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online casino real Gun found on suspect in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO matches shell casings at scene, police say ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — New York City’s police commissioner says the gun found on the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO matches shell casings found at the crime scene. Commissioner Jessica Tisch also said Wednesday that lab results matched suspect Luigi Mangione’s prints to a water bottle and a snack bar wrapper found near the scene of the killing. Police had said earlier that they believed the gunman bought the items at a nearby coffee shop while awaiting his target. Mangione is jailed in Pennsylvania on weapon and forgery charges, but he also has been charged in New York with murder in Brian Thompson's death. His lawyer has noted that Mangione is presumed innocent. Authorities are scrutinizing evidence and the suspect’s experiences with the health care industry. Arguments over whether Luigi Mangione is a 'hero' offer a glimpse into an unusual American moment Memes and online posts in support of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who's charged with killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO, have mushroomed online. Some cast Mangione as a hero. That's too far, says Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a rising Democrat who was almost the Democratic vice presidential nominee this year. CEO Brian Thompson's death touched off off these ripples. They offer a glimpse into how so many different aspects of 21st-century life can be surreally connected, from public violence to politics, from health care to humor, or attempts at it. FBI Director Wray says he intends to resign before Trump takes office in January WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray says he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January. The announcement Wednesday comes a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the position. His impending resignation will bring him three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations. Trump applauded the news Wednesday, saying it will end the weaponization of what he called the “Department of Injustice.” Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell as he's named Time's Person of the Year NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange for the first time and be named Time magazine's Person of the Year. Thursday's events will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who has long seen praise from the business world and media as a sign of success. Four people with knowledge of his plans told The Associated Press that Trump was expected to be on Wall Street on Thursday to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, while a person familiar with the selection confirmed that Trump had been selected as Time's Person of the Year. The Trump and Biden teams insist they're working hand in glove on foreign crises WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t think much of Joe Biden’s foreign policy record. He frequently casts the outgoing Democratic president as a feckless leader who shredded American credibility around the world during his four-year term. But the Trump and Biden national security teams have come to an understanding that they have no choice but to work together as conflicts in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine have left a significant swath of the world on a knife’s edge. It’s fuzzy how much common ground Biden and Trump’s teams have found as they navigate crises that threaten to cause more global upheaval as Trump prepares to settle back into the White House. Syrians flock to morgues looking for loved ones who perished in Assad's prisons DAMASCUS (AP) — Many bodies have been found in Syrian detention centers and prisons since President Bashar al-Assad's government fell. Now Syrians around the world are circulating images of the corpses in hopes that they will see slain loved ones whose fate had been a mystery. At the morgue visited by The Associated Press on Wednesday in Damascus, families flocked to a wall where some of the pictures were pinned in a haunting gallery of the dead. Relatives desperately scanned the images for a recognizable face. Some of the prisoners died just weeks ago. Others perished months earlier. US warns Russia may be ready to use new lethal missile against Ukraine again in 'coming days' WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says Russia could launch its lethal new intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine again soon. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh cited a U.S. intelligence assessment in telling reporters on Wednesday that an attack could come “in the coming days.” She says the U.S. does not consider the Oreshnik missile a game changer on the battlefield. But that Russia is using the weapon to intimidate Ukraine as both sides wrestle for an advantage that will give them leverage in any negotiations to end the war. The Russian Defense Ministry also is warning it may retaliate against Kyiv for an attack on a military base in the Rostov region in southern Russia on Wednesday. Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 33 including children, Palestinian medics say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian medical officials say Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 33 people. One of the strikes hit a home where displaced people were sheltering in the isolated north, killing 19. A separate strike outside nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital killed a woman and her two children, and another strike in central Gaza killed at least seven people. Israel's military says it tries to avoid harming civilians and accuses militants of hiding among them, putting their lives in danger. Local health officials say Israel’s retaliatory offensive after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023 has killed over 44,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Hannah Kobayashi, missing Hawaii woman whose disappearance prompted a massive search, is found safe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Kobayashi has been found safe. That’s according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Kobayashi vanished last month in Los Angeles. The missing Hawaii woman's disappearance prompted a massive search and a missing persons investigation. It was not immediately clear where she was found, but police previously said she had voluntarily crossed the border into Mexico. The LAPD said Wednesday the department will wrap up its investigation. Kobayashi's family reported her missing to law enforcement on Nov. 11 after relatives received “strange and cryptic, just alarming” text messages. Kobayashi’s mother and sister said they are “grateful” she has been found safe. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. But when exactly? ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia scored a major win in its campaign to attract major sports events to the kingdom when it was formally appointed as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. Still, many questions remain about the tournament. Key issues include during which part of the year to stage the tournament, where to play the games, whether alcohol will be allowed at all and how to protect workers rights in the massive construction projects required to host the World Cup.None

