#pblove

#pblove Find yourself a friend like John Stamos . Because according to his wife, Caitlin McHugh Stamos , the Full House alum dropped everything to be with his longtime pal and former costar Dave Coulier amid his ongoing health battle . “My husband, my amazing husband, he did fly over to Detroit and spent some time with [Dave],” Caitlin told E! News in an exclusive interview. “He showed up and was a good friend and made him laugh, and they had several good days together. I'm glad that he was able to go out there and spend time with him.” And while the 61-year-old—who shares son Billy , 6, with the Invisible Raptor star—can’t always be with Dave, the pair are in regular communication. “John talks to him all the time,” Caitlin shared. “We FaceTime and say hello, and I know he's fighting the good fight, and he's got a good prognosis.” Dave, 65, revealed his stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis in November. And Caitlin believes that him being open about his journey will in turn help other people take care of their health. “I'm grateful that he went public with the story and is sharing with others,” she continued. “Other people can look for symptoms and signs and make sure to get help before it gets too bad, because early detection is definitely key.” John did face criticism after he shared a pic wearing a bald cap while he shaved Dave’s head, with some social media users describing the move as merely a “photo op.” However, Dave was quick to defend the gesture. “It’s our friendship (me and John) and this is how we are handling a very tough time,” Dave wrote in an Instagram post at the time. “I’m a comedian and humor is what drives me. John knows how to cheer me up and I laughed out loud when he arrived wearing a bald cap—being a true loving friend and brother.” Caitlin, 38, also jumped to the Fuller House star’s defense, commenting on the post with a message for John’s critics. “I really hope the people who chose to say cruel things about my husband—who flew across the country and did what he could do bring joy to his friend going through chemo—look inward,” she wrote . “Instead of tearing down others, take that time to think about how you can bring joy to the people you love.” Keep reading to see more stars who have shared their experiences fighting—and beating—cancer. The actor, known for roles in The Boys and Supernatural , shared on Feb. 3, 2023, that he had battled prostate cancer for years and was cancer free. "I had to have a lil bit o'cancer removed from my body and lymph nodes biopsied," the Vanderpump Rules star revealed to fans at the close of 2018. "(In the clear now!)" The Desperate Housewives star revealed to fans in September 2018 that she survived anal cancer. "After posting a picture of myself here and uttering the words #cancer and #hairloss, I feel liberated, deliriously free and completely me," she shared on Instagram . The two-time Oscar winner underwent successful treatment for cancer, and his rep confirmed to E! News that doctors deemed Hoffman " surgically cured ." The X-Men star was treated for his third basal cell carcinoma back in 2014, and after his third treatment, Jackman's rep told E! News that he's "all good" now. In April 2023, Hugh had two biopsies for additional basal cell carcinoma. At the time, he told fans, "If I can just take this opportunity to remind you summer is coming for those of us in the northern hemisphere, please wear sunscreen." Camille Grammer The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star celebrated one year of being cancer-free in January. The mother of two was diagnosed with endometrial cancer back in 2013 and underwent a radical hysterectomy. Then in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. The Avengers: Age of Ultron actress battled ovarian cancer at the age of 25 and overcome odds when she welcomed two children with husband Taran Killam . TV host reveals he underwent surgery for prostate cancer in July 2013 and has since been given a clean bill of health. The Dancing with the Stars cohost underwent successful surgery for thyroid cancer . The mother of four tweet ed , "Thx for all the twitter love. I'm [home] recovering & resting." "MY DR CALLED ME ON A SAT. MORNING TO TELL ME I AM CANCER FREE!!!!! #wootothemotherf--kinhoo," the actress tweeted after receiving the good news . The Up All Night star was declared "100-percent clear" of breast cancer after treatment and a double mastectomy. The Dexter star used a hiatus from his hit series to slay Hodgkin's lymphoma . The Australian actress revealed in October 2011 that she had a cancerous mole removed from her calf after her hubby encouraged her to get the suspicious-looking mark checked out. Ewan McGregor The Scot is trainspotting just fine these days after having a cancerous mole removed from beneath his right eye. The singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a "minimally invasive" lumpectomy and radiation therapy. The Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer "beat." The Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004. Surely the CNN veteran wears his SPF when he's braving the elements now after having a cancerous growth removed from under his left eye in 2008. The Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005. The 7th Heaven star was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease when he was only 28. He's 37 now and looking good! The ER fave had to abandon her role in Parenthood to fight breast cancer in 2009—but her treatment was a success and she was back on the red carpet in no time. The America's Got Talent judge was diagnosed with colon cancer while shooting The Osbournes in 2002 and used the opportunity to stress the importance of regular screenings while attacking the #@%! with chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free the following year. The Oscar winner took prostate cancer down, down to Chinatown, in 2003, and has been in about 400 movies since then. The Good