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3 panghalip panao NEW YORK — After another special teams disaster in the Pinstripe Bowl, Nebraska faces what coach Matt Rhule called a “complete and total overhaul” with the unit in the offseason. Rhule did not say whether that overhaul would include replacing special teams coordinator Ed Foley, a longtime Rhule aide who just finished his second year in the role. NU won the game 20-15 and successfully pulled of a fake punt pass from Brian Buschini to Isaac Gifford that converted a fourth down into a first down. It was, in essence, Nebraska’s one special teams bright spot of the day. Buschini had a fourth quarter punt blocked and returned to the NU 2, which quickly became a Boston College touchdown. After Nebraska’s second touchdown of the game, Buschini couldn’t handle a wayward snap that turned into a blocked extra point and, after a BC return, two points for the Eagles. Without those two plays, Boston College only scored six total points. Nebraska special teams contributed to the 13-10 loss at Iowa and nearly led to a loss to Rutgers earlier this year. “It wasn’t very good,” Rhule said in the bowels of Yankee Stadium. “You can’t get a blocked punt. I didn’t necessarily see how it happened...we’ve had snapping issues all year long, and I think we’ve tried to address that for next year.” NU signed New Hampshire transfer long snapper Kevin Gallic in December to replace the Husker duo of Camden Witucki and Aidan Flege. Snapping issues contributed to Nebraska trying — and failing to execute — a fake field goal run play from Boston College’s 8. Buschini, as the holder, came nowhere near the end zone. “Obviously should’ve just dropped back and thrown it again,” Rhule said. “But we had the numbers there and the (Boston College) kid just made a good play.” For Nebraska to be “where we want to be next year” — that is, competing for the College Football Playoff, Rhule said, the team has to be a “little better in some areas” on defense and “really improve” on offense, which Rhule believes is happening under new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. “Special teams, we need a complete and total overhaul of that,” Rhule said. “We have to be better at that. I put those things on my shoulders to get it done. It has not been good this year.” According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, Nebraska ranks 105th out of 134 teams in special teams efficiencies headed into the Pinstripe Bowl. Boston College ranked 110th.On , the French Senate approved tax hikes across a variety of industries, including gambling. While the country about a gambling tax hike earlier this year, it seems like it will be happening after all. The tax changes are a part of the final version of France’s social security budget and align with an overall strategy to raise the tax rates of high profit margin sectors to tackle public deficits. In addition to gambling, these sectors include sellers of tobacco products and sweetened beverages – two other industries often associated with the decline in public health. Lawmakers, however, refrained from introducing a higher tax on the alcohol industry. What Does That Mean for Gambling? As mentioned, France seemed indecisive about a tax hike on gambling, giving the industry a breather. As a result, the sudden decision implement one is a slap for industry stakeholders who were convinced that gambling would have gotten off lightly. French operators already pay a huge tax, giving approximately 55% of their gross gaming revenue to the country. The new raises will vary depending on the vertical but will add to the already significant tax burdens. will not see a tax hike implemented as lawmakers agreed with the industry’s concerns. The higher gambling taxes would add approximately EUR 50 million to the state budget, experts predict. What Do People Think? The surprise gambling tax hike was, as one might expect, met with mixed reactions. The industry was largely dismayed at the change, echoing previous concerns about the market’s integrity. According to industry stakeholders, a gambling tax hike could undermine the legal industry in more than one way, potentially giving more power to unlicensed gambling operators. In addition, it might have an unintended negative effect on the sports sector, which relies on the sports betting industry. There were, of course, also those who rejoiced at the last-minute change in heart. The proponents of the higher tax argued that the gambling industry has been very successful and is the perfect target for a tax hike. Senator Thomas Dossus went a step further, as “parasites” that make the world toxic.

