Creators Will Soon Contribute To AI “And Get Paid For It”, Google CEO Sundar Pichai Predicts
The Ukrainian president said the use of a ballistic missile to hit Dnipro was a “clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war” and he warned that Russian president Mr Putin would attack or destabilise other countries unless stopped. Mr Putin said the use of the new weapon was in response to the UK and US allowing missiles they have supplied to Ukraine to be used to strike targets in Russia. “In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the Ukrainian defence industry,” Mr Putin said in a televised address. “One of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested in combat conditions, in this case, with a ballistic missile in a non-nuclear hypersonic warhead.” He added: “We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities.” But Mr Zelensky urged world leaders – his “dear partners” – not to be cowed by Mr Putin’s actions otherwise there will be “endless Russian strikes” and “not just against Ukraine”. Today, Putin admitted to taking a second step this year toward escalating and expanding this war. A new ballistic missile was used. Putin struck our city of Dnipro, one of Ukraine’s largest cities. This is a clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war—a... — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) “A lack of tough reactions to Russia’s actions sends a message that such behavior is acceptable,” the Ukrainian president said on X, formerly Twitter. “This is what Putin is doing. Putin must feel the cost of his deranged ambitions. “Response is needed. Pressure is needed. Russia must be forced into real peace, which can only be achieved through strength. “Otherwise, there will be endless Russian strikes, threats, and destabilisation-not just against Ukraine.” The UK is believed to have allowed its Storm Shadow missiles to be used by Ukrainian forces within the Kursk region of Russia, while the US has given permission for its ATACMS weapons to be fired at targets in Mr Putin’s country. Mr Putin confirmed Russia has tested the new intermediate-range weapon in an attack on Dnipro in response. The US said the weapon was a new, experimental intermediate-range missile based on Russia’s existing RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. In Westminster, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “My understanding is that it is the first time that Russia has used a ballistic missile in Ukraine with a range of several thousand kilometres.” Defence Secretary John Healey said it was “yet another example of Putin’s recklessness”. He said: “Since the illegal invasion of Ukraine began, Russia has consistently and irresponsibly escalated the conflict while Ukraine continues to fight in self-defence for a democratic future.” The missile’s range far outstrips that of newly authorised US and British-supplied weapons, which can hit targets around 250-300km away. The distance from Moscow to London is around 2,500km, suggesting the range of the new missile could threaten the UK. Mr Healey said the UK knew Russia had been “preparing for months” to fire a new ballistic missile. Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence have repeatedly declined to comment publicly on Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadow. “It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin,” Mr Healey told MPs. I had a meeting with the UK delegation led by Chief of the Defence Staff . We discussed defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Particular... — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) The head of the UK’s armed forces, Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, met Mr Zelensky in Kyiv to discuss the war on Thursday. Mr Zelensky said: “We discussed defence co-operation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the armed forces of Ukraine. “Particular attention was given to Ukraine’s current military needs and the continued support from our partners.”Paige Spiranac Has Blunt Message For Critics Of Her Golf Course Outfits
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Rob Cross breaks silence to explain rude gesture caught on camera at World Darts ChampionshipHeavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights
s the , it’s time to start making lists, checking them twice, figuring out who’s naughty, and who deserves an incredibly nice gift. Whether you’re on the hunt for the for a loved one, trying to impress the in-laws, or simply indulging in some ultimate self-care, this list of gifts that are truly worth the splurge is designed to help make holiday shopping a little easier. We carefully curated this gift guide by poring over a range of items, from timeless, high-quality kitchenware and household goods to delightful under-the-radar finds, that are designed to put a sparkle in the eye of the recipient. Every gift idea here should bring a little extra magic to your celebrations and thrill anyone lucky to receive them—or at least give you a few items to add to your own wishlist. Red-light therapy is the latest, buzziest for skincare fanatics. This FDA-cleared device, available for $276.90, uses LED light to improve acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, while also tightening skin, calming redness, and evening skin tone. Plus, it does the job in just three minutes a day making it easy to fit skin care and self care into almost any schedule. Qure LED Light Therapy Mask on Anyone going over the river or through the woods (or getting packed into a middle seat in coach) will appreciate adding a little elegance to holiday schlepping with the Sofia Cashmere Travel Set, available starting at $395. The set includes an eye mask, socks, and super cozy blanket all in the softest cashmere with a hold-all bag to tuck into your carry on. It’s perfect for curling up and watching a movie on the seat-back entertainment system—and to make your fellow travelers jealous. Sofia Cashmere Travel Set on and Wild West enthusiasts—and, yes, fans—will appreciate , a compelling portrait of ranch life by Anouk Masson Krantz. This coffee table book, available for $85, combines gorgeous, black-and-white imagery of cowboys, ranchers, and their families in the land they love with a nice touch of history of the modern American west. on and Picking perfume for someone else is risky, which is why this perfume discovery set is so ingenious. Fable & Rune has put together a sampler pack of nine of their signature scents, including Bergamot & Black Pepper, Irish Moss & Petrichor, and Sicilian Orange Blossom. The rollerball samples, available in a set for $65, let folks try out all the fragrances and to find the perfect one to purchase full size. Discovery Set on This is the ultimate hair styling tool for pretty much anyone with hair. While the $599 price tag is certainly jaw-dropping, its fans swear it’s worth it since they no longer have to pay for professional blowouts. The proprietary technology sucks the hair onto the barrel and then wraps, dries, curls, or straightens in one convenient step. The results and gushing fan testimonials (and tutorials) are all over TikTok making a compelling case for Santa to stick one of these under the tree. Airwrap on and Any burgeoning makeup artist or at-home DIY stylists will treasure this collection of thoughtfully-designed make-up brushes. Artis, which is the Latin word for "skill, method, technique," created a line of brushes for $279 that are carefully crafted to make applying make-up easier, allowing for a lighter touch and a more natural look. Plus they are fun and easy to use and result in close-up ready looks. Elite 5 Brush Set on and Thanks to office chairs, long commutes, slouching phone usage, overly-enthusiastic gym time, and too-heavy backpacks, tote bags, and grocery hauls, everyone in this modern world probably needs a massage. While a masseuse is ideal, the Theragun Pro Plus, $599, is the next best option. Treat sore muscles, tight backs, and tech neck at home while watching TV and thinking about what you’ve done. Theragun Pro Plus on on This eyeliner kit will impress any influencer in training and give makeup aficionados all the tools they need for a glamorous smokey eye. This sleek kit, available for $176, includes four of Victoria Beckham’s cult favorite eyeliners and a sharpener to keep them on point, as well as a mascara that lasts all day. The combination is a perfectly luxe stocking stuffer. Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Jewel Liner Kit on If you’re looking for a hostess gift for the host that has everything, this $100 scent diffuser from cult brand Santa Maria Novella fits the bill. The elegant design allows the delicate scent of herbs, flowers, and leaves reminiscent of a Tuscan afternoon to drift through a room. Bring this instead of flowers and you’ll undoubtedly be invited back. Room Scent Diffuser on If the coffee fanatic in your house is ready to step up from Nespresso and eager to learn the art and craft of coffee making, this machine will do the trick nicely. The barista’s go-to espresso machine has been re-designed and shrunken for home use and will look elegant on any countertop. These professional-grade machines, available for $5,900, are handmade in Florence, so order early. Linea Mini Home Espresso Machine on If you’re looking for a memorable and unique gift, consider the panettone from Olivieri 1882. Their take on the traditional Italian Christmas bread is made with a light sourdough that is fermented for four days, dotted with vanilla, and filled with raisins and candied oranges. There are plenty of other flavor options, too, starting at $99, including pumpkin and dark chocolate and apricot and salted caramel. Fancy Panettone on Forget the five lords aleaping and the partridge in the pear tree and instead give the people what they want—12 days of caviar, one variety for each day of Christmas. The elite advent calendar, available for $750, includes two mother of pearl tasting spoons and an array of fish eggs, including golden osetra, Siberian sturgeon, salmon roe, and may more. Perfect for a fish fanatic or anyone looking to upgrade brunch. 12 Days of Caviar on Mahjong, the game in which players match or sequence sets of tiles, has been around and has been a fixture in the Chinese diaspora for generations, but we’re going to call it now: 2025 is going to be the year everyone starts playing mahjong. Mahjong (or mahjong or mah-jongg) is a bit like the card game rummy; it is competitive, but also easy enough for the whole family. This gorgeous set, available for $339, lets players choose between playing the American or Chinese version of the game. MahJong Sets on and In a crowded dairy aisle, Jeni’s has earned a reputation as one of the best ice creams around. Their unique flavors, extra creamy texture, and high butterfat content have made them the go-to flavor for anyone screaming for ice cream. A subscription to their pint of the month club, which starts at $199 for three months, delivers four pints once a month and will go a long way to satisfying any sweet tooth. Pint of the Month on This $299 Japanese toaster is a cult favorite for chefs and home cooks in the know for its ability to simultaneously toast and steam. While this sounds like a recipe for soggy baked goods, instead it revives stale bread, turns freezer burnt croissants into fresh breakfast treats, makes leftover pizza taste new, and turns plain old toast into a little treat. The appliance is a bit of a countertop revolution for any carb lover. The Toaster on on If the photographer in your life is ready to graduate from phone photography or point-and-shoot pics to professional levels, this camera, available for $6,295, will more than do the trick. This fixed-lens, autofocusing camera is designed for pros, but is easy enough for amateurs eager to learn more about the art and craft of photography. Leica Q3 Digital Camera on Give the tastemaker in your life a tiny tour of the offerings of Flamingo Estate, the Los Angeles- lifestyle brand that counts Oprah and Martha Stewart as fans. This set, available for $179, serves as an introduction to the company’s garden-forward products with just a touch of California mystique. Tucked into an Instagram-worthy box is their heritage olive oil with olives from their garden, a rosemary and clary sage body wash, and a hand-poured sage-scented candle. The Mini Garden Tour on Mystery lovers will love receiving a membership to the Crime Club. Each month, staff at Tribeca’s beloved Mysterious Bookshop will pick one signed first edition mystery hardcover to send out to members. Fittingly each selection will be a mystery, but one that will be sure to thrill readers and book collectors alike. Crime Club from Anyone existing in the Apple universe would be thrilled to find these noise-canceling headphones under the tree. Everything from Zoom meetings to Linkin Park albums to a favorite true crime podcast sounds crystal clear on these over-ear headphones, available for $549. Plus, they seamlessly integrate into the Apple universe effortlessly connecting to iPhones and iPads and MacBooks and have Apple’s sleek minimalist design. AirPods Max on and Music fans and vinylheads will appreciate this subscription service that delivers fresh tunes each month, starting at $279 for a six-month membership. Choose between hip-hop; jazz, blues, funk or soul; or musical essentials that span genre and Vinyl Me Please will serve up something new, interesting, fun and always on vinyl. Six Month Membership on Rimowa set the bar for luxury travel accessories and continues to live up to its reputation. There is no better suitcase, available for $1,650 for road warriors, airline million milers, and would-be travel influencers. Its stylish, Instagram-ready looks aside, it’s also just a really good, nearly-indestructible suitcase with enough space for a long weekend trip. Cabin Twist Suitcase on This Danish tech company has built a reputation on combining sleek, stylish design with some of the best audio in the game. This speaker, available for $1,299, is also portable, which means backyard barbecues, tailgates, and picnics will have a pitch-perfect soundtrack with a sound sure to satisfy even the most critical of ears. Beosound A5 on and College grads, newlyweds, first-time renters, and anyone looking for a kitchen refresh will appreciate this $275 pots and pans set from Great Jones, the internet’s favorite kitchenware company. This four-piece set includes all the basics, including a soup or pasta pot, a sauce pan, and two frying pans in different sizes. They are all easy to cook with, easy to clean, and easy to look at, making them a great present. Precious Metals Set on Giving a fresh flower subscription makes Christmas cheer spread all throughout the year. Once a month a fresh bouquet will show up to brighten the day (and house or office) of the recipient. Choose between three sizes, starting at $48 per order, and Bouqs will deliver a flower arrangement that will make nearly anyone smile and maybe whistle, “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”. Flower Subscription on The latest generation of this popular laser projector, available for $2,700 may end up as one of the best of 2024. This projector has minimalist good looks, a decent price, and produces a crisp, bright picture that works in nearly any light condition, an important and strangely rare trait for a projector. This connects via Bluetooth, HDMI, or wifi making it go from box to blockbuster viewing a snap. XGIMI Laser Projector on Le Creuset’s Dutch oven is a kitchen classic, but that means most ardent cooks already have one. This bread oven, available for $240, though is a useful addition to any kitchen arsenal, particularly for people who love to have fresh bread in the house. The cast-iron oven is designed to heat to a high temperature while also trapping and circulating steam, which will all go to helping create a crisp crust, soft interior, and excellent flavor. Bread Oven on and If food is your love language or you need something for someone who has everything, a Goldbelly subscription is a great option. Each month, the folks at the food delivery company pick a favorite product like barbecue from Kansas City, lobster rolls from Maine, Muffuletta from New Orleans, or world-renowned ice cream. Each box will contain enough treats to feed four people as long as they’re willing to share. Subscriptions start at $249.50 for three months and go up to $899.95 for 12 months. Monthly Food Subscription on Receiving a KitchenAid stand mixer is a rite of passage for cooks, bakers, homeowners, and anyone with a kitchen to fill and a drive to whip up something delicious. The mixer, available for $479, is incredibly useful and versatile making everything from cakes to pizza dough to fresh pasta to extruding sausage. That versatility makes it one of the rare kitchen appliances that is worth the loss of counter space. KitchenAid Artisan Mixer onFine Gael won 35 seats in the 2020 election, but 18 of those TDs did not seek re-election in Friday’s poll. An exit poll puts the party’s support at 21%, a fraction of a percentage behind the main opposition party Sinn Fein. Mr Harris, the outgoing Taoiseach, was elected with 16,869 first preference votes, well above the quota. He celebrated with his wife Caoimhe, his parents Bart and Mary, his sister Gemma and his political team at the count centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow. Ahead of his re-election, Mr Harris told reporters he was “cautiously optimistic” about the election result and said it was “clear that my party will gain seats”. “It’s also clear that Fine Gael will top the poll in at least 10 constituencies, many more than we did the last time, that we will gain seats in constituencies where we haven’t had seats in many years, like Tipperary South and Waterford, and that we will add second seats in other constituencies as well,” he said. “I think the people of Ireland have now spoken. We now have to work out exactly what they have said, and that is going to take a little bit of time.” In one of the five consecutive broadcast media rounds he did from the Greystones count centre, he said there were a lot of areas where there were “straight shoot-outs” between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for final seats. He described the Sinn Fein vote as “pretty significantly down”, the Fianna Fail vote as “marginally down” and the Fine Gael vote as “static” compared with its 2020 vote. He said it was “a very close, a very competitive election” and that “we haven’t seen a Sinn Fein surge or anything like it”. He said: “It was predicted by many that I would become the Taoiseach for a brief period of time, take over from Leo Varadkar, and then have to rebuild my party from the opposition benches as Sinn Fein led a government. “We don’t know what’s going to happen on government formation yet, but that is now looking less likely than it was.” He acknowledged that it was “a very difficult day” for the Green Party and paid tribute to their work in the coalition government, alongside his party and Fianna Fail. “Definitely, politics in Ireland has gotten much more fragmented,” he said. Fine Gael minister Helen McEntee said that her party’s campaign had been “positive”. “The feeling on the doors was very much that people were relatively happy with the government,” she said on RTE Radio. “It will come down to the last seats and it will come down to transfers,” she said of the final result, adding that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were performing better than the exit poll estimated.
