spin ph nba

By Evolve Editors Taylor Swift and her beau Travis Kelce recently surprised the latter’s teammate Chris Jones and his girlfriend with gifts on Christmas . Kelce and Jones have played together for the Kansas City Chiefs for eight years now, ever since the defensive tackle was selected by the reigning Super Bowl champions in the 2016 NFL draft. However, their bond seems to extend beyond the field, as evidenced by their recent present exchange. Here’s everything you need to know regarding the wholesome gesture toward Jones showcased by Kelce and Swift. The update came to light after Chris Jones’ partner, Sheawna Weathersby, took to social media to share the gifts sent by Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. In the Instagram Story posted by Weathersby on December 25, fans could see three presents and a Louis Vuitton package lined up against a decorated tree. Alongside the packed items was a personalized note that read, “Merry Christmas from Travis and Taylor.” Weathersby also captioned the story, “So blessed & grateful this holiday season. Thank youuuu, Tay Tay!!!” to show her appreciation for Swift and her partner, as per People . The 14-time Grammy winner and Chris Jones’ girlfriend have often accompanied one another at Kansas City Chiefs matches as they cheer on their respective boyfriends from the stands. Weathersby is also a certified Swiftie and has publicly shared her appreciation for the singer in the past. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have been spreading much joy this festive season. The “Bad Blood” singer recently donated $250,000 to a Kansas City organization that Kelce has contributed to since 2015. She also visited the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Missouri earlier this month and interacted with several patients while signing autographs for the present fans. An account of Swift’s visit has since gone viral on TikTok, extending her popularity among the general public. Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on ComingSoon.net . Evolve Media is a publisher of leading enthusiast destinations. Share articleKYIV, Ukraine — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. escalating the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, representatives of the military-industrial complex and developers of missile systems at the Kremlin in Moscow. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia will launch production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. “We have this system now,” he added. “And this is important.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin’s claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” In this photo taken from a video released Friday, a Russian serviceman operates at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow’s talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick ... there will be consequences,” he said. Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky speaks to journalists Friday during a joint news conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha in Kyiv, Ukraine. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday’s missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He said the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who said it's not the first time such a threat has been received. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. We're all going to die someday. Still, how it happens—and when—can point to a historical moment defined by the scientific advancements and public health programs available at the time to contain disease and prevent accidents. In the early 1900s, America's efforts to improve sanitation, hygiene, and routine vaccinations were still in their infancy. Maternal and infant mortality rates were high, as were contagious diseases that spread between people and animals. Combined with the devastation of two World Wars—and the Spanish Flu pandemic in between—the leading causes of death changed significantly after this period. So, too, did the way we diagnose and control the spread of disease. Starting with reforms as part of Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, massive-scale, federal interventions in the U.S. eventually helped stave off disease transmission. It took comprehensive government programs and the establishment of state and local health agencies to educate the public on preventing disease transmission. Seemingly simple behavioral shifts, such as handwashing, were critical in thwarting the spread of germs, much like discoveries in medicine, such as vaccines, and increased access to deliver them across geographies. Over the course of the 20th century, life expectancy increased by 56% and is estimated to keep increasing slightly, according to an annual summary of vital statistics published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2000. Death Records examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see how the leading causes of death in America have evolved over time and to pinpoint how some major mortality trends have dropped off. According to a report published in the journal Annual Review of Public Health in 2000, pneumonia was the leading cause of death in the early 1900s, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 deaths. By the time World War I ended in 1918, during which people and animals were housed together for long periods, a new virus emerged: the Spanish Flu. Originating in a bird before spreading to humans, the virus killed 10 times as many Americans as the war. Many died of secondary pneumonia after the initial infection. Pneumonia deaths eventually plummeted throughout the century, partly prevented by increased flu vaccine uptake rates in high-risk groups, particularly older people. Per the CDC, tuberculosis was a close second leading cause of death, killing 194 of every 10,000 people in 1900, mainly concentrated in dense urban areas where the infection could more easily spread. Eventually, public health interventions led to drastic declines in mortality from the disease, such as public education, reducing crowded housing, quarantining people with active disease, improving hygiene, and using antibiotics. Once the death rates lagged, so did the public health infrastructure built to control the disease, leading to a resurgence in the mid-1980s. Diarrhea was the third leading cause of death in 1900, surging every summer among children before the impacts of the pathogen died out in 1930. Adopting water filtration, better nutrition, and improved refrigeration were all associated with its