Morning America cohost proudly flaunted her smooth scalp while undergoing chemotherapy to treat breast cancer in 2007. The champion cyclist battled back from stage-four testicular cancer before winning seven straight Tour de France titles. The Grammy and Oscar winner became an inspiring activist after a lumpectomy and chemotherapy cleared her of breast cancer in 2005. The former Saturday Night Live standout mined her breast cancer battle for comedic material that turned into God Said Ha! , her successful one-woman show that eventually went to Broadway. The Sex and the City star was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, and after surgery and radiation treatments, she was given the clear . Samantha Harris Harris underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip star sports a scar on her back where doctors successfully removed a melanoma.As Ghana prepares for the upcoming 2024 General Elections this weekend, the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) has called on its members to uphold professionalism and contribute to a peaceful and credible electoral process. Recognizing the media’s pivotal role in shaping public opinion, PRINPAG urges journalists and publishers to adhere to the highest standards of accuracy and integrity in their reporting. This advice was outlined in a press release issued by PRINPAG and signed by Jeorge Wilson Kingson, Executive Secretary, and Andrew Edwin Arthur, President. The association further stressed the importance of verifying facts before publication and avoiding the spread of misinformation or sensational headlines that could inflame tensions leading up to the elections. PRINPAG also emphasized the need for the media to prioritize national unity and peace, urging its members to refrain from publishing content that could exacerbate divisions or incite violence. Instead, journalists are encouraged to focus on stories that promote understanding and social cohesion. With an eye on the integrity of the electoral process, the association reminded members to maintain objectivity and avoid allowing political biases to influence their reporting. In this critical time, journalists have a responsibility to provide balanced and fair coverage that respects all parties involved. PRINPAG further called on its members to use their platforms to educate the public on the importance of peaceful participation in the elections, encouraging citizens to exercise their franchise responsibly and respect the results of the democratic process. The association also underscored the importance of ethical decision-making, urging journalists to follow the PRINPAG Code of Ethics and to remember the significant impact their work has on both the public and the media profession. Members are also reminded to prioritize their safety and report any threats or intimidation to both security agencies and PRINPAG leadership. PRINPAG remains committed to supporting free, fair, and credible elections in Ghana and will take action against any members who engage in unprofessional conduct during this period. The association commended its members for their continued efforts to inform the public responsibly and urged them to continue prioritizing peace and democracy during the election season. The PRINPAG Secretariat will remain open throughout the election period, offering administrative support and assistance to all members. Below is the full statement FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRINPAG CAUTIONS MEMBERS TO UPHOLD PROFESSIONALISM AND PROMOTE PEACE DURING THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTIONS As Ghana approaches a significant milestone in its democratic journey with the 2024 General Elections scheduled for this weekend, the National Leadership of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) wishes to remind all members of their critical role in promoting credible, peaceful, and transparent elections. The media serves as a powerful instrument for information dissemination and nation-building. As journalists and publishers, we are entrusted with the responsibility of informing the public accurately, fairly, and without bias. In this regard, we urge all PRINPAG members to: 1. Adhere to Professional Standards: Uphold the highest standards of journalism by verifying facts before publication. Refrain from spreading misinformation, sensational headlines, or unverified claims that may inflame tensions. 2. Prioritize Peace and National Cohesion: Avoid publishing content that could exacerbate divisions, incite violence, or undermine the peace and stability of the nation. Instead, focus on promoting messages that foster unity and understanding. 3. Steer Clear of Extreme Partisanship: As watchdogs of democracy, journalists must maintain neutrality and objectivity. Avoid allowing political affiliations or biases to cloud your judgment or influence your reportage. 4. Promote Civic Responsibility: Educate the public on the importance of peaceful participation in the electoral process. Encourage citizens to exercise their franchise responsibly and to respect the outcome of the elections. 5. Exercise Ethical Judgment: Let the PRINPAG Code of Ethics guide your actions and decisions during this critical period. Remember that your work impacts not only your audience but also the reputation of the media profession as a whole. 6. Personal Security: We also urge our members to prioritize their personal security and promptly report any threats, intimidation, or attacks to both state security agencies and the national leadership of PRINPAG. PRINPAG stands resolute in its commitment to supporting free, fair, and credible elections in Ghana. We will not hesitate to call out or sanction members who breach ethical guidelines or engage in unprofessional conduct during this election period. We commend the efforts of all our members who have worked diligently to inform the public in the lead-up to the elections. Let us continue to do so responsibly, keeping Ghana’s peace and democracy at the forefront of our priorities. We would like to take this opportunity to inform all members of the Association that the PRINPAG Secretariat will remain open throughout the election period, providing administrative support and any other assistance members may require. Together, we can make history as a media fraternity that contributes positively to Ghana’s democratic success. Signed: Jeorge Wilson Kingson Executive Secretary 0244822034 Andrew Edwin Arthur President