Saturday, December 21, 2024 As the holiday season approaches, Air Canada is ready to welcome over 2.2 million travelers across North America and beyond, ensuring a seamless travel experience. The airline is ramping up its customer support by increasing on-ground assistance and enhancing its mobile app to make journeys smoother and more enjoyable during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Enhanced Customer Support and Warm Greetings Air Canada has bolstered its airport staff to provide personalized assistance, prioritizing travelers with accessibility needs and unaccompanied minors. “The holidays are a special time, and our teams are ready to go above and beyond to deliver exceptional service,” said Tom Stevens, Vice President of Canadian Airports and Customer Experience Strategy at Air Canada. To celebrate the season, Air Canada surprised travelers with special gifts and will offer complimentary festive snacks, such as Biscoff Cookies and TWIGZ pretzels, at major Canadian airports starting December 16. Peace of Mind with Advanced Technology The Air Canada mobile app now features upgraded tools, including real-time updates, digital boarding passes, and gate maps, to enhance travel confidence. A notable innovation is the integration of Apple’s Share Item Location feature, enabling passengers to track their baggage via AirTags and share its location with Air Canada agents for quicker reunions in case of delays. Aeroplan Members can also take advantage of a special AirTag promotion during the Aeroplan eStore Boxing Event, running until December 26. Festive Cheer in the Sky Air Canada is spreading holiday cheer on its flights with complimentary beer and wine now a permanent offering on domestic and U.S. routes. Travelers can enjoy a curated selection of beverages alongside chef-inspired menus, premium snacks, and an expanded in-flight entertainment library featuring 35 new holiday-themed titles like The Family Stone and Love Actually . Younger passengers on select flights will receive Lindt Teddy Bear chocolates, and Santa Claus will make appearances at major Canadian airports. Signature Class passengers can indulge in a specially crafted holiday menu from December 12 to 26, featuring festive food and beverages. Looking Ahead to 2025 Air Canada’s commitment to elevating the travel experience continues beyond the holidays. In 2025, the airline will introduce fast, free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members on North American flights, sponsored by Bell, starting in May. This service will expand across Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express flights, with most of the fleet equipped by year-end. These initiatives build on Air Canada’s ongoing enhancements, including new chef-inspired meals, live TV, expanded mobile app features, and upgraded Aeroplan benefits. As Air Canada connects millions of Canadians with loved ones this holiday season, the airline is delivering comfort, joy, and memorable experiences to every journey.US effort to curb China's and Russia's access to advanced computer chips 'inadequate,' report finds WASHINGTON (AP) — The Commerce Department's efforts to curb China's and Russia's access to American-made advanced computer chips have been “inadequate” and will need more funding to stymie their ability to manufacture advanced weapons, according to a Aamer Madhani And Josh Boak, The Associated Press Dec 18, 2024 3:03 PM Dec 18, 2024 3:20 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Feb. 1, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Commerce Department's efforts to curb China's and Russia's access to American-made advanced computer chips have been “inadequate” and will need more funding to stymie their ability to manufacture advanced weapons, according to a report published Wednesday by the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The Biden administration imposed export controls to limit the ability of China and Russia ability to access U.S.-made chips after Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. The agency's Bureau of Industry and Security, according to the report, does not have the resources to enforce export controls and has been too reliant on U.S. chip makers voluntarily complying with the rules. But the push for bolstering Commerce's export control enforcement comes as the incoming Trump administration says it is looking to dramatically reduce the size and scope of federal government . President-elect Donald Trump has tapped entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency” to dismantle parts of the federal government. The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. BIS’s budget, about $191 million, has remained essentially flat since 2010 when adjusted for inflation. “While BIS’ budget has been stagnant for a decade, the bureau works diligently around the clock to meet its mission and safeguard U.S. national security,” Commerce Department spokesperson Charlie Andrews said in a statement in response to the report. Andrews added that with “necessary resources from Congress” the agency would be "better equipped to address the challenges that come with our evolving national security environment.” In a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, chair of the subcommittee, pointed to news reports of the Russian military continuing to acquire components from Texas Instruments through front companies in Hong Kong to illustrate how the export controls are failing as an effective tool. Texas Instruments did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “While Congress must provide BIS more resources to undertake its critical mission, it is long past time for BIS to make full use of the enforcement powers Congress has conferred upon it and take aggressive steps to cut the flow of U.S. semiconductors into the Russian war machine,” Blumenthal wrote. Blumenthal in a separate statement added that he was calling on "Commerce to take immediate action and crack down on the companies allowing U.S.