decline. In the 1940s and 1950s, polio outbreaks killed or paralyzed upward of half a million people worldwide every year. Even at its peak, polio wasn't a leading cause of death, it was a much-feared one, particularly among parents of young children, some of whom kept them from crowded public places and interacting with other children. By 1955, when Jonah Salk discovered the polio vaccine, the U.S. had ended the "golden age of medicine." During this period, the causes of mortality shifted dramatically as scientists worldwide began to collaborate on infectious disease control, surgical techniques, vaccines, and other drugs. From the 1950s onward, once quick-spreading deadly contagions weren't prematurely killing American residents en masse, scientists also began to understand better how to diagnose and treat these diseases. As a result, Americans were living longer lives and instead succumbing to noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs. The risk of chronic diseases increased with age and, in some cases, was exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer and heart disease shot up across the century, increasing 90-fold from 1900 to 1998, according to CDC data. Following the post-Spanish Flu years, heart disease killed more Americans than any other cause, peaking in the 1960s and contributing to 1 in 3 deaths. Cigarette smoking rates peaked at the same time, a major risk factor for heart disease. Obesity rates also rose, creating another risk factor for heart disease and many types of cancers. This coincides with the introduction of ultra-processed foods into diets, which plays a more significant role in larger waistlines than the increasing predominance of sedentary work and lifestyles. In the early 1970s, deaths from heart disease began to fall as more Americans prevented and managed their risk factors, like quitting smoking or taking blood pressure medicine. However, the disease remains the biggest killer of Americans. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death and rates still indicate an upward trajectory over time. Only a few types of cancer are detected early by screening, and some treatments for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma—the most common type of brain cancer—have also stalled, unable to improve prognosis much over time. In recent years, early-onset cancers, those diagnosed before age 50 or sometimes even earlier, have seen a drastic rise among younger Americans. While highly processed foods and sedentary lifestyles may contribute to rising rates, a spike in cancer rates among otherwise healthy young individuals has baffled some medical professionals. This follows the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. At its peak, high transmission rates made the virus the third leading cause of death in America. It's often compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918, though COVID-19 had a far larger global impact, spurring international collaborations among scientists who developed a vaccine in an unprecedented time. Public policy around issues of safety and access also influences causes of death, particularly—and tragically—among young Americans. Gun control measures in the U.S. are far less stringent than in peer nations; compared to other nations, however, the U.S. leads in gun violence. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (around 2 in 3 are homicides, and 1 in 3 are suicides), and deaths from opioids remain a leading cause of death among younger people. Globally, the leading causes of death mirror differences in social and geographic factors. NCDs are primarily associated with socio-economic status and comprise 7 out of 10 leading causes of death, 85% of those occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. However, one of the best health measures is life expectancy at birth. People in the U.S. have been living longer lives since 2000, except for a slight dip in longevity due to COVID-19. According to the most recent CDC estimates, Americans' life expectancy is 77.5 years on average and is expected to increase slightly in the coming decades. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Death Records and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!spin ph nba 。

UVALDE, Texas (AP) — A Texas judge on Thursday refused to throw out criminal charges accusing the former Uvalde schools police chief of putting children at risk during the slow response to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, while a lawyer for his co-defendant said they want to move the upcoming trial out of the small town where the massacre occurred. At a court hearing in Uvalde, Judge Sid Harle rejected Pete Arredondo's claim that was he improperly charged and that only the shooter was responsible for putting the victims in danger. Nineteen children and two teachers were killed in the shooting on May 24, 2022. Harle also set an Oct. 20, 2025, trial date. An attorney for Arredondo's co-defendant, former Uvalde schools police officer Adrian Gonzales, said he will ask for the trial to be moved out of Uvalde because his client cannot get a fair trial there. Uvalde County is mostly rural with fewer than 25,000 residents about 85 miles (140 kilometers) west of San Antonio. “Everybody knows everybody,” in Uvalde, Gonzales attorney Nico LaHood said. Both former officers attended the hearing. Nearly 400 law enforcement agents rushed to the school but waited more than 70 minutes to confront and kill the gunman in a fourth-grade classroom. Arredondo and Gonzales are the only two officers facing charges — a fact that has raised complaints from some victims' families. Both men have pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of abandoning or endangering a child, each of which carry punishment of up to two years in jail. Gonzales has not asked the judge to dismiss his charges. A federal investigation of the shooting identified Arredondo as the incident commander in charge, although he has argued that state police should have set up a command post outside the school and taken control. Gonzales was among the first officers to arrive on the scene. He was accused of abandoning his training and not confronting the shooter, even after hearing gunshots as he stood in a hallway. Arredondo has said he was scapegoated for the halting police response. The indictment alleges he did not follow his active shooter training and made critical decisions that slowed the police response while the gunman was “hunting” his victims. It alleges that instead of confronting the gunman immediately, Arredondo