Blues host the Flyers after Holloway's 2-goal gameWoodward's EVP and COO sells $3.18 million in stockLife expectancy is back in the news, with recent revelations that Australians' life expectancy has fallen for the second year in a row, thanks to COVID-19. Well, of course, bad news makes good headlines, but do you need to be worried? Not at all. Life expectancy tables are just a snapshot of the population as a whole and have nothing to do with individuals. And, like the property market, it varies from region to region. For example, life expectancy in North Britain is six years less than life expectancy in the South - all because of lifestyle. or signup to continue reading Of course, getting an idea of how long you might live is important when you're deciding how much money you will need when you retire. But the biggest factor in how long a person lives is really how they live - that's the good news! Keep in mind that you should treat any projected life expectancy figures with healthy scepticism - how can anybody accurately forecast what medical breakthroughs will occur over the next 100 years? Not long ago, featured a striking headline: "This Baby Might Live To 120," highlighting medical breakthroughs extending human life spans. One notable aspect was a genetic disorder that stunts growth, but also shields against cancer and diabetes. Isolating this gene could mean breakthroughs in preventing these diseases altogether. David Williams, founder of My Longevity Pty Ltd, introduced the SHAPE acronym to help people estimate their life expectancy: Surroundings, Health, Attitude, Parents, and Eating habits. It's a sensible approach: those with supportive environments, good health, a positive outlook, favourable genetics, and balanced nutrition often outlive those who lack these advantages. Over time, our differences amplify, underscoring that personalised strategies work. On his website, , Williams offers a free SHAPE Analyser quiz for anyone over 44. It's a simple, five-minute tool that projects life expectancy and initiates a personalised longevity plan, guiding users to map out and maximise their future. I highly recommend trying it. But remember that life isn't static: your outlook and habits can shift over time. Research suggests that the longer you live, the greater your chances of living even longer, with the dependent phase shortening. Thus, strategic planning becomes essential, especially in a situation where one partner is fully functioning and the other partner needs care. For those aged 50 today, reaching 100 isn't far-fetched. There's a financial challenge in this: if you retire at 65, you'll need to prepare for another 35 years without income. There are two things to focus on: optimising your returns on financial assets, and optimising your lifestyle to maximise your retirement happiness. Irrespective of how long we live there are two major factors that have been proven to make for a happier, healthier and more fulfilling retirement. These are a sense of purpose, and a good social network. Having activities that give you purpose is vital - it's the reason to get out of bed in the morning. These activities can range from pursuing hobbies or playing sports to joining your body corporate's committee. The crucial thing is staying active and involved. In my opinion, the ideal environment for older retirees is a well-chosen retirement village. The best ones offer a wide array of activities that foster engagement and help sustain a sense of purpose. One of the most significant advantages of a retirement village is the support the community can offer when one partner passes away. Few things are as difficult as living alone at home after a partner's death, and many widows and widowers quickly become isolated and lonely without social support. In contrast, retirement villages offer companionship, understanding, and a shared community, ensuring that life continues with connection and comfort. Both a reversionary pension and a binding death benefit nomination are instructions to say what happens to your super when you die. A reversionary pension states that your existing super pension will continue to somebody else when you die, while a binding death benefit nomination says what happens to your super/pension when you die. A binding nomination is flexible as your money can go to a range of people in different proportions and can be used in the super and pension environments. Reversionary beneficiaries are restricted to the pension arena and can be given to only one person, which is usually your partner. There are circumstances where adding a reversionary beneficiary can provide positive and or negative impacts for income tested age pension recipients and those in aged care, particularly if the income stream was purchased prior to 1 January 2015. You need to understand the specific rules of the super fund you are in, as each fund can have variances in each type of nomination. For those with large pension balances the implications can be significant, particularly those with Self-Managed Super Funds. As always, seek advice pertaining to the specifics of your situation as what may seem quite simple, can actually be quite complex in certain circumstances. John Perri of Amp Technical says SG vouchers are treated as concessional contributions - they are effectively SGC shortfall amounts paid to the ATO by employers who have not met their SG obligations, and in turn are paid to the super fund of the employee. It's the perfect strategy. Because she is not of pensionable age the money will not count as an asset against your pension unless she starts to draw an income from it- she can still access any time if she needs. Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement
Fine Gael won 35 seats in the 2020 election, but 18 of those TDs did not seek re-election in Friday’s poll. An exit poll puts the party’s support at 21%, a fraction of a percentage behind the main opposition party Sinn Fein. Mr Harris, the outgoing Taoiseach, was elected with 16,869 first preference votes, well above the quota. He celebrated with his wife Caoimhe, his parents Bart and Mary, his sister Gemma and his political team at the count centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow. Ahead of his re-election, Mr Harris told reporters he was “cautiously optimistic” about the election result and said it was “clear that my party will gain seats”. “It’s also clear that Fine Gael will top the poll in at least 10 constituencies, many more than we did the last time, that we will gain seats in constituencies where we haven’t had seats in many years, like Tipperary South and Waterford, and that we will add second seats in other constituencies as well,” he said. “I think the people of Ireland have now spoken. We now have to work out exactly what they have said, and that is going to take a little bit of time.” In one of the five consecutive broadcast media rounds he did from the Greystones count centre, he said there were a lot of areas where there were “straight shoot-outs” between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for final seats. He described the Sinn Fein vote as “pretty significantly down”, the Fianna Fail vote as “marginally down” and the Fine Gael vote as “static” compared with its 2020 vote. He said it was “a very close, a very competitive election” and that “we haven’t seen a Sinn Fein surge or anything like it”. He said: “It was predicted by many that I would become the Taoiseach for a brief period of time, take over from Leo Varadkar, and then have to rebuild my party from the opposition benches as Sinn Fein led a government. “We don’t know what’s going to happen on government formation yet, but that is now looking less likely than it was.” He acknowledged that it was “a very difficult day” for the Green Party and paid tribute to their work in the coalition government, alongside his party and Fianna Fail. “Definitely, politics in Ireland has gotten much more fragmented,” he said. Fine Gael minister Helen McEntee said that her party’s campaign had been “positive”. “The feeling on the doors was very much that people were relatively happy with the government,” she said on RTE Radio. “It will come down to the last seats and it will come down to transfers,” she said of the final result, adding that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were performing better than the exit poll estimated.Harris: Fine Gael ‘will gain seats’ amid further fragmentation of Irish politics
Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration
NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train used a shirt to fan the flames, a prosecutor said Tuesday at his arraignment on murder charges. Sebastian Zapeta, 33, who federal immigration officials said is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally, was not required to enter a plea and did not speak at the hearing in Brooklyn criminal court. Zapeta, wearing a white jumpsuit over a weathered black hooded sweatshirt, will remain jailed at the city's Rikers Island complex and is due back in court on Friday. His lawyer did not ask for bail. Zapeta is charged with two counts of murder, accusing him of intentionally killing the woman and killing her while committing arson. He is also charged with one count of arson. The top charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called the attack a “gruesome and senseless act of violence” and said it would be “met with the most serious consequences.” The apparently random attack occurred Sunday morning on an F train that was stopped at the Coney Island station. The victim's identification is still pending. Authorities say Zapeta approached the woman, who may have been sleeping in the train, and set her clothing on fire with a lighter. Zapeta then fanned the flames with a shirt, engulfing her in fire, Assistant District Attorney Ari Rottenberg said in court Tuesday. Zapeta then sat on a bench on the subway platform and watched, Rottenberg said. According to Rottenberg, Zapeta told detectives that he didn’t know what happened but identified himself in images of the attack. Zapeta's lawyer, public defender Andrew Friedman, did not speak to reporters after the arraignment. A message seeking comment was left for him. Video on social media appears to show some people looking on from the platform and at least one police officer walking by while the woman is on fire inside the train. NYPD Transit Chief Joseph Gulotta said Sunday that several officers responded to the fire and one stayed to keep the crime scene “the way it’s supposed to be" while the others went to get fire extinguishers and transit workers. “Officers who were on patrol on an upper level of that station smelled and saw smoke and went to investigate. What they saw was a person standing inside the train car fully engulfed in flames,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. They eventually put the fire out, but “unfortunately, it was too late,” Tisch said, and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Zapeta was taken into custody Sunday afternoon while riding a train on the same subway line after teenagers recognized him from images circulated by the police. A Brooklyn address for Zapeta released by police matches a shelter that provides housing and substance abuse support. The shelter did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Federal immigration officials said Zapeta was deported in 2018 but later reentered the U.S. illegally. The crime deepened a growing sense of unease among some New Yorkers about the safety of the subway system, amplified by graphic video of the attack that ricocheted across social media. Overall, crime is down in the transit system compared to last year. Major felonies declined 6% between January and November compared to the same time period last