusions of a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney general. The 37-page report by the bipartisan panel includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz, now 42, took part in from 2017 to 2020 while representing Florida's western panhandle. Congressional investigators concluded that Gaetz violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office, though not federal sex trafficking laws. They also found that Gaetz “knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” the committee's work. “The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report states. Ahead of the report’s release Gaetz denied any wrongdoing and criticized the committee's process. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” he posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” Gaetz, a Republican first elected in 2017, spent the majority of his time in Washington enmeshed in scandals that ultimately derailed his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump as attorney general. His political future is uncertain, although Gaetz has indicated he would be interested in running for the open Senate seat in Florida. Lawmakers paint a damning portrait of Gaetz's conduct, using dozens of pages of exhibits, including text messages and financial records, travel receipts, checks and online payments, to document a party- and drug-fueled lifestyle. The committee said it compiled the evidence after issuing 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony and contacting more than two dozen witnesses. In addition to soliciting prostitution, the Ethics Committee report states that Gaetz “accepted gifts, including transportation and lodging in connection with a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, in excess of permissible amounts.” That same year, investigators say Gaetz arranged for his chief of staff to obtain a passport for a woman he was sexually involved with, falsely telling the State Department that she was his constituent. In some of the text exchanges, Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. At one point he asks one woman if she has a “cute black dress” to wear. There are also discussions of shipping goods. One of the exhibits is a text exchange that appears to be between two of the women concerned about their cash flow and payments. In another, a person asks Gaetz for help to pay an educational expense. Regarding the 17-year-old girl, the report states there’s no evidence that Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her, the committee said. The woman told the committee she didn’t tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and that he didn’t know how old she was. Rather, the committee said Gaetz learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But he stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for “commercial sex” again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. But Florida law, which states it is a felony for a person 24 or older to have sex with a minor, does not allow a claim of ignorance or misrepresentation of a minor's age as a defense. Joel Leppard, who represents two women who told the committee that Gaetz paid them for sex, said the findings “vindicate” the accounts of his clients and “demonstrate their credibility.” “We appreciate the Committee’s commitment to transparency in releasing this comprehensive report so the truth can be known,” Leppard said in a statement. At least one Republican joined all five Democrats on the Ethics Committee earlier this month in voting to release the report about their former colleague despite initial opposition from GOP lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to publishing findings about a former member of Congress. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. On behalf of the Republicans who voted against releasing the report, Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, Ethics chairman, wrote that while the members do not challenge the report's findings, “we take great exception that the majority deviated from the Committee’s well-established standards,” to drop any investigation when a person is not longer a member of the chamber. “We believe that operating outside the jurisdictional bounds set forth by House Rules and Committee standards, especially when making public disclosures, is a dangerous departure with potentially catastrophic consequences,” Guest wrote. Mounting a last-ditch effort to halt the publication of the report, Gaetz filed a lawsuit Monday asking a court to intervene, citing what he called “untruthful and defamatory information” that would “significantly damage” his “standing and reputation in the community.” Gaetz’s complaint argues he’s no longer under the committee’s jurisdiction since he resigned from Congress. “The Committee’s position that it may nonetheless publish potentially defamatory findings about a private citizen over whom it claims no jurisdiction represents an unprecedented expansion of Congressional power that threatens fundamental constitutional rights and established procedural protections,” Gaetz’s lawyers wrote in their request for a temporary restraining order. The often secretive, bipartisan panel has investigated claims against Gaetz since 2021. But its work became more urgent last month when Trump picked him shortly after Election Day as his first choice to be the nation's top law enforcement officer. Gaetz resigned from Congress that same day, putting him outside the purview of the Ethics Committee's jurisdiction. But Democrats had pressed to make the report public even after Gaetz was no longer a member and had withdrawn as Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department. A vote on the House floor this month to force the report’s release failed; all but one Republican voted against it. The committee detailed its start-and-stop investigation over the past several years, which was halted for a time as the Justice Department conducted its own probe of Gaetz. Federal prosecutors never brought a case against him. Lawmakers said they asked the Justice Department for information about its probe, but the agency refused to hand over information, saying it doesn’t disclose information about investigations that don’t result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the Justice Department for records, but after a back-and-forth between Justice Department officials and the committee, the department only handed over “publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual,” according to the report. “To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses,” the committee said. In releasing the report, the panel added that Gaetz was also “uncooperative" throughout the probe. He provided “minimal documentation” in response to the committee’s requests, it said. “He also did not agree to a voluntary interview.” ___ Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.On Nov. 20, 25-year-old Moses Brown signed with his seventh NBA team. An undrafted free agent in 2019, Brown has been waived, cut, demoted, and traded by his fair share of NBA teams as he tries to carve out a career, but after three appearances with the Indiana Pacers, he might have found a landing spot. The Pacers, in a desperate bid to bolster their frontcourt after losing James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson for the season, signed Brown, who has averaged seven points and three rebounds this season. © Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images In the Pacers' 115-103 win over the Washington Wizards, starting center Myles Turner got into early foul trouble, so Brown, always ready, subbed in and offered a quick 11 points in the first quarter. He would go on to finish with 15 points and four rebounds in just 12 minutes of action and was easily Indiana's best bench player in the contest. "As soon as Myles got the second [foul], I think [James Johnson] looked at me. It was like, yo, be ready. And TJ [McConnel] looked at me like, be ready," said Brown after the game. "I got really excited. I just went out there and did what I had to do." The Pacers are a disappointing 7-10 on the season and are 8th in the Eastern Conference after making the Conference Finals last year. For the most part, Indiana looks uninspired and devoid of energy, so having a player like Brown who remains ready at all times will be a key to jumpstarting the offense. Related: Which Pacers' Star Did Rick Carlisle Applaud? The Pacers' next game will come without rest, as they play the second half of a back-to-back tonight against the injury-ravaged New Orleans Pelicans. Related: What's at Stake in Pacers vs. Pelicans?

Brazil's federal police said Thursday they indicted former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 other people for allegedly attempting a coup to keep him in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections. Police said their findings were being delivered Thursday to Brazil's Supreme Court, which must decide whether to refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. The former right-wing president has denied all claims he tried to stay in office after his narrow electoral defeat in 2022 to his rival, leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva . Bolsonaro has faced a series of legal threats since then. Police said in a brief statement that the Supreme Court had agreed to reveal the names of all 37 people who were indicted "to avoid the dissemination of incorrect news." The 700-page police document likely will take several days for the court to review, Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes said. Dozens of former and current Bolsonaro aides also were indicted, including Gen. Walter Braga Netto, who was his running mate in the 2022 campaign; former Army commander Gen. Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira; Valdemar Costa Neto, the chairman of Bolsonaro's Liberal Party; and his veteran former adviser, Gen. Augusto Heleno. The investigation started last year. On Tuesday, four military men and one federal police agent were arrested as part of the same probe. Other investigations focus on Bolosnaro's potential roles in smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them, and in directing a subordinate to falsify his and others' COVID-19 vaccination status . Bolsonaro has denied any involvement in either. Another probe found that he had abused his authority to cast doubt on the country's voting system, and judges barred him from running again until 2030. The far-reaching investigations have weakened Bolsonaro's status as a leader of Brazil's right wing, said Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo. "Bolsonaro is already barred from running in the 2026 elections," Melo told the The Associated Press. "And if he is convicted he could also be jailed by then. To avoid being behind bars, he will have to convince Supreme Court justices that he has nothing to do with a plot that involves dozens of his aides. That's a very tall order," Melo said. Brazil Coup d'etat

