3 card poker game
NEW YORK -- As Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty Monday to state murder and terrorism charges in the brazen killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , supporters of the suspect continued to donate tens of thousands of dollars for a defense fund established for him, leaving law enforcement officials worried Mangione is being turned into a martyr. Several online defense funds have been created for Mangione by anonymous people, including one on the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo that as of Monday morning had raised over $187,000. The GiveSendGo defense fund for the 26-year-old Mangione was established by an anonymous group calling itself "The December 4th Legal Committee," apparently in reference to the day Mangione allegedly ambushed and gunned down Thompson in Midtown Manhattan as the executive walked to his company's shareholders conference at the New York Hilton hotel. "We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right to fair legal representation," the anonymous group said in a statement. The crowdfunding campaign prompted donations from thousands of anonymous donors across the country, many of them leaving messages of support for Mangione, including one person who called themselves "A frustrated citizen" and thanked Mangione for "sparking the awareness and thought across this sleeping nation." In a statement to ABC News, a spokesperson for GiveSendGo said the company "operates with a principle of not preemptively determining guilt or innocence." "Our platform does not adjudicate legal matters or the validity of causes. Instead, we allow campaigns to remain live unless they violate the specific terms outlined in our Terms of Use. Importantly, we do allow campaigns for legal defense funds, as we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access due process," the GiveSendGo spokesperson said. The spokesperson added, "We understand the concerns raised by such campaigns and take these matters seriously. When campaigns are reported, our team conducts a thorough review to ensure they comply with our policies. While other platforms may choose a different approach, GiveSendGo's core value is to provide a space where all individuals, no matter their situation, can seek and receive support, with donors making their own informed decisions." Other crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe have also taken down campaigns soliciting donations for Mangione's defense. "GoFundMe's Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes," the crowdfunding website said in a statement. "The fundraisers have been removed from our platform and all donors have been refunded." Amazon and Etsy have removed from their websites merchandise featuring Mangione, including T-shirts and tote bags reading "Free Luigi" and the phrase "Deny, Defend, Depose," words police said were etched in the shell casings discovered at the scene of Thompson's homicide. "Celebrating this conduct is abhorrent to me. It's deeply disturbing," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told ABC News senior investigative reporter Aaron Katersky in an interview last week. "And what I would say to members of the public, people who, as you described, are celebrating this and maybe contemplating other action, that we will be vigilant and we will hold people accountable. We are at the ready." When Mangione appeared in court Monday for his arrangement, more than two dozen young women, who had waited in the frigid cold outside the courthouse, said they were there to support the defendant. Most of the women wore face masks and a few appeared visibly emotional as Mangione entered the courtroom. "This is a grave injustice, and that's why people are here," one of the women, who said she arrived at the courthouse at 5 a.m., told ABC News. Other supporters outside the courthouse chanted, "Free, free Luigi" and "Eat the rich," and held signs reading, "People over profits" and "Health over wealth." Manhattan grand jury indicted Mangione last week on 11 charges, including first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism. Mangione is also facing federal charges that could get him the death penalty if convicted. Mangione's attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, raised concerns in court Monday that her client is being used by police and New York City Mayor Eric Adams as "political fodder." Angifilo also slammed last week's extradition of Mangione back to Manhattan to face charges, calling Adams' presence amid the massive display of force used in the transfer "the biggest staged perp walk I have seen in my career." "What was the New York City mayor doing at this press conference -- that is utterly political," she said, before referencing the mayor's own criminal case. "The New York City mayor should know more than anyone the presumption of innocence." Retired FBI special agent Richard Frankel said suspects have received unsolicited support in previous politically charged violent crimes. "We saw it with the Unabomber," said Frankel, an ABC News contributor, referring to Ted Kaczynski, the mathematician-turn-domestic terrorist who blamed technology for a decline of individual freedom and mailed handcrafted explosives to targeted individuals between 1978 and 1995. Frankel said Eric Rudolph, who detonated a bomb in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Olympic Games and carried out three additional bombings as he eluded capture for five years, also attracted supporters. "In my opinion, they're supporting individuals who have committed potentially terrorist acts, but it's a politically charged act," Frankel said. Referring to the Thompson killing, Frankel added, "You can be up in arms about the health care industry, but you can't threaten or actually hurt members of the health care industry." Most recently, Marine veteran Daniel Penny was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man who was acting erratically on a New York City subway, after supporters donated more than $3 million to his legal defense fund. Law enforcement officials have expressed concern that Mangione is being turned into a martyr. Someone this week pasted "wanted posters" outside the New York Stock Exchange naming other executives. A recent bulletin released by the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center, a multi-agency law enforcement intelligence-sharing network based in Philadelphia, included a photo of a banner hanging from an overpass reading, "Deny, Defend, Depose," which are the same words etched on shell casings police said were recovered from the Thompson homicide scene. "Many social media users have outright advocated for the continued killings of CEOs with some aiming to spread fear by posting 'hit lists,'" the bulletin, obtained by ABC News, reads.Seattle Seahawks receiver is DK Metcalf is just fine when he doesn't have the the ball because it means he gets to showcase his blocking skills. “I just look at it as a sign of respect that I’ve gained from other defensive coordinators and just continue to do my job with it as blocking or being a decoy,” the two-time Pro Bowler said. While opposing defenses have keyed in on Metcalf, other aspects of Seattle's offense have surfaced during its four-game winning streak. The run has the Seahawks (8-5) sitting atop the NFC West heading into Sunday night's game against the visiting Green Bay Packers (9-4). Geno Smith's new top target is second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who needs 89 receiving yards for his first career 1,000-yard season. Smith-Njigba has 75 catches for 911 yards and five touchdowns, while Metcalf, often dealing with double coverage, has 54 catches for 812 yards and two scores. Metcalf says he feels the pride of a “proud parent or a big brother” when it comes to Smith-Njigba's success. Seattle's offense also got a boost from the ground game in a 30-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend . Zach Charbonnet, filling in for the injured Kenneth Walker III, ran for a career-best 134 yards and two touchdowns. The Seahawks face another hot team in the Packers (9-4), who have won seven of nine. Green Bay's two losses over that stretch have come against NFC-best Detroit (12-1), including a 34-31 victory by the Lions on Dec. 5, which means the NFC North title is likely out of reach for the Packers. The Packers are well-positioned for a playoff berth, but that almost certainly won't come this weekend. They would need a win, a loss or tie by the Atlanta Falcons and a tie between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Metcalf, who learned to block from his father, former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf, says he tries to take blocking seriously to set himself apart from other receivers. His priorities are simple when he's getting double-teamed and the ball goes elsewhere. “Trying to block my (butt) off and trying to get pancakes on defensive backs,” he said. When the Packers surged their way into the playoffs last season, quarterback Jordan Love was a major reason why. He had 18 touchdown passes and one interception during Green Bay's final eight games. During the last four games of this season, Love ranks third in the NFL with a 118.9 passer rating with six touchdowns, one interception and a league-best 10.3 yards per attempt. “I always feel like I can put the ball where I want to — and that’s part of it, too, having that confidence to be able to throw those passes,” Love said. “There’s always like I said a handful of plays that might not come off or be in the exact spot that you wanted it to or the throw might be a little bit off. So, that’s where you’ve just got to try to be at your best every play, be consistent and accurate as possible.” Green Bay’s pass defense has been picked apart the last two weeks. First, it was torched by Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins in a Packers win. Next, it allowed Jared Goff to complete his final 13 passes as the Lions rallied to victory. It won’t get any easier this week. Smith is second in the NFL in attempts, completions and passing yards and is fifth in completion percentage. “It’s been a remarkable turnaround for him in terms of just where he started,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s not always where you start, but where you finish. And it tells me a lot about the person in terms of his resiliency and ability to fight through some adversity. He’s a dangerous quarterback.” The potential return of former All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) could help the Packers. Will the Packers break out their head-to-toe white uniforms? The last time Green Bay wore the winter white look was in a 24-22 win over Houston in October. The Packers asked fans to weigh in on social media . As for the Seahawks, they'll be sporting their “Action Green” uniforms. Metcalf is a fan. “I would say this about the Action Green, I love them personally in my opinion, but the big guys hate them. I don’t know why, don’t ask me," he said. “Hopefully, the Packers wear all white, so it’ll be a fun-looking game.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Bravo star Lindsay Hubbard defends ‘monetizing’ her pregnancy after earning $100k on social media
Ohtani wins third AP Male Athlete of the Year award
None
NoneWalker's 20 help IU Indianapolis knock off Trinity Christian 106-49
Maxey rallies the 76ers to a 111-106 victory over the Spurs after Embiid is ejected
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a defense in disarray, with their depth depleted by injuries, communication issues causing coverage problems and back-to-back losses marred by missed tackles. The timing couldn’t be worse for the Steelers (10-5) to draw the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (14-1), who boast not only the best record in the NFL but an offense led by two-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes. For the Steelers, the communication breakdowns are the newest concern. “You’re always working to fix some problems because you always have problems,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “This just showed up last week, so we have to get it fixed.” With a short turnaround between their loss Saturday at Baltimore and the Christmas Day contest with the Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium — their third game in a brutal 11-day stretch — the Steelers are seeking a quick fix. If not, they’re well aware they could face a familiar consequence. “The same end result that we keep getting if we keep doing the same thing,” Steelers inside linebacker Patrick Queen said. “It’s that simple.” The Steelers know that the same thing troubling them — trust and communication issues — is what Kansas City can count on, given how Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce have thrived in Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s West Coast offense on their way to three Super Bowl titles. Mahomes continues to make magic, as the Chiefs have had a dozen games decided by single digits this season. And Kelce remains his favorite target, leading the team with 89 receptions for 739 yards. “You really feel that continuity when you watch it on their side of the ball,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “I think it’s more displayed in Mahomes’ extension than anywhere else. When he extends plays and utilizes his talents, his mobility, his arm talent, his ability to deliver the ball from a variety of angles, his field vision and all of that, it comes together in the form of splash plays. But I think it’s just borne out of that continuity. “You talk about a guy who’s in complete command of his offense and knows where all his eligibles are and consistently displays that, and that allows them to extend and move around and make the plays that he makes. But he also has good nonverbal communication with central targets like Kelce. They’re always on the same page on these play extensions in terms of finding open space and creating big plays without the potential for negativity for them.” The Steelers, by contrast, spent Monday stressing fundamentals and talking about trusting their teammates after blown assignments factored into two Ravens touchdowns. One involved a miscommunication between Queen and free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. “We’ve got the guys here to be great,” Queen said. “There’s playmakers at every position all over the field. If we can communicate, we should be fine.” Defensive captain Cameron Heyward preached accountability, blaming the missed tackles on players “trying to do too much,” in some part as an effort to make up for missing four starters. The Steelers were without defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin), strong safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and cornerback Donte Jackson (back) before losing top cover corner Joey Porter Jr. (knee) to injury in the first quarter at Baltimore. That forced backups Dean Lowry, Damontae Kazee and James Pierre into starting roles and Cory Trice Jr. into a prominent role after being out since Week 3. “If you’re in the vicinity of where you need to be, there’s less chance for that error,” Heyward said. “We’ve got to clean that up. We’ve got to get back to playing our ball. I’m looking forward to doing that. ... We’ve got to rely on what we got into: It’s your fundamentals, it’s your technique, it’s your execution of plays. It’s a mixture of all of that and remembering that if one guy does his job, then we can rely on everybody doing his job.” While the Steelers know Mahomes isn’t putting up MVP-caliber numbers this season — a 67% completion percentage, 91.3 passer rating and 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions — they still marvel at his remarkable ability to extend plays and superior improvisational skills. For that reason, Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson believes that it’s on the offense to match Mahomes as much as it is the defense to contain him and a Chiefs offense that is averaging 23.7 points a game, just a fraction better than the Steelers’ 23.5. “You understand that you know when he’s going to make plays, we have to make them, too,” Wilson said. “We’ve got to find ways to make them and do different things. I’m excited about who we are. It’s not just one versus one, though. It’s 11 versus 11. That’s the great part about this game. That’s part that I love more than anything else, and we have to respond great in all three phases. “They’re great in all three phases. We are, too, when we’re on our stuff, and so we’re excited about that opportunity to do that in front of our fans.”CHICAGO — In the days after the presidential election, Sadie Perez began carrying pepper spray with her around campus. Her mom also ordered her and her sister a self-defense kit that included keychain spikes, a hidden knife key and a personal alarm. It’s a response to an emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers who have seized on Republican Donald Trump ’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice” at women online and on college campuses. For many women, the words represent a worrying harbinger of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. “The fact that I feel like I have to carry around pepper spray like this is sad,” said Perez, a 19-year-old political science student in Wisconsin. “Women want and deserve to feel safe.” Isabelle Frances-Wright, director of technology and society at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a think tank focusing on polarization and extremism, said she had seen a “very large uptick in a number of types of misogynistic rhetoric immediately after the election,” including some “extremely violent misogyny.” “I think many progressive women have been shocked by how quickly and aggressively this rhetoric has gained traction,” she said. The phrase “Your body, my choice” has been largely attributed to a post on the social platform X from Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust-denying white nationalist and far-right internet personality who dined at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida two years ago. In statements responding to criticism of that event, Trump said he had “never met and knew nothing about” Fuentes before he arrived. Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law, said the phrase transforms the iconic abortion rights slogan into an attack on women’s right to autonomy and a personal threat. “The implication is that men should have control over or access to sex with women,” said Ziegler, a reproductive rights expert. Fuentes' post had 35 million views on X within 24 hours, according to a report by Frances-Wright's think tank, and the phrase spread rapidly to other social media platforms. Women on TikTok have reported seeing it inundate their comment sections. The slogan also has made its way offline with boys chanting it in middle schools or men directing it at women on college campuses, according to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue report and social media reports. One mother said her daughter heard the phrase on her college campus three times, the report said . School districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota have sent notices about the language to parents. T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase were pulled off Amazon. Perez said she has seen men respond to shared Snapchat stories for their college class with “Your body, my choice.” “It makes me feel disgusted and infringed upon,” she said. “... It feels like going backwards.” Misogynistic attacks have been part of the social media landscape for years. But Frances-Wright and others who track online extremism and disinformation said language glorifying violence against women or celebrating the possibility of their rights being stripped away has spiked since the election. Online declarations for women to “Get back in the kitchen” or to “Repeal the 19th,” a reference to the constitutional amendment that gave women the right to vote, have spread rapidly. In the days surrounding the election, the extremism think tank found that the top 10 posts on X calling for repeal of the 19th Amendment received more than 4 million views collectively. A man holding a sign with the words “Women Are Property” sparked an outcry at Texas State University . The man was not a student, faculty or staff, and was escorted off campus, according to the university’s president . The university is “exploring potential legal responses,” he said. Anonymous rape threats have been left on the TikTok videos of women denouncing the election results. And on the far-flung reaches of the web, 4chan forums have called for “rape squads” and the adoption of policies in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a dystopian book and TV series depicting the dehumanization and brutalization of women. “What was scary here was how quickly this also manifested in offline threats,” Frances-Wright said, emphasizing that online discourse can have real-world impacts. Previous violent rhetoric on 4chan has been connected to racially motivated and antisemitic attacks, including a 2022 shooting by a white supremacist in Buffalo that killed 10 people . Anti-Asian hate incidents also rose as politicians, including Trump , used words such as “Chinese virus” to describe the COVID-19 pandemic. And Trump’s language targeting Muslims and immigrants in his first campaign correlated with spikes in hate speech and attacks on these groups, Frances-Wright said. The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism reported similar rhetoric, with “numerous violent misogynistic trends” gaining traction on right-wing platforms such 4chan and spreading to more mainstream ones such as X since the election. Throughout the presidential race, Trump’s campaign leaned on conservative podcasts and tailored messaging toward disaffected young men . As Trump took the stage at the Republican National Convention over the summer, the song “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown blared from the speakers. One of several factors to his success this election was modestly boosting his support among men , a shift concentrated among younger voters, according to AP VoteCast, survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide. But Trump also won support from 44% of women age 18 to 44, according to AP VoteCast. To some men, Trump's return to the White House is seen as a vindication, gender and politics experts said. For many young women, the election felt like a referendum on women’s rights and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris ’ loss felt like a rejection of their own rights and autonomy. “For some of these men, Trump’s victory represents a chance to reclaim a place in society that they think they are losing around these traditional gender roles,” Frances-Wright said. None of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump or anyone in his immediate orbit. But Trump has a long history of insulting women , and the spike in such language comes after he ran a campaign that was centered on masculinity and repeatedly attacked Harris over her race and gender . His allies and surrogates also used misogynistic language about Harris throughout the campaign. “With Trump’s victory, many of these men felt like they were heard, they were victorious. They feel that they have potentially a supporter in the White House,” said Dana Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics. Brown said some young men feel they’re victims of discrimination and have expressed mounting resentment for successes of the women’s rights movement, including #MeToo . The tension also has been influenced by socioeconomic struggles. As women become the majority on college campuses and many professional industries see increasing gender diversity, it has “led to young men scapegoating women and girls, falsely claiming it’s their fault they’re not getting into college anymore as opposed to looking inward,” Brown said. Perez, the political science student, said she and her sister have been leaning on each other, their mother and other women in their lives to feel safer amid the online vitriol. They text each other to make sure they got home safely. They have girls' nights to celebrate wins, including a female majority in student government at their campus in the University of Wisconsin system. “I want to encourage my friends and the women in my life to use their voices to call out this rhetoric and to not let fear take over,” she said.
NoneAs Thaksin Shinawatra, ex-prime minister and the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, is trying hard to tighten his grip on power, the local political landscape is shifting and changing. Politicians are now divided into three blocs: the ruling party, Bhumjaithai (BJT) and the People's Party, which, despite being the opposition, remains a strong force. There have been quite a few incidents over the past two months indicating there has been a falling out between Pheu Thai and the BJT, but since they do not have to face the prospect of a new election any time soon, they dare not break up right now for fear they may both end up losers. They need to reinforce their collective strength until the government's tenure expires in 2027. Thaksin, while campaigning in Chiang Mai for a local election recently, declared that his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, will complete her term and that means the two parties will have no choice but to stick together till the end. Anutin Charnvirakul, the BJT leader, has downplayed the speculated rift, which involves a few issues including the absence of key politicians during a cabinet meeting on Dec 11 when two crucial executive decrees were tabled, as well as the controversy over the Khao Kradong land plot, ruling out conflicts between the two coalition partners. "There have not been -- and will not be -- any problems. We are obliged to work together as a government coalition," Mr Anutin said earlier. The BJT leader stressed that mutual respect will underpin their harmonious coexistence. As Pheu Thai and the BJT seem to have made a truce, the ruling party's relations with the United Thai Nation (UTN) have become strained over differences in energy policy and the so-called MOU 44 involving a joint development area between Thailand and Cambodia. But undeniably, the alliance between the ruling party and the BJT is fragile. The coalition fallout stems largely from Thaksin's attempt to consolidate power, and regain popularity among voters. After all, the government parties are political rivals and their getting on the same boat is just an ad-hoc affair, with one immediate goal, which was to block the since-disbanded Move Forward Party (MFP), the real poll winner, from taking office. Despite victories in the past few local polls including in Ratchaburi and Udon Thani, Pheu Thai is well aware that it still lags behind the MFP's reincarnation, the People's Party (PP), in terms of public support. It could be said Pheu Thai and Thaksin are playing for high stakes in the forthcoming provincial administrative organisation (PAO) elections, particularly in Chiang Mai. The party suffered a huge loss to the MFP in the 2023 national election in this northern province -- considered Pheu Thai's home base -- which was a major embarrassment. It cannot afford to lose again, or its former victories in local polls would be meaningless. This is a crucial time for Pheu Thai and Thaksin. Needless to say, they regard the remaining local polls, scheduled for Feb 1, as a case of all-out war. Thaksin, backed up by the old guard that enables him to escape from all accusations, has played an aggressive game. He wants to win as many seats as possible in the local polls, while trying to sweep all the "ban yai" political networks under his wing, with a view to securing victory in the next national election. Other parties face with the same challenge as Pheu Thai, as they attempt to maximise their gains in local elections, with the hope of winning the national election. With aggressive competition among "ban yai" politicians, violence