President of Ireland leads tributes to former government minister Gemma Hussey

Finding Winners In Biotech, Probably The Riskiest SectorTable of Contents

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown’s troubles connecting on the field have yet to blow into a family feud inside the locker room — honest, both Philadelphia Eagles stars said. Between Hurts and Brown, it’s all good in Philly. “Me and Jalen are good,” Brown said. Added Hurts, “We’re good, we’re good.” So there will be no sit-ups in the driveway, no apologies on the front lawn, and certainly, it seems, no rift between Hurts and his No. 1 receiver. Hurts and Brown each downplayed any hint of a fissure Wednesday between the two after defensive end Brandon Graham appeared this week on a Philadelphia sports radio station and suggested there was friction between the Pro Bowl duo. The two were close friends long before they became teammates and Hurts is the godfather for Brown’s daughter. Graham's comments — in which he noted “ things have changed ,” between the two, without offering specifics — exploded into tabloid and fan fodder this week in Philadelphia. His insinuations that the duo were not on the same page came on the heels of Brown's quote after a sluggish win over Carolina that the “ offense ” wasn’t playing up to standard, even with the Eagles at 11-2. “BG knows he spoke out of place,” Hurts said. Graham, who is sidelined with a triceps injury, clarified his comments later to an ESPN reporter, saying he made the wrong assumption about the relationship between Hurts and Brown and planned to apologize to both players. Brown, with 109 yards receiving combined the last two games, said his beef with the offense wasn't directed at Hurts. It was everything from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's play calling to execution to all the ingredients in a successful offense that make a team a Super Bowl contender. The usually pass-happy Eagles have leaned more on running back Saquon Barkley, who set the franchise season rushing record of 1,623 yards against the Panthers and is chasing Eric Dickerson for the NFL mark. “Obviously, it's not about running the ball,” Brown told reporters. “He's about to win MVP. Clearly. What other things can we do on offense? We have to pass the ball. That can go into protection, that can go into picking up the block, that goes to us getting open quicker. Getting on the same page.” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said he never witnessed any issues between Hurts and Brown and only saw two players who worked hard together, even working on routes after practice and seemed to have a deep personal connection on and off the field. “You guys get to see three hours every Sunday where emotions can play as high as they’re going to play,” Sirianni said. “I get to see these guys every single day, how they go about their business and interact with each other.” Brown, who was coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, wasn't necessarily wrong in his frustration with the recent stagnation of the passing game. Hurts, who signed a contract extension ahead of the 2023 season that was worth $179.3 million guaranteed , has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in three straight games. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith — who also complained Sunday about the offense — was also coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons but has yet to break 100 yards in a game this season. Brown has four 100-yard games, well off last season’s run when he topped 100 yards in six straight games and seven times overall. Hurts has been more efficient than explosive this season but has still thrown 12 touchdown passes to just one interception — and rushed for 11 more scores — during the Eagles' nine-game winning streak that has them on the brink of clinching the NFC East. Maybe playing the Steelers on Sunday at home can snap the Eagles out of their offensive malaise. Hurts threw three TD passes to Brown in a 35-13 win in 2022. “Do we all have things to get better at in the passing game? Yeah, I think that’s obvious,” Sirianni said. “I think that’s what we’ve been talking about. We all have things that we’ve got to get better at, coaches, players. But this is why this is the greatest team sport there is. It takes everybody. It takes every single person being together, every single person for the success to happen. It’s just not a one-person thing.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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Meta said it is “99% of the way there” in solving an ongoing social media blackout with its apps. On Wednesday at around 6pm, thousands of social media users in parts of the UK reported an outage with Facebook , Instagram and WhatsApp. The social media giant reported that a “technical issue” had left users unable to access its services. DownDetector, a website that monitors social media outages, says the three cities hit worst by the outage were London , Manchester and Glasgow. Other major cities hit hard by the blackout were Cardiff , Nottingham and Birmingham. By around 10pm on Wednesday, DownDetector UK said there had been 23,445 reports of Facebook outages, 11,466 Instagram outages and 18,646 on WhatsApp across Britain. In an update issued at 10.26pm on X, Meta said the problem was now nearly resolved. A spokesperson said: “Thanks for bearing with us! We’re 99% of the way there – just doing some last checks. “We apologise to those who’ve been affected by the outage.” Other parts of the world affected include Europe, Asia, South America and Australia, according to DownTracker. To find out