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mnl168 download Saquon Barkley is the NFL's version of Shohei Ohtani: Analysis

UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The search for a woman who is believed to have fallen into a sinkhole in western Pennsylvania shifted to a recovery effort after two treacherous days of digging through mud and rock produced no signs of life, authorities said Wednesday. Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson Trooper Steve Limani said during a news conference that authorities no longer believe they will find 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard alive, but the search for her remains continues. “We’ve had no signs of any form of life or anything” to make rescuers think they should “continue to try and push and rush and push the envelope, to be aggressive with the potential of risking harm to other people,” Limani said. He noted oxygen levels below ground were insufficient. Emergency crews and others have tried to locate Pollard for two days. Her relatives reported her missing early Tuesday and her vehicle with her unharmed 5-year-old granddaughter inside was found about two hours later, near the sinkhole above a long closed, crumbling mine. Rescue workers continue to search for Elizabeth Pollard, who is believed to have disappeared in a sinkhole while looking for her cat, Wednesday in Marguerite, Pa. “We feel like we failed,” Limani said of the decision to change the status of the effort from a rescue to a recovery. “It’s tough.” Limani praised the crews who went into the abandoned mine to help remove material in the search for Pollard in the village of Marguerite, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh.. “They would come out of there head to toe covered in mud, exhausted. And while they were getting pulled up, the next group’s getting dropped in. And there was one after the next after the next,” Limani said. Authorities said earlier that the roof of the mine collapsed in several places and was not stable. “We did get, you know, where we wanted, where we thought that she was at. We’ve been to that spot," Pleasant Unity Fire Chief John Bacha, the incident's operations officer, said earlier Wednesday. “What happened at that point, I don’t know, maybe the slurry of mud pushed her one direction. There were several different seams of that mine, shafts that all came together where this happened at.” Searchers used electronic devices and cameras as surface digging continued with the use of heavy equipment, Bacha said. In coming days, they plan to greatly widen the surface hole, with winter weather forecast in the region. Rescue workers search through the night in a sinkhole for Elizabeth Pollard, who disappeared while looking for her cat, Tuesday in Marguerite, Pa. Sinkholes occur in the area because of subsidence from coal mining activity. Rescuers used water to break down and remove clay and dirt from the mine, which has been closed since the 1950s. Crews lowered a pole camera with a sensitive listening device into the hole, but it detected nothing. Another camera lowered into the hole showed what could be a shoe about 30 feet below the surface, Limani said Tuesday. Searchers also deployed drones and thermal imaging equipment to no avail. Pollard's family called police about 1 a.m. Tuesday to say she had not been seen since going out at about 5 p.m. Monday to search for Pepper, her cat. The temperature dropped well below freezing that night. Limani said the searchers met with her family before announcing the shift from rescue to recovery. Pollard's son, Axel Hayes, described her as a happy woman who liked going out to have fun. She and her husband adopted Hayes and his twin brother when they were infants. She used to work at Walmart but recently was not employed. Hayes called Pollard “a great person overall, a great mother” who “never really did anybody wrong.” He said at one point Pollard had about 10 cats. “Every cat that she’s ever come in contact with, she has a close bond with them,” Hayes said. The top of a sinkhole is seen Tuesday in the village of Marguerite, Pa., where rescuers searched for a woman who disappeared. Police said they found Pollard's car parked behind Monday's Union Restaurant in Marguerite, about 20 feet from the sinkhole. Hunters and restaurant workers in the area said they had not noticed the manhole-size opening in the hours before Pollard disappeared, leading rescuers to speculate the sinkhole was new. Pollard lived in a small neighborhood across the street from where her car and granddaughter were found by state police. It's unclear what happened to the cat. In an era of rapid technological advancement and environmental change, American agriculture is undergoing a revolution that reaches far beyond the farm gate. From the food on consumer plates to the economic health of rural communities, the transformation of U.S. farming practices is reshaping the nation's landscape in ways both visible and hidden. LandTrust explores how these changes impact everyone, whether they live in the heartland or the heart of the city. The image of the small family farm, while still a reality for many, is increasingly giving way to larger, more technologically advanced operations. According to the USDA, the number of farms in the U.S. has fallen from 6.8 million in 1935 to about 2 million today, with the average farm size growing from 155 acres to 444 acres. This shift has profound implications for rural communities and the food system as a whole. Despite these changes, diversity in farming practices is on the rise. A landmark study published in Science , involving data from over 2,000 farms across 11 countries, found that diversifying farmland simultaneously delivers environmental and social benefits. This challenges the longstanding idea that practices boosting biodiversity must come at a cost to yields and food security. The adoption of precision agriculture technologies is transforming how farmers manage their land and resources. GPS-guided tractors, drone surveillance, and AI-powered crop management systems are becoming commonplace on many farms. These technologies allow farmers to apply water, fertilizers, and pesticides with pinpoint accuracy, reducing waste and environmental impact while improving yields. However, the digital divide remains a challenge. More than 22% of rural communities lack reliable broadband internet access, hindering the widespread implementation of AI and other advanced technologies in agriculture. While technology offers new opportunities, farmers are also facing significant economic challenges. The USDA's 2024 farm income forecast projects a 4.4% decline in net farm income from 2023, following a sharp 19.5% drop from 2022 to 2023. This financial pressure is compounded by rising production costs and market volatility. Climate variability adds another layer of complexity. Extreme weather events, changing precipitation patterns, and shifting growing seasons are forcing farmers to adapt quickly. These factors could reduce agricultural productivity by up to 25% over the coming decades without significant adaptation measures. But adapting requires additional financial resources, further straining farm profitability. In the face of these challenges, many farmers are turning to diversification as a strategy for resilience and profitability. The Science study mentioned earlier found that farms integrating several diversification