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bingo jili777 The Black Friday 'sales' that aren't salesDETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don't buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren't fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver's seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don't fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn't be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver's seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver assistance technologies and pedestrian protection. Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.

Steve O'Donnell Spills on NASCAR's Next Car Design as Planning Begins for Gen-8Subscribe Search Search Sort by Relevance Title Date Subscribe ALBAWABA - According to Israeli Army Radio, Israeli Air Force aircraft destroyed 20 locations connected to Syria's Air Intelligence section on Saturday through a series of targeted attacks. According to reports, the attacks destroyed the Syrian military's primary technological and electronic warfare assets. Also Read Israeli airstrikes violate ceasefire, kill three civilians in southern Lebanon According to the radio report, among the targets destroyed were communication and electronic warfare antennae, and Israeli authorities voiced concerns that these capabilities would end up in the hands of adversaries. The strikes occur as regional tensions are rising. Israeli aircraft conducted raids on missile facilities in the Qalamoun region close to Damascus on Friday evening. The 17 Israeli airstrikes that targeted Qalamoun airports and other important sites were confirmed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based organization. The radar battalion in Al-Ruhaybah, close to Damascus, was hit for the second time in a few days, according to reports from Al-Mayadeen. Additional targets were defense industry sites in Al-Safira, close to Aleppo, and a scientific research facility. مع تدمير إسرائيل 20 موقعاً.. ما خفايا "المخابرات الجوية" في سوريا؟ https://t.co/ahNCpVT6pP #مخابرات_جوية #سوريا #إسرائيل #التوترات_الإقليمية #الاستراتيجيات — سماء الوطن الإخبارية (@alwatanskynews1) December 14, 2024 Additionally, according to the Syrian Observatory, Israeli aircraft targeted other key sites, such as Masyaf, Hama's defense industry, Al-Khalkhalah Airport in Sweida, and Mount Qasioun in Damascus. Additional strikes on radar stations and stores in Tartus, Latakia, and rural Damascus were reported by local Syrian media. The assaults are a component of a larger campaign that has seriously damaged Syria's strategic defensive capabilities. Over 90% of Syria's designated strategic surface-to-air missiles have reportedly been destroyed by Israeli forces, severely undermining the nation's air defense capabilities. With worries that weapons caches could reach adversarial forces in the area, the most recent escalation reflects Israel's ongoing efforts to neutralize what it sees as escalating threats from within Syria. Osama Ali is an accomplished English content writer and news writer. With a strong command of language and a flair for storytelling. His expertise lies in delivering accurate and well-researched news pieces, ensuring that information is presented clearly and concisely. A dedicated professional who stays up-to-date with the latest trends in the English writing industry, consistently producing high... Subscribe Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content Subscribe Now Subscribe Sign up to get Al Bawaba's exclusive celeb scoops and entertainment news Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content Subscribe

Amazon is the latest tech giant to donate to Donald Trump's inaugural fund. The company plans to give $1m to the fund, first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Amazon follows Meta, Facebook's parent company, also handing over $1m to Trump's inaugural committee. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said on Friday that he, too, would make a personal donation of $1m, first reported by Fox News. As Trump prepares to enter office for a second time, several tech titans are cozying up in hopes of favorable treatment for their businesses. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is slated to meet with Trump next week. And Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg dined with him at his Mar-a-Lago estate last month. Google CEO Sundar Pichai reportedly had plans to meet with the president-elect this week at his club as well. And Time magazine, which is owned by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, has named Trump its "person of the year". OpenAI's Altman says that Trump will be a leader in technological progress. "President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead," he said in a written statement to the Guardian. Donations to inaugural committees are fairly standard for big businesses... Dara Kerr

Hikvision cancels 5 biometric surveillance contracts in XinjiangJason & Kylie Kelce Share Daughter's Reaction to Love Actually Star

ozgurdonmaz Listen below or on the go on Apple Podcasts and Spotify This is an abridged transcript of the podcast. Our top story so far. Morgan Stanley says Apple ( AAPL ) remains its top pick heading into 2025 , and the firm maintained its overweight rating and $273 price target. Analyst Erik Woodring said they're still bullish on Apple Intelligence accelerating iPhone replacement cycles starting in fiscal 2026, double-digit services growth, and gross margins expanding. The Overweight thesis is that Apple is on the cusp of its largest device upgrade cycle ever, as the launch—and limited backward compatibility—of Apple Intelligence improves upgrade cycles and new user acquisition and accelerates replacement cycles. This should result in a record-breaking fiscal 2025/fiscal 2026 cycle that is underappreciated by the market today. All of this should lead to Apple earnings around $8.52 per share in fiscal 2026, about 4% above consensus, he said. Apple has outperformed the S&P 500 by 10 points over the last month, with the tech giant now trading at all-time highs. While the recent outperformance may be linked to market factors and short covering, the