
Manmohan Singh will be remembered as the statesman who saved the Indian economy from going over the edge. When he took over as finance minister in the minority government of Narasimha Rao in 1991, the Indian economy was very close to sovereign default. Foreign exchange reserves were barely enough to cover a month of imports and the country had to suffer the ignominy of having to ship its gold reserves to England. The looming economic disaster was a result of fiscal and trade profligacy in the 1980s when the Indian economy, both public and private arms of it, had been spending beyond their means. The crisis was a result of a deeper economic malaise in the economy where the post-Independence State-led planning model had failed to deliver and private enterprise had become shackled in what was infamously referred to as the Licence-Quota Raj. All of that would change with the famous 1991 Budget which Manmohan Singh presented, and the industrial deregulation which accompanied the Budget. More than three decades later, there is as big a consensus for reforms in India just as there was an opposition to it when the process started. Having said all this, what have the economic reforms done for India? Here are five charts which try to answer this question as briefly as possible. India is on its way to becoming the third largest economy in the world in a couple of years, and the seeds of India’s growth story were sowed during the economic reforms. World Bank data on India’s share in global GDP (in current dollars) shows this clearly. India’s weight in the global economy declined steadily from the 1960s (earliest period for which this data is available) and reached a trough in 1991. Since then, this number has been on an upward trajectory even though the pace of this has varied in the last three decades. (chart 1) That the reforms delivered growth in India is pretty much an undisputed fact now. The more controversial question is whether this growth has reached the proverbial last person in the line or been hogged by a smaller clique. On this count, one can say that the glass is half full. World Bank data on various measures of poverty shows that India has had significant success in eradicating extreme poverty – as captured by its $2.15 poverty line – even as poverty rates are significantly higher for poverty lines with higher income levels. Here, there is still a lot to be done. To be sure, it is unlikely even extreme poverty eradication would have happened had post-reform growth not generated the revenue to launch welfare programs. (chart 5) Concerns on poverty and inequality aside, the reforms unleashed an unprecedented virtuous cycle of wealth creation in the Indian economy as deregulation allowed private enterprise to exploit the new opportunities in both domestic and external markets. This is best seen in a rise and rise of the Indian stock market almost a decade after the reforms were launched. (chart 2). For instance, replacing the Controller of Capital Markets with the more contemporary SEBI, and relaxing IPO norms, allowed Infosys to list in the early 1990s, sparking India’s equity culture. The strengthening of sentiment vis-à-vis the Indian economy also attracted a lot of foreign capital into India which along with a stock market boom has also provided a much-needed stability on the external account despite Indian imports being significantly larger than they were in the pre-reform period. (chart 3) Does all this mean economic reforms have succeeded in everything they wanted to achieve in the Indian economy? There are important areas where things have not moved, the biggest being India’s failure to give a big boost to its manufacturing sector. The share of manufacturing in India’s GDP has largely been stagnant in the post-reform period even as countries such as China have benefited from export tailwinds via the manufacturing route. (chart 4) With the US and the developed world becoming more protectionist, there is some merit in the skepticism that India might have missed the best period to exploit this opportunity. As irony will have it, the blame for lack of India’s manufacturing progress is often attributed to less reforms rather than reforms per se. But the fact also remains that some states have managed to do much better than others on this front in a similar national policy environment. Even as some economists who have praised reforms argue that India should focus more on services than manufacturing, it is difficult to imagine a bigger source of remunerative non-farm mass employment generation than a robust manufacturing sector. This is one area where the next generation and political and economic policy leaders will have to carry forward the work which started in 1991.22,847 Shares in VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE:VICI) Acquired by B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG
BURLINGTON — Iowa’s state gambling regulators will hear arguments on a petition filed seeking to scuttle efforts to build a new casino in Cedar Rapids, but will not pause its review and decision on granting a Linn County casino license. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission met Thursday morning in Burlington at Catfish Bend Casino. The commissioners unanimously directed racing and gaming staff to set a briefing schedule and hear arguments on a petition filed by Riverside Casino & Golf Resort and the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, the nonprofit affiliate and gaming license holder for the casino, seeking a declaratory order stating the state gaming commission lacks authority to issue a new license for a Cedar Rapids casino. The petition challenges the validity of the 2021 public referendum that authorized gambling in Linn County, which could prevent Linn County receiving a casino license. The petition was filed Nov. 8, and the commission had 30 days to respond under Iowa Code, with options including answering, declining or setting a schedule for further information. Commissioners ultimately agreed to set a schedule for hearing legal arguments from both sides before making a decision. Additionally, the commissioners rejected a request by Riverside Casino to pause the process on a Linn County casino license while the commission considers the petition. Commissioners cited insufficient grounds and procedural requirements, and stated it’s their intent to hear legal arguments from both sides before its Feb. 6 meeting, when the commission expects to vote on the Linn County license. “We ultimately have to decide whether the various criteria to issue a license had been done,” Commissioner Alan Ostergren said. “And so we can't avoid this question, which is going to have to be decided in one format or another, one time frame or another, and I have the preference of setting a briefing schedule so that we ensure that we give the Linn County folks the full opportunity, if they choose to participate in the process, to present the best legal arguments that they have,” he said. “And then to allow our petitioner to provide a reply document. There may be other parties who want to submit legal arguments to us.” In 2013 and 2021, Linn County residents passed referendums authorizing gaming in the county. The 2021 vote permanently authorizes gaming in the county. Des Moines attorney Mark Weinhardt, on behalf of Riverside Casino and its nonprofit affiliate, contends the 2021 ballot measure contained language that failed to comply with Iowa Code. Weinhardt, in his petition to the state gaming commission, argues the 2021 public measure approved by Linn County voters didn’t authorize the commencement of gambling, but instead simply extended gaming provisions from a 2013 referendum. The ballot measure stated: “If approved by a majority of voters, operation of gambling games with no wager or loss limits may continue.” The state, though, has never licensed gambling games in Linn County. “Accordingly, there were no games that the voters could authorize to ‘continue,' ” the petition states. “A proposition requiring approval or defeat of the continuation of gambling games is not a proposition that authorizes the origination of gambling games in the county,” according to the petition. It also argues the public referendum did not seek approval of all gambling games, but rather a subset of them — games “with no wager or loss limits.” Weinhardt, in his filing, argues that does not comply with statutory language that requires voters to approve “gambling games” without any voter-imposed limits. “And because there has not been compliance with Iowa Code 99F.7, the IRGC is prohibited from issuing any license for gambling games in Linn County,” according to the petition. Asked why Riverside Casino and its nonprofit affiliate are challenging the validity of the 2021 referendum now, as opposed to when it was approved three years go, he said, “The licensing decision is the appropriate time to talk about whether the license is appropriate and valid.” Anne Parmley is president of the Linn County Gaming Association, the charitable arm of the Cedar Rapids Development Group, the proposed developers of the Cedar Crossing Casino. Parmley and other backers of the proposed Cedar Rapids casino say the petition is a delay tactic to prevent Linn County from benefiting from a gaming operation, which would support the city and county through taxes and betterment funds, and provide $6.3 million annually to nonprofits. Parmley, speaking to The Gazette, said she was pleased with the commission’s decision. “We understand their need and desire to reflect on the information in front of them,” Parmley said. “ ... I am confident, personally, that Linn County voters knew exactly what they were voting for and voted to support a second time around gaming in Linn County — and have come out in droves yesterday to explain why it is so important to Linn County to have this opportunity.” Delaying the commission’s vote, she said, would have given those opposed to the casino more time to push through legislation to reimpose a ban on new casino licenses in the state. Some lawmakers have said they intend to file a casino moratorium bill that would block new gaming licenses when the Iowa Legislature convenes Jan. 13. Iowa lawmakers in 2022 passed a two-year moratorium blocking new gaming licenses but failed to extend the pause this year before the legislative session adjourned in April. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is scheduled to vote on whether to approve the Cedar Crossing Casino in early February, giving lawmakers little time — roughly 18 days — to pass and have Gov. Kim Reynolds sign the moratorium before the racing and gaming commissioner plan to vote on a Cedar Rapids casino license. This rendering shows the Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center proposed for the former Cooper’s Mill site in northwest Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is considering whether to issue a gaming license so the casino can be built. (Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, Linn County Gaming Association) Gaming commissioners heard from more than 100 speakers on Wednesday voice their support and opposition to a Linn County casino license during a public hearing in Cedar Rapids. Most spoke in favor of the casino. Opponents warned a new facility would cannibalize revenues from other Iowa casinos and dilute, not increase, the state’s gambling market. Casino operators and business, government and nonprofit leaders from Davenport, Dubuque, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Riverside and the Meskwaki Nation said Iowa’s gaming market is saturated. Wes Ehrecke, president of the Iowa Gaming Association — which represents Iowa’s 19 licensed casinos — said all the Iowa casinos support a moratorium on new casino licenses in the state. Supporters, including local nonprofits, businesses and union members, argued that the proposed casino would boost the local economy, create jobs, support community projects and enhance the quality of life by attracting more tourists and providing more entertainment options. Iowans for Common Sense, which promotes itself as a grassroots coalition, has launched a campaign asking Iowans to oppose the casino, inviting residents to sign a petition supporting a statewide moratorium on new casinos. Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell questioned the grassroots nature of the effort and suspects Iowa casino operators are behind it. “This is a well-funded campaign that is, really, not surprisingly backed very well by rich casino operators playing out their case against what they call cannibalization,” O’Donnell told state gaming commissioners Wednesday during a site visit to the proposed Cedar Rapids casino location. “The rest of us call it competition.” O’Donnell on Wednesday asked the commissioners for a “fair shot” at opening a casino, arguing Linn County residents “want this,” as evidenced by their passage of gambling referendums in 2013 and 2021. In between Dave & Buster's screen-lit aisles and makeshift arenas, it's not unusual to see groups of friends competing with each other. At each of the arcade chain's more than 222 franchises throughout the country, there's just about every kind of friendly physical and virtual game—Hot Shots basketball, Skee-Ball, air hockey, billiards, virtual car racing, and shooting—to master. And that is just the beginning. ATS.io mapped how gambling is entering arcades across the United States and the implications for these two industries. In a partnership with technology company Lucra, Dave & Buster's announced in April 2024 that it plans to allow customers to bet on its arcade games through a social wagering channel on its app. The gamification software will accommodate peer-to-peer digital cash bets on "skill-based" games, otherwise defined as "recreational activities for which the outcome is largely or entirely dependent on the knowledge, ability, strength, speed, endurance, intelligence of the participants and is subject to the control of those participants," Lucra chief operating officer Michael Madding told the New York Times . In the process, loyalty members will be able to digitally wager on each other's recreational abilities, earn various rewards, and unlock exclusive perks, effectively merging sports betting and arcade fandom together. "This new partnership gives our loyalty members real-time, unrivaled gaming experiences, and reinforces our commitment to continuing to elevate our customer experience through innovative, cutting-edge technology," Simon Murray, senior vice president of entertainment and attractions at Dave & Buster's, said in the company's initial press release. The decision to enter the betting fray is the latest example of an arcade or casino investing in gamification to capitalize on the exponential growth of gambling. As of May 2024, close to 40 states have legalized sports betting, which achieved record revenues ($10.9 billion) in 2023, according to the American Gaming Association, thanks to maturation across existing and newer markets, such as Massachusetts and Ohio. In the same year, more traditional and regulated casino slots and table games at brick-and-mortar establishments grossed a record $49.4 billion in revenue. That doesn't even mention the soaring estimations for the fantasy sports market, which projects to reach $56.36 billion in 2030 , according to a report by Grand View Research. "A lot of these new skill games are riding the wave of the sports betting and fantasy sports boom," Daniel Wallach, a gaming law and sports betting attorney, told ATS.io. "If fantasy sports is a legal game of skill, and it falls outside the gambling prohibitions under state law, then that could potentially apply to myriad other skill games. That's what Dave & Buster's is banking on." Still, there are potential consequences and uphill battles. Over the last couple of years, numerous "adult arcades" attempting to circumvent state laws with gambling games have been