methods supported more biodiversity while seeing simultaneous increases in human well-being and food security. Agritourism is one popular diversification strategy. In 2022, 28,600 U.S. farms reported agritourism income, averaging gross revenue of $44,000 from these activities. Activities like farm tours, pick-your-own operations, and seasonal festivals not only provide additional income but also foster a deeper connection between consumers and agriculture. The changing face of agriculture is directly impacting consumers. The rise of farm-to-table and local food movements reflects a growing interest in where our food comes from and how it's produced. If every U.S. household spent just $10 per week on locally grown food, it would generate billions of dollars for local economies. However, the larger challenges in agriculture can also lead to price fluctuations at the grocery store. The USDA's Economic Research Service projects that food-at-home prices will increase between 1.2% and 2.2% in 2024. Looking ahead, several innovations are poised to reshape agriculture: The transformation of American agriculture affects everyone, from the food we eat to the health of our environment and rural communities. Consumers have the power to support sustainable and diverse farming practices through our purchasing decisions. As citizens, they can advocate for policies that support farmers in adopting innovative and sustainable practices. The challenges facing agriculture are complex, but they also present opportunities for innovation and positive change. By understanding and engaging with these issues, everyone can play a part in shaping a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system for the future. This story was produced by LandTrust and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Apple’s US$1 billion investment may be fleeting win for Indonesia

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TikTok's future in the U.S. appeared uncertain on Friday after a federal appeals court rejected a legal challenge to a law that requires the social media platform to cut ties with its China-based parent company or be banned by mid-January. A panel of three judges on The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled unanimously that the law withstood constitutional scrutiny, rebuffing arguments from the two companies that the statute violated their rights and the rights of TikTok users in the U.S. The government has said it wants ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to divest its stakes. But if it doesn't and the platform goes away, it would have a seismic impact on the lives of content creators who rely on the platform for income as well as users who use it for entertainment and connection. Here are some details on the ruling and what could happen next: In their lawsuit, TikTok and ByteDance, which is also a plaintiff in the case, had challenged the law on various fronts, arguing in part that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and was an unconstitutional bill of attainder that unfairly targeted the two companies. But the court sided with attorneys for the Justice Department who said that the government was attempting to address national security concerns and the way in which it chose to do so did not violate the constitution. The Justice Department has argued in court that TikTok poses a national security risk due to its connections to China. Officials say that Chinese authorities can compel ByteDance to hand over information on TikTok's U.S. patrons or use the platform to spread, or suppress, information. However, the U.S. hasn't publicly provided examples of that happening. The appeals court ruling, written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg, said the law was “carefully crafted to deal only with control by a foreign adversary." The judges also rejected the claim that the statute was an unlawful bill of attainder or a taking of property in violation of the Fifth Amendment. Furthermore, Ginsburg wrote the law did not violate the First Amendment because the government is not looking to “suppress content or require a certain mix of content” on TikTok. TikTok and ByteDance are expected to appeal the case to the Supreme Court, but it's unclear whether the court will take up the case. TikTok indicated in a statement on Friday the two companies are preparing to take their case to high court, saying the Supreme Court has “an established historical record of protecting Americans’ right to free speech." "We expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue,” a company spokesperson said. Alan Morrison, a professor at The George Washington University Law School, said he expects the Supreme Court to take up the case because of the novelty of the issues raised in the lawsuit. If that happens, attorneys for the two companies still have to convince the court to grant them an emergency stay that will prevent the government from enforcing the Jan. 19 divestiture deadline stipulated in the law, Morrison said. Such a move could drag out the process until the Justices make a ruling. Tiffany Cianci, a TikTok content creator who has supported the platform, said she was not shocked about the outcome of the court's ruling on Friday because lower courts typically defer to the executive branch on these types of cases. She believes the company will have a stronger case at the Supreme Court. “I believe that the next stages are more likely to produce a victory for TikTokers and for TikTok as a whole,” Cianci said. Another wild card is President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term but said during the recent presidential campaign that he is now against such action . The Trump transition team has not offered details on how Trump plans to carry out his pledge to “save TikTok." But spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement last month that he plans to “deliver” on his campaign promises. After Trump takes office on Jan. 20th, it would fall on his Justice Department to enforce the law and punish any potential violators. Penalties would apply to any app stores that would violate a prohibition on TikTok and to internet hosting services which would be barred from supporting it. Some have speculated that Trump could ask his Justice Department to abstain from enforcing the law. But tech companies like Apple and Google, which offer TikTok's app on their app stores, would then have to trust that the administration would not come after them for any violations. Craig Singleton, senior director of the China program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said enforcement discretion — or executive orders — can not override existing law, leaving Trump with “limited room for unilateral action." There are other things Trump could potentially do. It's possible he could invoke provisions of the law that allow the president to determine whether a sale or a similar transaction frees TikTok from “foreign adversary” control. Another option is to urge Congress to repeal the law. But that too would require support from congressional Republicans who have overwhelmingly supported the prospect of getting TikTok out of the hands of a Chinese company. In a statement issued Friday, Republican Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, said he was “optimistic that President Trump will facilitate an American takeover of TikTok” and allow its continued use in the United States. ByteDance