analysts are still bullish on Apple's ability to drive over $8.50 of earnings power in fiscal 2026, which they think is also a factor helping to support near-term outperformance. Woodring said they discussed five key topics with investors and are bullish on Apple Intelligence starting to accelerate iPhone replacement cycles in fiscal 2026, limited risk to China import tariffs, sustained double-digit services growth, and potential for further iPhone gross margin upside. Looking to the economy. S&P Global's U.S. Composite PMI rose to 56.6 in December's flash estimate from 54.9 in November. That indicates the fastest expansion of business activity since March 2022 amid strength in the services economy but further deterioration in manufacturing production. A rise in service sector activity (services PMI: 56.6 vs. 55.1 consensus and 54.9 prior) contrasted with a steeper fall in manufacturing production (manufacturing PMI: 48.3 vs. 49.4 expected and 49.7 prior). Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: "The service sector expansion is helping drive overall growth in the economy to its fastest for nearly three years, consistent with GDP rising at an annualized rate of just over 3% in December." Among active stocks. J.P. Morgan upgraded Okta ( OKTA ) to Overweight from Neutral, noting that the company is well positioned for increased demand. Analyst Brian Essex said Okta reset expectations with a conservative initial look at fiscal 2026 revenue growth this quarter, and now the risk/reward is attractive as they see Identity moving up the priority stack. Honeywell ( HON ) said its board continues to explore additional strategic alternatives, including the potential separation of its aerospace business . The board has made significant progress, and the company plans to provide an update when it reports Q4 results, it said. Activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which has called for a split of Honeywell's aerospace and automation businesses after taking a $5 billion-plus stake in the company in November, praised the move. And Super Micro Computer ( SMCI ) is the biggest decliner in the S&P after news that it is looking to raise capital and would be replaced in the Nasdaq 100 ( QQQ ). In other news of note. “Kraven the Hunter,” the latest Spider-Man spinoff, flopped at the box office this weekend while “Moana 2” finished at the top for the third straight weekend. “Kraven,” featuring Spider-Man’s nemesis, made just $11 million in its opening days, well below “Moana 2,” which earned $26.6 million, and “Wicked,” which brought in $22 million in its fourth weekend to take second position. “Gladiator II” added $7.8 million in its fourth weekend to finish in fourth place. “Red One,” which made $4.6 million, finished out the top five. And in the Wall Street Research Corner. Bank of America issued its call for next year's top semiconductor stocks , with the list including some of the usual heavyweights. Nvidia ( NVDA ), Broadcom ( AVGO ), and Marvell Technology ( MRVL ) are on the list, as are Lam Research ( LRCX ), On Semiconductor ( ON ), and Cadence Design Systems ( CDNS ). Analyst Vivek Arya says, "We see 2025 as a year of two different trends.” “In the first half, AI investments and NVDA Blackwell deployments driven by US cloud customers sustain momentum in AI semis. However, in the second half, interest could shift to less-crowded auto/industrial chipmakers on inventory replenishment and pick-up in auto production, assuming a global economic recovery." Overall, sales are forecast to grow 15% to $725 billion in 2025, a "strong pace," albeit a decline from the 20% growth seen this year, Arya added. Nvidia, Broadcom, and Marvell should benefit from AI exposure, while Lam Research should benefit from the spending recovery in flash memory and China. On Semi is poised to benefit from the "eventual" recovery in the automotive and electric vehicle space (likely in the second half of the year), while Cadence is the leader in the electronic design automation space.

Franz Ferdinand singer Alex Kapranos has found fatherhood a familiar experience – as it reminds him of his band's early days. Kapranos and wife Clara Luciani welcomed their first child last year, and the 52-year-old told BBC Scotland News departing on tours with his band is now "really difficult." "Saying goodbye to him is hard," says the singer, speaking as his band prepare to release their sixth album, The Human Fear, in January. "I've spent my adult life shirking responsibility, and being as irresponsible as possible, so being presented with responsibility is quite refreshing. "A lot of people said to me that sleep deprivation would destroy me, but it was just like 2004 when the band was kicking off and I never went to bed. "We'd be playing gigs, going out all night and then be up at 6am to fly somewhere. I slept about two hours a night back then, so this is the same - just without a hangover." Kapranos will be forced to say goodbye on a few occasions as 2025 goes on, with a busy year in store for Franz – now revamped and reformatted since those early days, but still adept at writing artful indie pop. Emerging from Glasgow's bustling music scene Kapranos, guitarist Nick McCarthy, bassist Bob Hardy and drummer Paul Thomson enjoyed chart success with inescapable singles like Take Me Out , earned a reputation as one of the country's finest live acts and snagged the Mercury Music Prize in 2004. That victory came as the band thought "anyone but us would win," recalls the singer. "It's quite a Glasgow attitude. You're like 'we're not the sort of people who win prizes'." Success had taken time to arrive. Kapranos was born in England but moved to to Scotland as a child. As a teenager he became entrenched in the 90s Glasgow music scene, running club nights and playing in the likes of cult indie band the Yummy Fur before forming Franz Ferdinand. Much has changed since their debut album won the Mercury, with The Human Fear marking the group's first studio offering since the exit of original drummer Thomson in 2021. Guitarist McCarthy had left in 2016. A new line-up has formed around original members Kapranos and Hardy, with guitarist Dino Bardot, keyboardist/guitarist Julian Corrie