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NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction , arguing continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that dismissal is warranted because of the “overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024.” They also cited President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of tax and gun charges . “President Biden asserted that his son was ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,’ and ‘treated differently,’" Trump’s legal team wrote. The Manhattan district attorney, they claimed, engaged in the type of political theater "that President Biden condemned.” Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. Former President Donald Trump walks to make comments to members of the news media May 30 after a jury convicted him of felony crimes for falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York. In their filing Monday, Trump's attorneys dismissed the idea of holding off sentencing until Trump is out of office as a “ridiculous suggestion.” Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. He says they did not and denies wrongdoing. Taking a swipe at Bragg and New York City, as Trump often did throughout the trial, the filing argues that dismissal would also benefit the public by giving him and “the numerous prosecutors assigned to this case a renewed opportunity to put an end to deteriorating conditions in the City and to protect its residents from violent crime.” Clearing Trump, the lawyers added, also would allow him to “to devote all of his energy to protecting the Nation.” The defense filing was signed by Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who represented Trump during the trial and since were selected by the president-elect to fill senior roles at the Justice Department. A dismissal would erase Trump’s historic conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office. Trump takes office Jan. 20. Merchan hasn’t set a timetable for a decision. Merchan could also decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. Prosecutors cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged. Trump pledged to appeal the verdict if the case is not dismissed. He and his lawyers said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work. A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct. Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made during his first term. Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump’s punishments would range from a fine to probation to up to four years in prison — but it’s unlikely he’d spend any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies. Because it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, with Melania Trump and Barron Trump, arrives to speak at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as Melania Trump looks on at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican Presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives with former first lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump at the Palm Beach County Convention Center during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump visits his campaign headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, joined by, from right, Melania Trump and Barron Trump, arrives to speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican Presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives with =former first lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump at the Palm Beach County Convention Center during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump walk after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump walk after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.Young men swung to the right for Trump after a campaign dominated by masculine appeals
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As a judge, Alexander P. Bicket made those around him feel at ease. Whether it was from the bench of his third-floor courtroom with the parties before him or in his chambers, where he regularly welcomed students, interns and young lawyers, he was unassuming. A native of South Africa — with a strong accent even more than 40 years after coming to the United States — Bicket showed a genuine interest in those around him. “He just collected friends and people who cared for him,” said his wife, Susan Bicket. “My life was enriched by it.” Bicket, 68, of Mt. Lebanon, died on Monday at home. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer nearly three years ago and continued to work throughout his treatment. Most people in the Allegheny County Courthouse on Grant Street did not know Bicket, who never smoked, was ill. Bicket. who worked in Common Pleas Court for 13 years, presided over several high-profile cases during his time in the criminal division, including the homicide trial of former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld in 2019, and the 2020 guilty pleas in the rare book thefts from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh . Sense of justice Originally from Cape Town, Bicket attended a private boarding school at the foot of Table Mountain, which overlooks the city, from the age of 6, said his twin brother, Nicholas “Nicky” Bicket. The judge excelled in sports, his brother said, including sailing and riding their pony — until he was thrown off one too many times. As for academics, he excelled there, as well, although his brother was quick to point out Bicket failed his history exams his senior year of high school. That same year, Bicket, a tenor who had performed for years in their school choir, played the role of Major-General in “The Pirates of Penzance.” It was a performance they still talk about, his brother said. After high school graduation in 1973, Bicket was called up to the South African Defence Force for a year, where he primarily served as a junior chef for officers. Afterward, Bicket attended South Africa’s Stellenbosch University. It was there, his brother said, that Bicket developed a deep discomfort with the country’s apartheid regime that discriminated against its nonwhite majority. Bicket grew uncomfortable in the whites-only school. “He was aware that it was patently unfair,” his brother said. “He developed a very strong sense of justice and injustice. “He found racism — institutionalized or not — to be something he abhorred.” They were feelings that continued to guide Bicket, decades later, in his career on the bench. Although Bicket started out in legal studies, friends persuaded him to switch to education. He later earned a teaching degree from the University of Cape Town. Bicket taught in South Africa for two years before following a girlfriend to New York City. There, he earned a master’s degree in psychology from Columbia University before moving with her to Pittsburgh, where she got a job as a doctor. The two eventually broke up. Switching careers Bicket, who needed a job and a visa, went to the Fox Chapel Area School District — wearing flip-flops, cut-off shorts and a T-shirt, according to his wife. He applied to teach Latin and English. “He said, ‘I need to be sponsored for citizenship.’ They said, ‘OK, you’re hired,’ ” Susan Bicket said. He was shocked that they offered him the job, but the high school had been looking to fill the Latin spot for years, his brother said. When school officials saw Latin on his transcripts, they thought Bicket had studied it in college. However, the transcript they’d seen was from his high school studies, his brother said. “He didn’t know any Latin,” he said. Nonetheless, Bicket thrived in the district, working there from 1982 to 1989, and earning an award for teacher of the year. In 1988, he became a U.S. citizen. While working at Fox Chapel, he enrolled in the night law school program at Duquesne University. It was there where he met his future wife, Susan Mosites, who attended the day program. They married in 1991, and their son, Alexander Ian, now 30, was born a few years later. August followed five years after that. Both children live in California now. The family traveled extensively, Susan Bicket said, including frequent trips to England and South Africa. They visited his brother in Cambridge often, and the judge’s favorite part of his visits to London was drinking ale there. “He would step off the plane and look for an old pub,” Nicky Bicket said. He also recalled his brother, in his younger years, taking pint glasses from those same pubs in London to collect them. Bicket loved Bach, but his favorite song was “American Pie” by Don McLean. His favorite place, his wife said, was Pearly Beach on the Cape Whale Coast in South Africa. A judicial temperament After graduating from law school, Bicket joined Zimmer Kunz. He worked in insurance defense for 23 years, including serving as a special master for U.S. District Judge Alan Bloch. In 2011, he ran for and won a seat on the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. “That was his favorite job by a long shot,” his wife said. Bicket spent the first four years in the family division. His parents had been divorced when he was 2, his wife said, so it gave him additional insight and empathy into the difficulties parents and children faced. He moved to the criminal division in 2015. Bicket enjoyed the drama of the courtroom and understanding the psychology behind the people who appeared before him, his wife said. U.S. District Judge Robert Colville knew Bicket for years when they both worked as attorneys, but they became close friends when Bicket was elected to the bench. “He had a keen and intellectual respect for the rule of law, balanced against a sincere and unrelenting compassion for people, simply as fellow human beings deserving of dignity.” Judge Jill E. Rangos was close to Bicket and often popped into his chambers — filled with dozens of photographs of his loved ones and always kept exceedingly warm with a space heater — to chat. He directed his visitors to one of two chairs, and Bicket sat on the couch opposite, propping his feet up on the coffee table in front of him. Rangos called him unpretentious. “He cared more about you and less about telling you about himself,” Rangos said. In an interview soon after Bicket was elected, he was asked what kind of judge he wanted to be. His answer: “‘prepared, courteous, punctual, polite and compassionate.’” “He was all those things and more,” Rangos said. Bicket still dressed like a high school teacher, she recalled, noting he wore a shirt and tie and sweater, but rarely the full suit typical of a judge. Each day before his staff left, Bicket unfailingly thanked them for their work. Bicket enjoyed performing weddings, and just a few weeks before he died, led the ceremony for his secretary and her now-husband, his wife said. He also filled the role of ethics judge in Allegheny County, Rangos said. She and others, including attorneys, went to him with questions on ethical dilemmas, seeking guidance. Lawyers loved to appear in Bicket’s courtroom, Rangos said. “People thought they were treated justly,” she said. “When you talk about a judicial temperament, he was the ideal of that.” Attorney Michael Machen, who became friends with Bicket, agreed. “You were delighted to see he was your judge,” Machen said. In addition to his wife, children and brother, Bicket is also survived by his granddaughter, Artemis; and two nieces. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Slater Funeral Home at 1650 Greentree Road.Krabbe Disease Treatment Market is Set to Grow at a CAGR of 7.86% During the Forecast Period | Lannett, Novartis, Lundbeck, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 11-26-2024 07:13 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: DataM intelligence 4 Market Research LLP Krabbe Disease Treatment Market The Krabbe Disease Treatment Market report by DataM Intelligence provides insights into the latest trends and developments in the market. This report identifies the key growth opportunities in the market and provides recommendations for market participants to capitalize on these opportunities. Overall, the Krabbe Disease Treatment market report is an essential resource for market participants who are looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the market and identify opportunities for growth. Download a Free sample PDF (Use Corporate email ID to Get Higher Priority) at: https://www.datamintelligence.com/download-sample/krabbe-disease-treatment-market Krabbe Disease Treatment Market is growing at a high CAGR 7.86% during the forecast period (2023-2030). Krabbe disease treatment focuses on managing symptoms and slowing disease progression. This may include enzyme replacement therapy, bone marrow transplantation, and supportive care. Key Developments: ❁ In March 2024, Forge Biologics, announced that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), granted Innovation Passport designation to the Company's novel AAV gene therapy program, FBX-101, thus entering the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP). Eventually accelerating regulatory and market access interactions in the UK Competitive Landscape: The section also contains information related to the new product launches, mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, etc., to give a clear understanding about the competitive landscape prevailing in the global market. With an emphasis on strategies there have been several primary developments done by major companies such as Lannett, Novartis, Lundbeck, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc , Mayne Pharma Group Limited, Pfizer Inc., Schwarz Pharma, Inc, Acorda Therapeutics Inc. Get Customization in the report as per your requirements + Exclusive Bundle & Multi-User Discounts: https://www.datamintelligence.com/customize/krabbe-disease-treatment-market Market Segments: The detailed segmentation offered in the report will help customers get a clear idea about the market segments and the factors that will drive segmental growth. The Krabbe Disease Treatment market has been segmented By Disease Type(Infantile, Late-onset), By Diagnosis(Laboratory tests, Imaging tests, Genetic testing, Newborn screening, Others), By Treatment(Anticonvulsant Agents, Muscle Relaxer Drugs, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Stem cell transplantation, Others), By End-User(Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, Clinics, Others)By Distribution Channel(Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies, Others) Research Process: Both primary and secondary data sources have been used in the global Krabbe Disease Treatment Market research report. During the research process, a wide range of industry-affecting factors are examined, including governmental regulations, market conditions, competitive levels, historical data, market situation, technological advancements, upcoming developments, in related businesses, as well as market volatility, prospects, potential barriers, and challenges. Regional Outline for Krabbe Disease Treatment Market: ⇥ North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) ⇥ Europe (U.K., Italy, Germany, Russia, France, Spain, The Netherlands and Rest of Europe) ⇥ Asia-Pacific (India, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia Rest of Asia Pacific) ⇥ South America (Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America) ⇥ Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa) **The full version of the report includes an in-depth analysis of emerging players and startups, which will provide valuable insights into the evolving market landscape and key strategies being adopted** This Report Covers: ✔ Go-to-market Strategy. ✔ Neutral perspective on the market performance. ✔Development trends, competitive landscape analysis, supply side analysis, demand side analysis, year-on-year growth, competitive benchmarking, vendor identification, and other significant