if your area is affected, visit: downdetector.co.uk/status/facebook/map .Please visit theroxytheater.org for up-to-date screen times. You can also trace your hand on this page and then draw a turkey. Opening Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong and Zara Devlin as Sarah Redmond in "Small Things Like These." Yay! The first Christmas movie of the year! It’s the run-up to the 1985 holiday season in small-town Ireland. A coal merchant discovers that the nearby convent has a sinister secret. Oh no! It’s one of those Christmas movies. Rated PG-13. Cillian Murphy, Emily Watson and Eileen Walsh star in this critically acclaimed adaptation of Claire Keegan’s heartbreaking book. Opening Friday, Nov. 29. It’s gotta be the most screened Christmas movie of all time by this point, but every year we still return to Bob Clark’s classic adaptation of Jean Shepherd’s book “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash.” Looking back at his childhood in the 1940s, Shepherd reflects on his family, schoolmates and the one Christmas present he cannot do without. I hope he doesn’t shoot his eye out. Rated PG. Stars Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon and Darren “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” McGavin. Opening Sunday, Dec. 1. Continuing Ariana Grande in a scene from the film "Wicked." It’s a movie based on a smash-hit play that was based on a bestselling book which itself was based on another beloved book which was also adapted into a movie which has its own series of sequels and remakes. I feel like my brain is defying gravity trying to keep that all straight. Oz’s eponymous Wicked Witch of the West gets an origin story in this big-budget musical that is melting the world of licensed marketing tie-ins. What a world! What a world! Rated PG. Stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Jeff Goldblum. Hugh Grant plays against type in "Heretic," the new A24 horror film. The screenwriters of the first "A Quiet Place" step up to the director’s chair for this new horror film about two missionaries who attempt to convert a reclusive Englishman, only to find themselves in a bloody cat-and-mouse game for survival. Rated R. Stars Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East. Special screenings The Roxy holiday tradition returns! See the farewell performance of the legendary group the Band — as well as generation-defining artists, including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young. What, were Harold Crosby and the Pine Tree Boys unavailable? Rated PG. Directed by the master, Martin Scorsese. Playing Friday, Nov. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 1. It’s the weekend after Thanksgiving, you know what that means! Trash Vault is serving up another classic from the greatest, splatteriest director of all time. Over a decade before he defined an entire genre with his spectacular "Spider-Man" films, director Sam Raimi desperately wanted to make a superhero picture of his own. But when the rights to “The Shadow” slipped through his fingers, Raimi instead made his own original superhero movie, deeply influenced by the grim and gothic horror movies of his youth. When a scientist is blown up by mobsters, he uses his research into prosthetic skin to take his violent revenge. Rated R. Stars Academy Award-nominee Liam Neeson, Academy Award-winner Frances McDormand and Fangoria Chainsaw Award-winner Bruce Campbell as the Final Shemp. Playing Saturday, Nov. 30. Stage on Screen brings the greatest contemporary theatrical performances to the Roxy’s silver screen. This month extraordinary soprano Lise Davidsen steps into the role of Puccini’s volatile diva Floria Tosca for her first time at the Met. Playing Monday, Dec. 2. Join Missoula’s funniest people for a free stand-up show that gives 5 minutes of stage time to both established and new comedians. Sign up for the show starts at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7. Join the fun Tuesday, Dec. 3. Sometimes you look back at a movie and realize that while it might not have been a huge hit, it still left a huge footprint. In this coming-of-age drama, a young man struggles with PTSD while starting at a new high school. His new friendships bring him closer to healing. A snapshot of the era of Tumblr-aesthetic, Out at the Roxy presents this modern cult classic. Rated PG-13. Stars Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and on-screen superhero/off-screen supervillain Ezra Miller. Playing Thursday, Dec. 5. Show times Friday, Nov. 29-Thursday, Dec. 5 Wicked (PG) Fri: 2, 2:30, 5, 8 p.m. Sat: 2, 2:15, 5, 5:15, 8:15 p.m. Sun: 2, 2:30, 5, 8 p.m. Mon-Wed: 5:15, 8:15 p.m. Thu: 4:30, 5, 8 p.m. Heretic (R) Fri-Sun: 5:45, 8 p.m. Mon: 4:45 p.m. Tue: 7:30 p.m. Wed: 5:45, 8 p.m. Thu: 5:15 p.m. Small Things Like These (PG-13) Fri: 3, 5:15, 7:30 p.m. Sat: 3, 5:45 p.m. Sun-Mon: 5:15, 7:30 p.m. Tue: 4:45 p.m. Wed: 5:30, 7:45 p.m. Thu: 5:15, 7:30 p.m. The Last Waltz (PG) Fri: 5:30, 8:15 p.m. Sat: 8 p.m. Sun: 5:30, 8:15 p.m. Darkman (R) Sat: 8 p.m. A Christmas Story (PG) Sun: 3 p.m. Mon-Wed: 5, 7:30 p.m. Met Opera Live: Tosca Mon: 7 p.m. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (PG-13) Thu: 7:30 p.m. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Major analyst unveils stocks forecast for 2025WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he only "escaped death narrowly" after Israel bombed an airport on Thursday in Yemen. The UN health agency's chief said he was boarding a flight at Sanaa's international airport when Israel struck the transportation hub and other targets in Yemen , which Israel says were rebel "military targets." Israel had also hit "military targets" in Yemen the week before after rebel missile fire was launched into Israel. Ancient disease that wiped out 50 million found in Egyptian mummy DNA Man finds mysterious rock that turns out to be rare meteorite worth a fortune Describing the horrific scene to BBC Radio, Tedros said, "We heard a heavy explosion nearby, and then I think repeated. "The sound was so, so loud... So deafening, actually. Still my ear rings. It's already more than 24 hours now. I don't know if it affected my ear. The explosion was so heavy. "It was the departure lounge next to us that was hit, and later on the control tower. It was very chaotic. People were in disarray and running everywhere and no shelter: we were completely exposed. "It's a matter of luck. Otherwise, if the missile deviated just slightly, it could have been on our heads... my colleague actually said after all that, we escaped death narrowly." Four people were killed and 20 were wounded in the attack, according to Houthi Deputy Transport Minister Yahya al-Sayani. Tedros was visiting Yemen in hopes of negotiating the release of arrested UN staff and analyzing the humanitarian conditions of the war-torn country. DON'T MISS... American fighter jet downed over Yemen due to 'confusing' attack by rebels Mass explosions next to Red Sea as Houthi rebels ignite bombs near huge ship Russia and Houthi rebels join forces as attacks explode in Red Sea He thanked his colleagues and airport staff on social media for their efforts in guiding him to safety into Jordan after the "very dangerous attack." "My heart goes out to our colleagues on the front lines and the civilians who face such danger every day," he wrote.Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault chargeApple reveals new AI chip building partner, and it isn't Amazon - TheStreet