and drummer Audrey Tait joining up. Kapranos believes the band's identity is intact despite the changes. "Whenever we do a cover it always sounds like us, and I like that. We did Good Luck Babe [by Chappell Roan] on Radio 2, which is an amazing song but when we play it, it just sounds like Franz Ferdinand. "Bob and I were talking about this before we made this record, that it's good to be at ease with your identity and your sound. "Knowing your voice and who you are is important. You could listen to early Birthday Party records and then those dark sombre ballads Nick Cave has been writing now, and it's still unmistakeably him -it's the same for PJ Harvey or Leonard Cohen. "That really informed us making this record. I wanted people to listen to this and know it's unmistakeably Franz Ferdinand." A greatest hits compilation in 2021 and ensuing tour helped the singer make "peace with everything that we've done before". "I'm not the kinda person who likes to look back," he adds. "Once we make a record I never really listen to it again, so for the tour I was being forced to listen to that music again, and I found I felt pretty comfortable with it." Celebrating the past meant the band were also eager to try new things for the future. The Human Fear is filled with ideas fresh to the group, from orchestral flourishes on recent single Audacious to a bouzouki being used on Black Eyelashes and the Celtic style riff pulsing through Cats. However, while the title might suggest a record bubbling with dread, Kapranos says it's about the opposite. "The greatest moments in life are when you overcome fear," he says, admitting his own childhood terror was the shark in Jaws . "Watching horror films or riding rollercoasters gives you a buzz and we should maybe approach some wider existential fears with the same attitude. "I remember growing up in the 80s and thinking one diplomatic slip-up would mean we'd all be nuclear toast. There's always something to be afraid of, and you can either submit to it or stand up to it." Politics is something Franz Ferdinand have visited before. In 2014 they backed Scottish independence and two years later they released Demagogue, aimed at the then incoming American President Donald Trump. However the second Presidency of Trump is unlikely to spur such a similiar reaction. "Trump's not my favourite man and there's so much in worldwide politics that's disheartening," says the singer. "But it's also disheartening how everyone is going on about politics all the time. I find it wearying and I'm loathe to do my share of it. It should be obvious Trump is an idiot and self-centred, does it need me to say that? "Some of my friends on social media just bang on about it all the time. The arts is a powerful tool of protest and we should continue to do that, but there's a difference between that and low key whinging." They won't remain silent on some issues, though. In 2024 the group were among Scottish musicians raising concerns over possible arts funding cuts , while a short tour saw them road-test new songs in some of the country's smaller venues. UK dates for 2025 include the larger likes of the Barrowland in Glasgow, with a summer show at the city's SWG3 also booked in, but supporting grassroots music remains a passionate subject for the singer. "I spent so many years in the basement of the 13th Note in Glasgow, so it's part of my DNA. "To be in a dingy wee cellar with a band playing loudly - that's my happy place."

Is Outlook down? Thousands of Microsoft 365 users report outage issues

Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals, who is retiring Dec. 31 after more than 45 years in law enforcement, first became involved in that career field as a teen. When he was a senior at Clear Lake High School, the town’s police department started a reserve program. Pals said that sparked his interest, and he joined the Clear Lake Police Department as a dispatcher in August 1978, just a few months after high school graduation. “I was hooked,” he said. “I’ve always just loved law enforcement. I’ve never regretted going into law enforcement. I have always liked my job everywhere I’ve worked. I haven’t always had all good days, but I’m not sure anyone does.” Pals worked for the Clear Lake Police Department until January 1980, when the Winona County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota hired him. He initially served as a dispatcher and then worked in the jail. After Pals and his wife, Julie, had their first child, they decided they wanted to move back to North Iowa. The Mason City Police Department hired him in the summer of 1982, where he remained until he was elected as Cerro Gordo County Sheriff in November 2000. Since then, Pals has been re-elected five times. He ran unopposed in each election except for the one in 2000. It has been an honor to the chosen by the public so many times to serve them, according to Pals. “I have never taken that for granted,” he said. Pals, 64, decided not to run for a sixth term. He wants to retire now rather than waiting another four years. He said his interactions with people and helping the public are what he will miss the most. “Initially when you are younger you get into it (law enforcement) for the action part of the job, but when you are in the job you realize that action is very, very, small part of it,” Pals said. “Most of it is just dealing with people. Once you learn to communicate with people, you can do great things.” The technology used in law enforcement has changed dramatically, according to Pals. When he was a dispatcher in the late 1970s and early 1980s and needed to do a license plate check, he would run a strip of computer tape, feed it back in and transfer it to Des Moines. He said this took a lot of time and sometimes the tape would break, causing even more delays. “Now we have computers in our patrol cars and have apps on our work cellphones that make our jobs better, safer and better for the community,” Pals said. One of the highlights of Pals’ career was the construction of the Cerro Gordo County Law Enforcement Center, which was made possible by the passage of a bond issue in 2005. The center houses a much-needed larger jail than the one that was located in the courthouse. The facility also includes office space for the sheriff’s department and a joint dispatch center with Mason City. “That was a lot of work, but it was worth every minute that we put into it,” Pals said. One of his favorite jobs in law enforcement was being a K-9 handler when he was with the Mason City Police Department. The dog, Rommel, was only a year and a half old when Pals got him and began training with him. Pals’ oldest son was about the same age at the time. Rommel was more than just a work partner, according to Pals. “He became a family dog to us.” Pals also enjoyed being the DARE officer from 1991 to 1996. He said it was a great opportunity to interact with youths and the school system. Pals said local officers “have helped lot of good people in some pretty bad times in their life.” However, “you always think of the cases that were never solved.” When he was still with the Mason City Police Department, Pals was involved with the investigation into the Gerald Best homicide case. Best, 50, was found stabbed to death on Dec. 30, 1999, in his apartment. The case remains unresolved to this day, which haunts Pals. Now that the state of Iowa has launched a cold case unit, he hopes Best’s killer can be identified. “It would give some closure to the family,” Pals said. Cerro Gordo County Chief Deputy Dave Hepperly was elected in November to succeed Pals as sheriff. Pals hired Hepperly, who was formerly with the Mason City Police Department, 23 years ago. Between the two agencies, Pals and Hepperly have worked together for 40 years. This has made the transition in leadership of the sheriff’s office easier, according to Pals. Hepperly said Pals is “just a good guy. He cares about people. He’s cared about his employees. It’s not always easy being the sheriff and being the last word on things, but he’s always tried to do it fairly.” Pals has always been active in the community, according to Hepperly. “He quickly endeared himself to a lot of people, not only in Mason City but all of North Iowa,” he said. Pals is not the only longtime member of the sheriff’s office retiring this month. Office manager Joleen Vanous, who was worked in the administrative department for 32 years, is also leaving Dec. 31. Deputy Cam Manson, who has been with Cerro Gordo County for 15 years and spent 10 years with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office before that, signed off from his final shift at 4 p.m. Dec. 18. Pals said one of the things he is looking forward to the most about retirement is not having to set his alarm clock anymore except for Saturday evenings so he can get to church on Sunday morning. He plans to volunteer in the community, and there’s always plenty to do at the acreage north of Clear Lake where he lives. Kevin and Julie Pals have two sons. Todd Pals lives in Mason City and Adam Pals lives in Arizona. The couple have five grandchildren, including three in Arizona, and they are looking forward to being able to see them more often. Arizona is a great place to visit, according to Pals. However, he and his wife, who is originally from Forest City, have no plans to move there. “I love North Iowa,” he said. “We aren’t going anywhere.” Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

US to require passenger vehicles to sound alarms if rear passengers don't fasten their seat beltsJoe Douglas is gone. Robert Saleh already was fired. Aaron Rodgers could be next to leave the New York Jets. Douglas lost his job as the general manager on Tuesday, six weeks after the head coach was replaced following a 2-3 start. The Jets have gone 1-5 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich so owner Woody Johnson sent Douglas packing. Rodgers has played more like a 40-year-old quarterback coming off an Achilles tendon injury than a four-time NFL MVP. He's expressed a desire to play another season. The big question is whether the Jets will want him back. Maybe they'll decide to take one more shot at a playoff run with Rodgers while having him mentor a rookie quarterback. Or, they could start fresh. There are significant contract ramifications either way. Rodgers is slated to make a non-guaranteed $37.5 million in 2025 with a dead cap hit of $49 million as his salary cap total goes from $17.1 million to $23.5 million. The Jets could spread the dead money over two years by releasing Rodgers with the use of post-June 1 designation. He has a no-trade clause in his contract so they would need his permission to make a deal. If Rodgers doesn't retire and New York's new regime wants a clean slate, here are potential destinations for the future first-ballot Hall of Famer: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: This could only happen if Brock Purdy's shoulder injury is more significant than is known. Rodgers is a native of northern California and grew up a Niners fan. Returning home to help San Francisco win its sixth Super Bowl has to be attractive. Playing for coach Kyle Shanahan surrounded by playmakers Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle would be a quarterback's dream. Again, Purdy is the team's present and future. And, he's resilient. Purdy rebounded from elbow surgery following his rookie season to start Week 1 last year and ended up finishing fourth in MVP voting, leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl. Purdy also is due for a contract extension and a major raise so the salary cap makes this even more of a longshot. But never say never in the NFL. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Sam Darnold has been more than a stopgap, helping the Vikings (8-2) to an impressive start. J.J. McCarthy is the future, however, and Darnold will be a free agent after the season. If the Vikings fall short of a Super Bowl and Rodgers shows over the final six weeks that he can play championship football, this could be a fit. The Vikings could let McCarthy sit and learn for another year, especially coming off a knee injury that required a second surgery earlier this month. NEW YORK GIANTS: Rodgers wouldn't have to move. The Giants will need a quarterback after benching Daniel Jones and eventually releasing him. They could draft a quarterback in the first round and have him learn behind Rodgers for a season. That'll depend on which pick New York ends up with because it's a thin draft class. Unlike the Jets, the Giants (2-8) haven't made any coaching or GM changes yet. If it's status quo with GM Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll, one year with Rodgers isn't unrealistic. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: They also need a quarterback. Brock Bowers could set an NFL record for most catches by a tight end if he had Rodgers next season. The Raiders (2-8) are aiming for a high pick to get a shot at a quarterback of their choice. New minority owner Tom Brady believes rookie quarterbacks need time to develop and learn. The seven-time Super Bowl champion would have to be in favor of having Rodgers start and tutor a youngster. TENNESSEE TITANS: If Will Levis doesn't prove over the final seven games that he can be a No. 1 quarterback, the Titans (2-8) will be in the QB market and likely have a high draft pick. It's another scenario where Rodgers would fit as a one-year bridge. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania has raised eyebrows by saying on Tuesday that she had revealed way back in February 2024 itself that disgruntled OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who is presently with Ajit Pawar-led NCP and met CM Devendra Fadnavis recently to express his disappointment about not being included in the cabinet, would join the BJP. “I had said that Bhujbal would join the BJP not today, but in February itself. Now, they have staged a great drama, by not giving Bhujbal a ministerial berth accordingly. Then they pretended to be a little angry, especially since Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare also did not meet Bhujbal. Then Bhujbal held a rally and went to meet Fadnavis again. All this has been staged. It was delayed because I had tweeted it then (February 2024). However, they (Chhagan Bhujbal) are now joining BJP, because BJP will also get an OBC face on that occasion,” Anjali Damania said. Advertisement The exact tweet by Anjali Damania posted on X in February 2024 reads: “Bhujbal on the path to BJP? Will BJP, which once filed a public interest litigation against Bhujbal’s corruption, make him a big OBC leader? Will it make such corrupt people big, for politics? Where will this sin be paid for? — Mrs Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) February 1, 2024′′. Advertisement Incidentally, there has been intense political speculation about what disgruntled OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal’s next move would be and whether he would join the BJP which is keen to have an OBC face. Bhujbal had refused to say whether he would join the BJP even after media persons asked him about it. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve spoke about Chhagan Bhujbal’s recent moves and said, “Chhagan Bhujbal is angry with Ajit Pawar. After that Bhujbal meets Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar does not meet Chhagan Bhujbal. So what political meaning must one read from all this? Now, some time ago, it was being said that Devendra Fadnavis himself made Chhagan Bhujbal protest. Now it has come to light that this was indeed true.” “Who knows, Chhagan Bhujbal may take some more steps. Such steps cannot be taken in a single day. For everything to become clear, we have to wait a little. Another 8 days, 10 days or may be a month. Not all things become clear immediately,” Ambadas Danve told media persons on Tuesday. It may be recalled that on Monday, Bhujbal himself had stated that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had assured him that he would look into the matter of OBC representation in the cabinet in a few days and take a decision, immediately after Bhujbal met Fadnavis. Bhujbal’s meeting with Fadnavis on Monday came after Bhujbal met representatives of OBC organisations from across Maharashtra on Sunday. Bhujbal who represents the Yevla constituency in Nashik district, had skipped the recent winter session of Maharashtra Legislature in Nagpur and left for Nashik on the very first day of the swearing-in ceremony, after he failed to make it to the cabinet, while 39 Mahayuti MLAs were sworn in as ministers. “I have told Chief Minister Fadnavis everything. He has understood the entire issue. He understands that OBCs are upset. He also told me that he will definitely think about it. He (CM) said, currently, the atmosphere in the state is different due to holidays and he needs around 10 days. After that, we will meet again and find a good way out, he told me,” Chhagan Bhujbal had said. When Bhujbal was asked about the possibility of joining the BJP on Monday, he had declined to say anything, reiterating that he had already voiced his concerns about being left out of the ministry expansion. On Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who heads the NCP to which Bhujbal belongs, had reacted to Bhujbal’s meeting with CM Fadnavis and said, “This is an internal matter of our party. We will resolve the issue in our own way.” Advertisement

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of Microsoft 365 customers worldwide reported having issues with services like Outlook and Teams on Monday. In social media posts and comments on platforms like outage tracker Downdetector, some impacted said that they were having trouble seeing their emails, loading calendars or opening other Microsoft 365 applications such as Powerpoint. Microsoft acknowledged “an issue impacting users attempting to access Exchange Online or functionality within Microsoft Teams calendar” earlier in the day. In updates posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the company’s status page said it identified a “recent change” that it believed to be behind the problem — and was working to revert it. Microsoft shared that it was deploying a fix — which, as of shortly before noon E.T., it said had reached about 98% of “affected environments.” Still, the company’s status page later added , targeted restarts were “progressing slower than anticipated for the majority of affected users.” As of midday Monday, Downdetector showed thousands of outage reports from users of Microsoft 365 , particularly Outlook .