caused delays by telling officers to evacuate a hallway to wait for a SWAT team, evacuating students from other areas of the building first, and trying to negotiate with the shooter while victims inside the classroom were wounded and dying. Arredondo’s attorneys say the danger that day was not caused by him, but by the shooter. They argued Arredondo was blamed for trying to save the lives of the other children in the building, and have warned that prosecuting him would open many future law enforcement actions to similar charges. “Arredondo did nothing to put those children in the path of a gunman,” said Arredondo attorney Matthew Hefti. Uvalde County prosecutors told the judge Arredondo acted recklessly. “The state has alleged he is absolutely aware of the danger of the children,” said assistant district attorney Bill Turner. Jesse Rizo, the uncle of 9-year-old Jacklyn Cazares who was killed in the shooting, was one of several family members of victims at the hearing. “To me, it’s hurtful and painful to hear Arredondo’s attorneys try to persuade the judge to get the charges dismissed,” Rizo said. He called the wait for a trial exhausting and questioned whether moving the trial would help the defense. “The longer it takes, the longer the agony,” Rizo said. “I think what’s happened in Uvalde ... you’ll probably get a better chance at conviction if it’s moved. To hold their own accountable is going to be very difficult.” The massacre at Robb Elementary was one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history, and the law enforcement response has been widely condemned as a massive failure. Nearly 150 U.S. Border Patrol agents, 91 state police officers, as well and school and city police rushed to the campus. While terrified students and teachers called 911 from inside classrooms, dozens of officers stood in the hallway trying to figure out what to do. More than an hour later, a team of officers breached the classroom and killed the gunman. Within days of the shooting, the focus of the slow response turned on Arredondo, who was described by other responding agencies as the incident commander in charge. Multiple federal and state investigations have laid bare cascading problems in law enforcement training, communication, leadership and technology, and questioned whether officers prioritized their own lives over those of children and teachers. Several victims or their families have filed multiple state and federal lawsuits. Associated Press reporter Jim Vertuno in Austin, Texas, contributed. Lathan 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.Qatar tribune Hanane Djoua Doha At a seminar jointly organised by the Qatar Press Centre and the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies, leading figures from the media, academia, and public service explored how journalism, traditional media, and digital platforms influence societal stability, public awareness, and state security, particularly in the rapidly evolving information age. The discussion was held under the critical ‘The Role of Media in Enhancing National Security’. Opening the discussion, Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed Al Khater, a prominent Qatari writer and sociology expert, emphasised the strong link between journalism and national security. He described journalism as a “complex communication tool that preserves public order and transmits societal values.” Citing historical examples from Lebanon in the 1960s and 1970s, he highlighted how journalism played a critical role in public security and awareness. Khater recalled instances where prominent journalists, such as the Al-Hayat columnist who wrote Speak Your Mind and Move On, and Michel Abu Jawdeh, who penned Al-Nahar’s Briefcase, were targeted due to their outspoken roles in society. These incidents, he argued, demonstrate the power of media to challenge hegemony and maintain public order. Shifting to the Gulf region, Khater praised the resilience of Qatari media during the blockade, where it showcased remarkable strength in countering false narratives. However, he warned that media could also become a tool of misinformation if misused, referencing the role of British outlets in promoting false claims about Iraq’s nuclear weapons, which misled global audiences and paved the way for conflict. Saad Al Rumaihi, chairman of the Qatar Press Centre, discussed the delicate balance between press freedom and societal responsibility. While freedom of expression is essential, he stressed the importance of oversight, particularly in developing countries, to protect the social fabric and ensure stability. “Freedom of the press does not mean the freedom to publish unverified information,” Rumaihi explained. He pointed out that journalists must be accountable for the accuracy of their reports, and in some nations, penalties for spreading false information can include imprisonment. This responsibility, he argued, is fundamental to journalism’s role in safeguarding national security. Rumaihi also addressed the growing challenges facing traditional media. With the rise of smartphones and social media, print newspapers and television have seen a decline in audience engagement. He noted that many major global newspapers have shifted to digital platforms or reduced their print editions, urging local outlets to adapt to these changes to remain relevant. Mubarak Jaham Al Kuwari, a Qatari writer, highlighted the media’s role as a mirror of society, reflecting its concerns and aspirations. He, however, observed a decline in citizen engagement with local media, including newspapers and television, compared to earlier times. He recalled the impact of influential radio programmes such as Good Morning, My Beloved Country and Issues and Opinions, which were once central to public discourse in Qatar. Kuwari emphasised the need to study the reasons behind this decline and work toward restoring local media’s connection with the public. “If the media is not close to the people, it loses its role in enhancing national security,” he remarked. The discussion also focused on the disruptive impact of digital media and cyber armies. Faisal Abdul Hamid Al Mudahka, editor-in-chief of Gulf Times, drew attention to the role of cyber armies in shaping global events. He cited the alleged influence of cyber armies during Donald Trump’s 2016 US presidential election, where fake news campaigns targeted Hillary Clinton and contributed to Trump’s victory. Mudahka also highlighted the involvement of cyber armies in attempts to separate Catalonia from Spain by spreading false information. In Qatar, he noted their role during the blockade, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the FIFA World Cup, where online campaigns sought to distort Qatar’s image internationally. To counter these challenges, Mudahka called for a systematic strategy to analyse such campaigns and develop effective responses. He stressed the importance of empowering Qatar’s digital media sector to combat misinformation and protect national interests. Ambassador Mohammed Ali Al Malki, a former media professional, criticised the rise of unregulated social media influencers who claim to be journalists but harm the reputation of professional journalism. He called for stricter regulations to protect the credibility of the profession and highlighted the need for greater efforts to showcase Qatar’s social and economic advancements on the global stage. Faleh bin Hussein Al Hajri, editor-in-chief of Al-Arab Newspaper, echoed concerns about the negative impact of social media on traditional journalism.While acknowledging the influence of social media, he noted its decline in credibility due to the enforcement of cybercrime laws. Hajri emphasised that journalism is a specialised profession that requires expertise and accountability. He called for stronger collaboration between government entities and the press to ensure accurate and reliable information reaches the public. “When critical issues arise, people turn to professional journalists for clarity,” he said, highlighting the enduring importance of traditional media. Jaber Salem Al Harami, editor-in-chief of Al-Sharq, stressed the need to nurture Qatari professionals in journalism, particularly in opinion writing. He dismissed claims of censorship, pointing out that many Qatari writers continue to contribute valuable perspectives to the media landscape. However, Harami expressed concern over the unregulated nature of social media, which he described as “chaotic.” He emphasised the importance of providing journalists with access to accurate information and fostering stronger collaboration between the press and institutions to ensure transparency and accountability. The seminar highlighted the indispensable role of media in enhancing national security, from preserving public order and exposing corruption to countering misinformation and fostering societal cohesion. The speakers agreed on the need for a free yet responsible press, robust digital media strategies, and stronger collaboration between journalists and government institutions. Copy 24/11/2024 10

President Javier Milei of Argentina announced a new formal alliance with Israel on Thursday, calling it “a bilateral alliance for freedom, democracy, and against terrorism and dictatorships.” The announcement came the same day as the International Criminal Court (ICC) approved warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, over objections from the United States and Argentina as well. Milei, an admirer of Israel and the Jewish faith, slammed his predecessors for their closeness to the Iranian regime, which was responsible for a massive terror attack on the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires in 1994. He pledged to support the fight against terrorism, and to stand up for the values of the West against their enemies. Earlier this year, during a visit to Israel, Milei signed a treaty on social rights with the Israeli government. He also visited Jewish holy sites and the community of Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was decimated by the October 7 terror attack. “We will never forget the inhuman attacks with [which] terrorism punished the Argentine people 30 years ago. And we also do not forget barbarism committed by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7th,” Milei said on Friday. He demanded the unconditional release of 101 remaining hostages held by Hamas, including eight Argentinian citizens. Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of The Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days , available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency , now available on Audible. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak .Marrakech Film Festival bestows Palestinian film 'Happy Holidays' with top award

Thomas “Tom” Winsky

Morrissey throws 67-yard TD pass to Calwise Jr. to lift Eastern Kentucky over North Alabama 21-15

What makes Speke Resort Munyonyo Uganda’s Exclusive Five-Star JewelLucknow: Former Union Public Service Commission member and writer Purushottam Agrawal urged literature lovers not to abandon their wisdom and analytical thinking when reading mythological, philosophical, or historical texts. Speaking at the Koshala Literature Festival held at the Sangeet Natak Akademi on Saturday, Agrawal shared life lessons and insights drawn from the epic Mahabharata. "Be it the Mahabharata, the Bible, Aristotle, or Plato, use your brain while reading; don't get carried away by the thoughts and perspectives of the author," Agrawal advised. He further explained that learning can be divided into two types: positive learning and negative learning. He specifically discussed the stories of Ekalavya and Karna in the Mahabharata, stating that their experiences of injustice should not be repeated in today's world. "What was done to them was wrong, and we should accept that their sacrifices were unjust," he said. Maharashtra Jharkhand Maharashtra Alliance View i Party View Seats: 288 Results Majority: 145 BJP+ 229 MVA 47 OTH 12 Results : 288 / 288 BJP+ WON Jharkhand Alliance View i Party View Seats: 81 Results Majority: 41 INDIA 56 NDA 24 OTH 1 Results : 81 / 81 INDIA WON Source: PValue "Religion and beliefs change with the development of your brain. There was a time when certain things were accepted and never questioned, but in the present scenario, you find them weird and unjust. It's fine to find the past irrelevant or unjust in the present times, as you are no longer living in the Mahabharata era but in the technology era," he added. He emphasised religion's evolving nature, noting that the Mahabharata illustrates how values shift over time and drew attention to the challenges of reinterpreting the Mahabharata today, drawing parallels with the original writing process involving Lord Ganesha and Vyasa, emphasizing how truth was meticulously preserved. Agrawal also highlighted the difficulty of discerning truth, as facts are often overshadowed by individual opinions. He explored the epic's moral dilemmas, questioning whether truth always serves justice, particularly when it impacts others.

How to watch LA Lakers vs. Nuggets NBA game: Time, TV channel, FREE NBA live streamWASHINGTON (AP) — Working-class voters helped Republicans make steady election gains this year and expanded a coalition that increasingly includes rank-and-file union members, a political shift spotlighting one of President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks: a GOP congresswoman, who has drawn labor support, to be his labor secretary. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members, a key part of the Democratic base but gravitating in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. “Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success - Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice Friday night. For decades, labor unions have sided with Democrats and been greeted largely with hostility by Republicans. But with Trump's populist appeal, his working-class base saw a decent share of union rank-and-file voting for Republicans this year, even as major unions, including the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers , endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in the White House race. Trump sat down with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union leadership and members this year, and when he emerged from that meeting, he boasted that a significant chunk of union voters were backing him. Of a possible Teamsters endorsement, he said, “Stranger things have happened.” The Teamsters ultimately declined to endorse either Trump, the former president, or Harris, the vice president, though leader Sean O’Brien had a prominent speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. Kara Deniz, a Teamsters spokesperson, told the Associated Press that O’Brien met with more than a dozen House Republicans this past week to lobby on behalf of Chavez-DeRemer. “Chavez-DeRemer would be an excellent choice for labor secretary and has his backing,” Deniz said. The work of the Labor Department affects workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employers' rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. On Election Day, Trump deepened his support among voters without a college degree after running just slightly ahead of Democrat Joe Biden with noncollege voters in 2020. Trump made modest gains, earning a clear majority of this group, while only about 4 in 10 supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide. Roughly 18% of voters in this year's election were from union households, with Harris winning a majority of the group. But Trump's performance among union members kept him competitive and helped him win key states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Chavez-DeRemer was one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act, which would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The measure would weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Trump's first term saw firmly pro-business policies from his appointees across government, including those on the National Labor Relations Board. Trump, a real estate developer and businessman before winning the presidency, generally has backed policies that would make it harder for workers to unionize. During his recent campaign, Trump criticized union bosses, and at one point suggested that UAW members should not pay their dues. His first administration did expand overtime eligibility rules, but not nearly as much as Democrats wanted, and a Trump-appointed judge has since struck down the Biden administration’s more generous overtime rules. He has stacked his incoming administration with officials who worked on the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” blueprint, which includes a sharp swing away from Biden’s pro-union policies. “Chavez-DeRemer’s record suggests she understands the value of policies that strengthen workers’ rights and economic security,” said Rebecca Dixon, president and CEO of National Employment Law Project, which is backed my many of the country’s major labor unions. “But the Trump administration’s agenda is fundamentally at odds with these principles, threatening to roll back workplace protections, undermine collective bargaining, and prioritize corporate profits over the needs of working people. This is where her true commitment to workers will be tested.” Other union leaders also issued praise, but also sounded a note of caution. “Educators and working families across the nation will be watching ... as she moves through the confirmation process,” the president of the National Education Association, Becky Pringle, said in a statement, “and hope to hear a pledge from her to continue to stand up for workers and students as her record suggests, not blind loyalty to the Project 2025 agenda.” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler welcomed the choice while taking care to note Trump's history of opposing polices that support unions. "It remains to be seen what she will be permitted to do as secretary of labor in an administration with a dramatically anti-worker agenda,” Shuler said.

Starmer to visit Gulf states as he strives to deepen trade tiesWuKong Education Named to the 2025 GSV 150 for Leading the Way in Education Technology