Most Valuable Promotions released a statement Monday regarding the growing controversy that Jake Paul's unanimous decision victory over Mike Tyson was fixed, calling the allegations "illogical and inane." The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Paul, 27, dominated the iconic former heavyweight champion in their Nov. 15 clash at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event was a massive success with an $18.1 million gate, the largest for any U.S. fight outside of Las Vegas, and was streamed on Netflix with over 108 million live global viewers. However, the 58-year-old Tyson turned in a listless performance with skeptics questioning the fight's integrity. Amid the swirling controversy, MVP -- led by Paul and Nakisa Bidarian -- has responded to those questioning whether the fight was fixed for Paul to win. "Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight," the statement read. "There were absolutely no restrictions -- contractual or otherwise -- around either fighter. Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations) boxing rules." Editor's Picks After he beat Mike Tyson, everybody wants to fight Jake Paul 5d ESPN Staff Paul-Tyson $18.1M gate sets non-Vegas record 6d Andreas Hale Paul called out by heavyweight champ Dubois 6d ESPN Social media was flooded with posts suggesting the fight was planned with a faux script also being circulated. The script was debunked but that has not quelled doubt about how the fight played out. Paul's admission that he took his foot off the gas in the middle rounds rather than pursue a knockout further fanned the flames of a rigged fight. "It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world's biggest streamer -- an organization that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs. Tyson -- would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition," the statement continued. Bidarian has remained adamant in a number of interviews following the fight that there was no foul play in his business partner's victory. "This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded skepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete, and frankly, the claim that his bout must have been rigged is just the latest backhanded compliment to come his way," said Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. "From day one in this sport, people have doubted his abilities -- unable to reconcile how someone with his background has accomplished so much in such a short time. Jake has not only proven himself repeatedly, but he has continuously set historic records that speak for themselves. "This event, which broke attendance and viewership milestones for a professional sporting event, is yet another example of his ability to deliver on the biggest stage. As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements. We embrace the doubt -- it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success."Organ-on-Chip Market Opportunities and Competitive Landscape: Strategic Insights, Trends, and Projections for 2024-2031 | 12-22-2024 12:12 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Coherent Market Insights Organ-on-Chip Market According to the latest research from Coherent Market Insights, the Organ-on-Chip market is projected to experience significant growth between 2024 and 2031. This market intelligence report offers in-depth analysis based on thorough research, highlighting current trends, financial performance, and historical data evaluation. The company profiles within the report are derived from the current performance of the Organ-on-Chip market, considering key factors such as drivers, trends, and challenges, as well as global market share, size, and revenue forecasts for comprehensive insights. To provide a clear understanding, the report examines leading companies, types, applications, and the factors contributing to a positive future outlook. The Organ-on-Chip market report includes detailed charts, tables, and data analysis, with clear objectives aimed at potential stakeholders. It offers a comprehensive study of the Organ-on-Chip market, providing valuable insights to support strong growth in the future. This report is designed for a wide range of interested parties, including stakeholders, market participants, investors, researchers, and other individuals associated with the business. 👉 Purchase This Premium Report Upto 45% Discount at: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/promo/buynow/90035 📈 Overview and Scope of the Report: The Global Organ-on-Chip Market Analysis Report offers a comprehensive overview of the market size across various segments and countries, including historical data and future forecasts. The report outlines the competitive landscape of the global market, discussing market dynamics, drivers, and segmentation by application, type, region, and manufacturer. It provides both qualitative and quantitative insights into the industry for the regions and countries covered. Additionally, the report highlights key opportunities in the Organ-on-Chip market, identifying the factors driving growth and expected to continue fueling expansion. It also considers past growth trends, current drivers, and future market developments. 