-made semiconductors to power Russian weapons and Chinese ambition.” It's not just Texas Instruments that's the issue. The subcommittee in September published a report that found aggregated exports from four major U.S. advanced chip manufacturers nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022 to Armenia and Georgia. Both of those countries are home to front companies known to assist Russia in acquiring advanced chips made in the U.S. despite export controls. China, meanwhile, has created “vast, barely disguised smuggling networks which enable it to continue to harness U.S. technology,” the subcommittee report asserts. Washington has been gradually expanding the number of companies affected by such export controls in China, as President Joe Biden’s administration has encouraged an expansion of investments in and manufacturing of chips in the U.S. But Chinese companies have found ways to evade export controls in part because of a lack of China subject matter experts and Chinese speakers assigned to Commerce's export control enforcement. The agency's current budget limits the number of international end-use checks, or physical verification overseas of distributors or companies receiving American-made chips that are the supposed end users of products. Currently, Commerce has only 11 export control officers spread around the globe to conduct such checks. The committee made several recommendations in its report, including Congress allocating more money for hiring additional personnel to enforce export controls, imposing larger fines on companies that violate controls and requiring periodic reviews of advanced chip companies’ export control plans by outside entities. ___ Boak reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Aamer Madhani And Josh Boak, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Science News China's getting a big electric car battery swapping boost in 2025. Would that work across the globe? Dec 18, 2024 2:28 PM Canadian carbon removal company scores US$40M grant from fund backed by Bill Gates Dec 18, 2024 2:11 PM New York man finds mastodon jaw while gardening in his backyard Dec 18, 2024 12:04 PM

While advanced fighter jets like the F-22 Raptor, the F-35 Lightning II, and the F-15 Strike Eagle may garner a lot of attention, these are little more than paperweights if they don't have fuel. One of the great pillars of the US Air Force's ability to project power around the world is its massive fleet of aerial tankers (the Air Force operates the two most common tankers in the world ). Tankers massively extend the range fighter jets can operate and the amount of time they can spend over an area of interest . The United States Air Force has operated refueling aircraft since the 1950s and some types of aircraft (like the Boeing B-52 ) have been refueled by four types of tankers - the KC-97 Stratofreighter, KC135 Stratotanker, KC-10 Extender, and the KC-46 Pegasus. This article will only consider the Air Force's main tankers and the US military's other aerial refueling assets (like the MQ-25 Stingray, the MV-22 Osprey, and the KC-130J Super Hercules). Here is a brief history of Air Force tanker aircraft. The need for a jet-powered tanker The first US aerial refueling tests occurred almost 100 years ago in 1929 when the US Army Air Corps used a C-2A biplane 'Question Mark.' However, while the idea was there, it didn't really go anywhere until the jet age. With the dawn of the jet age, there was a need for long-range from the country's jet-powered fighters, bombers, and other aircraft. "Making use of a Boeing-designed ‘flying boom’, aerial refueling techniques for the Air Force changed overnight with the KC-97. Instead of the probe and drogue method, refueling boom operators, known as ‘Boomers’, in the rear of the aircraft could fly the boom into the receptacle of the awaiting aircraft." - Air Mobility Command While jet engines were a massive leap over the old piston engines they replaced, early jet engines also consumed vast amounts of fuel. The US first started to address the need for air refueling by modifying aging B-29 and B-50 bombers into tankers. The Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter was a long-range heavy military cargo aircraft developed from the B-29 and B-50 bombers (development of the C-97 started in 1942). The Boeing YC-97 first flew late in World War II and entered service in 1947 after the war's end. Soon a tanker variant of the C-97 was developed and the KC-97 Stratofreighter came into service in 1951. Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter Number built: 811 Propulsion: 4x Pratt & Whitney R-4360-59 Wasp Major piston engines Date serviced: 1958-1971 Developed from: Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter Status: Retired However, the KC-97 was propeller-driven, and it could barely hold formation with the Air Force's latest jets coming into service. The KC-97 remained in front-line service until 1973 (but continued to serve until the end of the decade with the Guard and Reserves). Incidentally, modern, more powerful turboprop aircraft like the Airbus A400M Atlas and the KC-130J Super Hercules are able to refuel jet aircraft. The news comes as the FASF is divesting its fleet of KC-135s to replace them with Airbus A330-based tankers. The Air Force's jet-powered tanker KC-135 Stratotankers The first Air Force jet-powered tanker aircraft was the KC-135 Stratotanker built from the Boeing 707 airliner. As the Air Mobility Command states , " Upon seeing Boeing’s newest all-jet airliner design in 1954, the 367-80, which would become the very successful Boeing 707 series, the USA immediately saw potential for an all-jet tanker aircraft. The KC-135 Stratotanker took to the skies for the first time on August 31, 1956 and it remains in front line service to this day ." "Strategic Air Command’s dream of an all-jet Air Force came with the arrival of the KC-135 