Former Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic, who came from a famous northeast Minneapolis family and led the DFL Party through the landmark 2023 session, has died from the ovarian cancer that forced her to step away from her leadership role earlier this year. Dziedzic, 62, died Friday in a Minneapolis assisted-living facility where she had been staying since early summer, according to a family member. Until the past week, she was in regular contact with colleagues and working on bills for the 2025 legislative session even though her treatment had kept her physically away from the State Capitol throughout 2024. For much of her career, Dziedzic worked behind the scenes on behalf of other candidates and as a staffer for officials. She was elected to the state Senate in 2012, and ten years later became leader of the Senate DFL caucus shortly after their surprising electoral gains that gave the party a 34-33 advantage in the Senate. When she was elected to lead the caucus in November 2022, Dziedzic had not so much as chaired her own committee. But she worked tirelessly, aided by a deep understanding of policy issues ranging from the state’s complicated tax code to professional sports and health care. During her first month as majority leader in early 2023, she announced her cancer diagnosis. She underwent a hysterectomy and had her spleen and appendix removed in March 2023. As Dziedzic faced treatment, she worked remotely and never missed a vote as she led her caucus through a highly productive session for the DFL. The long list of progressive bills passed included restoring voting rights to felons upon release from incarceration, protecting reproductive rights, paid family leave and free meals for school children regardless of ability to pay. She also personally sponsored a bill to ensure that cancer patients would have their wigs covered by insurance if they lost their hair. That law will take effect next week. Dziedzic returned to the Capitol before the end of the 2023 session, and walked down the Capitol steps with DFL Speaker Melissa Hortman, Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for a celebration of their work . In November 2023, a screening showed Dziedzic to be free of the cancer. But the disease returned three months later, and she informed her DFL colleagues at an online meeting in early February that she needed to step down from leadership to focus on her treatment . She never returned to the Capitol, though she did continue to vote and participate in committee meetings throughout the session. Dziedzic (prounced DEED- zick ) came to the Senate with a lifetime of political connections and policy knowledge that she learned in part from her parents: Walt Dziedzic, a former police officer, Minneapolis City Council and Park Board member, and her mother, Pat Dziedzic, who survives her. Walt Dziedzic, himself a northeast Minneapolis civic legend, died in 2018 at age 84 . Former Sen. Jeff Hayden, another Minneapolis DFLer and former senator, said Dziedzic was a good friend who loved Minneapolis and was an expert on multiple issues. “She was probably one of the most well-respected leaders in Senate history,” Hayden said, adding that she was an even-keeled politician and an expert on multiple issues. “She led without ego,” he said. “I’m just heartbroken.” Arrangements are pending. Beside her mother, Dziedzic is survived by her sisters, Anne Kelling of Waldorf, Minn., and Kelly, of Stillwater, and her brothers, Stephen, of Minneapolis, Timothy, of Stillwater, and Joe, of Roseville.Ghanaians have overwhelmingly voted for President-Elect John Dramani Mahama, entrusting him with the critical task of fixing the country’s ailing economy and restoring confidence in the business community. Many believe this is not just a political mandate but a divine calling for him to make a significant impact on Ghana’s future. However, achieving this vision will require the support of individuals with integrity, competence, and a genuine commitment to national service. One key issue that has sparked concern among party insiders and the public is the alleged conduct and ambitions of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam. Reports indicate that Dr. Forson harbored ambitions of becoming the running mate to Mr. Mahama during the 2024 elections. Allegedly, this ambition led him to undermine the contributions of Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, accusing her of not adding value to the 2020 ticket and disrespecting her during the Assin North by-election. The allegations do not end there. It is rumored that Dr. Forson’s ultimate goal is to become Finance Minister under President Mahama’s administration. This position, according to sources, would allegedly be used to amass personal wealth ahead of a potential bid to become the party’s flagbearer after John Mahama’s tenure. Such ambitions, if true, could tarnish the hard-earned reputation of the President-Elect and derail efforts to rebuild the economy. Concerns about Dr. Forson’s suitability for the role are further fuelled by questions surrounding his financial history. In 2007, before becoming an MP, Dr. Forson reportedly filed for bankruptcy. Today, his wealth raises questions about its sources, with some asking whether this transformation has come at the expense of the nation. There are also longstanding allegations of incompetence and corruption associated with Dr. Forson. Many believe that his appointment as Finance Minister could undermine public and investor confidence in Ghana’s economic governance. The business community, whose trust is vital to Ghana’s economic recovery, may hesitate to engage with a