analysis, as well as development status. ✔Customized regional/country reports as per request and country level analysis. ✔ Potential & niche segments and regions exhibiting promising growth covered. ✔ Analysis of Market Size (historical and forecast), Total Addressable Market (TAM), Serviceable Available Market (SAM), Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM), Market Growth, Technological Trends, Market Share, Market Dynamics, Competitive Landscape and Major Players (Innovators, Start-ups, Laggard, and Pioneer). Chapter Outline: ⏩ Market Overview: It contains five chapters, as well as information about the research scope, major manufacturers covered, market segments, Krabbe Disease Treatment market segments, study objectives, and years considered. ⏩ Market Landscape: The competition in the Global Krabbe Disease Treatment Market is evaluated here in terms of value, turnover, revenues, and market share by organization, as well as market rate, competitive landscape, and recent developments, transaction, growth, sale, and market shares of top companies. ⏩ Companies Profiles: The global Krabbe Disease Treatment market's leading players are studied based on sales, main products, gross profit margin, revenue, price, and growth production. ⏩ Market Outlook by Region: The report goes through gross margin, sales, income, supply, market share, CAGR, and market size by region in this segment. North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America are among the regions and countries studied in depth in this study. ⏩ Market Segments: It contains the deep research study which interprets how different end-user/application/type segments contribute to the Krabbe Disease Treatment Market. ⏩ Market Forecast: Production Side: In this part of the report, the authors have focused on production and production value forecast, key producers forecast, and production and production value forecast by type. ⏩ Research Findings: This section of the report showcases the findings and analysis of the report. ⏩ Conclusion: This portion of the report is the last section of the report where the conclusion of the research study is provided. Unlock Year-End Savings! Get Up to 30% Off: https://www.datamintelligence.com/buy-now-page?report=krabbe-disease-treatment-market Frequently asked questions: ➠ What is the global sales value, production value, consumption value, import and export of Krabbe Disease Treatment market? ➠ Who are the global key manufacturers of the Krabbe Disease Treatment Industry? How is their operating situation (capacity, production, sales, price, cost, gross, and revenue)? ➠ What are the Krabbe Disease Treatment market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global Krabbe Disease Treatment Industry? ➠ Which application/end-user or product type may seek incremental growth prospects? What is the market share of each type and application? ➠ What focused approach and constraints are holding the Krabbe Disease Treatment market? ➠ What are the different sales, marketing, and distribution channels in the global industry? Contact Us - Company Name: DataM Intelligence Contact Person: Sai Kiran Email: Sai.k@datamintelligence.com Phone: +1 877 441 4866 Website: https://www.datamintelligence.com About Us - DataM Intelligence is a Market Research and Consulting firm that provides end-to-end business solutions to organizations from Research to Consulting. We, at DataM Intelligence, leverage our top trademark trends, insights and developments to emancipate swift and astute solutions to clients like you. We encompass a multitude of syndicate reports and customized reports with a robust methodology. Our research database features countless statistics and in-depth analyses across a wide range of 6300+ reports in 40+ domains creating business solutions for more than 200+ companies across 50+ countries; catering to the key business research needs that influence the growth trajectory of our vast clientele. This release was published on openPR.LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The provincial government's share from quarry operations fees may breach the P300 million mark this year, provincial administrator Melecio Patague II said on Monday. At the distribution of quarry tax share of the different towns and villages in the province here at the Urduja House, Patague said that as of the third quarter of 2024, the province has posted a share of P224.33 million. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.
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NoneThroughout the years I’ve spent gaming on various platforms, I’ve always found myself drawn to the more cozy side of virtual life. Not exclusively, of course, but I always find myself drifting back to slice-of-life experiences when I need some rest and relaxation. 2024 has been one hell of a year for cozy gaming. Not only did we get updates for ever-popular games, but there were also some surprises along the way that took hold and cemented their place in the cozy sphere. In short, it was a good year to be a cozy gaming fan. With 2024 rapidly coming to an end, here are my top 12 cozy titles from the last 12 months ranked from good to incredible, and every single one of them is worth checking out if you want to de-stress and escape from the real world for a little while. 12. Botany Manor As someone who is seemingly incapable of keeping a succulent alive (seriously, I just took a look at it on my shelf and it’s in a sorry state, but I was at the very least reminded to water it), even I can see the appeal and relaxation that comes with honing your horticultural knowledge and raising a selection of plants from seed to flower. Botany Manor allows you to do just that, without the danger of killing any real-life plants. With point-and-click puzzles and a frankly stunning Victorian Manor setting, it’s easy to kill hours of time just wandering around, getting your virtual fingers dirty as you rediscover lost and forgotten magical flora. Unlocking new areas is done through successfully getting a plant to bloom, giving you a much needed sense of accomplishment every time something grows. 11. Little Kitty, Big City There’s something about cats that can make any game feel cozy, although I might be biased as something of a burgeoning crazy cat lady. However, Little Kitty, Big City deserves a place on this list due to the relaxed way in which you play, as long as you’re not trying to speed run through all of the challenges you face along the way. With a myriad of critters to meet and befriend, from the sewer-portal-creating Raccoon, to the duck with questionable parenting skills, Little Kitty, Big City is almost guaranteed to make you smile as you play. Then there’s the art style, which is undeniably cute, and the story of this little house cat who slowly learns how to exist in the outside world. 10. Shashingo Okay look, Shashingo might not seem all that cozy at first glance, but I urge you to hear me out. At its core, Shashingo is a game designed to help you learn Japanese through virtual photography. Armed with only a camera, you wander around a Japanese city center and take photos of the various items and characters you encounter, with the photo coming complete with both spoken and written translations. So yes, while you’re learning as you play, the concept of stretching your legs and just snapping photos of your surroundings is absolutely a relaxing experience. You can add frames, more of which are available to unlock through gacha machines in various locations, and there’s a mode that challenges you to find different objects so you can test your memory. 9. Little-Known Galaxy Little-Known Galaxy is one of what seems like thousands of pixel life sims that are currently available to download and play, but there’s something just different about it. It has everything that you likely expect from a game of its type – farming, friendships, mining, crafting, and decorating to name but a few – but it’s set on a spaceship in the middle of space. You’re not confined to the spaceship though. As you progress, you’ll unlock your own tiny shuttle that can be used to explore planets both near and far to gather more resources that can’t be found elsewhere. The planets are essentially the equivalent of the Mines in other similar games, but every one of them is different, and the exploration potential seems positively endless. 8. Minami Lane Bizarrely, Minami Lane might be the most stress-inducing entry on this list of supposedly stress-free cozy games, and it doesn’t seem like it would be stressful at all from a quick glance. The art style is completely adorable, the characters are sweet, and the concept is addictive in a weird sort of way. However, trying to meet the requirements to pass a level can be infuriating. You need to balance the wants and needs of both old and young residents, both of which want vastly different things from their street. You need to pick the stock for bookstores, ramen stands, and convenience stores, while making sure everything is aesthetically appealing, and also keeping the trash off the streets. So yes, infuriating, but weirdly enjoyable. 7. Snufkin: Melody of Moomin Valley I love the fact that our review of Snufkin begins with the sentence “I grew up absolutely terrified of Moomins.”, because I feel like that’s a pretty common experience for most people my age, and Melody of Moomin Valle y came out at just the right time to change a lot of minds about the strangely creepy little hippo-esque creatures. Without any combat to work your way through, Melody of Moomin Valley centers around various instruments that can be used to overcome obstacles, solve puzzles, and generally interact with the world around you as you play. The art style is beautiful, and the waves of nostalgia will hit you like a rock to the face, even if you were creeped out by Moomins as a child. 6. Stardew Valley Before you say anything, yes I know that Stardew Valley first released eight years ago, but we did get a hefty update in the form of 1.6 and that has dragged a lot of players to Pelican Town, both new and returning after long breaks. I know that this entry is a bit of a cheeky one, but there were various parts of 1.6 that earned Stardew Valley at least a mention on this list. Stardew needs no description at this point. It’s the grandfather of endless cozy games that have tried to ride on its coattails, some of which have succeeded. It’s always cozy, and there’s an endless number of things to keep you entertained. With 1.6 now available on all platforms, now is the time to jump back in or give it a try. 5. Summerhouse While the majority of the titles on this list are life sims, Summerhouse is different . Rather than living out a life through your mouse, all that’s required of you is to build. Each item placed down has the possibility of unlocking a new building block, making Summerhouse feel like LEGO for adults. You can play with two different art styles, either pixelated or not, and there’s no end to what can be achieved using the pieces at your disposal. Everything just slots together in such a satisfying way and even if you have absolutely no building skills, you’ll be able to create something beautiful. I speak from experience. 4. Tavern Talk Tavern Talk takes the concept of an RPG and flips it on its head, turning you into a partially controllable NPC. You’re the barkeep at a fantasy Tavern, and through your conversations with various fantasy folk, you learn about the world around you while crafting drinks imbued with magical properties to help them on the quests you dish out. Tavern Talk has a stunning, anime-esque art style and every single character you encounter is unique and relatable. Whether you have issues believing in yourself like Fable, or you’re a loner like Caerlin, you’re sure to find someone who reminds you of yourself. There’s comedy, too, and did I mention that there’s a cute little creature called Andu that will happily slurp down any drinks you make incorrectly? Adorable. 3. Infinity Nikki There are two groups of people when it comes to Infinity Nikki : those who have played the previous Nikki games, and those who have just discovered it through the latest iteration. For those who had never played the previous mobile games, the success and joy of Infinity Nikki might come as a surprise, but the open-world RPG release has taken a firm hold in the cozy gaming community. Yes, it’s a dress-up game filled with frilly dresses and adorable creatures. But it’s more than just that. There are endless quests to complete, a compelling story, an absolutely stunning world to explore, and the possibilities for future updates are practically infinite – pun intended. If you don’t want to gamble on new outfits, one of the best things about Infinity Nikki is that you don’t have to, even if it is a gacha game. Most of the outfits are purely cosmetic, and you’re given everything you need as you progress through the main story, making the gacha side of things truly optional. 2. Tiny Glade If you’ve ever read any of my previous outpourings of love for Tiny Glade , then you’ll know how I feel about it, but I’m always happy for further opportunities to shout my praise for this glorious title from the rooftops. Tiny Glade is a stunning game that, much like Summerhouse , only requires you to build. The development duo at PounceLight have poured their souls into the game, constantly listening to player feedback and implementing new features as they’re requested. These features allow players to build absolutely stunning dioramas that mess with perspective and challenge what should be possible. The latest update gave players the freedom to move clutter items, which was my single gripe, so now I can safely say that Tiny Glade is the perfect game to pour hours of your life into if you need something utterly relaxing and stress-free. 1. Fields of Mistria I’m pretty sure that this will come as a surprise to absolutely nobody. Fields of Mistria released into early access back in August 2024, and it cemented its place in the cozy gaming history books remarkably quickly. Back in June, during Steam Next Fest, I wrote that I could see myself pouring hours of my life into the pixel world , but even I didn’t expect to fall in love with it quite as much as I did. For those interested, my hour-count is now hovering somewhere around 500. Not only is the art style cute, it’s also impeccably clean . Every single character has their own personality, all of which are likable in their own way, and there is never a shortage of things to do. You can spend hours perfecting the aesthetic of your farm and house, or you can explore the Mines, or simply build relationships with all of the villagers in Mistria. Did I mention that you can both jump and swim? That alone puts Fields of Mistria firmly at the top of the cozy games list. Perhaps this shouldn’t come as a shock, considering the fact that the developers are also responsible for the household name that is Pusheen , but Fields of Mistria has proven that it has all of the elements that cozy gamers are looking for, and it’s here to stay, with more updates promised in 2025.DOT chief: Cebu is an emblem of unity, prideCollege football has ‘offseason’ in name only, but solutions are elusive | Michael Lev
AP Business SummaryBrief at 6:36 p.m. EST