raided by authorities—namely in Florida, where slot machines are illegal unless they're at casinos or pari-mutuels. Depending on the state and how Dave & Buster's plans to operate its social wagering, the chain may also face legal hurdles. But according to Wallach, as long as an arcade isn't acting as "the house" and setting odds, "in most jurisdictions, the peer-to-peer product is, legally, the path of least resistance." In a post-pandemic world, finding new ways to attract and retain customers has become paramount for big entertainment venues. Until about a decade ago, publications were still delivering eulogies for the arcade, which struggled to compete with home video game consoles. In a 2013 story for The Verge , author Laura June argued: "The economics aren't there anymore, the community support never was, and, of course, gaming companies make a killing in the home—almost none are even producing cabinets anymore." To reinvent themselves, many arcades have introduced more hospitality elements and virtual/augmented reality opportunities, hoping newer social technology might lure customers back. Along with casinos installing slots that incorporate video game elements like storytelling and competition, they've also taken hints from sports betting companies like DraftKings and FanDuel, gamifying their mobile experiences by presenting various "challenges" or "missions" or "bonuses" that can incentivize players to stay active on an app and increase their chances to win prizes. Some arcades, like Galloping Ghost Arcade, based in Brookfield, Illinois, have pivoted the other direction, leaning into nostalgia to fuel their niche customer base. According to owner Doc Mack, the venue—which hosts about 80,000 customers a year—doesn't supply any food or beverage service, has close to 900 different games, and charges a $25 flat rate so customers don't pinch their quarters. "We have tried to really go with an old-school approach to it. Our games kind of speak for themselves," Mack told ATS.io. "You don't have to pitch anything else to make these games iconic or make people want to play them." Unlike Dave & Buster's, he says, which phases old games out, Galloping Ghost prides itself on classic arcade options that don't cater to online opportunities. Considering the scope and intention of his business, gamification only makes sense for a certain size operation looking to draw in more casual customers. "I think it's great to try to innovate and bring new things to it," Mack said. "If you operate that big at this point, maybe you just try to do anything you can to figure out a new revenue opportunity." Considering Dave & Buster's is one of many arcade entertainment franchises that cater to families, underage gambling has become a concern. Legislators such as Illinois state Rep. Daniel Didech have spoken out about the lack of safeguards preventing kids and teenagers from betting themselves. Lucra says its betting services are only intended for adults 18 and up, and that the average contest size is around $5 or $10. But without being regulated—a reason the American Gaming Association declined to comment for this story—the chain opens itself up to more scrutiny. "State regulation can provide an important consumer protection element that would otherwise be missing from unregulated albeit legal activity," Wallach said. "Maybe the answer is to regulate rather than prohibit." Whether or not it finds initial success, Wallach believes this venture into arcade peer-to-peer betting is likely to gain imitators. Consider venues such as Topgolf and PingPod (a fully automated table tennis space), which have already gamified some of their experiences and contain inherent head-to-head competitions. Meanwhile, on Lucra's list of clients is a pickleball ratings system and a tennis app that allows players to compete against each other for real money. According to Lucra, its app has created 1 million unique contests and collected more than $20 million of handle. It seems like just the beginning. "There's much more skill gaming out there at commercial venues than you may even realize," Wallach said. "There's no reason why this concept can't be imported to those types of recreational activities." Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Mega Millions ticket prices to increase to $5 in April, with improved odds and bigger jackpots promised. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.CALGARY, AB , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Enbridge Inc. (TSX: ENB) (NYSE: ENB ) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has appointed Douglas L. Foshee as a Director of Enbridge, effective January 1, 2025 . Mr. Foshee has more than 40 years of energy industry experience, including as Chair, President and CEO of El Paso Corporation from 2003 to 2012, as CFO and then COO of Halliburton Company from 2001 to 2003, and as Chair, President and CEO of Nuevo Energy from 1996-2001. "On behalf of the Board of Directors of Enbridge, we are very pleased to welcome Doug to the Enbridge Board. He has extensive energy industry and business experience and will be an excellent addition to our Board," stated Pamela Carter , the Chair of the Board of Directors of Enbridge. About Enbridge Inc. At Enbridge, we safely connect millions of people to the energy they rely on every day, fueling quality of life through our North American natural gas, oil and renewable power networks and our growing European offshore wind portfolio. We're investing in modern energy delivery infrastructure to sustain access to secure, affordable energy and building on more than a century of operating conventional energy infrastructure and two decades of experience in renewable power. We're advancing new technologies including hydrogen, renewable natural gas, carbon capture and storage. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta , Enbridge's common shares trade under the symbol ENB on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges. To learn more, visit us at enbridge.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Media Toll Free: (888) 992-0997 Email: [email protected] Investment Community Toll Free: (800) 481-2804 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Enbridge Inc.Kagro in the Morning podcast (AUDIO): Friday, December 6, 2024
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — (Nasdaq: ABCL) today announced that executives from the Company will present at the following investor conferences: Live audio webcasts of the presentation may be accessed through the link that will be posted on . Replays of the webcast will be available through the same links following the presentations. . (Nasdaq: ABCL) discovers and develops antibody medicines for indications across therapeutic areas, including cancer, metabolic and endocrine conditions, and autoimmune disorders. AbCellera’s engine integrates technology, data science, infrastructure, and interdisciplinary teams to solve the most challenging antibody discovery problems. AbCellera is focused on advancing an internal pipeline of first-in-class and best-in-class programs and collaborating on innovative drug development programs with partners. For more information, please visit . Media: Tiffany Chiu; , +1(236)521-6774 Business Development: Murray McCutcheon, Ph.D.; , +1(604)559-9005 Investor Relations: Peter Ahn; , +1(778)729-9116NFL fans demand Lions star is suspended for 'dirty' hit on Packers rival READ MORE: NFL legend Randy Moss to step away from ESPN for health reasons By JAKE NISSE Published: 22:02 GMT, 6 December 2024 | Updated: 22:04 GMT, 6 December 2024 e-mail View comments NFL fans were left outraged on Thursday night when Lions safety Kerby Joseph dove low towards the Packers' Tucker Kraft and nearly hit him in the knee. Kraft was running with the ball after a catch in the third quarter when Joseph launched himself helmet-first towards the tight end. The Green Bay player managed to hop out of the way before being tackled by a pair of Joseph's teammates, but fans were quick to criticize the 'dirty' defensive back - who has delivered some controversial low hits before. 'Kerby Joseph continues to do this crap. Head down, targeting the knees. He belongs out of the league,' one fan wrote on X under a video of the incident . 'This hit lands, it possibly puts Kraft out for the year, and maybe longer. Wake up @NFL this dude hunts knees,' another said. 'That dirty f*** dove head first into bros knees,' a third fan added. Kerby Joseph launched himself head-first towards Tucker Kraft's knee on Thursday night Fans called for defensive back Joseph to be punished for his 'dirty' attempted hit on Kraft Kraft realized Kerby Joseph has a tendency to hunt knees and punked him. Also nailed the landing pic.twitter.com/d3EtbMPrvr — Thomas Sullivan (@Yfz84) December 6, 2024 And a fourth said, '[Kerby] Joseph knows he can't tackle fairly, so his only move is to try and ruin good players' careers.' Just last season, Joseph delivered two season-ending hits, as low tackles to the knees of T.J. Hockenson and Tyler Higbee caused both tight ends to tear their ACLs. Kraft referenced those tackles earlier this week, before the Packers' eventual 34-31 loss on Thursday. 'He's a good DB,' Kraft said, via Green Bay Packers On SI . 'I might not agree with some of the places he likes to lay contact. He's taken some of my brothers out of the game and I think about that, too. I get my chance to get my hands on him playing football.' And the pair had an altercation before the game , as both teams headed back into the locker room following pregame warmups. Footage from Amazon Prime Video shows the pair trading some words, while Kraft said after the game that Joseph had instigated the incident. Kerby Joseph and Tucker Kraft could be seen trading words before the game on Thursday Read More Detroit Lions player caught in disgusting act during Dan Campbell's locker room speech 'He was waiting for me to walk into the tunnel and he had some words for me,' Kraft said. 'So, I just let him know he's not going to do anything to me. I don't think he did. Yeah. I talked that s*** early in the week and I stood on it. I didn't mean for it to go the distance it went but when it did, I stood on that.' Joseph, meanwhile deflected a question about Kraft and pretended to not know who he was. 'You talking about the mac and cheese Kraft? I don't know who that boy is,' Joseph said.' Despite the loss, Kraft racked up 41 yards and a touchdown - bringing him to 521 yards and seven scores on the season. Green Bay Packers Share or comment on this article: NFL fans demand Lions star is suspended for 'dirty' hit on Packers rival e-mail Add comment