Stratotanker. The new jet powered tanker could easily keep up with the latest fighters, bombers and other aircraft in the operational fleet." - Air Mobility Command With around 377 KC-135 Stratotankers remaining in service, these are the primary tankers in US service. They have also been exported to many US allies and partners around the world (although many are being replaced by the Airbus A330 MRTT or the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus). KC-10 Extenders The KC-10 Extender was built on the widebody McDonnell Douglass DC-10 jetliner (the DC-10 entered service in 1971). The three-engined DC-10 was selected over the Lockheed C-5, the Lockheed, L-1011, and the Boeing 747 in 1977 (which were also bidding for the contract). The first KC-10 flew in 1980 and soon became a critical part of the Air Force's aerial tanker fleet . However, the extensions also reduced the airframe's lifespan, and the last of the KC-10 Extenders was retired in 2024 . The KC-10 Extender was the result of the Air Force wanting a longer range and great fuel capacity aircraft to supplement the KC-135 Stratotanker. A total of 60 KC-10s were produced for the Air Force (and a couple of similar KDC-10s were also built for the Royal Netherlands Air Force). KC-135 Stratotanker: KC-10 Extender: KC-46A Pegasus: Number built: 803 (total, including export) 60 93+ (179 planned) Propulsion: 4x CFM International F108-CF-100 turbofan engines 3x General Electric F103 turbofan engines 2x Pratt & Whitney PW4062 turbofan Date served: 1957-present 1981-2024 2019-present Developed from: Boeing 707 airliner McDonnell Douglas DC-10 airliner Boeing 767 airliner Status: In service Retired In The KC-10 had a range of 3,800 nautical miles at maximum capacity and additional refueling pods mounted on the outboard wings that housed a fueling hose system. In the early 2000s, the Air Force had planned to keep the KC-10s flying until 2043 (although ultimately they were retired two decades early). The KC-46A Pegasus is the Air Force's newest tanker and is based on the Boeing 767 airliner. KC-46A Pegasus The latest Air Force tanker is the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus - built on the Boeing 767 (although the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 were also considered during the selection process). After some selection debacles (including, at one point, selecting the Airbus A330), the Air Force selected Boeing's 767 in 2011 as the basis for its clean-sheet tanker. The KC-46A first flew in 2015 and was delivered to the Air Force in 2019. Internationally, the KC-46 Pegasus has also been ordered by Japan (six tankers) and Israel (four tankers) to replace their aging fleets. However, it hasn't proven as popular on the export market as the A330 MRTT (which is now the most common non-US tanker in the world). "The KC-46A delivers more fuel at all ranges and from shorter runways than the KC-135 aircraft it’s replacing — while utilizing less ramp space than competing tankers — ensuring mission reach from forward and austere airfields." - Boeing Around 93 have so far been delivered and the Air Force plans to acquire around 179 of them to partially replace the aging fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers. The KC-46 is able to carry a combination of over 210,000 lbs of fuel, and 65,000 lbs of cargo, 58 patients, or 114 passengers. KC-46A Pegasus tankers are being progressively upgraded over time making them capable of more missions. For example, the KC-46 has data links and Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) integration (which connects the aircraft with other platforms providing tactical situational awareness and real-time information). With three-quarters of the world's tanker fleet, the USAF dominates the list of aerial tanker fleets. Future of Air Force tankers The KC-46 Pegasus may prove to be the last conventional tube-based tanker built from a passenger airliner. The Air Force foresees different requirements in the future (which is why the Air Force is only partially replacing the KC-135 with the KC-46). Today, the United States Air Force has around 600 tankers - around 75% of the world's total military tanker fleet. Congress requires the Air Force to operate a minimum of 466 tankers (its unclear if Congress excludes the KC-130Js from its definition of tankers). Regardless, 179 KC-46A Pegasus tankers will not be enough to replace the KC-135s and KC-10s . Two future tankers the Air Force is currently working on are the blended-wing body JetZero aircraft and a stealth tanker being developed by Lockheed Martin. The Air Force will be compelled to keep large numbers of KC-135s in service until these (or other) tankers come into service in sufficient numbers in the 2030s. JetZero is planning for the blended wing body to become a commercial airliner. "The JetZero Blended Wing is the biggest leap in commercial aircraft design since the beginning of the jet age and the best first step toward the ultimate goal of zero-carbon emissions aviation. The aircraft will launch in 2030 with 100% SAF compatibility, and the internal volume to accommodate zero-carbon hydrogen." - JetZero JetZero (with Northrop Grumman) has been contracted to build a full-scale blended wing-body cargo/tanker demonstrator for the Air Force and says the aircraft should be operational by 2030. Blended wing-bodied aircraft offer much greater efficiencies and are seen as a key technology to allow the airline industry to reach net-zero emissions. The other tanker in development is the Next-Generation Aerial Refueling System (NGAS) being developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works. NGAS is designed as a stealthy platform (which would enable it to fly closer to or in contested airspace). There have been discussions if the aircraft will be manned or unmanned (recent renderings of NGAS show it to be an unmanned platform). Currently, the NGAS is planned to enter service by around 2035. However, there