LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen quits a tournament in a dispute over jeans NEW YORK (AP) — The International Chess Federation says top ranked player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition. The federation said Friday that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event. The Norwegian chess grandmaster says he accepted a $200 fine but refused to change his pants out of principle before leaving the competition in New York. The federation said the dress code is designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants. Trailblazing model Dayle Haddon dies from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning NEW HOPE, Pa. (AP) — A trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found 76-year-old Dayle Haddon, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man who was also in the home was hospitalized in critical condition. As a model, Haddon appeared on dozens of magazine coverage in the 1970s and 1980s. She then reentered the industry in the 1990s after landing contracts with cosmetic companies to promote their anti-aging products. 2 Oregon men die from exposure in a forest after they went out to look for Sasquatch STEVENSON, Wash. (AP) — Officials say two Oregon men have died in a Washington state forest after they failed to return from a trip to look for Sasquatch. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says the 59-year-old and 37-year-old appear to have died from exposure. The sheriff's office says it based that conclusion on the weather and their lack of preparedness. Both men were from Portland. They were found in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest northeast of that city. Family reported them missing after they failed to return from a Christmas Eve outing. Sasquatch is a folkloric beast thought by some to roam the forests, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.Roelof Botha sells $14.79 million in Natera stock
Blum: Remembrance Day is a time to honour, not divideFalcons QB Cousins is looking to avoid interceptions, have bounce-back game in Minnesota homecomingJIMMY WHITE has seen it all in five decades as a snooker star. And no disappointment will compare to losing all his six World Championship finals. But at the age of 62 White produced what he called "schoolboy errors" - including a mistake rarely seen in the sport - amid a "devastating" defeat. Even worse, it was a freak fumble that helped Thepchaiya Un-Nooh storm back to blast out the Whirlwind in the Snooker Shoot Out. Exciting Thai star Un-Nooh won the quickfire tournament five years ago. It's a one-frame knockout event lasting a maximum of 10 minutes a match - ideal for his game. The Shoot Out needs speed of thought as well as cueing - meaning you can predict the unpredictable. And so it was in White 's clash with a 39-year-old known for his fast play. Un-Nooh had let in the two-time Major winner after fluffing a follow-up shot to a great pot of the red. But after building well to lead 30-19, White blundered TWICE - with the second error quite bizarre for top-level snooker. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS First he was faced with a touching ball and, as he attempted a safety shot, accidentally pocketed the blue. White then returned to the table to line up what looked a routine red. But he brushed the cue ball before he took the shot - conceding a SECOND foul in rapid succession. If that rendered White red-faced, it also left Un-Nooh perfectly placed. And the younger man duly wrapped up a 75-30 win in front of a sometimes boisterous crowd at Leicester's Mattioli Arena. However, White reckons he's "playing really well" - and is keen to extend his legendary career. The fans' favourite joked to Eurosport: “I’m nearly in my 40s... [(but] I’m enjoying it so I’ll keep playing.”
Chloe Brockett ‘dumps Jack Fincham again’ with brutal Instagram post just weeks after reuniting – and then deletes itNEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new United Nations Universit y (UNU) Hub on Remote-Sensing and Sustainable Innovations for Resilient Urban Systems (R-SIRUS) at The City College of New York was announced at a partnership agreement signing ceremony by CCNY President Vincent Boudreau and Tshilidzi Marwala , the rector of UNU and under-secretary-general of the United Nations. This Hub, in close partnership with the UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), will connect CCNY to UNU's global research and educational efforts, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), international relations, and the advancement of sustainable cities. The first one of its kind in the U.S., the new UNU Hub is the first one in the world that will be focused on remote sensing and the sustainability problems of complex urban systems. It aims to enhance the adaptability of cities worldwide to climate-related challenges, fostering inclusivity and resilience in urban spaces. This Hub will leverage the university's strong legacy in science, technology, and urban innovation to serve as a global model for resilient, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable urban development. The formation of this Hub will enable active partnership between CCNY and UNU-INWEH, which is based in Toronto. "New York City is an ideal location for a hub dedicated to sustainable urban transformation. This collaboration with CCNY represents a powerful commitment to leverage science and technology to make cities more adaptable and resilient," said Marwala. "Our partnership with CCNY will not only benefit the city but will also contribute to global urban sustainability efforts through knowledge sharing and capacity building, particularly benefiting the Global South." The UNU Hub will bring together interdisciplinary experts to work on solutions addressing extreme weather impacts, urban water and energy needs, and social inequalities affecting urban communities. The UNU R-SIRUS Hub will operate with three primary pillars: Research and Development; Education and Capacity Building; and Policy and Advocacy. These pillars aim to bridge scientific innovation and policy-making, providing actionable solutions to pressing urban challenges. "Our college has always been especially sensitive to the obligation of public educational institutions to serve the public interest," said Boudreau. "Over the decades, we have made substantial investments in remote sensing climate change in water and energy systems. This partnership allows us to divest those resources in ways that will be most publicly impactful, and we're thrilled to be doing this work in partnership with UNU." As the academic arm of the United Nations with 13 institutes in 12 countries, Tokyo-based UNU addresses a range of