🎯 The Study Objectives of Organ-on-Chip Market Report: • A detailed overview of the key players in the Organ-on-Chip market, including relevant data. • Information on product offerings, annual revenue, research and development investments, geographic presence, recent developments, and growth strategies. • Evaluation of market trends and emerging opportunities that could shape future growth in the Organ-on-Chip market. • Regional analysis highlighting the leading markets and their respective market share. • Examination of socio-economic factors influencing market growth in different regions. • Identification of key challenges and risks that may impact the market's development and strategies for mitigation. ✅ Purchase This Research Report and Get 45% Discount with our limited-time offer! https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/promo/buynow/90035 🔑 Highlights and Key Insights of the Report: • Extensive Market Analysis • Strategic Insights • Market Size and Future Growth Forecasts • Key Trends Shaping the Organ-on-Chip Market • Analysis of Key Market Competitors • Understanding Customer Segments and Behavior • Factors Driving and Restricting Market Growth • SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats • Identifying Growth Opportunities in the Organ-on-Chip Market • By Regions and Countries o North America o Europe o Asia-Pacific o South America o Middle East & Africa ✅Purchase This Premium Report Upto 45% Discount at: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/promo/buynow/90035 💬 Key Questions Answered: 1. What is the market size and CAGR of the Organ-on-Chip Market during the forecast period? 2. How is the growing demand impacting the growth of Organ-on-Chip Market shares? 3. What is the growing demand of the Organ-on-Chip Market during the forecast period? 4. Who are the leading players in the market and what are their market shares? 5. What emerging trends are influencing the Organ-on-Chip market? ⏩ Author of this marketing PR: Priya Pandey is a dynamic and passionate PR writer with over three years of expertise in content writing and proofreading. Holding a bachelor's degree in biotechnology, Priya has a knack for making the content engaging. Her diverse portfolio includes writing contents and documents across different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. Priya's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset in the world of content creation and refinement. ☎️ Contact Us: 533 Airport Boulevard, Suite 400, Burlingame, CA 94010, United States United States of America: +1-206-701-6702 United Kingdom: +44-020-8133-4027 Australia: +61-2-4786-0457 India: +91-848-285-0837 Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com ⏩ About Us: Coherent Market Insights is a global market intelligence and consulting organization that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. We are known for our actionable insights and authentic reports in various domains including aerospace and defense, agriculture, food and beverages, automotive, chemicals and materials, and virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. We create value for clients through our highly reliable and accurate reports. We are also committed in playing a leading role in offering insights in various sectors post-COVID-19 and continue to deliver measurable, sustainable results for our clients. This release was published on openPR.

Gophers football players are preparing to play Wisconsin for Paul Bunyan’s Axe on Friday, but three key pieces peered beyond the blinders to shore up their commitment to Minnesota on Monday. Quarterback Max Brosmer and offensive lineman Quinn Carroll — two sixth-year seniors — said they will play in the Gophers’ to-be-determined bowl game, bucking a growing trend of players skipping postseason games to prepare for shots in the NFL. ADVERTISEMENT Brosmer, a transfer from FCS-level New Hampshire, said he will “definitely” suit up. “It’s another opportunity for us to play as a team,” said Brosmer, who threw for 2,426 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 games this season. “It’s a compilation of what you have worked on all season.” Carroll said he respects higher-level prospects who might opt out and protect their draft stock, but he wants to get back to a “standard” of players not skipping the games. “My goal ever since I came here was to be the leader, be the standard all the time, and I don’t want it to become a standard that we don’t play in the bowl game if we have NFL aspirations,” said Carroll, who has played three seasons at Minnesota after three years at Notre Dame. “Obviously it’s different for guys who are maybe touted a little bit higher or think it will be better off for them to start working on the next step, whether that is combine training or what have you. But that is one opportunity that I’m blessed with to play with the guys and I’m going to take full advantage of it.” Left tackle Aireontae Ersery is a prime candidate of a Gophers player who might want to safeguard a higher draft stock and limit injury exposure by sitting out the bowl game. The possible first- or second-round pick has not said what he might do. For example, former U center, John Michael Schmitz opted out of the Pinstripe Bowl in 2022; he was drafted in the second round by the New York Giants. Meanwhile, Gophers fifth-year defensive lineman Jalen Logan-Redding said he will return to Minnesota for 2025, instead of trying his luck in the NFL. “Coming back next year is definitely going to be the best for me and being able to maximize all my opportunities and exhaust eligibility,” Logan-Redding said. Logan-Redding said he talked with fellow D-lineman Deven Eastern, who has one more year remaining, about pairing up in 2025. ADVERTISEMENT “We talk a lot about it,” Logan-Redding said. “... We are excited for it, honestly. Not only continuing to build the D-line, but just continuing to build on the experience that we already have. We’ve seen the amount of destruction that we can create when we are focused. Me, Dev and, of course, (Anthony Smith). He would be pissed if I didn’t shout him out.” Smith, who has two more years of eligibility, has been one of the U’s best players in the last month. He has 23 total pressures and five sacks, including one sack in each of the last three weeks. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .

No. 22 Syracuse looking for 10 wins in 1st year under Fran Brown against depleted Washington State

The Tehran Conference: a lingering wound on Iranian sovereignty

Video shows mom spitting on infant, putting dish soap in their mouth, Ohio cops say

None

New French government named after previous one collapsed in budget fightPolitical pundits, media anchors, and celebrities might have been surprised by the results of the election, but I wasn't. I've been speaking with manufacturers, innovators, small business owners, and families in Kansas and across the country and they all had the same message: We need to change the economic trajectory of our country. I couldn't agree more—and tax reform that unlocks innovation is how we do that. Now that the stage has been set for 2025, it's time to take action. Tax reform is an issue that all Americans, regardless of their party affiliation, can get behind. The average taxpayer in the Fourth District of Kansas—my district—would see a 27 percent tax hike if provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are allowed to expire. That equates to the average Kansas family seeing their taxes increase by more than $2,200. After years of elevated inflation no American can afford this extra expense. The expiration of TCJA's business provisions would also hurt families and individuals. Without these provisions, one of which allows immediate expensing for research and development (R&D), businesses—small and large alike—will face increased costs, which ultimately leads to higher costs for consumers. In my district alone, more than 46,900 small businesses would face a 43.4 percent tax rate increase if the 199A Small Business Deduction expires. Failing to renew these provisions would be a mistake. The data confirm the success of TCJA, including its business provisions. Before TCJA, foreign-owned businesses were buying up American businesses using a process called inversion. There has not been a single corporate inversion since TCJA was implemented, and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently reported FY24 corporate receipts of $529 billion. This far exceeds CBO's post-TCJA projection of $421 billion in corporate receipts. All of this means more tax revenue in the U.S. treasury, more jobs in the United States, and more homegrown innovation. And keeping innovation in our country is critical. We are competing globally for innovation, R&D dollars, and jobs. If we don't renew and expand our critical innovation policies, then jobs, manufacturing facilities, and cutting-edge technologies will grow elsewhere. This is why Republicans and Democrats agree that we need a tax code that encourages U.S. innovation, and it is why my bill to restore R&D expensing is one of the most bipartisan cosponsored bills in Congress . My home state of Kansas is bustling with innovation, including breakthroughs to advance defense and aerospace technology, biotechnology, chips and semiconductors, and biofuels and carbon-capture technology. But the companies making these advances are hampered by bad policies, like R&D amortization, that affect more than just businesses; they affect workers as well. Three-quarters of research and development spending goes toward wages and salaries, making R&D amortization not just an investment, tax, and intellectual property issue, but also an important jobs issue. TCJA helped reinvigorate the U.S. tax code and make it more competitive, resulting in hundreds of billions of dollars in new royalties from U.S. intellectual property. These new royalties contributed tax revenue to the U.S. treasury and led to the creation of new American jobs. By preserving, protecting, and improving TCJA next year, we can reignite this same kind of growth. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the chair of its U.S. Innovation Tax Team, I've spent countless hours traveling around my district—and around the country—to hear directly from workers, business owners, and manufacturers to understand how TCJA helped them and how they would be negatively affected if its provisions expired. A clear, consistent message has come through: America needs a common-sense, consistent tax code that encourages growth and doesn't penalize our workers and family businesses. The House of Representatives has already shown that it is possible to find consensus on this sort of common-sense, pro-growth policy by passing the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act in January. Not only did this legislation pass, but it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 357-70, a rare feat these days. Congress and the American people have an appetite for sensible tax reform that will boost the economy and allow Americans to keep more money in their pockets. It's our job now to come together and deliver it. Ron Estes, one of only a handful of engineers in Congress, worked in the aerospace, energy and manufacturing sectors before representing Kansas' Fourth Congressional District since 2017. He is a fifth-generation Kansan, former state treasurer, and serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, Budget Committee, and Education and the Workforce Committee. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.