year, according to data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. But murders are up, with nine killings this year through November compared to five during the same period last year. There have also been several high-profile incidents, including one in September where police inadvertently shot two bystanders and a fellow officer when they opened fire on a man holding a knife in front of a train. Earlier this month, a Manhattan jury acquitted former Marine Daniel Penny in the chokehold death last year of an agitated subway rider. The case became a flashpoint in debates over safety, homelessness and mental illness on the system. Policing the subway is difficult, given the vast network of trains moving between 472 stations. Each stop contains multiple entry points and, in many stations, multiple floors and platforms. This story has been corrected to show that the name of Zapeta's lawyer is Andrew Friedman, not Ed Friedman. Best trending stories from the week. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. You may occasionally receive promotions exclusive discounted subscription offers from the Roswell Daily Record. Feel free to cancel any time via the unsubscribe link in the newsletter you received. You can also control your newsletter options via your user dashboard by signing in.RONAN, Mont. - A Rocky Mountain Transport bus used to bring Whitefish High School speech and debate students to an event caught fire in Ronan on Saturday night. Ronan Fire Chief Chris Adler confirmed with NonStop Local on Sunday that the Ronan Volunteer Fire Department responded to the bus on fire in a parking lot around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. He said at the time, no students were on the bus, but the bus driver was transported to the hospital. When crews arrived, the back of the bus was engulfed, but the fire spread to the entire bus. To help the students get back home, the Ronan school district bussed them back to Whitefish. Multiple parents on social media noted the students "lost everything" they had on the bus. Whitefish Schools has not made a statement on the incident. According to the school district's schedule, the students were in Ronan for speech and debate by Ronan invite. NonStop Local will update this story as more information becomes available.
When union boss Paddy Crumlin appeared at an international labour conference last month, he entered smiling to the strains of the 1997 hit Tubthumping : “I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never going to keep me down.” Crumlin, who led the merger of the Maritime Union he leads with the scandal-plagued CFMEU in 2018, had reason to grin. Wayne Swan, Paddy Crumlin, Nicola Roxon and Julia Angrisano are among the many superannuation fund directors with labour connections. Credit: Monique Westerman In 2021, the Maritime Super fund that Crumlin chaired had performed so poorly that it handed over investment decisions to another fund, Hostplus, and formally merged with it two years later. But this week Crumlin was back as a super fund director. The CFMEU had picked him as a director of Cbus, the building industry superannuation fund. The CFMEU’s Crumlin pick is just one of a thicket of ties between the unions, Labor and industry superannuation funds that have come to be among the largest and most powerful players in the Australian economy. These funds, which count about 11 million members, are run to profit their members while retail super funds are typically operated by for-profit businesses such as fund managers or banks. And, under the industry model in which unions and employer groups nominate roughly equal numbers of directors to funds, ties between the sector and the labour movement are backed in. But as the $3.9 trillion sector’s coffers have swelled, with big industry funds such as AustralianSuper ($341 billion under management), Cbus ($94 billion) and CareSuper ($53 billion) counting memberships up to 3.4 million people, the level of oversight that model delivers has come under greater scrutiny. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission launched Federal Court proceedings last week against Cbus after it failed to identify and prevent delays in processing death and disability insurance claims that affected 10,000 members, dating back to August 2022 – a failure that Cbus has conceded cost its members about $20 million. CFMEU manufacturing division boss Michael O’Connor is facing separate allegations he misused his position at a small fund, First Super, to bankroll the salary of a union delegate with fund money while his organisation was experiencing financial difficulties. And AustralianSuper, the industry’s largest, could be fined $27 million over its failure to consolidate more than 90,000 members’ accounts, costing them almost $70 million, in another case brought by the corporate regulator. While the funds are variously declining to comment, blaming external contractors, or apologising and saying they have already addressed the issues, superannuation critics smell blood. Liberal senator Andrew Bragg, the opposition assistant spokesman for home ownership, says the sector’s board model, in which union and industry representatives oversee funds rather than typical corporate directors, is no longer fit for purpose. “There is an unmanageable conflict of interest between the interests of unions and workers,” Bragg says. “And there is the cavalcade of Labor politicians, how do they get these positions?” Cbus, for example, is chaired by former Labor treasurer and current party president Wayne Swan. Don Russell, a former senior adviser to Labor prime minister Paul Keating, chairs AustralianSuper. HESTA, an $88 billion fund for the health and community sector, is chaired by Nicola Roxon, a Rudd-Gillard era minister. Bragg says the sector has created a perception that it operates in line with modern governance standards. “It has