It's extraordinary how quiet nearly 50,000 people can be. Ibrox, a place of unending noise all night, fell silent five minutes from the end when Cyriel Dessers turned inside Archie Gray and looked to all the world like he was going to win it for Rangers. In that split-second, the stadium held its breath. Suddenly, it was about as boisterous as a mouse tip-toeing around a library full of an order of silent monks. Dessers did brilliantly, but not brilliantly enough. This city knows all about the goalkeeping excellence of Fraser Forster. His years at Celtic were full of stellar saves from some of the greats of Europe. The Rangers striker is hardly one of those, but the save was valuable all the same. Fair to say that a point, rather than the three they would have expected, didn't do a whole lot to put smiles on Spurs' faces, but the alternative would have been ghastly for the visitors, who probably got more than they deserved in the end. You have to imagine that Ange Postecoglou was in the ears of his Tottenham players all week, telling them of the dangers of Ibrox, warning them that there was a battle ahead. For all his dominance as Celtic manager, Postecoglou won only one of four times in this place. He knew. His players? Not a clue. They arrived like tourists lost in a hostile city. They gave the impression of a team that expected Rangers to swoon at the feet of a monied Premier League side. Languid, lethargic, lazy in possession. And ransacked, constantly. The terrific Nicolas Raskin mugged Rodrigo Bentancur early on and you took a note. Nice moment that got the crowd going, but could Rangers keep up that work rate and physicality? For how long could they impose their intensity? Then Pedro Porro was done by Jefte and Raskin, again, brushed off Yves Bissouma. Spurs were nowhere near the pitch of it. They looked weak. Soft. Unprepared. Rangers looked ready. Whatever Spurs thought Rangers were going to throw at them, aggression was guaranteed. Quality could be not be banked on - they had plenty of it as it turned out - but passion and heart absolutely could. On the touchline, Postecoglou was going potty, somehow managing to gesticulate wildly in six different directions at the same time in the kind of fluid movement that was utterly beyond the players he was berating. Ibrox rocked as the visitors toiled. Radu Dragusin passed one into touch. Timo Werner gave the ball away with a staggering consistency. Brennan Johnson was easily dispossessed, then started blowing as if already tired. Barely half an hour had gone. Tottenham were in trouble. Little moments had the home fans in raptures. James Maddison tried an outside of the right foot cross-field ball to Werner, but Vaclav Cerny intercepted with ease. Paraphrasing and removing the expletives, the general reaction from Rangers people was: 'Save the showboating for down south, son'. Raskin and his band of marauders kept snapping, kept living in the face of their counterparts. Werner was here in body but not in heart. He became a mistake machine in the face of Rangers pressure. Johnson, the same. Got it, got hustled off it, then got taken off, as did Werner. Kulusevski was the break-class–in-case-of-emergency replacement at the break and he delivered. But before he did, Rangers made them suffer a little more. Two minutes into the new half, James Tavernier, the captain emerging from a grim patch of form, did outstandingly to run away from Johnson and curl one into the path of Igamane. The striker, wholly unconvincing until recently, finished with aplomb. It was deserved. Rangers had the better of it on all fronts to that point and now they had the lead to show for it. Maybe Spurs couldn't believe what they were seeing. And maybe they weren't alone. Rangers have been improving of late, but theirs has been a soft recovery. The characters who were calling for the head of their manager, Philippe Clement, only a matter of weeks ago had been silenced, but it was an uneasy truce, always liable to flare up again when things go wrong. This Rangers had not been seen for a while. Belligerent, but also good on the ball. Pacy, threatening, solid enough at the back even after they suffered the huge loss of their best defender, John Souttar, after little more than half an hour. And this Ibrox was a force, too. Loud, deliriously happy, thunderously angry - an unsettling wall of noise. All the while, Postecoglou waved and flapped and turned away in fury when one of his players - many of his players - went backwards. What he had was a cavalry to call on. Kuluseveski was a game-changer. Dominic Solanke was a big presence, too, in the salvage job. They were both involved in the equaliser, Kulusevski finishing. Postecoglou barely moved. Maybe his heart was singing. Maybe not. It was frenetic and fractious in the 15 minutes that followed. Solanke came close, but Tavernier came up with a big defensive moment to deny him. The Dessers chance was it. That was the moment, or could have been. Forster got them out of jail, but Postecoglou's trial goes on. One win in eight is an uncomfortable case for the defence. For Rangers, a League Cup final to come at the weekend against Postecoglou's old and firing team. A few weeks back, that final looked like a bit of a formality for Celtic. Now? If Rangers can build on the best of this they'll have something to say, for sure.A hot start moves Santa Margarita to No. 1 in the first Orange County Top 25 of the 2024-25 boys basketball season.

