Panel to select software firm for maintaining school exam dataChelsea’s surprise defeat by Fulham meant victory over the Foxes stretched their lead to seven points, with a match in hand, with the halfway point of the campaign fast approaching. But Slot is maintaining his level-headed approach despite the clamour growing around their chances of adding another title to the one won in 2020. Tonight's goalscorers 💪 pic.twitter.com/xn9sfZbVow — Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2024 “If you are in this game for a long time like the players and I am then 20 games before the end you don’t look at it as there are so many challenges ahead of you,” he said after Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah scored to turn around an early deficit following Jordan Ayew’s strike. “Injuries and and a bit of bad luck can happen to any team, it is far too early to be already celebrating – but it is nice for us to be where we are. “I don’t think there was any easy win for us in any of these games; it could have been an easy win against Tottenham but we conceded two and it was then 5-2 – that tells you how difficult it is to win even when you have all your players available. “That is why we have to take it one game at a time. The league table is something of course we are aware of but we always understand how many games there are to go.” Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy felt his side held their own until Salah scored in the 82nd minute. “I think we were in the contest for a result for a long time,” he said. “Three-one was the turning point in the sense the game was done there to get a result. “I think the 60th minute I remember a chanced for Daka to score the equaliser so we were in the game to get a surprising result. “We did well, we did what we could: a good start with the goal but if you speak of a turning point, 3-1 with Salah, the game was done.” Van Nistelrooy left goalkeeper Danny Ward out of the squad after he struggled in the defeat to Wolves and was jeered by his own fans. “The change in goal was one to make and the conversation with Wardy was impressive, the way he was thinking of the team and the club,” added the Dutchman. “I insisted on a conversation and of course it is a private conversation but what I want to share is the person and the professional he is. “I was impressed with that and his willingness for the team and the club to do well. “Really tough what happened for him. We are professionals but human beings as well, when frustration is being directed towards one person that is difficult.”
No. 22 Syracuse looking for 10 wins in 1st year under Fran Brown against depleted Washington StateUnion accused of woke 'language policing' after banning pharmacists from referring to patients who faint as suffering from 'blackouts' By JAMES TOZER Published: 18:05 EST, 26 December 2024 | Updated: 18:09 EST, 26 December 2024 e-mail View comments Pharmacists have been banned from referring to patients who faint as suffering from 'blackouts' – because it may be seen as racist. In what critics are calling woke 'language policing', a union has given staff a list of terms to avoid due to their 'racial undertones'. Other phrases frowned upon include describing a shunned colleague as a 'black sheep', or saying unregulated drugs were bought on the 'black market'. Additionally, pharmacists should avoid referring to the use of coercion or intimidation to obtain treatment as 'blackmail'. The list was compiled by Nav Bhogal, a member of the Pharmacists' Defence Association's BAME (Black, Asian, and minority ethnic) network. Entitled 'Addressing racial undertones in the language of pharmacy', he tells colleagues that the words have become 'embedded in our professional vocabulary'. Pharmacists have been banned from referring to patients who faint as suffering from 'blackouts' – because it may be seen as racist. (File image) But they also have 'associations with race, power dynamics, and negativity' which 'can be harmful'. The intervention on the website of the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) – the trade union for pharmacists – comes amid anger at the spread of 'woke' language guides. Earlier this year the British Red Cross was accused of having been 'hijacked by political extremists' after issuing an 'inclusive' language guide clamping down on phrases such as 'ladies and gentlemen'. Meanwhile NHS trusts have told midwives to use the term 'chest milk' as an alternative to breast milk and 'birthing parents' rather than 'mothers'. Free Speech Union leader Toby Young (pictured) said it was just 'performative virtue signalling' Slamming Mr Bhogal's guide, Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, said: 'Penalising old white men for using racially insensitive language doesn't improve the lives of poor black people one iota. It's just performative virtue signalling.' The guide lists terms which – according to Mr Bhogal – associate 'black' with 'something negative or forbidden', and 'white' with 'something positive or permissible'. NHS Share or comment on this article: Union accused of woke 'language policing' after banning pharmacists from referring to patients who faint as suffering from 'blackouts' e-mail Add commentJudge rejects bid to stop PCC demolition of historic motels