taken the CFMEU issue to expose that,” he says. Bragg is referring to the litany of allegations of underworld infiltration and corruption revealed in this masthead’s Building Bad series that led the federal government to appoint a barrister to take over the CFMEU. That barrister, Mark Irving, KC, said in August he wanted a “clean sweep” of serving CFMEU representatives from the Cbus board but reappointed one who resigned, Jason O’Mara, alongside Crumlin and a union lawyer, Lucy Weber. There are no allegations against any of those individuals. Super Consumers Australia chief executive Xavier O’Halloran, whose group represents people with superannuation accounts, says the “partisan debate” over Cbus should not be the main focus. “The skills and competence of these boards are really important, and that should be the primary focus,” O’Halloran says. “What we have seen in the UK, the regulator has a role in determining a fit and proper person, to determine who should be on the board. “That’s not something the regulator [APRA] here does. They [unions and industry groups] make their own picks, and we think that could be improved, that there should be greater rigour.” But while O’Halloran would like to see improvements to board regulation, and perhaps the introduction of more independent directors, he also confirms the industry superannuation sector is largely beating its retail competitors. And there is evidence they are delivering on the goals Paul Keating had in mind when he set up the superannuation system: ensuring comfortable retirements and reducing the burden, over time, of the aged pension on federal government coffers. The federal 2023 Intergenerational Report shows government spending on Aged and Service pensions will fall from 2.3 per cent of GDP to 2 per cent by 2063, because of superannuation, even as the population ages. Misha Schubert, chief executive of the lobby group for industry super funds, argues their performance shows the board model is working. “The shared governance model of this type of fund – whether they arose from an industry, company or the public sector – was created with a clear and single purpose,” she wrote earlier this year. “To serve the fund members whose retirement savings they safeguard and grow. “They do so by deeply understanding their members and the workplaces in which their members work – they know exactly whose money it is they are stewarding.” The law governing superannuation funds, Schubert notes, requires directors to comply with high standards of performance and act in members’ best interests. Alongside the labour representatives, big superannuation boards are balanced with employer heavyweights. Cbus’ board employer directors, for example, are all nominated by Master Builders Australia and include that organisation’s chief executive, Denita Wawn. It’s a similar story with AustralianSuper, whose employer directors include AiG chief executive (and former Liberal staffer) Innes Willox, as well as a number of other directors aligned with the employer group that originally represented manufacturing firms. A Cbus spokesman said in a statement that having equal employer and employee representation on its board had ensured its success for 40 years, and it was pleased to welcome the three new directors. “After applying a comprehensive ‘fit and proper persons test’ the Cbus board confirmed the appointment of the three directors who share a determination to generate the strongest, sustainable financial returns for members and deliver the best possible service,” the spokesman said. Loading The fund previously apologised to its members over the claim delays, said it was implementing a compensation process and co-operated with ASIC. Swan, the Cbus chairman, told the Today show last week that many of the criticisms of the fund were “completely inaccurate” and blamed a contracted service provider for the insurance delays but apologised to affected members’ families. “I can assure you, from the minute I became aware of this as chair of the board, I worked with the board to resolve it as quickly as possible,” he said. AustralianSuper has apologised for the multiple accounts issue. “We found this mistake, we reported it, we apologised to impacted members, we paid them back, and we’ve improved our processes to prevent it happening again,” a spokesman said. Michael O’Connor, the CFMEU manufacturing division boss, has voluntarily stood aside while the court case over the alleged misuse of his position is under way and had not responded to comment requests. Unlike some of the union heavyweights, many of the Labor figures on superannuation boards have external pedigree. Russell, of AustralianSuper, for example, is a former ambassador to the United States who has worked at global finance firms including BNY Mellon Asset Management and Sanford C. Bernstein. Hostplus chair Roxon is also an independent director at the property company Dexus. And increasingly, the funds also have independent directors with financial or governance expertise. The 2.4 million-member Australian Retirement Trust, for example, has on its board former top regulator Helen Rowell, and Martin Parkinson, who headed the public service under conservative governments. But that has not satisfied the sector’s critics. Bragg, the Liberal senator, is expected to haul Cbus chairman Swan before the Senate’s economics committee for questions next week. Given the pair’s background, it is unlikely to be a genteel affair. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Superannuation Cbus Super wars Andrew Bragg ALP Insight More... James Massola is national affairs editor. He has previously been Sunday political correspondent and South-East Asia correspondent. Connect via Twitter , Facebook or email . Most Viewed in Politics LoadingSocial Media and Elections: Lessons from Hyogo / Competition to Rack Up Views Distorts Election Campaigns in Japan; Attracting Attention for Profit Often Higher Priority Than Accuracy
