Zhang, the self-proclaimed "caretaker" of the missing woman, has been thrust into the spotlight as people try to make sense of the situation. Contrary to initial assumptions of foul play or abduction, Zhang insists that he has been caring for the woman all these years out of kindness. With no evidence of any wrongdoing on his part, many are puzzled by the nature of their relationship.Gunman Who Killed CEO of American Healthcare Company Arrested: Ivy League Elite with Wealthy Background Jointly Draft Manifesto
OTTAWA — Canada got back in the win column at the world junior hockey championship. It wasn't pretty. Oliver Bonk, Caden Price and Mathieu Cataford, into the empty net, scored as the wobbly host country picked up an unconvincing 3-0 victory over Germany on Sunday. Carter George made 25 saves to register the goaltender's second straight shutout for the Canadians, who were coming off Friday's stunning 3-2 upset loss to Latvia in a shootout. Nico Pertuch stopped 33 shots for Germany, which dropped its Group A opener at the men's under-20 tournament to the United States 10-4 before falling 3-1 to Finland. Canada entered with a 17-0 record all-time and a combined 107-26 score against Germany at the world juniors, including last year's 6-3 victory in Gothenburg, Sweden, and an 11-2 drubbing at the 2023 event in Halifax. Despite another sub-par performance, the victory sets up a New Year's Eve matchup against the U.S. for first place in the pool after the Americans fell 4-3 to the Finns in overtime earlier Sunday. Canada suffered one of the powerhouse nation's worst defeats in tournament history Friday when Latvia — outscored 41-4 in four previous meetings at the event — shocked the hockey world. And while the plucky Latvians were full marks for their victory, the Canadians were largely disjointed and surrendered the middle of the ice for long stretches despite firing 57 shots on goal. There was more of the same Sunday. Head coach Dave Cameron made a couple of changes to Canada's lineup — one out of necessity and another for tactical reasons. With star defenceman Matthew Schaefer, who could go No. 1 at the 2025 NHL draft, out of the world juniors after suffering an upper-body injury against Latvia, Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio drew in. Cameron also sat forward Porter Martone in favour of Carson Rehkopf. Canada opened the scoring on the power play, which also had a new look after going 1-for-7 through the first two games, when Bonk scored from his normal bumper position in the slot off an Easton Cowan feed at 9:40 of the first period. Sam Dickinson then chimed a one-timer off the post on another man advantage before George, who was in goal for Canada's 4-0 opener against the Finns, made a couple of stops on the penalty kill inside a red-clad Canadian Tire Centre. Petruch made a big stop off Tanner Howe in the second before also denying Calum Ritchie from the slot on a power play, but the Canadians again looked completely out of sorts against what was a decidedly inferior opponent on paper. Berkly Catton hit another post for Canada early in the third. Tanner Molendyk also found iron. Unable to register a 5-on-5 goal against either Latvia or Germany through more than 120 minutes of action, Price scored on a shot that caromed off the end boards and went in off Pertuch with 4:58 left in regulation to make it 2-0 before Cataford iced it into the empty net on another nervy night for the 20-time gold medallists. LATVIAN REACTION The U.S. beat Latvia 5-1 on Saturday, less than 24 hours after the Europeans' upset of Canada. American captain Ryan Leonard said the Latvians were impressive — even on short rest. "That team's no joke," said the Washington Capitals prospect. "You can't really treat anyone different, especially in this short of a tournament." UP NEXT Germany will meet Latvia on Monday in a crucial game at the bottom of the Group A standings. Canada now turns its attention to Tuesday's clash against the U.S. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2024. Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
The customer service team's commitment to maintaining a high level of service and safety for passengers has been reflected in their proactive approach to addressing issues and ensuring that passengers feel safe and comfortable while using the Guangzhou Metro.Charmaine Sheh Clarifies Rumors of Breakup with Kevin Cheng After Rekindling Relationship
Special Counsel Moves to Dismiss Election Interference Case Against TrumpIn conclusion, while the US and Israel may claim credit for Bashar al-Assad's resignation, the true victory belongs to the Syrian people who have endured unimaginable hardships and sacrifices in their quest for freedom and dignity. The world must not forget their plight and must continue to support them as they rebuild their shattered homeland. Only then can the Syrian people truly claim victory over tyranny and oppression.Setien, who took over as Barcelona's head coach in January 2020, was brought in to bring back the trademark style of possession-based, attacking football that the club is famous for. However, his tenure has been marred by inconsistent performances and disappointing results, culminating in the abysmal showing against Bayern Munich.
Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100In an official statement released shortly after the incident, Alibaba Cloud assured customers and stakeholders that the fire had been swiftly contained, and no casualties were reported. The company expressed gratitude to the fire department and emergency response teams for their quick and effective action in extinguishing the blaze and preventing it from spreading to other areas of the data center.
In conclusion, the improvements made to the plot of the "Yanyun Sixteen Schemes" public beta version have succeeded in elevating the game's immersive qualities to new heights. By focusing on character development, world-building, pacing, player choice, and audiovisual presentation, the developers have crafted a rich and captivating narrative that invites players to get lost in its intricacies. As players embark on their journey through the world of "Yanyun Sixteen Schemes," they will find themselves immersed in a storytelling experience that is as engaging as it is unforgettable.Special counsel moves to dismiss election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump
The differing perspectives and priorities of the participants appeared to be a significant factor in the breakdown of the talks. The United States and France, while reaffirming their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, may have differing opinions on the appropriate course of action to address the conflict. President Joe Biden's administration in the U.S. has emphasized the importance of diplomacy and working through international channels to resolve conflicts, while France under President Emmanuel Macron may have a different approach in mind.Title: Assad Seeks Refuge in Moscow: The Changing Dynamics in Syria
Moreover, it is important to be aware of the prevalence of prize-winning scams that often accompany empty package fraud. Scammers may use the guise of a prize or lottery win to entice unsuspecting individuals into disclosing sensitive information or making financial transactions. Remember that legitimate prize notifications do not require recipients to pay any fees or provide personal details in order to claim their rewards.
The transition from being a television host to an actor is not a simple one. While hosting requires excellent communication skills and the ability to engage with the audience, acting demands a deeper level of emotional expression and the capacity to embody a character in a way that captivates and resonates with the audience. For the former CCTV host, the transition meant leaving behind the comfort of the studio and stepping into the spotlight of the stage, where every gesture and expression is magnified and scrutinized by the audience.GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) — Javan Buchanan's 28 points off of the bench led Boise State to an 83-82 victory against South Dakota State on Monday. Buchanan went 11 of 17 from the field (4 for 8 from 3-point range) for the Broncos (5-1). Alvaro Cardenas Torre added 16 points while going 6 of 13 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) while they also had seven assists. Julian Bowie went 4 of 4 from the field (3 for 3 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week
To redeem a Steam recharge card from The Wanderer Coin Gift Shop, customers simply need to visit the shop's online platform and browse through the available options. Once they have selected the desired denomination, they can proceed to checkout and receive the recharge code via email or in their account dashboard. This hassle-free process ensures that gamers can quickly and easily top up their Steam wallet and dive straight into the world of gaming.The company filed a settlement agreement with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission reached with intervenors on its 2023 rate case MINNEAPOLIS , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, CenterPoint Energy filed a settlement agreement with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) for its rate case submitted in November 2023 , to adjust natural gas distribution service rates in 2024 and 2025. The company reached a settlement agreement with all intervening parties including: Minnesota Department of Commerce, Minnesota Office of Attorney General – Residential Utilities Division, Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota , International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, LIUNA of Minnesota and North Dakota , and Suburban Rate Authority. If approved by the Commission, CenterPoint's rate adjustment will enable the company to: Continue to maintain the safety, resiliency and integrity of its natural gas distribution system to benefit the company's more than 920,000 customers in over 260 local Minnesota communities. Continue to support the advancement of low- and zero-carbon technologies, including recovering certain costs for the company's innovation plan approved in July 2024 by the Commission under Minnesota's Natural Gas Innovation Act for investments in innovative technologies and low- and zero-carbon energy resources. Conduct infrastructure projects to replace or upgrade existing pipelines, provide safe and reliable service, comply with federal pipeline regulations and relocate facilities to enable projects by government agencies such as roads, bridges, drainage and other infrastructure. Accommodate the increased investments to operate, maintain and deliver natural gas through the company's distribution system. "From the outset, we were determined to use a collaborative approach with state agencies and all intervenors to reach a settlement agreement that worked for all parties. This agreement prioritizes the safety, reliability and resiliency of the energy system for the benefit of our customers and communities throughout Minnesota ," said Brad Steber , CenterPoint's Vice President of Minnesota Gas. "The agreement meaningfully plans for current and anticipated near-term future investments to continue to serve our customers' needs for readily available energy resources. These proposed investments will enhance our ability to deliver energy when customers need it most to help them withstand the coldest days of winter and to keep them safe and warm." The Commission will review and decide upon the filed settlement agreement. A decision is expected in 2025. Meaningful investments in the company's natural gas system A rate case is a forward-looking proposal to plan for the continued needs of customers for