are doubts about the future of the program as the Air Force has said it may prove unaffordable .Prisons Dept submits report to LHC on measures taken for jail reformsIND vs AUS Live Score: India on top after a dramatic opening day in Perth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Live Score: How the madness unfolded on 17-wicket day in Perth The 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy got off to an exhilarating start at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday as pacers wreaked havoc on a blockbuster 17-wicket day. The batters from both sides were brought down to their knees as Australia and India quicks turned out to be lethal on Day 1 of the series opener in front of a capacity crowd. Seventeen wickets, all picked by pacers, is the most on the opening day of a Test in Australia since 1952. Yes, 1952! After the experienced Australian trio of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc reigned supreme and shot down India for 150 in their first innings, the hosts' batters danced to the tunes of Jasprit Bumrah and Co. and ended the day at 67/7, still 83 runs behind India. India vs Australia Live Score: Brilliant opening spells from Starc and Hazlewood Young guns like Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) and Devdutt Padikkal (0) looked completely out of place during a brilliant opening spell bowled in tandem by Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Virat Kohli (5) was done in by a short ball from Hazlewood. The star Indian batter couldn't remove his bat from the line of the ball and the resultant edge became a regulation slip catch. Rahul followed the basics during this course -- playing the one coming into his body while leaving all other deliveries from length. He got out when Starc, back for his second spell, got one to move a shade and the snicko showed deflection although the batter suggested that his bat hit the pad at the same time when the ball went past the edge. IND vs AUS Live Score: Reddy and Pant were the only saving grace for India But this resurrection was preceded by a horror show with the bat. Reddy's grit and Pant's brief daredevilry were the only saving grace against a disciplined Australia. Pant and Reddy had added 48 when rival skipper Cummins, who had dropped a skier, got a fuller delivery to straighten as the southpaw closed his bat face and the thickish leading edge flew to the second slip. Pant and Reddy were the only two players who were intent on a pushback. Among the top-half, KL Rahul (26 off 74 balls) was ready to grind it out before getting a contentious caught behind decision. Border-Gavaskar Trophy Live Score: India took control of the proceedings Debutant Nathan McSweeney (10) got a nip-backer and DRS ruled him leg before. Usman Khawaja (8) just froze in his crease once Bumrah decided to square him up by coming round the wicket. Virat Kohli, who had earlier dropped Marnus Labuschagne ( 2 off 52 balls), didn't make any mistake on this one. But it was out of form Steven Smith (0), who got a very difficult first delivery that zoomed in and dipped catching him plumb in front. Once Bumrah set the tone, debutant Harshit, with a bustling action, got one that pitched on middle stump, drawing Travis Head (11) forward before it deviated to dislodge the off-bail. Australia were reeling at 31 for 4. Labuschagne took 24 balls to get off the mark and also found himself at the receiving end of some heated words from an agitated Siraj. The Indian then pitched one up to Mitchell Marsh and the resultant edge was brilliantly snapped by KL Rahul before ending Labuschagne's 52-ball agony with an in-cutter. Bumrah then came for his final spell of the day to remove the rival skipper as India took control of the proceedings. India vs Australia Live Score: Australia had no answer to Bumrah's quality On the driver's seat when they came out to reply, Australia had no answer to Bumrah's (4/17 in 10 overs) quality that was on display. Defending a low first innings total cannot be a one-man show and Mohammed Siraj (2/17 in 9 overs) and debutant Harshit Rana (1/33 in 8 overs) stepped up to support their skipper. The lengths they hit were immaculate, around five metre from the stumps and on the off-stump channel. The live grass did the rest whenever the ball landed on the seam. IND vs AUS Live Score: Bumrah leads India's spectacular bowling comeback after batting no-show Skipper Jasprit Bumrah made amends for his debatable toss call to bat first with a mesmerising opening spell that left Australia scurrying for cover at 67 for 7 and helped India make an emphatic comeback after a flop show with the willow on the opening day of the first Test in Perth. The match, which was billed as a battle between two out of form batting units, lived up to the prediction at least on the first day. As many as 17 wickets fell, which is the first time in seven decades for a Test match on Australian soil. The stand-in India skipper, much to everyone's surprise, opted to bat on a track with a liberal grass cover which generated appreciable seam movement and midriff high bounce. But neither the youngsters nor the seasoned ones in the Indian line-up were up to the task. It was debutant Nitish Reddy's gutsy 41 and Rishabh Pant's 37, including an unbelievable sixer, that got India to 150 in 49.4 overs with Josh Hazlewood (4/29), Mitchell Starc (2/14 in 11 overs), Pat Cummins (2/67 in 15.4 overs) and Mitchell Marsh (2/12 in 5 overs) sharing the spoils. Match Statistics Yashasvi Jaiswal KL Rahul Devdutt Padikkal Usman Khawaja Nathan McSweeney Marnus Labuschagne

