Like any NFL game, there are always questions about officiating. However, one sequence that led to a Cleveland Browns touchdown drive to give them a 24-19 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers came into question. On a third down play, Browns quarterback Jameis Winston was being sacked but threw a ball near the line of scrimmage. Browns center Ethan Pocic caught the ball, but the debate was whether the penalty should be intentional grounding or illegal touching. #PITvsCLE jameis winston's illegal touch pass play that was initially ruled intentional grounding. it apppears he was trying to throw it deep to the two receivers in the middle of the field. luckily for him, he couldn't get it off, because otherwise may have been INT pic.twitter.com/i4hHOhDTWT The wrinkle in the play is that Browns' backup offensive lineman Michael Dunn had checked in before the play and was eligible. He was in the area. “In terms of intentional grounding, the quarterback was contacted, impacting the throw, and the crew confirmed that No. 68 had reported as eligible, and he was in the vicinity,” the NFL told Pro Football Talk. The excerpt in the rulebook says that not only can intentional grounding not be called if a defender hurts the throwing motion as Patrick Queen does here, but also that there has to be an intentional pass with no one in the area. It seems both do not apply. “It is a foul for intentional grounding if a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage because of pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion. A realistic chance of completion is defined as a pass that is thrown in the direction of and lands in the vicinity of an originally eligible offensive receiver.” As such, despite multiple calls in the game going against the Steelers, it does seem like the NFL referees nailed this one, and it should have only been a loss of five. BETTING: Check out our guide to the best PA sportsbooks , where our team of sports betting experts has reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks. More Pittsburgh Steelers News Pittsburgh Steelers offensive rock bottom illustrated in one wild stat Browns social media account takes shot at T.J. Watt after Steelers loss Pittsburgh Steelers' Justin Fields package has cloudy future in offense Super Bowl Champion rips Steelers’ Justin Fields package: ‘I don’t like it’ Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick gets revenge in Browns win
Aaron Rodgers Fights Back From Injury, Buddies Up With RFK Jr. in Trailer for Netflix Doc Enigma — Watch - TVLineLawyers for President-elect Donald Trump requested to "immediately" dismiss charges against him in the hush money case. His attorneys declared the "failed lawfare" case should have never been brough forth. Trump’s lawyers seek to dismiss his conviction, citing his election win and Hunter Biden’s pardon. Judge Merchan delayed sentencing, considering postponement until after Trump’s term. Prosecutors defend the conviction and will respond by Dec. 9. NEW YORK - President-elect Donald Trump's hush money case is back in the spotlight after his lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his criminal conviction, arguing continuing the case would present unconstitutional "disruptions to the institution of the Presidency." On Tuesday, a filing was made public showing Trump’s lawyers telling Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that dismissal is warranted because of the "overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024." They also cited President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges. RELATED: Trump's hush money sentencing postponed indefinitely "President Biden asserted that his son was ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,’ and ‘treated differently,’" Trump’s legal team wrote. The Manhattan district attorney, they claimed, had engaged in the type of political theater "that President Biden condemned." Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but have indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. In their filing Monday, Trump's attorneys dismissed the idea of holding off sentencing until Trump is out of office as a "ridiculous suggestion." A New York judge on Friday granted Donald Trump permission to seek dismissal of his hush money criminal case, in which he was found guilty earlier this year, in light of his victory in the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election. Trump, had been scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 26. But prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office earlier this week asked New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan to consider deferring all proceedings in the case until after Trump finishes his four-year presidential term that begins on Jan. 20. Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. He says they did not and denies any wrongdoing. RELATED: Presidency isn't grounds for dropping Trump hush money case, prosecutors say Taking a swipe at Bragg and New York City, as Trump often did throughout the trial, the filing argues that dismissal would also benefit the public by giving him and "the numerous prosecutors assigned to this case a renewed opportunity to put an end to deteriorating conditions in the City and to protect its residents from violent crime." Clearing Trump, the lawyers added, would also allow him to "to devote all of his energy to protecting the Nation." Donald Trump is the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes. Now, all eyes are on the 2024 presidential election. Political analyst Brian Sobel joins LiveNOW from FOX to explore what could be next for the Trump/Biden rematch. The defense filing was signed by Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who represented Trump during the trial and have since been selected by the president-elect to fill senior roles at the Justice Department. A dismissal would erase Trump’s historic conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office. Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Merchan hasn’t set a timetable for a decision. Merchan could also decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 30: Former U.S. President Donald Trump walks to go speak to the media after being found guilty following his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024 in New York City. The former president was found guilty Prosecutors had cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged. Trump has pledged to appeal the verdict if the case is not dismissed. He and his lawyers said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work. A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct. RELATED: Here's how many Americans think Trump should go to prison Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made during his first term. Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only "a sliver" of their case. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump’s punishments would range from a fine to probation to up to four years in prison — but it’s unlikely he’d spend any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies. Because it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Information in this story was based on public legal filings submitted by Donald Trump's lawyers, recent courtroom developments presided over by Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan, and references to past trial details and legal arguments. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
I'M A Celeb's Coleen Rooney has revealed her surprising budget family holidays to Butlins - despite living in a £20m mansion. The media personality, 38, is currently competing in the popular ITV reality show. Addressing her fellow campmates, Coleen shared: "It kept coming on the TV, Butlins , Butlins . "So I went and it was Diversity that was on, it was the May half term I think." Continuing, Coleen told how son Kai "loved it so much" upon returning to school after the holidays . When his teacher asked what everyone had done, he replied: "I've been on the best holiday I've ever been on." Read more on Coleen Rooney Meanwhile, when the teacher enquired where he'd been, Kai replied: " Butlins ! Skegness." Campmate Alan Halsall - best known as Corrie's Tyrone Dobbs - remarked he'd been on a caravan holiday a few weeks ago. Coleen then shared about her caravan holidays in Wales with husband Wayne and the kids. She said: "We go a couple of times a year." Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 Coleen added: "They used to have a band on called The Hut, you used to all take your own ale. "You all used to get up and sing a song!" Coleen also reflected on her childhood caravan holidays with her family. She shared: "We used to have [a caravan] when we were kids. "My dad bought it for £200 and it didn't have a toilet, so we had a dunny and we used to call it the p*** pot." The star joked: "We got £50 when it got scrapped, so we got our money 's worth." While campmate Melvin Odoom quipped in the Bush Telegraph: "I think I'm more bouji than Coleen!" I'm A Celebrity continues on ITV1 and ITVX . i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz , Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street , was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women . She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher . Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan . It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth."
Chandigarh: Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday chaired a meeting with the administrative secretaries of the state govt, emphasising the need to intensify efforts for capital creation and revenue generation . He stressed upon the need to plan strategic moves for accelerating the growth of the state’s gross domestic product (GDP). During the meeting held at Punjab Bhawan, Cheema also felicitated IAS officer Krishan Kumar for his “exceptional services” as the financial commissioner, taxation. The finance minister directed the officers to identify potential areas for capital creation within their respective departments. He also emphasised the importance of exploring neglected sectors, which may add to state govt’s revenue. We also published the following articles recently MLC emphasises quality education for children At a Billava community event in Kushalnagar, Congress MLC Hariprasad urged for increased educational opportunities, emphasizing their crucial role in nation-building. He pointed out the community's lack of government support despite its contributions and advocated for educational institutions similar to those dedicated to Narayana Guru in Kerala. Disability-Friendly City honour for state capital Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation has been recognized as a 'Disability-Friendly City' for its significant investments in supporting people with disabilities. Over 6.68 crore was spent in 2023-24 on initiatives like accessible infrastructure, scholarships for 304 students, pensions for over 7,000 individuals, and assistive devices. Govt neglecting UKP farmers needs: Karjol Chitradurga MP Govind Karjol has accused the Karnataka state government of shortchanging farmers in five northern districts. Karjol claims the government submitted a Supreme Court affidavit agreeing to a lower Almatti reservoir water level of 522 meters, impacting irrigation for 15 lakh acres. He argues the reservoir can hold water up to 524. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
Bitcoin storms above $100,000 as Trump 2.0 fuels crypto euphoria