Bills' letdowns on defense, special teams and clock management in loss to Rams are all too familiarCISA Issues Guidance to Telecom Sector on Salt Typhoon ThreatCaelynn Bell Talks Holiday Traditions With Dean and Fourth Wing

WEC Energy director Gale Klappa sells $4.4m in stockVice President Kamala Harris made her first public appearance Thursday since her concession speech at Howard University, in Washington, on the morning of November 6. Harris was at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) 48th Annual Legislative Conference. The VP made a brief address at the meeting and wished Merry Christmas. Meanwhile, just like in the days of the campaign, a fake-accent debate was started on social media, with allegations that the 60-year-old was again improvising her accent to appeal to a particular group of people. Her speech was criticised for allegedly having a fake accent: "Kamala briefly emerged from hiding today at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators conference. She also brought back the fake accent," one user wrote. The video sparked a range of reactions, with some calling the VP drunk to some wondering if she has already been indulging in holiday cheer. "Daaaaamn she drunk," one user wrote. "Clearly she's already been indulging in the holiday cheer," said another. "She is so fake. 🤦‍♂️" said one. "Who funds this bullshit conference? Why do they need to persist with segregating our government legislature?" added one. "So fake. Everyone saw through it," wrote another. "So now she's showing up at organizations 80% of the people in the country have never heard of maybe 90%," wrote another. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.

MINNEAPOLIS — Just over a week ago, the Lakers’ mission was clear. But what has transpired over the last week has been a reversal of what was desired. The Lakers’ offense was humming coming off a frustrating 119-118 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Nov. 21 that ended their six-game winning streak. Their 118.3 offensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions) ranked No. 4 through the first 15 games, delivering on the belief that the Lakers could be an elite offensive team. They scored at least 110 points in seven of eight games through the loss to the Magic and 12 of the first 15 games, helping them to a 10-5 record. The next step was clear: improve on the defensive end of the court, with the Lakers’ defensive rating of 117.4 in the first 15 games ranking 26th. The Lakers accomplished their goal: their defense has improved, with a defensive rating of 114.9 in their past six games (19th), including 109.8 (12th) in their last four. But it’s come at a cost – their once elite offense has fallen off significantly over the last week-plus, most evident in their 109-80 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night . “It’s very frustrating,” All-Star big man Anthony Davis said. “We were really good offensively and our defense was a problem and we kind of start just focusing on defense and now our offense is kind of shifted. So we got to get back to how we were [at] the beginning of the year, playing on both sides of the ball very well. “The good thing about it is, offensively it doesn’t take that much to get back going. Defense is a little bit tougher. So with the guys that we have in this locker room, I think we will be fine to figure it out.” The Lakers’ offensive rating has plummeted to 102.4 in their past six games for the league’s third-worst mark (28th) in that stretch. The absence of Austin Reaves, the team’s third-leading scorer who has missed the last two games because of a bruised left pelvis and is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game in Miami, has impacted the offense. But the Lakers’ offensive regression started before Reaves’ injury. The ball and player movement has taken a notable dip compared to earlier in the season. The Lakers are passing fewer times per game during this offensive lull. Old habits have replaced the ones Coach JJ Redick tried to replace with an offensive system that values player and ball movement. “I feel like the offense was fun,” Redick said. “I really believe we’ve gotten better defensively. We’ve spent a lot of time as a staff defensively. And this is the nature of the NBA season. You don’t have a ton of time. The things you emphasize, hopefully you get better at. And sometimes when you don’t emphasize something, or you don’t work on something because you don’t necessarily have time, or you think you’re good at it and you think you have buy-in at it, you just get slippage. We gotta clean that up.” To LeBron James, the Lakers improving their offense will come down to investing similar energy as they did to improve their defense. “Just watching the film and seeing ways we can do better,” James said. “We did that a lot when we wanted to get our defense corrected and we corrected it. You spend a little bit more time on offense things too.” LAKERS AT HEAT When: Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. Where: Kaseya Center, Miami TV/radio: NBA TV, Spectrum SportsNet/710 AMNEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming “border czar” on Thursday, with the Democratic mayor expressing an enthusiasm to work with the incoming administration to pursue violent criminals in the city while Trump promises mass deportations. The mayor’s meeting with Tom Homan, who will oversee the southern and northern borders and be responsible for deportation efforts in the Trump administration, came as Adams has welcomed parts of the president-elect’s hardline immigration platform. Adams told reporters at a brief news conference that he and Homan agreed on pursuing people who commit violent crimes in the city but did not disclose additional details or future plans. “We’re not going to be a safe haven for those who commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants and longstanding New Yorkers,” he said. “That was my conversation today with the border czar, to figure out how to go after those individuals who are repeatedly committing crimes in our city.” The meeting marked Adams’ latest and most definitive step toward collaborating with the Trump administration, a development that has startled critics