is sometimes unavoidable as in the case of Prachin Buri. A local politician who wanted to leave the BJT for Pheu Thai ahead of the local polls was brutally killed. Apart from Chiang Mai, Thaksin, in his capacity as the poll campaign leader, is eyeing the North and Northeast -- formerly Pheu Thai's stronghold. His role is to allow his daughter to focus on running the country and winning hearts through populist policies like the cash handout scheme and housing projects for the poor. But as the three blocs strive to maintain their political triumvirate, the alliance is vulnerable to change. The PP is a key variable in Pheu Thai's decision to shift allegiance to the BJT. The old adage that there are no real friends and foes in politics remains valid. Some analysts note that the PP, which now has 143 MPs, may discreetly extend its hand to Pheu Thai, its friend in the last opposition bloc, for a possible alliance after the next election. Pheu Thai should welcome such a move as there is no guarantee it will make a big comeback in the 2027 polls. The ruling party has to accept this uncertainty given the fact that Ms Paetongtarn lacks strong political appeal, especially among urban voters. Therefore, it may need to nurture an alliance with the PP to give it leverage with the Old Guard, especially if they turn against the party. If so, the opposition and ruling party may again find one another to be "a friend in need". At the same time, we cannot underestimate the BJT's prowess, particularly if it joins forces with the UTN and Palang Pracharath or even the People's Party, should the latter compromise its stance on Section 112, the lese majeste law. Besides, the BJT has a strong affiliation with the Senate, which has the power to appoint members of independent agencies like the Constitutional Court and the Election Commission, to name but a few. At this stage, all three blocs have strong bargaining power against one another. Thaksin seems to have regained some strength but still cannot have absolute power -- as he enjoyed in the early 2000s. Besides, it is possible the ruling party may lose the next election, or find itself ditched by the old guard. With such uncertainty, Thaksin has no choice but to wage an all-out war to stay afloat. Chairith Yonpiam is assistant news editor, Bangkok Post.Pittsburgh Steelers miss on potential reunion with Pro Bowl wide receiverNone
Guwahati: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the aegis of the ministry of science and technology and the ministry of earth sciences, on Saturday inaugurated the 10th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) at IIT-Guwahati. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union minister of state for science & technology Jitendra Singh and Meghalaya’s CM Conrad Sangma were present during the inauguration ceremony. Arunachal Pradesh minister Dasanglu Pul and Assam’s minister for science & technology Keshab Mahanta too attended the event. The event is being organised with Vijnana Bharathi, with CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, serving as the nodal institute. The fest, which will conclude on December 3, is expected to host more than 8,000 delegates, researchers and prominent scientific organisations, alongside 10,000 students from educational institutions, encouraging cross-disciplinary partnerships. “This festival would not be possible without the unwavering support of the Honorable PM. IISF stands as a grand celebration of scientific innovation and collaboration, featuring numerous innovations catering to a diverse audience. It showcases India’s remarkable achievements, such as Chandrayaan-2 , and includes a science expo that highlights cutting-edge research and technology,” said Sarma. We also published the following articles recently Sarma, Conrad inaugurates IISF at IIT-Guwahati The 10th India International Science Festival (IISF) was inaugurated at IIT-Guwahati by CSIR, under the ministries of science & technology and earth sciences. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union minister Jitendra Singh, and Meghalaya's CM Conrad Sangma attended. The event, organized with Vijnana Bharathi, aims to showcase scientific achievements and innovations, highlighting initiatives like Chandrayaan-2. IIT Guwahati to host Indias largest science festival from November 30 India International Science Festival (IISF) 2024 will be held at IIT Guwahati from November 30 to December 4. This event, themed 'Transforming India into an S&T driven Global Manufacturing Hub', aims to promote India's scientific achievements and foster collaboration. Hosted by CSIR, it will feature various thematic events to engage both scientific professionals and the general public. Science of Gemstone Vibrations: Exploring Crystals from a Scientific Perspective Gemstones and crystals are admired for their beauty and believed to have healing powers. Crystals can vibrate in precise frequencies due to their atomic structure, a property useful in technology. While scientific proof about their health benefits is limited, belief in their effects can lead to mood improvement or stress reduction, demonstrating the placebo effect.California’s card rooms lost a costly legislative fight this year as they sought to kill a bill that would allow their competitors, tribal casinos, to sue them. But that didn’t stop the gambling halls from punishing a handful of lawmakers for their votes after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the gambling bill into law. In an extraordinary display of political retribution, California’s card room industry spent more than $3 million in the lead up to the November election to oppose four lawmakers who played key roles in the bill’s passage. Three of the candidates targeted by the card rooms ended up losing, including the rare defeat of an incumbent Democratic senator. “We really don’t want to be the sort of, you know, the Rodney Dangerfield of industries. We want to be respected,” said Keith Sharp, a lawyer for the Hawaiian Gardens Casino, a card room in Los Angeles County. “We (will) work hard to continue to gain respect and protect our employees, protect our cities, protect our businesses.” To the card rooms, the three defeats were a sign their money was well spent, even if the cash went to purely punitive purposes. Case in point: Two of the lawmakers who lost their races were vacating their Assembly seats and were running in non-legislative races. Had they won, it’s unlikely they’d deal very often with card room related issues. Tribes have long outspent card rooms in state politics. Tribes have given candidates for state office more than $23.5 million since 2014. That’s more than double what oil companies have given the state’s politicians during the same years. Card rooms have spent only a fraction as much. More recently, tribes have contributed $6.3 million to candidates since January 2023 while card rooms have donated at least $1.3 million. Those funds don’t include the $3 million the card rooms spent targeting the four candidates this fall. The