Patiala: Police on Thursday released 31 members of APL Front who were detained on Tuesday night and sent to Sangrur jail under preventive custody the next day. Police had detained protesting assistant professors and librarians (APL) who were sitting peacefully on a hunger strike outside CM Bhagwant Mann’s residence. The front is protesting to seek jobs for 411 assistant professors and librarians who have been selected by Punjab govt, but not hired. One of the protesters, Daljit Kaur, said members of their front continued their hunger strike and it entered the third day. She said one of the protesters on the hunger strike included Parmjeet Singh, who is diabetic patient and had ulcers in his food pipe. We also published the following articles recently APL Front detainees released from Sangrur jail Thirty-one members of the APL Front, detained for protesting during a hunger strike outside the Chief Minister's residence, were released from jail on Thursday evening. The protesters, assistant professors and librarians, were demanding the completion of the 1158 recruitment process. Among the detained were individuals with health concerns, highlighting the urgency of their demands. 1158 APL Front protestors start with fast unto death strike near CM's Sangrur residence In Sangrur, 1158 Assistant Professors and Librarians (APL) Front members began a hunger strike near CM Bhagwant Mann's residence, demanding the appointment of 411 remaining candidates. The APL Front alleges government inaction despite a High Court order approving the recruitment. Following a clash with police, meetings with officials yielded no results. Hunger strike by ex-athletes enters day 14 A hunger strike at Bikaner's Sadul Sports School, organized by Krida Bharti, has stretched into its 14th day. Former athletes and local residents are protesting the alleged lack of proper diet and training equipment at the institution. This contradicts the Rajasthan state government's claims of promoting sports and education. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
As the first full year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, 2024 has come with its unique share of challenges and triumphs. As we look back at the ongoing year, this is the perfect time to reflect on the President’s vision for a transformed Nigeria and how 2024 has provided numerous opportunities to manifest that vision. On so many fronts, the outgoing year has brought significant policy and legislative milestones that are helping to cement the very foundations of the President’s grand vision for Nigeria. Take the examples of the Students Loan Fund and the Consumer Credit Corporation, two institutions targeted at putting more resources in the pockets of the Nigerian people, empowering them to turn their dreams into opportunities. With the Students Loan Fund, we are seeing, for the first time in decades, Nigerian students at tertiary level, getting targeted federal assistance to pursue their academic ambitions, through long-term loans (and stipends) that are designed to not be burdensome in any way. In less than one year, more than 300,000 Nigerian students have already benefited. With the Consumer Credit scheme, we are seeing affordable financing being made available to workers, to enable them to afford life’s necessities. Every developed country is built around a functioning credit system that fuels consumer spending and translates into economic growth. Nigeria is now finally on that path. Also in 2024, we also saw the first steps in the implementation of a new electricity framework in the country, conferring the state governments with greater agency and responsibility. Building on a recent constitutional amendment, the President signed into law the 2024 Electricity Act that is now guiding a pioneering set of states into rolling out their own regulated electricity markets. Indeed, for Nigeria to be truly able to achieve economic development, we must allow the subnational governments more room for real economic impact. With the new Electricity Act, states can now play a much bigger role in attracting investments into on-grid and off-grid solutions, ensuring that more electricity gets to more Nigerians. This concept of giving more power and opportunities to the states is one of the defining governing philosophies of President Tinubu – as Governor of Lagos two decades ago he was one of the leading advocates of true federalism in Nigeria. Now, as President, he has not abandoned those ideals. In July 2024 we saw the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court, empowering local governments to an extent we have not seen in our recent history. The President has since empaneled an Inter-Ministerial Committee that will ensure the full enforcement of that judgement. For the state governments, President Tinubu’s economic reforms have triggered a dramatic surge in revenues, which is allowing the states to do more for their people. The last FAAC meeting saw the sharing of a record N1.727 trillion amongst the three tiers of government. These resources are meant to deliver bigger dividends of development to Nigerians. For those who have taken the effort to be familiar with the ongoing tax reforms, the bills currently before the National Assembly also represent another fiscal boon for the subnational governments, with the Federal Government choosing for example to take an even smaller portion of VAT than it currently gets. The Presidential Initiative on CNG marked its first year of implementation recently, with the number of vehicle conversion centres in the country rising from fewer than 10 to more than 120. The goal is to make CNG a fuel of choice for private and commercial transportation in Nigeria, bringing down costs by as much as 50 to 60 per cent. We are already seeing enthusiastic uptake of the initiative, and the government is supporting this by way of fiscal incentives and subsidised conversions. The year is closing with the massive news of the final investment decision (FID) by Shell and its partners on the Bonga North deep offshore oil project, which is Nigeria’s first deep offshore FID in over a decade. This FID was preceded by the one by Total and NNPC Limited on the 300 million cubic feet per day Ubeta gas project. Together these two projects represent over $5 billion in investment value. These long-awaited investment decisions have now finally happened because the investors behind them can see, from the President’s policies and actions, that Nigeria is truly serious and ready for oil and gas investment. A series of presidential directives issued at the beginning of 2024 have unleashed the biggest wave of investor interest in our country’s energy sector in a while. In 2024, our security forces neutralised more than 8,000 terrorists and bandits, and arrested 11,600 others, with more than 10,000 weapons recovered. Additionally, about 8,000 kidnap victims were successfully rescued. The goal is to keep driving down the numbers of victims, while scaling up efforts to make crime and criminality unattractive in Nigeria. On the foreign affairs front, 2024 has been a most encouraging year, despite several challenging geopolitical developments around the world, including in our corner of West Africa. This year Nigeria was awarded the hosting rights for the new African Energy Bank, which will prove to be game-changing for energy financing in Africa. As we reposition ourselves to be a global energy hub, this is a most fitting complement. Nigeria is asserting itself as a country that cannot be ignored on the global stage. In 2024, President Tinubu hosted heads of state and/or government from India, the world’s largest democracy, and from Germany, Europe’s largest economy. He was welcomed on a State Visit to France, at a very exciting time in the history of mutuallybeneficial relations between Nigeria and France. Nigeria was specially invited to the G20 Summit for the second consecutive year running, and we forged deeper relations with South Africa through our Joint Presidential Bi-national Commission. As we step into a new year, during which we will mark the second anniversary of the Tinubu Administration, we will surely see even more of the positive outcomes of the President’s reforms, in infrastructure, agriculture, security, healthcare, education, creative and digital economy and many other areas. The tax reforms, when passed into law and assented to, will cut personal and corporate income taxes for tens of millions of Nigerians, while also expanding VAT exemptions. Consumer credit and student loans will reach many more people. Important indices such as foreign reserves position, trade surplus, oil production, and GDP growth are set to continue rising, even as greater work goes into permanently taming inflation. The 2025 budget – the very fittingly-themed: ‘Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity’– is a convincing pointer of the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining the positive course in which we are headed as a nation. We will continue to seek the understanding of Nigerians on this journey of, in the President’s words in the 2025 budget speech: “Economic renewal and institutional development.” The sacrifices will all surely be rewarded, and we shall surely and steadily advance towards our desired destination – a country where a progressively better life will be guaranteed for everyone, regardless of where in the country they happen to reside. Under President Tinubu’s watch, 2025 will represent a leap forward, towards that deserved destination.Confirms pathway to profitability in late 2025 based on record quarterly revenues and materially reduced expenses MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. ("OPT" or "the Company") (NYSE American: OPTT), today announced preliminary financial results for the second quarter ended October 31, 2024 (Q2FY25). The preliminary results included in this press release are subject to change and have not been audited or reviewed by our independent auditor. The Company expects to file its second quarter financial results and update in mid‐December. Preliminary Q2FY25 Financial Highlights (All figures are preliminary, unaudited, and subject to finalization): CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION A conference call to discuss OPT's financial results will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 9:00 AM EDT. Philipp Stratmann, CEO, and Bob Powers, CFO will host the call. In an effort to increase relations with institutional investors, OPT management has dedicated time to hosting individual meetings with portfolio managers and analysts. If you are interested in scheduling a meeting with OPT management, please contact: OPT provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets, including Merrows, which provides AI capable seamless integration of Maritime Domain Awareness Systems across platforms. Our PowerBuoy® platforms provide clean and reliable electric power and real-time data communications for remote maritime and subsea applications. We also provide WAM-V® autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) and marine robotics services. The Company's headquarters is in Monroe Township, New Jersey, with an additional office in Richmond, California. To learn more, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com . FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release may contain forward-looking statements that are within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified by certain words or phrases such as "may", "will", "aim", "will likely result", "believe", "expect", "will continue", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "contemplate", "seek to", "future", "objective", "goal", "project", "should", "will pursue" and similar expressions or variations of such expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations about its future plans and performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates that could be inaccurate and subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Please refer to the Company's most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to provide further interim updates in the future. CONTACT: CONTACT INFORMATION Investors: 609-730-0400 x401 or [email protected] Media: 609-730-0400 x402 or [email protected]
France’s Michel Barnier faced an abrupt end to his premiership on Monday after key opposition parties said they would back a no-confidence motion against his government after only three months in power. Certain that the National Assembly would deny him a majority backing the government’s social security financing plan for next year, Barnier forced through the bill without a vote, using executive powers under article 49.3 of the French constitution. The conservative premier, who formed a minority government in September after an inconclusive general election, has lived under the constant threat of a no-confidence vote that could force him to quit. The government could be toppled as early as tomorrow, when a vote is expected. “I honestly believe that the French people will not forgive us if we prefer partisan interests to the best interest of the nation,” Barnier told the lawmakers. “This is a moment of truth in which everybody must take their responsibilities. I am taking mine,” he added. Far-left opposition party LFI said immediately it would bring a no-confidence motion which the far-right National Rally (RN) — the largest single party in France’s parliament — said it would vote in favour of, after accusing Barnier of failing to negotiate on some of the bill’s provisions. “We will vote no confidence,” the RN said on X. Key to any such vote is Marine Le Pen, the parliamentary leader of the RN that has opposed several parts of the government’s 2025 budget plan, including the social security financing bill submitted to the National Assembly on Monday. In a last-ditch concession to the RN, the prime minister’s office said it was scrapping plans for a less generous prescription drug reimbursement policy from next year. It was uncertain to the last moment whether the nod to Le Pen’s concerns would be enough to save the day for Barnier, who has little hope of finding any left-wing support. But in the end the “miracle” — which RN party leader Jordan Bardella said was needed to avoid the no-confidence motion — failed to materialise. LFI deputy Mathilde Panot said Barnier had sought to avoid the no-confidence vote by making “dishonourable” concessions to the RN. “On Wednesday he will get both, dishonour and the no-confidence vote,” she said, adding that the move would allow France to emerge from “a political impasse” and “political chaos”. If the government falls, it would be the first successful no-confidence vote since a defeat for Georges Pompidou’s government in 1962, when Charles de Gaulle was president. The life span of Barnier’s government would also be the shortest of any administration of France’s Fifth Republic since 1958. Le Pen had already reacted icily Sunday after Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin said the government did not plan any further changes to the social security budget plan. “We have taken note,” she told AFP, calling the stance “extremely closed-minded and partisan behaviour”. The RN is the largest single party in the 577-seat National Assembly, with more than 140 deputies. On Thursday, Barnier scrapped a previously planned increase on an electricity tax, in a concession to critics. Saint-Martin has highlighted that the budget proposals have already been discussed by a parliamentary commission ahead of Monday’s debate and changed following talks between National Assembly deputies and upper house senators. “To reject this text is to reject a democratic agreement,” he said. The Senate, where right-wing parties have a majority, partly approved the 2025 budget Sunday, giving a green light to government revenue projections, in a vote boycotted by the left. The Socialist party, part of the left-wing opposition, told Barnier it would vote against him if he used article 49.3 to push through a budget. Saint-Martin warned that the fall of the government would raise the risk premium on French government debt that has reached rare heights because of the country’s shaky financial situation.PONTE VEDRA, Fla., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Treace Medical Concepts, Inc. ("Treace” or the "Company”) (NasdaqGS: TMCI), a medical technology company driving a fundamental shift in the surgical treatment of bunions and related midfoot deformities through its flagship Lapiplasty ® and Adductoplasty ® Procedures, today announced that Guy Guglielmino joined the Company as Chief Commercial Officer. In this new position, Mr. Guglielmino will lead Treace's commercial efforts and play a pivotal role in driving the Company's next phase of rapid innovation, strategic product commercialization, and growth. "I am thrilled to welcome Guy to the Treace team,” said John T. Treace, CEO, Founder and Board Member of Treace. "With a wealth of diverse medical technology industry experience, a demonstrated track record of strong customer engagement, leadership in innovation and product development, and a proven ability to deliver exceptional market growth, Guy is ideally suited to lead our commercial efforts.” "I've always admired and respected Treace, having watched the team create and lead in entirely new market segments,” said Mr. Guglielmino. "Treace has established a new standard with an approach that deeply understands their customers' unmet needs, resulting in groundbreaking innovations that democratize the practice of the surgical treatment of bunions and midfoot deformities. I look forward to working with John and the Treace leadership team to deliver class-leading innovation, product commercialization, and sustained market performance.” Mr. Guglielmino joins Treace with deep medical technology industry expertise, having served in diverse senior leadership roles. Most recently, Mr. Guglielmino was President, Recovery Sciences at Enovis. Prior to that, he held senior Marketing roles at Enovis, Wright Medical, and at Bausch + Lomb. Mr. Guglielmino received his Bachelor of Science in Business & Entrepreneurship and his MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Company's expectations of innovation, product commercialization, market performance, and growth. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current assumptions and expectations of future events and trends, which affect or may affect the Company's business, strategy, operations or financial performance, and actual results and other events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Factors that could cause actual results or other events to differ materially from those contemplated in this press release can be found in the Risk Factors section of Treace's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024, and its subsequent SEC filings. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements speak only as of their date and, except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements, whether as a result of any new information, future developments or otherwise. Internet Posting of Information Treace routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the "Investor Relations” section of its website at www.treace.com . The Company encourages investors and potential investors to consult the Treace website regularly for important information about Treace. About Treace Medical Concepts Treace Medical Concepts, Inc. is a medical technology company with the goal of advancing the standard of care for the surgical management of bunion and related midfoot deformities. Bunions are complex 3-dimensional deformities that originate from an unstable joint in the middle of the foot and affect approximately 67 million Americans, of which Treace estimates 1.1 million are annual surgical candidates. Treace has pioneered and patented the Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® System - a combination of instruments, implants, and surgical methods designed to surgically correct all three planes of the bunion deformity and secure the unstable joint, addressing the root cause of the bunion and helping patients get back to their active lifestyles. To further support the needs of bunion patients, Treace has introduced its Adductoplasty® Midfoot Correction System, designed for reproducible surgical correction of midfoot deformities. The Company continues to expand its footprint in the foot and ankle market with the introduction of its SpeedPlateTM Rapid Compression Implants, an innovative fixation platform with broad versatility across Lapiplasty® and Adductoplasty® procedures, as well as other common bone fusion procedures of the foot. For more information, please visit www.treace.com . To learn more about Treace, connect with us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Contacts : Treace Medical Concepts Mark L. Hair Chief Financial Officer [email protected] (904) 373-5940 Investors : Gilmartin Group Vivian Cervantes [email protected]
Cardinal Health Inc. stock rises Monday, still underperforms market
Dibrugarh: State water resources minister Pijush Hazarika on Thursday announced an ambitious plan to revitalise natural water bodies and construct artificial reservoirs in Dibrugarh district as part of govt’s comprehensive flood management strategy . The initiative is a response to the district's recurring flood challenges during the monsoon season . The proposed network of natural and artificial reservoirs is expected to act as a crucial buffer system, helping regulate water levels and reduce the impact of heavy rainfall on urban areas. “Our primary focus is cleaning and restoring existing water bodies to enhance their capacity as natural reservoirs during the monsoon season. Additionally, we will create new artificial water bodies through strategic excavation to further strengthen our flood control infrastructure,” said Hazarika during an inspection of flood and erosion-affected areas of Dibrugarh. The minister, accompanied by Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan, Lahowal MLA Binod Hazarika and Assam Tourism Development Corporation chairman Rituparna Baruah, conducted a detailed assessment of the flood and erosion-affected areas. We also published the following articles recently Min unveils plans to revitalise lakes, create artificial reservoirs to tackle Dibrugarh floods Dibrugarh is implementing a new flood management strategy involving revitalizing natural water bodies and constructing artificial reservoirs. Water resources minister Pijush Hazarika, along with local MLAs, inspected flood-prone areas and announced the initiative. The project aims to enhance the district's flood control infrastructure and mitigate the impact of heavy monsoon rainfall. Rs 321cr project launched to strengthen Dibrugarhs flood defence Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan launched a Rs 321 crore anti-erosion project along the Brahmaputra riverbank, funded by the Asian Development Bank. The 8-km project from Chota Mothola to Mohanaghat will employ advanced technology, including geo-bags and concrete porcupines, to reinforce existing embankments and construct new ones. Dibrugarh villagers capture black panther Villagers in Dibrugarh, India, captured a black panther that had been terrorizing their livestock for over ten days. Using a hen as bait, they trapped the panther, nicknamed "Ghoong," in an iron cage. The panther, responsible for killing numerous goats and chickens, was captured early Saturday, bringing relief to the fearful community. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
Human rights group, Amnesty International says at least 10,000 people have died in military custody since the Boko Haram conflict in North-east Nigeria began. The body also accused Boko Haram of killing thousands of civilians during attacks on towns and villages saying that “Boko Haram has committed war crimes and other serious violations of international humanitarian law.” Speaking at a press conference in Maiduguri on Thursday, Amnesty International Nigeria Country Director, Isa Sunusi, reminded the government of the need for justice. Sanusi said the war against Boko Haram would come to an end, once justice was served on people whose lives had been shattered by Boko Haram and the military. He added that the organisation had filed a case before the International Court of Justice for alleged crimes against humanity in the North-east region. “The Nigerian military has often treated anyone in, or coming out of, Boko Haram-controlled areas as, at minimum, a suspected Boko Haram member.” “Amnesty International has documented war crimes by government forces, including intentional attacks against the civilian population; indiscriminate attacks that have killed or injured civilians; extrajudicial executions, which also constitute the war crime of murder; torture; cruel treatment; rape; and sexual violence”. “In addition, Amnesty International believes that individuals in the Nigerian military may have committed the crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; imprisonment; torture; rape; enforced disappearance; and gender-based persecution, after having concluded in a 2015 report that the Nigerian military likely had a policy to attack a civilian population and had done so in a widespread and systematic nature”. “At least 10,000 people have died in military custody since the conflict in North-east Nigeria began,” Amnesty International said in a report documented in response to the military atrocities in its operations in the theatre. The 144-page report titled “Girl Survivors of Boko Haram and Military Abuses in North-East Nigeria,” made available to newsmen at the conference also accused Boko Haram of killing thousands of civilians during attacks on towns and villages, and carried out widespread abductions, especially of girls, boys and younger women. “Attacks on schools, teachers and students, including their abduction, have been committed so as to prevent people, especially children, from receiving what Boko Haram considers a ‘Western’ education.” Related News Terrorists raid 200 Zamfara, Borno communities, others Four NSCDC officers killed in Boko Haram ambush, one missing PHOTOS: Police repel Boko Haram attack, neutralise explosive in Borno “Throughout the conflict, Boko Haram has committed war crimes and other serious violations of international humanitarian law, including murder; attacks on civilians and civilian objects; indiscriminate attacks; disproportionate attacks; torture; cruel treatment; conscription (including through abductions) and use of child soldiers under the age of 15; attacks on buildings dedicated to education; pillage; sexual slavery; rape; and attacks on humanitarian workers,” the report read. Amnesty International also said it had in 2015, in a series of reports, found that Boko Haram had an organisational policy to attack a civilian population and that this attack was systematic and widespread adding that the organisation be investigated for crimes against humanity including murder, enslavement, imprisonment, torture, rape, among other inhumane acts. “Consequently, in a series of reports since 2015, Amnesty International has concluded that Boko Haram members should also be investigated for the crimes against humanity of murder; enslavement; imprisonment; torture; rape; sexual slavery; sexual violence; persecution; and forced marriage as other inhumane acts.” The Country Director also emphasised the need for government to rebuild the lives of girls and young women that suffered the atrocities of Boko Haram and the military. “We believe that, if there is anything the government has been doing, it is rehabilitation, and I doubt if that rehabilitation involves women. Why are they excluded? “Beside that, our research shows that the experience of women is very unique. For example, there are many girls who were abducted or trafficked and at the end of the day ended up with Boko Haram and they were forced into sex slavery, and many of them had kids with the insurgents.” “When they escaped from the Boko Haram enclave, they ended up in the hands of the military, and in some cases they also experienced another round of atrocities. So, the girls and young women in the North East suffered horrific abuses in Boko Haram captivity and many survivors arbitrarily detained and subsequently neglected by the Nigerian authorities”. “In fact, in the course of our research we discovered that those girls that tried to have contraceptives were severely punished by the insurgents. These are the things that we should never forget and we believe that the government should do something. “Based on our research, despite some family unification efforts, the Nigerian government has largely failed to address their physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration as required by the convention for the rights of the child and the African charter on the right and welfare of the child, of which Nigeria is a party.” “This neglect is a serious issue which we are here to tell the government to address. We are calling on the Nigerian government to do the right thing and one of the right things they have to do is to make sure that they investigate and bring to justice all those accused of putting these girls through these atrocities,” he said.
Chloe Cole, a detransitioner and activist, slammed the 'irresponsible doctors' for the 'incredible disservice' they have done to children like her, while speaking to Fox News Digital. In oral aruments, Supreme Court justices discussed the high-profile, first-of-its-kind case involving transgender medical treatment for children. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, the lawmaker at the center of the suit against the Biden administration, told Fox News Digital that over the next few months, the justices will be "thinking a lot about the case." When asked whether he ever foresaw himself in such a high-profile legal matter, he said, "not remotely." "I do think the fact that there's so much disagreement weighs in favor of our side," Skrmetti said in a phone interview. "This is an area where the court really shouldn't come in and pick a winner. The data is still very underdeveloped." SOTOMAYOR COMPARES TRANS MEDICAL 'TREATMENTS' TO ASPIRIN IN QUESTION ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS DURING ORAL ARGUMENTS Activists hold a rally outside the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., as the court hears oral arguments in the transgender treatments case U.S. v. Skrmetti on Dec. 4, 2024. (Fox News Digital) "All the research that both sides point to is unresolved," Skrmetti said. "This is an unsettled area of science, and in situations like that, the best way to resolve it is through the democratic process. Our legislators appropriate people to deal with that uncertainty and make the call for each individual state." The justices appeared divided on Wednesday after oral arguments, and the three appointed by former President Trump could be the key to deciding the socially divisive question. Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett asked tough questions of both sides, and Justice Neil Gorsuch did not speak during the marathon public session. For its part, the Supreme Court is considering whether the Equal Protection Clause, which ensures equal treatment under the law for similarly situated individuals, bars states from prohibiting medical providers from administering puberty blockers and hormones to help minors transition to a different gender. The case is U.S. v. Skrmetti and is challenging Tennessee's state law which bans medical procedures for minors. Outside the court, hundreds of demonstrators rallied both for and against gender transition treatments for children. One of those rally-goers, detransitioner and activist Chloe Cole, told Fox News Digital in an interview that if the justices oppose the ban on trans medical treatments, "it's going to make things a lot more difficult on legislative fronts in terms of protecting our children and our youth." 'THE PENDULUM IS SWINGING': EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON HISTORIC SCOTUS TRANSGENDER CASE AMID ORAL ARGUMENTS Detransitioner and activist Chloe Cole outside the Supreme Court building during oral arguments in the U.S. v. Skrmetti case on Dec. 4, 2024. (Fox News Digital) "If we want to create a precedent for other states, for first this law, to be upheld in courts and for other states to be upheld as well, we have to do this now," Cole said. Cole, who detransitioned at the age of 16, told Fox News Digital that doctors had done an "incredible disservice" to her at a young age by helping her transition in the first place. "I'm never going to even have a chance at nursing my children with what God gave me," Cole said. "An incredible disservice has been done to me by these irresponsible doctors who knew better. They knew better than to do this to a child. They still chose to do it. But they messed with the wrong kid, and I am going to make sure there is never another child in America who is abused in the same way I was ever again." The court's decision could have sweeping implications, potentially shaping future legal battles over transgender issues, such as access to bathrooms and school sports participation. A decision is expected by July 2025. "So if the court puts a thumb on the scale and says that the courts could be second-guessing state governments on these issues, I think you're going to see an inhibited debate, and we've seen this happen before in other contexts where democracy is subverted by judges who step a little too far into the policy arena, and that ultimately hurts the country," Skrmetti said. "It de-legitimates the government," he added. "It makes people feel alienated from the political process. The alternative is it stays open to our democratic system of resolving disagreements, and you'll see a lot of debate, and different states will go in different directions, and over time, we'll have better research, and people will have a chance to debate this extensively, and that's just the better way to come to a resolution on such a hot button issue where the Constitution is silent." The Justices' decision may also influence broader debates about whether sexual orientation and gender identity qualify as protected classes under civil rights laws, akin to protections for race and national origin. SUPREME COURT WEIGHS TRANSGENDER YOUTH TREATMENTS IN LANDMARK CASE A court sketch depicts the United States Supreme Court hearing oral arguments regarding abortion rights on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (William J Hennessy Jr.) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP When asked whether Skrmetti believes the incoming Trump administration could persuade the justices one way in the case, he said, "It's ultimately up to the court how they want to handle that." Trump promised during his campaign he would outlaw transgender medical procedures for minors and open the doorway to allowing individuals to sue medical providers for conducting them. "But there is a path there for them to continue this, and I think it's important that we get clarity soon, because there are so many cases involving these issues, and the lower courts have not been consistent and are looking for guidance, and it would do everyone good to have a more clear answer to the state of the law," he said. Fox News Digital's Shannon Bream and Bill Mears contributed to this report. Jamie Joseph is a writer who covers politics. She leads Fox News Digital coverage of the Senate.