in one of the country’s most liberal cities. RELATED COVERAGE Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell as he’s named Time’s Person of the Year San Diego sheriff defies new policy to limit cooperation with immigration officials NYC shrinks migrant shelter systems as border surge slows and Trump threatens mass deportations In the weeks since Trump’s election win, Adams has mused about potentially scaling back the city’s so-called sanctuary policies and coordinating with the incoming Trump administration on immigration. He has also said migrants accused of crimes shouldn’t have due process rights under the Constitution, though he eventually walked back those comments. The mayor further stunned Democrats when he sidestepped questions last week on whether he would consider changing parties to become a Republican, telling journalists that he was part of the “American party.” Adams later clarified that he would remain a Democrat. For Adams, a centrist Democrat known for quarreling with the city’s progressive left, the recent comments on immigration follow frustration with the Biden Administration over its immigration policies and a surge of international migrants in the city. He has maintained that his positions have not changed and argues he is trying to protect New Yorkers, pointing to the law-and-order platform he has staked out throughout his political career and during his successful campaign for mayor. At his news conference Thursday, Adams reiterated his commitment to New York’s generous social safety net. “We’re going to tell those who are here, who are law-abiding, to continue to utilize the services that are open to the city, the services that they have a right to utilize, educating their children, health care, public protection,” he said. “But we will not be the safe haven for those who commit violent acts.” While the education of all children present in the U.S. is already guaranteed by a Supreme Court ruling, New York also offers social services like healthcare and emergency shelter to low-income residents, including those in the country illegally. City and state grants also provide significant access to lawyers, which is not guaranteed in the immigration court as they are in the criminal court. Still, Adams’ recent rhetoric has been seen by some critics as an attempt to cozy up to Trump, who could potentially offer a presidential pardon in his federal corruption case. Adams has been charged with accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. He has pleaded not guilty. Homan, who was Trump’s former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, also met this week with Republicans in Illinois, where he called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, to start negotiations over how Trump’s mass deportation plans, according to local media. Separately, New York City officials this week announced continued efforts to shrink a huge emergency shelter system for migrants because of a steady decline in new arrivals. Among the planned shelter closures is a massive tent complex built on a federally owned former airport in Brooklyn, which advocates have warned could be a prime target for Trump’s mass deportation plan. Elsewhere, Republican governors and lawmakers in some states are already rolling out proposals that could help him carry out his pledge to deport millions of people living in the U.S. illegally. ___ Izaguirre reported from Albany, N.Y.

Bitcoin breaks $100,000, outshining wavering stock marketsNEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin topped $100,000 for the first time this week as a massive rally in the world's most popular cryptocurrency, largely accelerated by the election of Donald Trump, rolls on. The cryptocurrency officially to rose six figures Wednesday night, just hours after the president-elect said he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to be the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bitcoin has soared since Trump won the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5. The asset climbed from $69,374 on Election Day, hitting as high as $103,713 Wednesday, according to CoinDesk. And the latest all-time high arrives just two years after bitcoin dropped below $17,000 following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX . Bitcoin fell back below the $100,000 by Thursday afternoon, sitting just above $99,000 by 3 p.m. ET. Even amid a massive rally that has more than doubled the value of bitcoin this year, some experts continue to warn of investment risks around the asset, which has quite a volatile history. Here’s what you need to know. Back up. What is cryptocurrency again? Cryptocurrency has been around for a while now. But chances are you’ve heard about it more and more over the last few years. In basic terms, cryptocurrency is digital money. This kind of currency is designed to work through an online network without a central authority — meaning it’s typically not backed by any government or banking institution — and transactions get recorded with technology called a blockchain. Bitcoin is the largest and oldest cryptocurrency, although other assets like ethereum, XRP, tether and dogecoin have also gained popularity over the years. Some investors see cryptocurrency as a “digital alternative” to traditional money, but most daily financial transactions are still conducted using fiat currencies such as the dollar. Also, bitcoin can be very volatile, with its price reliant on larger market conditions. Why is bitcoin soaring? A lot of the recent action has to do with the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Trump, who was once a crypto skeptic, has pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. His campaign accepted donations in cryptocurrency and he courted fans at a bitcoin conference in July. He also launched World Liberty Financial, a new venture with family members to trade cryptocurrencies. On Thursday morning, hours after bitcoin surpassed the $100,000 mark, Trump congratulated “BITCOINERS” on his social media platform Truth Social. He also appeared to take credit for the recent rally, writing, “YOU’RE WELCOME!!!” Top crypto players welcomed Trump’s election victory last month, in hopes that he would be able to push through legislative and regulatory changes that they’ve long lobbied for — which, generally speaking, aim for an increased sense of legitimacy without too much red tape. And the industry has made sizeable investments along the way. Back in August, Public Citizen, a left-leaning consumer rights advocacy nonprofit, reported finding that crypto-sector corporations spent more than $119 million in 2024 to back pro-crypto candidates across federal elections. Trump made his latest pro-crypto move when he announced his plans Wednesday to nominate Atkins to chair the SEC. Atkins was an SEC commissioner during the presidency of George W. Bush. In the years since leaving the agency, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. He joined the Token Alliance, a cryptocurrency advocacy organization, in 2017. Under current chair Gary Gensler, who will step down when Trump takes office, the SEC has cracked down on the crypto industry — penalizing a number of companies for violating securities laws. Gensler has also faced ample criticism from industry players in the process. One crypto-friendly move the SEC did make under Gensler was the approval in January of spot bitcoin ETFs, or exchange trade funds, which allow investors to have a stake in bitcoin without directly buying it. The spot ETFs were the dominant driver of bitcoin's price before Trump's win — but, like much of the crypto’s recent momentum, saw record inflows postelection. What does bitcoin hitting the $100k mark mean? Could it keep climbing? Bitcoin surpassing the coveted $100,000 mark has left much of the crypto world buzzing. “What we’re seeing isn’t just a rally — it’s a fundamental transformation of bitcoin’s place in the financial system,” Nathan McCauley, CEO and co-founder of crypto custodian Anchorage Digital, said in a statement — while pointing to the growth of who's entering the market, particularly with rising institutional adoption. Still, others note that the new heights of bitcoin's price don't necessarily mean the asset is going mainstream. The $100,000 level is “merely a psychological factor and ultimately just a number,” Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at British investment company AJ Bell, wrote in a Thursday commentary . That being said, bitcoin could keep climbing to more and more all-time highs, particularly if Trump makes good on his promises for more crypto-friendly regulation once in office. If Trump actually makes a bitcoin reserve, for example, supply changes could also propel the price forward. “It is hard to overstate the magnitude of the change in Washington’s attitude towards crypto post-election,” Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise Asset Management, said via email Thursday, reiterating that prices could keep rising if trends persist. “There is a lot more demand than there is supply, and that’s usually a pretty good recipe for success.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is never promised. Worldwide regulatory uncertainties and environmental concerns around bitcoin “mining" — the creation of new bitcoin, which consumes a lot of energy — are among factors that analysts like Coatsworth note could hamper future growth. And, as still a relatively young asset with a history of volatility, longer-term adoption has yet to be seen through. Is it too late to invest? What are the risks? Today’s excitement around bitcoin may make many who aren’t already in the space want to get in on the action. For those in a position to invest, Hougan says it's not too late — noting that bitcoin is still early in its development and most institutional investors “still have zero exposure.” At the same time, Hougan and others maintain that it's important to tread cautiously and not bite off more than you can chew. Experts continue to stress caution around getting carried away with crypto “FOMO,” or the fear of missing out, especially for small-pocketed investors. “A lot of people have got rich from the cryptocurrency soaring in value this year, but this high-risk asset isn’t suitable for everyone,” Coatsworth noted Thursday. “It’s volatile, unpredictable and is driven by speculation, none of which makes for a sleep-at-night investment.” In short, history shows you can lose money in crypto as quickly as you’ve made it. Long-term price behavior relies on larger market conditions. Trading continues at all hours, every day. Coatsworth points to recent research from the Bank for International Settlements, a Switzerland-based global organization of central banks, which found that about three-quarters of retail buyers on crypto exchange apps likely lost money on their bitcoin investments between 2015 and 2022. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, bitcoin stood at just over $5,000. Its price climbed to nearly $69,000 by November 2021, during high demand for technology assets, but later crashed during an aggressive series of rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. And the late-2022 collapse of FTX significantly undermined confidence in crypto overall, with bitcoin falling below $17,000. Investors began returning in large numbers as inflation started to cool — and gains skyrocketed on the anticipation and then early success of spot ETFs, and again, now the post-election frenzy. But lighter regulation from the coming Trump administration could also mean less guardrails. This story has been corrected to refer to Anchorage Digital as a crypto custodian, not a crypto asset manager.Premier League 'intensifying efforts' to block 'dodgy' Fire TV StickPRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG)—a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Hani Hammad as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective January 1, 2025. This appointment follows the recent hiring of Natalia Shuman as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), to whom Mr. Hammad will report directly. In addition to his role as COO, Mr. Hammad will continue serving as MISTRAS Group Executive Vice President. Spearheading Operational Excellence In his role as COO, Mr. Hammad will continue to drive operational excellence, strategic growth, and a culture of innovation at MISTRAS Group. Working closely with both executive and operational