cash the card rooms poured into the four races sends a message to lawmakers that they’re also capable of spending big, including on political vengeance, said former Democratic Assemblymember Mike Gatto. “Any time you have a group essentially announcing to the world that they are going to do vengeance spending, it does cause lawmakers to pay attention,” he said. The bill Newsom signed, Senate Bill 549 , gives tribes the ability to ask a judge to decide whether card rooms are allowed to operate table games such as black jack and pai gow poker. The tribes, which will be able to sue beginning Jan. 1, say California voters gave them exclusive rights to host those games, but they’ve been unable to sue the state’s 80 or so card rooms because tribes are sovereign governments. The stakes are high since some cities receive nearly half of their budgets from taxes on card rooms, meaning a tribal victory in court could jeopardize money for police, firefighters and other local services. The card rooms insist their games are legal, but they also worry the cost of court fights could force them out of business. Facing what they saw as an existential threat, card rooms responded to the bill’s introduction last year with a massive lobbying blitz. Hawaiian Gardens Casino alone spent $9.1 million on lobbying, the second highest amount reported to state regulators last year. Only the international oil giant, Chevron Corp., spent more. Despite losing the legislative battle, card rooms spent more than $3 million on attack ads, text messages, mailers and other outreach to voters targeting the four candidates. The card rooms also bought ads supporting candidates running against them. The ads came from independent expenditure committees funded by the card rooms. Under state and federal election rules, organizations not affiliated with a candidate can spend unlimited amounts of money supporting or opposing candidates through advertisements and other tactics as long as the actions are not coordinated with the candidate’s campaign. Only one candidate, Laurie Davies , a Republican from Oceanside, won her race for reelection despite the card room’s cash onslaught. And just barely. Only 3,870 out of 230,546 total votes separated her from her Democratic challenger, Chris Duncan. The card rooms spent at least $1.3 million on outreach boosting Duncan and slamming Davies, according to state campaign finance reports. One mailer said she was aligned with “anti-choice radicals,” “MAGA extremists” and “Big Oil.” Davies infuriated card rooms when she cast a vote that let the gambling bill advance out of a committee this summer, despite having a cardroom in her district. Outgoing Democratic Assemblymember Evan Low of Cupertino faced similar attacks in his failed congressional bid. Low sat on the same Assembly committee as Davies and voted this summer for the gambling bill. Low also had a major cardroom in his Assembly district. Low’s campaign didn’t return a message seeking comment. The card rooms spent at least $500,000 on ads attacking Low, according to the card rooms. The card rooms also went after termed-out Democratic Assemblymember Brian Maienschein in his failed bid for San Diego city attorney. The card rooms spent at least $443,000 opposing Maienschein. He got on the card rooms’ bad side when he cast a key vote that let the bill advance from the Assembly Judiciary Committee, which Maienschein chaired. Sharp, the lawyer for Hawaiian Gardens, said Maienschein also refused to meet with him and other card room representatives before the vote. Maienschein didn’t return messages. A TV ad from the card rooms attacked Maienschein for his voting record before he switched his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in 2019. Fullerton Democratic Sen. Josh Newman, the lead author of the gambling bill , wasn’t spared even though he represented a competitive district that was important to the Democratic Party. The card rooms spent at least $900,000 in that race that paid for ads and mailers opposing Newman and supporting his Republican opponent, Steven Choi, according to the card rooms and campaign finance reports. Newman, the state’s most vulnerable senator who’d been recalled from office once before, ended up losing to Choi by 6,075 votes out of the 458,615 cast in the race. It was the first time since 1980 that a Republican flipped a Democratic senate seat in a presidential election. Newman had a $6 million fundraising advantage over Choi. Choi raised just $856,000. In one card-room funded TV ad, Newman was portrayed as being soft on crime, and it attacked him for voting to give benefits to “illegal immigrants” In an interview with CalMatters, Newman said he didn’t think the card room ads made as much of an impact on the race as another independent expenditure committee that opposed him with more than $1 million from a prominent public employee union . But Newman acknowledged the card rooms probably did send at least some voters to Choi. “The margins probably matter in a race as close as mine,” Newman said. Still, Newman told CalMatters he has no regrets about introducing the bill despite the blowback and the possible impact the card rooms had in his senate race. Newman said he believes the tribes deserve their day in court. But he said he doesn’t see the logic in the card rooms spending so much money on races after they already lost their fight in the Legislature. “The question really is: If you shut the barn door after the horse is out, who are you really punishing?” he said. CalMatters data reporter Jeremia Kimelman contributed to this story. This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
Rethinking Telecommunications with Satellite-Cellphone ConnectivityA Canberra teenager accused of possessing violent extremist material has been refused bail after police expressed fears he might carry out a bombing attack if released into the community. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue The material in question is said to have been produced by Islamic State (IS) and includes graphic, instructional videos relating to terrorism, explosives and murder. Last week, the Australian Federal Police confirmed the 16-year-old had been arrested and charged with a terrorism-related offence. He faced the ACT Children's Court on December 14. It is not known if the accused teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, entered a plea to possessing violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service. Less than a week after he was refused bail, the federal police issued a national warning about the increased threat of youth radicalisation through online material and propaganda. 'I thought police were made aware of my attack' Documents tendered during bail proceedings allege the teenager not only possessed the dangerous material but posted his own online content referencing IS ideology. He is said to have converted to Islam sometime last year and adopted an adherence to radical interpretations of the faith. The teenager was refused bail after being accused of possessing violent extremist material created by Islamic State, flag inset. Pictures by Karleen Minney, Shutterstock According to a police bail consideration form, investigators were especially concerned about a conversation the 16-year-old allegedly had over secure messaging app Telegram earlier this month. "Sorry I thought police were made aware of my attack, but they are not," he allegedly wrote to an unknown person. "Do you have a plan? Because I wanna do this operation as quickly as possible. "And I also need the istishadi [martyrdom] belt tutorial." Investigators described wording in the final message as "known terminology for an explosive belt utilised in suicide bombings by Islamic extremist groups". The documents also state two other people told police about separate conversations they had with the teenager in November 2023 and August 2024. It's alleged the boy told those witnesses he would carry out a suicide bombing "if the commandment was correct ... to win the war". He also reportedly expressed strong hatred for the Jewish community. Investigators 'extremely concerned' According to police, there was a strong likelihood the teenager would endanger the safety of the community if granted bail. "Police are extremely concerned that the [young person] will see a release as an opportunity to commit an attack, given the uncertainty of his future surrounding the court process," documents read. The Australian Federal Police expressed numerous concerns about the teenager being released into the community on bail. Picture by Karleen Minney Those court documents outline fears "he would put himself and his welfare at risk to achieve his goal of committing an attack". "Police hold further concerns that the [young person] may attempt to commit a less sophisticated attack than initially planned now that it has been made known that police are aware of [his] intentions," they read. While police said they had not found evidence of direct attack planning, it was suspected such material could not be ruled out from existing as the investigation continues. It was also alleged the boy had demonstrated technological savviness to evade law enforcement detection and attempted to delete online conversations. Police told the court it would be difficult to monitor his access to violent extremist material in the community. Islamic State videos When officers searched the teenager's home earlier this month, they found numerous hand-written references to IS. That included a school timetable with the jihadist group's flag partially drawn on it. Among footage found on the boy's phone and computer, court documents detail an IS-made video "calling for believers in Allah to fight and kill the crusaders". It included numerous instructional videos, including one titled: "Explanation of how to slaughter the disbelievers." That video is said to depict a restrained man being graphically tortured and murdered. MORE COURT AND CRIME NEWS : Lawyer tried to damage judge's reputation with 'offensive' letter, court finds How Deanne and her family changed a 'heartwrenching' process in the ACT Man's licence torn up after allegedly drink-driving six times higher than limit Other footage allegedly depicts how to use readily available chemicals to create an improvised explosive device, mass graves, men being killed and dismembered, and other IS propaganda. Police claim the teenager expressed support for martyrdom on his social media accounts and shared content from a well-known "extremist ideologue who produces anti-Western content". The 16-year-old is said to have posted videos of himself shooting guns and making references to death, as well as self-edited videos of IS propaganda films. Federal police warning On Friday last week, the federal police urged Australian parents to be aware of who their children communicate with online following rising concerns about youth radicalisation. Related police investigations into 37 children aged between 12 and 17 were started between January 2020 and December 2024. More than half were charged as a result. Federal police counter-terrorism and special investigation Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt warned that more children were accessing extremist material. "Police believe extremist groups are targeting vulnerable and young individuals online for radicalisation, as they are more susceptible to being influenced," he said last week. "We know that these extremists are preying on children in the same way that child sex offenders attempt to groom children." The accused teenager is set to face court again early next year. He has reportedly agreed to participate in the Canberra-based Countering Violent Extremism program. Support is available. Phone National Security Hotline 1800 123 400; Lifeline 13 11 14; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Tim Piccione Court reporter Tim is a journalist with the Canberra Times covering the ACT courts. He came to the nation's capital via the Daily Advertiser in Wagga. Contact: tim.piccione@canberratimes.com.au. Tim is a journalist with the Canberra Times covering the ACT courts. He came to the nation's capital via the Daily Advertiser in Wagga. Contact: tim.piccione@canberratimes.com.au. More from Canberra 'Extreme concern' ACT teen accused of possessing ISIS videos could commit bomb attack 51m ago The almost $200b a year we give away to people who really do not need it 1hr ago No comment s Shutting down debate on abortion is a concern for us all 1hr ago No comment s Year in pictures: January 2024 1hr ago No comment s This is my first Christmas since my husband's death. One very bittersweet moment awaits 1hr ago No comment s 'See ball, hit ball' Konstas ready for Boxing Day Test Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Loading... WEEKDAYS The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Loading... DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading... WEEKDAYS The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Loading... WEEKLY Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Loading... WEEKLY FootyHQ Love footy? We've got all the action covered. Loading... DAILY Early Look At David Pope Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Public Service News Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. Loading... WEEKLY Explore Travel Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Loading... WEEKLY Property Get the latest property and development news here. Loading... WEEKLY What's On Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Loading... WEEKLY Weekend Reads We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Loading... WEEKLY Times Reader's Panel Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Loading... WEEKDAYS The Echidna Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY The Informer Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Loading... WEEKLY Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks. Loading... DAILY Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Loading... DAILY Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Loading...