energy service. CenterPoint plans to continue to make investments in the safety and resiliency of the company's natural gas distribution system to benefit its customers including: Replacing natural gas lines using modern construction methods and materials. Relocating natural gas meters inside residential customer's homes to outside for improved access in case of an emergency and for enhanced customer safety. Deploying smart natural gas meters for residential customers, which have enhanced safety and communications features. Using methane detection vehicles that have a higher level of detection capability to monitor methane emissions and more efficiently conduct leak detection operations, allowing for faster mitigation and repair of natural gas leaks. Leveraging vacuum-like technology, also known as cross-compression, during repair, replacement and inspection of a natural gas line to help prevent natural gas from going into the air. Instead, the natural gas is temporarily stored or placed in another segment of natural gas line. Rate adjustment proposal As identified in the proposed settlement agreement, CenterPoint is requesting adjustments to the delivery charge, or the cost to deliver natural gas. The delivery charge accounts for approximately 50% of a typical residential customer's monthly bill. The remaining approximately 50% of a customer's bill is the cost of natural gas which is passed through at cost. CenterPoint does not profit from the overall cost of natural gas. The requested increase is approximately 4.7% or $60.8 million for 2024 and approximately 3.1% or $42.7 million for 2025. The requested increase will add $2.70 to the average residential customer's monthly bill in 2024 and an additional $1.27 to an average residential customer's monthly bill in 2025. While the rate case is under consideration, interim rates are in effect. Interim rates started with the January 2024 billing cycle and added approximately $4 per month to the average residential bill. It is anticipated that interim rates for 2025 would begin with the January 2025 billing cycle and be approximately $2 more per month for an average residential customer's bill as the Commission reviews the settlement agreement. Interim rates are applied as an equal percentage across all customer types. After final rates have been approved by the Commission, and if interim rates are set higher than final approved rates, CenterPoint will calculate a refund to customers for the difference in interim rates and final rates. The refund will be based on actual customer usage while interim rates were in effect, including interest, and will be issued as a credit on a monthly bill. CenterPoint offers various programs, tools and tips to help customers manage their bills and save energy. The company encourages those facing hardship to call CenterPoint to find out about payment arrangements and be referred to resources that may be available. To learn more, call 800-245-2377 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. , Monday-Friday or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance . More details about the rate case can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/RateCase . About CenterPoint Energy, Inc. As the only investor-owned electric and gas utility based in Texas , CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP ) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana , Louisiana , Minnesota , Mississippi , Ohio and Texas . With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com . Forward-looking statements This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release regarding future events, such as approval by the Commission of the settlement agreement and timing thereof, the anticipated benefits of the rate adjustment, investments in the company's natural gas system and the anticipated benefits thereof, the amount and expected impact to customer's bills, and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) CenterPoint Energy's business strategies and strategic initiatives; (2) financial market conditions; (3) general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions; and (5) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and CenterPoint's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 , and September 30, 2024 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, contact Communications [email protected] SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, IncIn an unprecedented achievement, Exile's Path 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the popular RPG franchise, has surpassed all expectations by selling over 1.1 million units on the EA platform Steam. The game's success has not only captivated the gaming community but also sent shockwaves through the industry with revenue figures nearing the $200 million mark.
The United States, in particular, has expressed strong support for Taiwan's defense and security. American officials have reaffirmed their commitment to Taiwan's self-defense and have warned against any attempts to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait through force. The US Navy has also increased its presence in the region, conducting freedom of navigation operations and joint exercises with Taiwan's military forces as a show of solidarity and deterrence against potential aggression.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — One of the strongest storms on the West Coast in decades knocked out power for thousands of people, unleashed strong winds that toppled trees and left two dead in Washington before making its way through Oregon to Northern California where on Thursday it dropped heavy snow and record amounts of rain. The National Weather Service extended a flood watch into Saturday for areas north of San Francisco as the region was inundated by the strongest atmospheric river — a long and wide plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows over land — so far this season. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.Luke Wattenberg settling in as Broncos starting center: 'He's such a great communicator'One of the key features of Sora is its ability to create videos of up to 20 seconds in length. This opens up a world of possibilities for content creators, filmmakers, and video enthusiasts who can now easily generate short video clips for various purposes. Whether it be for social media, marketing campaigns, or personal projects, Sora provides a convenient and efficient solution for producing engaging video content.