management, Mr. Hammad will shape and implement strategies that expand market share by delivering exceptional customer value while overseeing the company’s services and data analytics solutions. MISTRAS Group Executive Chairman of the Board, Manuel (Manny) N. Stamatakis, commented, “With his value-creation approach to operational leadership, Mr. Hammad consistently uncovers growth opportunities and drives impactful changes that accelerate our organizational progress. The Board of Directors and I are confident in his ability to generate high-margin value for MISTRAS Group and our shareholders.” “MISTRAS Group leads the industry due to the strength and expertise of our operational teams,” Hani Hammad stated. “My role is to enhance our resources' position to succeed, emphasizing continuous improvement through innovation and delivering differentiated, high-value solutions that meet our customers' evolving needs.” An Architect of Efficiency and Effectiveness Mr. Hammad joined MISTRAS Group after a tenure with global consultancy firm AlixPartners and recently served as MISTRAS Group’s Chief Transformation Officer (CTO). He has been pivotal in identifying and executing transformational value-creation opportunities, leading various process efficiency and organizational optimization initiatives, and driving MISTRAS’ investments in high-margin growth areas. The goal now is to further engrain the transformational, continuous improvement culture initiated by Project Phoenix into the company’s day-to-day operations on a permanent basis. This will help create additional value creation opportunities while sustaining the progress already made. He was instrumental in designing and managing MISTRAS Group’s Project Phoenix EBITDA Improvement Program, which identified over $47M in annual run rate EBITDA improvement opportunities. His expertise in facilitating operational and financial transformations has made him a trusted advisor in the industry, adept at leading complex value creation programs through challenging landscapes, including mergers & acquisitions and strategic market repositioning. About MISTRAS Group, Inc. - One Source for Asset Protection Solutions® MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG) is a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, helping to maximize the safety and operational uptime for civilization’s most critical industrial and civil assets. Backed by an innovative, data-driven asset protection portfolio, proprietary technologies, strong commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, and a decades-long legacy of industry leadership, MISTRAS leads clients in the oil and gas, aerospace and defense, renewable and nonrenewable power, civil infrastructure, and manufacturing industries towards achieving operational and environmental excellence. By supporting these organizations that help fuel our vehicles and power our society; inspecting components that are trusted for commercial, defense, and space craft; building real-time monitoring equipment to enable safe travel across bridges; and helping to propel sustainability, MISTRAS helps the world at large. MISTRAS enhances value for its clients by integrating asset protection throughout supply chains and centralizing integrity data through a suite of Industrial IoT-connected digital software and monitoring solutions. The company’s core capabilities also include non-destructive testing field and in-line inspections enhanced by advanced robotics, laboratory quality control and assurance testing, sensing technologies and NDT equipment, asset and mechanical integrity engineering services, and light mechanical maintenance and access services. For more information about how MISTRAS helps protect civilization’s critical infrastructure and the environment, visit https://www.mistrasgroup.com/ . Contact: Nestor S. Makarigakis Group Vice President, Marketing and Communications MISTRAS Group, Inc. marcom@mistrasgroup.com +1 (609) 716-4000

Speaking during the commissioning of Zimbabwe Defence Forces houses and utility vehicles in Dzivaresekwa, Harare, President Mnangagwa said all human settlements must always be accompanied by basic services such as roads, water and sanitation. He said his Government was facilitating the provision of housing, which is a basic and fundamental need. President Mnangagwa said stakeholders in the housing and built environment space had to play their part towards accelerating the realisation of national targets by working together towards addressing the housing backlog. “Equally, our human settlements must always be accompanied by basic services, including roads, recreational, education and health facilities as well as water and sanitation infrastructure. “Competing interests over land and planning overlays must never be tolerated. Urban and rural local authorities are urged to ensure strict compliance with building laws and standards”. President Mnangagwa said his Government would continue to facilitate an enabling environment, including advancing legislative and policy measures to enable all to have access to adequate shelter. “To date, the recapitalisation of the Housing Guarantee and National Housing Fund has been considered in the 2025 National Budget. Hence, today, we celebrate yet another milestone that is more than brick and mortar, but also a show of my Government’s unwavering commitment to provide modern, safe and affordable housing for both public sector employees as well as citizens in general.” President Mnangagwa said the quality of the completed houses being commissioned attested to the professionalism, ingenuity and competency of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Construction Regiment. “It is pleasing that the ZDF has shifted from conventional brick-and-mortar houses to a new cheaper, cleaner, climate-smart and sustainable building technology. “The approach must see more houses being speedily constructed, resulting in many more families being accommodated,” he said. President Mnangagwa, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the ZDF, said the peace, security and defence of the nation remained fundamental requisites and catalysts for economic transformation, enabling all sectors and the general public to engage in productive economic activities. This, he said, was guaranteed by a security sector which was not distracted by accommodation issues. “This further assures them of higher levels of professional dignity, while inculcating broader military norms and value systems as well as encouraging greater bonding, unity, and spirit of military camaraderie among the members. “In addition, the availability of institutional accommodation is vital for maintaining operational efficiencies, including enabling our national army to coordinate quickly and efficiently react in cases of emergencies and disasters,” the President said. He urged the Ministry of Defence to expand the construction regiment and appropriately equip that strategic unit so that it increases its efficiency and capabilities in the construction field. Sikhumbuzo Moyo, IN the wake of rampant vandalism and theft of water infrastructure, Bulawayo City Council (BCC) says it will require about 600 security guards to adequately provide security at the Nyamandlovu Aquifer borehole sites. Only five security personnel are said to be deployed on site despite rampant vandalism and theft that has left [...] Chronicle Writer The recent election victory of Swapo (South West Africa People’s Organisation) in Namibia can be interpreted as a sign of resilience and continuity for liberation movements, reinforcing their role in the political landscape of the region where their struggle and solidarity remain a powerful example of co-operation in the face of oppression. There [...] Wallace Ruzvidzo, Harare Bureau PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has lauded churches for their positive roles including contributing to the country’s development. The Salvation Army Church leadership yesterday paid a courtesy call on the President at State House in Harare. In an interview after the closed-door meeting, Salvation Army Territorial Commander Commissioner Daniel Kasuso said they had fruitful [...]TORONTO — In pregame introductions, OG Anunoby was greeted with a polite round of applause as he returned to Toronto. And when RJ Barrett was introduced with all of the pomp and circumstance of a home team intro, he jumped and danced along the sideline. That mood carried over for much of the game as Barrett seemed intent on making a statement against the team that traded him away. But in the end, it was the Knicks who were jumping and celebrating after pulling out a 113-108 win at Scotiabank Arena. Barrett did his part, finishing with 30 points, eight rebounds and four assists, but the Knicks got a balanced attack topped by Karl-Anthony Towns (24 points, 15 rebounds, six assists) to survive. Jalen Brunson's four-point play with 3:03 left began a game-ending 12-4 run that gave the Knicks (15-9) the win. Mikal Bridges had 23 points and Brunson added 20 points and 11 assists. When the Knicks, clinging to a two-point lead, missed a layup, Barrett muscled the ball away from Towns, raced up the floor and hit a lefthanded layup between two defenders, tying the score at 108 with 42.1 seconds to play. But out of a timeout, Brunson was double-teamed and found Towns under the basket for a go-ahead layup with 36 seconds remaining. When Barrett got past Anunoby and challenged Towns for a layup, Anunoby blocked the shot from behind. Towns delivered a three-point field goal on a feed from Anunoby with 6.3 seconds to play, and this time the Knicks celebrated as wildly as Barrett did at the start of the game. With just over a minute left in the third quarter, Brunson backed up toward the sideline after draining a three-point field goal and appeared to step on a fan’s foot. He left the game when the Knicks called time and headed to the locker room. He returned to the bench early in the fourth quarter and re-entered the game with 6:35 left and the Knicks trailing 97-95. Josh Hart gave the Knicks the lead with a corner three-pointer after a steal. The Raptors briefly took the lead back before Towns drained a three on a feed from Brunson for a 101-99 advantage. With the score tied at 101 after Barrett's drive, Barrett drove and found Davion Mitchell in the corner for a three-pointer with 3:30 remaining. Brunson answered with a three of his own, drawing a foul on Mitchell on the play and converting the four-point play to give the Knicks a 105-104 lead with 3:03 left. Mitchell gave Toronto the lead, but Towns found Bridges in the corner for a go-ahead three-pointer. This meant something for Barrett. As he prepared to take the court for the Raptors against his former team on Monday night, he sat at his locker and paused for a moment as he considered a question. He thought back through his years in New York and realized that not a single player on the Knicks had been with the team when he arrived in the 2019 NBA Draft. Back then, he was supposed to be the next big thing in New York, the No. 3 overall pick and a turning point for a franchise that had been floundering for years. The Knicks built around him, and then nearly a year ago — Dec. 30, 2023 — he got the call that he was gone. And despite the history there, the key role he’d played, he wasn’t surprised at all. “Lots of stuff,” Barrett said, shaking his head. “Lots of stuff. I think I just got a vibe, kind of figured. I wasn’t really too surprised when it happened.” He was the first of the group that had carried the team to respectability to go, dealt along with Immanuel Quickley to his hometown team in exchange for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn. Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo eventually followed him out the door in a preseason deal for Towns — and that didn’t surprise him either. “Nah, I think there’s certain things that you see that are out of the usual,” Barrett said. “But I think whenever you get traded, it is a surprise. I didn’t know when it would happen, that fast, that early, but it happened. I’m here and I’m thankful to be here.'' Notes & quotes: With 6:47 to play in the third quarter, Towns and Scottie Barnes collided on a foul by Barnes. Towns was slow to get up, flexing his right knee. Barnes had to be helped off by teammates, limping to the locker room on one leg. He did not return, diagnosed with a sprained right ankle. Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.