Advertisement Thanks to tax cuts made during the first Trump administration, Americans can give or hand down about $13 million in assets without paying federal estate tax. Only 0.2% of taxpayers have to worry about this tax, and they hire top-notch accountants and lawyers to pay as little as possible. "This is a wealthy person's playground problem," Robert Strauss, partner at the law firm Weinstock Manion, told Business Insider. Advertisement Some of these tax avoidance techniques might be eyebrow-raising, yet they are perfectly legal. For instance, taxpayers can put homes and country homes in trusts that last decades and any appreciation in the property's value doesn't count toward their taxable estate. Life insurance, probably the least sexy area of financial planning, can be used to save tens of millions of dollars in taxes if bought from issuers in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. Currently, individuals and married couples can gift or bequeath $13.61 million and $27.22 million, respectively, before a 40% federal estate tax kicks in. That exemption is due to expire at the end of 2025, but it looks likely that it will be extended given the Republican Party's total control of Washington. Here are 12 little-known techniques that the richest taxpayers use to pay less to Uncle Sam: Using trusts to give away homes and country houses Qualified personal residence trusts , better known as "QPRTs," effectively freeze the value of a real estate property for tax purposes. The homeowner puts the primary residence or vacation home in the trust and retains ownership for however many years they choose. When the trust ends, the property is transferred out of the taxable estate. The estate only has to pay gift tax on the value of the property when the trust was formed even if the home has appreciated by millions in value. Advertisement QPRTs have become more popular in the past year as interest rate hikes confer another tax benefit. It seems too good to be true, but there are a few strings attached. Passing wealth to future generations with trusts that last up to 1,000 years From the Wrigley family behind the titular chewing gum brand to Jeff Bezos' mother, an Amazon investor, some of America's wealthiest use generation-skipping trusts to avoid paying wealth transfer taxes and provide for future heirs. These so-called dynasty trusts allow taxpayers to pass along wealth to generations that haven't even been born yet and only be subject to the 40% generation-skipping tax once. Many states have eased trust limits to get the business of the wealthy, with Florida and Wyoming allowing dynasty trusts to last as long as 1,000 years, which spans about 40 generations. Advertisement The heirs don't own the trust assets but rather have lifetime rights to the trust's income and real estate. These trusts even protect assets from future creditors and shield them in the event of a divorce. iStock; BI Giving to charity via trusts that also yield income Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) allow moneyed Americans to have their cake and eat it too. Plenty of affluent taxpayers deduct charitable donations from their taxable income, but the ultra-rich can parlay their philanthropy into guaranteed income for life. Advertisement Taxpayers put assets in the trust, collect annual payments for as long as they live, and get a partial tax break. Only 10% of what remains in the CRT has to go to a designated charity to pass muster with the IRS. These trusts can be funded with a wide range of assets, from yachts to property to closely held businesses, making them particularly useful for entrepreneurs looking to cash out and do good. Related stories Holding life insurance policies via trusts to save on taxes and protect heirs from lawsuits Rich founders with illiquid assets can take out life insurance policies to cover their estate taxes. They get the most bang for their buck if they put the life insurance policy inside a trust rather than owning it directly. The irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) collects the death benefit, pays the tax bill, and distributes whatever is left according to the insured individual's wishes. Any payout is also protected from estate taxes, even if the insured's estate and death benefit exceed the exemption. Advertisement There are other perks. If the insured wants to make sure that their heirs are protected from creditors or divorcing spouses, they can use ILITs to be doubly safe. While the law varies by state, trusts and life insurance both have strong legal protections. Using charitable trusts that give the remainder to heirs Also known as the Jackie O trust since it was used by the late First Lady, a charitable lead trust or CLT makes annual payments to a charity or multiple. Whatever is left when the trust expires goes to a remainder beneficiary picked by the grantor, typically their children. If the assets within the trusts appreciate faster than an interest rate set by the IRS at the time of funding, the beneficiary can even end up with a bigger inheritance. CLTs can also be used to discreetly transfer wealth while being publicly philanthropic. Advertisement "I've seen lawyers use these to plan for mistresses, to plan for children that perhaps the spouse doesn't know about," lawyer Edward Renn told Business Insider. Getty; BI Taking loans to pay estate taxes Unlike QPRTs and CRTs, this technique is highly scrutinized by the IRS and comes with a lot of hoops to jump through. Families that are asset-rich but cash-poor and facing an estate tax bill can either rush to sell those assets to make the nine-month deadline or take a loan. Advertisement The estate can make an upfront deduction on the interest of these Graegin loans , named after a 1988 Tax Court case. Further, if illiquid assets make up at least 35% of the estate's value, families can defer estate tax for as long as 14 years, paying in installments with interest, and effectively taking a loan from the government. Graegin loans are prime targets for auditors and have led to years-long legal battles, but the savings can be worth it for rich families. Buying offshore life insurance policies Private-placement life insurance , or PPLI, can be used to pass on assets from stocks to yachts to heirs without incurring any estate tax. Advertisement In short, an attorney sets up a trust for a wealthy client. The trust owns the life-insurance policy that's created offshore. The assets in the trust are treated as premiums, and if structured correctly, the benefit and assets in the policy are bequeathed free of estate tax. It's only relevant to the ultra-wealthy, often requiring $5 million in upfront premiums as well as a small army of professionals to set up and administer, including trust and estate attorneys, asset managers, custodians, and tax advisors. Related stories Transferring depressed assets during a market slump The down market has one silver lining for high-net-worth individuals. It is an optimal time to create new trusts as people can transfer depressed assets, whether they are stocks or bitcoin, at a lower tax basis. Advertisement The long-favored grantor-retained annuity trusts (GRATs) can confer big tax savings during recessions. These trusts pay a fixed annuity during the trust term, which is usually two years, and any appreciation of the assets' value is not subject to estate tax. GRATs have picked up in popularity in the past year as the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates, which eat into the returns on these trusts. ivanastar/Getty, akurtz/Getty, DNY59/Getty, Tyler Le/BI Stashing assets in trusts for a spouse The wealthy can save on taxes by putting their riches in trusts before the Trump tax cuts expire, but some don't feel ready to give their fortunes to their kids yet. Advertisement Luckily, there is a compromise. Using a spousal lifetime-access trust , also known as a "SLAT," married taxpayers can stash their fortunes in trusts that pay distributions to their spouses rather than giving assets to their kids. The beneficiary spouse can use this cash flow to fund the couple's lifestyle. After this spouse dies, the trust passes to new beneficiaries, typically the couple's children. Buyer beware: divorce can mean losing those dollars forever. But millions in potential tax savings can be worth the gamble. Using trusts that pay cash to spouses but keep the assets for the kids When the wealthy remarry, they often have to balance the needs of their new spouse and their kids from a prior marriage. Trusts can be used to take care of the spouses, but the adult kids want their piece of the pie. Advertisement There is a way to make everyone happy. With a qualified terminable interest property trust , also known as a "QTIP," married taxpayers can put their fortunes in trusts that pay distributions such as stock dividends to their spouses. The income-producing assets, however, are untouched, and when the beneficiary spouse dies, everything in the trust is transferred to new beneficiaries, who are typically the adult children of the spouse who funds the trust. The main benefit of QTIPs is peace of mind. If the beneficiary spouse remarries, they still get the cash, but they can't gift the assets to their new partner. Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI Transferring business assets to family-limited partnerships at big discounts Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, used a family limited partnership or "FLP" to save his kids and wife from paying any estate taxes on multibillion-dollar family fortune. Advertisement With an FLP, an individual — often a parent or two parents — pools their business assets, commonly real estate or stocks. As a general partner, the original individual can name their children as limited partners and give them interest in the partnership. The kids get cash distributions from revenue generated by the trust but do not have control over the actual assets. This control is appealing to parents who want to hold the purse strings. Another sweetener: You can claim a discount on the assets transferred to the FLP and use even less of your estate-tax exemption. Though the IRS scrutinizes these discounts, they can be worth the gamble. The right lawyer can justify a discount of 45% or higher for less liquid assets, such as privately held businesses. Giving stock to parents and inheriting it back when they die Wealthy founders who built their businesses from the ground up face hefty capital gains taxes when they cash out. Instead of selling the shares outright, they can save on taxes by gifting their stock to their parents and waiting to sell the stock until they inherit it after their parents' death. These "upstream transfers" take advantage of a tax loophole for inherited assets that boosts the cost basis to its fair market value at the time of inheritance. Advertisement This tactic can also be used to save on estate taxes by ultra-rich entrepreneurs who have already used their exemption but have less-wealthy parents who haven't. They can stash the assets in a trust that benefits their parents until their passing and then their children. When the children inherit the assets, the federal estate tax doesn't kick in as long as the grandparents' estate does not exceed $27.22 million. Lawyers warn that upstream planning comes with risks. Individuals can lose their assets for good if their parents decide to share the wealth with a new spouse or other children.Pisces Daily Horoscope Today, December 27, 2024 advices family planningPhotos: China’s robotic advancements – from medical to industrial
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WASHINGTON − The State Department's Global Engagement Center, the highly touted nerve center for coordinating U.S. efforts to counter foreign disinformation – especially by Russia and China – shut down this week after becoming a lightning rod for conservative criticism. The mission of the GEC, as it is commonly known, was to “direct, lead, synchronize, integrate, and coordinate” the U.S. campaign against propaganda and disinformation efforts aimed at undermining or influencing the policies, security and stability of the U.S. and its allies. But the GEC, with a relatively tiny $60 million budget and staff of 120, was first criticized in 2023 by Elon Musk , the multibillionaire advisor to President-elect Donald Trump , as the " worst offender in U.S. government censorship & media manipulation." More: 'President-elect Musk': Elon's influence on display in government spending fight The GEC was initially included in a stopgap bill to fund the government past a Dec. 20 deadline , but GOP lawmakers deleted it from a last-minute bill ultimately passed by Congress. A State Department spokesperson said the GEC "will terminate by operation of law [by the end of the day] on December 23, 2024. The Department of State has consulted with Congress regarding next steps," the AFP news agency reported. GEC's origins in countering terrorist propaganda The GEC evolved from the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications, established by the Obama administration in 2011 to counter online extremist recruitment and propaganda. An Obama 2016 executive order created the GEC to broaden its mission to include fighting disinformation by state and non-state actors. The GEC soon began to focus primarily on using high-tech tools such as social media analytics to identify and counter disinformation campaigns by Moscow and Beijing that were increasingly targeting Washington and its allies. It sought to broaden its impact by working with other U.S. agencies, foreign allies and the private sector. ‘Calling out China’ – and Russia too A Sept. 28, 2023 report by the GEC called out China for spending billions of dollars annually on foreign manipulation efforts. It detailed how Beijing employed “a variety of deceptive and coercive methods as it attempts to influence the international information environment.” The report said China extensively pushed propaganda , including through fake media and research papers "falsely blaming the United States for creating COVID-19." Those efforts falsely promoted China and the Chinese Communist Party's "desired narratives on issues such as Taiwan, its human rights practices, the South China Sea, its domestic economy, and international economic engagement.” More broadly, the GEC report said, China sought to leverage propaganda, censorship and “digital authoritarianism” to encourage foreign governments, journalists and civil society at large to accept its preferred narratives and avoid criticizing its conduct as it sought more influence on the global stage. The GEC also has published numerous hard-hitting criticisms of Russia. In 2020, the GEC has detailed how Russia spread conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has called out the Kremlin for trying to sow chaos in U.S. And it has exposed Russian attempts to destabilize U.S. influence in Africa by spreading false claims about U.S. health programs. In September, it called out Moscow and its state-run media organization RT for using propaganda, disinformation – and sophisticated “cyber capabilities” – to sway the global community on issues like its war against Ukraine. More: Lara Trump, Kari Lake, other notable Republicans appeared on podcasts accused of Russia tie That effort by RT involved not only information operations but also covert influence and even military procurement efforts in targeting countries around the world, including in Europe, Africa, and North and South America, the GEC said in a Sept. 13 report. “When state or non-state actors spread disinformation, material deliberately meant to deceive or divide our public, they attack the very foundations of our free and open society,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in releasing the report. He laid out specific steps the Biden administration was taking “to hold accountable those who weaponize disinformation to undermine our democracy,” including coordinated crackdowns by the State, Justice and Treasury departments . In January, the GEC spearheaded an agreement to counter state-run disinformation campaigns that’s now backed by at least 21 countries including Spain, Poland, Finland and the West African nation of Côte d’Ivoire – and that could enable them to also create their own versions at home. Funding for the GEC ran into congressional opposition in 2024 by Republican lawmakers who claimed it was overstepping its authority by trying to silence conservative voices in the U.S. including pro-Trump influencers. Three ranking House Republicans wrote Blinken in July to accuse the GEC of straying from its statutory duty to counter propaganda and disinformation abroad. “Your Department refuses to acknowledge that ... any value the GEC provides is tempered by genuine concerns that the GEC is at best indifferent to, and at worst complicit in, an orchestrated and systematic effort to stretch the term ‘disinformation’ to encompass viewpoints that, among American progressives, are deemed to be politically disfavored or inconvenient...” the lawmakers wrote. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who co-authored the 2016 legislation that established the center, said such criticisms were unwarranted and politically motivated. He led the effort to save it from GOP shutdown , along with Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Former Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman is also a staunch supporter . “[The GEC] has played an indispensable role in combating Russian and Chinese disinformation,” Murphy said in October. “It would unnecessarily undermine U.S. national security if we eliminated this tool.” When Trump won a second term on Nov. 5, Republicans also retained control of the House and retook the Senate. The GEC tweeted its last on Dec. 18, praising the European Union for its “first-time use of designations under its Russia hybrid sanctions framework.” On Tuesday, the day before Christmas, the site went offline with this message: “This account is no longer in use as of 12/23/2024. For updates on the U.S. Department of State, please follow @StateDept .”
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No. 5 UCLA snaps No. 1 South Carolina's 43-game win streakS Jaishankar, US National Security Advisor Discuss Strategic TiesThe company opens international research contest to strengthen technology leadership; open for entries until January 31, 2025 Selected researchers to receive annual research funding of up to USD 150,000 annually BIC program revamped to enhance two-way collaboration between industry and academia SEOUL, South Korea , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) has announced its launch of the 'Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025' to identify and support the next groundbreaking battery technologies. Innovators from universities and research institutions worldwide are encouraged to submit proposals until January 31, 2025 , at https://bridge.lgensol.com/ . Since its inaugural competition in 2017, BIC has been LG Energy Solution's flagship research contest. This year's edition has been revamped to foster greater collaboration between academia and industry. Selected researchers will receive annual research funding of up to USD 150,000 annually. Additional funding may be granted to projects making significant achievements through extended contracts. Maximizing Industry–Academia Benefits through Two-way Communication Unlike previous iterations of the competition, 'BIC 2025' allows participants to submit proposals on specific topics pre-announced by LG Energy Solution. "By presenting specific research optics, we aim to go beyond merely supporting academia and maximize the mutual benefits between the industry and academia," said an LG Energy Solution spokesperson. To facilitate active collaboration, LG Energy Solution has introduced the ' BRIDGE ' system, a platform designed to manage open innovation programs like BIC. The system facilitates seamless collaborations with features that help teams working on joint research projects track their objectives and deliverables. LG Energy Solution has unveiled the preselected 18 research topics for collaborative projects on the ' BRIDGE ' platform, such Battery Safety diagnosis algorithm technology and New materials for LFP Batteries topic. At the same time, the contest retains its traditional format to ensure participants are free to propose completely original research ideas. All research proposals must be submitted through the ' BRIDGE ' system. "Providing Differentiated Customer Value via Enhanced Technology Leadership" To protect the original ideas of every participant, LG Energy Solution has split the application process into two stages: initial proposals that provide concise information, followed by detailed proposals from a shortlist of candidates. This change aims to safeguard the ideas of researchers not selected for funding. "The BIC platform serves as a bridge of wisdom between members of academia and industry, driving technological innovation for the all-important battery sector," said Je-Young Kim , CTO of LG Energy Solution. "Through this initiative, we aim to provide differentiated value to our customers by strengthening our technology leadership." As of today, LG Energy Solution has supported 26 battery research projects through the 'BIC' initiative, with some evolving into large-scale projects that have received additional funding and resources. Thanks to the success of this competition, the company continues to establish partnerships with world-leading universities and research institutions, reinforcing its commitment to preparing the battery field for the future. About LG Energy Solution LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220), a split-off from LG Chem, is a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, mobility, IT, and energy storage systems. With 30 years of experience in revolutionary battery technology and extensive research and development (R&D), the company is the top battery-related patent holder in the world with over 58,000 patents. Its robust global network, which spans North America, Europe, and Asia , includes battery manufacturing facilities established through joint ventures with major automakers. Committed to building sustainable battery ecosystem, LG Energy Solution aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050, while embodying the value of shared growth and promoting diverse and inclusive corporate culture. To learn more about LG Energy Solution's ideas and innovations, visit https://news.lgensol.com .
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Republican senators pushed back on Sunday against criticism from Democrats that Tulsi Gabbard , Donald Trump's pick to lead U.S. intelligence services , is “compromised” by her comments supportive of Russia and secret meetings , as a congresswoman, with Syria’s president, a close ally of the Kremlin and Iran. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and veteran of combat missions in Iraq, said she had concerns about Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's choice to be director of national intelligence . “I think she’s compromised," Duckworth said on CNN’s “State of the Union," citing Gabbard's 2017 trip to Syria, where she held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Gabbard was a Democratic House member from Hawaii at the time. “The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with America’s foes. And so my worry is that she couldn’t pass a background check,” Duckworth said. Gabbard, who said last month she is joining the Republican Party, has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades. She was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait and, according to the Hawaii National Guard, received a Combat Medical Badge in 2005 for “participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III." Duckworth's comments drew immediate backlash from Republicans. “For her to say ridiculous and outright dangerous words like that is wrong," Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, said on CNN, challenging Duckworth to retract her words. “That’s the most dangerous thing she could say — is that a United States lieutenant colonel in the United States Army is compromised and is an asset of Russia.” In recent days, other Democrats have accused Gabbard without evidence of being a “Russian asset.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, has claimed, without offering details, that Gabbard is in Russian President Vladimir “Putin’s pocket.” Mullin and others say the criticism from Democrats is rooted in the fact that Gabbard left their party and has become a Trump ally. Democrats say they worry that Gabbard's selection as national intelligence chief endangers ties with allies and gives Russia a win. Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat just elected to the Senate, said he would not describe Gabbard as a Russian asset, but said she had “very questionable judgment.” “The problem is if our foreign allies don’t trust the head of our intelligence agencies, they’ll stop sharing information with us,” Schiff said on NBC's “Meet the Press.” Gabbard in 2022 endorsed one of Russia’s justifications for invading Ukraine : the existence of dozens of U.S.-funded biolabs working on some of the world’s nastiest pathogens. The labs are part of an international effort to control outbreaks and stop bioweapons, but Moscow claimed Ukraine was using them to create deadly bioweapons. Gabbard said she just voiced concerns about protecting the labs. Gabbard also has suggested that Russia had legitimate security concerns in deciding to invade Ukraine, given its desire to join NATO. Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri said he thought it was “totally ridiculous” that Gabbard was being cast as a Russian asset for having different political views. “It’s insulting. It’s a slur, quite frankly. There’s no evidence that she’s a asset of another country,” he said on NBC. Sen. James Lankford, another Oklahoma Republican, acknowledged having “lots of questions” for Gabbard as the Senate considers her nomination to lead the intelligence services. Lankford said on NBC that he wants to ask Gabbard about her meeting with Assad and some of her past comments about Russia. “We want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was. As a member of Congress, we want to get a chance to talk about past comments that she’s made and get them into full context,” Lankford said.Scorpio – (23rd October to 21st November) Daily Horoscope Prediction says, You may make crucial decisions today Do not let personal egos impact the love affair. Take up professional challenges to give the best results at work. Both money & health are positive today. Fall in love today and ensure you are a patient listener. Utilize the options at the office to prove the diligence. No major monetary issue will impact the routine life while health is also at your side. Scorpio Love Horoscope Today Do not emotions go unchecked but this should be the criteria to take a call in the relationship. Some love affairs will see trouble in the form of an ex-lover. It can cause a ruckus that will be irreparable. Those who want to come out of a toxic love affair can pick the first part of the day. Single Scorpios will meet a special person to propose and express their feelings. Those who want to take the relationship to the next level can also consider marriage today. Scorpio Career Horoscope Today Be careful while you make decisions at work. Some seniors may raise a finger at you but it is also crucial to be sensible while you express emotions at team meetings. You need to be innovative in terms of concepts and this will have takers. Those who have an interview scheduled for today will be successful in clearing it. The second part of the day is good for a client session. Impress the client with your communication. Some entrepreneurs may consider new ventures today but analyze every possibility before you launch it. Scorpio Money Horoscope Today You are lucky in terms of money. Wealth will flow in, letting you make good purchases. Scorpios who are keen to try their fortune in the stock market can invest in stock, trade, and speculative business. Be careful while lending money to someone as you may have trouble getting it back. Businessmen will also succeed in raising funds that will help in trade expansions. Scorpio Health Horoscope Today Have a healthy day where you will maintain a balanced office and personal life. Practice yoga or meditation and start walking in the morning or evening at a park. Some Scorpios will have digestion-related issues which will be solved in a day. Look for major options to control the diet. Keep the plate filled with fruits and veggies. Scorpio Sign Attributes Strength Mystic, Practical, Intelligent, Independent, Dedicated, Charming, Sensible Weakness: Suspicious, Complicated, Possessive, Arrogant, Extreme Symbol: Scorpion Element: Water Body Part: Sexual Organs Sign Ruler: Pluto, Mars Lucky Day: Tuesday Lucky Color: Purple, Black Lucky Number: 4 Lucky Stone: Red Coral Scorpio Sign Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces Good compatibility: Taurus, Scorpio Fair compatibility: Aries, Gemini, Libra, Sagittarius Less compatibility: Leo, Aquarius By: Dr. J. N. Pandey Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert Website: www.astrologerjnpandey.com E-mail: djnpandey@gmail.com Phone: 91-9811107060 (WhatsApp Only)JOSH BERMAN JOINS ASSEMBLY AS EVP, ASSEMBLY LEAD IN NORTH AMERICA
Marianne Williamson, for the party's presidential nomination, jumped into the race for chair of the Democratic National Committee on Thursday, saying the usual politics and methods won't bring victory. "I feel that I can help transform the party, reinvent the party, because the politics of the past will not be enough to take on the politics of the present and the future," she said in a , per . "Donald Trump is a 21st century political phenomenon, and we need to become one, too." The Democratic Party is down after the November elections, and Williamson said her "experience of what went wrong has given me insight into what needs doing to make things right," per the . The self-help author's candidacy breaks up an all-male field that includes New York state Sen. James Skoufis, Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, and former Homeland Security official Nate Snyder. The election is scheduled for Feb. 1 during the party's meeting at National Harbor, Maryland. Four forums are scheduled for next month by the DNC at which the candidates will campaign before the committee. (More stories.)Keep the name: reader suggests council email campaign to save Australia DayWinston’s performance in snowy win over Steelers adds new layer to Browns’ quarterback conundrum
Dr Badrinath: The visionary behind Sankara NethralayaPURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 20, 2024-- Mastercard (NYSE: MA) today completed its acquisition of Recorded Future . “As the world becomes more digitized, there's an increased focus on securing every interaction and transaction against evolving cyber threats,” said Johan Gerber, executive vice president, Security Solutions at Mastercard. “Adding Recorded Future’s AI-driven threat intelligence capabilities to our cybersecurity services, identity solutions and real-time fraud scoring will enable us to better support our customers in these efforts.” Mastercard is committed to creating a higher standard of trust in the payment ecosystem, democratizing cybersecurity to create new opportunities for businesses in our digitally connected world. Its suite of cybersecurity services focuses on assessing cyber risk exposure, providing AI and other technology-driven innovations to protect the digital ecosystem and making continuous advancements to organize trust for people and businesses around the world. Recorded Future will add to these capabilities, providing opportunities to serve different customer sets with beneficial intelligence and actionable insights – and to enhance the effectiveness of existing products and services, making AI models even smarter. About Mastercard Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. www.mastercard.com View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241220165251/en/ CONTACT: Investor Relations: Jud Staniar,investor.relations@mastercard.com, 914-249-4565 Communications: Seth Eisen,seth.eisen@mastercard.com, 914-249-3153 KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE BANKING NETWORKS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINTECH DATA MANAGEMENT PAYMENTS TECHNOLOGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SECURITY DATA ANALYTICS FINANCE SOURCE: Mastercard Investor Relations Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/20/2024 12:13 PM/DISC: 12/20/2024 12:13 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241220165251/en