has said it won't sell TikTok . And even if it wanted to, a sale of the proprietary algorithm that powers TikTok is likely to get blocked under Chinese export controls that the country issued in 2020. That means if TikTok is sold without the algorithm, its likely that the buyer would only purchase a shell of the platform that doesn't contain the technology that made the app a cultural powerhouse. Still, some investors, including Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in buying it. This week, a spokesperson for McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, which aims to protect online privacy, said participants in their bid have made informal commitments of more than $20 billion in capital. The spokesperson did not disclose the identity of the participants.On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here . Saquon Barkley has become the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL. There’s no better home run hitter playing football right now. Barkley had touchdown runs of 72 and 70 yards for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 37-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. He now has five runs of 50-plus yards this season and is on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. Barkley’s historic performance against the Rams — his 255 yards set a team record — captivated a national audience and turned him into a fan favorite for the AP NFL MVP award. He’s not the betting favorite, however. Josh Allen has the best odds at plus-150, according to Bet MGM Sportsbook. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is next at plus-250 followed by Barkley at plus-400. Running backs have won the award 18 times, including three-time winner Jim Brown, who was the AP’s first NFL MVP in 1957. Quarterbacks have dominated the award, winning it 45 times. Only three players who weren’t QBs or RBs have been MVP. It takes a special season for a non-QB to win it mainly because the offense goes through the signal caller. Quarterbacks handle the ball every offensive snap, run the show and get the credit when things go well and the blame when it doesn’t. Adrian Peterson was the most recent non-QB to win it when he ran for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012. Playing for a winning team matters, too. Nine of the past 11 winners played for a No. 1 seed with the other two winners on a No. 2 seed. The Vikings earned the sixth seed when Pederson was MVP. Barkley is a major reason why the Eagles (9-2) are leading the NFC East and only trail Detroit (10-1) by one game for the top spot in the conference. Does he have a realistic chance to win the MVP award? Kicker Mark Moseley was the MVP in the strike-shortened 1982 season when he made 20 of 21 field goals and 16 of 19 extra points in nine games for Washington. If voters once selected a kicker, everyone has a chance, especially a game-changer such as Barkley. Defensive tackle Alan Page was the MVP in 1971 and linebacker Lawrence Taylor won it in 1986. Running back Christian McCaffrey finished third in voting last year and wide receiver Justin Jefferson placed fifth in 2022. The Offensive Player of the Year award and Defensive Player of the Year award recognize the best all-around players on both sides of the ball, allowing voters to recognize non-QBs if they choose. Wide receivers and running backs have won the AP OPOY award seven times over the past 11 seasons. McCaffrey was the 2023 winner. The AP’s new voting format introduced in 2022 also gives non-QBs a better opportunity to get MVP recognition. Voter submit their top five picks for each award, with a weighted point system. Previously, voters made one choice for each award. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league vote for MVP and seven other awards. The awards are based on regular-season performance. The Chiefs (10-1) and Bills (9-2) already are in position to lock up postseason berths right after Thanksgiving. Kansas City clinches a playoff berth with a win over Las Vegas on Black Friday and a loss by Miami on Thursday night, or a win plus a loss by Denver on Monday night. Buffalo can wrap up a fifth straight AFC East title with a victory over San Francisco on Sunday and a loss by the Dolphins. It’s not a given that the Dallas Cowboys will be looking for a new head coach after this season. Owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on local radio that Mike McCarthy could end up getting a contract extension. “I don’t think that’s crazy at all. This is a Super Bowl-winning coach. Mike McCarthy has been there and done that. He has great ideas. We got a lot of football left,” Jones said. McCarthy led the Cowboys (4-7) to three straight 12-win seasons, but they went 1-3 in the playoffs and haven’t reached the NFC championship game since winning the Super Bowl 29 years ago. Injuries have contributed to the team’s struggles this season, but Dallas was just 3-5 before Dak Prescott was lost for the rest of the season. The Cowboys upset Washington last week and their next four games are against teams that currently have losing records. If they somehow end up 9-8 or even 8-9, Jones could make a case for keeping McCarthy. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

BERKELEY, Calif. , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bamboo Technology , a mental health technology innovation company, is announcing its participation in Batch 19 of the prestigious UC Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program for startup acceleration. The company's HereHear AI therapist solution will be the key focus of the program, driven by the vision of revolutionizing mental health with AI-powered virtual solutions. To learn more about HereHear, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngU32WgiWf4 "HereHear is here in the US, and I am truly grateful to the Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program for recognizing its potential," noted Lynia Huang , Bamboo Technology's CEO. "As important as mental health has become in recent years, there is a shortage of mental health providers and access to support is low — and HereHear is paving the way for AI to bridge that gap as a first line of defense." A growing case for incorporating AI into mental healthcare With data showing that the US is in a mental health crisis, the CDC recently noted a dire need for public health initiatives that create environments centered around mental health. Specific to the workplace, the Society for Human Resource Management's Employee Mental Health in 2024 Research Series found that 44% of US employees feel burned out at work. The combination of a shortage of mental health providers in the US with the flourishing capabilities of AI builds a strong case for the technology to be deployed in the form of human-guided mental health solutions. HereHear's YangYang: A personalized 3D virtual therapist As organizations seek out ways to empower team members to take better care of their mental health, AI is increasingly emerging as a solution for on-demand, personalized support. Offering a more engaging interaction than chatbots, HereHear's 3D virtual therapist YangYang was launched in January 2024 and offers: YangYang has already been implemented in several therapy clinics and has helped 70% of users improve stress and depression levels by 25% within 3 months. Taking the form of a sheep further distinguishes her — this functions both to provide a 'cute' aspect lending to the warm, healing emotional support she provides, while also helping users who are struggling emotionally to keep in perspective that their interactions are ultimately not with a human. Bringing success in Taiwan to the US market Bamboo Technology's acceptance into the Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program is a major accomplishment as the platform seeks to enter the US market. Batch 19 has only 117 startups out of around 2300 applications, and the program will support HereHear to develop, pilot and launch, as well as to pitch for funding. The company aims to target the app in the human resources space—as a tool for companies to offer staff for on-demand, privacy-first mental health support. Back in Taiwan , the app already has hospitals, mental health clinics, universities, publicly listed companies, and government agencies that use it, similarly spurred by a shortage of mental health workers. About Bamboo Technology Established in November 2018 , the Taipei -based Bamboo Technology is a mental health technology innovation company that focuses on improving public mental health with voice emotion analysis technology. It embraces a belief that a universal, objective, and scientific mental health system can effectively solve the problem of deteriorating mental health in today's society — a core tenet upheld by its many psychologists; social workers; and information management, AI and big data experts. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bamboo-technologys-herehear-virtual-ai-therapist-joins-berkeley-skydeck-ipp-program-302325187.html SOURCE BAMBOO TECHNOLOGY LTD.

Prices in British shops fell less sharply this month, according to a survey from the British Retail Consortium on Tuesday that suggested consumers could face renewed pressure on their spending power. Annual shop price deflation of 0.6% in the 12 months to November followed a 0.8% drop in the 12 months to October, the BRC said. Its measure of shop price inflation dropped between May 2023 and July this year after which it fell further into deflation, until now. “With significant price pressures on the horizon, November’s figures may signal the end of falling inflation,” Helen Dickinson, BRC’s chief executive, said. Official figures last week showed consumer price inflation rose to 2.3% in October, largely reflecting a surge in household energy prices. The Bank of England this month cut interest rates to 4.75% from 5% but said it was likely to move only gradually with further cuts. On Monday, BoE Deputy Governor Clare Lombardelli expressed concern about the risk of stronger price growth than forecast. The BRC’s Dickinson said prices would increase as stores pass on higher staffing costs including in finance minister Rachel Reeves’ budget last month. Reeves on Oct.30 announced a 25 billion-pound ($31.53 billion) rise in social security contributions by employers alongside a 6.7% uplift in the minimum wage. The BRC survey showed food inflation fell to 1.8% from 1.9% in October. Prices of non-food items fell by 1.8%, a less severe drop than October’s 2.1% decrease. A separate survey from British supermarket Asda on Monday said a drop in households’ disposable income and rising inflation could subdue Christmas spending. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Suban Abdulla, Editing by William Schomberg)

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. donors gave $3.6 billion on Tuesday, an increase from the past two years, according to estimates from the nonprofit GivingTuesday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. donors gave $3.6 billion on Tuesday, an increase from the past two years, according to estimates from the nonprofit GivingTuesday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. donors gave $3.6 billion on Tuesday, an increase from the past two years, according to estimates from the nonprofit GivingTuesday. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving, now known as GivingTuesday, has become a major day for nonprofits to fundraise and otherwise engage their supporters each year, since the 92nd St Y in New York started it as a hashtag in 2012. GivingTuesday has since become an independent nonprofit that connects a worldwide network of leaders and organizations who promote giving in their communities. “This just really shows the generosity, the willingness of American citizens to show up, particularly collectively,” said Asha Curran, CEO of the nonprofit GivingTuesday. “We are just seeing the power of collective action and particularly collective giving over and over and over again.” This year, about 18.5 million people donated to nonprofits and another 9.2 million people volunteered, according to GivingTuesday’s estimates. Both the number of donors and the number of volunteers increased by 4% from the group’s 2023 estimates. “For us, it’s not just about the number of dollars,” Curran said. “It’s about the number of people who feel like they have agency over the way their communities progress forward into the future.” The nonprofit GivingTuesday estimates the amount of money and goods donated and the number of participants using data from donor management software companies, donation platforms, payment processors and donor-advised funds. Curran said they are purposely conservative in their calculations. Nonprofits in the U.S. raised $3.1 billion in both 2022 and 2023 on GivingTuesday. That mirrored larger giving trends where the overall amount of donations dropped in 2022 and mostly held steady in 2023 after accounting for inflation. It’s never easy to predict current giving trends but Una Osili, associate dean at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, said there were economic forces pushing in both directions. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “At the very same time, there’s a lot of uncertainty, especially around prices, the cost of living, the supermarket toll that people are expecting continue even though inflation has moderated,” she said. Donating or volunteering with nonprofits aren’t the only ways people participate in their communities. Many give to crowdfunding campaigns, political causes or support people directly in their networks. But tracking charitable donations is one way that researchers use to understand people’s civic engagement. “This country is undeniably in a lot of pain and very divided right now,” Curran said. “And so to have a day that felt as hopeful and as optimistic as yesterday did, I’m sure was not only comforting to me, but to many, many millions of people.” ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. Advertisement AdvertisementThe Matildas are a worldwide phenomenon, the Socceroos have stunned some of the best teams in world football — but have you heard of the Street Socceroos? Watch selected NRL, AFL, SSN games plus every F1 qualifying session and race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. They’re one of the lesser known teams representing Australia, but potentially the most inspiring, made up of eight individuals experiencing homelessness from across the nation. The Street Socceroos compete in the Homeless World Cup, a tournament that sees those sleeping rough wear their country’s colours proudly, shining a light on homelessness. While some are desperate to lift the trophy, for others it’s simply about experiencing an event “like no other” in the hopes it can inspire them to make positive change. This year’s Australian team was made up of eight individuals — Faz, Ibrahim, Abdalla, Faisal, Ron, Malika, Sara and Michael — who travelled to Seoul in South Korea in October. They were picked from the 30 programs across Australia, with around 500 people participating in some lighthearted football that invites people of all ages, backgrounds and situations. Street Socceroos head coach, George Halkias, played a major role in the program’s inception 20 years ago. “We started as a pilot in 2004. We sent our first team ever to Edinburgh in 2005 and then in 2007 we were lucky to get federal government funding to expand across the country,” Halkias said to foxsports.com.au. “So it’s been a sort of long journey to you know from something so small to a network of programs around the country and also participating in that event annually which is pretty special. “It’s been a great sort of team effort by the organisation to grow so exponentially in those two decades.” The Homeless World Cup began in Graz, Austria way back in 2003, and Halkias explained there’s around 60 to 70 thousand individuals involved in similar football programs across the globe. The coach, who has a background in football and psychology, explained that from the Australian system, players from vast walks of life are selected. “So there’s a network of almost 30 programs across Australia... and there’s 400 to 500 people participating each week,” he said. “So we’re really just working with players to make better lifestyle choices. That’s the aim but they also have a great love of sport. “Our participants are aged 16 and up and all genders and yeah, picking a team of eight is not easy. “I also try to make it representative of the different types of people that come to our program. So that’s people who are experiencing homelessness in some form, mental illness disability, long term unemployment. “Some have sought refuge in our country and have been displaced. So we get nominations from all around the country from their local coaches.” Michael, one of this year’s team members, had never played a sport with a round ball before becoming involved in the football community. “Michael is an indigenous man in his 40s who I guess would have experienced homelessness, racism, just a challenging youth,” Halkias said. “That manifested also in homelessness and substance abuse in recent times. He actually slept rough as well on the pitch which we train every week. “But with a range of different community supports he’s been able to get secure housing, and turn up weekly to his program. He sells the Big Issue magazine on the streets of Adelaide. “That’s his way of earning an extra income and he’s been able to face his addiction. He was new to the sport but he wore the green and gold proudly and improved his skills. Malika, meanwhile, got her chance to represent Australia after arriving in the country only “a few years ago” from Afghanistan. “Displaced and I guess homeless because of violence in her homeland,” Halkias explained. “She hadn’t played the game before and got that opportunity in Victoria, she started in our weekly women’s programs in the south east and built her skills and her confidence. “And her interpersonal skills, and that’s the mix of people that we get in our programs which is pretty special.” Australia’s team was littered with players of mixed abilities, but for Halkias, football simply becomes a “constant they can rely on”, with their ability an afterthought to individual growth. “It’s an event like no other, where people come together and compete, go hard when they’re on the pitch, but off the pitch they’ve got to know each other,” Halkias said. So how did they go in South Korea? The tournament began with all teams on a level playing field. Then, after the first handful of games, each nation was given match-ups that would provide a fair contest with teams facing off with equal skill levels. The Street Socceroos came up against footballing heavyweight Brazil, whilst also facing Denmark, Scotland and Ireland. Then their wins came against Cambodia, Sweden and Zimbabwe, being awarded a FIFPRO Fair Play Award on the first day of the competition for their efforts. And it was a hugely positive experience for our representatives, with Halkias explaining: “They get so much support from the crowd over there, other people, their families, their local communities. I think it’s important they realise that people don’t judge them. “Some have made a few mistakes, or copped some kicks in the shins so to speak, but they can overcome them. There’s a lot of people out there to support them as well. “The experience and understanding, it gives them a huge boost... and hope, sometimes when it’s not going your way, things can look forlorn. “So players really have that spring in their step when they come back and then they can start to look forward, start to try new things and build that self esteem.” As for the overall goal of the tournament, it’s to “improve their health and wellbeing, secure housing and make good healthy lifestyle choices”. But for Halkias, one of the most important things for those sleeping rough is to “feel part of the community” they’re living in and to “start contributing”. “Because they’ve shown that when they get an opportunity like this one, they can prove themselves,” Halkias added. Post tournament, those involved sit down and set personal goals to spark an “upward trajectory”. Opportunities for work come in the form of speaking gigs, educating schools and companies about homelessness. Others, like Michael, sell The Big Issue magazine to earn an income, but overall players “move forward in a whole host of ways” according to Halkias. “They get this shot of self esteem and confidence, and we can facilitate some direction to that but it’s ultimately up to them to use that and be empowered by that,” Halkias said. “We also know that overcoming addiction and changing your life takes quite a bit of work. “Sometimes it’s backwards and forwards, but we just try and look at the individual, look at what their strengths are and work towards new goals for them. “Because they’ve shown that when you get the right support, there’s a whole heap of things that they can do... they’ve got the potential to achieve great things as well. “When you wear the green and gold, and you overcome the challenges they have, I think it gives them a huge boost and a level of resilience they can use for the rest of their lives.” Meanwhile, Australia are putting in a bid to host the event in 2026, alongside the Asian Cup and the Olympics. Halkias was involved in the 2008 edition, which was played in Melbourne and said “I can tell you first hand, Australians can get right behind it”. The Big Issue are under no illusions it’s going to be a tough task to get the bid over the line. But should it be played in Australia, it’s sure to spark a conversation. “It’s an event that can motivate and inspire us, cheer us up. Sometimes, life can be a bit serious and bloomy but I think this is uplifting,” Halkias said. “But it can also get us talking about a whole range of things from being more physically active, having more respect for women and gender equality, the importance of support for mental illness and disability. “So it can also have an element of, you know, addressing some social issues. But I think more importantly, it’s a great event that brings people from all over the world. I think the whole community get behind it.”

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 23: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that the present government will not collapse at any cost as this government was formed to end political instability in the country. "We, the two largest parties (Nepali Congress and CPN-UML), in the House of Representatives, enjoy a comfortable majority and there is no need to seek others' support and backup to retain this present government, so the coalition and the government will continue until the general election of 2027," Minister Gurung said. "The formation of the present government led by the largest and second largest party is a kind of rare occurrence in the history of national politics," Minister Gurung, who is also the government spokesperson, said at a press meet organised to make the Cabinet decisions public on Sunday. "There was an urgency and necessity to form the present government having different political ideologies to give the nation a breakthrough in terms of political instability and momentum to the national development projects," Minister Gurung claimed. When there was not a durable government in the past, all the national budgetary plans and programmes, capital expenditure and many more things could not be achieved, he said. "This situation caused a risk of moving the nation into national and financial failure and thus we, the two largest parties, united to form this new government," Minister Gurung said. When a sustainable government could not be formed, the nation's trade deficit also increased, he said. Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting held on December 20 decided to approve the use of 3.45 hectares of national forest land for the construction of the Godawari Multipurpose Stadium in Lalitpur. Similarly, the government has designated Nepal Rastra Bank as the regulatory body to prevent money laundering in the case of loans issued for the purchase of vehicles and the Social Security Fund. For vehicle sale businesses, the Department of Transport Management has been appointed as the regulatory body to prevent money laundering, and for investment companies, the Securities Board of Nepal has been designated, according to the Minister. Additionally, the government has approved the revised terms of reference for the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Likewise, the government promoted Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) Durga Singh and Bharat Bahadur Bohara to the rank of Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) to fill two vacant positions in the Nepal Police. The promoted officers have been assigned to the Nepal Police Headquarters, Human Resource Development Department, and the Nepal Police Headquarters, Provincial Coordination Department. The government has nominated Shriram Subedi from Kaski as the Chairman of the Kanti Children's Hospital Development Committee.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Nico Galette scored 20 points as Youngstown State beat South Carolina Upstate 72-64 on Saturday. Galette also added three steals for the Penguins (8-5). EJ Farmer scored 11 points while shooting 3 for 9 and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line and added six rebounds. Ty Harper shot 3 for 6, including 1 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with nine points. It was the sixth straight win for the Penguins. The Spartans (4-11) were led by Mister Dean, who posted 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Breylin Garcia added 16 points and six rebounds for South Carolina Upstate. Karmani Gregory had nine points, five assists and three steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Dwight Howard's relationship with the Lakers took an unexpected turn when he discovered his former agent had deceived him about a $7 million contract offer in 2020. During a recent episode of his Above the Rim with DH12 podcast, Howard and Lakers owner Jeanie Buss finally cleared the air about his departure. "I wanted to come back. I don't know what had happened," Howard explained, to which Buss replied, "You took an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers." Howard shook his head, revealing a darker truth: "No, I think that we were just told so many different things. I think now, looking back on it, with the situation that I had with my agent, you know, actually getting convicted, being a part of the whole crime—" Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images The agent in question, Charles Briscoe, was convicted of defrauding Howard through an elaborate scheme involving the attempted purchase of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream. Along with businessman Calvin Darden Jr. , Briscoe convinced Howard to invest $7 million in what turned out to be a shell company. The scam involved false promises of partnerships with celebrities like Tyler Perry and Issa Rae, along with companies like Starbucks. Howard only discovered the fraud when he saw on ESPN that someone else had purchased the Dream. "So, like, I don't even know what the truth was, because what I was told was that you guys didn't have an offer for me," Howard told Buss. "Oh no, that's not true," Buss quickly corrected. The timing of Briscoe's deception proved costly for Howard's Lakers future. "It's all about the salary cap and the timing, because we have to get accepted offers when we have the cap space," Buss explained, suggesting Briscoe deliberately let the Lakers' opportunity slip away. The consequences have been severe. Briscoe faces wire fraud charges carrying maximum 20-year sentences, plus aggravated identity theft charges. Meanwhile, Darden received 11-14 years for fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy convictions in January 2024. On October 14th, 2024, Howard shared the podcast clip on social media, writing: "I was so shocked to hear the Lakers had an offer for me but my so called agent told me lies same agent that cost me $7mill man I'm glad me & Jeanie cleared that up I know it's too late but why not..." I was so shocked to hear the Lakers had an offer for me but my so called agent told me lies 😤 same agent that cost me $7mill man I’m glad me & Jeanie cleared that up I know it’s too late but why not... I’m in shape 🤷🏾‍♂️ my former teammate that I went to the finals with is the... pic.twitter.com/nDlcyu29um Related: Dwight Howard Reveals the Truth About Lakers Drama with KobeAs Anupam Mittal celebrates his 49th birthday, the man behind Shaadi.com and a key player in India’s startup boom continues to inspire entrepreneurs across the nation. Born on December 23, 1975, Mittal’s journey from a young visionary to a mentor for future leaders exemplifies the transformative power of innovation and dedication. Pioneer of Digital Matchmaking Mittal’s entrepreneurial journey began in the late 1990s when, as a student at Boston University, he identified a glaring gap in India’s matchmaking industry. In 1997, he launched Shaadi.com, a platform that seamlessly integrated traditional matchmaking customs with modern technology. The platform revolutionised how Indians approached marriage, fostering meaningful connections through user-friendly digital tools. Under Mittal’s leadership, Shaadi.com grew into a household name, continuously evolving to reflect changing societal norms and user expectations. By prioritising user experience and innovation, Mittal redefined the concept of arranged marriages in India. Eye for Opportunities Mittal’s contributions extend far beyond Shaadi.com. His uncanny ability to identify market gaps and develop user-centric solutions has made him a stalwart in the startup ecosystem. From supporting Ola Cabs’ efforts to streamline urban transportation to backing BigBasket in transforming grocery shopping, Mittal’s investments have consistently championed innovative ideas. His early support for ventures like MediBuddy and Sapience highlights his foresight in recognising emerging industry trends. More than just an investor, Mittal plays an active role in nurturing startups, emphasising a customer-first approach to ensure their success. Championing Purpose-Driven Brands Mittal’s brand-building philosophy centres around creating value and fostering strong user relationships. His initiatives consistently prioritise societal impact, supporting projects in healthcare, women’s empowerment, and education. His belief in leveraging business to drive social change underscores his broader vision for entrepreneurship. Guiding Force on Shark Tank India Mittal’s role as a Shark on Shark Tank India has brought his mentorship to the forefront. Beyond financial investments, he offers invaluable guidance to budding entrepreneurs, breaking down complex business strategies into actionable insights. His presence on the show resonates with audiences, reflecting his commitment to empowering young innovators. Through his investments on Shark Tank India, Mittal reaffirms his faith in the potential of India’s startup ecosystem. By nurturing emerging talent, he is shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs and ensuring a robust and dynamic landscape for innovation. As Anupam Mittal marks another year, his journey stands as a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and customer-focused innovation. From transforming the matchmaking industry to mentoring the leaders of tomorrow, Mittal’s contributions have left an indelible mark on India’s entrepreneurial landscape. On his 49th birthday, Mittal’s story continues to inspire countless individuals to dream big and work relentlessly to achieve their goals.Saquon Barkley is the NFL's version of Shohei Ohtani: Analysis

Bamboo Technology's HereHear Virtual AI Therapist Joins Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program

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 unsealed Tuesday. Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country's electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation's electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Lula’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. 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. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Bolsonaro told journalists in Brazil’s capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. Ahead of the 2022 election, Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030 . Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal Police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses . Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Lula from power. Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Lula’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023 and stayed there three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later. ___ Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro Mauricio Savarese And Eléonore Hughes, The Associated Press

The Gunners delivered the statement Champions League victory their manager had demanded to bounce back from a narrow defeat at Inter Milan last time out. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track, lifting them to seventh place with 10 points in the new-look 36-team table. It was Arsenal’s biggest away win in the Champions League since beating Inter by the same scoreline in 2003. “For sure, especially against opposition we played at their home who have not lost a game in 18 months – they have been in top form here – so to play with the level, the determination, the purpose and the fluidity we showed today, I am very pleased,” said Arteta. “The team played with so much courage, because they are so good. When I’m watching them live they are so good! They were all exceptional today. It was a big performance, a big win and we are really happy. “The performance was there a few times when we have played big teams. That’s the level that we have to be able to cope and you have to make it happen, and that creates belief.” A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. The Gunners took the lead after only seven minutes when Martinelli tucked in Jurrien Timber’s cross, and Saka teed up Havertz for a tap-in to double the advantage. Arsenal added a third on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel charging in to head Declan Rice’s corner into the back of the net. To rub salt in the wound, the Brazilian defender mimicked Viktor Gyokeres’ hands-over-his-face goal celebration. That may have wound Sporting up as they came out after the interval meaning business, and they pulled one back after David Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, with Goncalo Inacio netting at the near post from the corner. But when Martin Odegaard’s darting run into the area was halted by Ousmane Diomande’s foul, Saka tucked away the penalty. Substitute Trossard added the fifth with eight minutes remaining, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved. A miserable night for prolific Sporting striker Gyokeres was summed up when his late shot crashed back off the post.

Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire to end nearly 14 months of fighting

LONDON , NEW YORK , and SYDNEY , Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DAZN , a world-leading sports entertainment platform, has today announced an agreement to acquire Foxtel Group (' Foxtel ') from its majority shareholder News Corp and minority shareholder Telstra at an enterprise value of US$2.2 billion , subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition establishes DAZN as a leader in sports entertainment in Australia – a highly attractive sports market – while also expanding DAZN's global footprint and enhancing the group's standing as the global home of sport. The addition of Foxtel to DAZN brings the Group's pro-forma revenues towards US$6 billion and provides the additional content, expertise, and expansion opportunities to accelerate DAZN's growth trajectory. Foxtel is one of Australia's leading media companies, with 4.7 million subscribers, who will benefit from DAZN's extensive portfolio of sports content, platform technology, and global reach. From its beginnings as Australia's original pay-TV innovator, Foxtel has evolved to become a digital and streaming leader in sports and entertainment and the proposed transaction positions Foxtel for continued expansion as a digital-first, streaming-focused business. Foxtel will maintain its local character, led by the CEO, Patrick Delany , and his world-class management team. DAZN, a sports streaming platform with a truly global reach, is committed to growing the global audience for domestic Australian sports across the 200 territories in which it is available. Under the terms of the transaction, News Corp and Telstra will become minority shareholders in DAZN, enabling them to retain an interest in Foxtel. Shay Segev , Chief Executive Officer of DAZN, said: "Australians watch more sport than any other country in the world, which makes this deal an incredibly exciting opportunity for DAZN to enter a key market, marking another step in our long-term strategy to become the global home of sport. Foxtel is a successful business that has undergone a remarkable digital transformation in recent years, and we are confident that our global reach and relentless pursuit of innovation will continue to drive the business forward and ensure long-term success. "We are committed to supporting and investing in Foxtel's television and streaming services, across both sports and entertainment, using our world-leading technology to further enhance the viewing experience for customers. We are also committed to using our global reach to export Australia's most popular sports to new markets around the world, and we will continue to promote women's and under-represented sports. "We're looking forward to working closely with Patrick Delany and his team, as well as News Corp and Telstra as shareholders in DAZN, to realise our ambitious vision for the future of sport entertainment." Siobhan McKenna , the Chairman of Foxtel , said the agreement with DAZN was international recognition of the transformation of Foxtel from an incumbent pay TV operator to a sports and entertainment digital and streaming leader. "Over the last seven years the Foxtel team, with the strong support of News, have achieved an extraordinary turnaround in an intensely competitive environment." Foxtel Group CEO, Patrick Delany , said: "Today's announcement is a natural evolution for the Foxtel Group, having reinvented the company over the past five years as Australia's most dynamic technology-led streaming company. "Kayo and Foxtel provide Australian sports fans with access to the best Australian and international sport and shows, including AFL, NRL and Cricket with 4.7 million subscribers. "We are excited by DAZN's commitment to the Australian market. They are experts in the sports media business and can play a significant role in supporting Foxtel as the business grows its streaming capabilities, bringing a bigger and better service to customers across entertainment, news and sport. They are a perfect match for us as we look toward this next era of growth. "We have been grateful for the support of News Corp while we reimagined the future of Foxtel. In 2019, when we merged Foxtel and Fox Sports we had many people questioning our future. "After launching Kayo later in 2019 and BINGE in 2020, today we are the largest Australian-based streamer of sport and entertainment, we have stabilised our Foxtel base and launched Hubbl to help consumers find all the streamed content they love all in one place. This wouldn't have been possible without the support and encouragement of News Corp." NOTES TO EDITORS About DAZN As a world-leading sports entertainment platform, DAZN streams over 90,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide. DAZN is the home of European football, women's football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, LALIGA, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more including the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN. DAZN partners with leading pay-TV operators, ISPs and Telcos worldwide to maximise sports exposure to a broad audience. Its partners include Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Sky, Movistar, Telenet, Vodafone, and many more. DAZN is a global, privately-owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 3,000 employees. The Group generated $3.2bn in revenue in 2023, having grown its annual revenues by over 50% on average from 2020 to 2023, through diverse revenue streams comprising subscriptions, advertising, sponsorship, and transactional. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit www.dazngroup.com . About Foxtel The Foxtel Group is one of Australia's leading media companies with 4.7 million subscribers. Its businesses include subscription television, streaming, sports production and advertising. The Foxtel Group is owned 65% by News Corp and 35% by Telstra. The Foxtel Group's diversified business includes Fox Sports, Australia's leading sports production company, famous for live sports and shows with the best commentators and personalities. It is also the home of local and global entertainment content and continues to be the partner of choice for the widest range of sports and international content providers based on established, long-term relationships, growing streaming audiences, and position as the largest Australian-based subscription television company. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dazn-advances-global-expansion-with-acquisition-of-foxtel-a-leading-australian-sports-and-entertainment-media-group-302337994.html SOURCE DAZNReport: Iowa CB Jermari Harris opts out of rest of season