global development challenges through joint research and education. UNU-INWEH works on major sustainability issues that deal with the most pressing water, environmental, and health problems worldwide. UNU-INWEH Director Kaveh Madani emphasized the Hub's potential for global impact. "This initiative reflects UNU's commitment to addressing sustainability challenges," he said. "By combining UNU's global perspective with CCNY's localized expertise, the R-SIRUS Hub will serve as a model for other cities around the world." "City College has unique scientific strengths in remote sensing but what makes it special is its historic contribution to making education affordable, accessible, and inclusive in the United States," he added. "We value this success and will work with our colleagues at CCNY to make knowledge accessible globally," Madani also acknowledged Canada's support of the new partnership as the host government of UNU-INWEH, recognizing the potential for this UNU Hub to act as a catalyst for sustainable solutions to climate-related challenges in urban centers. Ambassador Bob Rae , Canada's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, and the president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), spoke on behalf of his government at the ceremony. "A global climate crisis requires a global response and, in that global response, it's important that we link what is happening globally to what is happening locally," he said. "And I can't think of a better place to do this in the United States than in the city of New York, and there's no place to do it better than at The City College of New York." The Hub at CCNY will have three research clusters: Emerging Technologies for Earth Monitoring and Remote Sensing of Urban Systems; Climate Change Impacts on Health in Underserved Urban Communities; and Energy Innovations for Sustainable Urban Environments. It also offers CCNY students a range of joint M.S. and Ph.D. programs with UNU in addition to opportunities for short training courses, internships, and certified education programs. The Policy, Advocacy, and Outreach pillar of R-SIRUS will work closely with New York City authorities and international stakeholders to develop policies that promote equitable and sustainable urban transformation. The Hub's policy-focused activities will address environmental justice issues in underserved communities, contributing to inclusive urban planning. Led by experts from the Colin Powell School of Civic and Global Leadership, this pillar will focus on translating scientific research into actionable policies that support resilience and sustainability in urban environments globally. Dean Alexander Couzis , and NOAA Chair and Professor Reza Khanbilvardi of the Grove School of Engineering will serve as the executive co-directors of the UNU Hub at CCNY—R-SIRUS. While R-SIRUS's main office will be at the Grove School, the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Center for Worker Education will house a satellite office to maximize reach to working professionals, in addition to researchers and students. About The City College of New York Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment . In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY's annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the "for dollar" return on investment to students, taxpayers and society. At City College, more than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign, ever. The campaign, titled " Doing Remarkable Things Together " seeks to bring the College's Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-united-nations-university-hub-in-us-is-launched-at-ccny-302313211.html SOURCE The City College of New York
Enrollment in North Carolina’s new Medicaid coverage for low-income adults has nearly reached the state’s goal of 600,000 in half of the time initially projected, Gov. Roy Cooper said on Wednesday while celebrating the one-year anniversary of expansion in the state. As of Wednesday, 590,331 people were enrolled in Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, according to the Division of Health Benefits. At the expansion’s start on Dec. 1, 2023, Cooper’s administration had estimated the state would reach 600,000 within two years. Speaking in Greenville with leaders of East Carolina University’s health care system and medical school, Cooper recognized expansion and other health care initiatives advanced during his two terms as governor. Cooper, a Democrat prevented from seeking reelection due to term limits, leaves office at the end of the month. “For the last eight years, we’ve worked hard to lead our state with one health care innovation after another that will leave lasting impacts on generations of North Carolinians to come,” Cooper said in a news release. Since taking office in early 2017, Cooper was a strong advocate for North Carolina accepting through the 2010 federal Affordable Care Act full health benefits coverage for some adults ages 19-64 who earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid. Republicans in charge of the General Assembly opposed the idea for years. As Congress offered states additional financial incentives to participate, the GOP-controlled legislature and Cooper ultimately enacted an expansion law in 2023, making North Carolina one but a few Southern states to date to accept the coverage. The federal government pays 90% of the cost of expansion, with the remainder paid in North Carolina by an increased assessment on hospitals. Nearly 273,000 people, most of whom had been receiving Medicaid for family-planning coverage alone, were covered on the first day of North Carolina enrollment. Over one-third of the expansion enrollees are from rural areas, Cooper’s office said, and expansion recipients in the past year have been able to fill 3.8 million prescriptions and have covered $58 million in dental services. Overall Medicaid enrollment statewide is now at 3 million. Cooper’s office billed the event as the first in a series this month to highlight the departing governor’s accomplishments. The news release mentioned a first-of-its-kind initiative this year that will give almost 100 hospitals higher Medicaid payments if medical debt of low- and middle-income patients is relieved and they implement policies that prevent liabilities for future patients. It also cited $835 million — the result of a Medicaid expansion incentive from Washington — appropriated last year for mental health treatment and resources. Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in Enrollment in North Carolina’s new Medicaid coverage for low-income adults An elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort toMore than 7,000 Jeep vehicles recalled due to rearview camera display issue