ministry led by someone perceived as controversial. Ato Forson is incompetent and has academic credibility issues which must be questioned. The qualifications he listed include; MSc. Taxation (Tax and Public Policy) 2020; PhD (Finance) 2020. Additionally, Forson’s academic achievements have drawn skepticism. Between 2018 and 2020, he reportedly obtained Chartered Accountant certification, an MSc in Taxation, and a PhD in Finance. Observers question how he managed to balance these pursuits alongside his duties as an MP and businessman, raising doubts about their authenticity. The stakes are high as President-Elect Mahama prepares to form his government. Ghanaians are looking to him to deliver on his promise of restoring hope and reviving the economy. To achieve this, the Finance Ministry must be entrusted to an individual who is not only competent but also respected and beyond reproach. The choice of leadership will send a strong signal to both Ghanaians and the international community about the seriousness of this administration’s commitment to accountability and progress. It is crucial that the President-Elect remains vigilant and ensures that all appointments reflect the expectations of the people. Ghanaians have placed their faith in him to lead a government of integrity, and the right team will be essential to realizing this vision. By Sani MohammedRALEIGH, N.C. — The State Board of Elections on Wednesday voted mostly along party lines to dismiss Republican Jefferson Griffin’s challenge of over 60,000 ballots cast in the North Carolina Supreme Court election. Griffin, who trails his Democratic opponent, Allison Riggs, by over 700 votes, made a variety of legal arguments claiming that ineligible voters were allowed to participate in the election — potentially changing the outcome. The board disagreed, rejecting all of Griffin’s protests. “The idea that someone could have been registered to vote, came to vote and then has their vote discarded is anathema to the democratic system and simply cannot be tolerated,” Board Chair Alan Hirsch, a Democrat, said. The board’s Republicans voted against dismissing some of the protests, saying they would’ve preferred to proceed to a further hearing to gather more evidence. After the hearing, Riggs told reporters she was grateful that all lawful votes would be counted. “These are eligible voters,” she said. “My job is now — and will continue to be, because the voters of North Carolina saw fit to keep me in my seat — is to defend the constitutional rights of North Carolinians and to do so with no regard for political ideology, with no regard for political goals or dreams or aspirations.” The chair of the NC GOP, Jason Simmons, blasted the board’s ruling in a statement released after the vote. “Unsurprisingly, the most partisan State Board of Elections in history has once again failed the people of North Carolina,” he said. “The board’s continued efforts to engineer political outcomes for Democrats is shameful. We will review the board’s decision and reserve the right to any future actions to protect the integrity of our elections.” The board’s rulings are the latest development in a race that still does not have an official winner over a month after Election Day. A statewide machine recount and a partial hand recount of the results both affirmed Riggs’ lead, but the board could not declare a winner until hearing Griffin’s protests. Democrats have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to invalidate the protests, arguing that they could disenfranchise valid voters. Now, the protests could head to state court. State law allows Griffin to appeal the board’s rejection to Wake County Superior Court. From there, the case could work its way all the way up to the Supreme Court itself. The board also rejected election protests filed by several Republicans who lost legislative races. That included Granville County Rep. Frank Sossamon, whose loss to Democrat Bryan Cohn was decisive in breaking the GOP’s veto-proof supermajority in the General Assembly. Most of the board’s votes split 3-2 along party lines. Griffin had requested that a Democratic member of the board, Siobhan Millen, recuse herself from the case because her husband is a partner at the law firm representing Riggs. Hirsch said he concluded that Millen did not have a conflict and would be able to participate in the hearing. He noted in a memo that the law firm had an ethical screen shielding Millen’s husband from any matters relating to Riggs. “Given these circumstances, it would be inappropriate for Member Millen to be removed from consideration of this matter,” Hirsch wrote. State lawmakers approved a new law last month that would shift control of the State Board of Elections to the GOP by stripping incoming Democratic Gov. Josh Stein of his appointment power and transferring it to the newly elected state auditor, Republican Dave Boliek. Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed that bill, but the House is set to vote on overriding his veto on Wednesday. What did Griffin’s protests argue? While some of Griffin’s protests dealing with factual allegations were considered at the local level, the majority of his protests dealt not with specific allegations of fraud — but rather with legal arguments about voter eligibility that have so far been rejected by state and federal courts. The State Board of Elections took jurisdiction over all protests dealing with legal issues and heard arguments from attorneys for Riggs and Griffin at a hearing on Wednesday. Attorneys for Griffin argued that the board misapplied state law and allowed ineligible voters to participate in the election. “We filed these protests because we believe the winners of these elections should be determined by eligible voters and only eligible voters,” Griffin’s attorney, Craig Schauer, told the board. Ray Bennett, Riggs’ lawyer, argued that Griffin’s protests sought to institute new voter requirements after the fact, throwing out legitimate votes in the process. “The election protests here violate a bedrock principle so basic you learn it in elementary school: If you lose, you don’t try to change the rules so you can claim that you won,” he said. The most common reason Griffin challenged voters was his allegation that the voter did not have a driver’s license number or Social Security number attached to their voter registration. In his legal brief filed with the board, Griffin’s lawyer argued that requiring this information was a “decades-old feature of American election law that protects the integrity of our elections.” The