Adele has opened up about how her two-year Las Vegas residency got off to a “rocky” start. The ‘Chasing Pavements’ singer, 36, mounted the gigs after a traumatic time in 2022 which saw her cancel the shows less than a day before the first one was set to kick off – and wrapped them up on Saturday (23.11.24) night with an emotional performance at Caesars Palace that saw her kiss her 12-year-old son Angelo and fiancée Rich Paul, 43, after making a speech to fans about her battle to put them on. She told the crowd in a video shared on social media: “I am so sad that this residency is over and I am so glad that it happened – I really, really am. “It got off to such a f****** rocky, rocky way. It was one of the worst years of my life. “I was being punched around, it was horrible and I was told it was career suicide and Vegas would never forgive me for (cancelling) so last minute.” Ahead of her last show on Saturday, Adele told how she was looking forward to enjoying red wine and resting in bed. She told fans at one of her recent shows in Sin City, she said: “Doing four hours a weekend of completely live singing is a lot. “And I chat a lot, and I’m very, very sensitive and I’m emotional. I am battered after these shows. And I take every single person on in this room into my soul, I take you home with me. She added she’s been on “full recovery” between shows and was ready for them to be over. Adele went on: “It’s a big deal to me because it’s very, very bittersweet. But (my residency) has been in my mind for four years... four years for one f****** idea. “So I’m looking forward to having loads of spare time to love on my kids, to love on my man and to love on another kid. To love on my house. “Saturday night (when the residency ends), I’m probably going to have a (lot) of red wine. “So that’s the most exciting thing for when the show ends! Then after that I think I’m just going to really, really veg until the end of the year. I feel like I’m early hibernating already.”Key Features to Look for in an MRZ Reader for Your BusinessFox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Player safety has recently become a topic of conversation in the sports world, and the NBA is the latest major professional league to raise awareness as it relates to home security. The league sent a memo to team officials after Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley were victims of home invasions. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the memo. The NBA noted that the FBI believes a number of the burglaries were connected to "transnational South American Theft Groups" that are "reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM A basketball is seen on the court next to the NBA logo during a break in the first half of a Summer League game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on July 7, 2023. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Conley's home was broken into on Sept. 15 as he attended a Minnesota Vikings game against the San Francisco 49ers. The Timberwolves guard participated in the Vikings' traditional pregame festivities as he helped fire up the more than 66,000 fans inside U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, but while Conley was attending the game, his home in Medina, Minnesota, several miles away, was targeted by thieves, police said. Burglars left the property with jewelry, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported at the time. NFL ISSUES SECURITY WARNING AFTER BURGLARIES AT MAHOMES, KELCE'S HOMES LINKED TO 'ORGANIZED' GROUP: REPORTS Medina Police Chief Jason Nelson noted that Conley's property was one of three home burglaries that authorities investigated on the same day. All the homes were unoccupied at the time the break-ins occurred. Meanwhile, Portis said his home was broken into on Nov. 2 and has offered a $40,000 reward for information related to the incident. Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis dunks against the Miami Heat during Game 2 of their first-round playoff series at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) Elsewhere, the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were broken into within days of each other last month, according to law enforcement reports. The NFL issued a similar warning memo to its teams this week. "Obviously, it’s frustrating, disappointing, but I can’t get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing," Mahomes recently said. "But, obviously, something you don’t want to happen to anybody, but obviously yourself." The NBA logo is seen on a backboard before the game between the Houston Rockets and the Miami Heat at Toyota Center in Houston on April 5. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports) The NBA's memo, relaying information from the FBI, said the theft rings "are primarily focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches, and luxury bags." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The league, which has also been giving guidance to team security personnel, recommended that players install updated alarm systems with cameras and utilize them whenever leaving the home; keep valuables in locked and secured safes; remove online real estate listings that may show interior photos of a home; and "utilize protective guard services" during extended trips from the home — and even suggested having dogs assist with home protection. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
