Targeted operation to be launched in Balochistan: CM BugtiOn the heels of a resounding election victory one month ago, Nova Scotia’s premier is adopting a more measured tone when it comes to assessing his province’s relationship with the federal government. Tim Houston’s Progressive Conservatives were returned to power Nov. 26, capturing 43 of the legislature’s 55 seats after a campaign during which he attacked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government on a number of fronts. In fact, he justified his decision to call a snap election and ignore the province’s fixed-date election law — which had set the vote for July 2025 — by claiming he needed a strong mandate to stand up to Ottawa. But in a recent end-of-year interview with The Canadian Press, Houston was more conciliatory, saying a Dec. 9 meeting at his Halifax office with Trudeau was conducted with “a spirit of collaboration.” “We started to see right away that the tone was different,” he said, adding that whatever comes of Trudeau’s leadership of the Liberal party, Nova Scotia will retain its important relationship with the federal government. Trudeau, meanwhile, has been facing increasing pressure from inside his caucus to step down. High on Houston’s list of grievances has been Ottawa’s imposition of carbon pricing in the province and its refusal to pay the entire bill for the costly work needed to protect the Chignecto Isthmus, the low-lying land link between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia that is increasingly prone to severe flooding. During the provincial election campaign, the premier accused the federal government of shirking its responsibility for the isthmus, on occasion accusing Ottawa of “trying to rip us off.” However, his language has become noticeably less strident since the election win. “I would say they were more open-minded to looking at different ways we could finance it (the isthmus project), so I will let that unfold,” said Houston. “It’s not resolved yet, I don’t want to give that impression, but certainly we are trying to work towards a resolution that both parties can live with.” The federal government has said it is willing to pay 50 per cent of the estimated $650-million project to strengthen the dike system and rail line along the vital land corridor against rising sea levels. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are to split the other half of the cost, and the provinces have subsequently asked the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal to rule on whether the responsibility for the work belongs entirely to the federal government. Houston said the legal challenge — Ottawa should file its response in January — is going ahead, with hearings scheduled to begin in March. “They haven’t filed yet and we haven’t withdrawn,” he said. “That stuff is still on the docket and I’ll keep that on the docket until there is a resolution.” Nova Scotia can’t afford to be distracted by squabbles with Ottawa as the province tries to fend off threats from the president-elect of the United States, who says he will impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods when he gets into office in January unless border security is improved. Houston said he is on board with Trudeau’s Team Canada approach to Donald Trump because of the vital trade relationship Nova Scotia has with its southern neighbour. According to Nova Scotia government statistics, nearly 70 per cent of the province’s exports between January and September 2024 were to the U.S. Exports were up 6.6 per cent over the same period in 2023, rising to $3.5 billion, the bulk of which range from seafood and agricultural products to lumber and tires. “We want to be part of a positive resolution ... The premiers are united on this, it’s their Number 1 priority,” said Houston, who added that meetings would probably be set up with governors from key trading partner states in the new year. As for dealing with Trump, Houston said it’s best to take him at his word regardless of whether he gets his point across on social media or through traditional channels. “He’s the president-elect of the United States so he has to be taken seriously, no matter which form he presents his ideas and thoughts,” Houston said.GOP firebrand Randy Fine endorsed by Trump for CongressFive Questions with JCS District Teachers of the Year
Surveillance video shows the suspect in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a bicycle near West 85th Street in Manhattan after the killing. (Credit: Orwell Management) The speculation regarding the shooting of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson continues to run rampant. While this can be interesting, the truth is that the on-the-ground investigation will be far more prosaic than glamorous. For today’s detectives, serious crime investigation marries grinding "shoe leather" work to data-driven digital forensics. It can be a daunting amount of information. As such, let’s look at some hard data points that are likely jumping-off points for investigators who have to play the percentages (and some that are not): 1. ‘Hitmen for hire,’ in the commonly perceived sense, don’t really exist The idea that someone off the street can walk into a social club or call-a-guy-who-knows-a-guy who kills for a living is essentially a myth – I cannot recall one in my experience. That said, murders-for-hire do exist (i.e, an associate who is not a "professional" is willing to hire on). UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO ASSASSIN LEFT MESSAGE BEHIND TO 'MAKE A STATEMENT' OR 'THROW OFF POLICE': DETECTIVES But the speculation as to whether the shooter was a "professional" or not is beside the point – the police don’t care. What they care about now are hard data points that can identify the shooter. The professional status of the killer is, at best, a flourish if the case reaches trial. Surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows the alleged suspect wanted for the shooting death of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (NYPD) 2. The timeline is key Currently – and this is unsurprising – the tip line regarding the case is blowing up. But what detectives are most focused on are the indicators they can depend on, like: How did the shooter know that Thompson would show up for an 8:00 a.m. conference at 6:40 a.m.? Did the shooter have some access to Thompson’s schedule or movements? Recall that the shooter apparently "posted up" near the shooting location just minutes before the shooting. Was there an accomplice surveilling Thompson as he left his nearby hotel? Is that who the shooter was on the phone with, in the still photo NYPD released? And further to that question... 3. How did the shooter so instantly recognize Thompson? The shooter was along the building line across the street when Thompson came up the block. Video shows the shooter apparently recognizing Thompson from what must be at least 60 feet, in twilight, early-morning conditions. Again: How did he know Thompson was coming? Thompson was of a fairly commonplace build and appearance. How was he so sure this was his intended target? Particularly since he approaches Thompson from behind? It doesn’t seem likely that this could be done from a reference photo. One thing we can conclude: Thompson was the target – the messages on the shell casings left at the scene, whether a false flag or not, confirm this. 4. Digital data will be key The police reportedly recovered a phone in the alleyway "cut-through" that the shooter fled through from West 54th to West 55th Street. Was the shooter really that careless? If he was – and he did indeed make the phone call indicated by the still photo – this is crucial information. Legal processes will allow for search warrants to obtain the digital information to indicate who that call was to and the number it originated from (even if it was a disposable phone). While that may not lead to the shooter’s name, it could lead to all his activity on the burner phone – and to associates of the shooter who will almost certainly reveal his identity, either through interviews or simple context. A screenshot from surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows an alleged person of interest wanted in connection of the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. (NYPD Crime Stoppers ) Additionally, the shooter reportedly took an Uber at least once during his 10-day stay in the city. Uber accounts link to credit cards. Did he use his actual card? Even if he used a stolen card, if he took other Uber trips, his pattern can be ascertained. And as the shooter appears to have his flight path well-planned out, there is also the likelihood that he had previously walked that route. Is there video of him doing that before the shooting? Was his phone on during those walks? 5. Facial recognition is indeed important At this writing, with good face images of the shooter out there, many observers express frustration that he (if indeed the shooter is male) has not been at least identified. But: he may well have been, and the police have made the determination that they are more likely to apprehend him without revealing that they know his identity and/or likely whereabouts. This is especially true if they believe he has accomplices. The use of facial recognition software has likely already been important, as clear facial photos such as those reportedly obtained from the youth hostel may well have led to the discovery of the Greyhound bus to get to New York City. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION There are thousands of cameras that police facial recognition technology has access to, and there are many in-and-around midtown’s Port Authority (the location where buses to New York generally arrive to and depart from). Use of facial recognition technology could well lead to software matching the shooter to a public-facing social media or government account. 6. Traditional forensics are important – but perhaps less important just now While fingerprints are great evidence, if the shooter is not already in the system, they will only function here as confirmation (as in, for example, the Jose Ibarra conviction re: Laken Riley). The same goes for DNA. While great evidence at-trial, if the killer’s profile is not already in the CODIS system (the Combined DNA Index System), collected DNA may not help. But recall that in the Idaho case, familial DNA reportedly led to a lead to a family member of the suspect, Bryan Kohberger. If the shooter has a relative in one of the commercial DNA databases, this could lead to him. But it will take time. And as the shooter appears to have his flight path well-planned out, there is also the likelihood that he had previously walked that route. Is there video of him doing that before the shooting? Was his phone on during those walks? There are, of course, many other avenues the police are pursuing – reported threats to Thompson, those protesting against UnitedHealthCare, the unusual gun, the litigation Thompson was reportedly involved in, etc. But in the end, hard-and-fixed jumping off points are the "leads" most important to investigators now. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP And what those of us who opine on this crime should always recall: whatever the outcome, we are discussing the loss of a man’s life – a man with a family – to a cold-blooded murderer. That’s the most important fact underlying the entire case. The good news: it is almost impossible to get away with this sort of thing now, especially in midtown Manhattan. The NYPD will get this perpetrator – a simple matter of time. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM PAUL MAURO Paul Mauro is a contributor for FOX News Media providing legal and criminal justice analysis across FOX News Channel and FOX Business Network programming. He joined the network in 2024.
BOSSCAT Recognized for Excellence, Innovation and Growth with Prestigious 2024 Contractor/Rehab Company of the Year Award at the Third Annual IMN SFR Industry Awards Event in Scottsdale, AZ on December 2, 2024 . CHARLESTON, S.C. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BOSSCAT TM Home Services and Technologies, a leading provider of home technology, improvement and repair solutions, announced today that it has been awarded the prestigious IMN 2024 Contractor/Rehab Company of the Year Award at the third annual Industry Award Ceremony. The award recognizes the company's commitment to customer-centered innovation, excellence in service delivery, cost effectiveness and focus on client satisfaction. "This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire BOSSCAT team," said Dan Vercek , Senior Vice President of Field Operations. "We are honored to be recognized by IMN for our commitment to delivering superior home services, and this recognition inspires us to continue raising the bar for excellence in the industry." The event, held on December 2, 2024 in Scottsdale, AZ , brought together leading companies and professionals from across the industry to celebrate achievements in service, innovation, and growth. BOSSCAT stood out among a competitive field of nominees for its exceptional growth in the past year, driven by strategic partnerships, innovative technologies, and a commitment to championing both customers and skilled tradesmen and women. About Information Management Network (IMN) Founded in 1994, IMN is the premier real estate conference business in the United States , providing a high-quality intelligence and networking platform that drives industry connections, deal flow and knowledge transfer across multiple corporate functions and property types. IMN's series of SFR conferences have been considered the de facto gatherings for the industry since their inception 12 years ago, featuring a "Who's Who" of SFR & BTR owner/operators, ranging from large institutional groups to smaller players, property managers, "fix & flippers", lenders, and service providers/vendors. Over 1,600 SFR professionals attend the must-attend event for the industry's calendar, where attendees will establish connections, generate business and learn from SFR pioneers driving this space forward. Learn more at sfrwest.com About BOSSCAT Home Services and Technologies BOSSCAT Home Services and Technologies is the leading real estate platform reshaping homeownership by digitizing home inspection data for instant estimates and online ordering of repair, renovation, and maintenance services. Proprietary technology and exclusive access to proprietary data power the platform to deliver lifecycle services at scale through innovative products, process automation, and direct integration with industry partners. BOSSCAT's Instant Estimate technology is available in all 50 states and Canada. The company is a licensed and insured general contractor in all operational markets with a commitment to advancing the skilled trades. BOSSCAT has been recognized by Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest growing, privately held repair and renovation companies in the country for three consecutive years. Learn more at BosscatHome.com . MEDIA INQUIRIES: Mark Kearns Chief Financial Officer Mark@BosscatHome.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bosscat-home-services-and-technologies-wins-imn-2024-contractor-of-the-year-award-at-third-annual-industry-award-ceremony-302334312.html SOURCE BOSSCAT
Conglomerates to SMEs shine in night of enriching corporate reporting excellence at CA Sri Lanka’s TAGS Awards 2024Day 1 of Rajya Sabha & Lok Sabha: Obits, brief, and daylong adjournmentsThe financial services industry has witnessed a profound risk management and compliance evolution. This transformation, driven by regulatory changes, technological advancements, and an increasing focus on cybersecurity, demands a strategic approach from industry leaders. Following the financial crisis, Basel III and Dodd-Frank reforms have revolutionised capital requirements and transparency mandates, compelling financial institutions to adopt more dynamic risk management strategies. Moreover, the digitalisation of services has placed a premium on cybersecurity, necessitating reinforced defences against an array of emerging threats. Successfully navigating this evolving landscape requires a proactive stance, integrating advanced analytics and AI into risk frameworks while emphasising continuous training. Rahul Jagetia, an exceptional risk management professional with over 13 years of experience, has been at the forefront of these shifts. He has led initiatives that align risk strategies with business growth while embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into strategic planning. His focus on staying ahead of regulatory changes and implementing innovative approaches has helped organisations adapt and thrive in a complex, ever-changing financial environment. New Challenges And Risk Strategies Over the past decade, risk management and compliance within financial services have evolved significantly, driven by regulatory reforms, technological advances, and shifting market conditions. Reforms like Basel III and Dodd-Frank have introduced stricter capital requirements, stress testing, and transparency mandates, making compliance more demanding. As Rahul notes, "Post-financial crisis reforms have introduced stricter capital requirements," reflecting the heightened focus on robust regulatory frameworks. The rise of digital banking has also amplified the need for more robust cybersecurity measures, with regulators implementing stringent... Mike Malone