Republican National Committee also made this argument in a lawsuit filed this summer which sought to purge 225,000 voters from the rolls. A federal judge appointed by former President Donald Trump rejected part of the RNC’s argument, though the case is still ongoing. Stacy “Four” Eggers, a Republican on the board, called the issue a “self-inflicted wound,” noting that the board had been made aware that its registration form did not clearly indicate to voters that they were required to provide the information. A new form was created last year to make the requirement more clear, but the board did not attempt to collect the information from voters who already registered without providing it. Democrats on the board said this was not a legitimate reason to throw out the votes, especially since all voters still had to show ID in this election. “There’s nothing those individuals could have done — as far as they could tell, they were properly registered,” Hirsch said. Bennett also noted that Griffin’s attorneys had not actually identified any voters on their lists who were ineligible to vote, based on current state law. Strach, one of Griffin’s lawyers, conceded this point, but said it was because the board hadn’t provided sufficient data for their analysis. Griffin also argued that the board should not count votes from adult children of North Carolina residents living abroad who have never resided in the state. A state law passed in 2011 explicitly permits those voters to participate in the state’s elections, but Griffin argued that that law violates the state constitution. The RNC made the same argument earlier this year, but had its lawsuit rejected by a state court. The final protest category before the board on Wednesday argued that votes from military and overseas voters who do not provide voter ID should not be counted. An administrative rule exempts these voters from the ID requirement, but Griffin argued that the rule violates state law. The board’s Republicans joined the Democratic majority to unanimously reject this protest, finding that the rule was binding. An N&O analysis of Griffin’s protests found that Black registered voters were twice as likely to have their votes challenged as white voters. ©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Jaylen Brown talks free-throws, new 741 release, and which Harry Potter house he belongs in

To mark her 100 days in office, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack focused on driving the transformation of Nigeria's civil service, introducing modern technology and strategic policies The newly launched Service-Wise GPT and GOVMail platforms are key components in Mrs. Walson-Jack’s efforts to integrate technology into the civil service for enhanced decision-making and communication To further achieve her aim in the HoS, Walson-Jack, at a dinner for newly promoted directors, emphasized that their promotion marked the beginning of a challenging and fulfilling journey to shape the future of the civil service PAY ATTENTION: Got a Minute? Complete Our Quick Survey About Legit.ng Today! Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements. FCT, Abuja - Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), has clocked 100 days in office following her appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2024. Speaking on Friday, November 22, in Abuja at a Recognition Dinner in honour of newly promoted directors, the HCSF reiterated its critical role in driving the needed Civil Service reforms, especially as it concerns the actualization of President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. Read also CSO raises alarm over increasing GBV cases in Nigeria, sends urgent message to Tinubu's govt Walson-Jack charged the 332 directors that their promotion heralds “the beginning of a more challenging and fulfilling part where your influence and impact will shape the future of our civil service.” PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! In a statement made available to Legit.ng on Monday, November 25, she urged them to rededicate themselves to the principles of good governance, transparency, efficiency and accountability. “As newly promoted directors, you have reached the pinnacle that reflects not just your achievements, but trust and expectation placed upon you by the Federal Civil Service and the nation.” Mrs. Walson-Jack further charged the new directors to let their leadership inspire confidence among their subordinates and stakeholders, imbibing the highest standards of Public Service. “I urge you therefore to embrace this opportunity for growth and development. I will like to inspire you to reach new heights in your career.” The HCSF urged the directors to foster an environment of collaboration, inclusivity and continuous learning, assuring them of her firm support. Read also Nigeria, Brazil sign MoU to boost agribusiness across all 774 local governments Walson-Jack lists her achievements as Head of Service Interestingly, on Thursday, November 21, Walson-Jack unveiled three groundbreaking initiatives aimed at transforming Nigeria’s civil service as part of the activities of her first 100 days in office under the theme “Marching to Greatness: Celebrating 100 Days”. The initiatives which include Service-Wise GPT, an AI-driven assistant designed to enhance decision-making and efficiency among civil servants, GOVMail, a secure email platform for official communication, and the Nigeria Federal Civil Service Online Academy, which offers online courses for skill development. Walson-Jack emphasized that these tools are essential for modernizing the civil service, ensuring that it meets the needs of citizens effectively, and guarantee that the much needed reforms in the civil service are technologically driven. Mrs. Walson-Jack also launched new policies and guidelines aimed at repositioning the civil service. Walson-Jack launches innovative tools for Civil Service Transformation She listed the four transformative policies and guidelines to include: Rewards and Recognition Policy and Guidelines; Incentives and Consequence Management Policy and Guidelines; Mentoring Framework, and the Protocol on the Use of Federal Government Secretariat. Read also Tinubu’s govt, Brazil sign MoU to boost agribusiness in Nigeria Walson-Jack explained that these policies are integral to the Public Service Rules 2021 and the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP-25), with each strategically aligned with the reform pillars outlined in these frameworks to ensure coherence, sustainability, and measurable impact. Legit.ng reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Didi Esther Walson-Jack in July 2024. She took over from the incumbent head of the civil service, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, who retired on August 13, 2024. "19 of 38 directors fail permanent secretary qualifying exam" - HoS Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the federal government's selection process for new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service has seen 19 of 38 candidates fail . A memo signed by Dr Emmanuel Meribole on behalf of the examination committee, and published by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) on Tuesday, November 12, said the exams were written on Monday, November 11, 2024. Read also Togo, Benin certificates: Tinubu's govt reacts as Shehu Sani speaks on alleged massive civil servants sack 19 others, according to a statement from the Office of the HCSF, scaled through this first stage of the assessment, which is a written examination, and will be participating in the second stage. PAY ATTENTION : Legit.ng Needs Your Opinion! 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1. An adorable bookmark book tracker to gamify reading and entice you to finally finish the story on your nightstand. British Book Art is a small business based in the UK that sells the most book art and bookmarks. Promising review: "I'm absolutely obsessed with this bookmark. It's definitely made me more determined to read this year, and it will be a nice keepsake. Will be repurchasing when this one's almost filled." — Mady Taylor Get it from British Book Art on Etsy for $5.34 . 2. A hammered metal gold lunar garland that'll ~eclipse~ all your other bedroom decor as your favorite purchase of all time. You'll be ~over the moon~ when you see how much coziness this adds to your bedroom. Base Roots is a woman-owned small business creating home decor that blends modern and traditional design elements. Promising review: "I'm an incoming freshman this fall, and I bought this to add some personality to my dorm. It has beyond exceeded my expectations! I placed it directly on top of my dorm bed, as shown in the display photos, and am so pleased with how it looks. It fits perfectly with the gray/white color scheme I was going for, and I have received numerous compliments from both my friends and RAs when they visited. I cannot stress enough how much of an 'aesthetic feel' it adds to my dorm." — jhsgf Get it from Base Roots on Amazon for $17.99+ (available in a gold or silver color and a garland style). 3. A couch cooler shaped like a potato plushie — a ~couch potato~ if you will — so you can show up to movie night with everything you need: drinks, snacks, a bottle opener, and a stuffie for cuddling. Get it from Amazon for $23.89 . 4. A mounted brush for satisfying your cat's ceaseless demands for scritches. Just mount it to a corner with the included adhesive strips and watch as your beloved babies leave you for the warm embrace of this gray and white piece of plastic. Promising review: "Both my cats seem to love this inexpensive product. I bought it on a whim, but I am very pleased. Little need for catnip; with some positive attention and gentle encouragement, they started using this groomer and haven't stopped , only when it falls down. Didn't want to use screws and haven't found a lasting adhesive tape that holds up under such constant use. Command strips are on the shopping list." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $5.74 . 5. A pound of cereal marshmallows because your ideal ratio of cereal to marshmallows is 90% marshmallows and 10% cereal. Promising review: "Amazing! I put them in hot chocolate, Rice Krispies treats, other cereals, or just eat then by the handful. Impulse buy that totally worked out. " — Maddison Helsel Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . 6. An ugly cats in Renaissance paintings calendar so you can get a few laughs and feel much, much better about your art skills (not me believing I could be a Renaissance painter!). It'll also probably trigger an urge to scoop up your furry friends and tell them how handsome they are. Shhh, you look nothing like July! (April is...me...100% of the time.) Decor Hardcore is a small business based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Promising review: "My brother, sister, and I decided to buy fun esoteric calendars for each other for Hanukkah. My sister is a huge cat lover, and this made her day. 100 out of 10 would buy again!" — Gwendy7769 Get it from Decor Hardware on Etsy for $26.34+ (available in two sizes; there's also an ugly Renaissance dog paintings version ) 7. An adorable octopus-shaped blackhead remover to exfoliate your skin while pulling out whiteheads, blackheads, and other pore-clogging yuckies. Promising review: "After just two days of use, this adorable little octopus has done wonders for me and smells great, too. Here's how I used it: I wore down the stick just a little to where the texture from the salt is visible, scrubbed around on my face so there was plenty of product, then I used my fingers to gently massage all the gunk away. Rinse, pat dry, and enjoy the softness. Highly recommended for people with sensitive skin like myself. " — LuckLocust Get it from Amazon for $12.50 . 8. A pair of batwings that'll look so ~bloody~ adorable on your shoes. Yep, that's right — these are batwings for your shoes and skates! Halloween might be over, but they're a ~fang-tastic~ accessory for folks who celebrate spooky season 365 days of the year. Wolf Workshop is a UK-based small business run by Pipa and George (the cat) that specializes in handmade leather goods. Promising review: "This is by far one of my favorite things I’ve ever purchased ever. The quality of the wings is phenomenal, and the packaging was so great and thoughtful! I really appreciate the extra touches to it and the freebies!! The seller was very kind, patient, and helpful when I had questions about how the wings would fit my skates. Thank you so much for this experience! Join Waitlist . When will Apple Intelligence be available on my phone? How long it will take to be granted access is unknown. On my iPhone running the developer beta it took a few hours, while others got in after a few minutes. As things have scaled up for the release, wait times could be longer. As one example, when I was running the iOS 18.2 developer beta, which included the new Image Playground app to create Genmoji and AI-generated artwork, I had to wait several weeks before I could start playing with them. With iOS 18.2 now available broadly, it remains to be seen what the waitlist will be like.Arsenal investigate antisemitic posts from account allegedly belonging to kitman - The Guardian