LG Energy Solution Hosts 'Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025' to Foster Breakthrough Battery Technologies

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Scrim, a 17-pound mutt that's mostly terrier, has become a folk hero, inspiring tattoos, T-shirts and even a ballad as he eludes capture from the posse of volunteers. And like any antihero, Scrim has a backstory: Rescued from semi-feral life at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, the dog broke loose in April and scurried around the city until he was cornered in October and brought to a new home. Weeks later, he'd had enough. Scrim leaped out of a second-story window, a desperate act recorded in a now-viral video. Since then, despite a stream of daily sightings, he's roamed free. The dog’s fans include Myra and Steve Foster, who wrote “Ode to Scrim” to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit, “I’m a Travelin’ Man.” Leading the recapture effort is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former information technology professional. She lost everything — home, car, possessions — in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in the aftermath, found her calling rescuing pets. “I was like, ‘This is what I should be doing,’” Cheramie said. “I was born to rescue.” She launched Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that now averages 600 cat and dog adoptions a year and offers free pet food to anyone who needs it. She helped Scrim find the home he first escaped from. It was Cheramie's window Scrim leaped from in November. She's resumed her relentless mission since then, posting flyers on telephone poles and logging social media updates on his reported whereabouts. She's invested thousands of dollars on wildlife cameras, thermal sensors and other gear. She took a course offered by the San Diego Zoo on the finer points of tranquilizing animals. And she's developed a network of volunteers — the kind of neighbors who are willing to grid-search a city at 3 a.m. People like writer David W. Brown, who manages a crowd-sourced Google Map of all known Scrim sightings. He says the search has galvanized residents from all walks of life to come together. As they search for Scrim, they hand out supplies to people in need. “Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around here and the animals around you,” Brown said. And neighbors like Tammy Murray, who had to close her furniture store and lost her father to Parkinson's disease. This search, she says, got her mojo back. “Literally, for months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said Murray, 53. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis with him.” Murray drives the Zeus' Rescues' van towards reported Scrim sightings. She also handles a tactical net launcher, which looks like an oversized flashlight and once misfired, shattering the van's window as Scrim sped away. After realizing Scrim had come to recognize the sound of the van's diesel engine, Murray switched to a Vespa scooter, for stealth. Near-misses have been tantalizing. The search party spotted Scrim napping beneath an elevated house, and wrapped construction netting around the perimeter, but an over-eager volunteer broke ranks and dashed forward, leaving an opening Scrim slipped through. Scrim's repeated escapades have prompted near-daily local media coverage and a devoted online following. Cheramie can relate. “We’re all running from something or to something. He's doing that too,” she said. Cheramie's team dreams of placing the pooch in a safe and loving environment. But a social media chorus growing under the hashtag #FreeScrim has other ideas — they say the runaway should be allowed a life of self-determination. The animal rescue volunteers consider that misguided. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free,” Cheramie said. “It’s too dangerous.” Scrim was a mess when Cheramie briefly recaptured him in October, with matted fur, missing teeth and a tattered ear. His trembling body was scraped and bruised, and punctured by multiple projectiles. A vet removed one, but decided against operating to take out a possible bullet. The dog initially appeared content indoors, sitting in Cheramie's lap or napping beside her bed. Then while she was out one day, Scrim chewed through a mesh screen, dropped 13 feet to the ground and squeezed through a gap in the fence, trotting away. Murray said Cheramie's four cats probably spooked him. “I wholeheartedly believe the gangster-ass cats were messing with him,” Murray said. Cheramie thinks they may have gotten territorial. Devastated but undeterred, the pair is reassessing where Scrim might fit best — maybe a secure animal sanctuary with big outdoor spaces where other dogs can keep him company. Somewhere, Murray says, “where he can just breathe and be.” Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96Etienne Charles Knighted In France With Prestigious AwardIn a lengthy speech at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C. think tank, on Tuesday, President Joe Biden forcefully defended his economic legacy and harshly criticized his successor. “Most economists agree the new administration is going to inherit a fairly strong economy, at least at the moment, an economy going through fundamental transformation,” Biden said. “It is my profound hope that the new administration will preserve and build on this progress. Like most great economic developments, this one is neither red nor blue, and America's progress is everyone's progress.” RELATED STORY | What impacts will a Trump presidency have on the economy? The president pointed specifically to record job growth during his tenure and an historically-low unemployment rate, as well as solid GDP performance, major investments in infrastructure and a soaring stock market. Most economists agree Biden’s term in office has coincided with a strong jobs market, and note the economic forecast remains bright – especially when contrasted to that of other peer nations, many of which have struggled to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. And yet, Americans by and large disapprove of Biden’s economic tenure, particularly the high costs of goods and services. Though inflation has fallen some, it remains higher than when the president took office and has become a frequent point of attack for Republicans critical of the Biden administration. RELATED STORY | Wealthier Americans are driving retail spending and powering US economy President-elect Donald Trump’s victory last month served in some was as a repudiation of the president’s so-called “Bidenomics” policies, with most voters telling pollsters they were dissatisfied with the state of the U.S. economy and Biden’s handling of the issue. Since Trump’s election, attitudes towards the economy have improved slightly, particularly among Republicans; according to research from Gallup, just eight percent of Republicans in October viewed economic conditions as getting better, compared to 30% last month. Biden himself seemed to acknowledge some missteps in selling his economic vision to Americans. “I also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden said. “He signed checks for people for $7,400 bucks,” the president noted of the pandemic-era relief measures. Even though Biden approved similar relief efforts during his term, his name never appeared on American’s checks. “I didn't – stupid,” Biden conceded. RELATED STORY | Powell says Fed will likely cut rates cautiously given persistent inflation pressures Seeking to bolster Biden’s economic legacy, the White House on Tuesday launched a new website hailing the “Biden Economy,” featuring statistics about economic performance during his term and complimentary videos from his supporters. Biden’s speach, meanwhile, also served as a warning of sorts to his successor, with the president arguing against tax cuts for the wealthy and the notion that such benefits would “trickle down” to middle class Americans. “You can make as much money as you can, good for you, but everybody's got to be they pay their fair share,” Biden said. Trump has pledged to extend the tax cuts he signed into law in 2017, telling NBC News he intends to submit a tax package to Congress within his first 100 days in office. “They’re coming due and they’re very substantial for people,” Trump said of his 2017 cuts. “That’s what led us to one of the greatest economies ever.” RELATED STORY | Amid corporate layoffs, 36% of workforce turns to gig economy for alternative employment A report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office in December found that failing to extend those tax incentives would have a negligible impact on the economy, though Republicans are expected to pursue them and other business tax breaks after they retake both chambers of Congress next year. Trump has also promised to impose significant tariffs on the import of foreign goods from Mexico, Canada and China – despite economists’ and retailers’ warnings that will drive up consumer prices. Trump in the NBC interview said he couldn’t guarantee the move wouldn’t increase consumer costs, something Biden harshly refuted. “I believe we've proven that approach is a mistake over the past four years,” Biden said. “But we all know in time, we all know in time what will happen.”