STATE COLLEGE – Another game, another couple of records for Penn State star tight end Tyler Warren. The No. 4 Nittany Lions lead Maryland 31-7 at halftime on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Warren has five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown, a seven-yard scoring reception from quarterback Drew Allar with 1:46 left before half. Warren’s touchdown catch gave him 17 touchdown catches at PSU, a new record for a tight end. Warren had shared the record with Pat Freiermuth at 16 coming into the game. Warren also entered the game tied with Wisconsin’s Travis Beckum for the most catches by Big Ten tight end in a season (75). He currently has 80. ©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit pennlive.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Twelve months ago recruiters didn't believe in the depth of 2024's draft pool. But a lot can change over a year. With the full 2025 season to play for the 2007-born cohort, a glut of club-tied talent looms at the top of the crop. There's a nice balance of talls at the pointy end, including two ruckmen who could push into top five calculations. Amongst the top 10 names is Willem Duursma, the fourth sibling bound for the big leagues. South Australian midfielder Dyson Sharp is the early favourite to land at pick 1, but he has stiff competition from two Academy-tied talents up north. Zeke Uwland and Daniel Annable were electric for the Allies as bottom-agers and will have the Suns and Lions anticipating early bids. A host of club-tied prospects just missed out, including Kalani White (Suns Academy & Melbourne father-son), Thomas McGuane (Collingwood father-son), Bailey Banfield (West Coast father-son), and Noah Chamberlain (Swans Academy). There's every chance the first round extends towards 30 again given the quantity of club-tied draftees in 2025. This is ESPN's way-too-early top 10 power rankings ahead of the NBA fantasy. Sharp is a goliath in the clinches, at home when the going gets tough, and the game enters its chaos phase. His work for South Australia as a bottom-ager rivalled the likes of Sid Draper and Ben Camporeale, and he looked adept against senior bodies in his step up to SANFL level. Sharp doesn't get moved off the ball, lays crunching tackles and wields a damaging kick on the outside of stoppages. Uwland will land at Gold Coast alongside older brother Bodhi. He possesses a wicked left boot that picks out targets deep afield with penetration, and has the run and dash to play both off halfback and through the midfield. He averaged 23 disposals and six rebound 50s over the carnival in a starring role. Uwland was the only bottom-ager to earn All-Australian honours. Recruiters still aren't sure what Duursma will be at the next level. He isn't the disciplined wingman like Xavier or a mercurial forward like Zane. Rather, Willem is often at his best intercepting and rebounding off halfback. He oozes confidence with ball in hand and has the size, speed, and skills to get himself out of trouble. Duursma's athletic profile will ensure he's a high selection next year, but his output for club and state will determine if he lands at no. 1. There is no weakness to Annable's game as an inside midfielder. He wins a lot of ball, can take it from the inside to outside of contests with a burst of speed, and uses it beautifully off both feet. Annable is an elite midfield prospect that should have no issues adjusting to the next level of competition. He projects to be Brisbane's first top 10 academy prospect ever. Duff-Tytler is fully invested in a football career after turning his back on a promising basketball pathway. He moves exceptionally well for his size and loves the ball in his hands either through the ruck or up forward. His mobility and skills, plus tantalising ceiling as an athletic ruckman, could see him taken very early next year. Rodriguez is Western Australia's top talent in a strong 2025 cohort that should challenge for the national championships title. The lightning quick midfielder is silky with ball in hand entering the forward 50, picking out chests with both feet or taking on opponents with his dash. Rodriguez is a hard two-way runner and looks more accustomed to an outside midfield role where he can find time and space to damage. Addinsall earned best-on-ground honours in the Futures game on the MCG to put his name firmly in this frame despite missing out on Allies selection mid-year. The smooth-moving midfielder can operate across half forward as well where he has strong goal nous, but his clearance work and running capacity are the hallmarks of an impressive game. Addinsall is another Suns Academy star on the rise. Emmett is another ruck prospect sitting inside the top 10 bracket for clubs at this juncture. Equally adept up forward where he takes marks on the lead with an insane reach, his rate of development across the year was huge for the Chargers in their finals push. Emmett has skill with the ball and offers good follow-up on-ball. Onley is blessed with overwhelming power at 194cm. His strength in the clinches is extraordinary against junior competition, but he also has strong running ability and finesse to his game. It makes him an exciting midfield package where he throws his weight around, wins a lot of contested ball, and can impact aerially around the ground. Hibbins-Hargreaves just kicks goals. A brilliantly creative and classy operator in the forward 50 and up on a wing, his inventive play is matched with one-touch hands and precision ball use. He works into the right spots to find plenty of ball and ended up earning a champs call-up for a stacked Country side. Hibbins-Hargreaves may graduate on-ball this year for the Stingrays, but could still become a top 10 pick as a forward, such is his quality.
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