NetEase Games, in partnership with Marvel Entertainment, has launched Marvel Rivals, a collectible card game (CCG) that has quickly climbed the mobile gaming charts. This free-to-play title, available on both Android and iOS, offers a fresh take on the superhero genre, blending strategic card battles with captivating visuals and an engaging storyline. The game’s success marks a significant win for both NetEase, seeking to expand its global footprint, and Disney, looking to further leverage the Marvel universe in the interactive entertainment space. Marvel Rivals throws players into the heart of the Marvel Universe , where they assemble powerful decks featuring iconic heroes and villains. From Spider-Man and Captain Marvel to Thanos and Loki, fan favorites are brought to life with stunning card art and unique abilities. Players engage in strategic battles, utilizing card synergies and tactical prowess to outmaneuver opponents in PvP arenas and challenging single-player campaigns. The game’s innovative combat system, coupled with its deep roster of characters and rich lore, has resonated with both CCG enthusiasts and Marvel fans alike. A New Contender in the CCG Arena While the mobile gaming market is saturated with CCGs, Marvel Rivals distinguishes itself through several key features: NetEase’s Global Ambitions For NetEase, Marvel Rivals represents a strategic move to expand its presence in the global gaming market . While the company has established dominance in China, it has been actively seeking to penetrate Western markets. Partnering with a globally recognized brand like Marvel provides NetEase with significant leverage and exposure. The game’s early success indicates that NetEase’s strategy is paying off, attracting a diverse player base across different regions. Disney’s Expanding Marvel Empire From blockbuster films to animated series and theme park attractions, Disney has successfully expanded the Marvel universe across various entertainment platforms. Mobile gaming represents a lucrative avenue for further monetization and fan engagement. Marvel Rivals aligns with Disney’s strategy of leveraging its intellectual property to create immersive experiences across different mediums. The game’s popularity reinforces the enduring appeal of the Marvel brand and its ability to resonate with a wide audience. My Experience with Marvel Rivals As an avid gamer and Marvel fan, I was eager to dive into Marvel Rivals. I’ve been playing the game for a few weeks now, and I’m thoroughly impressed. The gameplay is engaging and strategic, requiring careful deck construction and tactical decision-making. I particularly enjoy the single-player campaign, which offers a compelling narrative and challenging battles. The game’s free-to-play model feels fair, allowing me to progress without feeling pressured to spend money. One aspect that truly stands out is the community. The in-game chat is lively, and players are eager to share strategies and deck builds. I’ve joined a guild, which has added a social element to the game and provided me with a sense of camaraderie. The Future of Marvel Rivals With its strong launch and positive reception, Marvel Rivals appears poised for continued success. NetEase has already announced plans for regular content updates, including new characters, cards, and storylines. The developers are also actively engaging with the community, gathering feedback and addressing player concerns. This commitment to ongoing support and content creation bodes well for the game’s longevity. Here’s what I believe the future holds for Marvel Rivals: A Winning Combination Marvel Rivals demonstrates the power of collaboration between a leading game developer and a globally recognized entertainment brand. NetEase’s expertise in game development, combined with the appeal of the Marvel universe, has resulted in a compelling and successful mobile game. As the game continues to evolve and expand, it has the potential to become a dominant force in the CCG genre and a flagship title for both NetEase and Disney.None

76ers' star Paul George sidelined the next 2 games with bone bruise in left knee

Canada could reap an oil windfall from Trump. But what do we do with the money?By Godwin Aideloje Arik Air shareholders are compelled by the need to clarify and correct false and misleading statements attributed to AMCON through its head of corporate communications, Mr. Jude Nwauzor. which was published in Daily Sun of 20 December, 2024, and some social media handles. We dare say that this is yet another salvo in the series of calculated attempts to cover up the truth about AMCON’s forceful takeover, mismanagement and destruction of Arik Air. However, since most of the issues recklessly misrepresented by Mr. Nwauzor are before the court, we, out of our respect for the law courts, shall only limit ourselves to restating the facts. It is unfortunate that AMCON, a public institution, under the pretext of replying an opinion expressed in a newspaper by an independent commentator, resorted to launching a malicious tirade against the shareholders of Arik Air and perhaps other government agencies, especially the EFCC. Instead of addressing the issues raised by the commentator. First, we must start by thanking AMCON for finally admitting that the takeover of Arik Air was as a result of a “directive” from the Buhari-led Federal Government. This “directive,” however, side-stepped the statutory procedure and due process that guide the takeover of companies in Nigeria. Thus, the forceful takeover of Arik was a political ambush followed by an after-thought of an economic justification of insolvency, which was badly portrayed as an “economic rescue act”. 1. On the issue of petition to EFFC: We were forced to file a petition to the EFCC through the chambers of Femi Falana & Co only after AMCON refused to obey any of the consequential orders of the Federal High Court’s judgment in suit number FHC/L/CS/1175/2021 of March 31 , 2023, and instead, resorted to disobeying and disparaging the court. It should also be stated that Arik shareholders were investigated by the EFCC at the instance of AMCON from 2021 until relieved from invitations on the unsubstantiated allegations by AMCON. This was during the tenure of Mr. Rasheed Bawa during Buhari’s administration. Mr. Bawa also authorized the investigation of the Arik shareholders’ petition, even in the face of reported intense pressure by former MD of AMCON, Mr. Ahmed Kuru, to scuttle investigations of the affairs of AMCON in Arik Air receivership. The investigation progressed even after the change of guards at the EFCC and its findings are finally seeing the light of day only because Mr. Bawa, former chairman, and the new EFCC chairman, Mr. Olu Olukayode, insisted that nobody was above the law. For the record, the same EFCC at the instance of AMCON arrested and detained Sir J.I.A. Arumemi-Ikhide on the 8 February, 2017, the eve of the takeover of Arik. Sir Arumemi-Ikhide was investigated by EFFC and released without indictment. Yet, he neither cast an aspersion against the EFCC nor castigate AMCON for the trauma he suffered from the AMCON-induced unjustified detention. It is unfortunate that AMCON is falsely alleging that Arik shareholders’ petition and the resultant prosecution by the EFCC was collusion to frame its former managing director, Mr. Ahmed Kuru; Mr. Kamilu Alaba Omokide (former Receiver Manager, Arik); Captain Roy Ilegbodu (CEO, Arik in Receivership); Super Bravo Limited, and Union Bank Plc. On our part, we respect the mandates of government agencies and wait for the courts to adjudicate without resorting to sub-judicial commentaries. Peradventure, the AMCON protagonists should be reminded that Mr. Femi Falana’s petition on our behalf is not the only one calling Mr. Ahmed Kuru’s regime at AMCON to account. Could other petitions through other lawyers to the EFCC on Keystone Bank in which Mr. Kuru and others have been charged to court also be a collusion and an attempt to embarrass AMCON and its officers? One would have thought that Mr. Gbenga Alade, the new MD of AMCON, would use the findings offered by the EFCC investigations of Mr. Kuru and others to make corrections, improvement, and allow the law to be the arbiter in disputes. It is most unfortunate that AMCON, a Federal Government agency entrusted with unprecedented special powers by our laws and offered a new lease of life with a new leadership, is playing the role of judge, jury, executioner and victim through all its dramas in the media. The descent to name-calling when the law or court judgments fail to suit AMCON’s false narratives is sad. We wish to remind AMCON that to execute the Arik receivership, AMCON used the same EFCC, police and the courts. The Alade-led AMCON should be courageous enough to own up to the fact that his predecessor misadvised the Federal Government, instead of recycling the false narrative that continue to project the country as a space not governed by values, law, order and due process. After all, no human is beyond error! In addition, he should be reminded that the case in court is between the Federal Republic of Nigeria (his employers) and former employees of AMCON and others, Mr. Alade’s utterances as reported in the media indicate he is not in agreement with the actions of his present employers, with respect to the former MD and others being charged to court. On FG’s intervention or AMCON‘s Forced Takeover: We hereby wish to restate the position in our response to the statement made in 2023 by Mr. Kuru that the Acting President at the time (Prof. Yemi Osinbajo) directed AMCON to take over Arik. We consider this claim as untenable that a learned man of law would direct AMCON to take over a private business when there are extant laws in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria governing receiverships and processes of putting companies into administration! Unless he was wrongly advised or misinformed by Mr. Kuru. It may be unknown to the public and therefore bears repeating that several companies just like Arik have been victims of Mr. Kuru’s novel “creation” of receiverships for companies allegedly of interest to him and his collaborators. President Bola Tinubu’s Angle: AMCON’s desperate attempt at invoking the name of former President Mohammadu Buhari into this matter is tantamount to disparaging the office of the President and dragging this exalted office into disrepute. We are confident that President Tinubu will not condone any act of impunity for the arbitrary take-over of a private business by a stroke of pen. Clearly this implies that AMCON’s justification of business take-over by executive fiat runs at cross purposes with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s private sector leadership agenda. This is aptly captured in his own words as follows: “There is no driver of the economy that is bigger than the private sector. If the private sector is not flourishing, there is no growth, no prosperity, no employment or development. No matter how flowery the speeches are, not even a mushroom will grow”. 4. AMCON’s Claims of Indebtedness by Arik: We wish to state that we will not discuss the alleged indebtedness of Arik Air on the pages of the newspapers, as this is one of the main issues before the courts. Unlike AMCON who disobeyed the courts and discuss all matters pending before the courts in the media and press conference. Suffice it to state the new MD of AMCON recently called on the courts to rescue it on its own terms whereas AMCON brazenly refused to obey ALL consequential orders of the judgement of the Federal High Court (without stay of execution) on the Arik Air receivership. 5. State of Arik Fleet by Unaccountable Receivership: Mr. Alade was invited and visited the Arik Air Hangars at the request of the shareholders on 28 August 2024 so he could see for himself first-hand the wanton destruction of 14 new generation aircraft and other Arik assets by AMCON and its agents. We are therefore shocked to read in the publication under reference, offer of superlative praises for the same agents and officers who superintended over the wanton decimation/cannibalisation of the airline’s fleet. 6. Other Issues: The matters of alleged loans, lease defaults, maintenance reserves , fake letters and KPMG audits have been uploaded to the media by AMCON in its traditional methods to set false narratives and promote conclusions not founded on truth and equity including inciting public disaffection for the promoters of Arik and tacitly overreaching the Courts. However, since these are key issues to be adjudicated by the courts, we have been advised by our lawyers to refrain from responding on the pages of newspapers. 7. Obstruction of Aircraft Sales etc: We are not aware of any plans to sell any aircraft by AMCON. But we state categorically that as shareholders of Arik, we exercised our constitutionally guaranteed rights for protection of our investments by seeking the court’s protection for the 3 units Boeing 737-NG aircraft that were fraudulent transferred to Super Bravo and for the reversal of Arik funds illegally used for the registration/processing of AOC for NG Eagle by AMCON. The courts ruled in our favour, and ordered the reversal the transfer and indicted the Receiver Manager for breach of fiduciary duties to Arik. The court also ordered AMCON to file audited accounts of its receivership from 2017 to date (December 2022) to the Corporate Affairs Commission which AMCON and its Receiver Managers have failed to do. 8. AMCON`s leadership for Arik: The claims of stabilisation of Arik Air by AMCON is an insult to the travelling public. The downturn and dwindled fortunes of the airline is visibly displayed for the world to see, both in the airline operations under receivership and at the Arik Hangar where 14 cannibalised and destroyed aircraft are on display. AMCON’s solely appointed Receiver Manager and CEO’s mismanagement is a testament to this fact. Capt Roy Ilegbodu, Kamilu Alaba Omokide and members of the Technical Advisory Board have used Arik to support their champagne lifestyles in retirement and enhanced their businesses/jobs while the airline is run aground. Arik under shareholders management operated an average of 120 flights daily with a route network traversing the whole of Nigeria, all west and central Africa’s major airports including Angola and Johannesburg. As well as London and New York with about 22 aircraft. But today, under AMCON, it only operates about 25 flights daily with 3 aircraft out of the 19 that AMCON inherited from the shareholders at take-over. Indeed, what a display of expertise by AMCON’s standard! That the AMCON’s “revered” aviation experts could not convert the much-sought-after Arik London Heathrow and JFK landing slots worth over USD70M to a quick cash when the receivership management discontinued flights to those destinations, speaks to his incompetencies. He lost those hard earned valuable slots to inexperience and selfishness!. If AMCON’s measure of expertise should be a bench mark in Nigeria, then the future in aviation is bleak for the country. It is surprising that rather than relieve the officers charged to Court by Federal Government from their duties pending the determination of the cases in Court, AMCON MD is protecting and keeping them in their duty post in disregard of government code of conduct. We recall that when allegations of impropriety was made against serving Minister in this administration, the President took appropriate actions. Mr Oluseye Opasanya SAN, Kamilu Alaba Omokide FCA and Captain Roy Ilegbodu inherited a well maintained fleet of 19 new generation aircraft with large inventory of over USD 200M worth of spare parts and spare engines. It should be noted that most of the aircraft have been fully paid for by the shareholders, but AMCON refused to meet the ongoing obligations for a few aircraft whose obligations will crystallise in 2025, when they took over in 2017. Yet they cannot manage the airline. Clearly the receivership manager NEVER had any positive plan for the airline. Its claim of intervention, rescue and promise to turn around the airline is a hoax and a woeful failure. It appears that AMCON is more fixated on covering the malfeasance it created in Arik by angrily attacking Arik shareholders. They should however remember other cases making headlines such as Keystone Bank that AMCON’s former executives must answer to. As stated earlier, we have answers to all the issues raised by AMCON in the refrenced publications. We have made them known in previous publications. However, since some of the matters are now before the court, we shall refrain from public commentaries as advised by our lawyers. We, the shareholders of Arik, are willing and ready for an open dialogue and discussions with AMCON in the presence of the relevant authorities such as Police, EFCC, the CBN, the Ministries of Finance, Justice, and Aviation & Aerospace. We come to equity with clean hands and ask that AMCON do the same. • Godwin Aideloje wrote from Lagos on behalf of Arik Stakeholders