Advertisement A Delaware judge again struck down Elon Musk's $55 billion pay package. Legal experts walked BI through what the appeal process could look like for Tesla. Tesla may also reintroduce the package in Texas, a strategy that could end up costing shareholders more. Elon Musk's battle over his Tesla pay is entering a new phase. A Delaware judge ruled on Monday that Tesla's shareholder vote wasn't enough to pass Elon Musk's $55 billion compensation package. Related Video Tesla called the decision "wrong" and said it would appeal. "This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs' lawyers run Delaware companies rather than their rightful owners — the shareholders," Tesla wrote in a post on X. So what happens next? Advertisement If Tesla files an appeal, Delaware's Supreme Court will review the decision of Delaware Chancery Court Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick , who maintained her earlier ruling that struck down the pay package on the grounds that Musk could have influenced Tesla's board members, to whom he had close ties. Mathieu Shapiro, Obermayer's managing partner and a member of its litigation department, told Business Insider that appeals processes often take a year or longer. Shapiro, who focuses on business and commercial litigation, said the case will ultimately have to balance Delaware's freedom for companies to self-govern with concerns about excessive payouts and Musk's status as one of the most successful businessmen. Advertisement While appeals are generally difficult to win, Shapiro said Musk's case is "novel" and contains unpredictable elements. One issue that may come up is whether Musk influenced the negotiations over his Tesla pay package, as the trial judge suggested in her initial ruling, he said. "Little law addresses executive compensation, let alone what seems to be the largest-ever compensation deal at a US public company," Shapiro said. Given that Musk's pay package was set to be the largest ever for a CEO, there aren't many cases to turn to for direct precedent. Advertisement Anat Alon-Beck, a business law professor at Case Western Reserve University, told BI that one case that stands out is the 2015 Delaware Chancery Court decision ruling against Mark Zuckerberg's attempt to ratify board actions related to Facebook's 2010 acquisition of Instagram. Alon-Beck, who used to work as a merger and acquisition attorney for tech companies and also specializes in Delaware deal law, said Zuckerberg didn't follow the proper procedural requirements mandated by state law. The case demonstrates that even controlling shareholders need to comply with the legal procedures for ratifying board decisions, he added. "When you know Delaware law, you know that stuff like that is just not going to fly," Alon-Beck said. Advertisement Columbia law professor Dorothy Lund used to clerk for a Delaware Supreme Court justice and US Court of Appeals judge. She told BI that Delaware is also "in a weird spot" because Tesla reincorporated from Delaware to Texas in June, and Musk has repeatedly spoken out about Delaware courts (he called the ruling "absolute corruption" on Monday). While these decisions aren't supposed to be influenced by concerns around public perception, Lund said Musk's behavior hasn't been the most strategic. "Delaware now has to worry about looking like, well, if we reverse, do we just look like we got cowed by Elon Musk?" Lund said. Advertisement Reintroducing the pay package in Texas Prior to the shareholder vote, Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm said in June that the board had considered introducing a new pay plan if the shareholder vote didn't pass — an option she said would cost shareholders. Related stories If Tesla created a new plan with the same stock grants, it would cost tens of billions in stock-based compensation today. That's because the compensation tied to the original package was worth an estimated $2.3 billion in stock, and it's already been paid out. Alon-Beck told BI that a new compensation package in Texas would make the most sense. Advertisement "I would do a new vote in Texas, under Texas law, and I would authorize a new compensation package," Alon-Beck said, adding that the old package wouldn't be able to be authorized because of a conflict of laws. Shapiro said he thinks it would be "very difficult" to draft the same package in Texas, noting that the original plan goes back to 2018 and was based on specific targets as well as Tesla's stock price in 2018. Shapiro said Musk's decision to appeal or reintroduce the package in Texas depends on multiple factors — and underlying motivations. Advertisement While it may be all about the money, the case may also signify more about public companies in the US and the way in which shareholders and courts can interfere with management's plans. "Or is it about his public persona and his reputation and how those things are understood in future business dealings," Shapiro said. "If he were my client, I would have a discussion about all of those things before deciding what path forward was best for him."Advocates of the Second Amendment are pushing the incoming Trump administration to dismantle anti-gun policies erected by the Biden White House and rein in Washington’s firearms regulatory agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Several gun groups have asked President-elect Donald Trump to abolish the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention when he returns to the Oval Office. Trump is expected to comply. Lawrence Keane, the senior vice president and general counsel of the National Shooting Sports Foundation , the industry representative, said, “Nowhere else, within the U.S. government, are taxpayers forced to fund efforts to denigrate their rights protected by the law. This office was established to appease the special-interest gun control lobby and donors.” Trump is also being pressured to abolish or limit the authority of the ATF. The agency under Biden has become a regulations-heavy anti-gun outfit that targets gun sellers and has been trying to regulate commonly used and owned firearms. In a speech at a National Rifle Association outdoors convention in Pennsylvania earlier this year, Trump promised action. "Every single Biden attack on gun owners and manufacturers will be terminated my very first week back in office, perhaps my first day,” he said. On Capitol Hill, Republicans are feeling more confident they will have a partner in the White House to limit the power of the ATF and the major law it enforces, the National Firearms Act. That act forces the buyers of short-barrelled rifles and suppressors, for example, to register those items and pay a special tax. 🚨 I'm introducing legislation in the next Congress to Abolish the ATF! pic.twitter.com/keK0zpmhRJ — Rep. Eric Burlison (@RepEricBurlison) Rep. Eric Burlison, (R-MO) told Secrets on Thursday that he plans to offer legislation to kill the NFA and abolish the ATF. Both are uphill battles, but he said he and others joining him feel confident they will make advances against the anti-gun forces. “I think that the odds are good that we at least move the ball,” Burlison said. He succeeded as a Missouri legislator in changing several gun laws in the Show Me State, and he plans to follow that path of educating Washington lawmakers on how changing the ATF or federal gun laws will be a positive thing for liberty. Mark Oliva, the spokesman for NSSF, said the group is eager to see a change in anti-gun attitudes at the ATF and in Washington. “NSSF believes the ATF needs a course correction. The next ATF director should serve the public by dedicating the agency’s resources to targeting, arresting, and bringing to justice those criminals who illegally traffic firearms and threaten community safety,” he said. Gun advocates are also eager for Trump to name a pro-gun ATF director. One name spreading like wildfire on social media is of the “AK Guy,” Brandon Herrera, a firearm maker and YouTube sensation. In a new video, he acknowledged those supporting him and admitted it would be ironic if he got the job. One reason: He wants to abolish the ATF. Herrera, who ran for Congress in the Texas primaries this year, said he would be an unlikely choice, though Trump has been picking Cabinet secretaries who have said critical things of the agencies they would run. “This would be one of the most legendary appointments Donald Trump has ever made,” Herrera said on his YouTube channel. SEE THE LATEST POLITICAL NEWS AND BUZZ FROM WASHINGTON SECRETS But even killing the agency, he and others said, will not address the anti-gun legislation that ATF enforces. That job would likely shift to the FBI, which even fewer gun advocates want. “Abolishing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives will not solve the problems. The underlying laws and regulations will still be there and transferred to a bigger and more well funded agency like the FBI with more manpower to enforce them. Be careful for what you wish for,” warned Alan M. Gottlieb , the founder of the Second Amendment Foundation.There’s no escaping gold in Tarkwa. It’s in the forest. It’s under your feet as you walk the streets of Ghana’s biggest mining town. It’s the economy. Exposed holes in the ground bear witness to attempts at illegally digging out some of the precious metal and a polluted river on the edge of town shows the consequences of the boom in semi-industrial scale mining. The environmental damage has triggered a wave of protest in the capital Accra demanding a ban on all small-scale mining operations in places like Tarkwa. In turn, anxious local politicians—ahead of national elections on December 7—have tried to reassure registered mines that they will be shielded from the government’s threat to crack down on illegal activities, which it calls “galamsey”. “In Accra, they want to ban you, but I’m here to tell you that I support miners,” George Mireku Duker, the deputy mining minister and a local legislator, told managers at four underground mines during site visits in October. Duker acknowledges that illegal mining is a “worry”, but he knows that a voter backlash against the New Patriotic Party government which he is part of could cost him his job on December 7. He won the seat by just 101 votes in 2020. “The small-scale mining sector employs more than 1 million Ghanaians and large-scale mines employ less than 10,000,” Duker told Bloomberg News. “You want to take their livelihood from them?” The mines visited by Duker have existed since colonial times and are now operated either privately or for community use by Ghanaians to counterbalance the foreign grip on large-scale mining in the indebted West African country. These artisanal and small-scale (ASM) mines—defined as operations on an area smaller than 25 acres—produced more than a quarter of the four million ounces of gold Ghana officially mined in 2023, estimated to be worth $10.6 billion at today’s prices, up from 10 percent in 2012. Equipped with heavy machinery and turbocharged by lax regulation, the ASM sector remains largely informal: by some estimates, as many as 70 percent of these mines—which have mushroomed in places like Tarkwa—are unregulated. The illicit gold rush is being powered by surging prices—up by more than a third this year to a record-high of $2,787 an ounce in October—and willing buyers in Dubai and beyond. The impact in Tarkwa is visible: tents at the top of slopes, with threadbare clothes hanging over wood panels hide the activities of a mine at the heart of the town while young men loiter outside Chinese machinery shops, offering their services as operators in exchange for a share of what is found in the rivers. The line between legal and illegal operators is often blurred. “A lot of people do have a license,” says Ishmael Quaicoe, head of the environmental and safety engineering department at Tarkwa’s University of Mines and Technology, “but their operations don’t conform with what the law asks them to do.” Demonstrations in September and October focused on the impact of galamsey miners. But when the Trades Union Congress threw its weight behind the campaign it raised the stakes, calling for an outright ban on all small-scale gold mining to halt activity blamed for polluting rivers—one Ghana Water Company facility said in August that 60 percent of the raw water it treated was affected by illegal mining, depressing cocoa production and destroying forests. Both main political groups—the governing NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress—have traded accusations over the mining issue. And with elections around the corner President Nana Akufo-Addo responded to the calls for a ban by threatening to send soldiers to mining towns to crack down on galamsey operations. He has yet to follow through on that pledge, but the announcement triggered memories of a heavy-handed effort to close down illegal mining in 2017. The ban on ASM mining lasted about two years, but the move backfired on the government, with allies citing it as one of the reasons for the loss of its parliamentary majority in the 2020 elections. At least 4.5 million people—workers and dependents—rely on gold for their livelihood, according to a 2020 government estimate. So the timing of the protests has created a dilemma for the NPP which polls suggest could be headed for its worst-ever election results on December 7, according to the Accra-based Global Analytics. For all its mineral wealth, almost 20 percent of people in Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality—Duker’s constituency—live in acute poverty, facing multiple deprivations from a lack of clean water to decent shelter, according to the Ghana Statistical Service. A shortage of educational opportunities means young people often gravitate toward the ASM sector’s low-skilled and often dangerous jobs. “They are already dying from poverty so they don’t hear you when you talk about the dangers of mercury or cyanide,” says Elorm Ama Governor-Ababio who was arrested while participating in a protest by Democracy Hub—the activist organization—in Accra. “You put them through so much trauma that when they see a literal threat to their life they see it as a beacon of hope,” adds Governor-Ababio, who denies any wrongdoing. Making the good delivery list School children in Ghana are taught that their country—known as the Gold Coast since British colonial rule—is so rich in the precious metal that the sand glistened as the first Europeans approached shore in the 15th century. In those early days, Akan traders bartered their gold dust for European alcohol, copper and even clothing. Centuries later Ghana remains Africa’s biggest producer, with major operators such as the UK-based Anglogold Ashanti Plc, Gold Fields Ltd. from South Africa, American miner Newmont Corp and China’s Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining Co. all active. At the other end of the scale are the ASM operators. Adwoa Pokuaa Boaduo, a mining engineer who wrote a doctoral thesis on the potential for artisanal and small-scale mining reform in Ghana, says a lack of compliance checks makes it relatively easy for licensed gold buyers to purchase from illegal mines, legitimizing their output. Rosemary Addico, who leads the responsible gold program at Solidaridad’s West Africa—an NGO which encourages miners to follow global best practices—believes the onus should be on the buyers to scrutinize the source: “Once international buyers insist on some requirements, the traders will be more careful about where they are sourcing gold from and how it’s mined.” For gold to be accepted by the world’s most demanding buyers, including central banks, institutional investors and luxury brands, it must come from refiners on the London Bullion Market Association’s Good Delivery List. The influential trade body doesn’t certify mines, but does make the refiners it accredits responsible for the gold in their supply chains, leaving many loath to accept anything directly from small-scale producers that could jeopardize their place on the list. There are, however, plenty of other willing buyers of Ghanaian gold with few questions asked. Nana Akwuasi Awuah, the head of the state-owned gold marketing company—and a number of market participants—say metal from the smaller illegal mines often ends up with Dubai refineries. None of these are on the LBMA’s Good Delivery List, though the emirate does have rules requiring refiners to check that gold has been sourced responsibly. Once imported, the gold can be re-refined and sold as “recycled” bullion to jewelers in India and other markets further east, and even LBMA-accredited refiners, without reference to its origin. The LBMA requires refiners to conduct checks to ensure gold is sourced responsibly, but the reality is that the provenance of recycled gold can be very difficult to determine, according to a 2022 study published on the trade association’s website. Illegal mining also carries an economic cost for Ghana, which is wrestling with more than $30 billion of external debt and secured a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund last year. If the industry was formalized, Ghana would earn more than double its revenue from gold this year, according to Martin Ayisi, the chief executive officer of Ghana’s Minerals Commission, which regulates large and small miners. At least three-quarters of the country’s artisanal and small-scale gold output isn’t captured in export figures at all, he estimates. That’s because it’s either smuggled out by land to neighboring Ivory Coast, Togo and Burkina Faso, which have a lower withholding tax on unprocessed gold, or it’s treated as a transshipment from one of these countries through Ghana, even though it was mined in Ghana all along. “There are all sorts of schemes to smuggle out the gold,” says Ayisi. “There’s one way to stop it, by further dropping the tax,” which was cut to 1.5 percent from 3 percent in 2022, driving an immediate spike in Ghana’s output. The Dubai connection In 2023, the United Arab Emirates reported that $3.2 billion of gold (52.9 metric tons net weight) was imported from Ghana. That same year, Ghana reported exporting just $1.7 billion of the metal to the UAE (27.8 metric tons net weight), according to the United Nations’ Comtrade Database. That amounts to a shortfall about $1.5 billion. Dubai—one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE—has no gold mines, and has positioned itself as a hub for the metal. The LBMA considers the UAE a high-risk jurisdiction and imposes additional checks for any gold sourced from there. But Safeya AlSafi, the UAE’s acting assistant undersecretary for commercial control and governance at the Ministry of Economy, told Bloomberg News that the shortfall could be due to incorrect information from the country of origin, adding, “I don’t know exactly if there is any actual smuggling. We have a very strict system.” At the Minerals Commission, Ayisi acknowledged challenges recording what leaves Ghana. Ghana was one of the first countries in Africa to legalize artisanal and small-scale mining, a sector which globally contributes about a fifth of the world’s gold supply, according to a World Gold Council report. Today, most officials agree that further formalization is essential to curb smuggling and reverse the environmental fallout. The country has now joined a pilot program—along with Peru, the Philippines and Tanzania— to pre-approve some small-scale mines and sell their gold directly to refiners certified by the LBMA. But the lack of financial incentives to operate responsibly gives the miners little reason to join the pilot, critics say. The LBMA is partly motivated by a desire to secure more “clean” gold for its refiners, who are effectively losing out on a fifth of the global supply because of its stringent sourcing requirements. For governments it means they can sell directly to LBMA refineries, opening up a more formal market for their gold. “Will we solve all of the evils of the world?” asks Neil Harby, the LBMA’s chief technical officer. “No, but we’ve got to start somewhere.” Back in Accra, one of just three of Ghana’s 16 regions that doesn’t produce gold, the anti-galamsey movement is gaining momentum even if the protests have died down as the election focus has shifted to the economy—with inflation above 20 percent for more than a year—and a lack of jobs, in the country of 34 million. Billboard-sized images of brown rivers and reports of birth defects, allegedly linked to galamsey, have left voters with graphic images of the damage. Yet neither of the two main parties is in a position to fully capitalize on the anti-ASM anger. Both have at different times clamped down on illegal mining but have also have financially benefitted from “illegalities in the small-scale mining sector,” according to a 2021 report by a former environment minister, Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng. In 2022 Ghana passed a law that authorized mining in forest reserves earmarked for conservation. Out of these mining licenses, at least four have been granted by the government in reserves given special status due to their rare flora and fauna, according to The Fourth Estate, an investigative project by Ghanaian journalists. The Frimpong-Boateng report, which accused politicians on both sides of having a conflict of interest, was dismissed by the presidency as lacking evidence. But it prompted a probe by Ghana’s Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice that is continuing. “For about two decades now, parties have been rewarding their loyalists with concessions,” says E. Gyimah-Boadi, founder of the Accra-based non-partisan research network, Afrobarometer. “They are not going to expose themselves by committing to doing anything that will tie their hands.” Richard Ahiagbah, the director of communications at the NPP rejects the claim, saying that the 2017 ban, shows the government is committed to clamping down on the ASM sector. The NDC also denies any conflict of interest during their own time in office. Samuel Gyamfi, the party’s national communications officer, described the environmental crisis as “unprecedented” and blamed the NPP for it. For Dora Kowfia, a 54-year-old former artisanal miner, it is a confusing moment. She has has previously backed the NPP, but says that this time she doesn’t know who to vote for. She now sells textile at a roadside stall outside Tarkwa, overlooking the Bonsa River, where the impact of illegal mining is visible in the brown waters. Asked if she was concerned about the pollution, Kowfia, echoing a widely held view in mining communities in Ghana, says: “Accra is saying ‘stop galamsey’. I want leaders who will either protect it or bring us new jobs.” With assistance from Verity Ratcliffe, Ekow Dontoh and Michael Ovaska/Bloomberg
One of China's most powerful military officials has been suspended and is under investigation for "serious violations of discipline", becoming the latest senior officer to be caught up in a sweeping anti-corruption crackdown. Miao Hua directs the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC) that commands China's People's Liberation Army (PLA). He works alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is chairman of the CMC. Mr Miao is responsible for ideological conformity within the army on the six-person committee. His position is more powerful than that of China's defence minster, Dong Jun. In China, the defence minister's role is focused on defence diplomacy, rather than controlling the army, which is the job of the CMC. Chinese President Xi Jinping demands his officials give their complete loyalty to him and the Chinese Communist Party. (Flickr: APEC Peru) Defence Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian confirmed the probe into Miao at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, but provided no further details. "Serious violations of discipline" is a phrase commonly used by authorities in China as a euphemism for corruption. China expert at London-based think-tank Chatham House, William Matthews, said it was a significant development and posed more questions about Mr Xi's political judgement. "This is a serious scandal and part of an ongoing and clearly... Patrick Martin
Vardy helps Van Nistelrooy to first win with Leicester as Guehi defies the FA with religious messageAiming for 80% victory in local polls: TPCC chiefDAZN ADVANCES GLOBAL EXPANSION WITH ACQUISITION OF FOXTEL, A LEADING AUSTRALIAN SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA GROUP
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Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the playoff race in the NFL surges on. The Sporting News has a fresh batch of DFS sleepers and value plays for you, to help you dominate your DraftKings , FanDuel , and SuperDraft tournaments this weekend. The No. 1 key to success in daily fantasy: identifying value. You won't win any DFS jackpots if you don't get the most bang for your buck during lineup construction. Finding a balance between proven weekly studs and high-value sleepers is crucial, just like mixing in some good cheap gifts with your kids' big-money presents. For years, this column has shined a light on the undervalued gems each week on DraftKings, FanDuel, and now SuperDraft. Anyone can spot the elite DFS stars, but it's the sleepers and value plays that separate lineups from the crowd and start making you some real holiday bonus money. MORE NFL WEEK 14: Best bets and top props | Odds, lines, totals Throughout the season, we highlight our biggest hits from the previous week to prove the effectiveness of our strategies. Let's take a look at our list of successes from last week, with each player's Week 13 salaries as well as their final DraftKings points production. POS. PLAYER WEEK 12 GAME SALARY POINTS QB Russell Wilson Steelers at Bengals $5,700 30.9 QB Anthony Richardson Colts at Patriots $5,500 23.2 QB Drake Maye Patriots vs. Colts $5,600 20.4 RB Bucky Irving Buccaneers at Panthers $5,800 27.5 RB Chase Brown Bengals vs. Steelers $6,200 19.0 WR Ladd McConkey Chargers at Falcons $6,100 23.7 WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Cardinals at Vikings $6,000 17.0 TE Pat Freiermuth Steelers at Bengals $3,500 18.8 TE Hunter Henry Patriots vs. Colts $4,200 14.5 DST New York Jets vs. Seahawks $2,500 16.0 Bing, bang, boom! That's a tidy list of 10 hits — some of which were big hits — in a week that was full of busts and no-name splurges. Wilson, Irving, McConkey, and Freiermuth were actually our featured sleepers for their respective positions, so excuse us while we pat ourselves on the back. Let's carry over the momentum and unveil our Week 14 DFS sleepers and value picks on DraftKings , FanDuel , and SuperDraft . We'll highlight the most affordable high-value options at each position, as well as their listed cost or scoring boost on each DFS site. WEEK 14 FANTASY FOOTBALL ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE Lessons Learned | Stock Watch | Sleepers | Busts | Usage Report Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 14: Quarterback Sam Darnold, Vikings vs. Falcons (DK: $6,100 | FD: $7,600 | SD: 1.3x) Save for a lackluster season-opener against the Giants and a couple down games against the Jets and Jaguars, Darnold has been really frickin' good this season. He has averaged 18.6 points per game, and he's eclipsed 24 DK points in two of the past three weeks. Now Darnold gets to face a mediocre Falcons D that has surrendered the 7th-most DK points to QBs this season. He also gets to duel with Kirk Cousins, the QB he replaced when Cousins departed Minnesota for Atlanta. This should be a heck of a shootout, and we have Darnold finishing among the top five QBs in Week 14. Other QBs whose Week 14 values exceed their price tags: Kyler Murray, Cardinals vs. Seahawks (DK: $6,000 | FD: $7,800 | SD: 1.3x) Russell Wilson, Steelers vs. Browns (DK: $5,900 | FD: $7,700 | SD: 1.3x) Will Levis, Titans vs. Jaguars (DK: $5,000 | FD: $6,600 | SD: 1.5x) WEEK 14 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 14: Running back Isaac Guerendo, 49ers vs. Bears (DK: $5,400 | FD: $5,200 | SD: 1.5x) Just because it's an easy sleeper pick doesn't mean it's not the best one. Guerendo is the hottest waiver-wire commodity in season-long redraft leagues, and he should be the No. 1 value play in your DFS contests. Kyle Shanahan's offense has a "next man up" mentality, and IG is now the man. He's not just the man because of the opportunity and the system, either. Guerendo has averaged 4.9 yards per carry this season, and he's caught 5-of-6 targets for 19 yards. He's even scored a pair of rushing TDs despite only carrying the ball 42 times on the campaign. Hitch your wagons now! Other strong Week 14 RB values (bold prices indicate volatilty) : Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants vs. Saints (DK: $5,800 | FD: $6,600 | SD: 1.45x) Tony Pollard, Titans vs. Jaguars (DK: $6,400 | FD: $7,500 | SD: 1.25x) Jerome Ford, Browns at Steelers (DK: $4,900 | FD: $5,400 | SD: 1.6x) Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks at Cardinals (DK: $4,800 | FD: $5,300 | SD: 1.65x) WEEK 14 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE Full waiver wire list & FAAB recommendations | Top players to target Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 14: Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks at Cardinals (DK: $6,300 | FD: $8,000 | SD: 1.2x) This is more of a value play on DK, which supports a PPR system, than it is on FD with its half-PPR format. JSN has taken over DK Metcalf's role as the No. 1 receiver on the Seahawks, who still pass the ball a ton. And with both these teams battling for the NFC West title, this could be a shootout. Look at what Smith-Njigba has done over the past five games: 33 catches, 510 yards, three touchdowns. His floor has become 12 points, but his ceiling — as we already saw in Week 9 against the Rams — is a 40-burger. Let's all channel our inner Teenage Mutant Smith-Njigba this weekend! Other strong Week 14 DFS values at WR: DJ Moore, Bears at 49ers (DK: $6,100 | FD: $6,600 | SD: 1.2x) Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals vs. Seahawks (DK: $6,000 | FD: $6,800 | SD: 1.2x) Calvin Ridley, Titans vs. Jaguars (DK: $5,700 | FD: $6,300 | SD: 1.25x) Jakobi Meyers, Raiders at Bucs (DK: $5,600 | FD: $6,700 | SD: 1.25x) Darnell Mooney, Falcons at Vikings (DK: $5,500 | FD: $5,900 | SD: 1.25x) Jordan Addison, Vikings vs. Falcons (DK: $5,300 | FD: $6,000 | SD: 1.3x) DK-only bargain buys: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans vs. Jaguars (DK: $4,700); Ray-Ray McCloud, Falcons at Vikings (DK: $4,500) MORE: Learn about the SuperDraft Jackpot | How to play DFS Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 14: Tight end Cade Otton, Bucs vs. Raiders (DK: $4,400 | FD: $5,600 | SD: 1.35x) It's time for Cade to reign terror on the Raiders in this all-pirate clash. Otton has quietly been the TE8 in PPR formats this season, and he has a good chance to see a boost in targets with Chris Godwin on IR and Rachaad White's role getting minimized. Don't forget, Otton had a 3-week run earlier this season in which he scored 71.8 DK points! Now he faces the 3rd-most generous defense to TEs in fantasy!? Sign us up for the MotorCade, baby! More Week 14 TEs worth a look : T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Falcons (DK: $4,300 | FD: $6,300 | SD: 1.45x) Pat Freiermuth, Steelers vs. Browns (DK: $3,800 | FD: $5,500 | SD: 1.55x) A bit pricy, but still a value: Jonnu Smith, Dolphins vs. Jets (DK: $5,300 | FD: $7,000 | SD: 1.2x) Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 14: D/ST Tennessee Titans vs. Jaguars (DK: $2,800 | FD: $4,000) It feels gross capitalizing on the Jaguars' loss of Trevor Lawrence after the brutal hit he took in Week 13. But, at the same time, the NFL goes on, and we have to pick the best value options available to us if we expect to make money. The Jags with Mac Jones under center are the worst team in the NFL, and they'll face an underrated Titans pass-rush this weekend. Woof. Other decent D/ST plays for Week 14 : San Francisco 49ers vs. Bears (DK: $3,100 | FD: $4,600) New Orleans Saints at Giants (DK: $2,900 | FD: $4,400) If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >Marcus Johnson and Bowling Green take down New Mexico State 61-60