AI is a game changer for students with disabilities. Schools are still learning to harness itPeter Dutton will use a private Coalition meeting to calm MPs fearful that Labor’s teen social media ban is a Trojan Horse for government control of the internet, ahead of a sitting week in which the major parties plan to ram the legislation through parliament. On Friday Coalition MPs were called to a Monday morning gathering in Canberra, party sources said, where Dutton and communications spokesman David Coleman planned to field questions about Labor’s proposed law to ban children under 16 from platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and communications spokesman David Coleman will face concerned MPs. Credit: Louise Kennerley Right-wing Coalition senators Matt Canavan and Alex Antic have been sharply critical of the bill’s potential to require Australians to give tech giants their IDs and the power it would give the eSafety Commission, which is a federal agency that will be charged with overseeing the ban. But doubts about the bill, which was only released last week, have expanded from the pair to more mainstream Coalition MPs, setting up the meeting as a test of the opposition leader’s authority after he hauled his party room into line on abortion earlier this month. On Sunday night, the MPs were informed Monday’s meeting was cancelled, with the conversation to take place on Tuesday as part of the Coalition’s party room meeting. The Coalition leadership remains confident of overwhelming support for the bill inside the party, according to several opposition sources speaking anonymously about internal dynamics. Dutton, whose office declined to comment, plans to hear out his concerned colleagues but ultimately expects the party to back the bill, allowing it to pass parliament this week. The opposition rode a wave of conservative and libertarian campaigning against Labor’s misinformation bill in recent months before the government dropped its plan to crack down on falsehoods online on Sunday. Some of the groups and people behind that campaign, including One Nation, the Libertarian Party and former Coalition MPs George Christensen and Craig Kelly, have launched an email crusade about the social media age barrier that has resulted in complaints flooding into MPs inboxes. They endorse the view of X owner Elon Musk, who wrote on the platform last month that the ban “seems like a backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians” because it could require users to prove their identities before accessing major online services. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland was asked about the need to hand over ID in a Labor caucus meeting last week and said her laws would not force people to give ID documents to social media giants, dismissing the prospect as a right-wing scare campaign. However, the government has not announced the technology that would be used to prove a user’s age. ‘A red flag’ LNP MP Garth Hamilton said Labor had rushed the legislation and sent mixed signals about details such as which platforms would be included. The Wiggles successfully lobbied to allow YouTube to remain while Snapchat will be banned, though both apps now also have a TikTok-style feed of clips. “The tests for this bill are that it should not be a proxy for digital ID [to be required to access the internet] and that it actually responds to parents’ needs,” Hamilton said.“I fully agree with Peter Dutton’s concerns about the impacts of social media, and they are long-held. But Labor has had a long time to get details right [and] the utter confusion on the detail is a red flag.” Coleman, who first proposed a teen ban in an April interview with this masthead at a time when Labor opposed such a change , told opposition MPs last week that the government could use a “double-blind tokenised approach” suggested by the eSafety Commission last year. That would allow a third party to verify a user’s age on a social media platform without revealing the identity information used to do so, while another option could force companies that operate app stores, such as Google and Apple, to take on the role. Labor announced the ban early this month after years of claims that social media was harming children’s mental health, much of which is disputed by the technology giants, and argued that it would bolster parents’ ability to reject pestering from kids to go online. But detractors including Ben Thompson, the boss of major Australian tech firm Employment Hero, said on X that bill would make it harder for children with special needs to make friends online. “Not to mention that it’s a Trojan Horse for digital ID and further censorship,” he said. On Sunday, Greens communications spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young called advocates for the ban well-intentioned, but said the bill was rushed compared to the government’s halting approach to gambling reform. “The government and the opposition are ramming through a ban on social media that was introduced on Thursday,” she said on ABC’s Insiders . “We’ve got a joke of a Senate inquiry for three days tomorrow. But they can’t do gambling ... Talk about priorities.” Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter .