GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ryan Forrest's 30 points led N.C. A&T over North Carolina Central 85-72 on Saturday. Forrest shot 12 of 18 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 7 from the line for the Aggies (4-10). Landon Glasper scored 25 points while going 7 of 17 from the floor, including 5 for 12 from 3-point range, and 6 for 6 from the line. Jahnathan Lamothe went 3 of 7 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with nine points, while adding eight rebounds. The Aggies stopped an eight-game skid with the win. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Paparazzi caught Trump Jr. out in Palm Beach with his new flame. He’s not hiding it anymore
Tax reforms: Tinubu won’t undermine democracy –Information MinisterBeth Dooley | (TNS) The Minnesota Star Tribune The holidays loom large. Parties, gift-shopping, school programs, recitals, family gatherings — there’s really no time to cook. But there is! Here are three quick and easy recipes you can hustle to the table in 30 minutes or less. Relax, take a deep breath and know that dinner is served. Serves 4. Making grilled cheese for more than one can be tricky. Here, the sheet pan does the work; the sandwiches are ready all at once. Try our suggested fillings or just enjoy them plain in all their gooey deliciousness. From Beth Dooley. Directions Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. Spread the butter to the edge of 4 slices of bread. Place the slices butter-side down on the sheet pan. Top with the sliced cheese and add a layer of the filling, then top with the remaining slices of bread. Put the pan in the oven and cook until the butter is thoroughly melted and bottom slices are turning golden and the cheese is melting, about 8 to 10 to minutes. Flip the sandwiches. Continue cooking until the top layer of bread begins to turn golden and the cheese is melted. Turn the oven to broil and toast the top layer, watching closely, this goes quickly, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Flip the bread and toast the other side, about 15 to 20 seconds or so. Remove, cut and serve. Quick Skillet Chicken with Lemon, Tahini and Warm Spices will come together quickly and can be served on a bed of greens or pasta. (Ashley Moyna Schwickert/For the Minnesota Star Tribune) Serves 4 to 6. A simple marinade of pantry staples — lemon, tahini, olive oil and a little honey — keeps the chicken moist and becomes the sauce for finishing the dish. Serve on a bed of dark greens or cooked rice. From Beth Dooley. Directions In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon, tahini, honey and olive oil. Measure out 1⁄2 of the mixture into a separate bowl. This is to sauce the chicken after it’s cooked. If it seems too thick, whisk in a little water. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and pound with the flat edge of a knife to even out the width a bit. Put the chicken into the bowl of marinade and turn to coat. Film a heavy skillet with more oil and set over high heat. When the oil begins to ripple, add the chicken, reduce the heat to medium and cook, flipping after about 5 to 7 minutes, and continuing, until cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes. (The chicken should reach 165 on an instant-read thermometer when done.) Remove the chicken from the skillet, set on a cutting board to rest for about 10 minutes. Slice the meat in long strokes against the grain. Serve on a bed of greens or rice, garnished with a drizzle of sauce, chopped herbs and a few thinly sliced lemons. Pass additional sauce on the side. One-Pot Pasta with Sausage, Tomato and Spinach is a quick but hearty meal for busy, chilly nights. (Ashley Moyna Schwickert/For the Minnesota Star Tribune) Serves 4 to 6. You only need one pot for this simple pasta. The sausage adds the seasoning, the onions turn sweetly golden, cherry tomatoes burst into a luscious sauce. A squeeze of lemon at the end livens things up. From Beth Dooley. Directions Film a large heavy pot or Dutch oven with the oil and set over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until it turns limp and golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the sausage, breaking apart with a spatula until it crumbles, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and the stock, scraping up the bottom of the pan to release browned bits that stick to the bottom. Bring to a boil. Add the pasta, stirring well and continue boiling for about 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the heat down to a brisk simmer, stirring to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. If the sauce becomes too thick and the pasta begins to stick, stir in water, about 1⁄4 cup at a time. Simmer until the sauce is mostly absorbed and the pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the spinach, then stir in the cheese. Add lemon juice to taste. Serve garnished with the chopped parsley. Beth Dooley is the author of “The Perennial Kitchen.” Find her at bethdooleyskitchen.com. ©2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit at startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BEIRUT — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad’s government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country’s long-running civil war, the government now has control of only four of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Homs, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad’s chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria’s border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad’s forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.Appalachian State hires South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains as head coach
Nick Kyrgios says positive tests for duo are ‘disgusting’ and ‘a horrible look’NEW JERSEY - Mysterious drones have been flying around parts of New Jersey, and it's leaving people worried. One political figure is demanding answers. State Senator Doug Steinhardt delivered a letter to Governor Phil Murphy on Saturday. In it, he demanded Murphy organize a Joint Legislative session where all members of the state legislature can ask state and federal officials for answers. Officials have been saying there is no threat to the public. But Steinhardt says that's not only dismissive, but irresponsible and dangerous. The FBI is investigating the sightings.
Pete Hegseth continues work to shore up support ahead of confirmation hearings
BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and that government forces had withdrawn from the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The capture of Homs is a major victory for insurgents, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said Homs falling into rebel hands would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad's status Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. The insurgents' march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. ____ Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report. Bassem Mroue And Zeina Karam, The Associated Press
Nintendo Switch Fans Slam Nintendo Over NSFW Issue With ConsoleMicron Technology MU will look to follow the fate of Broadcom , which recently got a boost in share price after its quarterly earnings . The Boise, Idaho-based company will report first-quarter financial results after the market closes on Wednesday. Analysts expect Micron Technology to report first-quarter revenue of $8.72 billion. That’s up from $4.73 billion in last year's first quarter, according to data from Benzinga Pro. The company has beaten analyst revenue estimates in six straight quarters and seven of the last 10 quarters overall. Analysts also expect the company to report first-quarter earnings per share of $1.76 — up from a loss of 95 cents per share in last year's first quarter. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in three straight quarters and seven of the last 10 quarters overall. Guidance from the company calls for first-quarter revenue of $8.5 billion to $8.9 billion and earnings per share of $1.66 to $1.82. Read Also: Ahead Of Trump’s Return To White House, US Approves $406M Grant For Taiwan’s Chipmaker GlobalWafers What Analysts Are Saying: First-quarter financial results should meet or beat analyst estimates, Wedbush analyst Matt Bryson said in a new investor note. The analyst said Micron's first quarter benefitted from favorable pricing and product mixes. The second quarter could be tougher to meet or beat estimates. "We believe some of this pressure could be offset by mix, meaning risk to our current FQ2 forward estimates might be relatively modest," Bryson said. Outside of the second quarter, Bryson expects a strong back half of Micron's fiscal year due to "favorable memory economics." "We believe sentiment on memory was extremely negative creating room for a potential sharp move upwards in the stock should MU results/guidance roughly fit the expectations." A more favorable product mix and signs of normalization of memory inventory could also benefit Micron in the future. "We don't have a strong view on MU into the print, but believe the company is well positioned heading into 2025." Stifel recently reiterated a Buy rating with a $135 price target ahead of Micron's earnings print also. Key Items to Watch: Micron's report comes as the semiconductor sector has been in focus in 2024. Leader Nvidia has fallen in recent days while Broadcom soared after its earnings report. Micron shares received a boost after the White House invested $6.1 billion for new advanced memory chip facilities was announced. The semiconductor industry has been a prime sector for government investments to help support U.S. jobs and growing the market share of the sector in the country to lessen the need for imports from other countries. Investors and analysts will be closely watching Wednesday's report for more color on government support and commentary on the next White House administration set to begin in 2025. The company's next fiscal year will also be a key focus for investors and analysts with an update on guidance after the first quarter. "We are entering fiscal 2025 with the best competitive positioning in Micron's history. We forecast record revenue in fiscal Q1 and a substantial revenue record with significantly improved profitability in fiscal 2025," Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrota said after the fourth-quarter financial results. Investors and analysts will be looking for the same optimism Wednesday. Price Action: Micron stock is up 1% to $108.82 on Tuesday, versus a 52-week trading range of $78.63 to $157.54. Micron stock is up 32% year-to-date in 2024. Read Next: Nvidia, AMD, Taiwan Semi Gain As Broadcom’s Q4 Performance Sparks Sector-Wide Surge Image: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
MG: A guide to everything you need to know
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Saturday accused AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal of trying to rig the upcoming assembly polls in Delhi, with the AAP government promoting fake schemes and on the other hand, the Saffron party leader said, fake voter IDs were being created using fraudulent Aadhaar cards. Sachdeva, while addressing a press conference here, introduced homeowners, whose addresses were allegedly used to create fake votes for people of a particular community, as the BJP leader claimed that their households with just five members, were suddenly recorded having 60 or more such voters from the said minority background. Advertisement Sachdeva accused Kejriwal and his party MLAs of allegedly running a fake voter scheme for the past 10 years to win elections. Advertisement The BJP leader claimed that the voter history shows a suspicious trend, as before the 2015 assembly elections, the voter count in Delhi increased by 14 lakh in just 8 months, jumping from approximately 1.19 crore in 2014 Lok Sabha elections to 1.33 crore. Sachdeva further claimed that afterwards, during the next 4 years leading to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, only 6 lakh voters were added, but within 8 months before the 2020 assembly elections, the voter count jumped by another 9 lakh to over 1.48 crore. He alleged that AAP has tried to repeat this cycle again, but due to BJP’s efforts to check this, most such voter applications were rejected this time but, however, he suspected that numerous fake voter forms were recently submitted online across Delhi. He demanded that the Election Commission conduct a thorough investigation into these new voter applications. Sachdeva mentioned that the poll panel filed an FIR at Shaheen Bagh police station against four alleged accused involved in voter fraud, who were identified as Jameel Alam, Kishunik, Mohammed Naeem, and Shabana Khatoon. He also raised the issue of why names of individuals who are no longer alive, have left the city, or are not Delhi voters, still exist in the voters’ list. Sachdeva highlighted that the age of many newly enrolled voters ranges from 38 to 80 years, with no apparent legitimacy, and presented a list of such names during the press conference. He informed that the BJP plans to raise the issue with the poll panel and demand legal action against those involved in such activities, including officers and political leaders. Advertisement
Clintons urge voters agitated by today's politics to remain involved in public serviceAviva boss Amanda Blanc on lookout for more takeovers By CALUM MUIRHEAD Updated: 21:50 GMT, 7 December 2024 e-mail View comments Aviva boss Amanda Blanc has more takeover targets in her sights after the insurer's swoop on its rival Direct Line last week. Blanc, 57, is eyeing up potential expansion areas in Aviva's business, such as its protection and health arm, according to a source close to the matter. It comes after Aviva clinched an initial deal to snap up troubled Direct Line for £3.6 billion after sweetening a £3.3 billion offer that had been rejected. The takeover, which offers Direct Line shareholders a mixture of cash and shares, will give them a 12.5 per cent stake in Aviva. Expansion plans: Aviva boss Amanda Blanc It marks the third bid for the insurer in less than 12 months, with Direct Line having fended off a takeover attempt by Belgian rival Ageas earlier this year. The offer comes weeks after Direct Line's boss Adam Winslow, who took over at the start of March, announced the business was cutting 550 jobs as part of a £100 million cost-saving programme to revive its fortunes. Blanc's attempt to snap up Direct Line pits her against her ex-colleague. The two are said to have 'bad blood' after Winslow left Aviva for Direct Line. If the takeover goes ahead he is expected to leave when the deal is completed. A City source said: 'There's no way he's staying on.' Since she took over as Aviva boss in 2020, Blanc has revived the fortunes of the insurer by spearheading a string of deals including the sale of several of its non-core businesses overseas. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Aviva set to buy Direct Line as insurance giant prepares... Direct Line founder Sir Peter Wood says Aviva must raise its... 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This does not affect our editorial independence. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: Aviva boss Amanda Blanc on lookout for more takeovers e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. There’s little to compare to the feeling of joy you get when you see a fully stuffed stocking. Besides stocking up on gifts to place around the tree, you’ll also want to make sure you pick up smaller items for your loved one to unwrap from their stocking like a new Christmas ornament or some gift cards . See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news After you pick out all of your major gifts for everyone on your list from music lovers to aspiring musicians , your wallet may be feeling light. That doesn’t mean you have to splurge on luxury gifts to place in your family member’s stocking, Walmart especially is offering what feels like an endless amount of stocking stuffers for adults — and, most importantly, for under $20. When picking out the best stocking stuffers, you’ll want to consider who you’re shopping for and what they like. If they’re known for their sweet tooth, then you’ll definitely want to make sure there’s some chocolate. But, if they’re always talking up their self-care routine, then you should add in some stress-relieving tools . Black Friday deals are happening earlier than ever this year and that includes discounts on stocking stuffers. Instead of tracking down praise-worthy stocking stuffers yourself, keep reading to learn more. Need some inspiration? ShopBillboard put together a list of the best stocking stuffer ideas under $20 for adults. Just be careful, you may be tempted to keep some of these picks for yourself — and with the low prices you may just be able to pick up an extra one to keep. Sabrina Carpenter’s sugary perfume comes in a body spray form that’ll sweeten your beauty routine with just a single spritz. The brand recommends applying the spray onto your pulse points including your wrists and neck for the best results. Aromas you can expect to smell include top notes of sparkling bergamot, candied ginger and chocolate marshmallow. Sports fanatics can take their team-building skills beyond fantasy football with this exclusive Uno game . The starter pack includes 112 classic cards from the original game in addition to 56 randomized NFL player cards and four collectible foil cards they’ll be tempted to put on display. Hotties can channel their inner Megan Thee Stallion with her official Revlon eyeshadow palette . They can create glam looks inspired by the rapper and take it with them on the go for quick touch ups thanks to its compact size. You’ll turn your loved one’s home into a café once they unwrap this Keurig frother . It’s built with three settings including a manual option or preset latte and cappuccino modes that’ll froth their coffee’s to their liking. They can hit the pickleball courts in style with Athletic Works’ stylish paddle featuring a wavy blue pattern. As they hit the ball, the fiberglass materials will help provide responsiveness and strength with each serve while the 5-inch handle allows for a more comfortable and secure grip. Their lip balm can get an adorable makeover as Squishmallows has turned their lovable plush toys into collectable makeup . They’ll have the choice between a strawberry or coconut scent that will hydrate and nourish lips with each application using cruelty-free and vegan ingredients. Expand the Star Wars fan in your life’s collection with an interactive Lego set they’ll be antsy to put on display. There are 99 pieces included alongside step-by-step instructions to guide their build and allow your loved one to feel further connected to the franchise. They can instantly change the mood of the room with these smart LED light bulbs . Both lights are compatible with Alexa and Google home for a hands-free experience and with the accompanying app, they can switch the light to practically any shade they want. Conair’s heatless curing set can give strands an effortless wavy look without having to worry about heat damage. The kit includes everything the beauty guru in your life could need to achieve the hairstyle including a satin rod to wrap hair around, two hair ties and two hair clips. You don’t have to settle for a single chocolate bar with Tony’s six pack . Now, your chocolate lover can indulge on a new flavor a day including milk chocolate, caramel sea salt, nougat, dark chocolate (70%), dark chocolate almond sea salt and hazelnut. Their feet will be praising your good taste as they slip inside these slipper-shaped socks . There are two pairs to indulge in featuring bright striped patterns that’ll dress up their feet while the fluffy material swaddles each foot in total comfort. They’ll be itching for bath time just to enjoy the soothing scents of blueberry lemongrass from this bath bomb . Just place the bath bomb in water and they can watch as it fizzes and dissolves until a surprise is revealed inside. For more gifting recommendations, check out ShopBillboard ‘s roundups of the best gift for singers , music books and gifts for gamers .