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The imminent arrival of Donald Trump in the White House was already shaping global economic policy-making this week as the U.S. Federal Reserve flagged fewer rate cuts and other leading central banks signalled caution over their rate paths. The Fed cut rates as expected on Wednesday but accompanied the move with a message that the incoming Trump administration gave cause for caution – a sentiment echoed by its counterparts in London, Tokyo, Frankfurt and elsewhere. As Fed officials dialed back projections for future easing in the face of stubborn inflation, Chair Jerome Powell said some in the bank were trying to judge how Trump’s planned tariffs, lower taxes and immigration curbs might affect policy. “Some people did take a very preliminary step and start to incorporate highly conditional estimates of economic effects of policies into their forecasts at this meeting,” Powell said of higher estimates for both growth and inflation in 2025. Powell’s repeated urging of caution around further rate cuts triggered a slide in stock prices. Just a single Fed rate cut is now priced in for 2025. As expected, the Bank of England kept its main interest rate unchanged at 4.75% on Thursday and said it needed to stick to its existing gradual approach to cutting rates. “With the heightened uncertainty in the economy we can’t commit to when or by how much we will cut rates in the coming year,” BoE Governor Andrew Bailey said. Earlier in Asia, the Bank of Japan kept ultra-low interest rates as the threat of Trump’s policies cast a shadow over the export-reliant economy. “There’s uncertainty over the policies of the incoming U.S. administration, so we need to scrutinise the impact more carefully,” BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda told a press conference, adding that Trump trade and fiscal policies would have a huge impact on the global economy and financial markets. A Reuters survey of Japanese businesses published last week showed nearly three-quarters expect Trump to have a negative effect on their operating environment. Norway’s central bank held its policy interest rate unchanged at a 16-year high of 4.50% and highlighted the risk of a trade war between the United States and China. “Higher tariffs will likely dampen global growth, but the implications for price prospects in Norway are uncertain,” the bank said. Sweden’s central bank cut its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point to 2.50% as expected, but said it now saw reasons to be more cautious about cutting rates in early 2025. In central Europe, the Czech National Bank paused its year-long rate-cutting campaign as expected, with lingering inflation pressures, especially for services, keeping it cautious. The U.S. economy was thrown into further uncertainty after Trump pressured fellow Republicans in Congress to reject a bill to keep the government funded past the deadline of midnight on Friday and demanded lawmakers raise the nation’s debt ceiling. In the past week, the European Central Bank and Bank of Canada had already lowered interest rates. Both are seen easing further in 2025 amid weakening outlooks. While ECB President Christine Lagarde was vague about further rate cuts, she went out of her way to emphasize downside risks to growth, including from prospective trade tensions with the United States under Trump. Although Trump may have been just at the periphery of officials’ thinking at the Fed, he was a central focus in Ottawa when Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit after clashing with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on how to handle possible U.S. tariffs under the next U.S. administration. Meanwhile, crypto market enthusiasm for Trump’s notion of establishing a strategic reserve of bitcoin was dealt a setback when Powell said that the Fed had no legal authority to hold it and no plan to seek a change in the law so that it could. The remark contributed to a broad slide in crypto-related assets, including a 5% drop in bitcoin itself, its largest decline in more than three months. Source: Reuters

Hyderabad: Public policy expert Donthi Narasimha Reddy has raised concerns about major irregularities in the agreements and management of Dharani portal, the integrated land records management system. In April, Reddy submitted a detailed report to chief minister A Revanth Reddy, urging a forensic audit and citing misuse and deficiencies in the portal's operations. Reddy flagged issues with the contract between Telangana State Technology Services and IL&FS, the portal's implementation agency. Despite the contract's requirement to follow national standards, Reddy pointed out non-compliance, including the lack of a copyright statement and user-friendly features. He also criticised the absence of blockchain technology, which was promised to prevent unauthorised land alterations. He highlighted specific cases to support his concerns. In 2022, a tahsildar in Raikode mandal, Sangareddy district, allegedly manipulated Dharani records to alter ownership of 27.3 acres. In another instance, Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation was listed as owner of land in Yacharam mandal, raising doubts about the portal's authorisation process. The expert described the power to alter land ownership through Dharani as a mockery of the law and democracy, asserting that the failure to implement blockchain technology had compromised land record integrity. He also questioned the 116 crore contract value for the portal, citing ambiguities in payment terms and concerns about undocumented payments to IL&FS and its affiliates. He also raised an alarm over data security, pointing out that the implementation agency had unrestricted access to public data stored at the state data centre. He also highlighted complaints from users who were charged to fix software glitches. Reddy called for a comparison of data in Dharani portal with manual and webland records to identify wrongful entries. He also urged an investigation into the process that allowed Quantela, an ineligible bidder linked to IL&FS, to become involved with the portal. He demanded a thorough audit, warning that the lack of transparency has led to legal entanglements for both the govt and citizens. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .

Porter's 26 lead Middle Tennessee over South Florida 95-88Drivers and airline passengers without reindeer and sleighs better make a dash for it: it’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel in the U.S. The auto club AAA predicts that more than 119 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Saturday and New Year’s Day, which would top the previous holiday-season high set in 2019. The two weekends on either side of Christmas look to be some of the most crowded times on the road and at airports. Trade group Airlines for America also foresees record travel, saying it expected U.S. airlines to carry 54 million passengers during a 19-day period that started Thursday and ends Monday, Jan. 6. The number would represent a 6% increase over last year. A government shutdown that could start as soon as Saturday would likely be too close to the holidays to immediately affect flights and airport operations , but that might change if a shutdown dragged on. What will be the busiest travel days? Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Friday and Sunday, and on Dec. 26, Dec. 27, and Dec. 29. Flight traffic is expected to be light on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The slowest U.S. air travel day this year — by a wide margin — was Thanksgiving Day. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. “Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.05 a gallon, down from $3.08 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation’s highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Boston, New York City, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., are the metropolitan areas primed for the greatest delays, according to the company. Weather and other wildcards Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta, and United, have “interline agreements” that let them put stranded customers on another carrier’s flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That’s because finding a last-minute flight on another airline yourself tends to be very expensive. “When they rebook you, they will pay for the fare difference. If my flight to visit grandma that I booked six months ago for $200 gets canceled, and I turn around and book a flight four hours from now for $400, I have to pay that difference,” said Sally French, a travel expert at consumer-affairs company Nerdwallet. People traveling on budget airlines with fewer flights and no partnerships with other carriers may face a difficult choice in the event of a canceled flight. “They will put you on the next outgoing Spirit or Frontier flight, but that could be a while from now. Sometimes waiting three days for that next flight is not going to work for you,” and paying more to rebook on a big airline might be worthwhile, French said. Some airlines are taking advantage of a provision in the new Transportation Department rule that defines a significant delay as three hours for a domestic flight and six hours for an international flight. According to Brett Snyder, who runs the Cranky Flyer website, airlines that previously issued refunds for shorter delays — Delta, United, and JetBlue, for example — are now using the government standard. Delayed flights increase the risk that bags will get lost. Passengers who get separated from their bags should report it to the airline and ask what the airline will cover. Links to the customer-service plans of major U.S. airlines are at the bottom of this page . Would a government shutdown affect flights and airports? A government shutdown could occur if Congress doesn’t pass a funding bill with a midnight Friday deadline. Most TSA workers at airports, air traffic controllers, and customs agents are considered essential and would be required to work without pay in the event of a shutdown. More uncompensated workers might call out sick the longer a shutdown lasts, which could lead to longer security lines and other delays. That appeared to be the case several weeks into a government shutdown that started in December 2019. “While our personnel have prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure safe travel, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports,” TSA spokesman Carter Langston said in a statement. AAA advises travelers to “continue with their holiday plans, even if the shutdown materializes,” spokesperson Diaz said. “Airport operations will continue as normal, but perhaps run a bit slower than usual, so travelers should be aware of that.” Planning ahead for 2025 Airline fares were up 4.7% in November, compared with a year earlier, according to U.S. government figures. But early 2025 is a good time to start planning next year’s trips, including spring breaks and summer vacations. “Because travel is so popular, you’re not going to find anything that feels very rock-bottom, but January and February are great times to plan for March, April, and May,” Laura Motta, an editor at travel-guide publisher Lonely Planet, said. “If you want to go to Paris in the spring, you need to be thinking about that in January.”

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — One of Colombia’s legendary drug lords and a key operator of the Medellin cartel has been deported back to the South American country, after serving 25 years of a 30-year prison sentence in the United States. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — One of Colombia’s legendary drug lords and a key operator of the Medellin cartel has been deported back to the South American country, after serving 25 years of a 30-year prison sentence in the United States. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — One of Colombia’s legendary drug lords and a key operator of the Medellin cartel has been deported back to the South American country, after serving 25 years of a 30-year prison sentence in the United States. A short while later, Fabio Ochoa was again a free man. Ochoa arrived in Bogota’s El Dorado airport on a deportation flight on Monday, wearing a grey sweatshirt and carrying his personal belongings in a plastic bag. After stepping out of the plane, the former cartel boss was met by immigration officials in bullet proof vests. There were no police on site to detain him. Colombia’s national immigration agency promptly posted a brief statement on the social media platform X, saying Ochoa was “freed so that he could join his family” after immigration officials took his fingerprints and confirmed through a database that he is not wanted by Colombian authorities. Ochoa, 67, and his older brothers amassed a fortune when cocaine started flooding the U.S. in the late 1970s and early 1980s, according to U.S. authorities, to the point that in 1987 they were included in the Forbes Magazine’s list of billionaires. Living in Miami, Ochoa ran a distribution center for the cocaine cartel once headed by Pablo Escobar. Escobar died in a shootout with authorities in Medellin in 1993. Ochoa was first indicted in the U.S. for his alleged role in the 1986 killing of Barry Seal, an American pilot who flew cocaine flights for the Medellin cartel, but became an informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Along with his two older brothers, Juan David and Jorge Luis, Ochoa turned himself in to Colombian authorities in the early 1990s under a deal in which they avoided being extradited to the U.S. The three brothers were released from prison in 1996, but Ochoa was arrested again three years later for drug trafficking and was extradited to the U.S. in 2001 in response to an indictment in Miami naming him and more than 40 people as part of a drug smuggling conspiracy. He was the only suspect in that group who opted to go to trial, resulting in his conviction and a 30-year sentence. The other defendants got much lighter prison terms because most of them cooperated with the government. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Ochoa’s name has faded from popular memory as Mexican drug traffickers take center stage in the global drug trade. But the former member of the Medellin cartel was recently depicted in the Netflix series Griselda, where he first fights the plucky businesswoman Griselda Blanco for control of Miami’s cocaine market, and then makes an alliance with the drug trafficker, played by Sofia Vergara. Ochoa is also depicted in the Netflix series Narcos, as the youngest son of an elite Medellin family that is into ranching and horse breeding and cuts a sharp contrast with Escobar, who came from more humble roots. Richard Gregorie, a retired assistant U.S. attorney who was on the prosecution team that convicted Ochoa, said authorities were never able to seize all of the Ochoa family’s illicit drug proceeds and he expects that the former mafia boss will have a welcome return home. “He won’t be retiring a poor man, that’s for sure,” Gregorie told The Associated Press earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement

As the US Supreme Court considers whether to uphold a law that could get TikTok banned in the United States, here is a look at the rise of the video-snippet social app. – Genesis – In 2016, Beijing-based ByteDance launched Douyin, a short video sharing app, making it available only in China. ByteDance released TikTok for the international market the following year, shortly before buying song “lip-synching” app Musical.ly and merging it into TikTok. The social network became a hit with its algorithm serving up endless collections of short, looping, typically playful videos posted by users. – Pandemic boom – TikTok’s popularity soared during the Covid-19 pandemic declared in 2020, as people enduring lockdowns relied on the internet for diversion and entertainment. As a result, authorities began eyeing TikTok’s influence and addictive appeal. TikTok became one of the most downloaded apps in the world as officials grew increasingly wary of the potential for the Chinese government to influence ByteDance or access user data. India banned TikTok in July of 2020 due to tensions with China. – Targeted by Trump – While Donald Trump was US president in 2020, he signed executive orders to ban TikTok in the country. Trump accused TikTok, without proof, of siphoning off American users’ data to benefit Beijing and of censoring posts to please Chinese officials. Trump’s decision came against a backdrop of political tension between Washington and Beijing. During a failed bid for re-election, the Republican campaigned on an anti-China message. Between legal challenges and Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, the executive orders did not take effect. – Billion mark – In September 2021, TikTok announced it had 1 billion monthly users worldwide. But concerns grew about TikTok users facing risks of addiction, propaganda, and spying. In 2022, BuzzFeed reported that ByteDance employees based in China had accessed non-public information from TikTok users. ByteDance tried to cool privacy concerns by hosting user data on servers managed in the United States by Oracle. The move did not ease concerns in the United States, where TikTok was banned from devices used by the military. An array of other government agencies and academic institutes followed suit, forbidding members from using TikTok. TikTok’s Singaporean chief executive Shou Zi Chew was grilled by members of the US Congress during a 6-hour hearing in March of 2023. – Sell or go – TikTok was back in the hot seat in the United States in 2024, when President Joe Biden authorized a law requiring TikTok to be banned if ByteDance does not sell the app to a company not associated with a national security adversary. Washington’s stated aim is to cut the risk of Beijing spying on or manipulating TikTok users, particularly the 170 million US users of the app. TikTok remains adamant that it has never shared user data with the Chinese government or done its bidding at the social network. ByteDance sued the US government, arguing the law violates free speech rights. A final decision in that case is to be made by the US Supreme Court, which agreed on Tuesday to examine whether the pending ban violates the Constitution. The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on the matter for January 10. President-elect Donald Trump, who returns to office on January 20, has signaled he might intervene on TikTok’s behalf. Trump recently spoke of having a “soft spot” for TikTok, and this year his campaign used the app to win support from young voters. With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

High schools Monday: Sanford earns boys basketball win over Oxford Hills