Jaipur: Senior politicians, including former chief minister Vasundhara Raje , Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal and MoS for Panchayati Raj Otaram Dewasi, reached SMS Hospital on Monday to meet families of LPG tanker blast victims, despite concerns raised earlier by deputy CM Diya Kumari and the medical staff. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, after reaching Jaipur on Monday, said the state govt should learn from the incident and must take precautions to prevent such accidents in the future. Beniwal enquired about the well-being of the victims from doctors and announced a donation of Rs 50 lakh from the MP fund for the development and expansion of facilities in the govt-run hospital's burn ward. He demanded probe by the CBI or by a retired high court judge into the LPG accident and strict action against the guilty. Following the hospital's advisory, political representatives avoided entering the burn ward but met the victims' family members and medical professionals. Raje did not enter the ICU of the burn unit and met families in the chamber of hospital superintendent Sushil Bhati. Jaipur MP Manju Sharma was present with her. Beniwal said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the state's transport department and the police were responsible for the accident. He said the Rajasthan govt should provide Rs 1 crore each to families of the deceased and Rs 50 lakh each to those who suffered more than 50% burns. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes.WASHINGTON (AP) — Micah Peavy's 24 points helped Georgetown defeat Albany (NY) 100-68 on Saturday night. Peavy added eight assists, four steals, and three blocks for the Hoyas (6-1). Malik Mack scored 16 points while shooting 6 for 8, including 3 for 4 from beyond the arc. Thomas Sorber had 14 points and finished 6 of 9 from the field. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
( MENAFN - GetNews) Popular drummer and Instagram sensation Tora Drums has announced the release of her debut single in 2025, sending her fans into a frenzy. Born Khuat Hoa Xuan in Hanoi, Tora Drums is considered a Vietnamese powerhouse who already boasts over 87,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel and has shown technical prowess and undeniable passion for her craft. Her ground-breaking compositions have the potential to completely transform the rhythmic landscape. Since she started playing the drums in 2017, Tora has been progressively advancing her career. Over the course of her remarkable seven-year journey, the drummer from Hanoi has already put out five original compositions, including instrumentals that highlight her technical prowess and variety. In her senior year of high school, Tora's passion for drumming was ignited on the bustling streets of Hanoi, where her narrative began. Tora remembers, "It came very naturally to me." There weren't many musicians in my hometown at the time. I fell in love with drums because I wanted to study something artistic. She soon turned her love of rhythm into a lifetime endeavor. Tora committed herself to endless hours of practice, pushing the limits of her craft despite the lack of resources and opportunities in her village. She eventually created a distinctive style that captivates audiences all around the world by fusing emotional depth with technical accuracy. Her debut album marks an important turning point in Tora's career. Although the album's specifics are being kept under wraps, fans can anticipate a selection of songs that combine her distinctive drumming with avant-garde compositions. The CD attempts to highlight Tora's diversity and reinterpret what drumming may be in modern music, ranging from soulful rhythms to high-energy beats. Through her YouTube channel, Tora Drums, which has over 87,000 subscribers, and Instagram account, @toradrums , Tora has established a robust online community. Fans may observe her creative process, take in captivating performances, and establish a personal connection with her journey through her platforms. Her videos, which feature everything from drum covers to original songs, have won accolades for their inventiveness and technical mastery. Beyond the screen, Tora has worked with other musicians, which has strengthened her standing as a creative and adaptable performer. Tora's debut album release is only the first step. She intends to tour with her songs, perform live at locations throughout Vietnam and abroad, and release the album. Along with her own identity as a musician, fans can anticipate new original songs, artist collaborations, and interesting brand partnerships. According to Tora, "I want to continue developing as an artist and use my music to reach more people." "This album is only the beginning of what I want to accomplish." For the latest updates, follow Tora Drums on Social Media. Instagram: YouTube: @toradrum MENAFN23122024003238003268ID1109025410 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.