LEDUC COUNTY, ALTA. - Alberta’s government says it will invest up to $50 million to support the creation of a first-in-Canada drilling test site to support technology development in the oil, gas, geothermal and lithium industries. The Alberta Drilling Accelerator is intended to be an open-access, industry-led site where companies can test drilling technologies at deep depths, high temperatures and varying rock types. A location for the hub site has yet to be determined. While no binding contracts have been signed, the province says several companies have expressed strong interest in serving as anchor tenants, including Calgary-based geothermal company Eavor Technologies, Tourmaline Oil Corp. and international oilfield service supermajor Halliburton. The money the province is providing will come from the industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program, which Alberta’s heavy emitters are required to pay into as part of the province’s industrial carbon pricing system. The provincial government says the Alberta Drilling Accelerator could start drilling in 2026. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:TOU)Debt-free holidayIsrael and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire to end nearly 14 months of fighting JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes meanwhile carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. AP finds that a Pentagon-funded study on extremism in the military relied on old data Early this year, Pete Hegseth told a Fox News audience a new, Pentagon-funded study proved that the number of military service members and veterans involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection did not indicate a wider problem in the armed forces. Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick to head the Department of Defense, wasn’t alone. The Wall Street Journal’s opinion page highlighted the same report as evidence that extremists in military communities were “phantoms” created by a “false media narrative.” The X account for Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee posted that the study showed the focus on extremism in the military was a “witch hunt.” But The Associated Press has found that the study relied on old data, misleading analyses and ignored evidence that pointed to the opposite conclusion. Trump's threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for relief DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists and industry officials say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea and an additional 10% tax on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday threatening tariffs on his first day in office could be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. Mexico suggests it would impose its own tariffs to retaliate against any Trump tariffs MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has suggested Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own, after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican goods if the country doesn’t stop the flow of drugs and migrants across the border. Sheinbaum says she is willing to engage in talks on the issues, but said drugs were a U.S. problem. She says "one tariff would be followed by another in response, and so on until we put at risk common businesses,” referring to U.S. automakers that have plants on both sides of the border. After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a required agreement with President Joe Biden’s White House to allow his transition team to coordinate with the existing federal workforce ahead of taking office on Jan. 20. The overdue agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House has issued appeals in both public and private for Trump’s team to sign on. The agreement is a critical step in the process meant to ensure an orderly transfer of power at noon on Jan. 20 and limits the risk that the Trump team could find itself taking control of the massive federal government without being aware of ongoing programs and operations. Brazil’s Bolsonaro participated in a 2022 coup plot, unsealed police report says SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election, according to a Federal Police report that has been unsealed. Brazil’s Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their nearly 900-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Biden proposes Medicare and Medicaid cover costly weight-loss drugs for millions of obese Americans WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. The proposal, which would not be finalized until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, could cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade. It would give millions of people access to weekly injectables that have helped people shed pounds so quickly that some people have labeled them miracle drugs. New rule allows HIV-positive organ transplants People with HIV who need a kidney or liver transplant will be able to receive an organ from a donor with HIV. That's according to a new rule announced Tuesday by U.S. health officials. Previously, such transplants could be done only as part of research studies. The new rule takes effect Wednesday. It's expected to shorten the wait for organs for all, regardless of HIV status, by increasing the pool of available organs. The practice is supported by a decade of research, during which 500 transplants of kidneys and livers from HIV-positive donors have been done in the U.S. Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision. Ukraine says Russian attack sets a new record for the number of drones used KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian air force says Russia launched 188 drones against most regions of Ukraine in a nighttime blitz, describing it as a record number of drones deployed in a single attack. It said Tuesday that most of the drones were intercepted, but apartment buildings and critical infrastructure such as the national power grid were damaged. No casualties were immediately reported in the 17 targeted regions. Russia has been hammering civilian areas of Ukraine with increasingly heavy drone, missile and glide bomb attacks since the middle of the year. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, issued a rare official acknowledgement of its assets being hit on its own soil by U.S.-made longer-range missiles that the U.S. recently authorized Ukraine to use.